Cuts and Acknowledgement
Every now and then, I get questions about one or two lines in I AND YOU. In certain casting orientations (which can be changed at the discretion of the production), Caroline’s line “It’s very ‘white people’” and Anthony’s response “I like white people” in Scene 2 can feel awkward or odd or ask the actor to put a spin on the line when a white actor would not need to. I’ve always changed the lines if asked but I don’t want any actor to feel decentered or marginalized by even having to ask to change these lines. That’s my fault. I apologize. That’s definitely my white privilege in writing lines that presume comfort in discussing race/whiteness/black culture casually.
So let's cut them ASAP.
I’ve asked Playscripts to update the script ASAP, but if you are doing a production of I AND YOU, please cut these lines that are bolded and struck through:
ANTHONY: Ok. Now we’re talking. What’s your music?
CAROLINE: No. No. You’d hate it.
ANTHONY: Probably not.
CAROLINE:Probably yeah you would. It’s very “white people.”
ANTHONY:I like white people.
CAROLINE: Shut up.
ANTHONY: What’s your music?
CAROLINE:You’re not gonna like it.
--- Later on in the scene please also cut: ---
CAROLINE: I told you! I didn’t want to like it, But my mom would play it nonstop when I was a kid, so it was kinda pre-baked into me. WhichIsNotBadBecauseIt’sAwesome.
ANTHONY: You do realize he stole this from black people.
CAROLINE: The point is, it’s crazy. You like it don’t you? You like it.
ANTHONY: I like that… you like it.
CAROLINE: Aw come on, come on –You feel it, don’t you. I know you do. You feel the fire. The Great Balls of Fire-
***
Always make sure you have the most updated script before going into production too!
I am also happy to talk more about this with anyone who wishes. I'm grateful for all the actors who have ever performed this play, especially all those BIPOC actors who trusted me as their co-storyteller. I wrote this story to bring diverse actors onstage together, to remind us that we are all made of the same stuff, and that we all need one another to live our best lives and make the world ever better for all.
And I would encourage theaters who might look to program I AND YOU as a play to explore diversity, to prioritize stories written by BIPOC writers in their consideration.
Black Lives Matter.
Lauren