Ohio State Murders
Ohio State Murders is a play written by Adrienne Kennedy. The play was first published on January 14, 1991. Plot Ohio State Murders is a one-act play that revolves around racism, misogyny, and young adulthood. The play focuses on the life of Suzanne Alexander, a college student at Ohio State University from 1949 to 1950. As she goes back to her alma mater as a renowned Black author to speak, Suzanne addresses the reasons why she uses "violent" images in her works. This query gives Suzanne the platform to fully speak about her trauma experienced as a black woman at Ohio State University and the murder of her daughters Cathi and Carol by her professor, and father of her children, Robert Hampshire. Suzanne is faced with systemic racism through the education system and peers, sexism by her professor and police, and internalized racism from her family members and a powerful crafted portrayal of Alexander's isolation and glass ceiling at Ohio State in the 1950s is presented by Kennedy. Characters Suzanne Alexander — Writer and Ohio State University alumna Robert Hampshire — English professor at Ohio State University Iris Ann — Suzanne’s roommate at Ohio State David Alexander — Suzanne’s husband