Appropriate

Mesa Community College Department of Theatre and film Arts is presenting the Tony-Awarding winning play Appropriate by Brandon Jacob Jenkins. Appropriate is a departure for the department as the play tackles issues of racism, both overt and systemic, in hard hitting and unapologetic ways.

Appropriate tells the story of the Lafayette siblings Toni, Bo, and Franz, who have returned to their fathers Arkansas home upon his passing. Toni, played by Selena Costantini, is the executor of her fathers estate, a pre-Civil War plantation which was to become a bed and breakfast. Brother Bo, played by Lucas Beers, returns to reap the financial gains of the estate, while brother Franz, played by Alex Parker, returns after a ten year absence from the family to make amends during this time of crisis. As the siblings prod old wounds, evidence of a racist past, both in the family and America, are uncovered leading to uncomfortable truths and unsettling questions.

“This play is our department’s effort to contribute to the conversation regarding race in America, through the staging of Mr. Jenkins award-winning play,” explains Director Mace Archer, MCC faculty member. “It is an incredibly hard hitting play, often difficult to watch, but we felt that the discussions that had been so robust regarding race in America over the past 5 years had begun to dampen. And we wanted to inspire ongoing dialog and conversation.”

To this end, the Theatre Department has collaborated with professors from Sociology and Education to help guide this dialog. Each performance will be followed by an audience talk-back, allowing audience members to unpack their feelings regarding the play and to comment on their experiences both inside and outside the theatre.

Artistically, Appropriate holds a special place in the departmental season, with all the visual elements designed by current MCC students. Scenery, costumes, lighting, sound, props and make-up will be featured student work, building on the department’s commitment to hands-on student learning.

Audiences should be at advised that this play contains potential triggers for audience members, including racial slurs, references to generational trauma, and references to sexual abuse. Additionally, the play contains profanity and sexual content. This production is not appropriate for children.

Appropriate runs November 22, 23, December 5, 6, & 7 in the Mesa Community College Theatre. Tickets are $13 for General Admission and $10 for Students/Staff/Seniors/Veterans.

Tickets: mesacc.edu/arts/go/kjc