In the realm of theater, basketball is taking center stage in a creative and innovative way. Plays such as Inua Ellams’s “The Half-God of Rainfall,” Candrice Jones’s “Flex,” and Rajiv Joseph’s “King James” incorporate the game of basketball into their narratives, showcasing a unique crossover between sports and theater.
Basketball holds a distinct cultural influence that surpasses other American team sports due to the celebrity status of its players. The recognition and popularity of NBA athletes are unparalleled, with three NBA players ranking among the top 10 highest-paid athletes globally, including endorsements and off-field ventures.
Theater director Taibi Magar draws parallels between watching a basketball game and experiencing great theater. Both are filled with embodied conflict and executed by highly skilled performers. The excitement and energy of Broadway shows can be compared to watching NBA performances.
Playwright Rajiv Joseph, hailing from Cleveland, believes that basketball holds immense cultural significance, particularly due to the presence of international stars in the NBA, such as Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo. The global representation in the sport has made it an important athletic pursuit on a global scale.
Basketball’s influence extends beyond sports and has infiltrated various aspects of pop culture, including hip-hop, fashion, film, and television. Former NBA player Dwyane Wade has even taken on the role of producer in Broadway shows like “American Son” and “Ain’t No Mo’.”
Candrice Jones, writer of “Flex,” emphasizes the accessibility of basketball. Regardless of one’s personal experience with organized basketball, the sport can be found in any neighborhood or small town, with individuals creating makeshift basketball goals.
In the casting process of “Flex,” actors were required to showcase their basketball skills to ensure authenticity on stage. The director, Lileana Blain-Cruz, and Jones, who both played basketball in high school, placed importance on capturing the individual styles and personalities of the actors while playing basketball.
“Flex” tells the story of a girls’ high school basketball team in rural Arkansas, set during the early years of the WNBA. The audition process involved dribbling, shooting, and layups to accurately portray the sport. Rehearsals also included basketball practice to enhance the ensemble quality of the performance.
At New York Theater Workshop, Inua Ellams’s “The Half-God of Rainfall” combines basketball with mythological elements. The play follows Demi, a half-Greek god who becomes an NBA superstar. Rehearsals involved actors mimicking basketball movements and practicing specific plays, including an homage to Michael Jordan.
Ellams, a Nigerian poet and playwright, infused his personal experiences as a basketball player into the character of Demi. He believes basketball has a unique beauty and solitariness, similar to playing the blues, making it a perfect match for the human spirit.
While other sports like baseball, football, and boxing have also been explored in theater, basketball is currently experiencing a renaissance. The sport holds a significant position among up-and-coming directors and playwrights due to its cultural importance and aesthetic appeal. The combination of sports and theater creates a powerful and authentic experience, portraying the raw emotions and stories of athletes.
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