Benevolence - The Till Trilogy, by Ifa Bayeza
Projections design (Oct-Nov 2022) — Helen Hayes Awards Nomination for Outstanding Media/Projections Design
Directed by Talvin Wilks, Mosaic Theater Company, The Atlas Performing Arts Center, Washington DC
A poignant and powerful look into the ripple effects of Emmett Till’s murder, Benevolence follows two couples - one Black and one White - as they process the role of violence and loss in their relationships and communities following his death. With rich language and harrowing honesty, Benevolence invites audiences to reflect upon how our collective history resonates in our personal lives today.
The Till Trilogy is a series of plays by noted playwright Ifa Bayeza that reflect on the life, death, and legacy of Emmett Till, whose murder in 1955 remains one of the most pivotal moments in American history. Under the direction of the acclaimed Talvin Wilks, the three plays — The Ballad of Emmett Till, Benevolence, and the world premiere That Summer in Sumner — starred 10 actors performing in rotating repertory for the first time. Filled with music, poetry, and imagination, this rare theatrical event will honor the ongoing fight for racial justice in our country and offer audiences of all ages an opportunity for collective reckoning, reflection, and response. Link to the Program
Creative Team: Andrew Cohen (Scenic Designer), Alberto Segarra (Lighting Designer), Mona Kasra (Projection Designer), Danielle Preston (Costume Designer), Kwamina “Binnie” Biney (Sound Designer), Dominique Perera (Associate Sound Designer), Deb Thomas (Properties Designer), Shayna O’Neill (Production Stage Manager). Cast: Antonio Michael Woodard, Billie Krishawn, Rolonda Watts, Jaysen Wright, Jason Bowen, Vaughn Ryan Midder, Scott Ward Abernethy, Christopher Genebach, Drew Kopas, Anna DiGiovanni.
PRESS
A haunting portrait of Emmett Till comes full circle in ‘Till Trilogy’ - The Washington Post
‘Till’ Review: All-American Tragedy - Metro Weekly
Theatre Review: ‘Benevolence’ at Mosaic Theater Company - DC Theater Arts
Theatre Review: ‘That Summer in Sumner’ at the Mosaic Theater Company/ - DC Theater Arts
Till Trilogy Opens at Mosaic Theater in DC - Port of Harlem
The Till Trilogy was made possible by extraordinary support from the Roy Cockrum Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, the CrossCurrents Foundation, and John H. Ashley, Dana Brewington & Bill Tompkins, and Sheila Johnson. Additional support provided by Muriel D. Wolf, MD, and Jeffrey Banks & Stacie Lee Banks, and Juanita & Melvin Hardy, and Millennium Arts Salon and Busboys and Poets and Lee’s Flowers and Gift Shop.
Photos below by TERESA CASTRACANE
