Sons of the Boogie
Jason recently served as Writer-in-Residence at the New Hazlett Theater, where he premiered a staged reading of his latest play, Sons of the Boogie. This full-length work blends memory, music, and magical realism to explore a second coming-of-age rooted in the South Bronx.
Set against the backdrop of the Boogie Down, the play follows a man’s return to the neighborhoods and moments that shaped him. Sons of the Boogie reflects on self-discovery, the pursuit of dreams, and the cultural roots that shape our sense of home.
Redemption: Sons
Redemption: Sons is a poignant exploration of hope, transformation, and the enduring bonds of family. Through a compelling "duologue," an African American mother from Louisiana and a Boricua father from the South Bronx engage in a call-and-response narrative that explores themes of race, ancestral memory, trauma, and healing.
Premiered on December 8, 2016, at the New Hazlett Theater as part of the 2016–2017 Community Supported Art (CSA) Performance Series, this work was both written and performed by Drs. Jason C. Méndez and Tameka Cage Conley. Their collaboration offers an intimate portrayal of parenting, identity, and the quest for redemption in the face of personal and collective histories.