Bread & Roses Missouri & A Call to Conscience Interactive Theater for Social Change at Metro Theatre Company
Social Justice Shorts 2025, a dynamic festival of short plays running June 6–8 at Metro Theatre Company. Building on the success of last year’s inaugural festival, this partnership brings together two organizations deeply rooted in using the arts to advance equity and social justice.
This year’s festival features 19 powerful short plays and monologues by playwrights from across the country that explore the urgent themes of justice, resistance, identity, and hope. Among the selected works are five compelling pieces from St. Louis-based writers—Kathleen Gamble, Nancy Bell, Michael Paplanus, Joan Appell Lipkin, and Chris Orlet—showcasing the depth and range of our local talent.
These stories speak to the heart of our region while connecting to national conversations around equity
and collective liberation.
“The struggle is still more real than ever given the current political climate. This Social Justice Short Play Festival amplifies the diverse perspectives of playwrights boldly confronting injustice. As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, ‘If you can’t fly, then run… keep moving.’ Let’s all take a stand. Join us in the fight for justice, engage with these stories, and commit to making a difference in our communities today.” says Fannie Belle Lebby, Artistic Director of A Call to Conscience Interactive Theatre for Social Change.
“We were amazed to have over 180 submissions from writers all over the country. We’re excited to be inviting local directors and actors to bring these powerful theater pieces to life in the cause of justice,” says Emily Kohring, Executive Director of Bread and Roses Missouri. Support for Social Justice Shorts 2025 is provided by the St. Louis Regional Arts Commission and the Whitaker Foundation.
Social Justice Shorts 2025 will take place at Metro Theatre Company (3311 Washington Ave, St. Louis, MO 63103) and presented in two distinct bills of plays. Audiences can attend either bill or both bills for the full experience. Tickets are available at https://cur8.com/25728/project/131879 or visit breadandrosesmo.org for more information.
SOCIAL JUSTICE SHORTS 2025
Friday, June 6 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, June 7 at 3 p.m.
BILL #1: THE ISMS
Featuring:
● A Change Is Going to Come? by Kathleen Gamble
● Butterfly by Jenna Jane
● Grown-Up Stuf by D.L. Siegel
● Side Ef ects by Charles Day
● Something to Say by MC Crosby
● The Student by Nancy Bell
● The Round Up by Chris Orlet
● (UN)BOTHERED by Mildred Inez Lewis
● The 92% by Bryan-Keyth Wilson
Saturday, June 7 at 7:30 pm and Sunday, June 8 at 3 pm
BILL #2: THE GENERAL WELFARE
Featuring:
● Are You Comfortable? by J. Lois Diamond
● Aurora by Rhys Collins
● Do Better, Home Depot by Matthew Moore
● First Chapter Friday by Kaily Anderson
● My Eating Disorder, Donald Trump and Me by Joan Lipkin
● Not My Tale to Tell by Donna Latham
● Ow by Peter Pasco
● Room 404 by Bridgette Dutta Portman
● The Nearest Far Away Place by Aleks Merilo
● The Project by Michael Paplanus
Tickets are available at https://cur8.com/25728/project/131879 or visit breadandrosesmo.org for more information.
ABOUT BREAD & ROSES MISSOURI Bread and Roses Missouri amplifies and elevates the stories of working people through art, performance, and activism. They believe that cultural and creative expression are a means to effect deep and lasting social change. Bread and Roses Missouri organizes and produces arts and humanities events, exhibits and workshops for and about workers and their families. We strive to empower participants and educate audiences. Through the arts they envision a world that achieves an
economic base benefitting the entire community.
ABOUT A CALL TO CONSCIENCE INTERACTIVE THEATER FOR SOCIAL CHANGE A Call to Conscience (c2c) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) theater collective that uses a multi-media format to dramatize historical themes dealing with the struggles of the oppressed. Using speeches, essays, and adaptations we highlight transformative events that evoked change and the various architects and leaders that helped create them. C2C’s mission is to serve as a catalyst for activism within our community. Founded in 2012 by a group of women participants of the Regional Arts Commission’s Community Arts in Training (CAT) Program, C2C presents challenging original works that engages audiences in thought-provoking conversations and an exchange of ideas regarding racism, police brutality, poverty, gender inequality, and other civil and human rights.
Cover Photo: Jayson Heil, Hailey Medrano and Olajuwon Ali in The Project by Michael J. Paplanus
Lynn (Zipfel) Venhaus has had a continuous byline in St. Louis metro region publications since 1978. She writes features and news for Belleville News-Democrat and contributes to St. Louis magazine and other publications.
She is a Rotten Tomatoes-approved film critic, currently reviews films for Webster-Kirkwood Times and KTRS Radio, covers entertainment for PopLifeSTL.com and co-hosts podcast PopLifeSTL.com…Presents.
She is a member of Critics Choice Association, where she serves on the women’s and marketing committees; Alliance of Women Film Journalists; and on the board of the St. Louis Film Critics Association. She is a founding and board member of the St. Louis Theater Circle.
She is retired from teaching journalism/media as an adjunct college instructor.