On May 11, 2015, Mark Clayton Southers was seriously injured in a car accident. Over the next year he wrote ninety-nine essays documenting his recovery. Read Mark’s original introduction to the Ninety-Nine Chronicles below.
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic that has theatres closed nationwide, Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre Company has established an Artist Assistance Fund to distribute donations to our family of artists who have worked with Playwrights and are facing new needs. The fund distributed its second round of grants in July 2020, and will resume taking applications this winter.
In support of this mission, we have asked ninety-nine actors and friends of PPTCO to each read one of the chronicles, and will post them below. The videos are free, but we ask for your contribution to support actors in need through our Artist Assistance Fund. PPTCO is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and donations are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
Donate to PPTCO’s Artist Assistance Fund
Welcome to the Ninety-Nine Chronicles – Mark Clayton Southers.
April 4, 2020. Mark Clayton Southers explains Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre Company’s Artist Assistance Fund, and the Ninety-Nine Chronicles video project.
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Chronicle #8: I’m a Rag Doll. Read by Eugene Lee.
Posted Late June 2015 by Mark Clayton Southers.
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Chronicle #11: Moving Day. Read by Rita Gregory.
Posted July 16 2015 by Mark Clayton Southers.
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Chronicle #31: Here we go Vertigo! Read by Boykin Anthony.
Posted January 20 2016 by Mark Clayton Southers.
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Chronicle #7: Mike & Ike’s. Read by Jonathan Berry.
Posted September 21 2015 by Mark Clayton Southers.
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Chronicles #25: Hank II. Read by Bryant Bently.
By Mark Clayton Southers.
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Chronicle #48: Willie’s Boy in Da Burg. Read by Carter Redwood.
Posted December 3 2015 by Mark Clayton Southers.
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Chronicle #76 : Dog Shit. Read by Mel Packer.
Posted March 30 2016 by Mark Clayton Southers.
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Chronicle #10: “Preach! Oh Mama Preach!”. Read by Kim El.
Posted July 22 2015 by Mark Clayton Southers.
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Chronicle #33: The Body Poetic. Read by Terrance Hayes.
Posted January 30 2016 by Mark Clayton Southers.
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Chronicle #62: The Underground. Read by Tony Bingham.
Posted February 13 2016 by Mark Clayton Southers.
The third of nine Dark Chronicles: experiences while unconscious immediately after the accident.
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Chronicle #6: Crying. Read by Monteze Freeland.
Posted July 19 2015 by Mark Clayton Southers (written in June).
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Chronicle #62: The Underground. Read by Wali Jamal.
Posted February 13 2016 by Mark Clayton Southers.
The third of nine Dark Chronicles: experiences while unconscious immediately after the accident.
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Chronicle #17: Anxiety, Part 1. Read by LeLand Gantt.
Posted August 7 2015 by Mark Clayton Southers.
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Chronicle #61: The Revolving Rooms. Read by Tami Dixon.
Posted February 13 2016 by Mark Clayton Southers.
The second of nine Dark Chronicles: experiences while unconscious immediately after the accident.
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Chronicle #47: I Almost Died. Read by Cyril Wecht.
Posted October 27 2015 by Mark Clayton Southers.
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Chronicle #19: Fear of the Black Man. Read by Ben Cain.
Posted October 1 2015 by Mark Clayton Southers.
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Chronicle #22: L. B. P.. Read by Ray Werner.
Posted August 17 2015 by Mark Clayton Southers.
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Chronicle #69: Magical Hands. Read by Rico Parker.
Posted May 26, 2016 by Mark Clayton Southers.
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Chronicle #34: Faith. Read by Charles Timbers.
Posted August 30, 2015 by Mark Clayton Southers.
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Chronicle #4: Prayer for my Leg. Read by Will Williams.
Posted July 29, 2015 by Mark Clayton Southers.
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Chronicle #20: Pills, pills, pills! Read by David Conrad.
Posted September 6, 2015 by Mark Clayton Southers.
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Original Introduction to the Collected Chronicles, November 2015
Hello and welcome to The Chronicles.
This page holds the collection of my total Chronicles. Let me say this. I’m an artist. This page is dedicated to my journals as I recover and heal from my auto accident. These chronicles listed here include edgy ones which were not posted on Facebook due to their raw and frank nature. As I said earlier, I’m an artist.
That being said, I want to share with folks my honest and frank stories about the reality of recovery, and the things that I witness, from a first-hand account. Some folks may feel uncomfortable reading some of these. But the reason why I’m able to express myself in such an engaging way is because of my bold attempt to be truthful in my recollections.
A few people have voiced to me their disdain about some of these chronicles, some without even reading them thoroughly. Hey, I’m well aware that I’m not going to please everyone, but the truth of the matter is, I’m not out to please anyone. These chronicles have personally been very therapeutic for me.
I should mention however that I’ve also been told from friends and strangers via Facebook replies, in boxed messages, text, emails, phone calls and in person that they have been inspired, uplifted and freed of guilt about expressing themselves. So I invite you to join me as I continue my journey through LIFE.
I must say that some of my chronicles can be considered rated R. But I think that they are tactful in my approach to tell a truthful story.
Thank you for joining me here. Enjoy your read.
Mark Clayton Southers