Black History [every] Month at Santa Monica Playhouse

Joining the exciting “Black History [every] Month” 2025 line up is Jon Gentry’s delightful comedy.

“Jon Gentry’s Black Bastard leaves audiences screaming for more!” @lahiddengems

Queer. Southern. Creole… Black Bastard transports audiences to 1990s Houston in a humorous, heartfelt coming-of-age tale. Jon, an inquisitive Black boy, develops a love for literature until his family fractures, thrusting him into the role of “man of the house.” A comedic spiral ensues as Jon grapples with his identity(ies). When a bully confronts him at school, Jon begins to search for his absent father, but is he ready for what he may find? Through literature, clowning, self-discovery, and original song, the production invokes 90’s nostalgia in a jambalaya of memoir, embodied character transformation, and socio-cultural commentary. The show confronts stereotypes about absent Black fathers while exploring broader themes of identity, expression, and our collective search for belonging and ultimately home.

Winner of the Hollywood Fringe Soaring Solo Social Impact Award. Directed by Shinelle Azoroh.

Jon Gentry was born and raised in Houston, Texas. He earned his BA in English from Harvard, where he served as President of BlackCAST. He holds an MFA in Acting from the American Conservatory Theater. As a teaching artist, he co-directed “Child Life” with UCSF Children’s Hospital and led acting workshops across the Bay Area. He currently teaches Michael Chekhov Acting Technique at the Los Angeles Performing Arts Conservatory. His regional theater credits include roles in Clybourne Park, A Christmas Carol, and Romeo and Juliet. On screen, he appeared in TEN, Behold a Lady, Meeting Matt Damon and voiced Preston Garvey in Fallout 4, gaining viral fame.

One week only; rated 18+

The Santa Monica Playhouse Black History [every] Month Project presents African-American theatrical creations not just in February, but throughout the year. Seeing a poster on the Playhouse patio wall advertising a production for Black History Month, a Playhouse conservatory student asked, “What about the rest of the year?” Excellent question, one that became the inspiration for the Black History [every] Month project, recognizing, honoring and celebrating the rich heritage of Black arts, artists, and culture in our community, with generous support from the We Are Santa Monica Fund, the City of Santa Monica, the Santa Monica Arts Commission, and Playhouse PALS.