HYPE MAN: a break beat play

A controversial police shooting causes tensions between an interracial hip hop trio.
HYPE MAN is a rhythmically woven drama exploring race, representation, fame and friendship.
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HYPE MAN: a break beat play

Recommended by

  • Lavina Jadhwani:
    1 May. 2023
    HUGE fan of this play, which I got to see performed at Mixed Blood in Minneapolis. This language-forward piece is smart, provocative, and unforgettable; it's an incredible showcase of three actors and invites imaginative design and staging opportunities. Could see this play in theaters of all sizes/scales! Audiences that like political plays and heightened text will love this piece.
  • Alvaro Saar Rios:
    9 Mar. 2019
    The language in HYPE MAN flows like your favorite hip hop song. It hits you on all different levels. Just reading it, you can imagine/feel the beats and rhythms woven into it. The characters are complex and memorable. The play structure is tight. This is the kind of play that resonates with all types of audiences. Hope to see it produced one day. It's that good.
  • John Minigan:
    16 Feb. 2019
    Hype Man grabs you from the first moment and weaves as complicated a set of relationships as you can imagine between three clear, passionate characters whose personal, political, and artistic selves move in and out of connection, alliance, conflict. Goodwin gives all three characters space and time to breathe, to find independence from one another, their own truths, and a way to use art to bring their truths back together. It's brilliant, compelling work all the way.

Development History

  • Workshop
    ,
    American Blues Theater
    ,
    2017
  • Reading
    ,
    Kennedy Center College Theatre Festival - Region 7
    ,
    2016
  • Workshop
    ,
    La Jolla Playhouse
    ,
    2016
  • Workshop
    ,
    The Lark Playwriting Center
    ,
    2016

Production History

  • Professional
    ,
    Interact Theater
    ,
    2019
  • Professional
    ,
    Duke City Rep
    ,
    2019
  • Professional
    ,
    Actors Theatre of Louisville
    ,
    2019
  • Professional
    ,
    Company One & Mixed Blood Theater
    ,
    2018
  • Professional
    ,
    Flea Theatre
    ,
    2018
  • Professional
    ,
    Wilbury Group
    ,
    2018

Awards

Winner
,
Elliot Norton Award
,
Boston Theatre Critics
,
2018
Winner
,
Blue Ink Playwriting Award
,
American Blues Theatre
,
2017