Brandon Herman St. Clair Haynes, Brandon J. Pierce, Tia James. HuthPhoto.
Brandon Herman St. Clair Haynes, Brandon J. Pierce, Tia James. HuthPhoto.

Based on the novel of Richard Wright

Native Son

By Nambi E. Kelley Directed by Colette Robert

When you look in the mirror, what do you see?

On Chicago’s South Side in the 1930s, Bigger Thomas struggles to find a place for himself in a world where systemic oppression and poverty make fear and violence the everyday currency of life.

Most famously adapted by Carolina’s own Paul Green, Richard Wright’s seminal novel is ready to capture the hearts and minds of another generation with Nambi E. Kelley’s heart-stopping and theatrical new adaptation.

ON STAGE

September 11- September 29, 2019

Run Time

Approximately 90 minutes. No intermission.

Ticket Prices

Tickets start at $20

CONTENT WARNING

Rated R for sexual and racial violence, and strong languagage.

“gutsy, powerful, relentless…”

Chicago Tribune

Many thanks to our co-producer

This project was supported by the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

Photos

Brandon Herman St. Clair Haynes. HuthPhoto.
Brandon Herman St. Clair Haynes. HuthPhoto.
Brandon Herman St. Clair Haynes, Brandon J. Pierce, April Mae Davis. HuthPhoto.
Brandon Herman St. Clair Haynes, Brandon J. Pierce, April Mae Davis. HuthPhoto.
L to R: Julia Gibson, Brandon Herman St. Clair Haynes, Daniel P. Wilson. HuthPhoto.
L to R: Julia Gibson, Brandon Herman St. Clair Haynes, Daniel P. Wilson. HuthPhoto.
L to R: Brandon Herman St. Clair Haynes, Amadio, Brandon J. Pierce. HuthPhoto
L to R: Brandon Herman St. Clair Haynes, Amadio, Brandon J. Pierce. HuthPhoto
Foreground: Sarah Elizabeth Keyes, Brandon Herman St. Clair Haynes, Adam Poole. Background: Brandon J. Pierce. HuthPhoto.
Foreground: Sarah Elizabeth Keyes, Brandon Herman St. Clair Haynes, Adam Poole. Background: Brandon J. Pierce. HuthPhoto.
L to R: Brandon J. Pierce, Julia Gibson, Brandon Herman St. Clair Haynes, Amadio. HuthPhoto.
L to R: Brandon J. Pierce, Julia Gibson, Brandon Herman St. Clair Haynes, Amadio. HuthPhoto.
The company of "Native Son." HuthPhoto.
The company of "Native Son." HuthPhoto.
April Mae Davis, Tia James, Amadio Brandon Herman St. Clair Haynes, Brandon J. Pierce. HuthPhoto.
April Mae Davis, Tia James, Amadio Brandon Herman St. Clair Haynes, Brandon J. Pierce. HuthPhoto.
Brandon Herman St. Clair Haynes as Bigger Thomas. HuthPhoto.
Brandon Herman St. Clair Haynes as Bigger Thomas. HuthPhoto.
April Mae Davis, Brandon Herman St. Clair Haynes, Daniel P. Wilson, with Brandon J. Pierce. HuthPhoto.
April Mae Davis, Brandon Herman St. Clair Haynes, Daniel P. Wilson, with Brandon J. Pierce. HuthPhoto.
Julia Gibson, Brandon J. Pierce, Brandon Herman St. Clair Haynes, and (foreground) Amadio. HuthPhoto.
Julia Gibson, Brandon J. Pierce, Brandon Herman St. Clair Haynes, and (foreground) Amadio. HuthPhoto.
Julia Gibson as Mrs. Dalton. HuthPhoto.
Julia Gibson as Mrs. Dalton. HuthPhoto.
Julia Gibson with Brandon J. Pierce. HuthPhoto.
Julia Gibson with Brandon J. Pierce. HuthPhoto.
Brandon J. Pierce. HuthPhoto.
Brandon J. Pierce. HuthPhoto.
Brandon J. Pierce. HuthPhoto.
Brandon J. Pierce. HuthPhoto.
Brandon Herman St. Clair Haynes, Brandon J. Pierce. HuthPhoto.
Brandon Herman St. Clair Haynes, Brandon J. Pierce. HuthPhoto.
Brandon Herman St. Clair Haynes, Brandon J. Pierce, Tia James. HuthPhoto.
Brandon Herman St. Clair Haynes, Brandon J. Pierce, Tia James. HuthPhoto.
Brandon Herman St. Clair Haynes, Sarah Elizabeth Keyes. HuthPhoto.
Brandon Herman St. Clair Haynes, Sarah Elizabeth Keyes. HuthPhoto.
Brandon Herman St. Clair Haynes, Brandon J. Pierce, Sarah Elizabeth Keyes. HuthPhoto.
Brandon Herman St. Clair Haynes, Brandon J. Pierce, Sarah Elizabeth Keyes. HuthPhoto.
Tia James and the company of "Native Son." HuthPhoto.
Tia James and the company of "Native Son." HuthPhoto.
Tia James. HuthPhoto.
Tia James. HuthPhoto.
Brandon Herman St. Clair Haynes. HuthPhoto
Brandon Herman St. Clair Haynes. HuthPhoto

