Thoughts of a Colored Man

“Thoughts of a Colored Man” by Keenan Scott II is a groundbreaking Broadway play that masterfully blends spoken word, slam poetry, rhythm, and music to weave a vivid tapestry of the inner lives and experiences of seven Black men living in Brooklyn, New York. The play is celebrated for its innovative narrative structure, emotional depth, and its ability to capture the complexity and diversity of Black masculinity in contemporary America. It marks a significant moment in theater by putting the spotlight on stories that are often marginalized, offering a nuanced exploration of identity, community, dreams, and resilience.

The play’s strength lies in its ability to convey profound personal and collective stories through a series of interconnected monologues and dialogues that reflect the characters’ joys, sorrows, fears, and hopes. Each character represents different facets of the Black male experience, from the businessman to the young father, the sage elder, and more, providing a rich, multifaceted perspective on what it means to be a Black man today. Through their stories, Scott invites audiences to engage with themes of love, vulnerability, strength, social justice, and the search for identity in a world that often tries to impose limiting narratives.