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An oasis for those who love classic stories. Los Angeles Times

Griot Theatre in Residence

Blackjack

October 29 & 30 at 7:30pm | October 31 at 1:30pm
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Blackjack

Presented by Griot Theatre

October 29 & 30 at 7:30pm | October 31 at 1:30pm

A movie in the making: part theatre, part film set, join a live studio audience and witness a film being made onstage. In the spirit of Hamilton, get a glimpse behind the scenes as this play is turned into a feature film.

Set in the Black Jack neighborhood of St. Louis, Missouri, during the early nineties, the play follows Heru as he arrives at the family home of his sometime-girlfriend, Khet. While Khet struggles to define her relationship with Heru and navigates the failing health of her grandfather, Heru raises suspicion with his late-night visits to East St. Louis. The arrival of a mysterious visitor propels the play toward its tragic conclusion. Based on the Isis/Osiris story from Egyptian mythology, Blackjack invokes humor and tragedy to explore the nature of identity and family – both the family into which we are born and the family we choose.

Griot Theatre exists to give voice to untold stories, by creating a forum for women, people of color, and artists with physical disabilities to interpret theatre in new ways.

While all Blackjack tickets are complimentary, a $5 processing fee will be applied per ticket.


Before being admitted into the theatre, all audience members must provide proof of full vaccination, meaning it has been at least two weeks since the ticket holder’s final vaccine shot. Masks are required. Learn more about our Covid safety policy.

Running Time: 2 hours including intermission.
Content Advisory: Blackjack is recommended for patrons age 16 and older.

artists + cast

The Artists

  • Playwright & Director: Malik B. El-Amin
  • Director of Photography: Perdell Richardson
  • Sound Recordist: Jonathan Scott & Mario Manti-Gualtiero
  • Intimacy Coordinator: Carly Weckstein

Cast

  • Heru: Wally James
  • Khet: Dami Adeyina
  • Baby-Girl: Chanessa Richa'rd
  • Ken: Rahad Coulter-Stevenson
  • Fifty: Antonio D. Charity
  • Mah-Mee: Kelsey Scott
  • Tec: Malik B. El-Amin