Theatre UNO presents “Blood at the Root” by Dominique Morisseau, a 90-minute play originally produced in 2014. The production, directed by R’Myni Watson, opens Nov. 10 at the Robert E. Nims Theatre on the University of New Orleans campus.

“Blood at the Root” is a fictional play inspired by real events that took place in Jena, Louisiana in 2006. It is a captivating story of high school students, layered with social injustice and social equity for all, but is also embedded with humor, warmth, and the undertones of familial love. It shows the strength in unity and unravels the flaws in each character.

In the play, Raylynn, a Black girl, goes to sit under a tree that is a popular spot where only White people sit. After she does this, racially charged events begin to break out, sending the school into a downward spiral. The high schoolers must band together to fight for their rights and place at their school, but also in society.

Previews will be shown on Nov. 7 and 8 at 7:30 p.m. The show officially opens Friday, Nov. 10, and runs through Saturday, Nov. 11 at 7:30 p.m. with a matinee Sunday, Nov. 12 at 2 p.m. The show resumes Thursday, Nov. 16 at 7:30 p.m. and closes Saturday, Nov. 18 at 7:30 p.m.

Admission for all shows is free. Preview performances are subject to stop and start at the discretion of the director.

To request disability related accommodations, please contact sota@uno.edu.

Content Warning: The performance contains explicit content and abusive language. Viewer discretion is advised.