The Meeting

As part of Black History Month, Madison College’s Division of College Culture and Climate is presenting The Meeting, a play by Jeff Stetson about an imaginary meeting between Malcolm X and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Brought to life by the Nobleman Theater Troupe, a traveling performance art company from Milwaukee, and directed by UW First Wave alumnus Denzel Taylor, each performance will be followed by a discussion with community leaders and the play’s cast. It’s free but tickets are required: madisoncollege.edu.

media release: Madison College’s Division of College Culture and Climate presents The Meeting by Jeff Stetson – a powerful and compelling play about the imaginary meeting of two of the most critical people of contemporary times: Malcolm X and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  

While leaders of the Civil Rights Movement, there is no record of the two historical figures ever having a conversation. And so, traveling back to the 1960s, following the notorious attack on Malcolm X’s home, this play pits together each leader’s values, philosophies, intention, and experiences as it explores what that conversation would be like. The Meeting, brought to life by the Nobleman Theater Troupe, is a rhetorically riveting theatrical experience to enlighten, spark discourse, and challenge viewer’s perspectives. This experience includes a rendition of the Black National Anthem, a discussion with community leaders and the play’s cast after each performance, and multiple online discussion sessions.  

Sunday, Feb. 10, 2024, during Black History Month. Two performances: 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the Mitby Theater, located on the first floor of the Madison College Truax Campus, 1701 Wright St., Madison, WI. 

Free admission. Tickets are required and can be reserved here.  

After each performance, there will be a facilitated talk-back conversation with the cast and Madison leaders below: 

2 PM: Dane County Executive Joe Parisi, state Rep. Shelia Stubbs; city of Madison Common Council Alder 2015-2023, Vice-President 2018-2019, President 2020-2021 Sheri Carter; Verona Area School District Superintendent Dr. Tremayne Clardy; Alder Barbara Harrington-McKinney

7 PM

Dane County Sheriff Kalvin Barrett; Department of Civil Rights Director Norman Davis; Alder Sabrina Madison; District 33 Supervisor Dana Pellebon; Alder Charles Myadze; Black Men Coalition of Dane County Founder & CEO Corey Marionneauz

From Milwaukee, Nobleman Theater Troupe is a traveling performance art company that create theater experiences for teenage to adult audiences. Their programming and productions are grounded in the belief that to be noble is to deepen community bonds and inspire fresh audiences through a commitment to their core values. These include accessibility, collaboration, quality, and opportunity. With these values in mind, they will create space for fresh works, existing plays, interdisciplinary showcases, theater training, and more. This performance will be directed by Denzel Taylor of the Nobleman Theater Troupe, an alum of the University of Wisconsin – Madison and the First Wave – Hip-Hop/Urban Arts scholarship program. 

This Madison College Division of College Culture and Climate event is made possible with  the generous support and cooperation of Madison-based partners.