The St. Louis Black Repertory Company presents Dontrell, Who Kissed the Sea by Nathan Alan Davis. Opens July 8, 2022 at the Edison Theatre

The St. Louis Black Repertory Company concludes its 45th Anniversary Season with Dontrell, Who Kissed the Sea by Nathan Alan Davis and directed by Ron Himes, Founder and Producing Director of The Black Rep. Previews begin Wednesday, July 6, 2022 at the Edison Theatre on the campus of Washington University. 

When 18-year-old Dontrell Jones decides to voyage into the Atlantic Ocean in search of an ancestor lost during the Middle Passage, his family struggles with the thought of losing their prized son. Blending poetry, humor, wordplay, and ritual, the play follows Dontrell as he embarks on a quest across the ocean in search of his history. 

“Davis’ work explores the lengths and depths to which we must go to rewrite history’s wrongs,” said Himes. “The result is a powerful coming of age tale filled with love and hope that will appeal to a wide audience and is sure to spark thoughtful conversations,” said Himes.

The production comes home to St. Louis after a successful run in November at the Nebraska Repertory Theatre in Lincoln. “You won’t want to miss this absolute must-see, stunning play of hope, family, perseverance, and love,” said Appearing Locally. 

Christian Kitchens, a second-year Acting Fellow with a BA from The American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA), Los Angeles plays the hero, Dontrell. This cast also features LaKesha Glover, a New Orleans-based producer and stage and film actor, seen at The Black Rep in “Seven Guitars” and Olajuwon Davis, seen most recently in “Jitney,” as Dontrell’s Mother and Father respectively. 

Students and former students from the University of Nebraska’s Johnny Carson School of Theatre - Brannon Evans, Lucy Graff, Claire McClannan, and Mehki Mitchell - make their debut at The Black Rep.

Single tickets for Dontrell, Who Kissed the Sea are available at theblackrep.org or through the Box Office at 314-534-3807. Reduced pricing is available for seniors, educators, museum staff, and students. Tickets for groups of 12 or more are also discounted.

The Black Rep is maintaining health protocols - 50 percent capacity seating, mask requirement, and proof of vaccination or a negative test result - for the production and the remainder of our 45th season. For details please visit theblackrep.org.

This project is generously funded by Mid-America Arts Alliance, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the state arts agencies of Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas. Additional support for Dontrell, Who Kissed the Sea and The Black Rep’s 45th Anniversary Season comes from Ameren, Arts and Education Council, The Black Seed Initiative, Centene Charitable Trust, Missouri Arts Council, Regional Arts Commission, Rogers-Townsend, The Shubert Foundation, the Steward Family Foundation, and Washington University in St. Louis. 

About The Black Rep

The Black Rep, a 45-year-old legacy Black arts organization, is committed to producing, re-imagining, and commissioning work written by Black playwrights and creating opportunities for new voices and youth. Founded by Producing Director Ron Himes, the vision for The Black Rep continues: a more equitable distribution of opportunities and resources for Black professionals and students in the theatre; improved representation on and back-stage in the theatre industry; and a fostered community culture of support and mentorship for those who will follow. For more information: www.theblackrep.org