I Don't Want to Be . . . (Mamie Till) by Lisa B. Thompson

An elegiac theatrical short play where a chorus of black mothers mourn the loss of their children to police violence.
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I Don't Want to Be . . . (Mamie Till)

Recommended by

  • Patricia Milton:
    14 Jul. 2020
    “ This chorus of lamenting Black mothers, expressing grief and sorrow over their murdered sons, is deeply affecting. I found the poetic language stunning. It is a simple, heart-piercing play that I would love to see staged, and would make a lovely audio play as well. ”
  • Carol Lashof:
    1 Jun. 2020
    “ I DON'T WANT TO BE ... (MAMIE TILL) is a gorgeous, heart-stopping script. I love the way playwright Lisa Thompson has woven a quilt of voices. This elegy should be performed over and over again until the subject matter is no longer relevant to the world we live in. It is all too relevant now. ”
  • Jordan Elizabeth Henry:
    5 Feb. 2018
    “ How fitting that I came across this play on what should have been Trayvon Martin's 23rd birthday. I DON'T WANT TO BE took my breath away -- both with its emotional intensity and with the depth of its poetry. The narrative image of Nana quilting with images of the deceased is heartbreaking and hopeful. Theatrical, lyrical, honest, heart-rending. This beautiful play is profoundly good. ”

Production History

  • Community Theater
    ,
    PAST Productions Columbus
    ,
    2018
  • Professional
    ,
    Company of Angels Theater
    ,
    2013
  • Professional
    ,
    Black Women: State of the Union—Taking Flight. Skylight Theatre
    ,
    2012