Mosaic Theater Company presents the world premiere of the new musical Mexodus, a co-production with Baltimore Center Stage, about the Underground Railroad that went South into Mexico. Written and performed by Brian Quijada and Nygel D. Robinson, Mexodus is a live-looped musical that is composed in real time–a truly groundbreaking theatrical experience. Directed by David Mendizábal, performances run May 16-June 15, 2024.
“Brian and Nygel have taken this little-known piece of history and created a heart-thrilling story of Black and Brown bodies standing together against oppression,” said Reginald L. Douglas, Artistic Director of Mosaic Theater. “It is a very American story that reflects on how history has made us who we are. Audiences will be especially awed by the on-stage talents of Brian and Nygel, who–through the art of live-looping– literally create the score on stage each night.”
Performances of Mexodus are part of Mosaic’s 2023-2024 Catalyst New Play Festival—Reflections on Home: A Celebration of Immigrant Voices. Running from June 8-June 15, Reflections on Home offers audiences global perspectives on what it means to be an American today and deepens Mosaic’s commitment to building cross-cultural connection through theater.
Talkbacks with the artists will also follow Mosaic’s unique Intergenerational Matinees on Wednesday May 29 and Thursday May 23 and May 30 at 11AM. Intergenerational Matinees bring students and seniors together for meaningful discussion after sharing a theater experience together.
About Mexodus
History meets hip-hop in Mexodus, which explores the often-untold stories of the 4,000 to 10,000 enslaved people in the United States who sought freedom in Mexico, rather than looking north. Quijada and Robinson use live-looping to create a musical in real time, telling a unique story of the Underground Railroad that led south, highlighting the power of Black and Brown unity. The show was developed during the COVID-19 pandemic, with Quijada and Robinson collaborating virtually to release one track per month along with video of the two artists performing. This world premiere production received developmental support from Mosaic’s Catalyst new play development incubator
Additional Events
- Saturday, May 18 at 8PM—Post-Performance Discussion with GALA Hispanic Theater Company Founder & Executive Director Rebecca Medrano in conversation with Mexodus director David Mendizábal
- Sunday, May 19 at 3PM: Post-Show Conversation about Mexodus’ unique journey to the stage and Mosaic’s commitment to nurturing new work with Mosaic Artistic Director Reginald L. Douglas and Mosaic Artistic Producer Chelsea Radigan
- Thursday, May 23 at 11AM—Intergenerational Matinee & talkback with the artists
- Wednesday, May 29 at 11AM—Intergenerational Matinee & talkback with the artists
- Thursday, May 30 at 11AM—Intergenerational Matinee & talkback with the artists
- Sunday, June 2 at 3PM—Post show talkback with the artists
- Saturday, June 8 at 3PM—Mosaic partners with Imagination Stageand KIND to provide an opportunity for students to share their spoken word monologues and poems with Mexodus playwrights/performers Brian Quijada and Nygel D. Robinson after the performance.
- Monday, June 10—Catalyst Series Reading of A Wake at Singh’sby local writer-in-residence Aeneas Sagar Hemphill; by invitation only. Email [email protected] for more information.
- Thursday, June 13, 2024 at 7PM—Post-show discussion featuring alumni of Dream Project
- Friday, June 14, 2024 at 7PM—Post-show event featuring storytellers from KAMA DC
- Saturday, June 15, 2024 at 3PM—Post-show conversation with local-international artists Helen Hayes Award-winner Regina Aquino, Elizabeth Dinkova (Artistic Director, Spooky Action Theater), and Danilo Gambini (Associate Artistic Director, Studio Theatre)
HEALTH AND SAFETY
Mosaic Theater aligns its safety protocols with those of the Atlas Performing Arts Center.
Masking is recommended, however it is no longer mandatory—masks in theaters and public spaces at the Atlas Performing Arts Center are now optional. For the latest information, visit mosaictheater.org/health-and-safety
PLAN YOUR VISIT
Tickets
$42-$70; available at mosaictheater.org
Locations
Sprenger Theatre at Atlas Performing Arts Center, 1333 H Street NE, Washington, DC 20002
Performances
Wednesday at 7PM (June 5 and 12); Wednesday at 11AM (May 29); Thursdays at 11AM (May 23 and May 30); Thursdays–Fridays at 7PM; Saturdays at 8PM; Saturdays at 3PM (except May 18); and Sundays at 3PM
Box Office
The Box Office can be reached at (202) 399-7993 or [email protected] from 11AM–5PM Monday through Friday, or two hours prior to a performance.
Parking
Valet Parking is also available from H Street Parking across the street from the Atlas at 1360 H Street NE. Availability:
Thursday and Friday beginning at 6PM; $25
Saturday and Sunday beginning at noon; $30
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