The Drum Closet
January 28 - February 22, 2026
A Coterie World Premiere
The Drum Closet
A coming-of-age play about two young, drum-loving African American brothers navigating a white high school, its bias, bullying, and powers-that-be.
The story follows two ambitious, Nigerian-American brothers. Though Timi is a freshman and Kareem is a senior, they both must learn how to survive the culture of their midwestern school and the obstacles of adolescence. Desperately trying to stay out of trouble, the brothers race to become drumline section leader and make their immigrant mother proud, all while learning how to be Black boys in a white world.
Approx. Length: 70 Minutes
Find classroom resources and curriculum extensions at coterie.edublogs.org.
Throughout the run of the show, there are several special performances:
- Opening Night: January 30 at 7 pm
- Pay What You Choose: February 6 at 7 pm – tickets for as little as $5!
- Sensory Friendly Performances for neurodiverse audiences featuring technical adjustments, sensory supports, house lights on and flexible audience expectations: February 13 at 9:45 am and February 14 at 2 pm
- Audio Described Performances with verbal commentary to assist patrons who are visually impaired: February 19 at 9:45 am and February 21 at 2 pm
Go Behind the Curtain!
These special events offer additional experiences to enhance your visit to The Coterie.
- TeenTix Night featuring discounted tickets plus an opportunity to meet playwright Tosin Morohunfola: January 30 at 7 pm
- Spotlight Conversations: Black History Month featuring a post-show talkback with the cast: February 1 at 2 pm
- Spotlight Conversations: Band Geek Day featuring a post-show talkback with Parker VanMichael Jones, cast member and drummer for the Chiefs Rumble: February 8 at 2 pm
- Spotlight Conversations: Meet the Playwright featuring a post-show talkback with Tosin Morohunfola: February 13 at 7pm
- Industry Performance: February 15 at 2 pm
- African Heritage Affinity Performance featuring a post-show talkback with cast member Tobi Omodehinde and complimentary tea provided by Smooth September: February 21 at 2 pm
- Spotlight Conversations: Bryan Busby featuring a post-show talkback with Bryan Busby, Chief Meteorologist, KMBC News, and professional percussionist: February 22 at 2pm
“… a deeply spiritual, urgent, and profoundly human coming-of-age story that resonates far beyond its Midwestern high school setting …
One of the most moving moments … is a moment of truth that is both deeply personal and profoundly educational for young audiences …
The Drum Closet is not just a play – it is a meditation on identity, faith, ancestry, and the courage it takes to be seen …”
The Drum Closet
Written and Directed by
Tosin Morohunfola
Featuring
Damarion Leonhart, Parker VanMichael Jones, Tobi Omodehinde, Ben Brewer, Gregory Williams, Lauren Daugherty, Jen Mays & Sam Wright
Tosin Morohunfola is an actor, writer, director and son of Nigerian immigrants, who you may recognize from his magnetic charm as a regular on “Run The World” (STARZ) or from his brooding intensity alongside David Oyelowo in the Taylor Sheridan western “Lawmen: Bass Reeves” (Paramount+).
He also recurred as a dreamy romantic on the series “Julia” (HBO Max), a hilarious F-boy on ABC’s “Everything’s Trash” (Freeform), a teleporting supervillain on “Black Lightning” (CW), and a terrifying gang lord from “The Chi” (Showtime). Previous TV credits include an ark on “Love Is” (OWN) and guest appearances in “Stumptown” (ABC), NCIS (CBS), “I’m Sorry” (TruTV), and recurring as a doctor on “Chicago Med” (NBC).
On film, he stars in Amazon’s “Blackbox”, BET’s romantic comedy “Always A Bridesmaid”, the erotic thriller, “Friend Request” and the bro-mantic comedy, “North of the 10”. He was also in Oscar-winner Kevin Willmott’s “The 24th”, nominated for a NAACP Image award. Currently, he costars in the action-heist film, “1992” (Lionsgate) with Ray Liotta. Up next, he’ll lead Tyler Perry’s heart-warming romantic drama “Finding Joy” (Amazon).
Tosin is also a filmmaker whose festival-selected shorts include “The Pulpit: Prelude,” “Endowed, ” and “On Sight.” He is currently producing “Famous Enough”, a dark comedy about the dangers of celebrity. He has also written two series’ about his Nigerian heritage: “Single A.F.” and “Small Chops.”
Tosin grew up in Leawood, KS, and attended Blue Valley High School. He earned his theatre degree at the University of Kansas, where his proudest accomplishment was founding the “Multicultural Theatre Initiative.” He began his career in Kansas City regional theatre; appearing at the Kansas City Repertory Theatre, Unicorn Theatre, Heart of America Shakespeare Festival, and his artistic home, The Coterie, where he was Resident Artist for two years. His TYA play, “The Drum Closet” was also commissioned by The Coterie and will premiere in January 2026.
After moving to Chicago, he performed stage roles at the Goodman, Lookingglass, Northlight, Court Theatres and Creede Repertory Theatre. He notably won the “Best Supporting Actor” award from the Black Theatre Alliance for his performance in Victory Gardens Theatres’ THE GOSPEL OF LOVINGKINDNESS.
Original production designs and illustrations by the Kansas City Art Institute Illustration Department’s student staffed agency, MICRO. The Drum Closet design by Lynn Hopkins.