Dates / Times:

Preview: Thursday March 26, 2026 7:30pm
Opening: Friday March 27, 2026 7:30pm

Run: March 26 – 29 2026 and April 2–5 2026
- Thursday – Friday 7:30pm
- Saturday 2:00pm & 8:00pm
- Sunday 2:00pm

Talkbacks with the creative team and the cast follow the Saturday March 28, 2026 and Saturday April 4, 2026 2:00pm performances.

Location / Direction

Gilbert C. Eastman Studio Theatre

Gallaudet University

800 Florida Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002

Parking & Public Transportation

Free Parking:
Free parking is available near the theatre building on evenings and weekends. No permit is required during these times.

Metrorail:
Take the Red Line to NoMa–Gallaudet U (NY Ave) Station. The campus is approximately six blocks west of the station.

Metrobus:
Several buses service Florida Avenue NE and 8th Street NE, both near the campus entrance.

Campus Entrance

The main campus gate is located on the north side of the intersection of 8th Street NE and Florida Avenue NE.

When you enter:
• A guard booth will be on your left.
• Simply wave at the guard and proceed through.

After passing the guard booth:

Turn RIGHT.
The Elstad Building will be directly in front of you. It has large windows and several front doors.
⚠️ This is the entrance to Elstad Auditorium (Main Stage) — not your destination.

To Eastman Studio Theatre

Continue just past the front of Elstad.
Take the FIRST RIGHT TURN.
(If you pass the bronze bison statue, you’ve gone too far.)
You will now be driving along the side of the building.

• Parking will be on your right (most spaces are handicapped).
• You may park in any available non-handicapped space.

Show Details:

JR, a Black Deaf high school sophomore, presents a creative project on U.S. Deaf history using only ASL, only to have it challenged by his teacher. When a note is sent home, JR and his family gather over Sunday dinner to decide how to respond and stand up for his identity and self-expression. A simple school assignment sparks a Black Deaf teen and his family to fight for belonging, equity, and recognition of Black Deaf culture.

Content note: Brief use of strong language.
Run time: Approximately 90 minutes, no intermission.
Access: All performances are only in Black Sign Language (BASL) and American Sign Language (ASL), with open captioning.

Tickets Info:

Advance purchase required. Online ticket sales close 10 minutes before showtime. Prices do not include sales tax or service fees.

General Admission/Adults: $20
Ages 8–12: Free
13+ & university students: $10
Gallaudet staff & faculty: $15

Groups (10+): $12 per ticket. Youth group rates available by contacting theatre.tickets@gallaudet.edu.

GALLAUDET STUDENT TICKETS

One free ticket per student using an assigned GU student discount code, valid for one performance only. Reservations must be made at least three hours before showtime.

Email theatre.tickets@gallaudet.edu to reserve. First-come, first-served tickets may be available at the door as sales and seating allow. Valid GU ID required.

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The World Premiere of

Written by Rhonda Cochran | Directed by Michelle Banks

Co-Produced by Visionaries of the Creative Arts & Gallaudet University Performing Arts

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Mar 26th - Apr 5th, 2026 EDT

All performances are only in Black Sign Language (BASL) and American Sign Language (ASL), with open captioning.

Rhonda Cochran

Playwright

Michelle Banks

Director | VOCA Artistic Director

CREATIVE TEAM

Playwright ------------------------------------------------------------- Rhonda Cochran

Director • VOCA Artistic Director --------------------------------- Michelle Banks

Director of Artistic Sign Language -------------------------- Carolyn McCaskill

Scenic Designer ----------------------------------------------------------- Ethan Sinnott

Co-Lighting Designer ---------------------------------------------------- Jeremy Pitts

Co-Lighting Designer • Production Manager --------------- Annie Wiegand

Associate Lighting Designer -------------------------------------- Norah Matthews

Costume Designer ----------------------------------------------- Nikolya Sereda

Sound Designer ---------------------------------------------------- Justin Schmitz

Assistant Sound Designer -------------------------------------- Kiefer Cure

Projections/Captions Designer --------------------------------- Andres Poch

Assistant Projections/Captions Designer -------------------------- August Bird

Prop Designer ----------------------------------------------------------- Rooster Sultan

STAGE MANAGEMENT

Assistant Production Manager --------------------------------- MarcusKeith Island

Co-Stage Manager --------------------------------------------- Fatimah Abdul-Rahim

Co-Stage Manager ------------------------------------------------------- Taylor Victor

Assistant Stage Manager -----------------------------------------------Danyeal Davis

Assistant Stage Manager ------------------------------------------------ Zoeii Strong