Photo Flash: Inside Rehearsals for Claudia Rankine's HELP at The Shed

Help, a new play examining white male privilege by acclaimed author and poet Claudia Rankine (Citizen: An American Lyric, The White Card) and directed by Obie Award-winner Taibi Magar (Is God Is, Soho Rep), will make its world premiere and launch The Shed's 2020 season on March 10 with performances through April 5 (previews begin Tuesday, March 10 and opening night is Saturday, March 21). Commissioned by The Shed and performed in its Griffin Theater, Help stars Roslyn Ruff (Theater: Fairview; Film: Marriage Story; TV: Divorce, Pose).

See photos below!

A new play, Help consciously centers whiteness in order to address, engage, and ultimately confront it. The Narrator (Ruff) recounts Rankine's real-life conversations with white men about their privilege that take place in transitional spaces like airports. The stories unfold through a set of monologues and staged scenarios, with Ruff supported by a cast of 19 white male actors and dancers. With intentional and thought-provoking words, music, and movement, Help brings to life Rankine's encounters in her travels and in everyday life that have gone right, wrong, or led to further discussion and contemplation.

Photo Credit: Gioncarlo Valentine

Roslyn Ruff and chorus members

Chorus members

Shamel Pitts, Tyler Thomas, Taibi Magar, Claudia Rankine, and Casey Llewellyn

Roslyn Ruff and chorus members

Roslyn Ruff and chorus members

Roslyn Ruff and Shamel Pitts

Taibi Magar, Shamel Pitts, and Roslyn Ruff

Roslyn Ruff and chorus members

Roslyn Ruff and chorus members

Roslyn Ruff and chorus members

Casey Llewellyn, Claudia Rankine, Taibi Magar, Shamel Pitts

Roslyn Ruff and chorus members

Roslyn Ruff and chorus members