Letters In The Dirt NYC Reviews and Tickets

85%

(10 Ratings)

Positive

100%

Mixed

Negative

Members say

Relevant, Thought-provoking, Resonant, Ambitious, Absorbing

About the Show

Immersive and surreal, this new drama places its audience face-to-face with Aiyana Jones — a seven-year-old girl killed by police in a botched raid in 2010 in Detroit, now a symbol in the Movement for Black Lives.

Structured like a game-ritual, the show lands it audience in a mysterious purgatory the night after Aiyana’s killing, where they are greeted by a chorus of black children, invited to play a game, and provided objects that were once a part of Aiyana’s life. To “play,” the audience must use their objects to guide her through her memories to an understanding of her death. Participants learn her favorite playground games, and dream aloud with her about if “we was all free.” All while celebrating black imagination and vulnerability.

Show-Score Member Reviews (10)

Absorbing, Resonant, Relevant, Profound, Refreshing

See it if you want an immersive piece of story-telling, thought-provoking and moving. Wonderfully written.

Don't see it if the subject matter, Black Lives Matter & Death, puts you off - but this is important art, reflecting a brutal reality. A must see piece. Read more

Relevant, Thought-provoking, Resonant, Engaging

See it if u like interactive performances. Powerful piece on the struggle for Black lives/over policing of POC communities/etc. Effective use of form

Don't see it if Would prefer to sit back and watch. Don't want to "get your hands dirty". Don't like facing questions of race and oppression. Read more

Powerful, Resonant, Confusing, Immersive, Great singing

See it if You are interested in a wrenching, surrealistic work about a botched police raid resulting in the death of a black child.

Don't see it if You don't want to go to Brooklyn, don't enjoy immersive or intimate shows, or struggle with stories about children experiencing violence.

Relevant, Thought-provoking, Clever, Nonlinear

See it if you like interacting with actors and audience; want to see a dramatic piece about current events in an unconventional way

Don't see it if you don't like the above; like a straight-forward narrative that is easy to follow Read more

100

Absorbing, Thought-provoking, Riveting, Must see, Great writing

See it if You want to see a play that will make you laugh, cry and think. The entire production is phenomenal from the writing to staging and acting!

Don't see it if You have a trigger for death and don’t like to be an active participant in shows

Relevant, Must see, Thought-provoking

See it if You like new and original theatre that is timely, important, and well done.

Don't see it if You want traditional theatre, or theatre that isn't interested in making you think.

Absorbing, Exquisite, Great staging, Great writing, Intense

See it if You like LIGHT participation (an actor placed a bow in my hair; you get to draw on the stage!) - Children of color matter to you.

Don't see it if You are looking for something fluffy and mindless. You're a racist. You don't want to go to Brooklyn. Read more

Resonant, Relevant, Ambitious, Great singing, Intense

See it if You’re looking for some powerful theatre that finds play in the most tragic places, pushes the form, and tells a story that is long overdue

Don't see it if You’re uncomfortable with participatory theatre

Trailer

Creative team