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Overview

Synopsis

It is 1905. Jim Crow laws segregate African Americans from restaurants, trains, hotels. But one man is fighting for equality, for the chance to stand toe-to-toe with a white man and declare himself a champion. Jay “The Sport” Jackson is the Negro Heavyweight Champion, a boxer from everywhere and nowhere, an ambitious athlete who relishes in the attention and publicity. And now he’s set his sights on Champ Bixby, the retired Heavyweight Champion, a white man who has stepped away from the spotlight. Three people join Jay on his journey to greatness: Max, a white manager/promoter who greases every palm to ensure Jay’s opportunities; Fish, an up-and-coming young black boxer with potential, hired to be Jay’s sparring partner; and Wynton, Jay’s fatherly trainer and guide. Standing in the way of greatness is Jay’s past, including his own sister, who forces Jay to recognize the true impact of his fight, of the racial violence outside of the boxing ring. As he steps into the fight of his life, Jay must reconcile his ambitions with the inevitable hatred and ruthlessness against his race. The Royale is a dynamic and powerful meditation on the history of racism in the United States and how boxing is ultimately a symbol for the fight of Jay’s life.

Show Information

Category
Play
Age Guidance
Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
Number of Acts
1
First Produced
2013
Genres
Drama, Historical/Biographical
Settings
Period, Multiple Settings, Simple/No Set
Time & Place
1905, United States
Cast Size
small
Ideal For
College/University, Community Theatre, Ensemble Cast, Mostly Male Cast, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Small Cast, Star Vehicle Male, Includes Adult, Late Teen, Young Adult, Mature Adult Characters

Context

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Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Jay Jackson

Lead

Male

Fish Hawkins

Lead

Male

Wynton

Lead

Male

Max

Lead

Male

Nina

Lead

Female

Songs

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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

All monologues are the property and copyright of their owners.. Monologues are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this monologue, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Scenes

All scenes are the property and copyright of their owners. Scenes are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this scene, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Key Terms

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Videos

Quizzes

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Themes, Symbols & Motifs

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Quote Analysis

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Guide Written By:

Cindi Calhoun

Cindi Calhoun

Theatre teacher, director, writer, and seamstress