Jabari Dreams of Freedom

10-year-old Jabari loves to paint. And through these paintings, he escapes the turbulent world around him and the reality of a friend hurt by police violence. In his dreams, he meets children and young people from the Civil Rights Era, including Ruby Bridges, Claudette Colvin, and others, who teach him how to be fearless. He also meets his hero, Barack Obama, as a 7-year-old boy on the eve of the assassination of MLK, Jr.

Will Jabari be able to instill in 7-year-old Barack the lessons he's learned and therefore ensure that Barack will have the necessary tools to become president? Will Jabari learn to take these lessons back into his own life and heal his community? Using rap, freedom songs, hip hop dance, history, and humor, this play explores what it means to have courage in a world where Black children, Black boys, are not safe.

Recommended for ages 8 and up.

This performance has content that may be sensitive for some viewers.

This performance will contain strobe effects and atmospheric haze.

Performance length: 45 minutes + 15 minute Q&A

This performance is part of the Krannert Center Youth Series, school-day performances for public, private, and home schools, grades PreK-12.

Learn more about the Krannert Center Youth Series.

If you can, show your love for the arts by purchasing an “Advocate” ticket; the additional ticket cost directly benefits Krannert Center.

This performance is also presented on the Krannert Center Youth Series.