SPACE, written by Kelechi Udenkwo and directed by Emma Rose Brooks, will run for five shows from June 19th to June 22nd at the Chain Theatre in NYC’s Hell’s Kitchen.
“SPACE is not a play, it is not a musical – it is a mixtape,” said Udenkwo. “It’s the voice of the underground, inspired by classic 90s and early 2000s hip hop mixtapes because of the raw, vulnerable, and unapologetic emotions that are expressed in this new piece.” A seasoned actor, Udenkwo makes his debut as a playwright with SPACE.
Starring Aaliyah Alexis as “Shea” and Leon Alexander as “Jackie”, the two bring to life these people who are looking to escape an environment where they already felt exiled from to begin with. However, with their quest for growth and understanding comes along the pressures of family, being a young adult, love, grief and the trap door of home.
Alexis, Udenkwo, and Brooks originally began the collaborative process for this show during their time in Pace University’s Actors Studio Drama School. Alexander recently starred with Udenkwo in When Gold Turns Black at the Theater for the New City in February 2025.
Brooks says, “Since meeting Kelechi, our friendship has been rooted in discussions over how we feel safe or unsafe in various environments, especially when it comes to making art. I feel very honored and lucky that he asked me to direct his work, and it just so happens to be a story that I think people will resonate with when it comes to trying to find your space in what feels like a chaotic world.”
This show is produced by Leonard J. Santos, who joined the project by producing its first reading in 2024. “It’s such an honor working on such a powerful piece – it’s so fearless in its creative goals yet so emotionally vulnerable,” he said. “Working with Emma, Kelechi, Aaliyah, Leon, and Abby has been such an incredible experience.”
This show marks the fifth official collaboration of producer Santos and director Brooks under their partnership, S.B. Theatricals. Their previous works include Mothman in New York (The Tank, July ‘24), SPACE: A Reading (Abrons Art Center, August ‘24), Constellations (The Chain Theatre, November ‘24), and Mini Me: A Staged Reading (Open Jar Studios, December ‘24).
“SPACE is meant to be a conversation about what it means to exist in a safe space,” said Udenkwo. “Not just with Jackie and Shea, but with the audience as well.”
Make sure to get your tickets quickly for this production! Tickets are now on sale on Eventbrite at https://tinyurl.com/SpaceMixtapeTickets.
CAST
Aaliyah Alexis as “Shea”
Leon Alexander as “Jackie”
Kelechi Udenkwo as “DJ Kele-Bobo”
CREATIVE
Written by Kelechi Udenkwo
Directed by Emma Rose Brooks
Produced by Leonard J. Santos
Intimacy and fight choreography by Abby Anderson
Lighting and sound by Emma Rose Brooks
Stage managed by Leonard J. Santos
Graphic design by Leonard J. Santos and Kelechi Udenkwo
Media and press by Leonard J. Santos
The Chain Theatre is located at 312 W 36th St. 4th floor, New York, NY 10018.
For more information, please contact:
Leonard J. Santos | Lead Producer, Stage Manager, Media Manager
Email: sb.theatricals@gmail.com