‘Some Sort of Saint’ is A Redemptive Story That Offers Hope

Dr. Mica Battle, along with actress Rita Wicks, who portrayed a version of Battle in the play “Some Sort of Saint,” which was inspired by Battle’s life. PHOTO BY TRIG, PROVIDED BY ERMINA VELJACIC.
Dr. Mica Battle, along with actress Rita Wicks, who portrayed a version of Battle in the play “Some Sort of Saint,” which was inspired by Battle’s life. PHOTO BY TRIG, PROVIDED BY ERMINA VELJACIC.

‘Some Sort of Saint’ is A Redemptive Story That Offers Hope

By Tia Carol Jones

A locally-produced play explores the life of a young woman in Chicago during the 1980’s. While it tells the story of addiction and violence, with an intersection of a Chicago drug empire, it also has a message of hope, healing and redemption.

“Some Sort of Saint” opened earlier this month and sold out its run at the Definition Theatre in Hyde Park. The play, written by Linda Bright Clay and James Crumb, directed by TaRon Patton, and produced by Bridge to Freedom and GLP Productions, is inspired by the life of Dr. Mica Battle. Battle is the founder of Bridge to Freedom, a nonprofit organization that helps returning citizens with job skills, life skills and housing.

Bright Clay has been an actor, writer and director in the Chicago theatre scene. Bright Clay said that the play shows the story arc and the journey of Battle’s life. Crumb and Battle were friends and colleagues and believed that Battle’s story was one that should be on stage. Crumb was encouraged to employ a Black woman to help tell Battle’s story for the play. Bright Clay was recommended to Crumb.

“Once I came on board and we began the interview process, I was literally sometimes blown away by all of the elements that comprise who she is and where she’s been. What’s so compelling about it is the Chicago part of the story, the gang part of the story, the crime … It’s a story of her compassion, her determination, her perseverance and the self-sacrifice that some people don’t understand,” Bright Clay said.

Battle was raised on the South side of Chicago. She graduated from Kenwood Academy High School in 1973. She married into the Flukey Stokes’ family, sold drugs and used drugs. She went to prison and was released in 2002. While in prison, she was saved.

“The Lord just began to do things with me. One of the things He did was he sent me back to school,” Battle said. She has a Bachelor’s Degree and a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice, as well as a Doctorate in Organizational Management and Leadership.

Battle founded The Bridge to Freedom in 2009 because she felt it was something that was needed for returning citizens. One of the main components of the work Bridge to Freedom does is to help returning citizens find housing. Battle said having good housing can keep a returning citizen from going back to jail or prison, or returning to the crime that was the reason why they were arrested. Bridge to Freedom is set to open a coffee shop in Woodlawn called Chicago Soul, which will be owned and operated by those who have been justice impacted. The organization also has a black box theater in Bridgeport.

“Theatre is a good way to heal for men and women. I know telling my story to them was a healing process. Because sometimes it’s like an out of body experience, especially when you’ve been transformed so, you almost forgot that person is you, yet that person is still inside of you,” Battle said.

Bright Clay said she was happy to be part of co-writing the play. Watching the play and reliving those moments was hard for Battle, but having her story turned into a play is hopeful. She hopes that others who have been through what she has been through can have hope. She said the play offers so much hope. There has been an invitation by the Cook County Jail to perform the play there. Battle said she is excited to have the women in prison see the play.

Bright Clay said she hopes people take away from the play that no matter how lost people feel, they can be redeemed. She added there is also a message of faith. She said even though it is a unique story of Battle’s life, everyone can relate to it.

“There’s a universality that exists and it speaks to God’s goodness. the blood of Christ, and that’s where your redemption lies,” Bright Clay said.

Battle added that what she wants people the take away from the play is that God cares. She also wants family members to have empathy and not to give up on their family members. Her family is so proud of her now and everything that she is doing with her organization.

For more information about Bridge to Freedom and “Some Sort of Saint, visit bridge2freedom.org/play.

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