PIPELINE DOMINIQUE MORISSEAU - FAITH BENNETT RUSSELL - Seattle Public Theater
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MARCH 11 - APRIL 3, 2022
PIPELINE
WRITTEN BY
DOMINIQUE MORISSEAU
Design by Shannon Loys
DIRECTED BY
FAITH BENNETT RUSSELL
WELCOME
Since joining the board at Seattle Public two years ago, I have
witnessed firsthand the thought and care that every person
involved with SPT is committed to. It is our Mission to create art
that sheds light and sparks discussion around racial disparities and
injustice. It is my belief that Pipeline by Dominique Morisseau does
just that.
The way that systemic oppression is learned and taught by all of
us is the thrust of this play. One way or another, as the past few
years have shown, it affects us all. This play, in an effort to address
this, centers itself on the next generation; our future. We want our
present actions and art at SPT to illuminate the past and show a
brighter way forward.
As a board member, as an artist, as a black man, as a fellow doing
STAFF the best they can, I welcome you to this production of PIPELINE. It
is our express hope at Seattle Public Theater that this production
Annie Lareau (She/Her) challenges you in all the best ways.
Artistic Director
Thank you for spending time with us.
Charlotte Tiencken (She/Her)
Managing Director ARLANDO SMITH
BOARD MEMBER, 2020-CURRENT
Nikki Przasnyski (She/Her)
Development Director
Pilar O’Connell (She/They)
Associate Artistic Director & Casting
Mona Mitchell (She/They)
Associate Artistic Director
David Hastings (He/Him)
Technical Director
Rachel Delmar (She/They) BOARD OF ACCOMMODATIONS
Seattle Public Theater can
DIRECTORS
Marketing & Communications Director
accommodate a limited number
of wheelchairs. Sign-interpreted
Brendan Healy (He/Him) performances may be scheduled with
Tim Ford, President three weeks notice. Please request any
Company Manager
Katheryn A. Robinson, VP special needs at the time you make
your reservations with the box office. A
Lisa Choi (She/Her) Rachel McCracken, Treasurer select number of scripts are available
Box Office & Front of House Manager Breck Wilmot, Secretary at the box office to borrow during the
show. Please check with the box office
to check one out.
Wendy Woolery (She/Her) Bob Colleran
Front of House Manager
Peter Dylan O’Connor ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Teal Sherer & AFFILIATIONS
Thank you to the Department of Parks
Arlando Smith and Recreation for providing a location
for Seattle Public Theater. Legal
Bret Torbeck
services provided by Aaron Keyt, esq.
SEATTLEPUBLICTHEATER.ORG
Seattle Public Theater is a member of
the Green Lake Chamber of Commerce.
Annie Lareau Charlotte Tiencken
Artistic Director Managing Director
PIPELINE
BY
DOMINIQUE MORISSEAU
DIRECTED BY
FAITH BENNETT RUSSELL
FEATURING
Dedra D. Woods*...............Nya
Tre Scott...............Omari
Corey Spruill...............Xavier
Hazel Rose Gibson...............Jasmine
Andrew Lee Creech*...............Dun
Nikki Visel...............Laurie
CREATIVE TEAM
Shermona Mitchell...............Associate Director / COVID Safety Manager
Megan Merydith...............Stage Manager
Kristin Brown...............Assistant Stage Manager
Ahren Buhmann...............Lighting & Projections Designer
Janelle Kimbrough...............Costume Designer
Natalie Shih...............Co-Costume Designer
Margaret Toomey...............Scenic Designer
Bella Rivera...............Scenic Associate
Evan Mosher...............Sound Designer
Suzi Tucker...............Properties Designer
Antonieta Carpio...............Asistant Properties Designer
Sonja Lowe...............Dramaturg
Content Warnings:
Strong language, use of racial slurs, dialogue describing Estimated Runtime:
racist behavior, microaggressions, and threats of violence. 95 minutes with no intermission
Smoking on stage (no tobacco). Flashing light and video.
Originally Produced by Lincoln Center Theater in 2017, New York City
‘PIPELINE’ was commissioned by Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Chicago;
Martha Lavey, Artistic Director, David Hawkanson, Executive Director.
“We Real Cool” by Gwendolyn Brooks. Used by Consent of Brooks Permissions
*Member of Actors’ Equity Association
SEASON
SPONSORS
CAST
Dedra D. Woods
FROM THE DIRECTOR Nya
Dedra is an actor/
Welcome to Pipeline. storyteller/creator/
arts administrator. She
This show was canceled two years ago due to covid and now...here serves as the current
we are. Here you are. Believe me when I tell you, I am so glad that Producing Director
you’re here. Welcome back to the transformative, inspiring power of of The Williams
live theater. Project and Project
Coordinator for The Hansberry Project. She
First, a personal story: has been working in the Seattle Arts scene
since 2012. Dedra has had the privilege to
Many years ago, my handsome wonderful son, who is otherly abled perform with several companies around
and severally impacted by autism, was in a program at a Seattle high Seattle including Seattle Children’s Theatre
(The Little Prince, Corduroy), The Williams
school. The Special Ed team had no teachers of color in attendance
Project (A Bright Room Called Day), Seattle
at that time and my son, who is nonverbal, very sweet, but built
Public Theater (Fire Season), Intiman (Wedding
like a football player and very strong, was the only black student in Band), Seattle Shakespeare Company (Medea),
the classroom. Whenever I dropped him at school—because the upstart crow collective (Bring Down the House,
bus driver was uncomfortable with my son—the staff often acted Richard III), Book-It Repertory Theatre (I Know
equally uncomfortable. I would be called to the classroom every Why the Caged Bird Sings) and ArtsWest
now and then because my son would “resist” instruction and they (The Revolutionists, An Octoroon). She has
also worked in television, film, and as a voice
were intimidated by his size, not sure what he would do. 9 out of
over artist. This show is dedicated to her son
10 times, when I got to the school, they apologized and felt silly for
August and all of the Black mothers with Black
calling me, because it all turned out fine, and they didn’t know why sons and daughters. May peace find us.
they felt so nervous. Well...
