NAT TURNER IN JERUSALEM

SEP 18 - OCT 4, 2026

WRITTEN by Nathan Alan Davis
PRODUCED by Joshua Patterson, Matthew Simpson
DIRECTED by Epic Jones
DRAMATURGY by Dorothy Paige-Turner

Eight Fifteen Capital and the West Side Show Room present Nat Turner in Jerusalem.

In August 1831, Nat Turner led a slave uprising that shook the conscience of the nation.

Nathan Alan Davis’s timely new play imagines Turner’s final night in a jail cell in Jerusalem, Virginia, as he is visited by attorney Thomas R. Gray and they reckon with what has passed, and what the dawn will bring.

Woven with vivid imagery and indelible lyricism, Nat Turner in Jerusalem examines the power of an individual’s resolute convictions and their seismic reverberations through time.

Nat Turner in Jerusalem is the third play of Rockford native Nathan Alan Davis to be presented in partnership between Eight Fifteen Capital and West Side Show Room.

Returning to WSSR in the role of Nat Turner is Jaylen Marks (The Wind and the Breeze, and director of Barbecue), and Eduardo Galaviz (Clown Bar, Dead Man’s Cell Phone, Red Noses) in the dual role of Thomas R. Gray and the jail Guard.

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There will be a Q+A with the cast and artists after the following performances:

FRI Sep 18: 8pm
SAT Sep 26: 2pm
SUN Sep 27: 7pm
SAT Oct 3: 8pm

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TICKETS

PUBLIC ACCESS TICKETS go on sale:

THU Sep 10th, 2026

EARLY ACCESS TICKETS are available to Members now with a WSSR Membership: wssr.org/memberships

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MANAGE YOUR ORDER

CANCELLATIONS: Go to tickets.wssr.org/self-service/wssr or click on "Manage Tickets" at the bottom of your confirmation email.

CHANGE SHOW DATES: First cancel your order and then reserve tickets for the new date you want to attend.

If you need assistance, please contact us at: tickets@wssr.org

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PUBLIC ACCESS THEATER

WE BELIEVE EVERYONE SHOULD BE ABLE TO EXPERIENCE THE PERFORMING ARTS…

Here’s how it works:

1. We make all of our tickets FREE

2. You help us do it by DONATING

This simple, yet powerful approach makes sure everyone can attend!

If you Add A Donation to your tickets, you will help us cover our costs and support Public Access Theater by making sure everyone in our community can come to the show!

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PLAN YOUR VISIT

The West Side Show Room is located at 1414 N Main Street in Rockford, IL near Veteran’s Memorial Circle in the historic North End.

The WSSR Lobby opens 30 minutes before show time.

**NOTE: The parking lot can get very full on Friday and Saturday nights so plan to arrive early.

For more information on parking, accessibility, and things to do in the area, please visit wssr.org/planyourvisit

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CONTENT INFO

Running Time: 90 minutes

Nat Turner in Jerusalem contains limited use of racial epithets in a historical context.

For specific information about the content: tickets@wssr.org

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CHILDREN

CHILDREN

Children age 5+ are welcome at the WSSR as long as they can sit quietly and watch the show. If your child becomes a distraction, you may be asked to step into the lobby.

Children under the age of 5 will not be admitted

For more info please visit wssr.org/planyourvisit

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ACCESSIBILITY

WSSR has an open single-level layout with no ramps or stairs. Our theater seats are moveable and can easily accommodate wheelchairs. When reserving tickets, let us know your needs and we will do our best to accommodate you.

For more info please visit wssr.org/planyourvisit

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HEALTH SAFETY

If you aren’t feeling well or are experiencing symptoms of illness, please stay home.