Broken Tables is a thought-provoking spoken word stage play by Eli Lu Entertainment in association with S-Type Productions and  Mill Creek Community Partnership (MCCP); that focuses on the history of the black family structure and its transformation over the decades. Six poets will play the roles of various generations within one family from the late 1800’s to the present time. It’s a play on words with minimum props to bring the storytelling to life.

The showcase will dive into the many facets such as historical events, poverty, war, drugs, welfare, and much more that has greatly impacted and altered the black family. The show will “Bring it all to the table”, in which the “dining table” concept will be used as the focal backdrop of the showcase. The dining table is said to be the heartbeat of a family, where many families gather as one and engage in conversations. While the poetic pieces will reflect much of our past and present, the showcase will invoke change. It will be a family show where many will come to reflect on their own family structures, laugh, cry, and be entertained all in one sitting. The goal is to ignite much-needed conversations, reflection, healing, understanding, and awareness. It’s time to come back to the table!

Supported by MCCP’s founder Cassandra Green, Eli and Lu Bevins (Eli Lu Entertainment) will be directing and Stacey Sherill  (of S-Type Productions) is producing the show. Each showcase will run for 90 minutes: 60 minutes of showtime, 30 minutes for the after show segment with Q&A. The after show segment will allow the audience to have an open discussion to further the conversation on the topics presented in the pieces as well as ask the cast questions. Additionally, there will be a mini art exhibition of artwork from various artist depicting black families that will be set up outside of the theater for guest to observe. “We wanted this show to be one that leaves a lasting impression of families by using Broken Tables to achieve three things: ‘Provoke broken families to come together, to allow complete families to stay as one, and for those who have never experienced a good family structure to learn how they can create one. ” Sherill said.