Good morning, America! Welcome to Hanover Middle School, where a pair of teachers are getting down and dirty with today’s lesson. The nimble duo goes round after round on the mat of our nation’s history, tackling race, sex, and power in this R-rated, kaleidoscopic, and fearless comedy.
Outrageously funny! Strikingly rendered by bold, smart performances. - New York Times, Critics Pick
Very intense, very brave and also very funny. A courageous, ridiculous, brilliant show. - TimeOut London, Critics Pick
Creative Team
Created by Jennifer Kidwell and Scott R. Sheppard with Lightning Rod Special
Directed by Taibi Magar
Production Design Tilly Grimes
Scenic Design Steven Dufala
Lighting Design Oona Curley
Sound Design Mikaal Sulaiman
Fight Choreographer Ryan Bourque
Movement Consultant David Neumann
Production Manager/PSM Lisa McGinn
Tour Producer Octopus Theatricals
A Note From The Creators
It is perhaps important to note that this piece is inspired by true events. When Scott was in fifth grade at this Hanover, PA middle school, he actually played the titular game as it is outlined in this piece. He and his classmates were divided into Union and Confederate armies and they played a game in which they moved or intercepted dolls around the school. The game was a pedagogical effort to concretize the Underground Railroad. It is also a glaring example of our predilection to contextualize and teach the system of American slavery in liberally dramatized terms that amplify noble and uplifting narratives. If we interrogate the mythos of the Underground Railroad we uncover an apparent need to make systemic exploitation, degradation and objectification palatable. Why is it that we love to narrativize ourselves in ways that propagate the very violence we proclaim to upend?
Available for Touring.
For Booking Inquiries contact Ronee Penoi.
