The Merchants of Venice subverts the Shakespearean plot of religious, race, and class tensions in 17th century Venice to explore a Black Renaissance in 20th-century post-Depression Miami and Fort Lauderdale. Shylock, the elder scion of the community, has agreed to lend money backed by real estate collateral to support the young protagonist Antonio's friend, Bass, who's opening a club with his love interest, Portia, a successful cafe owner, while their friend Lorenzo's liaison with Jessica, Shylock's daughter, has drawn him into trouble that erupts just as Portia and her pal, Nerissa, seem to have averted the loan payoff costing Antonio and Bass' dreams. Darius V. Daughtry, writer, director, educator, and Founder/Artistic Director of Art Prevails Project, adapted the script and directs Merchants.

ABOUT THE DIRECTOR - DARIUS DAUGHTRY

An accomplished poet, playwright, director, and educator with over a decade worth of experience in South Florida and beyond, Darius has committed himself to use the arts as a vehicle for change. He is the Founder and Artistic Director of Art Prevails Project, a performing arts organization dedicated to expanding cultural conversation through theatrical performance, arts education, and community engagement. Darius has spearheaded literacy initiatives with NFL Hall-of-Famer Jason Taylor and poet and actor, Omari Hardwick.

ABOUT THE PRODUCER -- GRACE ARTS CENTER

Grace Arts Center's mission is to create and connect three distinct areas of general programming resulting in more extensive cultural collaborations and revitalization of South Florida communities through the arts and humanities. Projects feature cultural exhibits (including visual art and film projects), multidisciplinary performances, and urban design engagements by leading Innovators to entertain, educate and extend services annually to communities with less access to liberal arts content and experiences.