What Is The Theme Of Until The Flood By Michael Brown

In the production of Until the Flood by Dael Orlandersmith, a single actress portrays how the tragedy of the Michael Brown case impacted others through different perspectives of both African American and white people surrounding the social uprising in the town of Ferguson, Missouri. The play uses interviews of residents throughout the town to tell the story of how the shooting death of Michael Brown by a white police officer sparked immense amounts of protests and riots as well as division between people. Orlandersmith plays every role presented in the production with passion and adapts to every role she takes on making the production a fascinating watch. Two moments in the production that I feel encapsulated the show’s meaning

Each of these interviews juxtaposing performances that visually illustrated two completely different perspectives on how the Michael Brown case directly affected their own lives. For Hassan, the case hit closer to home as he had mutual acquaintances with the victim, and as for Connie the effects of the Brown case impacted her life in a less significant manner, but affected her. In the first moment, the audience encounters Hassan, a Black teenager. He affirms to the audience that he is not to give into fear through his personal experience with law enforcement over a situation that can be deemed racially motivated. He portrays a tough demeanor when speaking of his encounter and how he was not afraid of guns or the power the police officer had over him. After speaking of his willingness to have no fear, he gradually begins to diminish a tough

Connie is a thirty-five-year-old white woman who works as a teacher in University City. Her scene takes place inside a wine bar where she speaks about her relationship with her friend Margret and her own failed marriage. Hamm takes a different approach to the Brown case and sympathizes with both the victim and the accused as she addresses potential faults in their childhood. In Connie’s interview, she tells the audience the emotional story of the end of her friendship with Margret over a difference in opinions of the Michael Brown case. This difference in opinions and taking of sides is just one of the indirect effects of the new revolution of justice forming across cities sparked by the death of Michael Brown. Although this is only one situation, I would assume that there was a multitude of relationships divided over the case depending on whom the other chose to stand behind. The use of body through facial expressions, eye contact, and movement greatly impacted the delivery of the script in this scene. Connie appeared composed and collected demonstrating how little in actuality the case influenced her personal life but as the monologue continued she slowly showed more emotions when speaking of her ending relationship with her close friend. She maintained eye contact with the audience and in a few instances peered up to reflect on the past. These critical factors allowed the performer to connect with