Different Strokes! Performing Arts Collective presents Juked
Nov 6–23, 2025
1. Is Juked a Greek Tragedy?
At its base, or what we see on the surface level, it is not a Greek tragedy. Juked is a loose adaptation of Sophocles’ Electra, re-imagined within the context of African American history and culture in 1940’s Asheville, North Carolina. While it retains the core themes of familial betrayal, vengeance, and justice from the original Greek tragedy, it diverges significantly in setting, characters and cultural elements.
2. What do you love about Juked?
The thing that I love most about Juked is that it reclaims a classical narrative. Representation matters. As a teenager, reading this play in High School, I would have never imagined someone who looked like me as a character in Electra, let alone a Playwright. With this adaptation, Mildred Inez Lewis, who is also Black, bridges the gap between ancient Greek drama and Black storytelling traditions. The adaptation shifts the focus from what has appeared to be a predominantly white, classical narrative to one that amplifies Black voices and experiences. By making all the characters African American, the play celebrates Black identity and provides representation that is often lacking in traditional theater.
photos by Shelby Taylor
3. What role does music play in Juked?
Music is an integral part of Juked because it enhances the storytelling, deepens the emotional resonance, and connects the narrative to cultural traditions, highlighting the evolution of Black culture over time – traveling from Blues to Hip Hop. In Juked, music is not just an accompaniment, it is essentially an eighth character. The music chosen for Juked is a vital part of the narrative, a reflection of the characters’ inner lives, and a celebration of Black culture’s enduring power to transform pain into beauty and strength.
4. What should audiences expect when they go see Juked?
To see a story unlike any they’ve seen in Asheville.