Reviews

PlayMakers Repertory Company’s “Native Son” Sparks Great Thought
by Susie Potter
Triangle Arts Review
September 16, 2019

PlayMakers Rep Director Colette Robert and Her Cast Don’t Pull Any Punches in Nambi Kelley’s Adaptation of Richard Wright’s “Native Son”
by Nancy Rich
Triangle Arts & Entertainment
September 16, 2019

THEATRE REVIEW: “Native Son” at Playmakers Repertory Company
by Erim Akpan
Chatham Life & Style
September 16, 2019

Richard Wright Discovers Joe Louis’ Dynamite
by Randy Roberts
The Undefeated
June 21, 2019

Artists

Colette Robert
Director
Richard Wright
Author
Nambi E. Kelley
Playwright
April Mae Davis
Actor
Julia Gibson
Actor
Brandon Herman St. Clair Haynes
Actor
Tia James
Actor
Sarah Elizabeth Keyes
Actor
Amadio
Actor
Brandon J. Pierce
Actor
Adam Poole
Actor
Daniel Paul Wilson
Actor
Lawrence E. Moten III
Creative Team
Bobbi Owen
Creative Team
Reza Behjat
Creative Team
G. Clausen
Creative Team
Alex Maness
Creative Team
Chika Ike
Creative Team
Gwendolyn Schwinke
Creative Team
Tracy Bersley
Creative Team
Adam Versényi
Creative Team
Charles K. Bayang
Creative Team

Related Posts

Notes on “Native Son”
Dramaturg Adam Versényi writes on how "Native Son" demonstrates the direct effects of physical environment on human behavior and blackness in Chicago.
The Fractured World of Native Son
It's 1930s Chicago with 64 scenes in over 15 different locations. Where do you go with the set design of "Native Son" when all Bigger Thomas wants to do is fly? An airplane hanger, of course.
The Many Faces of “Native Son”
Meet the many impressions made by Bigger Thomas on the arts community in the Triangle.
Industrial Hip-Hop via ‘Native Son’
The themes explored in "Native Son" inspired industrial hip-hop band Camp Blood to write "1144 (Sundown)" for their latest album.
Inspired by Joe
How Richard Wright was strongly influenced by the success of dynamite boxer Joe Louis in creating the world-shaking character of Bigger Thomas in "Native Son."
Call for Artwork Inspired by “Native Son”
PlayMakers and the Chapel Hill Public Library are seeking mid-sized original works inspired by Richard Wright’s seminal novel "Native Son." Submit your entry by Friday, August 9!