Pipeline

"You got a bunch of parents, teachers, politicians, whoever, trying to understand these kids. But how you gonna understand a book you only skimming?" So says Dun, a hard-working high school security guard. In this complex look at American education, actor Jaime Lincoln Smith explores the heights and depths of being in the role of both protector and enforcer at a struggling public institution.

Omari is the teenage son of Nya, a dedicated public school teacher. But Nya and Omari's father have elected to send him to private school to give him an advantage in life. Instead, after an incident caught on camera, the school threatens him with expulsion and charges. Actor Namir Smallwood talks about his personal connection to the role and the potential for others to see themselves in the story.

"I’m a white chick who has never had the luxury of winning over a class full of Black and Latino kids." That's how Laurie, a public high school teacher, humorously describes her situation. As a fight breaks out between two students, she is caught on camera hitting one of the kids with a broom. Actor Tasha Lawrence talks about her character and the unique perspective she brings to this tense drama.

During the theatrical run of Pipeline, audiences would linger long after the play ended, inspired to have conversations about what they just saw with their friends and complete strangers. In this clip, the cast and director of Pipeline share their hopes about what people take away from the story and its potential to spark dialogue, understanding, and change.

Thoughts on Ending the School to Prison Pipeline, a discussion suggested by Dominique Morisseau's PIPELINE. Cast members Karen Pittman and Namir Smallwood joined Pipeline director Lileana Blain-Cruz and Dr. Rudolph F. Crew, President of Medger Evers College (CUNY) for a post-screening conversation moderated by Farai Chideya, Program Officer of Journalism, Ford Foundation. Filmed September 24, 2018