Death By A Thousand Cuts: A Requiem for Black and Brown Men

LONG WHARF THEAtre & PRESENTS A THEATRICAL READ OF

Long Wharf Theatre Wednesday, June 29th 2022 at 7PM EST

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

The Bitsie Clark Fund ConnCAT ConnCORP Jazzy’s Cabaret Long Wharf Theatre M.A.D. Content Production Team Quinnipiac University Roberta Gill–Brooks Whitney Center Wives of the Cast Special thanks to: All of the mens’ groups who inspired Steve Driffin to create this work.

Please silence all cellphones and electronic devices during the show. Recording or photographing this production is strictly prohibited.

Thank you.

Warning: Gun shot simulated during performance.

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CAST JASON HALL, often referred to as PHENIX, his stage name, is a theater alumni from Southern Connecticut State University. Past credits include: CCT’s Jesus Hopped the A Train; Skeleton Crew; Stop Kiss; and Polaroid Stories. Jason is the cowriter of Rebirth’s Art Collective play, Letters from the Sky. He is also is the founder of Bridgeport’s first improv troupe Never Say No. @phenixtheartist

“GREEN”

Jason Phenix Hall

SHARMONT (INFLUENCE) LITTLE is a Poet, Writer, Actor, and Workshop Coordinator from New Haven, CT. Truly passionate about acting and spoken word, Influence has performed at venues such as NYC’s Nuyorican Poetry Café and the Lizard Lounge in in Cambridge, MA. including Yale, Virginia State University, Boston University, and numerous public schools. Influence grew

“GOLD”

his legacy, winning poetry slams nationwide. He is a five-time member of the CT Slam Team Verbal Slap, a coach of the 2017 team, and Grand Slam Champion. Influence is also the founder of Influence a Life, LLC—a business that focuses on teaching coping skills, social skills, and conflict resolution via the art of spoken word. @influence_a_life

Sharmont Influence Little

#DBATC2022 #TheRequiem #madcontentproductions

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100 Ashmun Street, New Haven, CT 06511, Hours of Operation Sunday Saturday 10AM - 8PM

5 Science Park, New Haven, CT 06511, Hours of Operation Monday Friday 4PM - 8PM order online: montereychicken.com

4 Science Park, New Haven, CT 06511, Hours of Operation Monday - Friday 10AM - 2PM

“Congratulations, Steve, We salute you.”

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Harvé Vernardo Dicker Cover Photo Graphic Design For inquiries, please email: harrydicker@icloud.com or call (203) 331-5746

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CAST STEPHEN KING is a 29-year-old professional music composer, producer and actor from New Haven, CT. He has performed his musical talents, whether it be sax or piano, across stages such as cafe 9, the Shubert Theatre, the International Festival of Arts & Ideas, Brooklyn Bowl, the Rockwood Music Hall, and many more in-between. As an actor, Stephen has performed with Collective Consciousness Theatre, The Whitney Players, The Round Table Players and individual works

by Playwrights. Motivated by his drive to become great in the arts, his love for theater and music keeps him humble. Always a student, Stephen is always learning and staying true to the arts and the power it has on the people who receive it.

“RED”

Stephen King

@gritzking_

RODNEY T. MOORE is a seasoned actor and independent filmmaker originally from New Haven, CT. Mr. Moore has performed theatrically on stages in New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Atlanta, and in Connecticut at venues such as: Long Wharf Theater, Cabaret Theater, Palace Theater Stamford, the Seven Angels Theater, Fairfield Theater Club, and The Klein Memorial Theater. Besides being a talented actor, Rodney is also a dedicated husband, father and grandfather. His other passion is working with non-custodial fathers and men returning home from incarceration as the Fatherhood Coordinator for New Haven Healthy Start at The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven.

“BLACK”

Rodney Moore

rmoore@cfgnh.org

#DBATC2022 #TheRequiem #madcontentproductions

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PRODUCTION TEAM STEVE DRIFFIN is an award-winning screenwriter and playwright who produced many independent stage-plays at sold-out venues in Connecticut. As the founder of M.A.D. Content Productions, he has written several screenplays which received accolades in different competitions; his most recent screenplay animation, ”Butterflies,” won the 2021 Big Apple Film Festival and Screenwriting Competition.

Steve launched into playwriting by speaking to the ills in his community during the crack-era by using guerrilla theater and performing "Yo' Street" on some of the most notorious streets in New Haven. His most recent stage-play "DEATH BY A THOUSAND CUTS: A REQUIEM FOR BLACK AND BROWN MEN" is already garnering the attention of a few venues and has incredible promise for 2022. Stay Tuned! @m.a.d.content

m.a.d.contentproductions@gmail.com

@steve.driffin

KARINA MEDVED-WU—Assistant Director & Playbill Designer MERCEDES SHERMAN—Panel Facilitator ANITA BATTLE—Manager KENNIES E. BROWN—Videographer GIOVANNI LOPEZ—Videographer SHIRLEY SKYERS-THOMAS—Audience Interviewer CHRIS BATTLE—Videographer’s Assistant & Content Creator ASHLYNN TOPPER—Photographer & Content Creator ALAN WU—SP-FX & Stagehand CASSIE VOLCY—Production Assistant

If you’d like to learn more about M.A.D. Content Productions or support what we do, please scan the QR Code with your mobile device’s camera.

#DBATC2022 #TheRequiem #madcontentproductions

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SUPPORT M.A.D. CONTENT!

