Displaying items by tag: How We Got On

What happens when three young people discover hip-hop and realize they might have something to say? Idris Goodwin’s How We Got On, directed by Definition Theatre Artistic Director Tyrone Phillips, answers that question with rhythm, humor, attitude and plenty of heart. Think of it as a mixtape for the stage - a collection of voices, beats, dreams and memories that takes us back to the 1980s, when hip-hop was still growing and figuring out what it could become.

Jamal Turner’s Hank is ambitious, curious and hungry to find his place. He’s a young guy who discovers that writing rhymes gives him a voice and a way to express what he may not always be able to say out loud. Turner makes Hank likable, funny and real. You can see the excitement in him as he begins to realize that maybe he has something special.

Tony Garcia’s Julian brings a completely different flavor. He is confident, competitive and determined to prove himself. Garcia gives Julian plenty of swagger, but there is vulnerability underneath it. His chemistry with Turner makes their friendship and competition fun to watch.

And then there’s Luann, played by Anuoluwa T. Awolola. Luann is a talented rapper who has almost everything under control. She has the confidence, the skills and the flow. Her one problem is that she’s a girl trying to make it in a male-dominated hip-hop world. Awolola gives Luann the confidence of someone who knows exactly what she can do - and isn’t waiting for anyone’s permission to do it.

Maya Vinice Prentiss is a standout as the Selector, shifting effortlessly between narrator, DJ and several different characters. She is our guide through this musical journey, constantly reminding us that this isn’t just a story being told - it’s a story being spun.

Sydney Lynn Thomas’s set design gets the vibe right from the start. A wall filled with different beatboxes immediately transports us into the world of early hip-hop. It feels like walking into someone’s bedroom, record shop or neighborhood hangout where the next great track might be created.

Adding another visual dimension is Chicago artist John Vergara’s art installation. His colorful work, influenced by graffiti, portraiture and Chicago’s street culture, fits naturally alongside the production’s celebration of hip-hop and self-expression.

The show does have some pacing issues. There are moments when the energy drops, but once the rhythm kicks back in, How We Got On is hard not to enjoy.

This is a mixtape for the stage - a lively blend of music, memories, friendship and youthful ambition. It reminds us that before hip-hop became a worldwide cultural force, it was young people with something to say, a beat to work with and the courage to get on the mic.

RECOMMENDED

When: through September 27th

Where: Definition Theatre@55th, 1160 E. 55^th Street., Chicago, Il.

Running time: 90 minutes no intermission

Tickets: Start at $25

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definitiontheatre.org

Definition Theatre is proud to present How We Got On, a mix-tape for the stage by playwright Idris Goodwin and directed by Tyrone Phillips. How We Got On will play a limited run from September 11– 27, 2026 at Definition Theatre (1160 E. 55th St, Chicago, IL) with previews September 11–12, 2026 and an opening on September 13 at 7:30pm. Tickets are $35 and are on sale now at definitiontheatre.org.

How We Got On tells the story of three suburban teenagers who discovered something that would change their lives forever. It's the 1980’s, and Hank, Julian, and Luann are determined to make their mark on the explosive new world of rap music. Armed with turntables, notebooks, and raw talent, they’ll navigate cultural isolation, family struggles, and fierce competition as they chase their dreams of becoming the next big thing.

But in the suburbs, far from hip-hop's birthplace, they'll have to fight twice as hard to prove they belong. Guided by a sultry DJ, the selector, who spins their stories with wit and wisdom, this electrifying production celebrates the passion, creativity, and determination of the generation that helped build hip-hop from the ground up—one beat, one rhyme, one battle at a time.

The cast features Jamal Turner, Tony Garcia, Anuoluwa T. Awolola, and Definition Ensemble Member Maya Vinice Prentiss.

The production team includes Director Tyrone Phillips, Assistant Director Lucy Whitehead, Production Manager Julie Jachym, Stage Manager Carissa Greene, Scenic Designer Sydney Lynn Thomas, Costume Designer Janelle Smith, Lighting Designer Garrett Bell, Lighting Design Intern Bria Hall, Sound Designer Kyle Cortes, and Movement Designer Breon Arzell.

