"Drapetomania" at The Marsh
Dates: 10/4/2025 - 10/25/2025
📍 Theatre: The Marsh
2120 Allston Way
Berkeley, CA 94704
Phone: 4152823055
Tickets: $25-$35 general admission, $50 and $100 reserved, $3 convenience fee per ticket
The Marsh Berkeley will present the World Premiere engagement of acclaimed playwright and performer Wayne Harris’s Drapetomania, an exploration of political dissent and the tools of oppression that can be employed to silence protesters. Invited by the U.S. State Department to Palestine to perform a piece about Martin Luther King Jr., Harris found striking similarities between the U.S. and the Middle East, uncovering cultural reckonings and historical parallels while sharing a story of peace. The play takes its title from the word coined in 1851 by American physician Samuel A. Cartwright to define a perceived “mental illness” that caused enslaved peoples to flee their captivity. Reclaiming the term, Harris offers audiences a call to action, urging civic engagement and activism. Directed by David Ford, Drapetomania was presented in a well-received workshop run at The Marsh in August 2025 and returns for this World Premiere.
News About "Drapetomania" at The Marsh
Wayne Harris' DRAPETOMANIA to Return to The Marsh Berkeley
April 08, 2026 Wayne Harris, co-director of the Formerly Incarcerated People’s Performance Project, will present Drapetomania at The Marsh Berkeley this May. Drapetomania will run May 1 - 22, 2026 with performances at 7:30pm Fridays at The Marsh Berkely.
The Marsh Berkeley to Present A VERY SCRUMPY HOLIDAY CAROL Holiday Variety Cabaret
November 26, 2025 The Marsh Berkeley and the ghosts of politicians' past, present and future have a message this holiday season with an irreverent variety show, A Very Scrumpy Holiday Carol starring Joyful Raven as the laughably notorious King Scrump.
Wayne Harris' DRAPETOMANIA Extends at he Marsh Berkeley
October 27, 2025 The Marsh Berkeley will extend the World Premiere engagement of acclaimed playwright and performer Wayne Harris’ Drapetomania, directed by David Ford. Learn more!
Wayne Harris's DRAPETOMANIA is Coming to The Marsh Berkeley
September 08, 2025 The Marsh Berkeley will present the World Premiere engagement of acclaimed playwright and performer Wayne Harris’s Drapetomania, an exploration of political dissent and the tools of oppression that can be employed to silence protesters.About the Theatre
The Marsh Frequently Asked QuestionsFAQ
Where is The Marsh Berkeley located?
What shows have played recently at The Marsh Berkeley?
"Before I Forget" (6/14/25-6/21/25)
"The Waiting Period" (5/23/25-6/15/25)
"The Mommies: Their Last Trimester" (5/1/25-5/29/25)
"Overlooked Latinas" (4/5/25-5/10/25)
"Angry Black Woman 101" (3/15/25-4/13/25)
Living the Shuffle (1/31/25-3/9/25)
The Marsh Berkeley presents “The Waiting Period” (6/23/24-6/23/24)
The Marsh Berkeley presents “Breed or Bust” (6/8/24-6/8/24)
What shows are coming up next at The Marsh Berkeley?
Where is The Marsh located?
What shows have played recently at The Marsh?
Night Driver (07/11/26-08/08/26)
Pearl Ong’s Night Driver (07/11/26-08/08/26)
The Marsh Berkeley, 2120 Allston Way, Berkeley, CA (07/10/26-08/07/26)
Nina Wise’s What Just Happened? (06/14/26-06/27/26)
What Just Happened? (06/14/26-06/27/26)
Pass the Nails and Shame the Devil (04/25/26-05/23/26)
"Spanish Stew" (01/17/26-02/22/26)
"Before I Forget" (06/14/25-06/21/25)
"The Waiting Period" (05/23/25-06/15/25)
Where is The Marsh San Francisco located?
What shows have played recently at The Marsh San Francisco?
Night Driver (07/11/26-08/08/26)
Pearl Ong’s Night Driver (07/11/26-08/08/26)
The Marsh Berkeley, 2120 Allston Way, Berkeley, CA (07/10/26-08/07/26)
Nina Wise’s What Just Happened? (06/14/26-06/27/26)
What Just Happened? (06/14/26-06/27/26)
Pass the Nails and Shame the Devil (04/25/26-05/23/26)
"Spanish Stew" (01/17/26-02/22/26)
"Before I Forget" (06/14/25-06/21/25)
"The Waiting Period" (05/23/25-06/15/25)
What shows are coming up next at The Marsh San Francisco?
Pearl Ong’s Night Driver (07/11/26-08/08/26)
Night Driver (07/11/26-08/08/26)
Pamela Gaye Walker’s Little BIG Mouth (07/12/26-08/02/26)
What shows are coming up next at The Marsh?
Natacha Ruck’s Death & Dad Jokes (08/20/26-08/23/26)
Sherry Glaser’s Life & Death: A Love Story (08/21/26-08/22/26)
Lauren Mayer’s I Didn’t Come From Your Rib (08/21/26-08/23/26)
Catherine Debon’s Lullaby of a Partisan (08/22/26-08/23/26)
Joyful Raven’s Tactical Frivolity (08/27/26-08/29/26)
Hannah Gould’s Divorced: The Musical! (08/27/26-08/29/26)
Candace Johnson’s The Conductress: Adventures in Teaching Gospel Music (08/28/26-08/30/26)
Robyn DeGuzman’s Enough Free (08/28/26-08/30/26)
Yvonne Martinez’s Someday Mija, You’ll Learn the Difference Between a Whore and a Working Woman (08/29/26-08/30/26)
Holly Shaw’s ROAR! (08/29/26-08/30/26)
Roar! (08/29/26-08/30/26)
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