Lockdown

Casting

ERNIE MORRIS (African American female, 40’s) —A former actress, now writer who authored a successful book. She is suffering intense writer’s block following the death of her husband. She works hard to to present an “in control” exterior. Usually, she succeeds.

JAMES “HAKEEM” JAMERSON (WISE) (African American male, 62) — A fast-talking, youthful man who was a street hustler and maintains that energy. He has been incarcerated for 46 years. A father figure, mentor, and friend to many of the youngsters in prison.

CORRECTION OFFICER McHENRY (African American male, 20’s) — A new C.O. working at the prison. Feeling his oats as “the man in charge.” He grew up in a scenario where he could have gone the way of the people he is policing now. He chose to follow in the family tradition and go into law enforcement.

CLUE (African American male, 18-20)—From a broken home. He has been in and out of the system since young. He has a sense of responsibility for his younger brother and has tried as best as possible to parent him. He has spoken word/rapper talent. In another life, he might be an aspiring writer in an MFA program or a music star.

Setting

Place
A Prison—Security Desk, Yard, Cell, Recreation type room.

Reviews

“…Cori Thomas’s beautifully structured play is a resonant demonstration of the inseparability of the personal from the political. Thomas has a great ear for prison folkways without ever seeming sociological about it…”
—The New Yorker

“Lockdown is capaciously compassionate…a rare night at the theater, and a valuable one.”
—The New York Times

“Lockdown is electrifying and compelling…Cori Thomas has succeeded giving dramatic significance to abandoned souls.”
—David Rothenberg, Founder of The Fortune Society