Article by: Kiersten Brackelman, Contributing Writer

Theatre USA presented its second and final production of the spring semester. The show opened on Thursday, April 16. “Skeleton Crew” is a 2022 production written by Dominique Morisseau, a Detroit-based playwright and author. It won a 2016 OBIE Award for Special Citation, as well as three 2022 Tony nominations for Best Play, Best Scenic Design, and Best Performance in a Featured Role in a Play. “Skeleton Crew” is the third production of Morisseau’s Detroit cycle trilogy. She aims to create pieces with Black representation, something she did not see in roles when she was growing up and in college. Every piece of her work centers around the Black characters, with an emphasis on the working class.

Directed by John Nara, this production explores major themes such as the importance of family, what it means to survive, and acceptance of change. The story and its messages aim to represent the real-life experiences of the Black community in Detroit, Michigan. The performances of this production were at the Laidlaw Performing Arts Center on April 16, 17, 18, 24, and 25 at 7:30 p.m., with a matinee performance held at 2:00 p.m. on April 26.

“Skeleton Crew” is set in Detroit in 2008, at the start of the great recession. The story follows the lives of four workers and their differing struggles in life. Shanita (Rae Phillips) needs to decide which choices will best support her and her unborn child; Faye (Autumn Bryant) needs to find a stable living situation; and Dez (Matthew Welch) needs to find a way to make his ambitions come to fruition. On top of these issues, their manager, Reggie (Caden Crenshaw), has to decide between doing right by his employees and work family and managing the pressure from upper management.

The lighting, costumes, makeup, props, and set design were all dynamic contributions to the performance. The costumes were delegated by Christina Johnson, the costume shop supervisor, and the hair and makeup were delegated by both Gigi Sheffield and Rae Phillips. Props were contributed by props master Ryan de Lorge. The set was designed by Erin Rose Pempel, and Quincy Smith, the scenic charge artist, was responsible for its creation. The lighting was designed by Evan Wilson.

For more information about Theatre USA and their future productions, check out their Instagram: @usatheatreanddance.