The Big Bad is a new, groundbreaking and thought-provoking play that explores intergenerational drama, marginalized identities and the supernatural. It asks the timely question, “What drives us to keep moving through despair?” Produced by non-profits Divine Riot and The Healing Tree, it runs May 7th-16th at the Abrons Arts Center's Underground Theater, 466 Grand Street in New York City. For tickets visit: https://www.divineriot.org/the-big-bad. The play is written by Lanford Wilson Award-winning and Showtime series staff writer Ren Dara Santiago, who also wrote Healing TREE’s short film The Knock Shadow, which features two-time Emmy Award winner and three-time SAG Award winner Lea DeLaria (Orange Is The New Black) and is set for the 2026 festival circuit.
The Big Bad will have an accompanying educational initiative around complex trauma which includes providing free tickets to audiences from marginalized communities, specifically those in the NYC foster system, and hosting post-show talk backs with trauma experts. and our artists.
The Big Bad, presented by Healing TREE and Divine Riot, will be performed at the Abrons Arts Center’s Underground Theater (466 Grand Street New York, NY 10002).
Showtimes:
• Thur. May 7 @ 7pm
• Fri. May 8 @ 7pm
• Sat. May 9 @ 2pm & 7pm
• Thurs. May 14 @ 7pm
• Fri. May 15 @ 7pm
• Sat. May 16 @ 2pm & 7pm
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Use discount code 'ARTIST' for $25 Tickets!
You can also purchase a Supporter Ticket for $50 to help us be able to make subsidized tickets available - and you get preferred seating!
Additionally, a donation of $350 allows us to make 10 tickets available for free for marginalized youth. |
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We will be having talkbacks after select performances: • Sat. May 9 @ 7pm: post-show discussion with Janja Lalich, PhD, of the Lalich Center on Cults and Coercion
• Thur. May 14 @ 7pm: post-show talkabck with Director Mack Brown and Writer Ren Dara Santiago
• Fri. May 15 7pm: post-show discussion with Psychotherapist and contemplative guide Kirat Randhawa
• Sat. May 16 2pm: post-show talkabck with Cast |
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Join us on Opening Night, Thursday, May 7th, when we'll have a professional photographer for our Red Carpet! |
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About The Show The Big Bad begins after Ash, the youngest of three adult foster siblings, has a mental health crisis and their family reunites in the Queens row house that shaped them all. As Ash uses their background in video game building to mire through layers of memory and myth, a battle ensues to overcome their soul-family’s unresolved wounds. The Big Bad explores intergenerational trauma, deprogramming and the supernatural - and asks the timely question, “What drives us to keep moving through despair?” This groundbreaking full-length play is written by Lanford Wilson Award-winning and Showtime series staff writer Ren Dara Santiago. It is developed with and directed by Mack Brown (Ars Nova Artist in Residence and Lead Facilitator of the Roundabout Directors Group).
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You can learn more here and follow the journey of the show on Instagram @thebigbadplay! We hope to see you at the show! |
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