About the Show

Theater for the New City presents the fourth play in William Electric Black's 'Gunplays' series, an immersive drama that places the audience in a schoolhouse during a hard lockdown.

The faculty members of James Baldwin High School find themselves on lockdown because two star players on the girls' basketball team have a quarrel over a common boyfriend. Their argument has escalated to armed conflict because of the prevalence of guns in school. The manual says that in the event of imminent danger, all individuals, including safety officers, must not engage in any building sweep activity, but must take appropriate lockdown action and await the arrival of first responders. But will these people do it by the book? Will James Baldwin High School be on the news tonight?

Critic Reviews (1)

"It is uncomfortable to watch this reality unfold on stage, which makes it honest and impactful for an audience immersed in the action...Set in the round, the play effectively puts the audience right inside the room with the characters...Perhaps there are some unnecessary moments or words, but overall it is well written and well played...Each character has an arc and the actors are skilled at presenting every thought – even the thoughts the characters don’t say."
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Trailer

Creative team

Theater for the New City

Producer

William Electric Black

Playwright

William Electric Black

Director

Brittney Benson

Cast