Drama Queens, a five-star arts journal focusing on female artists

Article by Anya Kai

Anne Thompson-Scretching’s powerful play, “A Lesson in Blood,” is returning to the American Theatre of Actors (ATA) from March 19th to 30th, offering audiences a raw and unflinching look at the complexities of race, family, and hidden truths in the Jim Crow South. This revival marks a significant moment for both the play and its acclaimed playwright, whose journey is as compelling as the stories she tells.

“A Lesson in Blood”: Unearthing Secrets in a Divided South

The play, the first installment of Thompson-Scretching’s “The Blood Trilogy” (which also includes “A Long Way From Home” and “Home is Sweet Sorrow”), is set in the 1940s in rural Georgia. The stage is set in the living room of an old house, a microcosm of a society deeply fractured by racial tensions. At the heart of the story is Aggie, the daughter of a Klansman, who returns to her family home carrying a devastating secret: she has a child whose father is Osceola, a colored Cherokee Indian.

The play’s narrative is a pressure cooker, with secrets threatening to explode at any moment. When Clara, Osceola’s current lover, discovers Aggie’s past relationship with him, she threatens to expose them to Johnny Ray, the racist sheriff and a childhood friend of Aggie’s. The resulting murder of Aggie throws the close knit community into suspicion, with possible perpetrators including a jilted lover and a racist law enforcer.

“A Lesson in Blood” delves into:

• The complexities of interracial relationships during the Jim Crow era: It portrays the immense danger and social repercussions faced by those who dared to cross racial boundaries.
• The shadow of racism and white supremacy: The play confronts the insidious nature of systemic racism and its impact on individual lives.
• Family secrets and their destructive power: Thompson-Scretching masterfully weaves a narrative of concealed truths and their eventual, often violent, unraveling.
• The persistance of cultural superstitions: The upbringing of Calvin and Osceola has cultural roots that also provide texture to the setting of the production.  

Anne Thompson-Scretching: A Story of Resilience

Thompson-Scretching’s own life story is a testament to resilience and unwavering determination. Born and raised in the Van Dyke Projects of Brownsville, Brooklyn, she overcame significant obstacles to become a celebrated playwright and director.  

Her journey is marked by:

• A commitment to telling authentic and often painful stories: Her plays explore complex social issues, drawing from her own experiences and observations.
• A prolific career at the American Theatre of Actors: The ATA has been a vital platform for her work, allowing her to develop and showcase her talent.
• Recognition and awards: Thompson-Scretching has garnered numerous accolades, including multiple Jean Dalrymple Awards, solidifying her position as a significant voice in American theater. Her work, “You Shouldn’t Have Told” even had a run off broadway.  
• Focusing on historical truths: With works like, “The Resurrection”, which dealt with the Tulsa Oklahoma City Massacre, she brings very important, and often forgotten, historical events to the stage.

The revival of “A Lesson in Blood” is not just a theatrical event; it is a celebration of Thompson-Scretching’s extraordinary career and her commitment to telling stories that matter. By revisiting this powerful play, audiences have the opportunity to engage with a crucial period in American history and to witness the enduring impact of Thompson-Scretching’s artistic vision.