Tre Scott
(Let me say for the record, this was not typical of all Special Ed Omari
classes in my experience. This was one program in particular) Tré is an Oakland Ca.
transplant who has
What is it, that makes a student of color present more threatening happily called Seattle
and intimidating than their white counterparts? One group of home for almost four
teachers while interviewed shared that they felt black students years now. A founding
appeared ‘less innocent’ to them than the white students. Less member of the Young
innocent? So, when does that start to present itself? What age? 4? Hot Thespian theatre
collective and Cornish College/PCPA graduate,
5? 10? 16? When does that precious brown or black baby transform
Tré is blessed, privileged, and all the other
into a menace or a threat? Is it by appearance first, or by actions adjectives to finally FINALLY be making his in
first? person Seattle Public Theater debut. You can
catch Tré next in ACTs production of Sweat
Trayvon Martin, was on a 10-day suspension from high school before he makes his way to New Haven where
when he was deemed “suspicious” while walking in his father’s he will be pursuing his MFA at Yale university.
neighborhood. He was already in the pipeline when he was
murdered for looking like a threat and resisting harassment. Corey Spruill
Xavier
And so...what’s a mother to do? When you bring your precious, Corey is absolutely
innocent child into the world, how do you protect them from thrilled and relieved
being criminalized on sight? On the street, in the store, or in the to be back on stage
and working with
classroom?
SPT! He feels blessed
to be working with
As we watch this story unfold together, I encourage us to check
such a committed
our lenses. Let’s endeavor to truly see the family at the center of
hard working team. Corey’s Seattle theater
this play. See their very human struggle to be heard, understood credits include ASL Midsummer Night’s
and their presence valued. Their story is our story. Let us practice Dream, Hoodoo Love, Storyville Rising, Best
empathy and see ourselves in this very human tale. That’s the only of Enemies, School for Lies, Girl You know
way true change can happen. And that is what is needed in our it’s True, Broke-ology, Merchant of Venice,
societies, in our communities and in our world. True, lasting change. Zooman and the Sign, Doggs Hamlet/Cahoots
Macbeth, A Behanding in Spokane, and Henry
VIII. Corey also has aspirations of becoming
FAITH BENNETT RUSSELL a voice-over artist. Corey would like to
DIRECTOR encourage everyone to keep dreaming and
keep striving to achieve your goals. Change is
coming, please believe it! SpruillionVoice.com
Hazel Rose Gibson (pathwithart.org). Special thanks to all of you Shermona Mitchell
Jasmine who see this play and take deliberate action to Associate Director / COVID Safety Manager
Hazel (she/her) is interrupt the school to prison pipeline. Shermona (she/they) is delighted to be
honored to be making working with the illustrious Faith Bennett
her debut at SPT with
this powerful and
CREATIVE TEAM Russell and this powerhouse cast! This year
has provided many artistic blessings for
poetic piece. Previous Shermona: working as the Associate Director
Dominique Morisseau
credits include for Beauty and the Beast at the 5th Avenue
Playwright
Faeriestruk (Annex Theatre and as Director for SPT’s upcoming
Theatre), American Junkie (Book-It Repertory Dominique is the author of The Detroit Project show, Riverwood! Shermona currently serves
Theatre), The Good Woman of Setzuan (A 3-Play Cycle) which includes the following at Co-Associate Artistic Director for Seattle
(ACTLab), A New Hope in the Park (Hello plays: Skeleton Crew (Atlantic Theater Public Theater.
Earth Productions), and A Civil War Christmas Company), Paradise Blue (Signature Theatre),
(Taproot Theatre). A deep heartfelt thanks and Detroit ’67 (Public Theater, Classical Megan Merydith
to Faith, this beautiful and amazing cast and Theatre of Harlem and NBT). Additional plays Stage Manager
crew, and SPT. Love to her family. She would include Pipeline (Lincoln Center Theatre),
Megan is a stage manager, teaching artist, and
like to dedicate this performance to her father. Sunset Baby (LAByrinth Theatre); Blood at
educator who has been working in the Seattle
hazelrosegibson.com IG: notorious_hrg the Root (National Black Theatre) and Follow
arts community for the past three years. This is
Me To Nellie’s (Premiere Stages). She is also
Megan’s first show with Seattle Public Theater,
Andrew Lee Creech the TONY-nominated book writer on the new
and she has thoroughly enjoyed learning with
Dun Broadway musical Ain’t Too Proud – The
and from the artists in this production and
Life and Times of the Temptations (Imperial
Andrew (he/him) is an company. Most recently, she stage managed
Theatre). Dominique is alumna of The Public
award-winning writer, Held Together at Seattle Pacific University.
