Conversation with a Kleagle: interview with a KKK recruiter
2000
While reading A Man Called White, the autobiography of Walter Francis White, Rudy Gray stumbled on a passage
in the book that haunted him. In a chapter entitled “I Decline to be Lynched”, White writes of being in the deep
south, on a mission to expose atrocities perpetrated by the KKK. While strolling along the railroad tracks toward
the train station, a black man momentarily walks beside him. Risking his life, the man warns White to “get out of
there immediately; they’re out to get you.” And he did. With this passage, the seeds of Conversation with a
Kleagle were planted.
2003
Produced by Workshop Theater Company in NYC. July - August. Directed by Stacy Waring.
2004
Winner of the New Works of Merit Playwriting Contest, an international contest seeking socially conscious
scripts from around the world.
2005
Received two developmental readings produced by the New Works of Merit Playwriting Contest, with Q & A.
2006
Produced by 13th Street Repertory Company in NYC. Feb 16 through April 7. Directed by Christina Alicia.
2007
Rewrites with playwright Rudy Gray and dramaturge Sandra Nordgren.
2009
Reading - Times Square Playwrights.
2009
Produced by 13th Street Repertory Company in NYC for a second time, in honor of Black History Month.
Feb 6 through March 29. Directed by Kevin B. Ploth. The play kicked off the "Best of 13" Play Festival, a festival honoring extraordinary plays produced at 13th Street Rep over the prior decade.
2011 - 2012
Rudy Gray and Sandra Nordgren are writing the film version of Conversation with a Kleagle.
2012
Reading - Times Square Playwrights.
2012
Produced by 13th Street Repertory Company in NYC for a third time. May 16 through Aug 26.
Directed by Robert Hunkele.
While reading A Man Called White, the autobiography of Walter Francis White, Rudy Gray stumbled on a passage
in the book that haunted him. In a chapter entitled “I Decline to be Lynched”, White writes of being in the deep
south, on a mission to expose atrocities perpetrated by the KKK. While strolling along the railroad tracks toward
the train station, a black man momentarily walks beside him. Risking his life, the man warns White to “get out of
there immediately; they’re out to get you.” And he did. With this passage, the seeds of Conversation with a
Kleagle were planted.
2003
Produced by Workshop Theater Company in NYC. July - August. Directed by Stacy Waring.
2004
Winner of the New Works of Merit Playwriting Contest, an international contest seeking socially conscious
scripts from around the world.
2005
Received two developmental readings produced by the New Works of Merit Playwriting Contest, with Q & A.
2006
Produced by 13th Street Repertory Company in NYC. Feb 16 through April 7. Directed by Christina Alicia.
2007
Rewrites with playwright Rudy Gray and dramaturge Sandra Nordgren.
2009
Reading - Times Square Playwrights.
2009
Produced by 13th Street Repertory Company in NYC for a second time, in honor of Black History Month.
Feb 6 through March 29. Directed by Kevin B. Ploth. The play kicked off the "Best of 13" Play Festival, a festival honoring extraordinary plays produced at 13th Street Rep over the prior decade.
2011 - 2012
Rudy Gray and Sandra Nordgren are writing the film version of Conversation with a Kleagle.
2012
Reading - Times Square Playwrights.
2012
Produced by 13th Street Repertory Company in NYC for a third time. May 16 through Aug 26.
Directed by Robert Hunkele.