In residence at Lookingglass Theatre Company, produced by Congo Square, returning this Fall is Aleshea Harris’ What to Send Up When It Goes Down. Described as a play-pageant-ritual-homegoing celebration, What to Send Up When It Goes Down responds to the gratuitous loss of Black lives and interrupts discourses that enable the ubiquity of racialized violence in our society.
What to Send Up When It Goes Down is a participatory, shapeshifting experience intent on creating space for collective catharsis, cleansing and healing. The performance unfolds as a series of vignettes which employ a variety of forms including parody, song, movement, and facilitated dialogue. Breaking the fourth wall, cast members enact the script differently in each performance as members of the audience are invited not only to behold the piece as spectators, but to become part of the current that holds the story together.
This vibrant, necessary, soul-stirring event played to sold-out houses in the Spring and we are proud to host its return. In line with Congo Square and our commitment to community engagement, we are proud to announce that half of the tickets for each performance will be donated to local community groups.
“The catharsis we didn’t know we needed“
– Chicago Sun-Times
“…bracing, enlightening, and well worth experiencing!
– The Chicago Reader
“Soul shaking“
–NewCity Stage
“More than a stage play, What to Send Up When It Goes Down promotes healing“
–The Chicago Defender
Artists
Lookingglass Artists
Lookingglass is an ensemble based company, with a dedicated group of artists composing its roster of Ensemble Members, Artistic Associates, and Teaching Artists.
Ericka Ratcliff is an actor and frequent collaborator with Lookingglass.
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