Theater Emerging Writer’s Group, Women’s
performer, and content Megan would like to thank the cast and crew
Project Lab, and Lark Playwrights Workshop
creator. He’s the of Pipeline for their authentic commitment
and has developed work at Sundance Lab,
creator of The Legacy to sharing this story, and the students and
Williamstown Theatre Festival and Eugene
Plays Project, a nine- teachers who have inspired its telling and are
O’Neil Playwrights Conference. She most
play, multi-century- working to change its reality.
recently served as Co-Producer on the
spanning meditation on the lives and journeys
Showtime series “Shameless” (3 seasons).
of Black Americans during pivotal moments Ahren Buhmann
Additional awards include Spirit of Detroit
in American History (in development). Thrilled Lighting & Projections Designer
Award, PoNY Fellowship, Sky-Cooper Prize,
to be making his Seattle Public Theater debut, Ahren is a lighting and video designer based
TEER Trailblazer Award, Steinberg Playwright
Andrew can’t wait to finally bring Pipeline to out of Seattle. Previous shows include Mala,
Award, Audelco Awards, NBFT August Wilson
the stage! Select Performing Credits: Seattle Dry Land, Fade, Grounded, Vanishing Point,
Playwriting Award, Edward M. Kennedy Prize
Rep, ACT Theatre, Seattle Children’s Theatre, and 2017’s Christmas shows with Seattle
for Drama, OBIE Award (2), Ford Foundation
Seattle Shakespeare Company, ArtsWest. His Public Theater; Dear San Francisco with 7
Art of Change Fellowship, Variety’s Women of
plays have been developed and presented at Fingers; My Antonia with Book-It Repertory
Impact for 2017-18, and a recent MacArthur
ACT Theatre, Seattle Public Theater, Copious Theatre; Parliament Square with Pony World;
Genius Grant Fellow.
Love Productions, and others. He’s currently Cyla’s Gift with Samara Lerman; White, The
working on a three-play commission from ACT Revolutionists, Happiest Song Plays Last,
Faith Bennett Russell
Theatre and Trial and Error Productions. Next Burn This, The Pride, and Annapurna with
Director
up, his play Riverwood will be co-presented Theatre22; Angels in America, White Noise,
with SPT and Langston this summer. Andrew Faith is a Jamaican-African American, activist
and The Good Book with Berkeley Rep; The
holds a BFA from Cornish College of the Arts for racial and social justice, and proud
Trial of Elizabeth Cree with Chicago Opera and
and is a proud member of the Actor’s Equity Brooklyn, New York native. For the past 30+
Opera Philadelphia; Earnest Shackleton Loves
Association. Big love to all his friends, fam, and years she has been an actor, director, teaching
Me at the Tony Kiser; Every Five Minutes with
supporters! IG: @papadontcreech artist, playwright, and choreographer in the
WET; The Who’s Tommy, Princess Ida and
greater Seattle area and is delighted and proud
H.M.S. Pinafore with Seattle G&S Society; and
Nikki Visel to be a part of bringing Pipeline to life.
Carefree with NJPAC. Ribbet.
Laurie In 2018 she was nominated twice by
*Broadway World Seattle for Best Director
Pipeline is Nikki’s Janelle Kimbrough
of a Musical. Faith’s new work As Simple As
first play with Seattle Costume Designer
It Seems, made its virtual debut through
Public Theater since
The Drinking Gourd: Black Actors at Work, Janelle is grateful to be working with Seattle
the 2004 production
a collaboration between The Hansberry Public Theater for the first time. Janelle
of Proof. She’s glad
Project and Kenny Leon’s True Colors Graduated from Western Washington
to be back at the
Theatre Company. Through Village Theatre’s University with her B.A in Theatre Arts,
Bathhouse for another
KIDSTAGE program, she has served as the and concentration in Costume Design. Her
important, thoughtful play, especially after the
Education Assistant Manager and host of designing credits include Songs of A New
recent two-year hiatus. Most recently Nikki
the webinar series Meet the Masters. Select World at Village Theatre. Janelle is excited to
was seen at Harlequin Playhouse in Until the
directorial credits: Until the Flood (Harlequin see what the future has in store for her.
Flood. In recent years she has also performed
Productions), *Legally Blonde (Showtunes),
with Taproot Theatre Company and Seattle
*Crowns (Taproot Theatre Company), In the Margaret Toomey
Shakespeare Company/Wooden O. Her
Heights (Village Theater KIDSTAGE), Pride Scenic Designer
original work has been seen at On the Boards.
and Prejudice (Seattle Pacific University) Margaret works nationally as a production
Nikki’s other passion is Path With Art where
Upcoming Directorial adventure: Mamma Mia! designer and arts administrator. Seattle-area
she teaches acting and personal storytelling.
(Village Theatre) designs include scenery for White and The
PWA’s mission is to foster healing from
trauma through arts education and access Revolutionists (Theatre22), Hoodoo Love
(Sound Theatre Company) and costumes for KIDSTAGE. She also designs and teaches projects include directing The Vanishing Point
Crowns (Taproot), and Howl’s Moving Castle for youth technical theater programs. See and Grand Concourse (Seattle Public Theater),
(Book-It Repertory, 2017). Margaret currently suzituckerdesign.com. adapting and directing Hotel on the Corner
calls the land of the Waccamaw People and of Bitter and Sweet and the remount of My
Lumbee Nation in Wilmington, NC home. Antonieta Carpio Antonia (Book-It Repertory Theatre and Asian
Margaret received her MFA in Scenography Assistant Properties Designer Theater of the Sierras); directing Chinglish
from UNC Greensboro and BA in Theatre from Antonieta (an-to-nie-ta) continues to strive (ArtsWest and Asian Theater of the Sierras),
Grinnell College in Iowa. to provide spaces for Brown and Black, Little Dog Laughed (ArtsWest), As You Like It
inclusive and intersectional narratives as a and Pericles (Seattle Shakespeare Company),
Bella Rivera production manager, designer, and stage Doktor Kaboom: Live Wire (Kennedy Center for
Scenic Associate manager. Her most recent credits include The the Arts, Washington D.C) and Forever Plaid (Mt.
