Coping Mechanism Tickets

Coping Mechanism by Cyrus Aaron

Directed by Tramane Harris

September 27- October 21, 2023

Previews: September 27-28, 2023 Opening Night: September 29, 2023

Guns. Guns. Anti. Pro. Life. Death. Chaos. Control.

As the conversation about gun violence rises and falls between news cycles, the victims of the victims are left to hold it all together. This is a story about grief, and the internal struggle that gets overshadowed by the larger public debate. How does one hold on and move on at the same time? One year after her son’s murder, Debra Clayborne is invited to finish something her son Nathan started. For Debra and those closest to her, the invitation stirs up a world of hurt, and with just a week to decide what’s best, she is at the mercy of time, and the only way out is through.

featuring Gerrard James, Eric Ruffin, Jes Washington, and DeShawn White

Scenic Designer: Alex Jourdan Lighting Designer: Amina Alexander Costume Design: Gina Ruiz Sound Design: Sean Hagerty Props Design: Samantha Tutasi Stage Manager: Eitan Markowitz Assistant Stage Manager: Cara Kienitz Wardrobe Supervisor: Maeve Rose

Originally conceived as a ten-minute play for The Flea Theater’s “Flea Fridays” in 2017. Cyrus expanded the piece and presented an initial workshop reading at Wild Project in 2018 directed by William Bryant Miles, starring Sharron Lynn and Justin Jorrell.