3/Fights By James Scruggs: A Literature Review

This theater review will examine the racial themes of “3/Fights” by James Scruggs at the 3LD Art & Technology Center in New York City. Scruggs presents an interesting example of American racism by breaking the barriers of the “fourth wall” by including the audience members in the imaginary world of SupremacyLand. Before entering the venue, I was asked my racial designation (being either black or white), which immediately included me in the production. More so, after entering, I was guided by a white woman dressed in a confederate flag dress. This type of production also involved a early 19th century style of vaudeville setting in which black actors in carnival booths sold lynching paraphernalia, such as a noose, and other horrific relics from the past, such as …show more content…
This dystopian vision is actually a way for audience members to become aware of the nightmarish realization of such a future, which forces the viewer to become aware of their interaction with people of color in America. More so, I believe that Scruggs presents this horrific vision not only to expose audience members to the historical reality of racism in America, but he is also attempting to prevent the actualization of a dystopian racist society from becoming realized. The very act of exposing audience members to extreme representations of racism had a significant impact on myself, as well as other audience members that observed the actors in the play. Certainly, no one ever wants to see a SupremacyLand became a reality, which defines Scruggs’ successful implementation of historical theatrical devices and themes in breaking the fourth wall. 3/Fifths is an important play that exposes the underlying racism in American culture, yet with a unique dramatization of African American life in the nightmarish dystopia of