Bella (she/they) is a Latine scenic/props August Wilson Competition (Seattle Rep) as Baker Theater). In the fall she is directing The
designer based in Seattle. She holds a a production manager and stage managing Tempest for Seattle Shakespeare Company
Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from Seattle credits; The Three Musketeers (Book- It), for their season opener. She has been seen on
University. Bella began their theatre journey Romeo y Julieta (Seattle Shakespeare Theater) stage performing as Antonia in My Antonia and
as an actor and painter in high school, and has and new and immersive work The Times Maggie Jones in Plainsong (Book-It Repertory
since worked on productions as a scenic paint (Teatro Luna), Brassroots District Live in the Theatre), Elizabeth in Richard III, Queen Isabel
lead, fine arts painting lead, scenic carpenter, Lot 1973 (Capital W Productions) and Mala in Henry V, Bawd in Pericles. Annie earned her
assistant designer, props designer, and scenic (Seattle Public Theater). B.F.A in Acting and Directing from Syracuse
designer. Recent credits include work with The University and her M.Ed in Arts Education from
Shattered Glass Project, Elgalen Productions, Sonja Lowe Harvard University.
and Seattle Public Theater’s Mala. When she Dramaturg
is not designing, she is teaching a wonderful Charlotte Tiencken
Sonja has a BA in Theatre from Seattle Pacific
group of preschool students. Managing Director
University and a MLitt in Dramaturgy from the
bellariveradesign.com University of Glasgow. She currently serves Charlotte is a director, producer, and educator
as the Literary Manager at Taproot Theatre who has been working in the performing
Evan Mosher and has also contributed dramaturgical arts field for over 30 years. She was Interim
Sound Designer research to other Seattle theatres, including Managing Director at Freehold Theatre
Evan is a Seattle sound designer, audio The Revolutionists (Theatre22), She Loves before coming to Seattle Public Theater.
engineer, musician, and actor. He is grateful Me (Village Theatre), and Slowgirl (SPT). She is an adjunct faculty member at Seattle
to be returning to Seattle Public Theater Sonja has assisted in the development of Pacific University and at The University of
(previously: Cryptogram, Arcadia, Slow Girl, several new script projects, including stage Washington. From 2013-2016, she was Visiting
Slip/Shot, On Clover Road, Fire Season). Since adaptations of Bram Stoker’s Dracula and Jane Assistant Professor in Arts Management
2010 he’s been regularly designing shows at Austen’s Persuasion, as well original scripts at the College of Charleston in SC. She was
Seattle Public Theater, Strawberry Theatre for the Seattle Play Series, the San Juan Island Managing Director at Book-It Repertory
Workshop, Seattle Shakespeare Company, Community Theatre Playwright’s Festival and Theatre in Seattle from 2007-2013. Prior to
Wooden O, Washington Ensemble Theatre, the Pork Filled Players’ UNLEASHED festival. that, she was General Manager at Jacob’s
ArtsWest, Satori Group, Azeotrope, Splinter Pillow Dance Festival in Massachusetts and
Group, New Century Theatre Company, and has worked at the Broadway Center for the
Jennifer Ewing
Book-It Repertory Theatre, and as a frequent Performing Arts in Tacoma, WA, Tacoma
Scenic Charge
artist-in-residence at Whitman College. Little Theatre, The Evergreen State College,
Jennifer is a professional artist, scenic Spirit Square Center for the Arts in Charlotte,
Evan is also a company member, performer,
painter, and actor. She most recently was NC, and the Alabama Shakespeare Festival.
sound designer, and AV Manager at Seattle’s
the scenic charge for SPT’s Admissions and Most recent directing credits include Woody
immersive dinner theatre Café Nordo which
Christmastown: A Holiday Noir (2019 & 2021), Guthrie’s American Song for Vashon Repertory
has occupied a permanent venue in Pioneer
and was the scenic charge and co-scenic Theatre, The Cyclone Line by Kat Eggleston
Square since 2015. He is also a founding
designer for Indy Jones: The Raiders of the at Vashon Center for the Arts, A Wrinkle in
member of art-pop band Awesome with
Last Temple of the Doomed Ark. Jennifer has Time at Seattle Pacific University, Something
whom he’s made melodic noise and peculiar
also painted sets for ArtsWest (We’ve Battled Unspoken by Tennessee Williams at Civic Rep
performance since 2004, including three
Monsters Before, Head Over Heels, Sunset Theatre, 33 Variations by Moises Kaufman at
original productions commissioned by On the
Baby, The Last World Octopus Wrestling Drama Dock and Romeo and Juliet by William
Boards. Evan is an eight-time Gregory Award
Champion, John, M. Butterfly, Jane Eyre: The Shakespeare at the People’s Art Theatre of
Nominee.
Musical), Intiman Theatre (Bulrusher), Freehold the Fujian Province in Fuzhou, China. She
Theatre (As You Like It), and Theatre22 (Alice received her MFA from The University of Texas
Suzi Tucker
in Wonderland, The Happiest Song Plays Last, at Austin. She lives on Vashon Island with her
Properties Designer
Annapurna, The Lisbon Traviata). Graduate: husband, Bill, two dogs and two cats.
Suzi is excited to be working with SPT on this American Academy of Dramatic Arts, NYC
critically important show. She has designed jenniferewing.org
scenery, projections, and occasionally, props,
for numerous PNW organizations, including Annie Lareau
ACT, Centerstage!, and Cornish College of Artistic Director
the Arts. Her recent design credits include
Annie is a professional director, actor, writer,
Island Shakespeare Festival’s 2019-2022
teaching artist and Co-Artistic Director at
Repertory Seasons, Veils (Macha Theatre),
Seattle Public Theater as well as a member
The Devil and Sarah Blackwater (Annex), Dead
of the Sandbox Artists Collective. She has
Man’s Cell Phone (Centerstage!), Year of the
received two Seattle Times Footlight awards
Rooster and 3 Screams (MAP), Into the Woods
for acting and was nominated twice for
(Burien Hi-Liners), and Freaky Friday, Beauty
California’s Elly awards in Direction. Some past
& the Beast, and Hairspray at Village Theatre
RUN CREW
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Austin Sargent
Colin Walker As you are enjoying the art created within these walls, Seattle
Public Theater implores you to consider the history of this building
and the land it stands upon. Please join us in acknowledging the
spiritual and cultural ties of the Coast Salish people to these
Indigenous lands which touch the shared waters of all tribes and
bands within the Duwamish, Stillaguamish, Puyallup, Suquamish,
Tulalip and Muckleshoot nations upon which we are gathered.
