White Guy on the Bus

White Guy on the Bus

By Bruce Graham

Directed by BJ Jones

Originally produced at Northlight Theatre, Skokie, Il.

January 23, 2015 through March 1, 2015



About the Premiere Production

A wealthy white businessman and a struggling black single mom ride the same bus week after week. As they get to know each other, the threads that tie them together gradually unravel in a complex web of moral ambiguity, revenge, and racial biases. This world premiere play provides a candid and surprising perspective on the racial and socioeconomic divide.

Artistic Statement

Continuing our meaningful and fruitful relationship with Bruce Graham, whose previous works for Northlight under our commission have been Outgoing Tide and Stella and Lou, we proposed his new piece White Guy on a Bus for support from the Edgerton Foundation. Provocative, controversial and exciting, Bruce turns his eye on the third rail of the American conversation: Race. Our history with Bruce is clear and ongoing, with three of his works being presented by Northlight, all three involving myself as director, with his previous works having subsequent productions regionally as well as New York City. In addition, our previous world premieres with Bruce have had international exposure traveling to the Galway Arts Festival in Ireland. The key for us at Northlight, and for Bruce as well, is the steady and growing relationship with each other. Our artistic shorthand, and common worldview has gratified our subscribers and single ticket buyers these past several years and we look forward to Bruce’s world premiere of White Guy on the Bus as part of Northlight’s 40th Anniversary season.

--BJ Jones, Artistic Director


Grant Statement

The generous grant from the Edgerton Foundation will fund one, full week of extra rehearsal time for White Guy on the Bus. Additional rehearsal time, especially for a world premiere, is critical to the overall production quality and we greatly value this grant from the Edgerton Foundation which makes this a reality.

--Timothy Evans, Executive Director


Director: BJ Jones

Set Design: John Culbert

Lighting Design: JR Lederle

Sound Design: Andrew Hansen

Costume Design: Rachel Laritz

Dramaturg: Kristin Leahey

Additional creative team: Lynn Baber, Casting Director, Dexter Zollicoffer, Diversity Consultant

Cast: Jordan Brown, Amanda Drinkall, Mary Beth Fisher, Francis Guinan, Patrese D. McClain


Additional Funders:
Tom Stringer Design