How do you think this speaks to Black male masculinity and sexuality besides the obvious?
This is an interesting question. To me, the “obvious” is holding space and acknowledging the full scope of Blackness during the time of enslavement. I also believe this play speaks to the incredible strength of love. We see a character like Henry whose body and strength are commented on by everyone, but he’s more so focused on the heart. He learns that love is the strongest attribute of a person. Masculinity and sexuality are also in conversation with each other when Aunt Mama takes James to the tree. There is something magical in the tree affirming who James is. I say it’s “magical” because the tree is a direct lineage of the men in James’ life and they are supporting his love, which goes against how society teaches Black folk, especially Black men, to be in relationship with masculinity and sexuality.
This is part of a trilogy. What was the creative process in establishing interesting characters that people care about?
Honestly, it boiled down to what are all these people longing for? I learned that it was a connection. … In Daring Greatly, Dr. Bené Brown argues that we are “hardwired for connection” — that the number one thing we want out of life is each other. I believe these characters are searching for that. That’s something everyone can relate to.
Sugar in Our Wounds, a First Floor Theater production, is currently playing at the Den Theatre, 1333 N. Milwaukee, and runs through Nov. 23.
