Tonight at 6 PM & Tomorrow at 3 PM: ‘A Conversation With the Man That Killed My Son’ at Dynamic Wellness in DC-Reflections from The Cast by Gwen Lewis

Tonight at 6 PM and Tomorrow at 3 PM, Jacqui Brown’s powerful play A Conversation with the Man Who Killed My Son will have only two performances at  Dynamic Wellness – 402 H Street Northeast, in Washington, DC. The cast reflects on appearing in the play and its powerful messages and themes.

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Playwright Jacqui Brown (Mildred Barnes – Mother of the Deceased)

Playwright Jacqui Brown.
Playwright Jacqui Brown.

“I wrote A Conversation with the Man Who Killed My Son, because I wanted to bring an issue that is a big concern of our nation to theatre.  Theatre is a vehicle that brings a story up close and personal. Theatre can invoke dialogue. Dialogue invokes change. It is my belief that change cannot begin to take place until “the elephant in the room,” is addressed. People should come see this production because it’s a good story, and we can begin dialogue for change.”

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The cast of The Cast of ‘A Conversation With the Man That Killed My Son’.
The cast of  of  ‘A Conversation with the Man That Killed My Son.’

Kenny Washington (Devon Leroy Barnes & Protester)

“I play Devon Leroy Barnes- This young man had his whole life ahead of him that was unfortunately cut short by an encounter with a police officer. He received a full scholarship to Temple University to study Journalism. This wasn’t a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time because he was doing what he always did on a Friday night. He was helping someone out until he was falsely accused of a crime that but being at that pre-maturely ended his life.

People should come to this play because it talks about racial profiling, getting justice for an innocent young man who was actually on the right path in becoming a very successful individual.”

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Gwen Lewis (Margaret – Deceased Aunt & Sister of Mildred Barnes)

Mildred & Devon lost their greatest inspiration (Leroy Barnes, Sr.) four years ago due to complication of Diabetes.  Since then, Margaret has taken upon herself to step up and, try to fill some of Leroy, Sr. shoes.  Married but, never having children of her own, she finds comfort in shielding her sister (Margaret), Nephew (Devon) &, (Niece) Shantel from the ills of this world. This tragic loss her nephew was like losing her own child &, it hardened her. She now felt that she had to become a fearless protector of her family especially after hearing that her sister was planning to have a private meeting with the police officer that killed her nephew and, she’s very unsure of her sister’s mental stability at this point.

I think people should come out to see this play because it’s life as we know it today. People want to get angry and cast blame instead of taking a self-inspection on what are they doing to ease or solve this situation. Protesting is great, rioting and hurting each other is pointless & senseless but, a CONVERSATION CAN SPARK INTELLIGENT DIALOGUE THAT CAN BRING ABOUT CHANGE.

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Kenny Peoples (Charles & FBI Agent & Protester)

Charles could care less about law enforcement because he knows if he goes to jail, it’s “3 Hot’s and a Cot.” This is not his first stint and, it probably won’t be his last. Charles grew up in a single family home and, he never had a male figure in his life to steer him in the right direction so, he had no problem when it came to lying and framing others for his crimes. People should come out to see this play because this story is told from an African American point of view on their interaction and encounters with the Police. Racial profiling is very prevalent but, we shouldn’t be judged by the color of our skin, our outward appearance, and our surroundings. We can no longer sweep this under the rug, The BRUTAL UNAPOLOGETIC TRUTH will be told whether we like it or not.

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Carla Davis-Castro (Officer Mendez and Protester)

I play the parts of the White female protestor and Officer Mendez. I chose to participate in this play because of the challenge of getting into character and speaking the lines of the protestor. Being a cop was also something new and as an actor, learning and experimenting is the most fun you can have. Theater is like my psychology for it helps me to understand people. I am happy to be doing a second round of performances of this high-impact, timely show.

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A Conversation with the Man Who Killed my Son plays this Saturday, August 22, 2015 at 6 PM, and Sunday, August 23, 2o15 at 3 PM at Dynamic Wellness – 402 H Street Northeast, in Washington, DC 20002. Purchase your tickets at the door and online.

 

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