L to R Whitley Armstrong, Brianna Johnson, Amanda Hunt. Photo by Don Brodie. JACK Developmental Production 2025 (Directed by Raecine Singletary. Produced by Camille Simone Thomas, Jordan Powell, and Renee Harrison)
L to R Brianna Johnson and Whitley Armstrong. Photo by Don Brodie. JACK Developmental Production 2025. (Directed by Raecine Singletary. Produced by Camille Simone Thomas, Jordan Powell, and Renee Harrison)
Calaway Swanson and Brianna Johnson photo by Don Brodie. JACK Developmental Production 2025. (Directed by Raecine Singletary. Produced by Camille Simone Thomas, Jordan Powell, and Renee Harrison)
L to R Brianna Johnson, Whitley Armstrong, and Amanda Hunt photo by Don Brodie JACK Developmental Production 2025. (Directed by Raecine Singletary. Produced by Camille Simone Thomas, Jordan Powell, and Renee Harrison)
L to R Calaway Swanson and Daniel Shevlin photo by Don Brodie. JACK Developmental Production 2025. (Directed by Raecine Singletary. Produced by Camille Simone Thomas, Jordan Powell, and Renee Harrison)
Sweet Blood Synopsis
Ris, Tanama, and Caona live in relative peace in the mountains of Jamaica circa 1727 where they steward the land that sugarcane grows on and care for their sick father. Tanama trades sugar and other goods down at the port dreams of a life outside of their land while Caona wants to keep the legacy of their family alive and Ris just wants to keep her sisters safe in a world that is rapidly changing due to colonization. When their land and their bodies become contested as potential ways to win the war against encroaching British invaders these sisters must decide what resistance looks for free Black women in the face of impossible odds and what they are willing to do, give, and sacrifice for their freedom.
Cast Requirements: 6 actors and 1 dancer (optional)
Watch a recording of Sweet Blood Here
Read a review of Sweet Blood Here
Sweet Blood Instagram Here
Currently Seeking: A theatre or producer to produce a full production of Sweet Blood.
Sweet Blood Development History
Publications
Sweet Blood excerpt, Forgotten Lands Volume 7
Sweet Blood: A play in Progress Winter 2025
Recognition
Fault Line Irons in the fire Semi-Finalist Fall 2023
Fault Line Irons in the fire Semi Finalist Fall 2024
Notable Fellowships / Programs
JACK Developmental Production Fall 2025 (Directed by Raecine Singletary)
JACKLabs Fellow 2024 - 2025
Folger Library Artistic Research “Whose Democracy” Fellowship 2024 - 2025
North American Cultural Lab Residency Fall 2025
The Brick Interrobang Festival Spring 2024
Workshops/ Conference Presentations
Folger Shakespeare Library Workshop and Community Read Spring 2025
Sugar and Subjugation: Exploring Intersections of Labor, Slavery, and The Early Americas Winter 2024
Work in progress sharing at The Brick Spring 2024 (L to R Jaida Mae, Daryl Bright Clay, Carter) directed by Raecine Singletary
Work in progress sharing at The Brick Spring 2024 (L to R Jaida Mae, Daryl Bright Clay, Carter) directed by Raecine Singletary
Sweet Blood in The Folger's "How to Be A Power Player" exhibit 2025
Sweet Blood Community Workshop at The Folger 2025
Interview about Sweet Blood on Radio Catskill 2024