We unite as stakeholders in the 1855 Treaty of Point Elliott which
recognizes the Sovereign right of Tribes to defend and sustain
those ancestral relationships – for the benefit of all. Seattle Public
SPECIAL THANKS Theater recognizes this does not take the place of authentic
relationships with Indigenous communities, but hope it serves as
Karla Davenport an overdue but necessary step in honoring the land and the people
Mark Siano it was unjustly stolen from. As theater makes, of course we believe
David Gassner that words are stronger when accompanied by action. We invite our
audiences to join us in making donations to Real Rent Duwamish.
Macha Theatre
www.realrentduwamish.org
“Pipeline” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on
behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com
ORGANIZATIONS WE L VE Every production SPT is highlighting fellow nonprofits in the PNW
that we love and hope you will consider checking out as well.
The ACLU is
Freedom Project. The Washington State Weld provides safe transitional
committed to fight
Department of Corrections and the Statewide recovery housing in a clean and
for freedom and
Reentry Council estimate that 8,000 people are sober environment, pathways to
the protection of
released from prison each year. Many leave prison employment, and reconnection to
constitutional rights for
traumatized, and most have experienced nothing in community. This is the simple mission
generations to come.
the form of restorative healing. Furthermore, they of Weld. It’s transformational work
are released to cities, towns and neighborhoods aclu.org that keeps people from slipping
that are ill-prepared to support successful reentry. through the cracks. Members work,
As a result, over 4,000 of these individuals will volunteer, they attend community
be re-incarcerated within five years of release. meetings. But mostly, they belong,
Freedom Project’s vision is that together we shift believe, and become.
from punishment to restoration, from oppression to weldseattle.org
equity, and from apathy to empathy.
freedomprojectwa.org
A TALE OF TWO SCHOOLS
BY SONJA LOWE, DRAMATURG
At the beginning of Dominique Morisseau’s script for fact that the school-to-prison pipeline is not a naturally
Pipeline is a dedication to her mother: occurring phenomena to simply observe and document.
It’s a system constructed by people. And anything
“a master educator, and proud public school teacher constructed by people can be de-constructed by people.
for 40 years in Highland Park, MI. If enough people have the will to do so.
This isn’t her story. It’s just a similar world in which she Dominique Morisseau is a storyteller. When she decides
was a fiercely committed educator…” to write about the school-to-prison pipeline she doesn’t
mention any statistics in her script. Instead, she calls
Having spent over 20 years as an educator herself,
together an audience to witness the story of a family and
Morisseau also drew on her own memories as she
a tale of two schools. As a writer, she believes that her
wrote this script. In a 2017 interview she said, “I knew I
job is to tell the stories that ask the questions.
wanted to write about the school-to-prison pipeline. It
was pretty important to me. I had been reading Michelle “I’m not so arrogant to think I have all the answers.
Alexander’s book The New Jim Crow, which talks about I don’t have them. I have none. These are the things
mass incarceration and mass incarceration being the that stay on my mind all the time. These are things
new Jim Crow. But I really that I wrestle with and I’m
believe education is also the trying to work out. There are
new Jim Crow right now because some things I think I know, but
there is so much segregation THE SCHOOL-TO-PRISON
I don’t know the full extent of
in education, and there’s an PIPELINE IS NOT A NATURALLY it. In Pipeline, I do know that
excessive system of have and there are structural and cultural
OCCURRING PHENOMENA
have-nots. So I was first and failures in both the private
foremost interested in exploring TO SIMPLY OBSERVE AND and public schools, so I know
the school-to-prison pipeline DOCUMENT. IT’S A SYSTEM that there is a pipeline that our
because of how personally it students are being sucked into.
affected some people in my life.” CONSTRUCTED BY PEOPLE. I do know that, and I do know
that it’s going to take some
There are multiple national
work and some recalibrating
studies and research papers all recording the chilling
how we look at education and who we’re listening to
statistics that track America’s school-to-prison
when we talk about education. I know those things for
pipeline. In Seattle schools alone, black students are
sure. What I don’t know is how we do all that. I feel like
twice as likely to be suspended as white students. The
if I ask the important questions that I have around it,
U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights
maybe, collectively, as a society, we will start to have
finds that this disparity in discipline begins as early as
the kind of conversation that can find a solution.”
preschool; 48% of preschool children suspended more
than once are black. The Council of State Governments
Myers, Tess. “An Interview with Dominique Morisseau.” The Interval. Published July
Justice Center cites that students removed from the 25, 2017. www.theintervalny.com/interviews/2017/07/an-interview-with-domi-
nique-morisseau
classroom by suspension or expulsion are three times
Furfaro, Hannah. “Black-white divide in Seattle schools’ gifted programs, discipline
more likely to be in contact with the juvenile justice rates among the worst in the nation.” Seattle Times. February 17, 2020. www.seat-
system. tletimes.com/education-lab/black-white-divide-in-seattle-schools-gifted-programs-
discipline-rates-among-worst-in-nation
U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights 1 Civil Rights Data Collection:
At the center of this research is the crucial truth that Data Snapshot (School Discipline) Published March 21, 2014. www2.ed.gov/about/
every number is connected to a person. These stats offices/list/ocr/docs/crdc-discipline-snapshot.pdf
represent millions of stories playing out every day all “Breaking Schools’ Rules: A Statewide Study on How School Discipline Relates
to Students’ Success and Juvenile Justice Involvement”. Published July 2011. The
over our country. These studies are shining a light on Council of State Governments Justice Center. www.csgjusticecenter.org/wp-content/
uploads/2020/01/Breaking_Schools_Rules_Report_Final.pdf
our nation’s white supremacy culture that regards
Myers, Tess. “An Interview with Dominique Morisseau.” The Interval. Published July
black and brown children as “less innocent.” Even as 25, 2017. www.theintervalny.com/interviews/2017/07/an-interview-with-domi-
we read statistics like these it’s important to name the nique-morisseau
I NStruCTIoNS
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8. b E F A I r .
