Splash Hatch On The E Going Down: Onstage NOW thru 4/13

The next stop in my journey has brought me back to the south side to Definition Theatre to perform in Kia Corthron’s Splash Hatch on the E Going Down. Portraying the role of Erry, I have had the pleasure of playing alongside Jada Jackson who plays Thyme, a 15-year old pregnant environmentalist in 1990s Harlem. Erry is her loving and colorful 18-year old husband who, despite dropping out of high school himself, works tirelessly to support his wife and unborn child. That is, until he gets sick doing demolition work.

Our cast also features my long-time friend, collaborator, and teammate Rita Wicks, the lovely and talented Quenna Barrett, and my first ever Monopoly opponent, Stetson Pierre. Directed by Cheryl Lynn Bruce, we embarked on this journey in February and this show marks my first production of 2025

The cast of the Chicago-premiere of Splash Hatch on the E Going Down

Every show has something unique you take away from it as a performer, some things small, some monumental. This show has given me an abundance of affirmation. First off, this is not the easiest of shows—from the nuanced dialogue to endless scene transitions on top of a condensed rehearsal schedule—this show required us to lock in if we were going to deliver a product we could be proud of. This process proved that I could tackle all of that and then some.

Playing Erry has been a gift because this track has asked me to put skills together that I have not tested yet on a professional level. For me, playing teenagers is something that has always come easy, however playing some of them without judgement can sometimes be a task. Erry is a young man who walks a very different path than I did at 18 years old. Despite having different backgrounds and making very different life choices, I still had to bring so much of myself to Erry’s given circumstances. This process has been affirmation that I can truly find myself in any role. In this moment in my life, I have had the pleasure of finding myself in this teenage boy from Harlem who has a baby girl on the way. (Production photos by Joe Mazza)

What has also been affirmed has been the support and love that I get from my community on a regular. We began previews in mid-March and since then I have been supported by waves and waves of family, friends, peers, and even some distant supporters. My work has always been uplifted by those who mean the most to me and it’s been a vital ingredient to my success. Blessed ain’t even the word. These are the moments in this chaotic era of life I will be keeping with me forever.

The final affirmation: I be doing this acting shit. And I do the shit well. This track has asked me to display so many colors in under two hours, some of which I’ve never done before, like being sick on stage, having a seizure, and (earnestly) playing a person who is illiterate. As someone who had a parent struggle to survive in the hospital before my birth, I wanted to make sure both Erry’s physical and emotional arcs were done justice. I wanted to make clear the struggles my father went through when he dealt with the task of bracing for fatherhood while simultaneously fighting for his life.

I took the leap and not only has it been received well by my loved ones and audiences, but critics have loved the performances we have put on as well.

“Khaliq brings a delicate balance of youth and forced maturity to his performance. His natural, unaffected style meshes perfectly with Jackson’s intensity, creating moments that pulse with teenage vitality while tackling grown-up challenges.”

— -Wesley David, Buzz Center Stage

If you have not pulled up to see Splash Hatch on the E Going Down, you are missing out on some good performances on the south side. Jada Jackson and Rita Wicks are stars that you will be so proud to say you saw for only $35 or less in the future, because the price WILL be going up. With Quenna and Stetson holding us down, we are bringing new and fresh energy every night in Hyde Park. Don’t miss out! The show runs through April 13th and tickets can be found here on Definition Theatre’s website!

I hope I see yall soon. Til next time,

Jabari