Black Super Hero Magic Mama by Inda Craig-Galván

FULL-LENGTH: Sabrina Jackson cannot cope with the death of her son by a White cop. Rather than herald the Black Lives Matter movement, Sabrina retreats inward, living out a comic book superhero fantasy. Will Sabrina stay in this dream world or return to reality and mourn her loss?
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Black Super Hero Magic Mama

Recommended by

  • Natalie Dressel:
    18 Apr. 2019
    “ Grief beyond measure. What can we do when unbearable tragedy strikes but break from reality, creating a world that makes sense out of necessity.

    Sabrina is a mother that may seem at first to be over protective, until we realize that there is no amount of protection a mother can give her child that will keep them safe in today's current socio-political climate. The inablitly to escape this fate is terrifying.

    All of these themes are weaved over an extremely smart and well written script that pulls from comic books, black history, and even Harry Potter.

    I love this play. ”
  • Nick Malakhow:
    3 Apr. 2019
    “ Wow! What an amazing piece. I can't believe how effortlessly it travels from warm human realism to razor-sharp satire to gutting tragedy to magical realism and back again. This piece manages all of those tones, styles, motifs, etc. while feeling like a beautifully unified piece of art. A dangerous read on public transit, as I vacillated many times between raucously laughing aloud to crying openly. I'm so grateful to have read it and can't wait to experience a production. ”
  • Emma Goldman-Sherman:
    31 Mar. 2019
    “ Brilliant, moving, funny, tragic and true - a healing ritual and a beautiful play that gives us what is so important in the midst of these awful times - a way to begin to process and talk about the awful truths people go through and empathize! Craig-Galván creates windows into inner experience through the theatrical personification of comic book super heroes and villains. LOVE THIS! ”
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Character Information

  • Sabrina Jackson
    40s,
    African-American
    ,
    Female
    No-nonsense, loving mother. She will cut you down if need be.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      40s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Tramarion Jackson
    14,
    African-American
    ,
    Male
    Sabrina’s son. Academically and artistically gifted. Loyal to his best friend Flat Joe.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Teens
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Lena Evers
    30s,
    African-American
    ,
    Female
    Sabrina's younger sister and Tramarion's aunt. Community-minded, professional, stylish. Has always benefitted from/relied on being the younger sister.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Flat Joe
    14,
    African-American
    ,
    Male
    At 14, he hardly even notices anymore when women clutch their purses in elevators. An artist skilled beyond his years and circumstances.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Teens
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Officer Dave Lester
    30s-40s,
    White
    ,
    Male
    A Chicago cop with a clean record. He’s soooo over the bandwagon Cubs fans. Sincerely wants to protect and serve.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s, 40s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      White
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Coach Corey Brackett
    30s-40s,
    African-American
    ,
    Male
    Part-time teacher/academic coach; part-time philosopher. Everybody’s favorite cool teacher.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s, 40s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Connie Wright
    30s-50s,
    Asian-American
    ,
    Female
    Connie’s news anchor position was hard-won and she enjoys the challenges. She can exploit the hell out of a story, but it’s wearing on her.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s, 40s, 50s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Tom Blackman
    30s-40s,
    African-American
    ,
    Male
    An ambitious, hungry field reporter. He’s proud of the fact that you’d never guess he grew up on the Southside of Chicago.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s, 40s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Gender: 
      Male

Development History

  • Residency
    ,
    Eugene O'Neill National Playwrights Conference
    ,
    2017
  • Reading
    ,
    Association for Theatre in Higher Education/Women & Theatre Program
    ,
    2016
  • Reading
    ,
    Intiman Theatre
    ,
    2016
  • Reading
    ,
    Skylight Theatre INKubator Reading Series
    ,
    2016
  • Reading
    ,
    Artemisia Theatre Fall Festival
    ,
    2016
  • Workshop
    ,
    Texas State Black & Latino Playwrights Conference
    ,
    2016
  • Workshop
    ,
    Women Works, University of Tulsa
    ,
    2016

Production History

  • Professional
    ,
    Geffen Playhouse
    ,
    2019

Awards

Winner
,
The Rosa Parks Playwriting Award
,
The Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival
,
2017
Kilroys List
,
2017
Runner Up
,
Princess Grace Award
,
Princess Grace Foundation-USA
,
2017
Winner
,
Jane Chambers Student Playwriting Award
,
Association for Theatre in Higher Education
,
2016
Winner
,
WomenWorks Graduate Student Playwriting Award
,
University of Tulsa
,
2016
Finalist
,
Todd McNerney National Playwriting Contest
,
College of Charleston
,
2016
Winner
,
Trustus Theatre Playwrights' Festival
,
Trustus Theatre
,
2016