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10. . . .
From Pipeline by Dominique Morisseau
PLAYWRIGHT’S RULES OF ENGAGEMENT You are allowed to laugh audibly. You are allowed to have audible moments of reaction and response. My work requires a few “um hmmmms” and “uhn uhnnns” should you need to use them. Just maybe in moderation. Only when you really need to vocalize. This can be church for some of us, and testifying is allowed. This is also live theater and the actors need you to engage with them, not distract them or thwart their performance. Please be an audience member that joins with others and allows a bit of breathing room. Exhale together. Laugh together. Say “amen” should you need to. This is community. Let’s go. peaceandlovedominique:)
THANK YOU TO This list represents individual donors and organizations who have given anywhere from $1 to $25,000 from
March 2020-June 2021. Donations of any amount are tantamount to keeping Seattle Public Theater alive, and
we understand that for some a $50 donation is as much of a sacrifice as a $500 donation is for others. For
OUR DONORS that reason, we have chosen to organize this list alphabetically instead of by donation total. Thank you from
the bottom of our hearts to everyone who has given.
4Culture • Anonymous • Ellen Abram • Actors Geddes • Charlene Gerlach • Neil Gerth • Markus Outdoor Center • Leslie Novick • Bonnie O’Brian •
Equity Association • Johann Adam • Margaret Gillette • Vicki Gilmer • Brandon Gitchel • Moira Betsy Schwartz & Peter Dylan O’Connor • Wendy
Adam • Joseph Adamson • Mitchell Levy & Gleason • Kristen Golden • Mary Goldman • Kim O’Connor • Wendy Odden • Margaret Ohashi •
Rebecca Albiani • Rob Scott & Mary Tedd Allen • Goldov • Goldstar • Anne Good • Cynthia Good • Micah Olsen • Joan & David Olson • Peter J. &
Elizabeth Alley • Anne Allgood • Daniel Allison • Bradley Goodwill • Macall Gordon • Marcus Gorman Rebecca P. O’Neil • Robert Ott • Jennifer Paris •
Sarah Alsdorf • Craig Amromin • D.R. Amromin • • Tim Gould • Christine Graham • William Thomas William Parr • Alejandro Parra • Rebecca J. Parsons
Joel Amromin • Elizabeth Amsbary • Bob and Gray • Greenlake Guest House • Elise Greve • Keri • Mike Paul • Dean Pedersen • Maggie Pehrson • Eli
Connie Blair • Bart and Lisa Klinger • Ryan Griffith • Catherine Gunstone • Kathleen O’Malley & Jay Pershing • Melissa Peterman • Lola Peters •
Anderson • Jessica Andrewartha • Maria Andrijeski & Douglas Guthrie • Jessamyn Hager • Margaret E Crystal Piper • Hunter Pitelka • Rebecca Plant •
• Steve Appelo • Leslie Arai • Ms. Florence & Mr. Hall • Heather Hamashima • Abigail, Hannah, & Donald Pogoloff • Elisabeth Poorman • Barbara
Peter Ariessohn • Armstrong Family Winery • Holly Lauren G. Marshall & Michael Aaron Schell • Przasnyski • Kevin Peterson & Nikki Przasnyski •
Arsenault • ArtsFund • ArtsPeople • ArtsWA • Taneeka Hansen • William Harleston • Heather Kathleen Pugh • Caroline Purcell • Greg & Megan
Walter Hill & Mary Ashton • Stan Asis • Jay Athalye Hatada • Mari Hayman • Linda Healy • Michelle Pursell • Paul Quinn • Fiona R • Sidney Rakowiecki •
• Jesica Avellone • Karla Aylen • Claudia Bach • Heffel • Elizabeth Heffron • Stephanie Hegstad • Sally Rampersac • Michael Rankin • Madhu Rao •
Catherine Baker • Linda J Baker • Trista Baldwin • V Paul Henderson • Lisa Henry • Blanca Hernandez • Kristi Rasmussen • Wayne Rawley • Melanie Reitz •
Banks • William Baron • Greg Bartholomew • Julia Carol & Sam Herrick • Jackie Hillman • Don & Erin Ressler • Cecile Reuge • Cristine Reynolds •
Becke • Amanda Bedell • Shawn Belyea • Carmen Linnea Hirst • Sandra Holloway • Roxy Hornbeck • Linda Richard • Karen Yee & Eric Estes Richter •
Bendixen • Mark Benjamin • Michelle Bennett • Virginia Dangremond Houghtailing, in honor of Michael J. Stevens & Paula Riggert • Elizabeth
Lenore Bensinger • Ken Berg • John E Bianchi • Heather Hawkins Weinland & Jay Weinland • Roz Roach • Matthew Roach • Kathryn Robinson •
Jane Bierman Seibel • Shelly Bigams • Alora Houtman • Donna Howard • David Hsieh • Kathy Christie Rodgers • Maria Rojkova • Gaelen
Bitondo • Cathleen Blackburn • Diane Blake • Hsieh • JoAnn Hubbard • Harriet Huber • John Romelfanger • Carol Roscoe • Valeri Rosen •
Sydney & Jeannie Buckley Blank • Anna & Coral Huddlestun • Cynthia Huffman • Renee Huffman • Rebecca Rosenberg • Robert Radcliffe & Jean
