Tempe Center for the Arts
Home TCA MenuCitizen James
or the Young Man Without a Country
FEB 6, 2026 | 7:30 PM
Tickets start at $40.25
Written by: Kyle Bass
Directed by: Joann Yarrow
Before he became one of the most powerful voices of the Civil Rights Movement, James Baldwin was a 24-year-old, aspiring writer with a one-way ticket to Paris, $40 in his pocket, and the urgent need to escape the violent reality of racism in 1948 America.
Citizen James, or the Young Man Without a Country takes audiences inside this life-changing moment in Baldwin’s life as he prepares to leave his family and country behind in search of freedom, identity, and survival.
In this captivating solo performance, James Alton channels Baldwin’s intellect, humor, vulnerability, and determination—bringing to life the passion that would define Baldwin’s legacy as one of the most fearless and prophetic writers of the 20th century.
More than a historical reflection, Citizen James is a tribute to Baldwin’s enduring voice and a powerful reminder of the courage it takes to speak truth in the face of injustice.
