BLACK GRAFFITI: A DOCK ELLIS STORY to Premiere at The RAT NYC
Kade Clarks and Rory Scholl star, with Jennifer Sandella directing the RATCO production in DUMBO.
Random Access Theatre Company (RATCO) will premiere a new play titled 'Black Graffiti: A Dock Ellis Story' (written by company member Andrew Sanford) which dramatizes the life of former baseball pitcher Dock Ellis.
Dock Ellis, a Major League Baseball pitcher from 1968-1979, played for the Pittsburgh Pirates, New York Yankees, Oakland Athletics, Texas Rangers, and New York Mets. Most notably, Dock Ellis was a World Series champion with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1971 and pitched a no-hitter on June 12, 1970.
When asked to describe 'Black Graffiti,' its writer, Andrew Sanford said, 'This fictional retelling of Dock's struggle finds him confronting then-Rangers owner Brad Corbett over a team rule [against players drinking on the road] and demanding it be dropped. Corbett agrees on one condition: Dock tells him the true story of his legendary no-hitter, which was not public at the time. What follows is a tense and hilarious exchange that tackles race, representation, alcoholism, and that fateful story that would go on to define Dock's life and career (whether he wanted it to or not).'
'Black Graffiti' explores themes of racial inequality, athlete activism, and personal redemption, highlighting a story about Ellis' career, his challenges with substance abuse, and his eventual sobriety.
The premiere staging of 'Black Graffiti' will feature Kade Clarks, a promising newcomer to the New York theatre scene, as Dock Ellis. Rory Scholl, a RAT veteran, takes on the role of Brad Corbett.The production will be directed and designed by Jennifer Sandella (Executive Director of The RAT NYC).
'Black Graffiti: A Dock Ellis Story' will be staged at The RAT NYC 68-117 Jay St, Brooklyn, NY 11201 from September 11-13, 2026 at 7:30PM. To purchase tickets visit: www.theratnyc.com.