Blankinship • Susan Leavitt & William Block • Lisa Mr. Robert Munoz & Ms. Pamela Hughes • In Ross • Katharina E Roth • Alan Rowberg • Linda
Blume • Heidi Blythe • Joel Bodansky • Patricia Memory of Emily Evans • In Memory of Ruth Levine Rozanski • Mark Rubeck • Jason Rudd • Mr. Douglas
Boiko • Jennfier Bolton • Ian Bond • Nomi Botkin • • Kenneth Inglis • Alana Isiguen • Bonnie J Lewman Smith & Steven Rupp • Ana Rusness-Petersen •
Margaret Bradford • Cherie Bradshaw • Mary Brady • Barbara J. Miller & Terry Miller • Chloe Jackson • Hannah Ruwe • Jenn Ruzumna • Peter Sakowicz •
• Richard N Brandon • Betsy Bridwell • Shawn Wendy Jackson • Christine Jayne • Kevin Johnson • Stephan Santella • Norie Sato • Rosalyn Schiller •
Brinsfield • Julie Brooks • Tracey Brown • Lyssa Matthew Johnson • Wendy Johnson • Meredith Carrie Schnelker • Alexander Schofer • Michael
Browne • Andrew Bryan • Anita Bryant • Carol and Johnston • Jean Jones • Stephanie Jones • Erica Scot • Jennifer Scott • Michael K Scully • David
Jonathan Buchter • Julia Buck • Cheri Budd • Jenifer Jonlin • Luesa Jordan • Brenda Joyner & Evan Sebba • Tina Sederholm • Barbara Selig • Patricia
Bunis • Robert Burdick • Susanna Burney • Richard Whitfield • Christi Juchmes • Matthew Kacergis • Shanley • Larry Hohm & Karen Shaw • Sybil Barney
Schuettge & Jody Burns • Bryan Burpee • Roslyn Joan Kalhorn • Angie *Inji* Kamel • Daniel Kamm • & Joel Shepard • Charles Sherer • Teal Sherer •
Burroughs • Carolyn Butler • Sarah Butts • Cynthia Mimi Katano • Clifford Kato • Thomas Kayser • Bret Deborah Stanfill & Caroline Sherman • Matt Sherrill
Byrd • Barbara C Radin • Joanne Cady • Deji Kenney & Susanne Sturm • Michelle King • King • Jennifer Shook • Micahel Shurgot • Donna Shy •
Abidogun & Geraldine Caldarola • Corynn Carignan County Employee Giving • Nancy L. Kiser • Stephen Mark Siano • Pat Sibley • John Silva • Stacya
• Carla Carlstrom • Yasha Carpentier • Eric Carr • Kleinberg • Keith & Sharon Kleinhen • Katherine Silverman • Trish Espedal & John Sims • Nora Sipes
John Carroll • Jessica Case • Meggen Chadsey • Klekas • Jennifer Kolar • Karen Koon • Steven • Gouri & Murali Sivarajan • Jess Slocum • Arlando
Barb Chamberlain • Sarah Chambers • Seeley Kopelman • Yevgeny Kopyt • Wendy Krakauer • Smith • Catherine Smith • Diana Smith • Jaclyn
Chandler • Quinn Chase • Janet Chatwin • Mark Nancy Geiger & Michael Krasik • Joshua Kriesberg Smith • Linda Smith • Marilyn Smith • Ralph Smith •
Chenovick • Michelle Chiachiere • Theresa • Kroger Kroger • Jean Kruzich • Tierney Kuhn • Nancy Snapp • Robert Rhodehamel & Dana Snyder
Christian • Patricia Cirone • City City of Seattle • Gordon, Kala & Odin Kushnick • Kara Lagerloef • • Isabel Soley • Rebecca Brown & Charles W.
Laurel Clark • Lucinda Clark • Lisa Clemens- Gabourie & John Langer • Jon Smith & Dora Lanier Spaeth • Teresa Sparling • Amy Spinelli • Liisa Spink
Mitchell • Tim Clements-Levin • Robert Colleran • • Christine Larsen • Paul Larson • Frank Lawler • • Amy Stagno • Matt Staniszewski • Larry & Ruth
James Collins • Ted & Patricia Collins • Catharine Julie Lawton • Laura Lee • Andrea Leeb • Martha Stark • Jennifer Dice & Steven Sterne • Scott
Cooper • Andrew Coopman • Lorrie Corliss • Leigh • Ruthanne Leishman • Kyla & Peter Leon • Stolnack • Staci L Stratton • Michele Strelo • Strizich
Rebecca Cort • Isabella Coulombe • Mary-Carter Leo Leone • Martha Lester • Alicia Levesque • and Overman Charitable Foundation • Katherine
Creech • Cristin & Billy Miller • Carol & David Cross Jessica Levine • David Levy • Janet Lewis • Salim Strohmaier • Diann Strom • Laura Stusser-McNeil •
• Jack Martin & Colleen Crowley • Erjing Cui • Jim Lewis • Lucy Lin • Parker Lindner • Audrey Jon Stutzman • Alyson Sundal • Erin Sutter •
Wilder & Margaret Curtin • Deborah Wolf & Roger Livermore • Jim Evans & Martha Lloyd • Patrick Constance Swank • Kathleen Swanson • Patsy &
Curtis • Valerie Curtis-Newton • Trevor Cushman • Long • David Longmuir • Shelter Lounge • Amy Wayne Swartz • Amanda Sweger • David Taft •
Matthew Dallas • Juli A D’Aniello • Joe & Vicky Datz Love • Sonja Lowe • Greg Lowney • John Lowrie • Rebecca Talbot-Bluechel • Mary Ellen Talley •
• Alma Davenport • Karla Davenport • Alan Davidoff John Lowrie • Gerald Luiten • Christine M. Brown Annette Tamm • Paul Tanaka • David Tarlow •
