Jouska PlayWorks is an assembly of Black playwrights, all of whom are committed to creating theatre to enrich, entertain, empower, and awaken the moral conscience.

Together with Simpatico, the organization will present the 2024 Jouska PlayWorks New Play Showcase, featuring five new plays written and developed by the Jouska playwrights. All readings are Pay What You Decide and will be performed at The Proscenium Theatre at The Drake!

About the Plays in the 2024 Jouska New Play Showcase

F.E.A.R.: The Story of David, by Kirstie Floyd - Friday 8.23 @ 7:00pm

Following the death of an up-and-coming mainstream hip hop artist, the members of his former band and entourage gather to plan a tribute concert for his fans. As their planning continues, memories of the rapper, their personal conflicts, and the truth about what led to their crumbling friendships are revealed. Inspired by the music of Kendrick Lamar, F.E.A.R.: The Story of David explores the spiritual journey of one artist and their impact on the community around them. 

The Up, by Joyous Whitfield - Saturday 8.25 @ 3:00pm

“The Up” is a perspective on the police system and how it correlates with the prison industrial system. The play surrounds a young black man named Malcom who just moved into a new apartment shortly after his brother ( Tymeel) is jailed for resisting arrest during a stop and frisk. Malcolm is less concerned about his brother's well being in prison and more concerned with his new apartment. He refuses to write to his brother or think too much about him until his cousin Alexis Chantel, who also lives in the apartment complex, encourages Malcolm to reach out to his brother.

Malcolm is also visited by his brother through a series of dreams and is encouraged  to have more compassion for his situation. On top of that Malcolm is met with enforcers of his own that makes him rethink his position on what is “ right and wrong “ within the law. 

All of this is told in New Hot prestigious apartment complex called “The UP”

When Tonight Catches Fire, by Josh A. Campbell - Saturday 8.24 @ 6:30pm 

Tariq is returning to Philly for a weekend getaway. Chantel is out of the house for a girls night. A chance encounter sparks a first date set amongst the backdrop of summertime in Philly. Will their love blossom or will the grief they are navigating pull them apart? 

True Identity, by Quinn D. Eli - Sunday 8.25 @ 3:00pm

A real-life adventure is taking place inside of Damascus Comics. But there are no superheroes around to save the store’s African-American proprietor, Ramir, after his oldest friend and only employee, a white woman named Beth, attracts the frenzied attention of protestors and reporters in a case caught live on video: spotting two white children traveling in a car with a black man, Beth becomes convinced the children are in danger and calls the police, setting off a series of events that threatens the store she runs with Ramir, jeopardizes their relationship, and demands in the end an enormous price for Living While Black. 

Freud and His Negro, by Teresa Miller - Sunday 8.25 @ 7:00pm

"Freud and His Negro" is a poignant play that delves into the complex themes of identity, idolization, and confronting uncomfortable truths. The story centers around Nabal Price, an African American man whose life revolves around his admiration for Sigmund Freud, whom he idolized during his medical school years. Nabal's deep-seated respect for Freud is shaken when he learns of a disturbing aspect of the famed psychologist's personal life: Freud's tendency to tell racist jokes about African American people at social gatherings.

This revelation sends Nabal into a tailspin, forcing him to confront the stark contrast between the ideals he believed in and the reality of his idol's beliefs. As Nabal grapples with the implications of Freud's racism, he undergoes a profound internal struggle. The play explores Nabal's journey as he navigates the conflict between his idolization of Freud and his own identity as an African American man.

Ultimately, "Freud and His Negro" poses important questions about hero worship, the complexities of historical figures, and the challenges of reconciling one's ideals with uncomfortable truths. It is a compelling exploration of personal integrity, the quest for self-discovery, and the profound impact of confronting the imperfections of those we admire.