WHEN THE SWELLING GOES DOWN

Written & Performed by Samuel Ray Gates

Directed by Keith Josef Adkins

Movement by Thiago Felix

Produced in collaboration with THE NEW BLACK FEST with development support sponsored by the UNC Institute for the Arts and Humanities. 

When the Swelling Goes Down is PlayMakers Company Member Samuel Ray Gates's hilariously intimate and powerful exploration of life in 2020 and beyond. Drawing inspiration from the tradition of winter counts—Native American records of significant yearly events—Gates weaves together personal anecdotes, historical context, and sharp wit to navigate the complexities of race, grief, and the search for healing. With raw honesty and humor, Gates uses comedy to delve into themes of loneliness and isolation, revealing a journey of self-discovery, resilience, and the search for connection in a world that often feels fractured. This is a story about finding your voice and understanding your place in the world, one year at a time.

This FREE performance is part of PlayMakers' @PLAY series of workshops developing new theatrical works. After the performance, you become a part of the process! Stay to talk with Gates about how he's developing this new piece of theatre and share your thoughts with him as he continues to develop it.