The Short Kuts Show (TSKS) originated as a spin-off of the award-winning production Fades -&- Fellowship (F-&-F), a live theatrical experience that premiered in Baltimore, MD in 2016. F-&-F explored the Black barbershop’s role in the community and the vital contributions of its barbers. Created by TEDx speaker and equity educator Dr. LaMarr D. Shields and Darius Wilmore, the project was inspired by the remarkable stories exchanged between barbers and customers in these spaces.

In the wake of the Freddie Gray incident and the subsequent unrest in 2015, The Reginald F. Lewis Museum in downtown Baltimore dedicated its 2016 programming to examining the realities of African American men in the U.S. The museum approached Dr. Shields seeking relevant projects, and he proposed Fades -&- Fellowship. The first performance took place at the museum on July 24, 2016, drawing an enthusiastic, standing-room-only audience.

With F-&-F being performed infrequently, TSKS was created to provide a more flexible platform for sharing stories. It allows barbers and their clients to amplify their voices in a format akin to contemporary live storytelling series like The Moth, Mortified, The Stoop, and Snap Judgement.

The Short Kuts Show goes beyond mere storytelling; it celebrates and elevates the rich tapestry of voices and experiences within the Black community. From the West African griots and the narratives passed down through the centuries to the barbershop and beauty salon conversations, TSKS highlights the enduring significance of these spaces as repositories of our struggles, triumphs, and shared histories.