This Is Modern Art by Idris Goodwin, Kevin Coval

(5)
Productions (14)
Comedy/Drama
|
85 - 100 minutes
2 W, 4 M, 
Set: Flexible

Graffiti crews are willing to risk anything for their art. Though people call them vandals, criminals, and even creative terrorists, they're determined to make their voices heard and alter the way people view the world. So when a young graffiti artist named Seven comes up with an big, audacious idea to shake up the Chicago art scene, his crew is all in. But the biggest graffiti bomb of the LOH Crew's careers may also have serious consequences, for some of them more than others. This is Modern Art takes you racing over the rooftops, through the history of graffiti art, and face-to-face with a question of the moment: Where does art belong?

Pricing Information

Min. Performance Fee* $85
Standard Edition $13.99
eScript Digital Edition $17.5
Stage Manager Edition $24.99
Archival Video License $150

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Play Details

Graffiti crews are willing to risk anything for their art. Though people call them vandals, criminals, and even creative terrorists, they're determined to make their voices heard and alter the way people view the world. So when a young graffiti artist named Seven comes up with an big, audacious idea to shake up the Chicago art scene, his crew is all in. But the biggest graffiti bomb of the LOH Crew's careers may also have serious consequences, for some of them more than others. This is Modern Art takes you racing over the rooftops, through the history of graffiti art, and face-to-face with a question of the moment: Where does art belong?

  • Comedy/Drama
  • |
  • 85 - 100 minutes
  • 2 W, 4 M, 
  • Set: Flexible
  • Standard Edition ISBN: 978-1-62384-715-9

Published Reviews

"Sharp, exciting and stimulating, both visually and emotionally. It will entertain, educate and is guaranteed to prompt heated discussions about the nature of art and the place for graffiti in our world."

Chicago Theatre Review

"A romantic ode to the art of graffiti and the act of tagging, a piece that demystifies authorial signatures and charts the storied history of graffiti art in Chicago, shouting out its great artists and their canvases, from Kennedy underpasses to CTA train yards."

Chicago Tribune

"It was at once an act of artistic expression, social protest, and criminal vandalism--guaranteed to rattle the art world and media establishment, set the Twittersphere abuzz, and send the young rebels underground, if not to jail. This world premiere, written by Idris Goodwin and Young Chicago Authors artistic director Kevin Coval, is simultaneously celebratory and cautionary--clearly sympathetic to the artists' point of view, but not blind to the impact their reckless act would have on their own lives."

Chicago Reader

"A provocative play . . . that raises philosophical and political questions that are already generating heated discussions among theatergoers of all ages."

Gapers Block

"This is a piece about the overwhelming urge not just to create art, but to get it seen--if only by a scant few before the sandblasters come along."

Time Out Chicago

"Chicago's most controversial play of the year."

Chicago Magazine

"A raw, visceral narrative that gives graffiti artists the humanity and genius the headlines rob them of."

Newcity Stage

Production History

APR 11, 2024 - APR 14, 2024
Dutchess Community College
Poughkeepsie, NY United States
Dutchess Community College Poughkeepsie, NY United States
JUL 13, 2023 - JUL 13, 2023
Jungle Theater
Minneapolis, MN United States
Jungle Theater Minneapolis, MN United States
MAR 09, 2022 - MAR 13, 2022
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Peck School of the Arts
Milwaukee, WI United States
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Peck School of the Arts Milwaukee, WI United States
NOV 10, 2021 - NOV 14, 2021
University Of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, IN United States
University Of Notre Dame Notre Dame, IN United States
MAR 18, 2021 - MAR 20, 2021
St. Lawrence University--Performance and Communication Arts
Canton, NY United States
St. Lawrence University--Performance and Communication Arts Canton, NY United States
OCT 30, 2020 - OCT 08, 2020
Three Bone Theatre
Charlotte, NC United States
Three Bone Theatre Charlotte, NC United States
FEB 20, 2020 - MAR 08, 2020
Duke City Repertory Theatre
Albuquerque, NM United States
Duke City Repertory Theatre Albuquerque, NM United States
NOV 07, 2019 - NOV 10, 2019
Saint Mary's College Of California
Moraga, CA United States
Saint Mary's College Of California Moraga, CA United States
MAY 03, 2019 - MAY 03, 2019
Children's Theatre Of Charlotte For North Mecklenburg High School
Charlotte, NC United States
Children's Theatre Of Charlotte For North Mecklenburg High School Charlotte, NC United States
NOV 09, 2018 - NOV 18, 2018
Arizona State University School Of Film, Dance And Theatre
Tempe, AZ United States
Arizona State University School Of Film, Dance And Theatre Tempe, AZ United States
MAY 31, 2018 - JUN 24, 2018
Blessed Unrest
New York, NY United States
Blessed Unrest New York, NY United States
MAR 21, 2018 - APR 15, 2018
Denver Center For The Performing Arts
DENVER, CO United States
Denver Center For The Performing Arts DENVER, CO United States
OCT 27, 2016 - NOV 19, 2016
The Landing Theatre Company
Houston, TX United States
The Landing Theatre Company Houston, TX United States
MAR 01, 2015 - MAR 31, 2015
Steppenwolf for Young Adults at Steppenwolf Theatre Company
Chicago, IL United States
Steppenwolf for Young Adults at Steppenwolf Theatre Company Chicago, IL United States
APR 11, 2024 - APR 14, 2024
Dutchess Community College
Poughkeepsie, NY United States
Dutchess Community College Poughkeepsie, NY United States
JUL 13, 2023 - JUL 13, 2023
Jungle Theater
Minneapolis, MN United States
Jungle Theater Minneapolis, MN United States
MAY 31, 2018 - JUN 24, 2018
Blessed Unrest
New York, NY United States
Blessed Unrest New York, NY United States
MAR 21, 2018 - APR 15, 2018
Denver Center For The Performing Arts
DENVER, CO United States
Denver Center For The Performing Arts DENVER, CO United States
OCT 27, 2016 - NOV 19, 2016
The Landing Theatre Company
Houston, TX United States
The Landing Theatre Company Houston, TX United States
MAR 01, 2015 - MAR 31, 2015
Steppenwolf for Young Adults at Steppenwolf Theatre Company
Chicago, IL United States
Steppenwolf for Young Adults at Steppenwolf Theatre Company Chicago, IL United States

Awards (1)

The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts' New Voices, New Visions Conference selection, 2015

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