Say It Ain't So *New Play* by Nikki Brake-Silla

“Say It Ain’t So” weaves a tale of Sandra, an affluent Black mother, on the lam with her Deaf sister, Renny. Sandra encounters her Ancestors; Past, Present and Future, who bring into question, can Black women ever truly be free? In conversation with Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” and Sun Tzŭ’s “Art of War,” the play asks, What do we inherit? What past should we not pass on? Can cycles really be broken?
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Say It Ain't So *New Play*

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Sandra - 50, Black, descended from generations of free Blacks, on her maternal side, Chairman gene, Renny's sister, and the only member of the family who learned ASL.

Renesha, - 39, goes by Renny, Deaf from birth, the only person who is not terrified of Sandra. Sandra's baby sister.

Flight attendant, 24, lives to serve. (Flight attendant and Present can double)

Past Ancestor/Nana Janie - 5th great grandmother, 435, but for the purpose of this play, she's 30, her age when baked her first apple pie. A Black Tudor, immigrated from England in 1587, as the wife of a navy Admiral. (Past and Millicente can double)

Present Ancestor/Mama Zia, 24, died giving birth to her youngest daughter, Renesha.

Future Ancestor/Andy, 8, Deaf, has the potential to break the cycle. (Future and Little girl on Plane can double)

Amanirenas, the queen of the Kingdom of Kush. Reported to have lost an eye in battle, her voice brings everyone to attention.

Captain: Voice over

Deaf actors should ALWAYS play Renesha and Future.

Development History

  • Reading
    ,
    Queens Theatre
    ,
    2022
  • Commission
    ,
    Revolution Shakespeare
    ,
    2021
  • Reading
    ,
    Philadelphia Fringe
    ,
    2021

Awards

Selection
,
Transformation Award
,
Leeway Foundation
,
2024
Selection
,
Princess Grace Special Project
,
Princess Grace Foundation
,
2022
Finalist
,
Dramatist Guild Fellows
,
Dramatist Guild
,
2022