Overview
Kareem, a Black teen, waits for the bus, at night, in a suburban White neighborhood. He is approached by O’Donald, a White police officer. They struggle. A shot rings out. Kareem is dead. O’Donald says he feared for his life. The Police Union’s representative defends the shooting as self-defense. Kareem’s Aunt Janice protests her nephew’s death as racial profiling. There are no witnesses, but the truth will not die. Kareem’s spirit haunts Officer O’Donald, demanding to know why he was killed.
Casting & Production
Casting
KAREEM JOHNSON — 16 years old/male. African American or visibly of African descent.
OFFICER MICHAEL O’DONALD — 30-50 years old/male. White or European American.
AUNT JANICE/UNION REP — 40-60 years old/female. African American or visibly of African descent.
Casting Note:
Union Rep has a Caribbean accent or distinctive accent with hair or glasses to clearly distinguish her from Aunt Janice.
Setting
Place/Setting
A bus stop in suburban America.
Time
Sunday night. Spring. Near the end of the school
year. Present.
Reviews
“Gloria Browne-Marshall combines her skills as a journalist, educator and playwright to create a compelling drama and powerful in-the-moment teaching tool.”
—Tom Hundley, Senior Editor, The Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting
“SHOT, a thought-provoking and compelling commentary on the ‘shoot-to-kill’ incidents involving police and African American men around the country…is a timely and relevant literary piece that promises to leave its viewing audience in serious contemplation.”
—Ethical Cultural Society of Westchester
