Alum’s play explores summer violence

Joshua+Thorps+13+wrote+and+directed+A+Little+More+Spring%2C+which+was+performed+in+Philadelphia+the+weekend+of+April+20-22.+%28Photo+courtesy+of+https%3A%2F%2Funiversityofthearts.ticketleap.com%2Fa-little-more-spring%2Fdetails%29+++

Joshua Thorps ’13 wrote and directed “A Little More Spring,” which was performed in Philadelphia the weekend of April 20-22. (Photo courtesy of https://universityofthearts.ticketleap.com/a-little-more-spring/details)

Joshua Thorps, a 2013 graduate of Mount Carmel, recently wrote and directed a play titled “A Little More Spring” which was performed at Caplan Theatre Studio in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from April 20 through April 22.

According to the website of the University of the Arts, the play follows “the journey of 18 year old Alec Scott, who is an African-American boy from the south side of Chicago.”

As numerous media reports illustrate, summer time in Chicago can be violent. According to a story by Azadeh Ansari and Rosa Flores, posted on CNN’s website on January 2, 2017, the number of homicides in the city in 2016 was the highest it has been in 19 years (goo.gl/aHtDMw).

Thorps grew up on the South Side of Chicago, so he understands the epidemic the city faces. “We lose so many individuals during the summer time, and my play was about that.”

Because of that violence, the main character faces the issue of his home not being “home” anymore, “whether that be his city, neighborhood, or household.”

The title of the play was inspired by a verse in the song “Pusha Man/Paranoia,” from fellow South Sider Chance the Rapper, a verse which also references the violence of the South Side:

“‘Cause everybody dies in the summer
Wanna say your goodbyes, tell them while it’s spring
I heard everybody’s dying in the summer
So pray to God for a little more spring

Thorps, one of several recent MC alumni pursuing a career in the arts, is currently a senior at University of the Arts.