Letters In The Dirt

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.

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.

Also Despite the subject matter, this is not a doom and gloom piece. It's real, resonant and riveting. Important art for an important subject.

The immersion aspect is fairly light, so don't worry about running up and down stairs or anything too crazy (Sleep No more etc) - you'll just be called upon with some light audience participation.

Really beautiful piece.... Read more Read less

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.

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.

Also I loved the incorporation of play and story and how it both engages the audience and also implicates them as participants in a tragic story of a Black child's needless death. The ending was easily predicted due to heavy-handed audio introduction (would be better at end?), but still emotionally powerful. Performers were good as an ensemble but need more confidence as individual performers. They're mostly NYU students, so it's understandable.

This isn't criticism: It made me sad that we as a society need a piece like this that humanizes black children. It's important work, but a tragedy of our racist society that this piece even has to exist. Definitely made me wonder if we would have the same empathy for a discussion of the death of Black adults at the hands of police as we do for this story of Black children. Definitely a success in forcing us to ask ourselves tough questions.... Read more Read less

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.

Also This participatory show about murder is at times funny, mystical, and heart-breakingly hopeful. It's a very tender piece that floats between this world and the next. Surreal and heavenly with a tiny bit of child-like imagination, I loved every bit of it! MUST SEE!... Read more Read less

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

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

Also some strong acting, some not so strong acting; this show can be a little difficult to follow at times, but it's an unusual way to tell a story and interesting overall... Read more Read less

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