Thoughts of a Colored Man

Presented in partnership with 651 ARTS, Rooted Theater Company presents Thoughts of a Colored Man for a two-day run at our brand new theatre at L10 in Downtown Brooklyn.

Described as “A New American Play for a New Broadway”, Thoughts of a Colored Man celebrates the hopes, ambitions, joys, and triumphs of Black men in a world that often refuses to hear them.

Over the course of a single day in the pulsing heart of Brooklyn, the hopes, sorrows, fears, and joys of seven men reverberate far beyond the barbershops and basketball courts of their community. Vulnerable and vibrant, raw and alive — these are the Thoughts of a Colored Man.

Originally making its Broadway debut in 2021, Thoughts of a Colored Man weaves spoken word, slam poetry and rhythm into a mosaic of the inner lives of Black men. Described as “A New American Play for a New Broadway,” the piece celebrates the hopes, ambitions, joys, and triumphs of Black men in a world that often refuses to hear them. With the story taking place over the course of a single day in the pulsing heart of Brooklyn, the hopes, sorrows, fears, and joys of seven men reverberate far beyond the barbershops and basketball courts of their community. Directed by Tramane Harris, this iteration of Thoughts of a Colored Man will underscore the vulnerability, rawness and vibrance that captivated audiences and critics alike when the play first premiered.

Thoughts of a Colored Man is directed by Tramane Harris and stars Adrian Authur as Depression, Harvey Scott as Wisdom, Johnathan Burton as Lust, Ras Murphy as Love, Maleek Rae as Happiness, Skyler James as Anger, and Steven Strickland as Passion.

Rooted Theater Company, founded in 2013, is the premier theater in East New York, Brooklyn. Dedicated to producing socially relevant theater based on community experiences, Rooted engages, challenges, and inspires audiences through productions ranging from the classics to new and emerging works. Their programming encourages social consciousness through Real, Open, and Objective Theater Education, celebrating the diversity of the community's roots, present struggles, and future successes through intentional theater.

Since its founding in 1988, 651 ARTS has become a trusted convener of contemporary African Diasporic artistic expression, a champion and nurturer for emerging artists and their work and a vital cultural resource for its surrounding community. As it moves forward, part of 651 ARTS’ mission is to preserve the legacy of Black culture in Brooklyn, celebrate the eclecticism of Black performance and to pioneer new visions of African Diaspora artists. This year – the transition year – is integral for the institution as it continues to lay the framework that will further help to reinforce 651 ARTS’ role as a leader of African Diasporic culture while also establishing it an incubator for artistic innovation in the 21st century.

Host or Publisher 651 ARTS