Production photos of the cast (left to right): Estephani Cerros (Karina), Cory Clarke (Garrett), and Wendy Joseph (Corinne). Images courtesy of Good Company Theatre

This weekend, Good Company Theatre will present Emilio Rodriguez's thought-provoking piece, "God Kinda Looks Like Tupac." The play, which centers on a student's controversial art submission for Black History Month, was chosen by the nonprofit theater company for its powerfully relevant and engaging script, particularly in Utah.

Over its 11 years Good Company Theatre (GCT), Utah’s only Black-owned and operated producing theater has been committed to local artists, who are paid, and producing timely contemporary works. Co-founders, sisters Alicia and Camille Washington found Rodriguez’s award-winning piece to be the right play at the right time for their intimate black box theater.  

“Theater is an act of protest,” said Alicia Washington, the play’s director. The passing of HB 261 in Utah this year, anti-DEI legislation, sparked her memory of the script she’d read some years ago. “It’s more than timely.”

"We like to be responsive to the environment and what's happening," said Camille Washington, emphasizing that producing contemporary works also presents the unique opportunity to collaborate with living playwrights.

The cast of three, Estephani Cerros (Karina), Cory Clarke (Garrett), and Wendy Joseph (Corinne), spoke passionately about their characters and personal connection with the script. 

“I think everyone has met a Garrett, a Corinne, and a Karina," says Wendy Joseph. "You can see yourself in these characters slightly, even if you don't want to." 

Joseph is inspired by her character, Corinne: “No matter what the ‘stakes’ are she represents herself fully and is unashamed.” She wanted the role because reading the script made her angry. Really angry, she said, because it’s so relevant. “It grasped my experience being a young black girl, going to school, and experience with teachers,” she said. “It’s an important story.”

Cerros recognizes Karina’s humanness, who means well. Clarke finds compassion for Garrett, though he’s “the person you can hate.” “Any teacher of any background, any gender, any religion…anybody can get their foot stuck in their mouth.”

A Utah debut and only the second time “God Kinda Looks Like Tupac” has been fully produced, Cerros pointed out “You can make the character more your own without comparison to what you’ve already seen.”  

GCT’s black box theater invites audiences to engage intimately with the story and its characters. As the stage manager Savannah Gersdorf notes, "It's a special experience." Cerros, who has been stage manager for GCT in the past said it’s a different show from every angle. It’s also unique for the actors, and this was by design.

As an actor on large stages, Alicia missed the proximity to the audience and it was important to both her and Camille to make the community a part of it. “A theater should be telling the stories of the community members that live in it,” Alicia said. 

Joseph said, “It’s a blessing to work with another fantastic theater that prioritizes diversity and shows that people need to hear, that shock the routine of fun musicals or classics.” 

The cast said it's not required to know anything about Tupac – the show explains it. Though, said Joseph, there are “lots of little easter eggs” for fans.

“By the end of the show I think you’ll want to listen to Tupac more,” Clarke said. 

"God Kinda Looks Like Tupac" opens on Thursday, Sept. 12, and runs on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through Sept. 29. The play runs 90 minutes. Due to some strong language, discretion is advised for audiences under age 13. Single tickets are $25 until September 13, and $30 starting September 14. Tickets are available at goodcotheatre.com.