#United States #Flint Water Crisis #The Poisoner #Water Justice #Kalamazoo, Detroit

The Poisoner National Tour: A Fight for Water Justice

This October, The Poisoner is making its final two stops of a national tour in Michigan, bringing attention to critical discussions surrounding water justice. This neo-noir thriller isn’t just a performance; it’s an interactive engagement designed to link art with pressing social issues facing communities today.

The play, written by M.M. Haney, highlights the heart-wrenching realities faced by communities affected by water contamination, specifically drawing inspiration from the infamous Flint water crisis. Directed by the acclaimed Lee Sunday Evans, this production takes the audience on a journey through the eyes of a passionate journalist determined to expose an unsettling cover-up of water pollution in his hometown.

From October 22 to 24, the show will take place at the Judy K. Jolliffe Theatre in Kalamazoo, followed by an engaging talkback session featuring Matt Schuster from Public Media Network and freelance journalist Kristen Aguirre, who previously reported on the crisis's effects on the Spanish-speaking and undocumented communities. This dialogue aims to shed light on the importance of independent journalism in promoting accountability and transparency in environmental matters.

In Detroit, from October 29 to 31, the drama will grace the Marygrove Theater. Audience members can look forward to more talkbacks, including discussions led by Melissa Mays and Nayyirah Shariff, both representing pivotal water justice organizations like Flint Rising. These sessions will explore how residents can advocate for clean and affordable water and the larger framework of community control over vital resources.

Director Lee Sunday Evans emphasizes the universality of the questions raised in The Poisoner: “This story resonates beyond Flint; it embodies the struggles faced by various communities across the Midwest. The concerns about lead contamination, PFAS, and public trust are issues we must confront together.”

The Poisoner is not mere entertainment; it serves as a crucial reminder of the ongoing fight against systemic failures in water safety and to hold accountable those who neglect their duties to protect communities. This theatrical experience is further enriched by its seven-city national tour, which started on September 17 and runs until October 31, covering cities like Chicago and Pittsburgh.

The initiative aims to not only inform but also mobilize communities, fostering discussions on how environmental issues affect everyday lives. Each city stop is tailored to facilitate connections with local activists and advocates who have been at the forefront of the push for clean water amid ongoing challenges.

The play originally premiered at La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club in New York on the 10-year anniversary of the Flint crisis. With this tour, The Poisoner seeks to spark conversations that resonate on a national level, prompting audiences to reconsider what safety means in their respective communities and the role of accountability in ensuring access to clean water.

To purchase tickets for the Kalamazoo shows, visit EVENTBRITE. For Detroit, tickets are available at EVENTBRITE. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to witness a compelling theatrical experience that champions the need for informed activism and community participation in ensuring safe and accessible water.

About Uncommon Productions

Founded in 2000, Uncommon Productions is dedicated to telling stories that inspire and engage, while its partner organization, Citizen56, focuses on educating the public about democracy, science, and crucial social issues. For more information on their mission and projects, please visit uncommonproductions.com and citizen56.org.