The Peculiar Patriot
Written and Performed by Liza Jessie Peterson
Directed by Talvin Wilks
05.05 - 06.14
NYTW | 79 E. 4th Street
VISIT THE FULL THE PECULIAR PATRIOT PRODUCTION PAGE!
Inspired by her decades-long work with prison populations, including on the notorious Rikers Island, Liza Jessie Peterson’s timely and urgent one-person show unpacks the human impact of mass incarceration in America. Fearlessly funny, smart and provocative, The Peculiar Patriot traces the migration of systemic injustice from the plantation to the prison yard.
Betsy LaQuanda Ross is a self-proclaimed “peculiar patriot,” who makes regular visits to penitentiaries to boost the morale of her incarcerated friends and family. Betsy is both victim and victor of this country’s prison system and her story turns statistics into achingly relatable stories, drawn from the experience of more than 2.5 million people behind bars.
Join us on select dates when, immediately following the performance, NBT will host an Afterwords with Liza Jessie Peterson and special guests for an in-depth conversation on the production.
The Peculiar Patriot is presented by National Black Theatre & New York Theatre Workshop.
In association with Lena Waithe
AFTERWORDS SERIES
Unpacking The Complex: The Forgotten Patriot
Featuring Commissioner Stanley Richards & Assemblyman Al Taylor
Unpacking the Complex - The Life Beyond The System
Featuring Wallo267
Unpacking The Complex: The Mother’s Impact by Bars
Featuring Lena Waithe, Soffiyah Elijah & Kimberlé Crenshaw
Unpacking The Complex: Imagine Liberation
Featuring Alex Anderson & Jamie Maleszka-Tate
Unpacking The Complex: The Road To Restoration
Featuring Sharon White-Harrigan & Darren Mack
Unpacking The Complex: The Power Game
Featuring Judge Milton Tingling & Darlene Bruce
Unpacking The Complex: Sisterhood Is Bond
Featuring Mariame Kaba & Dr. Topeka Sam
Unpacking The Complex: The Politics Of Policy
Featuring DeRay McKesson
Unpacking The Complex: Naming Next Steps
Featuring Alethea Taylor & Judge Raymond BrucePARTNERS