Inside Stories

The Cookie Referendum

Free Soil Arts Collective Produces Free Children’s Play:
The Cookie Referendum by Raysam Donkoh-Halm

Lowell, MA – The Free Soil Arts Collective is producing The Cookie Referendum, a new, first-time produced work by local playwright Raysam Donkoh-Halm this weekend.

“The Cookie Referendum is an immersive short play about a middle school election between the incumbent 4th grade president Brittany Thompson and 7th grade newcomer Alex Bryce. Take witness to their final debate as they make their case on issue #1: How cookies are distributed in the cafeteria among the upper and under class of the student body. This play is a political satire of the two-party electoral system and the electorate caught in the crossfire. Audiences are invited to listen, engage, and vote on the outcome of the most divisive election of the year.”

This event is free and open to the public thanks to a grant from the Greater Lowell Community Foundation.

A word from the playwright, Raysam Donkoh-Halm

There are many factors that excite me about The Cookie Referendum going from script to stage. I originally wrote it as a creative writing assignment and I had always hoped it would have a life outside of the classroom but I didn’t even know what doors to knock on or what network to enter to see it materialize.  The play being produced by Free Soil is truly the best case scenario for any first-time playwright because not only do they come with a deep knowledge of theatre production but provide a level of care, community, and true dedication to their mission. All of this together pulls great stories, talent, crew and audiences together in bonding shared experiences.”

WHAT: The Cookie Referendum by Raysam Donkoh-Halm
WHO:

Cast

  • Mercy Kiuna – Brittany Thompson
  • Javian Hernandez – Alex Bryce
  • Preston Ntoro – Phillip
  • Ashley Nganga – Julie
  • Faith Kiuna – Gigi Browne
  • Zaniah Montanez – Off-Stage Student #1
  • Garmondeh Clinton Jr. – Off-Stage Student #3
  • Taye Olasedidun – Off-Stage Student #2
  • Casey Woods – Sammi
  • Madaline Falcone – Ms. Lauren
  • Kyle Hargrove – Principal Martin

Crew

  • Executive Director – Christa Brown
  • Playwright – Raysam Donkoh-Halm
  • Director – Tangiene Nyereyegona
  • Stage Manager – Grace Keefe
  • Lights/Sound Design – Dan Bazarian
  • Costumes – kaamilah muhammad milton
  • Props/Scenic Design – Kat Phoenix

WHEN:

  • Friday, November 18th at 7pm
  • Saturday, November 19th at 2pm
  • Saturday, November 19th at 7pm

WHERE: Butler Middle School Auditorium, 1140 Gorham St, Lowell, MA 01852

HOW MUCH: Free

TICKETS: https://bit.ly/CookieReferendum

RUNNING TIME: 45-60 minutes

PLAY WEBSITE: The Cookie Referendum

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