On 24 April, the Black Box Theatre came alive with Spoon River: Echoes of Longing — a one-night-only event blending poetic monologues, live music, and unforgettable performances. Audiences were transported as the voices of the past were brought to life through words, light, and sound.
As part of the production, jazz saxophonist Jim Sullivan joined the creative team under the direction of Erifili Davis. His brief was both challenging and inspiring: to improvise between sets of monologues, weaving saxophone melodies that matched the tone and emotion of each scene. From moments of reflection to passages of intensity, Jim’s music added an atmospheric layer that helped carry the audience through the journey.
The project gave Jim the opportunity to collaborate with other artists in a theatrical context — a first for him. Working within a fully staged production with lighting and technical cues was a new and valuable experience, expanding his understanding of stagecraft beyond the music itself.
For Jim, Spoon River: Echoes of Longing was not just a performance, but an inspiring step forward in his creative development. It strengthened his skills in improvisation, deepened his collaborative practice, and sparked new ideas for how music can transform live storytelling.
