ACTION

ACTION is a new original play about Percy Green, his group of activists (Action Committee To Improve Opportunities for Negroes), and their series of protests against The Veiled Prophet Organization. The story culminates in the Veiled Prophet Ball of 1972, when the group infiltrated the segregated event and “unveiled” the Veiled Prophet.

Written by local playwright Colin McLaughlin, the play analyzes the political and economic landscape of St. Louis, and how racism and entrenched economic power have exacerbated and maintained disparity and inequity. The poverty in the region is by political design. Coming to grips with St. Louis’ troubling past is imperative to challenging the structural racism of the present.

ACTION is also a play about people power, documenting the rich local legacy of struggle and resistance. It is a history lesson as much as a detailed playbook on how to advocate and protest nonviolently, how to pressure elected officials and the wealthy, and how to maintain hope in the midst of struggle. It is a story of working people building power and fighting back. Stories of war, violence, and crime are exceedingly common in our culture. Stories about community, solidarity, and cross-cultural connection are more rare. They give us the hope and resilience to remain engaged and forge a more healthy and just region for all who call St. Louis home.

The play is based on extensive research and interviews with Percy Green and other members of ACTION. Percy Green has been supportive of the play, offering invaluable insight as a lifelong activist and agitator. ACTION will be directed by Kathryn Bentley, a St. Louis based community artist who has worked regionally and nationally.

ACTION is sponsored by The Arts & Education Council and the Divided City Initiative, an Urban Humanities Initiative at Washington University in St. Louis, funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and presented in partnership with the Center for the Humanities. The play will premiere in November of 2022, free and open to the public.