The Great Khan

by Michael Gene Sullivan

Jayden, an African-American teenager, just wants to be his game.playing nerdy self. But after he saves a girl, Ant, from almost being raped he and his mother are forced to move to keep him safe from he boys who attacked her.

And while Jayden debates with himself if he should toughen up, Ant tries to reject the tough Black girl persona she has adopted in reaction to her victimization.

Both are trying to...

Jayden, an African-American teenager, just wants to be his game.playing nerdy self. But after he saves a girl, Ant, from almost being raped he and his mother are forced to move to keep him safe from he boys who attacked her.

And while Jayden debates with himself if he should toughen up, Ant tries to reject the tough Black girl persona she has adopted in reaction to her victimization.

Both are trying to figure out how to be themselves in a country that sees them as runaway slaves, trying to define themselves in a culture that insists on defining them as only and forever dangerous.

Then Genghis Khan shows up.

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The Great Khan

Recommended by

  • Lisa Dellagiarino Feriend: The Great Khan by Michael Gene Sullivan
    “

    Oh my gosh, I adore this. It touches on so many things - racism, how history is told by the victors, and the struggles of adolescence, just to name a few. The dialogue is brilliant, the mother/son relationship in the play is adorable, and Genghis Khan shows up! "The Great Khan" taught me many things, such as 1. The Mongols invented pants, and 2. I should read more of Michael Gene Sullivan's work.

    Oh my gosh, I adore this. It touches on so many things - racism, how history is told by the victors, and the struggles of adolescence, just to name a few. The dialogue is brilliant, the mother/son relationship in the play is adorable, and Genghis Khan shows up! "The Great Khan" taught me many things, such as 1. The Mongols invented pants, and 2. I should read more of Michael Gene Sullivan's work.

    ”
  • Danielle Ward: The Great Khan by Michael Gene Sullivan
    “

    This play offers a fresh look at the question of who controls the narrative of people's identity. The idea is that he who writes history, defines the future and that he is usually male and white. This story offers an inventive, humorous, and theatrical way into several teenagers exploration of this question. And then Genghis Khan shows up! We are excited to produce this play on our stages in 2022.

    This play offers a fresh look at the question of who controls the narrative of people's identity. The idea is that he who writes history, defines the future and that he is usually male and white. This story offers an inventive, humorous, and theatrical way into several teenagers exploration of this question. And then Genghis Khan shows up! We are excited to produce this play on our stages in 2022.

    ”
JAYDEN - 16, African American. An anime-watching, gamer nerd hiding from the world, playing games. Smart, but not a genius, has no illusions about the racism of society, and is a little terrified of the world outside his door. Not Urkel nerdy.

ANT - 16, African American. Precociously fast brain and mouth. Puts up a tough facade, but actually a quirky, dreamy nerd looking for a friend who understands her. Understands computers, wants to be a plumber.

TEMUJIN - 30s-50s, Asian/AAPI. Chinngis (Genghis) Khan. An explosive yet sensitive leader in both war and philosophy/spirituality who wants to be understood, and who was/is fiercely protective of his people. A hero.

GAO MING - 16, Chinese American. A shy, smart, nerdy teenager. While she does have a YouTube channel IRL she is neither worldly or gregarious. Deep down, though, she is a romantic and a rebel. She is fascinated with the world and history, and is a good storyteller.

CRYSTAL - 30s - early 40’s, African American. Smart, honest, lovingly sarcastic with no hint of being mean-spirited. She is not harried or suffering or tragic, nor does she give attitude; she is a working-class woman doing her best, and mostly succeeding. Also knows how to beat her son at “Smash Bros” if she has to.

MR. ADAMS - 20s-30s, European American. Upbeat, energetic Liberal history teacher in a medium-sized high school. Genuinely loves teaching young people and is trying to do his best in this new era of raised social awareness.

Development History

  • Residency, The Playwrights Foundation, 2020

Production History