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Overview
Synopsis
How do our own experiences of race, gender, and wealth influence how we see the world? When a wealthy, white real estate executive (Arthur Golden) accuses a black woman (Regina Wade) of stealing his watch, she loses an important business client, and eventually loses her business. Because of this, Wade accuses Golden of defamation and sues him for half a million dollars. Wade’s lawyer--a white man-- paints this as a case of racial prejudice on the part of Golden, while Golden’s lawyer--a black woman--counters that this is Wade’s bitterness against a successful white man. Ultimately, the class is not a clear-cut civil suit, and the audience must serve as the jury. Based on the evidence, did Golden commit defamation against Wade? Did that defamation lead to her business loss? To answer these questions, the audience must face their own prejudices about race, gender, and power as they deliberate this case of Defamation.
Show Information
- Book
- Todd Logan
- Category
- Play
- Age Guidance
- Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
- Number of Acts
- 1
- First Produced
- 2012
- Genres
- Drama
- Settings
- Contemporary, Simple/No Set
- Time & Place
- 2012, Chicago, courtroom
- Cast Size
- small
- Licensor
- Dramatic Publishing Co.
- Ideal For
- College/University, Community Theatre, Diverse Cast, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Small Cast, Theatre, Mostly Female Cast, Includes Adult, Mature Adult Characters
Context
After his own unsettling experience in dealing with race, Todd Logan created Defamation as a way to engage in conversations about race, power, and gender. He recognized that his own experiences as a white man in a largely white neighborhood did not embrace diversity. With Defamation, Logan set out to provide a forum for diversity discussions.
The first production of Defamation was at DePaul University in 2009, just after Barack Obama’s inauguration. Following the performance, the
to read the context for Defamation and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
In a Chicago courtroom, in 2012, Judge Adrian Barnes presides over a civil lawsuit. She (or he) begins by establishing the proper behavior for a courtroom as well as the requirements for the audience to participate as jurors in the case. At the plaintiff’s table sits Regina Wade, an African-American woman, and her lawyer Mr. Lawton, a white man. At the defendant’s table, Arthur Golden--a white man--is represented by his lawyer Ms. Allen, an African-American woman. In the audience, waiting to
to read the plot for Defamation and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
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Lead |
Female |
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Lead |
Male |
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Lead |
Either Gender |
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Supporting |
Male |
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Supporting |
Female |
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Supporting |
Female |
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Songs
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
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Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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Guide Written By:
Cindi Calhoun
Theatre teacher, director, writer, and seamstress