Notes from the Field

Synopsis

On a bare stage that transforms from courtrooms to classrooms, jail cells to protest lines, the rawness of America’s struggle with justice and education takes centre stage

Notes from the Field is a searing exploration of the school-to-prison pipeline, told through a mosaic of voices drawn from over 250 interviews. Smith, embodying each character with startling precision, weaves together the stories of students, teachers, judges, and activists to create a vivid story of a system in crisis.

From Sherrilyn Ifill’s incisive analysis of societal investments to Taos Proctor’s raw account of his journey from troubled youth to reformed adult, Smith’s virtuosic performance brings to life the complex web of factors perpetuating cycles of poverty, violence, and incarceration. The play doesn’t shy away from difficult truths, confronting issues of race, class, and systemic failure head-on. Yet amidst the struggle, glimmers of hope emerge – in the fierce determination of educators like Stephanie Williams, the courageous activism of Bree Newsome, and the hard-won wisdom of Congressman John Lewis.

Notes from the Field challenges audiences to bear witness to a broken system and, in doing so, asks us to consider our own role in perpetuating or dismantling it. Smith’s masterful blend of verbatim theatre and social commentary creates a deeply affecting work that is equal parts indictment and call to action.