Running in tandem with the production is The Sound Barriers Vol. 4, an installation of vintage boomboxes, paintings, and photography by Chicago muralist John Vergara. The exhibit is open Monday–Thursday from 5pm–9pm from Monday, September 14 – Thursday, Sept 24, 2026.

Chicago-based artist John Vergara time travels via boomboxes, the ultimate muse, in The Sound Barriers Vol. 4. Immersed in 1980’s Chicago hip-hop, funk, and house music, Vergara's vibrant brushstrokes, paint splatters, and graffiti work embody the movement of sound, while his cityscape photographs and portraits present music as a life form accompanying each person. Vergara has created more than 200 public murals, curated Chicago art shows for over 20 years, and is an advocate for the preservation of historical public art—work that helped lead to the founding of the City of Chicago Mural Registry.

PERFORMANCE DETAILS

How We Got On

Dates: September 11 – 27, 2026

Previews: September 11 – 12, 2026

Location: Definition @ 55th | 1160 E. 55th Street, Chicago, IL

Tickets: On sale now at definitiontheatre.org

EXHIBIT DETAILS

The Sound Barriers Vol. 4 by John Vergara

On View: September 14 – 24, 2026 (concurrent with How We Got On)

Hours: Monday – Thursday, 5pm – 9pm.

Location: Definition @ 55th | 1160 E. 55th Street, Chicago, IL

Admission: Free for How We Got On ticket holders, $15 for General Admission

ABOUT DEFINITION THEATRE

Definition Theatre has been a vibrant force for over a decade, celebrating stories created with, inspired by, and intended for people and communities of color. Through the act of making, Definition expands perspectives, stewards resources, and bridges the possibilities found at the intersection of art, innovation, and education. Known for bold and impactful productions, we’ve brought to life plays by Oscar-winner Tarell Alvin McCraney, Pulitzer Prize-winners James Ijames and Jackie Sibblies Drury, and Tony Award-winner Branden Jacobs-Jenkins. We strive to promote equity, foster empathy, and enhance the quality of life for our community members by offering opportunities for creative, entrepreneurial, and cultural expression. Our work emphasizes collaboration in theater-making and raises awareness of career paths in the arts. In 2024, Definition leased and equipped a storefront space in Hyde Park, enabling us to engage artists and expand programs as we prepare for our permanent home in Woodlawn on the southside of Chicago. This new theater, community center, and business incubator will amplify and preserve BIPOC voices, promote social justice, and empower the next generation of artists, entrepreneurs, and changemakers to drive positive progress through the transformative power of the arts.

Definition Ensemble members include: Adia Alli, Owais Ahmed, Ariel Beller, Jared Bellot, Carley Cornelius, Ari Craven, Julie Jachym, Willow James, Martasia Jones, Slick Jorgensen, Yeaji Kim, Kristy Hall, James Ijames, Julie Jachym, Willow James, Kiki Layne, Kelson Michael McAuliffe, Victor Musoni, Neel McNeill, Sophiyaa Nayar, Karyn Oates, Alexandra Oparka, Julian Parker, Maya Vinice Prentiss, Tyrone Phillips, Ireon Roach, Jacqueline Rosas, Christopher Sheard, and Dujon Smith.

Definition Artistic Advisory Board members include: director May Adrales, Steppenwolf ensemble member Alana Arenas, actress Shannon Cochran, actor Brandon Dirden, actor Jason Dirden, actor Jon Michael Hill, director Pam Mackinnon, Equity Quotient CEO Keryl McCord, professor JW Morrissette, director Ron OJ Parson, professor/lighting designer Kathy Perkins, media producer and host Troy Osborne Pryor, Tony Award-winning actress and stage director Phylicia Rashad, and Goodman Theatre director in residence Chuck Smith. Tyrone Phillips is the Artistic Director, Neel McNeill is the Executive Director, Willow James is the Civic Engagement Director. For additional information, visit definitiontheatre.org and @definitiontheatre on Facebook and Instagram #stayinit