Arts & Entertainment Compass

Now offering ticket deals in honor of International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination 

Kaitlyn E. Clark 

Scandal, secrets, and shocking revelations – Anne L. Thompson Screthcing’s “A Lesson in Blood” has shaken the American Theatre of Actors this week, with performances scheduled through March 30th. Written and directed by the ATA regular and multi-award-winning Anne L. Thompson-Scretching, this fiery drama dives deep into the tangled roots of family, race, and justice in the Jim Crow South. 

The story, set in a fading Georgia summer, is described by the playwright as “almost a love story.” 

Aggie is back home after seven years away, but her return is far from a happy homecoming. She’s dying. And she’s hiding a secret – she has a child. But the biggest shock? The father is a black Cherokee man named Osceola.

Osceola has troubles as well. Living alongside his Aunt Lucy and Brother Calvi, he is also in a relationship with Clara, a woman who doesn’t take kindly to being scorned. When she finds out about Aggie’s secret, she threatens to tell “the law,” which carries a dark and threatening connotation for a black man in 1940s Georgia. And Sheriff Johnny Ray, a childhood friend turned Klansman, isn’t one to play fair.

Then, tragedy strikes. Aggie is murdered, and chaos erupts. Was it Clara? Was it the Sheriff, who once loved her? The mystery unfolds as Osceola fights for his life, his child, and the truth.

Tickets are available now, with reduced ticket prices available for March 21st and March 27th. The American Theatre of Actors, honoring their commitment to DEI, has included these unbeatable deals in honor of International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and World Theatre Day, respectively. 

Anne L. Thompson-Scretching knows how to tell a powerful story. Her previous knockout show, Resurrection, left audiences speechless with its raw look at race, violence, and faith during the Black Wall Street Massacre of 1921. 

In 2024 alone, ATA has brought audiences Four Men on a Couch and Resurrection, both written and directed by Anne. A constant presence at ATA, she has been presenting plays there for decades, cementing herself as a powerful voice for the African American community.

A Lesson in Blood is the first play in Anne’s Blood Trilogy and received the 2011 Jean Dalrymple Award for Best Drama. A gripping mix of forbidden romance and murder mystery, this play asks questions that still resonate today. As Anne said in a video interview, “It’s almost a love story. Of a white woman and a native Black American … One of the reasons I wrote this play, I’m wondering, could A Lesson in Blood happen again?” 

Anne’s work is driven by something deeper than storytelling. “I’m not a churchgoer, but I’m very spiritual,” she said during a 2024 interview. “Faith plays a part in my life and creative process because I believe in the power of God. He gave me this gift of telling meaningful stories.” 

She also makes lasting connections with her cast members, likely a result of her commitment to perfectly the flow of their storytelling. Kevin Leonard and Rommell Sermons, both hailed for their stellar performances in Resurrection and Four Men on a Couch, have returned for another chance to work with Anne. 

The American Theatre of Actors is the perfect home for this gripping drama. A historic landmark, ATA has been showcasing bold new playwrights and productions since 1976. Having worked with Anne on multiple productions, they shared that they are thrilled to have her back! 

Get your tickets now before they’re gone!

SHOW TIMES

Wed, March 19th, 8pm

Thurs, March 20th, 8pm 

Fri, March 21st, 8pm 

Sat, March 22nd, 8pm

Sun, March 23rd, 3pm 

Wed, March 26th, 8pm

Thurs, March 27th, 8pm

Fri, March 28th, 8pm

Sat, March 29th, 8pm 

Sun, March 30th, 2pm

PHOTO SPREAD BY DAN LANE WILLIAMS