The Niceties

by Eleanor Burgess
January 22-February 7, 2021

A Virtual Presentation

Directed by Jen Uphoff Gray & DiMonte Henning

In The Niceties, Zoe, a Black student at a liberal arts college, is called into her white professor’s office to discuss her paper about slavery’s effect on the American Revolution. What begins as a polite clash in perspectives explodes into an urgent debate about race, history, and power.

THE ARTISTS

Pictured: Samantha Newcomb (Zoe), Sarah Day (Janine), DiMonte Henning (Director), Jen Uphoff Gray (Director)

Scenic Designer: Lisa Schlenker
Lighting Designer: Greg Hofmann
Costume Designer: Jazmin Aurora Medina
Composer/Sound Designer: Christie Chiles Twillie
Film Editor: Kathy Wittman
Props Master: Pamela Miles
Stage Manager: Sarah Deming-Henes
Assistant Stage Manager: Abbi Hess

THE CONVERSATION

Thanks to our partnership with the UW Division of Diversity, Equity, and Educational Achievement, a panel of academic and community experts convened virtually for a special discussion about the themes in The Niceties on February 10th. This partnership resulted in over 200 community members attending the play, as well as the follow-up panel discussion. This creative experience allowed for attendees to witness and learn from compelling dialogue that addressed how issues of racial equity plays out between faculty and students on campus.