(NEWARK, NJ) -- Yendor Theatre Company (YTC) has announced the return of their renowned summer play series, as part of their Neighborhood Theatre Initiative. Launched in 2019, the Neighborhood Theatre Initiative stages free, professional theatre directly in public, outdoors spaces throughout the City of Newark. This year's production will be The Cousins by Jersey's own BV Marshall, directed by YTC Artistic Director, Andrew Binger. Performances will be held at Lincoln Park on July 17th and August 7th, and at Military Park on July 31, 2026. Shows begin at 7:00pm and are free of charge.
Ahmad, an emerging documentarian, wants to make a film about the Newark Riots and hopes to enlist the help of his mother and his Aunt Delores, a cantankerous yet jovial long time resident of the Central Ward. In his efforts to find a coherent story, he reopens old family wounds that force him to question his vision and purpose.
“This play opens up important dialogue about how narratives are shaped. In such a polarizing time, it’s important for us to center stories that emphasize our power to tell our own stories and to document our authentic experiences.” — Andrew Binger, Artistic Director, Yendor Theatre Company
"Working with Yendor again is especially exhilarating because my play The Cousins is set in Newark," said playwright BV Marshall. "Brick City! I was born here, and I had relatives living here. When I was a child, I used to go to church here, I had piano recitals here, and I used to work here.
"I pulled some anecdotes and details from the past and used them in the play. But this play is not about nostalgia. And even though there are some violent politics involved, it is not about politics. It’s about the loving foundations on which we build our present and future lives," continued Marshall. "When I see Newark now, I remember the places that used to exist. I see what has replaced the old businesses. Some of the buildings have been refurbished but retained beautiful parts of the exteriors. In a way, that expresses some of the themes of the play.
"Also, it’s great to work with Andrew Binger again. We’ve known each other for at least 10 years since meeting at the National Playwrights Symposium in Cape May, NJ. He has put together a terrifically talented cast and crew. They bring life to the script with ease, emotion and humor. I don’t know what forces of the universe created this but having the world premiere of the play in Newark is such a great gift," added Marshall.
Performances take place July 17 and August 7 at 7:00pm in Lincoln Park (Newark) and July 31 in Military Park (Newark). RSVP online here.
This year’s summer play series is made possible by The City of Newark’s Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs and The Newark City Parks Foundation
Ben V. Marshall is a NJ based playwright. A member of the Dramatists Guild, The Playwrights Center in Minneapolis and the Ninth Floor in NYC, Ben earned a BA from Kean University and an MFA in Creative Writing from University of Massachusetts in Amherst, after studying playwriting at Hunter University. As Associate Professor at Middlesex County College in NJ, he specializes in African American Literature, Creative Writing and Playwriting. His work has been performed and developed at the HBO New Writers Workshop, WBEZ Chicago Public Radio, Theatre for the New City in NYC, Luna Stage, Playwrights Theatre of New Jersey, Interact Theatre in Philadelphia, The Warner’s International Playwrights, The Berrie Center, The National Playwrights Symposium at Cape May and the Kennedy Center.
Yendor Theatre Company (YTC) is dedicated to developing and presenting bold, boundary-pushing theatrical work rooted in the Black and Latine experience. Through programs like the Neighborhood Theatre Initiative & Soul-O, YTC provides a platform for historically resilient artists to bring new solo plays to life.
