The Nacirema Society

Requests the Honor of Your Presence at a Celebration of Their First One Hundred Years

by PEARL CLEAGE
directed by VALERIE CURTIS-NEWTON

Wurtele Thrust Stage

A clever Southern comedy

Grande dames Grace Dunbar and Catherine Green prepare for the Nacirema Society’s 1964 centennial cotillion — the event of the season in Montgomery, Alabama. The elegant African American debutantes include Grace’s granddaughter Gracie, escorted by Catherine’s grandson Bobby, and the two grandmothers hope the young couple will soon be engaged. But Gracie and Bobby have other ideas. As the young ladies prepare for their debuts, a blackmail scheme brews behind the scenes and subterfuges unfold, all under the nose of a skeptical reporter covering the ballFeaturing clever storytelling and scandalous plots, this lighthearted comedy winds its way to an ending as charming as its characters.

Three things to know

  • With vivid Southern characters and plot mechanics as complex as Shakespeare’s comedies, The Nacirema Society brings the audience along as secrets and plots unfold.
  • The play’s humor is built on the construction — and inevitable collapse — of its clever house of cards, resolving into a charming and deeply satisfying ending.
  • Pearl Cleage is an award-winning, Atlanta-based writer whose plays include Blues for an Alabama Sky, which captivated Guthrie audiences during our 2022–2023 Season.

Venue info

This production will take place on the Wurtele Thrust Stage.

Pro tip: Can't do stairs or have a special seating request? Call the Box Office for details. 

Ticket prices

Ticket prices range from $32 to $92, including handling fees. Read about our ticket handling fees and policies

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Group sales

All student and adult groups of 15 or more qualify for discounts on tickets to Guthrie productions.

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Age recommendation

We recommend this production for ages 12 and up.

Run time

Approximately 2 hours, 40 minutes (including intermission)

Accessibility

ASL-interpreted, audio-described and open-captioned performances are available on select dates.

Audio describer: Connie Fullmer

ASL interpreters: Maria Camacho-Dively and Tamajai’ Grady

Captioner: Caitlin Childe-Archuleta

Download the audio description notes or ASL program.

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Digital program and play guide

Want to dig deeper into the story? Download the digital program and play guide.

Post-play discussions

Patrons are invited to stay in the theater following select performances for a 20-minute conversation about the production facilitated by Guthrie staff. Cast members may join the discussion as they are able.

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Black Artists Pop-Up Market

Saturday, May 17, 10 a.m.  4 p.m.
Level One

Shop a curated collection of jewelry, art, photography and crafts designed by Black artists and creators from the Twin Cities community. This event is open to the public, and Metro Transit will provide free rides. We hope to see you there!

Free Metro Transit Pass

National Pan-Hellenic Council Night

Thursday, May 22, 5:30–7 p.m. 

Join fellow fraternity and sorority members for a pre-show gathering with music, sips and bites, followed by a performance of The Nacirema Society. Tickets start at $23 (handling fees included). Enter promo code DIVINE, select your seats and proceed to checkout.

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Free Metro Transit Pass

In the news

A stitch worthy of Shakespeare and its Black high society

“Valerie Curtis-Newton gets nuanced, funny performances from her cast in Pearl Cleage’s ’60s-set comedy.” – The Minnesota Star Tribune

Read the Review

Artists

Cast

Charla Marie Bailey

Jessie

Aimee K. Bryant

Alpha Campbell Jackson

Joy Dolo

Janet Logan

Nubia Monks

Gracie Dunbar

Darrick Mosley

Bobby Green

Greta Oglesby

Grace Dubose Dunbar

Essence Renae

Lillie Campbell Jackson

Regina Marie Williams

Catherine Adams Green

Dedra D. Woods

Marie Dunbar

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Creative

Pearl Cleage

Playwright

Valerie Curtis-Newton

Director

Takeshi Kata

Scenic Designer

Trevor Bowen

Costume Designer

Mary Louise Geiger

Lighting Designer

Larry D Fowler

Sound Designer/Composer

Carla Steen

Resident Dramaturg

Keely Wolter

Vocal Coach

Lori Lundquist

Stage Manager

Kathryn Sam Houkom

Assistant Stage Manager

Annie Enneking

Intimacy

Jennifer Liestman

Resident Casting Director

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Photos

Photo: Greta Oglesby and Regina Marie Williams (Dan Norman)

Photo: Greta Oglesby, Nubia Monks and Dedra D. Woods (Dan Norman)

Photo: Essence Renae and Nubia Monks (Dan Norman)

The cast of The Nacirema Society  (Dan Norman)

Photo: Aimee K. Bryant, Joy Dolo and Regina Marie Williams (Dan Norman)

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