"One Drop"

Nowhere else has the intersection of race, love, politics and faith played out with such power and magnitude as it has throughout America's history. In fact, at its core, those elements are the story of America. 

Bed-Stuy playwright Andrea Fulton explores these four themes to build a good old-fashioned American drama in her debut play, "One Drop," which runs today, February 11, at 9:00 pm, Saturday, February 12, at 4:30 pm, Sunday February 13, at 12:30 pm and Saturday, February 19th at 4:45 pm at the Roy Arias Studios, 300 West 43rd Street in New York City. Audience can purchase tickets here.

Based off of Fulton's own family story and directed by Allan C. Harris, "One Drop" chronicles a family's struggle with interracial relations in Louisiana, during the late 1800s.

The play explores the concept of "passing" and the “one drop” of black blood (means you're black) rule once applied to all people of color, regardless of your lineage or your hue.

In the play, the central character, “Charley,” is a mulatto and a product of an interracial affair between the white daughter of a high-born property owner and a black carpenter.

Fulton imagined the play as a way to reconnect with her family’s lineage.

“I realized it would allow me to celebrate my own family history, give actors some work, while hopefully spark people's interest in their own histories and examine their current interactions and interrelations,” says Fulton.

A Chicago native, Fulton says she's been writing poems and creating songs since she can remember. Growing up, Fulton would spend her free time listening to her older siblings’ 45" records -- classic heads like Smokey Robinson and Otis Redding to the mellifluous tones of Nina Simone -- helping her gain an appreciation of real, soulful lyrics.

For Fulton, taking in the words of these legendary artists was like getting a second education.

“Some of the best singers and writers showed a vulnerability and a sincerity that resonated with me and challenged me to bear my soul in the same way,” Fulton recalls.

After completing her studies at Northwestern University and moving to Brooklyn in her 20’s, she pursued a career in Human Resources Management. But her desire to produce and write her own plays never waned.

Working in corporate made Fulton want to “challenge common ways of thinking” and inspire more people to appreciate their own family histories. In 2009, Fulton wrote her first version of “One Drop” in only 3 months.

In addition to its riveting backdrop of blacks struggling with race and sexual identity politics during 19th Century New Orleans, the streamlined version of "One Drop" now features four bluesy songs all written by Fulton.

Accomplished actress Illona S. Dixon doubles both as leading actress and singer, interpreting the play's score with emotion and power. A talented and multi-ethnic cast gives the play added flair.

Now in its second year as a featured act, “One Drop” has been met with stellar reviews from both critics and audiences.

“It is the greatest honor not just to have people come out and support me and this whole team that I am working with,” says Fulton, who is entertaining plans to take the play on a nationwide tour and possibly turn it into a movie. “But it is extremely humbling and touching to know that people are truly connecting to the messages and relating to the story in their own ways." 

"It shows me I have succeeded in my goal of touching people, making a difference in their lives. That, in turn, can help them to make a difference in the lives of others.”