• George Davidson • Emily Davis • Joan Davis • McGinn • Michael Mabrito • Robin Macartney • William Taylor • Matthew Tevenan • Shane Tew •
Norah Davis • Davis Wright Tremaine, LLP • Dana Carolyn MacGregor • Mary Machala • Nicole The Goldov Family Giving Fund • The Lavender
Davoli • John Day • J.W. Marshall & Christine Deavel MacInnes • Margaret & Melvin Mackey • Catherine Connection • Mr. Noah Smith & Ms. Karen
• Suzanne Delgado • Domenick Dellino • Martin Madden • Jasmine Mahmoud • Carol Maillet • Thickman • Carla & Dan Thieme • Diane Thompson
Delong • Janet Denton • Amy DeShaw • Edith Quigley Malcolm • Saloni Mandaiker • Sue Mann • • Charlotte Tiencken • Olivia Toombs • Bret Torbeck
DeShaw • Mary Pat DiLeva • Anna & Emily Doak • Gregory Marchand • Mike Markert • B. Marques • • Annette M Toutonghi • Elspeth Trejo Savani •
Nikolaus Doner • Carrie Doring • Deborah Douglas • Denise Martel • Laura Martin • Teri Martine • Susan Diana Trotter • Janet Tufts • Patty Turnberg • Laura
Tom Douglass • Gretchen Douma • Allie & Robin Marx • Christopher, Stephanie & Nathanial Mascis • Turner • Mark Tynan • Elizabeth Umbanhowar •
Dowdy • Jerry Downs • Dreamclinic Massage • Lori Mason Curran • Cecilia Matson • Edith Matulka Eugene Usui • Judith Wood & Cal Van Zee •
Harold Drevecky • Elliott Drucker • Lauren Dudley • • Art Simpson & Elizabeth R. Maunz • Cynthia May • Elizabeth Vanderveen • Lisa Viertel • Howard &
Adina Dulan Wright • Gillian Durkee • Lloyd E Julie Mayer • Andrew, Julie & Blaine McAferty • Joan Voorheis • Kevin and Amanda Vortmann •
Herman • Tracy E. Eales • Robin Eastman • Mr. Rachel McCracken • Deirdre & Jay McCrary • Kevin Mary Kay Voytilla • Jennifer Wah • Andrew &
Charlie & Christine Eaton • Linda Eblen • Tracie E. McGehee • Kaytlin McIntyre • Scott McJannet • Wendy Walker • Ivonne Ward • Susan Ward • Jo
Edelson • Gina Edwards • Kimberly & Nancy Eiring • Cassy McKee • Janet McKelvey • Jeanne McKinnon Ellen Warner • Washington State Employee Giving
Nancy Ellingham • David Epley • K&A Escape • Ken • Janis Medley • William Meleney • Alan Biller & • Victoria Watt Warshaw • Atina Webb • Mary
Kamm & Barbara Esselstein • Marge Evans • Debra Nancy Melton • David Messerschmidt • Linda Weese • Larry Weinberg • Heather Hawkins-
Everson • Jennifer Ewing • Brian Fairbanks • Hyland Messier • Jeremy Meyer • Carmen Miller • David Weinland & Jay Weinland • Mary Weinland • Ann
Family • David Fandel • Marci Farrell • Jeff Fastner • Miller • Penny Miller • Susan Miller • Virginia Miller • Weller • Candis Wester • Evan Whitfield • Reginald
Gwen & Henry Fenbert • John Fenker • Karen James Mitchel • Richard Monroe • Robert Monsen • Wilcox • Heather Williams • Scott Williams • Cindi
Fenner • John Hinds & Jeffrey Fickes • Linda Findlay Amber Montalvo • Haley Monts • Michael Moody • Williams-Tomhave • Breck Wilmot • Kevin Wilson •
• Maylin Fisher • Anne Fitzpatrick & Peter House • Terry Edward Moore • Max Morstad • Charlie Anthony Winkler • Dana Winter • Michael Winters •
E.R. Flodquist • Delia Fontaine • Michael Ford • Pollnow & Eleanor Moseley • Grace Mounce • Amy Gillian Witus • Susan Wolcott • Diane Wolman • Ann
Timothy Ford • Beth Foss • Seattle Foundation • & George Mount • Martha D. Mukhalian • Susan Boyd & Hazel & Maggie Woods • Heather Woods
Ryan Fowler • Howard Fox • Alyssa Franks • Sophia Mulkern • Lucinda Mulliken • Crystal Dawn Munkers Morrow • Glenn Nielsen & Wendy Woolery •
Franzella • EmilyRose Frasca • Bruce & Susan • Linda Murfeldt • Michael F. Myers • Autumn Katherine Woolverton • Janet Worley • Christina
Fraser • Tom Fraser • Michele Frauson • Keith Needles • Christine Nef • Mary Nelson • Tema Wright • Luther Black & Christina Wright • Mathew
Freeman • Alice Friedman • Cynthia Fuhrman • Kai Nesoff • Network for Good • Eric Newman • Anne Wright • Ann Wunderlin • Billie Young • Melinda
Fujita • Claire Fuller • B G. & Donna Nealy • Diego Nicole Visel • Colleen Nielsen • Marianne Nijenhuis Young-Flynn • Youth Theatre Northwest • Jan
Gabrieli • Michelle Gail • Prenston Gale • Generous • Annette Nixon • Leslie Noble • Margaret Nolen • Zemplenyi • Jenny Zenner • Amy Zimerman
Gardening • Dee Garrett • Ray Gastil • Debra Peter Nolte • Scott & Pam Nolte • NorthwestMAY 20 - JUNE 5, 2022
AT LANGSTON HUGHES PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
JUNE 17 - JUNE 26, 2022
AT SEATTLE PUBLIC THEATER
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