You Are Cordially Invited to Sit In

Set in 1960s Houston, four Texas Southern University students gather in the famous Eldorado Ballroom discussing the latest gossip. Until one of them rushes in after being unjustly racially profiled and attacked by a police officer. The group is split on whether or not they should join in on the growing sit in demonstrations happening in other cities across the nation. Based on real-life stories and events, the story navigates the groups’ own personal stories, personal goals, and relationships, while also coming to terms with what would later be known as the Civil Rights movement and how as young people they factor into it.

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This design placed the historic Eldorado Ballroom into Stages' Black Box theatre in a 3/4 thrust arrangement. We successfully brought audience back in time to the 1960s-era of the Eldroado Ballroom featuring: the drop down soffit, stage, bar, and iconic curved corner window. During the sit in protest scene, the bar rotated 180° and resembled that of a counter at a Woolworth's lunch counter.