Citizen James at Tempe Center for the Arts

Citizen James, or the Young Man Without a Country is a powerful solo performance that captures the pivotal moment in 1948 when 24-year-old James Baldwin decides to leave America for Paris. With only a one-way ticket and $40, the aspiring writer confronts the violent reality of racism, setting him on the path to becoming one of the most brilliant and prophetic voices of the Civil Rights era. This captivating show acts as a bridge, connecting Baldwin’s enduring rage and pursuit of freedom to the injustices that persist today.