In response to a call out from Artistic Directors of the Future back in 2016, I sat down at my desk and transcribed the dash-cam recording of the arrest of Sandra Bland on 10 July 2015. Sandra Bland was pulled over by Police Officer Brian Encinia for a failure to signal. As events escalated, she was forcefully arrested and taken into custody. She was found hanged in her cell in Waller County, Texas, on 13 July. Sandra Bland was a 28 year old black woman. She was due to start her new job the next day.

This transcript is to be performed as a requiem in words, to be spoken by a large cast of black women actors and a huge cast of all women who want to join in. All women are invited to join in. Come and speak or sign, sit or stand in solidarity, in memory of Sandra Bland and all black women who have died in police custody. The Bush Theatre is looking for women of all ages and experiences to join me and our director Omar Elerian to work with the company of professional actors and take part in a performance of The Interrogation of Sandra Bland. Those taking part would be needed from 10am-10pm on either the 23, 24, or 25 Mar 2017.

The performance will feature as part of Black Lives, Black Words 23-25 Mar 2017 at the Bush Theatre in Shepherd’s Bush, London. It promises to be a moving and important event. The Interrogation of Sandra Bland will be one of a series of performances in response to the question, ‘Do black lives matter today?’ I am truly honoured and humbled to be part of this event.

Please RSVP not to me but to rsvp@bushtheatre.co.uk specifying your available dates (23-25 Mar) in order of preference along with a brief introduction to yourself.

I really look forward to seeing you at the Bush Theatre this week! Click this link for more details:

https://www.bushtheatre.co.uk/bushgreen/invitation-for-women-to-take-part-in-bush-community-chorus/