Queens native Keenan Scott II makes his Broadway debut as the playwright for Thoughts of a Colored Man, which showcases the lives of seven Black men over the course of one day in Brooklyn. The story tells the complexities of today’s Black man through spoken word, slam poetry and comedy. Read our behind-the-scenes review of the play here.
How would you describe the process from writing this script to bringing it to life onstage?
Keenan Scott II: The process of writing this script has been a 15-year journey filled with workshops, readings, independent productions and regional runs before reaching Broadway. It has been a labor of love.
What do you hope people take away from your play? How do you hope the audience will feel?
KS: I hope that people leave my play with more empathy than they came with, inspired to learn more about a person they didn’t know before; to be mindful of the stereotypes and labels we put on people without truly knowing their essence.
What does it feel like to come to Broadway?
KS: The feeling of coming to Broadway is indescribable to me. This is my Broadway debut, and I couldn’t be more excited for people to see this piece on this level. A year and a half ago, we didn’t even know if live shows would return, so being in this moment is a blessing.
In-Theater Information
Performances of Thoughts of a Colored Man take place at John Golden Theatre (252 W. 45th St.).
Connect with Keenan Scott II at @keenanthemuse
