A Note from Chris Cotton
From Vision to Stage: The Journey of EAT
At the height of the pandemic in 2021, I found myself watching Legendary on FX, a show that quickly became a favorite. It fueled my creative itch to imagine how I might showcase my own version of the arts on stage. I remember asking myself: We’ve seen ballroom represented in episodic storytelling through shows like Pose and in competition form through Legendary, but where is ballroom in the theater world?
Now, I’ll be the first to admit — I’m not a playwright by trade. Outside of some childhood school productions, I had no experience in theater. But what I did have was the vision to tell a story rooted in ballroom culture, one that would honor its lived experiences. While living in Los Angeles, the timing didn’t feel right to fully pursue the idea, though I did begin brainstorming with friends who were part of houses in the ballroom scene. With my friend Deji, we even landed on a working title: Bring It to the Floor. But life carried me in other directions.
Fast forward to fall 2024, now back home in the DMV, the project returned to me — and this time it began to grow legs. I didn’t want the ballroom event itself to be the sole focus; I wanted to craft characters inspired by real-life situations, layered with family, love, and grief. Being back home, family time became my foundation, and food (as always) was at the heart of so many conversations. From there, the three pillars of this story became clear: Food, Family, and Ballroom.
In February 2025, I set a timeline and began writing. I knew I wanted to weave together themes of blood family and chosen family (a cornerstone of ballroom culture), while also exploring the weight of grief when a loved one passes. Three months later, the first draft of EAT was born, alongside a tour of the ARC Theater — a venue I instantly knew would be the home for this production.
I’m excited for what’s ahead and grateful to share this journey with you. On behalf of Black Vibes Media, welcome to EAT: En Couleur Vives. We invite you to experience this story with us — one of resilience, creativity, and community.
Warmly,
Chris Cotton