The Life Cycle of a Butterfly
July 2019
Written & Directed by LaCharles Purvey

A story of pain, transformation, and triumph, The Life Cycle of a Butterfly follows Sunni Underwood, a recovering alcoholic who must confront the trauma of childhood sexual abuse to reclaim her life. Like a butterfly emerging from its cocoon, Sunni embarks on a journey of healing—one that forces her to shed the weight of her past and embrace the beauty within.

Featuring a powerhouse cast, this gripping drama explores themes of survival, resilience, and self-discovery. With a bold and unflinching narrative, The Life Cycle of a Butterfly gives voice to difficult conversations, mirroring the real-life metamorphosis from pain to freedom.

Join us for this immersive theatrical experience, complete with our signature Black Carpet Experience, featuring a live pre-show performance and an art gallery showcase.

🦋 Witness the transformation. Feel the impact.

The Exonerated
July 2020
Written by Jessica Blank & Erik Jensen | Directed by LaCharles Purvey

Six lives. Six wrongful convictions. Six stories of survival.

Based entirely on real interviews and transcripts, The Exonerated weaves together the harrowing yet hopeful stories of six individuals who spent years on death row for crimes they did not commit. Through raw monologues and gripping courtroom scenes, this award-winning documentary play exposes the flaws in the American criminal justice system while honoring the resilience of those who endured it.

This production is a powerful call to reflection—a stark reminder that justice is not always blind and that wrongful convictions can happen to anyone.

Each performance includes our signature Black Carpet Experience, featuring live music, visual art, and an immersive pre-show atmosphere.

🔗 Join us in bearing witness to the truth.

Shakin’ the Mess Outta Misery
July 2021
Written by Shay Youngblood | Directed by D’We Williams

A powerful coming-of-age story rooted in Southern tradition, Shakin’ the Mess Outta Misery follows a young Black woman, “Daughter,” as she reflects on her upbringing by a community of wise, loving, and strong Black women. Through their stories, songs, and sacred lessons, she pieces together her identity, spirituality, and heritage, embracing the power of her roots.

This deeply moving and poetic play honors the voices of Black women, celebrating the bonds of sisterhood, resilience, and intergenerational wisdom. With a blend of humor, heart, and truth, Shakin’ the Mess Outta Misery is a love letter to the women who shape us and the stories that guide us.

Join us for an unforgettable production that will make you laugh, cry, and reflect on the richness of Black womanhood. Featuring our signature Black Carpet Experience with live music and visual art.

🎭 Come feel the rhythm, the wisdom, and the legacy.

Seven Guitars

July 2020

Written by August Wilson | Directed by LaCharles Purvey

In the charged and soulful backdrop of 1940s Pittsburgh, Seven Guitars tells the story of blues guitarist Floyd “Schoolboy” Barton—newly released from jail and determined to reclaim his life and career. As Floyd chases a record deal and a second chance, the people around him—friends, lovers, and neighbors—wrestle with their own dreams, disappointments, and the weight of a world stacked against them.

Written by the legendary August Wilson, this gripping and poetic drama is a powerful meditation on Black manhood, ambition, love, loss, and the cyclical nature of struggle. With Wilson’s signature blend of humor, lyricism, and truth, Seven Guitars is both a deeply personal narrative and a sweeping reflection on the African-American experience in mid-century America.

Directed by LaCharles Purvey, this production honors the legacy of Black storytelling while bringing new energy to one of Wilson’s most beloved works.

A story of dreams chased, chances missed, and the blues that bind them all.