REVIEW

‘Let Us Breathe’: A compelling opportunity

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Peppermint Creek Theatre’s mission includes commitments to address vital societal issues, to raise awareness, and to encourage meaningful dialogue. The production company’s latest online production, “Let Us Breathe” does all three.

The recording, accessible on Peppermint Creek’s Facebook and YouTube pages until March 31, showcases five speakers talking about personal experiences related to their culture. Each lasts about 10 minutes. Matt Hund from Gannett’s Lansing Storytellers Project and Elaine Hardy recruited the quintet. Hund co-produced the show with Peppermint Creek’s artistic director Chad Swan-Badgero. Hardy is a cast member, as well as East Lansing’s diversity, equity and inclusion administrator.

“I like that we are creating a space for Black and brown people’s voices to be heard and for them to say anything they want,” Swan-Badgero said. “And I think it’s really powerful that these aren’t people from far away that we don’t really know. These are people who live and work in Lansing and that’s very compelling as a theatrical piece.”

The speakers were coached three times via Zoom before being recorded. Rob Roznowski, Sarah Hendrickson, Lynn Lammers, John Lepard and Swan-Badgero — all veterans of area theater — were the coaches.

When the “Let Us Breathe” storytellers had polished but not memorized stories, videographer Jackson Boomershine met with each in settings they felt comfortable in. The individual recordings were edited and spliced together to make a unified video.

Hardy speaks first about her journey to embrace her Blackness — despite how hard that can be in America and even in her own family. Hardy’s potent speech is full of emotion and insights.

Ben Hall is a postal carrier, server at the Soup Spoon Café and independent musician. His second story is about his family history that includes some of Mason’s first Black settlers. His quest to preserve a relative’s freedom papers and to get family headstones is remarkable and eye opening.

Tammara McCollum is the owner of Smoothie Queen on East Kalamazoo Street. Her story is about going from homelessness and living in her car, to owning the successful shop. She shows how determination and a little kindness can be life altering.

Siso Dhadhla is a proud local entrepreneur and employee of Downtown Lansing Inc. His drive to create a “Black market” of African American merchants is a tale worth telling.

Jill Chenault had many careers from lawyer to dog walker to hand model. She now cares for her mother. The COVID survivor is still suffering lingering effects. Chenault, in frank and sometimes profane language for the final story, details the warranted fear blacks feel when dealing with the virus — and how brutal the illness can be. With everyday examples, she makes the pain of injustice feel real.

None of the storytellers appears to read from a script and each displays a genuine sincerity. Edits are rare and images and voices are clear. All are filled with emotion — often inspiring tears. The “Let Us Breathe” collection is an opportunity to hear compelling Black and brown voices.

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