The Half-God of Rainfall

by Inua Ellams
directed by Lindsay Smiling

February 11 – March 2, 2025

Tickets

Nigerian-born British poet and playwright Inua Ellams blends Yoruba and Greek mythologies into an incredible story of a demigod-turned-NBA superstar in The Half-God of Rainfall. The epic poem follows a half-Nigerian mortal, half-Greek God named Demi, who possesses extraordinary powers yet is burdened by the expectations of his lineage. Demi’s powers grow as he leaves his West Nigerian village for the bright lights of the NBA, where he emerges as an all-world talent driven by passion, power, and destiny. Under the directorial vision of Wilma Co-Artistic Director Lindsay Smiling, (recently seen on stage in Fat Ham and My Mama and the Full-Scale Invasion) The Half-God of Rainfall features the HotHouse Acting Company and explores the intersection of patriarchy, imperialism, and American basketball.

Content Information: contains haze, fog, flashing lights, loud sounds and stages sexual and physical violence.

Community Partner: Masculinity Action Project (MAP)

The mission of the Masculinity Action Project (MAP) is to create new masculinities – ways of being that challenge our patriarchal culture and are rooted in humanity, connection, relationship and support. MAP supports men and masculine folks to move from the sidelines and into active participation in movements for gender justice grounded in Philadelphia.