[Austin, TX]  The VORTEX is thrilled to present a fresh new version of one of Le Monde’s Top 100 Books of the 20th Century, The Trial by Franz Kafka. Adapted and directed by award-winning theatre artist Charles P. Stites, The Trial: A Funhouse Mirror Reflection of Race in America embraces the absurd intricacies of being Black in America. 

One of Franz Kafka’s best-known works, The Trial tells the story of Josef K., a man arrested and prosecuted by an inaccessible authority for an unknown crime. Written in 1914-15 in Germany as World War I began, The Trial is considered a cornerstone of absurdist literature. Charles P. Stites has adapted the novel, bringing the story to life on stage for new generations. As part of the development of this new play, The VORTEX hosted a successful reading in 2025.

Like most theatre, this play will captivate the audience with humor, tension, and tragedy. In the current political environment, with masked agents swooping in to arrest people on the streets with no clear crime; in this era of the deliberate erosion of voting rights with the intentional dilution of Black voices; in this time when dissent is silenced by force – the plight of Josef K. is far more than entertainment. His fall is a warped reflection of the reality marginalized people face in the current iteration of oppression. Our goals are to engage audiences in thought, discourse, and action around issues of inequity and persecution in present-day America, and to bring audiences from around the state into our cultural district. 

The award-winning cast stars Marc A. Pouhé as Joseph K. The cast also includes Florinda Bryant, Christopher Michael Brown, Rick Felkins, Bryan Headrick, Zac Carr, Milaka Falk, Kevin Gates, Rosalind Gates, Laura D’Eramo, and Charles P. Stites. 

Written and directed by Charles P. Stites. The award-winning design team include Chad Salvata (Sound Design and Original Music) Ann Marie Gordon (Scenic Design), Amy Lewis (Lighting Design), Keelan Moses (Costume Design), Ivy Vidal (Hair/makeup Design), Bonnie Cullum, Producing Artistic Director. Katie Hamilton, Production Manager. Tamara L. Farley, Stage Manager. Jaimee Harmon-Taboni, Assistant Director. Morgan Smithwick, Dramaturgy. 

January 14-February 6, 2027

Thurs-Sat 8 pm Sun 6 pm

The Eloise Brooks Cullum Stage @The VORTEX 

2307 Manor Rd. Austin, TX 78722

Tickets: $39/$29/$15 General Admission

LIMITED SEATING

$39 Benefactor

$29 Enthusiast

$15 Discount/Child/Artist/Student/Senior

$9.99 Live Stream 

www.vortexrep.org  or 512-478-5282

Advance Reservations Recommended.  Limited seating.

Blue Star Theatre: Discounts for Military, Veterans, and their families.

Radical Rush Free Tickets: Limited free tickets for each performance in the spirit of sustainability, accessibility, and the gift economy. Radical Rush tickets released one hour in advance-in-person only.

ASL-interpreted Saturday, January 16, 2027- 8 pm

Live-Streamed -January 21, 2027 8 pm CT

“Industry night” Wednesday, February 3, 2026 8 pm–2-for-1 on Wednesday with donation of 2 cans of food for SAFE

Six Square-Austin’s Black Cultural District.

Bus route. Bike Racks. Limited Free Parking. 

The Butterfly Bar@The VORTEX and Patrizi’s The VORTEX open daily at 5pm: hand-crafted cocktails, mocktails, wine, beer, and elicious homemade Italian food.