A white widow is assaulted; an angry mob is at the jail house door, screaming “Lynch him!” The only way to untangle the truth about the events is for the accused, Christopher C Davis, to look into the events that have led him to a tree stump in Athens, Ohio, in the year 1881.

This is the second in a series of nine plays written by Reginald Edmund about the black diaspora in America, the plays collectively are called the City of the Bayou Collection.  ETC has committed to producing all nine plays.  In 2022, we presented DAUGHTERS OF THE MOON, the first in the series.
 

“[SOUTHBRIDGE] marks Edmund as a writer of omnivorous intellect and a lover of bold metaphors.” ⁠—⁠Chicago Tribune

“Playwright Reginald Edmund demonstrates a keen sensitivity to his characters’ psyches, leaving each one multidimensional and morally uncomfortable ⁠—⁠ some more so than others.” ⁠—⁠Chicago Theatre Review

“An intricate and heartfelt theatrical experience.” ⁠—⁠ChicagoCritic

Garry's Garbles

Reginald‘s plays transform me from mere observer to participant in ways that are both magical and sincere.  In DAUGHTERS the story of one girl’s journey from her homeland into her hell and through to her escape was a roller coaster ride of metatheatrics and pure emotions.  His ability to use our language, both contemporary or period interchangeably, in ways that dramatically draw an audience in is so compelling to me.

It has been my pleasure, if not priority, as the artistic director of ETC to discover and curate talent for our community before they become a household name.  I think Reginald’s series of plays will be just as relevant and desirable as the canon of August Wilson.  I know that is a bold statement, but after reading lots of plays, his writing stands out as a unique and distinctive voice.

I know you will find the twists in this play, just as shocking as I when I finished it reading it, I guarantee you will be drawn into every character finding both their guilt and their innocence, and I wager that you will leave the theatre with the need to have a conversation about your experience.  

Ensemble Theatre of Chattanooga is a 501c3 non-profit organization which serves to culturally enrich the Chattanooga landsc ape through compensated opportunities for artists and unique experiences for audiences.  Since 2007, ETC has presented more than 100 productions, toured locally and nationally, and partnered with several area non-profits in the creation of programming that benefits our great city.  Our goal is simple to create a living wage regional theatre that introduces the complexities and vastness of our craft through meaningful experiences that are reflective and personal for both the artist and audience.  

We are the Ensemble Theatre that CREATES, CONNECTS, COLLABORATES and CARES