Poster for a play titled 'The Awakening' with African American man in hoodie against graffiti wall background. Dates: September 20 to October 13. Tagline: 'Change Lives + Save Lives'. Written by Lorenzo Boone, directed by JaSonta Roberts.

The Awakening

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A man sitting on a chair with his elbows on his knees, wearing a black beanie, black hoodie, and black pants, with an American flag in the background.

Theatre Production

The Awakening was created in response to the murder of George Floyd in 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic, which had an undeniable global impact and shifted views on cultural, economic, and social sustainability in the United States. This combination of events shifted society as we know it and inspired new, diverse “slice of life” storytelling.

The Awakening, our signature play, tells the not-uncommon story of Jason, a young Black gang member living in the hood. The women he loves most try to convince him to leave the streets, but the gang’s “honor code” and Jason’s inability to see an honest alternative lifestyle force him to choose between his crew and unconditional love. His journey becomes one of self-discovery and redemption, offering a powerful message of hope and the possibility of change.

Two men sitting on chairs, engaged in conversation, on a stage with a black background.

Jason’s story is one that often ends with nothing more than a headline in the news in a distant neighborhood that everyone considers dangerous. Despite individuals within that community working to change the image, decades of racism and historic disinvestment have created a confirmation bias that is further solidified with every new headline that even remotely mentions gang violence.

With this in mind, Gold Pyramid created The Awakening to wake people up to the reality that in situations involving gang violence, there are no winners. We hope the play will promote the idea that if young Black men see that it is possible, they can “get out” and improve their overall quality of life.

Two men standing outdoors near a trees with autumn leaves, one with a blue head covering and leather jacket, the other with gold chains and a brown jacket, both with eyes closed.

Community Stories

As the only intersectional theatre group in the region addressing issues that are destroying families and communities like gun violence, peer pressure, addiction, and the mass incarceration of young men and women of color, The Awakening Series/Gold Pyramid are telling our community’s story, directly acknowledging the issues facing our communities, and are working as a community to find solutions. We hope that by the end of the play, the audience will leave with an empathetic understanding of the issues and realize that there are no winners.