Arts groups in Baltimore have been responding, and will no doubt continue responding, to the tensions in the city surrounding the death of Freddie Gray. Here's a just-announced example:
Cohesion Theatre Company, one of the newest of the vibrant DIY troupes in town, will offer free readings and discussions of works that speak "directly to the issues and struggles we are currently facing as Charm City."
Taking a cue from American Theatre Magazine's "The Furguson Theatre Syllabus," the Cohesion ensemble has assembled "The Baltimore Theatre Syllabus," a collection of plays aimed at sparking fresh thoughts "about race, class, social and economic justice, and police conduct."
The first of these free events starts at 3 p.m. today (May 3) at Church on the Square, 1025 S. Potomac St., with a reading of "Appropriate" by Branden Jacob-Jenkins, followed by a discussion; and a reading of "The Mojo and The Sayso" by Aishah Rahman at 6 p.m.
The second installment of the Batimore Theatre Syllabus will be held on May 10 at a location to be determined. There will be readings and discussions of "A Raisin In The Sun" by Lorraine Hansberry (3 p.m.) and "Force Continuum" by Kia Corthron.
If you'd like to help out with the readings, contact Brad Norris: Brad@cohesiontheatre.org.