The acclaimed off-Broadway hit Confederates by award-winning playwright Dominique Morisseau is set to challenge and captivate audiences at New City Players with its bold exploration of racial identity, institutional power, and the persistent echoes of history across generations.
Directed by Maha McCain, this production promises to bring Morisseau’s innovative dual-timeline structure to life with both humor and poignancy. Through parallel narratives separated by 160 years, Confederates follows two Black women fighting eerily similar battles despite the vast distance of time between them.
The play follows Sara, an enslaved woman risking everything to smuggle military secrets from her Confederate plantation to her brother fighting for the Union, and Professor Sandra, whose career begins to unravel after a racist image appears on her office door. As their stories unfold, audiences will witness how the struggles for dignity, respect, and self-determination remain disturbingly consistent across American history.
Confederates presented by New City Players. Production photos by Kevin Ondarza
“This production reminds us that progress is neither simple nor guaranteed,” says artistic director Tim Davis. “In a time when our country feels more divided than ever, Morisseau’s play offers us the rare opportunity to experience lives different from our own while recognizing patterns that persist through generations. The playwright’s brilliant use of humor to illuminate difficult truths makes this an unforgettable theatrical experience.”
Praised for its incisive commentary and structural innovation, Confederates premiered off-Broadway in 2022 and quickly established itself as an important new work in the American theatrical canon. This production invites audiences to witness a story that blends outrageous humor with sobering truths, challenging our perception of progress.
The cast features Rita Cole (who previously won a Carbonell Award for her performance in New City Players 2019 production of A Raisin in the Sun), Nai Fairweather, Toddra Brunson, Gemma Berg, and ensemble member Denzel McCausland.
Confederates presented by New City Players. Production photos by Kevin Ondarza
In addition to 13 performances spread over 3 weekends, New City Players has planned some engaging post-show events that take audiences Beyond the Stage:
Pay What You Wish Preview! In an effort to make theatre more accessible this special “pay what you wish” performance features prices from $5-25. Friday, July 11th, 8pm.
Opening Night Reception! Enjoy libations and small bites with the cast and creative team immediately following the performance. July 12th after the 8pm show.
Weekend Wine Downs! Enjoy a casual and structured time of reflection, conversation, and libations after the Friday and Saturday night performances where patrons can discuss the questions, themes, and ideas of the play with each other and members of the creative team (July 18th, 19th, 25th, and 26th).
Sunday Talkbacks! For those looking to go a little deeper on the process of bringing a contemporary play to life and step into New City Players’ theatre-making process, you can join the cast and creative team after every Sunday performance for an interactive and engaging talkback. July 13th, 20th, and 27th.
Confederateswill run for 13 performances between July 11-27th. Performances will take place at Island City Stage (2304 N. Dixie Hwy, Wilton Manors, 33305). Tickets are $40-45 with the exception of our “pay what you wish” preview on July 11th. Tickets can be purchased online at https://newcityplayers.org/confederates. For student and group discounts email the box office at boxoffice@newcityplayers.org or call (954)-376-6114.
New City Players is a not-for-profit, ensemble-based, professional theatre company in Fort Lauderdale. newcityplayers.org | IG: @newcityplayers
