Live Reading: “The Last Senior Home in Bronzeville”
Featured writer: Nikki Carpenter
A live reading of the critically acclaimed new play by Nikki Carpenter. In a neighborhood rich with rhythm, history, and soul, one final fight is brewing—and it’s being led by the elders. Daley’s Senior Home is the last of its kind in a rapidly gentrifying Bronzeville. With their beloved community vanishing before their eyes, the residents of Daley’s must decide: go quietly, or go out swinging—senior citizen style. A timely story of resistance, resilience, and the joyfully defiant spirit of those too experienced to be ignored.
CAST:
- Carol “Honey” Jones — Gabrielle Lott-Rogers
- Toya Daniels — Kristin E. Ellis
- Joseph “Harlem Joe” Greer — Darren Jones
- William “Willie” Johnson — Donn Carl Harper
- Dr. Rupe Simms — Robert Cornelius
- Beverly Simms — Linda Bright Clay
- Barbara Shabazz — Joslyn Jones
About the playwright:
Born on the South Side of Chicago, TANIKIA “NIKKI” CARPENTER is a playwright and actor. She is the writer of the award-winning documentary Roots and Blues, which honors the life and legacy of Blues singer Muddy Waters. Nikki is the founder of Good Content Productions, a company dedicated to preserving sacred stories through theatre and essays. She received her B.F.A. in Media Studies from North Park University with a minor in Africana Studies and is the creator of Black Theatre Chicago, a platform highlighting Black theatre, actors, and productions in the city.
In 2024, Nikki was selected as a researcher/writer for the August Wilson Society’s upcoming book Centering & Celebrating Wilsonian Warriors. In 2025, she received the DCASE Playwright in Residency grant from the City of Chicago, and that same year her play, The Last Senior Home in Bronzeville, was workshopped at Goodman Theatre as part of their 100 Free Acts of Theatre initiative. Chance the Rapper has credited Nikki’s original poem, “No Grandfathers in Chicago,” as the inspiration for his hit song “No More Old Men” featuring Jamila Woods. She is married to her husband, Stephen, and they share a daughter, India.
The Last Senior Home in Bronzeville
by Nikki Carpenter
The Last Senior Home in Bronzeville is a stage play (drama/comedy) that takes place present day, on the south side of Chicago, at Daley’s Senior Home. The neighborhood that birthed Nat King Cole, Redd Foxx, Sam Cook, Quincy Jones and more finds itself being heavily gentrified, and its historical value diminishing fast. With Daley’s being the last senior home in the community, the residents find themselves at risk of being displaced, unless they all agree to fight back—senior citizen style. (Photo from September 2025).