In the Upper Room

In The Upper Room

By Beaufield Berry
Originally Produced at Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Denver, CO
February 11 - March 13, 2022



A new play about family, secrets and the power of the stories we grow up hearing

Meet the Berrys, a multi-generational Black family living under one roof in the 1970s. Their lives orbit around Rose, a strong-willed matriarch whose superstitions and secrets drive her relatives nuts. Through pointed wit and playful sarcasm, the family elders share fantastical stories about their collective past that call into question the family hierarchy and inspire the youngest generation to take pride in their heritage (and physical appearance). Tender, comedic conversations between tight-knit relatives are interspersed with moments of intense drama that mirror the internal conflicts every family must face at some point.
Loyalty, spirituality and colorism are all at play in this dramatic dark comedy, based on the real family history of playwright and novelist Beaufield Berry.

Artistic Statement: “What I love about In the Upper Room is that you are stepping into a family American drama that every audience member can see their own family in. I am thrilled that the DCPA Theatre Company had the opportunity to premiere In the Upper Room in Denver and share a story that takes on colorism, family dynamics, and the search for loving who you are.” – Artistic Director Chris Coleman

Grant Statement: A grant from the Edgerton Foundation allowed us to provide the cast and crew of In The Upper Room with one extra week of rehearsal time, which is particularly important when working on a new play. We tailor the development of new work to the needs of each production, thus having extra time to devote to this new play was truly significant. We are incredibly grateful to the Edgerton Foundation for their support of new work.

Director: Gregg T. Daniel