Conference Play Reading 2021

10 Seconds: A Play and Talkback
Hosted by Danielle Mathers, Imagination Stage


Join us for a viewing of the play 10 Seconds and a talkback with Danielle Mathers, Imagination Stage School Partnerships Manager, and 10 Seconds actor, Tre’mon Mills. 10 Seconds is a play for young audiences commissioned by Imagination stage, written by Miriam Gonzales, and directed by LeeAnét Noble. This play is based on ideas, conversations, and discoveries from two years of workshops between police and youth.

In a world where deeply rooted biases and misperceptions easily take hold, life can often feel unnerving — a journey that can change for better or worse in a blink of an eye depending on how we see each other.  In the play, 10 Seconds, we see through the eyes of Ray and Jimi, Washington, DC high school students who navigate their young adult worlds, and what it means to be young black men in the city.  Ray tells the story of a day — and “ten seconds” inside that day — that he and Jimi will never forget, sharing not only their perspectives but also the views of the police they encounter. Through audience engagement and interactive moments, the play provides opportunities for reflection and discussion. By “stopping time” the audience is asked to imagine what might happen if we made the effort to pause, listen to one another, question our assumptions, and consider the possibilities for change.

Make sure to see the attached learning guide and learn more on their Webpage.