Director Note: TOPDOG / UNDERDOG
4th Wall Theatre Company’s production of TOPDOG / UNDERDOG by Suzan-Lori Parks opens February 14 and has been extended through March 15, 2025. You can learn more about the show and reserve tickets at this link.
It has been a privilege to collaborate with this team on Suzan-Lori Parks’ Pulitzer Prize-winning play, TOPDOG/UNDERDOG. This play focuses on the unique relationship of two brothers, Lincoln and Booth. The magic of this play lies in the way the brothers, as well as the audience, are forced to examine what they inherit from their family and the world around them. They are a product of their trauma, experiences, and circumstances.
Parks’ play, however, imbues these brothers with humanity, humor, and hope despite their traumatic past. In spite of their best efforts to change their destiny, tensions arise as their hopes and dreams intersect with the crushing reality of their choices. These men are far from perfect, but Parks reminds us that their character doesn’t detract from the value of their lives. We all have a story that deserves to be told, no matter how neatly it may fit in “acceptability” politics.
Parks’ play provides several questions without any real answers. What do you do when your back is against the wall and feel the cards you have been dealt are unfair? How do you find hope when you feel hopeless? How do you make a living when you are not really living? How do you find healing when you can’t define the wound? These are the questions we have been asking as we have worked on this play, and these are the questions we hope you ask yourself after you leave the theatre tonight. May we ponder with curiosity and less judgment. May the story of Lincoln and Booth lead to empathy and a bit more understanding of the humanity we all share.
Aaron Brown
Director of TOPDOG / UNDERDOG
Aaron Brown is currently an Assistant Professor and Head of Musical Theatre at Texas State University. He holds an MFA in Directing from Baylor University and a BM in Music Theatre from Oklahoma City University. Some of Aaron’s past directing credits include the world premiere of ShaWanna Rivon’s YOU’RE CORDIALLY INVITED TO SIT-IN (Stages), FAIRVIEW (4th Wall), SISTER ACT, HOUSTON FOR THE HOLIDAYS (Stages), SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE, AIRNESS, DETROIT ’67, ONCE ON THIS ISLAND, VIOLET, GODSPELL (WaterTower), CRAZY FOR YOU, HAMONCÉ: A DEVISED PIECE, BLACK MAGIC: A SHAKESPEARE ADAPTATION, THE PAVILION, and HAIRSPRAY. His assistant director credits include the world premiere production of Regina Taylor’s BREAD (WaterTower Theatre), AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’ (TUTS), and the regional premiere of DEAR JACK, DEAR LOUISE (A.D. Players). Aaron is grateful for the love of his amazing wife Holly and their two kids, Eliza Grace and Isaiah Carter Brown. Learn more about Aaron’s work at aaronbrowndirecting.com
