What does it mean to reach boldly toward the moon in a world trying to confine you to the ground?

When Amani’s mother dies, the world shifts. In the wake of that loss, her father makes an extraordinary promise: he will build a rocket ship and take them to outer space — a place beyond violence, beyond prisons, beyond the systems that steal Black lives and futures. Together, they begin building toward the impossible. As Amani grows into adulthood, her dreams change.Her father’s vision becomes her own as she searches for her voice, her desires, and a future shaped by love, autonomy, and possibility. Moving between memory and aspiration, AMANI traces a tender, bittersweet journey of growing up, letting go, and choosing what to carry forward.

Written with depth and poetic intimacy by a.k. payne, AMANI is a deeply moving exploration of love between parents and children, the inheritance of dreams, and the courage it takes to imagine a life beyond what the world says is possible.

FRESH TAKES READING SERIES

WAM Theatre’s Fresh Takes Play Reading Series presents ground-breaking stories that are imaginative and thoughtful explorations of complex issues affecting women and girls. Featuring local professional actors and directors, the Fresh Takes play readings continue WAM’s commitment to connecting Berkshire audiences to female playwrights who are contributing to national and international theatre conversations. Each reading is followed by a brief discussion between audience and artists, often featuring a specialist whose work relates to themes of the play.