At the sound of the bell, young Cassius Clay Jr. takes his first step into the ring and starts becoming the man the world will one day know as Muhammad Ali. This vibrant historical drama takes the audience through the iconic boxer’s early life in Jim Crow-era Louisville, Kentucky. And in This Corner: Cassius Clay goes an extra, exhilarating round by exploring how remarkable communities inspire people to greatness.

►Click here to read a note from play Director Aaron Cabell.

Corporate Producing Partner - Bank of America
Foundation Producing Partner - Cam Newton Foundation

A note about language used in the play:
The playwright of this script uses historically accurate language that reflects the reality of segregated America, especially the time in which And In This Corner…Cassius Clay is set: 1950s Kentucky. The playwright uses the “n-word” once in conversation between the characters of Cassius and his best friend Eddie. In that moment, Cassius recalls a time it was used against him during a sit-in at a “white-only” diner. This word is painful to hear and can be difficult to talk about. However, Children’s Theatre of Charlotte has chosen not to censor this word in the play. The experience Cassius has is personal and affects his view of the world. To censor the word limits the play’s ability to accurately represent his experience and the time period in which he grew up. We want the stage to give a voice to important issues and events and not minimize the racist treatment of black Americans. You may want to discuss this word and its context in the play with your children before seeing the performance. ►Click here to read an interview with Arizona State University Professor Neal A. Lester about the history of the word and suggestions on how to discuss it with your children.