Permanent Collection

Permanent Collection by Thomas Gibbons

(2)
Productions (60)
Drama
|
115 - 125 minutes
3 W, 3 M, 
Content Notes: Adult language
Set: Unit set of a public art gallery. Other locales (an office, an apartment, a house, a coffee shop) suggested minimally.

Soon after African-American businessman Sterling North becomes the new director of the Morris Foundation, he discovers that this world-famous art collection includes several significant African sculptures tucked away in storage. His proposal to add them to the public galleries is opposed by the foundation's long-time education director, who is loyal to the idiosyncratic wishes of the late Dr. Morris. Spurred on by a zealous local journalist, this clash quickly escalates to public accusations of racism and a bitter struggle for control of the collection. Permanent Collection is a searing examination of racial politics that ultimately asks how much space -- literally and figuratively -- the white world gives to African-Americans. What is the cost of failing to view the world through another's eyes? Read More

Pricing Information

Min. Performance Fee* $85
Standard Edition $13.99
Stage Manager Edition $24.99

*The per performance fee begins at $85. Your per performance fee will be provided during the ordering process.

Play Details

Soon after African-American businessman Sterling North becomes the new director of the Morris Foundation, he discovers that this world-famous art collection includes several significant African sculptures tucked away in storage. His proposal to add them to the public galleries is opposed by the foundation's long-time education director, who is loyal to the idiosyncratic wishes of the late Dr. Morris. Spurred on by a zealous local journalist, this clash quickly escalates to public accusations of racism and a bitter struggle for control of the collection. Permanent Collection is a searing examination of racial politics that ultimately asks how much space -- literally and figuratively -- the white world gives to African-Americans. What is the cost of failing to view the world through another's eyes?

(This is the second part of a trilogy. See also Bee-luther-hatchee and A House With No Walls.)

  • Drama
  • |
  • 115 - 125 minutes
  • 3 W, 3 M, 
  • Content Notes: Adult language
  • Set: Unit set of a public art gallery. Other locales (an office, an apartment, a house, a coffee shop) suggested minimally.
  • Standard Edition ISBN: 978-1-62384-056-3

Published Reviews

"Gibbons' intellectually charged drama is a beautifully balanced dialectic that treats a complicated and emotional issue without cheap conclusions... Sophisticated and deft, it is a provocative treatment of the unanswerable."

F. Kathleen Foley, Los Angeles Times

"Gibbons shapes his debate masterfully, laying words out like land mines."

Orla Swift, Raleigh News and Observer

"The phrase 'Put yourself in my place' rings like an anthem in Thomas Gibbons' eloquent and shrewdly observed drama about the subtleties of racism, labeling and perception."

Steven Leigh Morris, LA Weekly

Production History

FEB 08, 2025 - FEB 08, 2025
Blackfriars Theatre
Rochester, NY United States
Blackfriars TheatreRochester, NY United States
APR 18, 2024 - MAY 05, 2024
Wiesbaden Performing Arts Center (WPAC)
Wiesbaden, Germany
Wiesbaden Performing Arts Center (WPAC)Wiesbaden, Germany
FEB 11, 2023 - MAR 05, 2023
Main Street Theater
Houston, TX United States
Main Street TheaterHouston, TX United States
FEB 03, 2023 - FEB 19, 2023
Sherman Community Players
Sherman, TX United States
Sherman Community PlayersSherman, TX United States
FEB 04, 2022 - FEB 06, 2022
Emerson Theater Collaborative
Sedona, AZ United States
Emerson Theater CollaborativeSedona, AZ United States
JAN 14, 2022 - JAN 15, 2022
AMDA
New York, NY United States
AMDANew York, NY United States
NOV 07, 2019 - NOV 10, 2019
Lamar University Department Of Theatre & Dance
Beaumont, TX United States
Lamar University Department Of Theatre & DanceBeaumont, TX United States
JUL 29, 2019 - JUL 29, 2019
Sierra Madre Playhouse
Sierra Madre, CA United States
Sierra Madre PlayhouseSierra Madre, CA United States
MAY 14, 2019 - MAY 18, 2019
Starkville Community Theatre
Starkville, MS United States
Starkville Community TheatreStarkville, MS United States
OCT 23, 2018 - OCT 24, 2018
Brookstone School
Columbus, GA United States
Brookstone SchoolColumbus, GA United States
1 of 6
No upcoming productions.
FEB 11, 2023 - MAR 05, 2023
Main Street Theater
Houston, TX United States
Main Street TheaterHouston, TX United States
APR 05, 2013 - APR 28, 2013
InterAct Theatre Company
Philadelphia, PA United States
InterAct Theatre CompanyPhiladelphia, PA United States
APR 14, 2011 - MAY 01, 2011
The Human Race Theatre Company
Dayton, OH United States
The Human Race Theatre CompanyDayton, OH United States
JAN 27, 2010 - FEB 21, 2010
Round House Theatre
Bethesda, MD United States
Round House TheatreBethesda, MD United States
SEP 04, 2008 - SEP 28, 2008
BoarsHead Theater
Lansing, MI United States
BoarsHead TheaterLansing, MI United States
MAR 05, 2008 - MAR 30, 2008
Madison Repertory Theatre
Madison, WI United States
Madison Repertory TheatreMadison, WI United States
FEB 21, 2008 - MAR 16, 2008
Mo`olelo Performing Arts Company
San Diego, CA United States
Mo`olelo Performing Arts CompanySan Diego, CA United States
NOV 15, 2007 - DEC 01, 2007
HotCity Theatre
Saint Louis, MO United States
HotCity TheatreSaint Louis, MO United States
MAR 29, 2007 - MAY 07, 2007
The Studio @ 620
St,. Petersburg, FL United States
The Studio @ 620St,. Petersburg, FL United States
FEB 07, 2007 - APR 07, 2007
Florida Studio Theatre
Sarasota, FL United States
Florida Studio TheatreSarasota, FL United States
1 of 3

Awards (1)

Barrymore Award for Outstanding New Play (2004)