East of Mercy

by Mik Johnson

In 1998, a flood hit San Antonio, TX. Saddled with three days of rain, the waters headed toward the wealthy north of the city. The predominantly Black east side is the one that was hit. All that’s left of Dorie Street today is a small wood and a highway, while two streets down the houses remain undisturbed. Of those affected was a family—a grandmother, her daughter, and her baby—all fighting for their futures...

In 1998, a flood hit San Antonio, TX. Saddled with three days of rain, the waters headed toward the wealthy north of the city. The predominantly Black east side is the one that was hit. All that’s left of Dorie Street today is a small wood and a highway, while two streets down the houses remain undisturbed. Of those affected was a family—a grandmother, her daughter, and her baby—all fighting for their futures. Using memory as archive, East of Mercy is an imagining into what was lost and what was retained in the wake of disaster.

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East of Mercy

Recommended by

  • Elizabeth A. M. Keel: East of Mercy by Mik Johnson
    “

    This "flood play" is a family play at heart. Aniyah offers an absolute symphony on Motherhood, spanning from fully fortissimo operatic thunder, down to the quietest, private little melody. On the outskirts of her cozy family home, big thematic monsters cast their shadow against the house: gentrification, natural disaster, crime, the prison system. But at the same time, the neighborhood (and library!) provide hope, light, and relief. What a treasure trove of roles for strong actors!

    This "flood play" is a family play at heart. Aniyah offers an absolute symphony on Motherhood, spanning from fully fortissimo operatic thunder, down to the quietest, private little melody. On the outskirts of her cozy family home, big thematic monsters cast their shadow against the house: gentrification, natural disaster, crime, the prison system. But at the same time, the neighborhood (and library!) provide hope, light, and relief. What a treasure trove of roles for strong actors!

    ”

Character Information

• This show is about Black people. Verbena, Aniyah, Lamont, Silas, Clarence, Mercy, Evelyn, Dolores, and Nadine are all Black people. Non-negotiable. The TV Voice/Reporter, the Voices, and others are Black-hopeful-but-POC-if-otherwise. Given the make-up of San Antonio, if they’re not Black they are likely Mexican or otherwise Latinx.
• If double-casting, I recommend: Silas/TV Voice, Evelyn/Lily, Nadine/Jessie, Clarence/Jerry
  • Verbena
    Aniyah's mother
    67
    African American/Black
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s,
      60s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Aniyah
    Verbena’s youngest, Mercy’s mother
    30
    African American/Black
    Female
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Lamont
    Aniyah’s husband of 6 years
    32
    African American/Black
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • Silas
    Verbena’s second son
    35
    African American/Black
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • Clarence/Man with the ‘Fro
    Verbena’s eldest
    would've been 37, died at 30
    African American/Black
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • Mercy
    Aniyah and Lamont’s first daughter
    7
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Child
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Evelyn
    Verbena’s first friend when she came to San Antonio, surrogate older sister
    72
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Dolores
    part of Verbena’s crew
    69
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      50s,
      60s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Nadine
    part of Verbena’s crew
    63
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s,
      60s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman