THE PICKING by Jordan Z Hall
Within the nation of Helike, existence is defined by The Picking—a ritual that determines, each day, who will be spared and who will be lost. Wealth, sacrifice, and chance intertwine in a fragile system that demands a price from everyone. As individuals navigate this oppressive reality, the line between choice and coercion begins to blur. What emerges is a haunting examination of survival, power, and the unseen cost of living at another’s expense.
Written in 2020, Premiered in 2021 at Illinois College.
MAN IN THE NIGHT by Jordan Z Hall
In the shadow of his father’s faith, Noah Cambern has built a life defined by devotion, discipline, and expectation. Positioned as a rising figure within his church community, he appears to embody everything his father, Reverend Cambern, has cultivated. Yet beneath this carefully maintained image, long-buried truths begin to surface. As his father prepares to step down, Noah is forced to confront the tension between identity and expectation. When the truth emerges, it fractures not only his place within the church, but his understanding of himself.
Written in 2017, Man in the Night earned the Silver Medal in Playwriting at the 2017 NAACP ACT-SO Competition, recognizing excellence in emerging theatrical work.