The Origins of The Daddy Issue 

The Daddy Issue originally began as a 10-minute play called “Easy to Fall in Love” starring Jaquay Lamar and Brian D. Coats, Directed by the legendary Tonya Pinkins along with TJ Weaver at Season 15 of The Iconic Fire This Time Festival in New York City (2015). It was then developed into a full-length play which also had its first public reading at The Fire This Time Festival the following year. The reading was directed by Chris D. Betts and starred Jonathan Burke, Terrence Riggins, and C. Kelly Wright (Feb 2nd, 2016).

Over the next decade, the play went on to be developed and workshopped all over the country—where Gene went, there, too, was The Daddy Issue aka Night Cap. Since a teenager, Gene had been fascinated with recording their plays for audio+camera. Later in 2016, they began to experiment with this cool, new invention of blue headphones that recorded sound in 3D created by their former classmate and colleague Anthony Mattana (Hooke Audio). Anthony would allow Gene to beta-test these headphones at both closed and public readings of the play cross-country.

Two experiments: one with Gene wearing them as an actor in the play (The Director’s Company in NYC with C. Kelly Wright and Jason Dirden), and one as an audience member during the live reading of the play held in the back of Akbar, famous gay bar and community oasis, in Silverlake, CA starring Matthew Hancock, Carolyn Michelle Smith, and Tory Andrus, Directed by Devere Rogers.

The play received developmental support from Jessica Hanna (in a private reading starring Devere Rogers, Damon Gupton, and Saidah Arrika Ekulona, Directed by Ian-Julian Williams), Diane Rodriguez (CTG), and Spencer J. Williams (Award-Winning Immersive/Experiential Producer). The Daddy Issue/Night Cap was also part of B Street Theatre’s Re-Imagine Social Justice Series in 2021 (programmed by Danielle Moné Truitt).

Most recently recorded as part of PASSION at Television City in July 2024 (Starring larryjean powell, J. August Richards, and Joy DeMichelle, Directed by Devere Rogers). As a writing sample, the strength of the piece has garnered Gene much opportunity in Hollywood’s TV/Film industry.

The Daddy Issue delves into themes of grief, connection, and the complexities of relationships in the Black Family Unit due to years of systemic inequities. What do Black Queer+ children do with their daddy issues? What about the affects of the 80’s crack epidemic on the black child growing up during that time in south central los angeles through a queer+ lens?

Passion Creative Community
for The Daddy Issue:

Consulting Producers: Kenneth L. Roberson, williambryantmiles, Roger Q. Mason, Zhailon Levingston, Devere Rogers

Intimacy Coordinator: Joy DeMichelle

Production Stage Manager: Toya M. Nelson

Sound Team: Tim Murphy, Mahlick Ceesay, Orville Allen, Parida Tanti, Robert Revell, Kevin Senzaki

Camera Team: Alex U. Griffin, AJ Lovelace, Malachi Middleton, Matt Rasku, Samia Zaidi

Scenic Design: Yohannes Yamassee

Hair & Makeup: Jason Shivers

Production Support: Wesley T. Jones, Taylor Artis, Kareem James, Byron Coolie, Sidney Edwards, Galen J. Williams, Rami Campbell, Maela Way, Bairton Brown

Photography: Ashton Pina, David Laffe

And all community sponsors and supporters who make this work possible.