Aleshea Harris Knihy

'We ain't killers' 'How you figure that?... Iss in the blood.' When a letter arrives from the mother they thought was dead, twenty-one-year-old twins Racine and Anaia travel from the Dirty South to the California desert, to a yellow house with teal shutters. They're on a mission to avenge her past, and they're ready to take down anyone who stands in their way. A revenge tale about two women seeking justice and taking control of their own narratives, Is God Is collides the ancient and the modern, the tragic and the Spaghetti Western, hip-hop and Afropunk. Aleshea Harris's play won the Relentless Award, and the Obie Award for Playwriting. It received its British premiere in the Jerwood Theatre Downstairs at the Royal Court Theatre, London, in September 2021, directed by Ola Ince.

The narrative explores the interplay between characters and actors, blurring the lines between performance and reality. A series of vignettes culminates in a powerful moment that exposes the absurdity of anti-Blackness in society. It emphasizes the importance of facilitation and dialogue, urging readers to confront how to cope, resist, and progress in the face of these societal issues.

An emerging writer presents two dynamic new plays that confront the experience of being black in America.

Blending elements of tragedy, typography, and various cultural influences, this play revolves around two sisters seeking revenge. It weaves together themes from the Spaghetti Western genre, hip-hop, and Afropunk, creating a unique narrative that reflects both classic storytelling and contemporary issues. Through a raw exploration of emotions and language, the characters serve as a mirror to societal struggles, making it a poignant and relevant piece in today's context. The work has garnered acclaim, highlighted by the 2016 Relentless Award.