“Invoice for Emotional Labor” is panned to be a multi discipline solo performance answering the asked and not so obvious unasked questions about race and racism from the perspective of poet and 2018 McColl Johnson finalist and RISCA Playwright fellow Christopher Johnson. The lexicon of race in matters of social justice has been rapidly evolving over the last 3-5 years, the responsibility of explaining phenomena like micro aggression, black face, and what is considered racist, has fallen upon the shoulders of people of color. Being a person of color answering these questions while dealing with racism in daily life is draining and repeatedly opening or enlarging psychological wounds. The process of caring for those wounds while continuing to explain, clarify and teach about one’s existence is emotional labor.

Inspired by John Leguizamo’s “Latin History for Morons,” playwright Christopher Johnson answers questions previously asked of him. He will provide the audience members with an education, in a one-person performance using, poetry and story. Covering racial etiquette, historic facts not taught in school, cultural differences i.e. why they are important, defunct unacceptable cultural practices, unconscious bias, why Webster’s definition of racism is obsolete, the blurred lines of cultural appropriation and cultural exchange etc, the playwright answers questions frequently asked on social media, in periodicals, op-eds and general conversation. The playwright’s extensive experience in performance poetry, specifically slam, and storytelling lends itself to disseminate extensive amounts of information with brevity and levity while keeping audiences engaged and entertained. Information will come from research authors like Charshee C. L. McIntyre, Toni Morrison, and Ta-Nehisi Coates. There will also be a talkback between playwright and audience.

Tickets – $10, register in the link above!