Prompt 11: Fires in the Mirror

It is true that Fires in the Mirror is about the Crown Heights riots. But Smith was trying to do something more in writing this play. I wouldn't suggest cutting the first half of this play. For the first half, Smith focusses on the idea of identity. Each person interviewed explains their own identity and what identity means to them. The monologues also provoke the audience into thought about identity. These monologues also serve as an informer of different peoples' background and how they live. They dig into the lives of the Black community as well as the Jewish community that was involved in the riots. If the director were to start with the second half of the show, the recalling of the riots, then that would make it possible for the audience to side with one group over the other. It wouldn't let the audience see both sides of the story or how both sides view the riots. The first half of this play sets up what Smith was trying to get across to the readers. It is important to understand different aspects of a story before making quick judgments based off of something that was heard. Identity is an important part of this play as well as the events that took place during the Crown Heights riots.

Cutting the first half of this play denies the audience the chance to see both sides of the story as well as the history of the tension between the two groups involved. The first half of this play provides perspective for the audience that will be useful when the recalling of the riots begins. Instead of making the play about which side is right and which side is wrong, Smith provides an opportunity for understanding for both sides of the story of the Crown Heights riots.