Being Chaka

Main Stage:

Performance Dates: March 13 - 30, 2025

BEING CHAKA IS A CO-PRODUCTION WITH TÉA ARTISTRY

Chaka, a 16 year old African American high school student, transfers to a private school where he is haunted, literally and metaphorically, by the ghosts of generational trauma and systemic racism. Chaka and his classmates must learn to grapple with their histories, families and cultures– or else let the past consume them.

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SEASON SUBSCRIPTIONS

OUR PERFORMANCE OF BEING CHAKA

Coming of Age • Generational Divides

Chaka, a 16 year old black high school student, transfers to a private school where he is haunted, literally and metaphorically, by the ghosts of generational trauma and systemic racism. Chaka and his classmates must learn to grapple with their histories, families and cultures– or else let the past consume them.

Learn more about ticket discounts (including $5 student tickets, educator discounts, military discounts, and Pay-What-You-Can day) on our Plan Your Visit page.

Have accessibility concerns? Review our options on the Accessibility page. Give us a call at (919) 834-4001 or email development@burningcoal.org to request accommodations or give feedback.

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

CAST & CREW

Being Chaka created by TÉA Artistry; written by Tara Amber, Chuk Obasi, and Nalini Sharma/ March 13-30th, 2025

Directed by Vieve Price and Chuk Obasi

Stage Manager — Julianna Frasca

Lighting Designer — Valentina Moya

Sound Designer — Juan Isler

ASM #1 — Roseanne Wagner

ASM #2 — Skylar Symonds

ASM #3 — Venezia Catlett

Painter — Meredith Riggan

TD/ME — Barry Jaked

CAST
Joey Brenneman

Hunter Crone

Christa Irby

Amanda Marikar

Gabby Morell

Jarred Pearce

Joseph Reese

Emma Stone

Miriam Tabb

Nikki Dublin Turner

MAKE A SUBSCRIBER RESERVATION

Tickets to a particular performance are subject to availability, and we recommend subscribers reserve tickets 48 hrs* in advance to guarantee their spot. Reserving your ticket means you’ll be on the check-in list for that performance. To reserve, please email your preferred performance date/time to: development@burningcoal.org to reserve your ticket, or call the box office at (919) 834-4001.

*Reservations made less than 48 hours in advance may not be entered in time!

If you did not make a reservation, please bring the subscriber card that was mailed to you for a quick verification at check-in. We will do our best to seat you.

STUDY GUIDE, PROGRAM, REVIEWS

Check back soon for study guides, programs, and reviews

About the Playwrights

A New York Native, Chuk Obasi is a playwright, actor, director, and choreographer. He is also an educator and a multi-disciplinary artist who works in theater, film, television, dance, and poetry performance. He is the Co-Director of TÉA Artistry.

Nalini Sharma is a writer, actress, and clown comedian known for her work on NCIS, The Rookie, Modern Family, and her absurdist clown show Until Death.

Tara Amber is a playwright, actor, and musician. She played Kunzang in the original cast of Being Chaka and is also known for her work on Law and Order and Awaken.

Themes

Coming of Age
Systemic Inequality
Loss
Friendship

CONTENT WARNING

This production includes discussions of:

Racism
Loss of a child

Buy Tickets

Being Chaka

Main Stage:

Being Chaka

Performance Dates: March 13 - 30, 2025

Thank you. Your being here and your support makes it possible to bring live, inclusive, innovative theatre to Downtown Raleigh, NC, and beyond.