MEET ME AT THE GATES, MARCUS JAMES

by Donna Hoke

When a black, gay high school student finds a pink noose hanging in his locker, he puts it on and all hell breaks loose, especially after the administration steps in and "handles" the problem in a way that makes Marcus an even bigger target.

Adapted from the novella of the same name by Chris Crutcher (ALAN Award from The Assembly on Literature for Adolescents for Significant Contribution to Adolescent...

When a black, gay high school student finds a pink noose hanging in his locker, he puts it on and all hell breaks loose, especially after the administration steps in and "handles" the problem in a way that makes Marcus an even bigger target.

Adapted from the novella of the same name by Chris Crutcher (ALAN Award from The Assembly on Literature for Adolescents for Significant Contribution to Adolescent Literature, ALA Edwards Award, The Writer magazine Writers Who Make a Difference Award, Intellectual Freedom Award from the National Coalition Against Censorship).

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MEET ME AT THE GATES, MARCUS JAMES

Recommended by

  • Cheryl Bear: MEET ME AT THE GATES, MARCUS JAMES

    A powerful piece on tackling a hate crime and the students ability to stand up for himself as their most pressing concern is the publicity. Well done.

    A powerful piece on tackling a hate crime and the students ability to stand up for himself as their most pressing concern is the publicity. Well done.

  • Claudia Haas: MEET ME AT THE GATES, MARCUS JAMES

    "Nobody's safe till everyone is safe." Tackling a play about a hate crime for young audiences isn't easy. Hoke manages to bypass the easy-platitudes and preachy elements that sometimes pepper these plays. Instead, we have smartly-written dialogue and nuanced turnabouts that are unexpected. An added bonus is the ensemble of teen characters that all change and grow as they discover how to be friends. This would be a grand choice for the high school one-act circuit.

    "Nobody's safe till everyone is safe." Tackling a play about a hate crime for young audiences isn't easy. Hoke manages to bypass the easy-platitudes and preachy elements that sometimes pepper these plays. Instead, we have smartly-written dialogue and nuanced turnabouts that are unexpected. An added bonus is the ensemble of teen characters that all change and grow as they discover how to be friends. This would be a grand choice for the high school one-act circuit.

  • Purple Crayon Players: MEET ME AT THE GATES, MARCUS JAMES

    With MEET ME AT THE GATES, MARCUS JAMES, Donna Hoke shies away from neither the challenge of an adaptation nor the raw subject matter of Chris Crutcher's story. Even on the page (or in a staged reading), lines land like punches and characters sidestep the stereotypes that could easily tempt a lesser playwright. This is the kind of story that stirs up a fire within its audience and its artistic ensemble.

    With MEET ME AT THE GATES, MARCUS JAMES, Donna Hoke shies away from neither the challenge of an adaptation nor the raw subject matter of Chris Crutcher's story. Even on the page (or in a staged reading), lines land like punches and characters sidestep the stereotypes that could easily tempt a lesser playwright. This is the kind of story that stirs up a fire within its audience and its artistic ensemble.

Character Information

As this play is appropriate for high schools and colleges, all roles can be played by students, and any number of extras can be added throughout.
  • Aaron Strickland
    high school student, Roger's right-hand man
    Character Age
    18
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    White
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • Johnny Strickland
    Aaron's brother, Marcus's boyfriend
    Character Age
    17
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    White
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • Raquel Stone
    Roger's girlfriend, a follower
    Character Age
    18
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    White
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Matt Miller
    Born again with guts
    Character Age
    18
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    any but black
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • Coach Bradley
    This character is in voiceover, but, if cast, it can be an actual person
    Character Age
    30s-60s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    any but black
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • Marcus James
    High school student, gay
    Character Age
    18
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Black
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • John Simet (Mr. S)
    U.S. Government teacher
    Character Age
    30s-50s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    White
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • Andrea Bean
    high school principal
    Character Age
    30s-60s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    White
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Roger Marshall
    high school student, bully
    Character Age
    18
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    White
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • Marilyn Steelman
    High school student, independent
    Character Age
    18
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    any but black
    Character Gender Identity
    Female

Development History

  • Type Workshop, Organization Purple Crayon PLAYGround Festival at Northwestern, Year 2017

Production History

  • Type High School, Organization West Seneca East Senior High School, Year 2018
  • Type University, Organization Paris Junior College Pyro Fest, Year 2017

Awards

  • Anna Zornio Children’s Theatre Playwriting Award
    University of New Hampshire
    Finalist
    2017