Panther in the Sky: Show Performance with Actor Talk-Back (First Performance)
April 14, 2026
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
This event features a restaging of Panther in the Sky, Lani T. Montreal’s acclaimed play that centers the experiences of mothers from working‑class neighborhoods who have lost their sons to gun violence. The narrative blends grounded realism with moments of imaginative staging as the sons appear onstage as spectral witnesses, creating a layered exploration of grief, accountability, and the long‑term effects of systemic injustice.
This return production offers audiences another opportunity to engage with a work recognized for its resonance and urgency. An actor talk back follows each performance, providing space to reflect on the creative process, the themes of intergenerational trauma, and the role of performance in community healing. The staging is directed by Jonathan Riley, with performances by Gaby Muralles‑Ball, Shina Jones, Kyle Tampengco, Jamia Amira Taylor, Nina Mae Vidal, and Paul Williams.
Space limited. Tickets required to attend.
CONTENT WARNING: This event includes discussions of gun violence, loss, grief and trauma, and their impact on disabled survivors, their families and the community.
For access inquiries: Jae Jin Pak - jjpak@uic.edu
Presented by:
Community Partners
Bodies of Work
Center for Food Equity in Medicine
Center for Immigrant Resources and Community Arts (CIRCA) Pintig
Chicagoland Disabled People of Color Coalition
Northwestern’s Center for Neighborhood Engaged Research & Science (CORNERS)
UIC
Career Opportunities and Leadership Council
Institute for Research on Race and Public Policy
Institute on Disability and Human Development
Department of Disability and Human Development
Disability Cultural Center
Undergraduate Rehabilitation Sciences Program
University Library
Wellness through Asian American Narratives and Theater
Student Organizations
DHD Student Club
Rehabilitation Sciences Student Club
Date posted
Apr 9, 2026
Date updated
Apr 9, 2026