Samuel Beckett Meets Hip-Hop With Jeni Jones

The Drama Book Shop presents, in association with Jay Michaels Global Communications, Samuel Beckett Meets Hip-Hop With Jeni Jones: One Actor's Unique Relationship To Samuel Beckett.

About the Program:

Most theatergoers know Irish playwright Samuel Beckett from his most famous play “Waiting for Godot” and often associate his work with predominantly male actors. (In fact, Godot is running again on Broadway right now!) Jeni Jones is a Beckettian actor and director (and rapper) who is here to delve into another dimension of Beckett’s work…his female driven plays, especially NOT I and ROCKABY, which she has been performing on a double bill. NOT I is considered one of the most challenging plays written for a female actor. Through a practical hip-hop infused demonstration and discussion, Jeni will divulge how she shepherds actors, including herself, through their own relationships with Beckett’s challenging characters and texts.

"It has been a lifelong dream and mission to liberate Beckett texts from the technical and psychological constraints often hindering performances and productions, so that this work may be shared in non-traditional settings with new audiences. In the future, Plank Productions aims for these pieces, as well as others, to be used for inclusive, educational, practical, theatrical public demonstrations. In the past, these two female-driven texts have proven challenging for performers and audiences alike. I enjoy a challenge," shares Jeni Jones, Producer and Owner of Plank Productions.

About Beckett’s NOT I and ROCKABY:

Beckett's seldom produced play NOT I delves into the depths of human consciousness, exploring themes of identity, isolation, justice, and existentialism. Set against the backdrop of darkness, the play is a roughly ten-minute rapid fire monologue spewed by "Mouth," who vehemently refuses to relinquish third person. Succinctly hailed as "overpowering" by The New York Times, Beckett's haunting piece ROCKABY charts a woman's journey back into life before she arrives at death.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR/PERFORMER

Jeni Jones has worked in entertainment for 30 years, as a director, screenwriter, playwright, actor, dancer, rapper, producer, editor, martial artist, and radio host, navigating behind the camera and performing in front of it, as well as walking stages of all sizes.

She earned her BA in Theatre Directing & English Literature from Fordham University in NYC & her MFA in Directing for Film, Theatre, and Television from CalArts.

During her career, Jeni has worked as an Executive at several film companies during which time she has been credited for her creative contributions to numerous feature films (credits avail on IMDB imdb.me/jenijones).

Known as a Beckettian Actor and Director, she has directed Samuel Beckett’s KRAPP’S LAST TAPE, WAITING FOR GODOT, NOT I, and ROCKABY. Additionally, her direction of the stage play WOMEN ON THE VERGE earned an NAACP Theatre Award. She directed the award-winning short film CLUB RAT$, which was used to raise awareness for RAINN and has garnered multiple “Best Direction” Awards. As a hip-hop producer and rapper, Jeni’s debut album GAHALLA is on all platforms.

In 2024 she launched a new spoken word event THE NARROW WORD in Hollywood to sold out audiences. She directed and acted in the Hollywood Fringe Festival 2024, where she directed FIBONACCI ASCENDING and directed and acted in Samuel Beckett’s NOT I.

Jeni has been invited to present Beckett’s NOT I at the Samuel Beckett Society Conference in Edinburgh, Scotland and to be on a panel with numerous esteemed Beckett scholars. She will continue to perform and travel with her double bill of Samuel Beckett’s NOT I and ROCKABY.

We kindly ask that you review the following information before reserving your spot:

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Please note that the purchase of a work of Samuel Beckett is required for entry.

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The store will begin welcoming guests at 7:15 pm.

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