Boat People

In Miami, Fl circa 1985, a young girl "passing" is forced to confront her true cultural identity, and a Haitian-American family risks losing their American Dream to protect an activist whose music has started a revolution. Mitsy Mason, 15, has just been initiated into the CCHG, a girl gang notorious for hate crimes against the Haitian community, while her uncle, Hugo Juste is forced into exile after...
In Miami, Fl circa 1985, a young girl "passing" is forced to confront her true cultural identity, and a Haitian-American family risks losing their American Dream to protect an activist whose music has started a revolution. Mitsy Mason, 15, has just been initiated into the CCHG, a girl gang notorious for hate crimes against the Haitian community, while her uncle, Hugo Juste is forced into exile after several assassination attempts by the Duvalier regime. As their worlds collide, family secrets are uncovered and only the truth will save this family from ruin.
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Boat People

Recommended by

  • Mackenzie Raine Kirkman:
    19 Dec. 2021
    Boat People elegantly dances between Fito's lessons to his students to Mitsy and Elsie talking about school while doing chores weaving a tale of a real American family; a family newly immigrated and dealing with the secret challenges so often held in mystery until new citizens arrive. Benson's characters are crisp and clear, showing us all of the different paths forward from the moment of arrival and the difficulties families face when its members choose to walk down different ones.
  • Unicorn Theatre:
    21 May. 2020
    This play is a FINALIST for the 2020-2021 In-Progress New Play Reading Series at Unicorn Theatre in Kansas City, Missouri. It is our pleasure to support BOAT PEOPLE.
  • Jordan Elizabeth Henry:
    19 Jan. 2018
    Important, timely, and exquisite. BOAT PEOPLE is filled with poetic language, deep and complex relationships, dignity and grace. This play speaks for itself -- do yourself a favor and read it; better yet, produce it.

Development History

  • Workshop
    ,
    Classic Theatre of Harlem
    ,
    2015
  • Reading
    ,
    The Fire This Time Festival
    ,
    2013

Awards

Runner Up
,
Princess Grace Award
,
Princess Grace Foundation
,
2016