AFFINITY LUNCH MINUTES

FULL LENGTH: Ben and Jasmine are the only two Black teachers at Penn Valley, a private Quaker school. Jasmine is passionate and boundary pushing, while Ben has worked his way up the ranks at the school to be Diversity Dean thanks to his “agreeable” nature. A racially charged discipline decision ignites a divide at the school and in Jasmine and Ben’s collegial relationship.
Current Draft: 2/1/2024
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AFFINITY LUNCH MINUTES

Recommended by

  • Brent Alles:
    10 Feb. 2024
    Got a chance to view a production of the play this evening. An incredibly well written and thought provoking piece of work. Malakhow provides great parts for the actors to sink their teeth into. The nuance of this play is superb. After finishing the viewing, it took a while for much to sink in, but the discussion I was able to have with those who viewed it with me was almost as valuable as the viewing. It's that type of work, and this play is a powerful statement by Malakhow on sadly still relevant issues in our society. A triumph.
  • John Mabey:
    29 Jan. 2024
    AFFINITY LUNCH MINUTES by Nick Malakhow is an incredibly powerful play that I read more than once so I could spend even more time with these characters. The dialogue is so rich and layered, giving deep subtext between the words and moments. And as the story unfolds, the intersectional ways in which the characters connect and collide is masterfully done, exploring racism, diversity, queerness, and whiteness more deeply than I've read before. It would be such a gift to watch this play unfold on stage, and I have no doubt that I'll have that opportunity soon. Produce this play.
  • Ellie Parish:
    12 Dec. 2023
    Affinity Lunch Minutes by Nick Malakhow is something everyone should make time to read in their lifetime. This play is illuminating to the struggles people of color face in PWIs. The commentary on institutional racism is nuanced in a way you don't usually see. This show impacted me extremely. I found myself thinking about it for weeks after I read it. I think everyone needs to read this play. If you are considering it, I would highly recommend it.

Character Information

  • Ben
    30's,
    Multi-racial with Black heritage
    ,
    He/Him/His
    He can be portrayed by an actor who is Black, Multi-racial, or Afro-Latinx. Multiracial with Black heritage, Drama teacher, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) dean. Black people have told him he speaks like a white boy. White people have told him he’s “articulate and thoughtful.”
  • Jasmine
    20's-30's,
    Black, Afro-Latinx
    ,
    She/Her/Hers
    History teacher, a bit of a firebrand. Frustrated.
  • Cal
    17-18,
    White
    ,
    He/Him/His
    a high school senior, and a Quaker. A class officer, but not because he’s popular. Plays Devil’s Advocate in class to his classmates’ chagrin. More likely to be talking to a teacher than his peers.
  • Jill
    50's-60's,
    White
    ,
    She/Her/Hers
    Head of school--Penn Valley’s first woman head in 133 years. A Quaker.

Development History

  • Workshop
    ,
    Local Theater Company
    ,
    2022
  • Reading
    ,
    Relative Theatrics
    ,
    2021
  • Reading
    ,
    Garry Marshall Theatre
    ,
    2021
  • Reading
    ,
    Fuse Theatre
    ,
    2021
  • Workshop
    ,
    Clamour Theatre
    ,
    2021
  • Workshop
    ,
    Playwrights Incubator Collective
    ,
    2021
  • Workshop
    ,
    The Garden Script Development
    ,
    2021

Production History

  • Workshop
    ,
    Actors Theatre of Grand Rapids
    ,
    2024
  • University
    ,
    University of Central Florida
    ,
    2022

Awards

Finalist
,
Princess Grace
,
New Dramatists
,
2022
Selection
,
Garden Script Development
,
2021
Selection
,
Playwrights Voiced Festival
,
Relative Theatrics
,
2021