Shirts are available for purchase tonight in Long Wharf Theatre’s lobby. All proceeds will support M.A.D. Content Productions in bringing performances of #TheRequiem beyond Connecticut.

Cost: $28 Available Sizes: Small to 4XL Material: Jersey tees are pre-shrunk and made of 100% Airlume & ringspun cotton.

#DBATC2022 #TheRequiem #madcontentproductions

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RESOURCES MENTAL GROWTH & INTERNAL HEALING Mental health services in New Haven.

Contact: Shenira L. Billups, MS, NCC, LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) Email: infomgih@gmail.com Phone: (203) 873-1262 Website: mentalgrowthinternalhealing.com MEN’S RESOURCES & LIFE COACH Certified life coach that supports fathers & inspires them to set achievable goals for themselves & their families, allowing them to begin building confidence in their ability to achieve their dreams.

Contact: Bruce A. Trammell Sr., CFLC Email: batlee72@gmail.com Phone: (203) 530-7675 Facebook: @coachbrucetrammell NEW HAVEN HEALTHY START: THE MEN’S CONSORTIUM (TMC) A space & place that helps men & fathers reconnect with their families and communities. TMC has become a haven to many men transitioning back into their community.

Contact: Rodney Moore Email: rmoore@cfgnh.org Phone: (203) 777-7086 Website: cfgnh.org/articles/mens-consortium-heals-informs RELIANT BEHAVIORAL HEALTH & COMMUNITY SERVICES Mental health, family, and geriatric services focused on improving the quality of life for individuals, families, & diverse communities throughout New Haven County & CT. Contact: Lisa Hardy-Gardner, LMSW (CEO & Owner) Email: Reliantbehavioralhealthcs@gmail.com Phone: (203) 439-5555 ext. 1; ext. 2 (Effective Community Services; ext. 3 (Virginia’s Heart TLC) STRATEGY COUNSELING & COACHING, LLC Licensed professional counselor & certified life coach.

Contact: Jeroy M. Smith, MS, LPC Email: JeroyTheTherapist@gmail.com Phone: (475) 675-0282 Scan the QR Code with your Instagram: @JeroyTheTherapist mobile device’s camera for a PDF version of this resource bundle.

Compiled by M.A.D. Content Productions

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RESOURCES BLACK OBSIDIAN A healing group experience for people who identify as Black and as men.

Contact: Eric Rey Email: blackobsidianhealing@gmail.com Phone: (203) 800-6870 Website: blackobsidianhealing.com FATHERS CRY TOO! A peer support network for fathers who have lost their children to gun violence.

Contact: Thomas Daniels Email: tldaniels134@gmail.com Phone: (203) 850-9281 FATHER F.A.C.T.O.R. / CAANH The Father F.A.C.T.O.R. (Facing Adversity to Continuously Obtain Resilience) program provides a safe space for dads to voice their experiences, network with other men and increase their knowledge about fatherhood.

Contact: Amos L. Smith (President & CEO) Email: asmith@caanh.net Phone: (203)-387-7700 Website: caanh.net/father-factor FIXING FATHERS, INC. The mission of Fixing Fathers, Inc. is to help fathers strengthen their bond with their children and their families while educating fathers on the importance of their role as fathers.

Contact: Dr. David Lee Asberry Email: fixingfathers@gmail.com Phone: (718) 288-0768 Website: fixingfathers.org HANGTIME (HT) Supports specific ex-offenders, group & gang members diagnosed (and/or yet to be diagnosed) with Post and Present Traumatic Stress with options in mental health treatment & assistance with social service navigation. HT serves as a sanctuary for its participants, offering a respectful, safe, and empowering atmosphere to share insight on day-to-day issues.

Contact: Charles K. Grady Scan the QR Code with your Email: hangtimerealtalk@gmail.com mobile device’s camera for a Website: hangtimerealtalk.com PDF version of this resource bundle.

Compiled by M.A.D. Content Productions

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“UNINVISIBLE” this letter is for my brothers, written with a heart that is heavy but not too full that it doesn't have room for you... ...receive this love that I send for what it is and not what they and others tell you it is or what you might assume... and know that its origin swam several seas, endured many passages, and not just the one in the middle, and held you when your spirit left you, when your own breath deceived you, and when people beguiled you.. let us no longer walk by each other as if we are strangers, as if your story is not mine and mine is not yours, that our beginning and our end are not intertwined... we are cousins, homies, best buds, friends, and lovers no holding back now, running from the truth is what kept up down... tell me your name, that's all that I desire to know, so I can speak it and make the universe acknowledge it, for it is then that you become real, that mankind has to acknowledge you, otherwise you are just a nameless body an anonymity a pronoun instead of a noun not even worthy of a title... which is why I must know it and scream it out loud... (cont’d on next page) –larry d. banks, 2022 Phi Beta Sigma, Inc.

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“UNINVISIBLE” (cont’d from previous page) it matters not so much how they see us what matters most is how we see each other... that WE SEE EACH OTHER... and sisters, please allow us this one time to stand in the middle, lock arms around us and grant us the right to cry and wail without ceasing or judgement encourage us to purge, and rid ourselves of the weight of this world... we were forced into manhood all the while draped in the bodies of boys, stripped of our emotions and left to fend for ourselves and our families... our tears though strong, filled with passion and courage, a bit frightful but never callous Is the cleansing that we need and better to shed them than to shed our blood...

–larry d. banks, 2022 Phi Beta Sigma, Inc.

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