
Temples of Lung & Air
PlayMakers Presents the StreetSigns production
Written and performed by Kane Smego
Directed by Joseph Megel
A hip-hop odyssey through race and identity
Poetry, rap, and storytelling join forces in a tale of race, identity, and growing up between left and right in the American South. Writer-performer and UNC graduate Kane Smego draws on his experience as an international touring poet, hip-hop artist, youth educator, and Durham, N.C. native in this virtuosic one-man show. Stream this encore presentation of the show that had the entire Triangle talking in 2018.
Pass the Mic
Continuing a PlayMakers tradition—virtually—we’ll be holding a LIVE post-show discussion after the final on the final day of streaming of Temples of Lung and Air. Not only that, Kane Smego, in his infinite generosity, is also sharing the stage with some local artists to share their work with our audiences.
Bring your questions and applause to our live chat with Kane on October 11, moderated by Kathy Williams. Then they’ll pass the mic to two Triangle gems: CJ Suitt of The Sacrificial Poets youth mentoring program and local “Jeghetto,” Tarish Pipkins.
AGE RECOMMENDATION
Due to heavy themes and some language use, we recommend this show for ages 15 and up.
RUN TIME
A production of StreetSigns Center for Literature and Performance. This project was supported by the North Carolina Arts
Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, with additional support by a grant from the Paul Green Foundation, Inc.—Serving the Arts and Human Rights since 1982.
Reviews
REVIEWS
Temples of Lung and Air at PlayMakers Repertory Company
by Garrett Southerland
Talkin’ Broadway
August 24, 2018
StreetSigns’ World Premiere of Kane Smego’s Temples of Lung and Air at PlayMakers Repertory Company Is Phenomenal!
by Kurt Benrud
Triangle Review
August 24, 2018
Temples of Lung and Air Tackles Tough Questions and Inspires Great Thought
by Susie Potter
Triangle Arts Review
August 23, 2018
NEWS
Triangle First: A Cardboard Durham Comes to Life in Kane Smego’s “Collard Green Music” Video
by Brian Howe
Indy Week
Spetember 2, 2020
In Temples of Lung and Air, Spoken-Word Star Kane Smego Drops Real Talk on Hip-Hop and White Privilege
by Kevin J. Rowsey II
Indy Week
August 22, 2018
On Aug. 22-26, PlayMakers Repertory Company Will Present StreetSigns’ World Premiere of Kane Smego’s Temples of Lung and Air
by Robert McDowell
Triangle Review
August 22, 2018
A One-Man ‘Hip-Hop Odyssey’ Spotlights The Cypher
by Anita Rao & Frank Stasio
WUNC
August 15, 2018
Phil Cook Commits to His Community on His Second Record, People Are My Drug
by Spencer Griffith
Indy Week
June 6, 2018
Stories with a Heartbeat: Kane Smego
by Rohan Ayinde
WUNC
December 2, 2016
After helping grow Sacrificial Poets from a slam team to an educational fixture, Kane Smego heads west
by Chris Vitiello
Indy Week
September 10, 2014