Definition Theatre's "Black Cypress Bayou" Explores Family Secrets in the Swamp

The new play by Kristen Adele Calhoun delves into the history of a family of Black women in Texas during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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Definition Theatre's production of "Black Cypress Bayou" by Kristen Adele Calhoun takes place in a swampy environment in east Texas during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. The play follows the Manifold family, a group of Black women, as they navigate personal secrets and the trauma of racial and economic injustice. When the family matriarch, Vernita, shows up with the severed head of a white man who owns the local meatpacking plant, the family is forced to confront their complicated past.

Why it matters

The play's setting in a swamp serves as a metaphor for the history of racism in the United States, and the story explores how the Manifold women have been impacted by systemic injustices. The separation required by the pandemic mirrors the emotional distance between the family members, highlighting the ways in which personal and societal trauma can create barriers between loved ones.

The details

Directed by Ericka Ratcliff, "Black Cypress Bayou" weaves together past and present, with the Manifold women - LadyBird, Vernita, and RaeMeeka - confronting a complicated situation involving the severed head of a white man, their family's history of activism, and the involvement of the local Caddo Nation. The play features vernacular dialogue, a haunting soundscape, and a small but atmospheric set that enhances the balance between the comic and tragic elements of the story.

  • The play is set during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, before vaccines were available.
  • The events take place over the course of one night in the swampy bayou.

The players

LadyBird Manifold

The central character of the play, a member of the Manifold family.

Vernita Manifold

The Manifold family matriarch, who shows up with the severed head of a white man.

RaeMeeka Manifold-Baler

Vernita's other daughter, who styles herself as a 'medicine woman'.

Taysha Hunter

A woman who works security at the local meatpacking plant, and interrupts the Manifolds' plans.

Kristen Adele Calhoun

The playwright, a Texas native who wrote the play.

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What they’re saying

“Who you done made mad this week?”

— One of the Manifold daughters (Chicago Reader)

“That's a long list.”

— Vernita Manifold (Chicago Reader)

What’s next

The play is currently running at Definition Theatre in Chicago through March 15, 2026.

The takeaway

"Black Cypress Bayou" uses the swampy setting as a metaphor for the complex history of racism in the United States, and explores how personal and societal trauma can create barriers between family members. The play's blend of vernacular wit, insight, and mythological elements offers a compelling exploration of the Manifold women's struggle to confront their past and find a path forward.