By AFRO Staff
Opening night has arrived for Brandon Fields, the local playwright known for addressing heavy topics in the Black community via the stage.
This weekend he’s back with a new offering titled, “In the Mourning,” which addresses grief in the Black community.
Credit: Courtesy photo
“As a people, we tend to avoid grief like the viral plague. I would go as far as to say we lie to ourselves about how we experience it,” said Fields. “I thought there would be no better mirror than to show people what the rest of the world sees when we grieve–maybe this level of exposure will invoke some change.”
Fields, who is CEO of his own production company, BLINED, said he finished writing at the beginning of July. The piece focuses on three siblings who are struggling with how to handle the death of their mother, in addition to issues in their personal lives and with each other.
The Baltimore native said he expects the play to show the truth about how grief is addressed in the Black community, while also offering solutions.
“Life still has to be lived after we lose someone, we must learn to cope– and do it the right way.”
Aside from addressing grief directly, Fields uses his role as “Joshua” in the play to speak on the ties between grief and addiction to substances like drugs and alcohol.
“For many, these are two of the easiest vices. We fall victim to them because they are temporary fixes to a forever problem. I wanted to highlight them to start a conversation that may shift our thinking in how we handle grief. Grabbing a bottle is easy, lashing out is easy– but what could happen if that time was spent loving on those we have left?”
Chennel Walters, also a Baltimore native, said the play resembled her own struggles with grief off of the stage.
“I lived a very similar life experience, with the sudden loss of my mother in 2013,” said Walters. “Being one of three siblings and the one who had to take care of all the arrangements.”
When asked how she got into character, Walters said she’s “just been praying and recalling the details during that time,” to bring truth to her portrayal of “Audra,” a lead figure in the show.
Fields said all of the actors in his latest play shared a strong connection to their respective roles.
“We’ve worked hard to put this really strong show up on its legs,” he said. “It’s been an amazing journey.”
This isn’t Fields’ first time wearing the hat of playwright and director. “In the Mourning” is the third show he has written and produced, in addition to “The Cries from the Choir Loft,” “What You Don’t See.” And he has no plans of slowing down anytime soon.
The play, “In the Mourning,” will open Wednesday Dec. 6 at 7 p.m., with additional showings on Saturday, Dec. 7 at 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. All showings will take place at the Chesapeake Arts Center located at 194 Hammonds Lane in Brooklyn Park.
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