Show times are 8 p.m. April 6-9 and 2 p.m. April 10. Tickets are $8 with a Winthrop ID or $15 for the general public. 
ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA — Issues of gender inequality in the workplace, institutionalized
racism and class discrimination are at the forefront of "Slaughter City," the newest play featured at Winthrop University's Johnson Theatre, according to Laura Dougherty, assistant professor of theatre and director of "Slaughter
City."
Set in a slaughter house, "Slaughter City" looks at the pressure and horrific working
conditions of factory floor workers. Almost dream-like, the play focuses on labor
- bodies in labor, its gritty realities and the sparks that ignite change. Kentucky
playwright Naomi Wallace brings sharp insight, political anger, and cool, graceful
and poetic language to bloody and tension-filled circumstances.
Erica Truesdale, a senior theatre major from Van Wyck, has been working her entire Winthrop career
to embody a character like protagonist Roach, whom she relates to more than she expected.
"This role means a lot to me simply because I am able to combine who I am as a person
along with who I become on stage as Roach, seeing as how we are both female and African-American,"
said Truesdale. "I find a sense of ease, grasping her language and understanding her
background, which in turn allows me to explore her character even more without any
inhibitions of me portraying her incorrectly."
Truesdale believes that her passion for the character will allow audiences to be immersed
in the performance.
"Along with the help of my director and fellow cast members, I'm falling more and
more in love with this show than ever before," Truesdale said. "I hope to see you
all there to witness Roach, along with all of the other characters, come to life before
your eyes."
As to why "Slaughter City" was ideal for the Winthrop stage, Dougherty felt the play
was perfectly suited for the current political climate.
"I wanted to open up our stage for our student artists and actors to explore this
grisly, biting work, and to spotlight the stories of women, people of color and to
explore issues of gender, sexuality, racial and economic disparity," Dougherty said.
Show times are 8 p.m. April 6-9 and 2 p.m. April 10. Tickets are $8 with a Winthrop
ID and $15 for the general public. It is a cultural event.
Tickets can be purchased online or at the box office.
For more information, contact the Department of Theatre and Dance at 803/323-2287.
