The Magnolia Ballet

by Terry Guest

What do we do with the ugly history of racial injustice in America? Do we put it on display or lock it away and hope to forget it? Do we embrace it or are we embarrassed of it? What happens if we decided to just burn it all to the ground, could we ever rebuild? The Magnolia Ballet is a Southern Gothic fable about a Queer Black boy, his father and the ghosts that live in the walls of their old family home....

What do we do with the ugly history of racial injustice in America? Do we put it on display or lock it away and hope to forget it? Do we embrace it or are we embarrassed of it? What happens if we decided to just burn it all to the ground, could we ever rebuild? The Magnolia Ballet is a Southern Gothic fable about a Queer Black boy, his father and the ghosts that live in the walls of their old family home. Spanning 400 years, the show explores the complex relationships between multiple generations of Black and White people living in the state of Georgia.

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The Magnolia Ballet

Recommended by

  • Katherine Gwynn: The Magnolia Ballet by Terry Guest
    “

    a gorgeous southern gothic fantasia--the production of this at About Face in Chicago was lovely, and I hope it gets produced more widely!

    a gorgeous southern gothic fantasia--the production of this at About Face in Chicago was lovely, and I hope it gets produced more widely!

    ”
  • Angels Theatre Company: The Magnolia Ballet by Terry Guest
    “

    The Magnolia Ballet was selected for the 2021-22 Salon Reading Series by the Angels Theatre Company.

    It’s been a long time since a play has captivated my imagination quite the way Terry Guest’s The Magnolia Ballet has–it sticks with me. It’s not the story per se, but the storytelling; the way the story unfolds and reveals itself–the poetry, symbolism, and the …anagnorisis. The Magnolia Ballet is a rare achievement. Highly recommended.

    The Magnolia Ballet was selected for the 2021-22 Salon Reading Series by the Angels Theatre Company.

    It’s been a long time since a play has captivated my imagination quite the way Terry Guest’s The Magnolia Ballet has–it sticks with me. It’s not the story per se, but the storytelling; the way the story unfolds and reveals itself–the poetry, symbolism, and the …anagnorisis. The Magnolia Ballet is a rare achievement. Highly recommended.

    ”
  • Samantha Marchant: The Magnolia Ballet by Terry Guest
    “

    Stunning! The lists and links and beautiful steps Guest's writing takes you through come together like a song. This play needs to be done many times and I hope to see it.

    Stunning! The lists and links and beautiful steps Guest's writing takes you through come together like a song. This play needs to be done many times and I hope to see it.

    ”
View all 5 recommendations

Character Information

  • Ezekiel Mitchell VI (Z)
    Young, Gay, Black Man
    17
    African / African American / Black
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Ezekiel Mitchell V
    Older Black Man.
    40-60s
    African / African American / Black
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s,
      60s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Apparition
    Any Age
    African / African American / Black or Jamaican
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male,
      Non-binary
  • Danny
    17
    White
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      White
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male

Development History

  • Workshop, About Face Theatre, 2021
  • Reading, The Story Theatre , 2020

Production History

  • Professional, About Face Theatre, Chicago, 2022
  • Professional, Alleyway Theatre, Buffalo NY--NNPN Rolling World Premiere , 2022
  • Professional, Pheonix Theatre, Indianapolis --NNPN Rolling World Premiere , 2022
  • Professional, Williamston Theatre, Williamston Michigan-- NNPN Rolling World Premiere , 2022

Awards

  • David Goldman Best New American Play Award
    Winner
    2022
  • Best Production
    Jeff Awards
    Winner
    2022