SPF 12: Modern Minstrelsy
On a hot August night in a predominantly white community on Long Island, NY, a Black man shoots and kills a white teenager who with three friends has been chasing in their car that man’s 20-year-old son. That shooting triggers not only charges and a trial but also the “re-surfacing” of Nig and Jig, two timeless Black American and Irish American figures, who are locked in a seemingly never-ending struggle for agency, place, and point of view in their country’s history and psyche.
Development
A one-week workshop leading to a staged reading in Los Angeles by the Lower Depth Theatre Ensemble in 2014. A finalist for the Eugene O’Neill National Playwrights Conference in 2016.
Kermit Frazier’s more than twenty-five plays have been produced around the country at such theaters as the New Federal Theater, Ensemble Studio Theatre, Detroit Repertory Theater, Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Seattle Children’s Theatre, Baltimore Center Stage, and the Lower Depth Theatre Ensemble. Some have also been published by Broadway Play Publishing and Dramatic Publishing. In addition, he’s written for several television series, including head-writing the popular children’s mystery series, Ghostwriter. His fiction and nonfiction have appeared in such publications as Callaloo, Essence, Black World, The Missouri Review, American Theatre, and The New York Times Book Review. Last winter he presented his nonfiction piece, “Ignobled in Indianapolis,” in the Road Theatre Company’s I, Too: Voices of Change. His work as a playwright was spotlighted in June, 2020, in a full-page New York Times feature article. Modern Minstrelsy was a finalist for the Eugene O’Neill National Playwrights Conference.
Gregg T. Daniel (Director) recently, August Wilson’s, “Gem of the Ocean” A Noise Within (2020 Ovation Nominee-Best Production of a Play), Lanie Robertson’s, “Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill” & Katori Hall’s, “The Mountaintop” Garry Marshall Theatre. West Coast premieres of Mfoniso Udofia’s, “Her Portmanteau” Boston Court Theatre & Tearrance Arvelle Chisholm’s,”Br’er Cotton” Lower Depth Theatre. With Rogue Machine, Lorraine Hansberry’s,”Les Blancs” (Ovation-nominated, Best Director), the L.A. premiere of Greg Kalleres’, “Honky” (nominated Best Director, Comedy), Lorraine Hansberry’s, ”A Raisin in the Sun” at A Noise Within (Ovation nominated, Best Director) & a revival of Alice Childress’, “Wedding Band: A Love/Hate Story in Black and White” Antaeus Company (Winner Stage Raw Award–Best Revival, Best Ensemble). Regional work includes, Samm-Art Williams’, ”Home” International City Theatre (ICT) & the New Jersey premiere of Katori’s Hall’s, “The Mountain Top” & Matthew Lopez’s, “The Whipping Man” at Cape May Stage. He is a recipient of the NAACP Best Director award for the International City Theatre’s production of August Wilson’s, “Fences” (nominated L.A. Drama Critics Circle, Ovation, and StageScene LA awards). Gregg is a proud member of SDC and a Founding Member/Artistic Director of Lower Depth Theatre Ensemble (Lower-Depth.com). He is married to actress, Veralyn Jones.
“Modern Minstrelsy”
Nig – Jonathan P. Sims
Jig – Chase Cargill*
Leon Collins – Gregg T. Daniel
Shirley Collins – Inger Tudor*
Joseph Collins – Blake Young-Fountain*
Sean Keegan, Sr. – Chet Grissom*
Marianna Keegan – Tracey Silver*
Sean Keegan, Jr. – Britain Hope
Waco – Aaron Lyons
Johnny – Justin Okin*
Chris – Alex Smith*
Stage Direction – Christina Carlisi
*Road Company Member