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Until the Flood
Until the Flood is the latest riveting Audible Original theatrical event, written and performed by Pulitzer Prize nominee Dael Orlandersmith (Yellowman, The Gimmick, Beauty’s Daughter).
Inspired by extensive interviews following the 2014 shooting of black teenager Michael Brown by white Police Officer Darren Wilson, Orlandersmith gives equal voice and embodies the many faces of a community haunted by injustice in a country yearning for change.
Until the Flood is a tour de force solo performance that explores the dark forces of American history, race, and politics that exploded in the streets of Ferguson, Missouri, and sent shock waves across the nation.
The stage production of Until the Flood was commissioned by the Repertory Theatre of St Louis and directed by Neel Keller. Sound design and original music by Justin Ellington. Produced by the Arcola Theatre, London, United Kingdom, in 2019.
Winner of the Scotsman Fringe First Award and the Stage Edinburgh Award.
This play includes scenes that some listeners may find upsetting. Strong language is used throughout.
Inspired by extensive interviews following the 2014 shooting of black teenager Michael Brown by white Police Officer Darren Wilson, Orlandersmith gives equal voice and embodies the many faces of a community haunted by injustice in a country yearning for change.
Until the Flood is a tour de force solo performance that explores the dark forces of American history, race, and politics that exploded in the streets of Ferguson, Missouri, and sent shock waves across the nation.
The stage production of Until the Flood was commissioned by the Repertory Theatre of St Louis and directed by Neel Keller. Sound design and original music by Justin Ellington. Produced by the Arcola Theatre, London, United Kingdom, in 2019.
Winner of the Scotsman Fringe First Award and the Stage Edinburgh Award.
This play includes scenes that some listeners may find upsetting. Strong language is used throughout.
- GenresPlaysAudiobookNonfiction
Audible Audio
Published May 14, 2020
3 people are currently reading
82 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 16, 2020
This was a searing and heartfelt performance, very powerful.
It kind of hits you right between the eyes.
It kind of hits you right between the eyes.
July 21, 2020
Powerful. This reminds me so much of what my mother would tell me is that the perspective you see things from. My mother was a domestic worker for very wealthy and entertainers when I grew up I. The 60s and 70s and I have had to have a foot in both lifestyles. However, many whites will never understand what it’s like living in this world as a black person and the fears we face on a daily basis. I highly recommend this for everyone to listen to.
February 1, 2021
This is way out of my comfort zone for reading. I am trying to expand my experiences. Dael Orlandersmith transforms into all of her own characters within this play. She explores their reactions to the 2014 shooting of black teen Michael Brown by police officer Darren Wilson. Really unearths the ugly truths about race in the United States.
June 12, 2020
I would love to give this the review it deserves but my words don’t feel enough. The words and performance, the pace, were great. A story built with conflicting views, not stereotypical, some surprising. As I listen, the barbers perspective will not be lost on me. Listen more. Thank you.
April 23, 2023
"Fires in the Mirror" style series of monologues from a variety of perspectives about the Michael Brown incident in Ferguson, Missouri. I think this one would be great to use as material for Forensics pieces.
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August 11, 2025Obviously experimental and spoken word poetry that’s operating on another level and probably should be experienced rather than read… a single voice exploding, multiplying into a chorus, but somehow a chorus of one voice, one soul, yet many… gonna have to just sit with this one.
June 10, 2020
This was incredibly difficult to listen to on audiobook. It was beyond amazing and I highly recommend it, but my goodness it was difficult to hear.
June 27, 2020
Informative. Entertaining.
February 13, 2024
Would love to see this performed
March 18, 2025
This play is so powerful and well written. The combination between live theater and written poetry and incredible, and I’d definitely love to see this performed live one day. The ways in which the playwright effectively creates a world within the play, while leaving room for interpretation and creativity is something that so few master, and Orlandersmith accomplishes this magnificently!
July 13, 2022
This play is incredible. No other word for it.
The play itself is set up as a collection of monologues by different characters. Ranging in age, gender, sexuality, and race, each recounts their own views and perspectives revolving around the shooting of a young black boy by the police. We see the anger from the black characters, but also the fear, and desire to keep one's head down to avoid trouble that seems inevitable, and the questioning of god as to how this could happen. We see the perspective of a fellow police officer: I know there are no black police on my force, but color doesn't matter, just if they can get the job done. Accompanied by defensiveness, confusion, and anger of his own. We see racism and contrasted behavior between characters and how consequences vary. It truly is this one subject, examined from every lens, even the unpleasant ones we might want to ignore or automatically condemn. Even the flaws that inevitably accompany the views we may promote as, "correct". Again, incredible.
The play itself is set up as a collection of monologues by different characters. Ranging in age, gender, sexuality, and race, each recounts their own views and perspectives revolving around the shooting of a young black boy by the police. We see the anger from the black characters, but also the fear, and desire to keep one's head down to avoid trouble that seems inevitable, and the questioning of god as to how this could happen. We see the perspective of a fellow police officer: I know there are no black police on my force, but color doesn't matter, just if they can get the job done. Accompanied by defensiveness, confusion, and anger of his own. We see racism and contrasted behavior between characters and how consequences vary. It truly is this one subject, examined from every lens, even the unpleasant ones we might want to ignore or automatically condemn. Even the flaws that inevitably accompany the views we may promote as, "correct". Again, incredible.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews