Even though the story is rooted in comic book culture, a Bible verse came to mind when hearing Metro Theater Company Artistic Director Jacqueline Thompson talk about their upcoming production of “An Unlikely Hero.”
Proverbs 18:21 states “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.”
In “An Unlikely Hero,” a young girl named Jordan goes to villain school, but she is presented with the opportunity to go to hero school.
“She writes her own story – and the whole point is that you control your narrative,” Thompson said. “You have the power to change how people perceive you, and to not let society label you or put you in a certain box. That’s the overarching theme. You have the ability to change the trajectory of what you think your life and your path is supposed to be.”
Metro’s presentation this weekend at the Missouri History Museum is a part of a rolling world premiere of the Emilio Rodriguez play – which is also commissioned by Trike Theater, and the Arkansas Museum of Fine Art. The Metro Theater Company presentation is directed by Carl Overly Jr. and stars Ryan Lawson-Maeske, Jailyn Genyse, Christian Kitchens and Chase Harless.
The production is part of With Great Power: The TYA BIPOC Superhero Project, a national partnership involving 23 playwrights and 27 theaters for young audiences dedicated to creating plays about BIPOC heroes for young people.
The show runs Friday, Oct. 18 – Sunday, Oct. 20. The Saturday performances will be centered around a full-day of superhero fun and family-friendly activities that begin at 10 a.m. and continue through 3 p.m. thanks to a partnership with Soundwave Comic Xpo.
Like with all of Metro productions, “An Unlikely Hero” is catered to young audiences – this production is for six-year-olds and up. As usual, there are nuggets of wisdom for parents and other adults who attend the play. “I want them to think about the unlikely heroes in their lives,” Thompson said. “And then really question what makes someone a hero.”
Thompson is an actress who became a director. Now she is a director who has become an artistic director. “An Unlikely Hero” is the first production with her at the helm of Metro Theater Company’s artistic umbrella. She stepped into the position in July, becoming the first Black woman artistic director in the institution’s 51-year history.
“I learned to trust the process and trust the artists,” Thompson said of watching Overly and the creative team for “An Unlikely Hero” work their magic.
“I think about emerging directors or other directors who could use Metro as a space to hone their craft,” Thompson said. “For me, right now it’s about creating or curating my own process of how I support them as well.”
She is actively learning the best way to do that.
“I want to make sure that they have the freedom of full expression and artistic independence,” Thompson said. “As opposed to someone trying to manipulate them in a different way.”
She’s also thinking about programming as she nears the first season of curating productions.
“I love outlier stories,” Thompson said. “I love stories about the voices of communities that you know we don’t hear of but we find the common ground that connects humanity. I’m into that.”
“An Unlikely Hero” is definitely on brand for the type of stories Thompson is looking forward to helping tell through Metro Theater Company.
“It shows our audience that they have the ability to create, navigate and control their choices,” Thompson said. “And to not let anyone steal their light away from them, or lessen who they know they can become.”
Metro Theater Company’s world-premiere presentation of “An Unlikely Hero” will take place from Friday, October 18 – Sunday, October 20th at The Missouri History Museum. For showtimes, tickets and additional information, visit www.metroplays.org.
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