Experience Ixion’s ‘Pipeline’ for yourself. It’s worth it.

I’ve seen community theater many times in many places, yet never players so immersed in their roles that I felt as if I were invading their space.

The cast of Ixion Theatre Ensemble’s “Pipeline,” which opened Thursday at Sycamore Creek Church Eastwood, became their characters in word and movement and emotion.

That “emotion” tugged at me from the start, as Nya, a public-school teacher played by Kamara Miller Drane, expressed her heartbreak at having to deal with a son facing expulsion from a private school while trying to keep her own, less-privileged students on paths to success. Or, keep them from the pipeline from school to prison?

Interspersed among the compelling interactions between characters, often one-on-one, were recitations from a poem by Gwendolyn Brooks. We hear its words first, clear and bold as if in all-caps, from Nya’s son, Omari, played by Miles Hall.

        We real cool. We

        Left school. We

        Lurk late. We

     Strike straight. We

     Sing sin. We

     Thin gin. We

     Jazz June. We

     Die soon.

Several times, Omari can’t say “Die soon.” Perhaps it is a signal of where he is, emotionally, trying to be himself despite all the rules and regulations imposed by his mother, mostly absent father, and his school, and the effects of systemic racism in our culture.

Many kudos to director Janell Hall, who so completely compelled the cast and crew to project place and personality into this production. The staging worked seamlessly between scenes, with the help of visuals on TV screens, music and lighting.

The depth of feeling in the one-on-one exchanges and monologs can’t be adequately described. You’ll need to experience it for yourself. Please consider the scheduled performances at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, March 8 and 9.

The focus of “Pipeline” is of course on Nya and Omari, but we need school security guard Dun (Brandon Arnold), Nya’s confidant Laurie (Rebecca Lane), Omari’s father Xavier (Sidney Sauseda), Omari’s girlfriend Jasmine (Ayana Payne) and Cool Crew, led by Tabitha Clark. And there is announcer/secretary/hospital administrator, played by Ada Mbonu, whose last words are “We die soon.”

Reviews don’t often cite the offstage folks, but this one will: Cherese Ford-Payne, stage manager and props; Candace Potts, assistant director; Ellison Hall, lighting design; Vanessa Estibeiro  sound, projections and technology; Leconte Dill, dramaturg; and ShonaStone Photography, for photos.

The ensemble works together to present a profoundly moving story you will never forget. Thank you, playwright Dominique Morisseau.

“Pipeline” is all about communication, talking out our concerns and frustrations. Equally important is listening, really listening.