Square Blues: a play

Square Blues is a play that explores the lives of three generations in a southern family as they grapple with oppression and injustice. The story follows Square, a reparations activist, his mother Odessa, and her granddaughter Karma, an art activist. Set during a summer weekend in the early 1990’s, the family members are each challenged to stand up for their beliefs in ways that have the potential to tear the family apart.

Square has spent years collecting names on petitions demanding financial reparations and a public apology for slavery, using money inherited from his father to bail out political prisoners and support a radical underground movement. Throughout the play, Square paints a ‘wall of resistance’ mural on the interior wall of a café, depicting modern heroes and activists. Meanwhile, Karma engages in art actions using spray paint, nude models, and found objects on public walls to bring attention to the issues she feels passionately about.

Odessa, on the other hand, is lost in her memories and grieving the loss of a profound love from her past. The play delves into the themes of redefining what makes a family and what holds it together, as each character finds the courage to stand up for their beliefs.

The story also explores Odessa's past, as she reflects on her marriage to a Jewish store owner in the 1940s. The intersection of different cultural and social backgrounds within the family adds complexity and depth to the narrative.

Throughout the play, the characters are confronted with the challenge of confronting their own beliefs and values, leading to a powerful exploration of the human experience and the struggle against inequality. Despite the potential for division, the family ultimately finds a way to unite and support each other as they navigate their respective paths of activism and personal growth. Square Blues is a compelling exploration of family, activism, and the fight for justice.

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