Merced playwright’s new original production brings Black history to life
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- Kim McMillon launches 'Black Heaven' to stage Black artists and historical dialogue.
- Auditions Jan 10 at Unity of Merced accept singers, dancers, actors, no experience.
- Performances Feb 28 and Mar 1 at Unity of Merced; local artists join cast.
This weekend playwright and arts advocate Kim McMillon is holding auditions for her new original play, “Black Heaven.”
McMillon described the production as “a theatrical experiment set in a celestial salon where Black artists, thinkers, ancestors, and unexpected historical figures gather across time.” In the play, these historical figures converse with each other and reflect on our current political moment.
The play is anchored by the character of W. E. B. Du Bois, based on the famous American sociologist, activist, and founding member of the NAACP. Over the course of the play other characters, including Malcom X, James Baldwin, and Nina Simone join the conversation.
Both auditions and performances of the play will be held at Unity of Merced at 305 W 26th St.
Auditions this weekend
Auditions to join the cast of this original production will be held on Saturday at Unity of Merced from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. McMillon stressed that no acting experience is necessary to audition.
“Just bring your heart and tell me what you want to do,” said McMillon, adding that she will find the right role for anyone who wants to perform. Most actors will play at least two characters, so there is no shortage of roles to go around.
Musicians and dancers are encouraged to audition as well as anyone who is able to perform in multiple accents.
“Black Heaven” is a reader’s play where actors will read directly from the script, so there is no need to memorize lines for the audition. Several notable Merced musicians and artists have already been cast.
Local vocalist Cheryl Lockett will lend her voice to the character of Nina Simone, actor Dennis Brown will moderate as W. E. B. Du Bois, and educator and performer Dawn Trook is set to play Sylvia Plath in this eclectic conversation.
Where to see the play
Unity of Merced will host performances of “Black Heaven” Feb. 28 at 6:30 p.m. and March 1 at 1:30 p.m. Tickets are available through Eventbrite for $15 at the following link: https://tinyurl.com/3thx5dhs. Tickets will also be available at the door.
McMillon is an alumna of Merced High School and UC Merced, where she earned her Ph.D. Since then, she has been involved in the arts in Merced in numerous ways including as a lecturer at UC Merced and later as the University’s Community Liason for Arts and the Humanities.
McMillon said she began writing plays when she was young because, “I grew up in a time where I didn’t see a lot of myself. You know, I’m African American and so I always dreamed of writing so that ... I could see myself through my writing.”
Her work bringing the history of the Black Artists Movement to Merced began over a decade ago. In 2014, she organized a three-day conference titled “The Black Arts Movement and Its Influences: 50 Years On.” at UC Merced.
Other theater in Merced
In addition to her play, McMillon shared that she’s excited to see other theater productions coming to Merced.
The Merced Playhouse has not held any performances since a heated argument broke out at their Sept. 10 board meeting, but she highlighted performances at the Merced Multicultural Arts Center.
Their next show is Cabaret, put on by Accessible Arts Merced, which will also be showing at the end of February.
The performances are scheduled for Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from Feb. 20 until March 1 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at the Merced Multicultural Arts Center at 645 Main Street.
This story was originally published January 8, 2026 at 2:17 PM.
