←Recommendations of Hooded or Being Black for Dummies

An incredible read, an incredible watch, and an incredible experience to perform in. I was fortunate enough to do all three and cannot say enough about the play. Hilarious, rich, harrowing, and necessary. Chisolm triumphs in this spectacular script.

Saw this advertised and just gave it a read. SO BRILLIANT. So inventive, so reflective. I can't wait to see this in person. Beautiful work.

This play is nothing short of awe-inspiring. From the incredibly humorous comedy to the tragically dark moments of the play, this story is extremely enlightening no matter who you are. The usage of real-life references, harsh truths, and characters that you may happen to know in the real world makes this play an instant recommendation. In the wake of BLM, this is more topical than it ever has been.

I cannot wait to play "Debra" in Bloomsburg University's production of HOODED! This show is POWERFUL, IMPORTANT, and so incredibly well written, especially in the teen's dialogue. Just what we need at just the right time for the BLM movement with some great references to hip-hop legend Tupac and Philosopher Nietzsche. I cannot recommend this play enough!

I saw a production of HOODED at the Mosaic Theatre in DC a few years back, and the beauty of it has never left me. The many complex societal themes in this play, along with a dose of modern philosophy, make this a drama for our times. So much has happened since the death of Trayvon Martin, and this play is even more relevant today than it was then. There are many issues here (code switching, intersectionality, as well as the universal issues of adolescent identity), but it is not heavy-handed. There is a lot of humor, as well. Brilliant!

I actually had the privilege of reading this play in class and had no idea it was actually up on NPX (yay me!)! Reading this play was a transformative experience not only as a student, but as a human being. Seeing the reactions in real time to this immensely raw and daring script was the best time I had in a classroom. This play has a message, and if you are willing to dwell in your discomfort and unpack WHY you feel that way, then please. Read this play.

This is truly an amazingly powerful script. I had the blessing of being in a production of this show as an actress and it made me laugh and ripped me into little pieces every single night. This is one of those scripts that stays with you long after the lights go dark. It is impactful, relevant, and does a phenomenal job capturing the current state of affairs and struggles, especially in young black men. If you get the chance to see this, it is a MUST. Just...wow.

Exquisitely beautiful, funny, lyrical, and tragic by turns. Every unique device of this supremely theatrical play--the laugh light, use of repetition, playing with language and code switching--feels so meticulously structured. It at once feels heightened/mythical/allegorical, and of course all too true to life. Tearrance Arvelle Chisholm comprehensively explores the performative aspects of identity, white supremacy and violence, and feelings of liminality in multiple worlds with boldness and nuance. This piece resonated and captured so much that I struggle to communicate myself. I both felt seen and that it is essential reading for white audiences and theatremakers.

Brilliant, poetic, beautiful, funny (laughs both forced and otherwise), and emphatically theatrical. A journey to find self and community, and how/if anyone can escape the poison of whiteness in America.

I saw this play at First Floor Theatre in Chicago this past year. It was one of my favorite productions of 2018. This play will make your white audience feel uncomfortable. Good.