About the Show

A performer recounts how poetry and Shakespeare shaped his path through life.

In this autobiographical solo play, Jacob Ming-Trent reflects on his upbringing, artistic aspirations, and search for identity. Drawing on personal experiences, he revisits pivotal moments from his youth, tracing a path marked by rejection, struggle, and self-discovery. Throughout the story, the works of Shakespeare serve as a recurring influence alongside the voices of rappers, preachers, and poets who helped shape his understanding of language and expression.

Blending storytelling, performance, and literary references, the play examines the role of art in personal transformation and the ways creative expression can provide connection, purpose, and resilience. Directed by Tony Taccone.

Critic Reviews (5)

"3/5 stars. A perennial scene-stealer in ensemble work, Ming-Trent is a captivating performer... But as a writer, he sometimes still seems to be finding his footing."
Read more

"Ming-Trent tells his congregation the story of his salvation but does not succeed in helping his members locate themselves in that story or how it relates them to each other and the world."
Read more

"offers more than a touch of whimsy as well as a dip into the surreal"
Read more

Jacob Ming-Trent details an absorbing, often haunting journey through the darkness of his upbringing, with the Bard as muse and life coach. ★★★☆☆
Read more

"Jacob Ming-Trent’s How Shakespeare Saved My Life is entertaining and heartwarming."
Read more