Black Lives / Blue Lives

An interactive theater piece/discussion available for your class, school, church, or organization

Questions? Contact Gary Glor at 908 809-8865


Six portraits of adults displayed horizontally

AUDIENCE REACTION:

"An eye-opening theatrical experience."

Kathy Arminio, FRIENDS OF THE UNION LIBRARY


"I think this performance could be used at schools across the country. I think it could be used in police trainings and high schools."

Laura Steele, audience member


"This was an amazing event."

Sandra Toll, teacher, THOMAS JEFFERSON ARTS ACADEMY


"The performance was compelling, and the experience provided a great jumping-off point for a substantive conversation."

Laura Ekstrand, Artistic Director, VIVID STAGE COMPANY


A unique--and relevant--theater experience performed at your site.

Black Lives/Blue Lives consists of two monologues – What I Know by Steve Harper and What Cops Know by Bill Mesce, Jr. – that explore the relationship between race and policing. 


  • Onsite live theater performance for your students/community
  • study/discussion guides available
  • Sponsored by NJ Council on the Humanities
  • Preview video available on request



Contact us or email info@thetheaterproject.org  for more info and booking inquiries.


Scroll down for FAQs.

CONTACT US


Study Guide available on our resource page

RESOURCES

Join the Conversation

The post-show audience conversations are facilitated by retired Theater Project Executive Producer Daaimah Talley, and Dr. Sara Compion, director of the Center for Interdisciplinary Studies at Kean University.


“There is power in courageously open and respectful dialogue,” says Dr. Compion. “It builds social trust and harmony amongst divided groups. The Black Lives/Blue Lives production offers a venue for this kind of important conversation.”


The program has been offered to schools and organizations around the state for the last two years, thanks in part to grants from the New Jersey Council for the Humanities.

Two Playwrights, Two Actors

About the Authors


Steve Harper was born in Brooklyn, New York, and is known for his in-depth exploration of class, race, sex, and spirituality in his writing. His credits include God Friended Me (CBS), American Crime (ABC), Covert Affairs (USA Network), and his Emmy-nominated web series Send Me, as well as more than 20 plays.


Bill Mesce, Jr. was born and raised in New Jersey and first began his writing career with uncredited work on the critically acclaimed political film, Blow Out. Most recently, he published The Wild Bunch: The American Classic that Changed Westerns Forever. Mesce adapted What Cops Know (Blue Lives) from Adam Plantiga’s 400 Things Cops Know: Street-Smart Lessons from a Veteran Patrolman.

Bring to Your School or Organization

This production is available for schools and organizations on a sliding scale thanks to a grant from the New Jersey Council on the Humanities.


Contact INFO@TheTheaterProject.org for details.

Get More Info Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What types of performance options are available?

    • Live In-Person Performance 
    • Live Zoom Performance
    • Pre-Recorded Zoom Performance 

  • What is the running time?

    • Performance itself runs 60 minutes. 
    • Moderator led Post Show discussion adds an additional 30 to 40 minutes

  • Do we have to have the moderator-led discussion on the same day?

    No. It is possible to hold the discussion on another day within a ten-day period to accomodate class period limits.


  • What ages/grades is the program appropriate for?

    This program has been successfully performed for middle school students (Grades 6-7-8); we have a PG rated version (modified language).


  • How much will the program cost?

    We are able to offer this program free of charge to a limited number of schools and organizations with the help of a grant from NJ Council for the Humanities, which allows for a sliding scale. If your activities budget will allow for any honorarium, that contribution will make it possible for us to offer this program to more schools -- but no contribution is required.


  • How many viewers can attend a performance?

    While there is no limit to the number of viewers, there is a limit to the number of participants who can speak during the discussion.  We leave this to the discretion of the host.


  • Can I see a preview of the program?

    A video is available on this page:

    https://www.thetheaterproject.org/black-lives-blue-lives


  • Is there a study guide available?

    Yes -- the study guide will be available by August 1.

  • Can parents attend?

    Your group is welcome to invite any guests you think appropriate.

  • Will you provide me with materials to promote it?

    Digital flyers are available, as well as links to the BLACK LIVES/BLUE LIVES page on our site.

  • What are the technical requirements?

    The play can be performed in a classroom, auditorium, or on Zoom. In a large space such as auditorium, we ask the host to provide 2-3 microphones.

7.31.23-8.1.23: Our most recent public performances of BLACK LIVES/BLUE LIVES at the Burgdorff Center in Maplewood was made possible by the PUFFIN FOUNDATION


This funding has been made possible by The Puffin Foundation, Ltd.

Black Lives/Blue Lives is grateful to have been supported by the New Jersey Council for the Humanities with funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and the federal CARES Act. Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this piece do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities or the New Jersey Council for the Humanities.

NJ Humanities, The Theater Project, National Endowment for the Humanities
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