A Strange Loop

VOCA and DAT united to create an accessible, groundbreaking production of A Strange Loop in summer 2025.

This co-production reimagines Michael R. Jackson's Tony Award-winning and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical by casting Usher as a Deaf character, introducing a new layer of intersectionality to his journey of self-discovery. The performance will blend American Sign Language (ASL), spoken English, and dynamic supertitles to ensure full accessibility for Deaf and Hard of Hearing audiences while celebrating Black and queer identities.

On this collaboration, playwright and Pulitzer Prize winner Michael R. Jackson said, “I am thrilled that Deaf Austin Theatre and Visionaries of the Creative Arts are collaborating to bring A Strange Loop to their audiences. Though A Strange Loop is told through Usher's very specific lens, it has always been my intent that his story resonates universally throughout the human condition. I believe these two theaters will crack the piece open even further in a unique way that only they can do and for that reason, I enthusiastically support this co-production."

This project is committed to amplifying underrepresented voices and setting a new standard for inclusive theater, making Broadway-caliber productions available to everyone.

Book, music and lyrics by Michael R. Jackson. Directed by Alexandria Wailes. A co-production with Deaf Austin Theatre.

Performed in spoken English, American Sign Language (ASL), and with captions.

Performance run

• Washington, DC, July 23 to August 10, 2025. Sprenger Theatre, Atlas Performing Arts Center.

• Austin, TX, August 29 to September 14, 2025. The Long Center for the Performing Arts.

Creative team

• Alexandria Wailes, Director

• Joey Antonio, Choreographer

• Kailyn Aaron-Lozano, Director of Artistic Sign Language

• Stanley Bahorek, Associate Director and Music Supervisor

• Walter ‘Bobby’ McCoy, Music Director

Cast

• Gabriel Silva, Usher

• Tyler “T” Lang, Voice of Usher

• Mervin Primeaux-O’Bryant, Thought 1

• Ellison K., Thought 2

• Malik Paris, Thought 3

• Damien DeShaun Smith, Thought 4

• Wade Green, Thought 5

• Jeremy Rashad Brown, Thought 6

• Terrence Berry, Swing

• Elbert Joseph, Swing