“A Raisin in the Sun”

Cincinnati Black Theatre Company presents

A Raisin In The Sun a Tony Award Wining Play

by Lorraine Hansberry Presented by Cincinnati Black Theatre Company Artsville Theater 10

A Raisin In The Sun a Tony Award Wining Play by Lorraine Hansberry Debut on Broadway on March 11, 1959.

A Raisin in the Sun Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun showcases a family’s struggle and transcends race and class divides. Set on the south side of Chicago in the 1950s, the play offers a poignant look back on how the times have or have not changed. Race relations are a hot topic in today’s society, and the interactions between the black Younger family and the white Karl Lindner reflect the biases that still occur, such as institutionalized racism wrapped in the guise of good intentions and ignorance. The Younger family shows the strength of their dynamic living situation even in the face of insurmountable opposition from white families.

Image credit, TCM, Scene from play, Ruby Dee as Ruth, Claudia McNeil as Lena, Diana Sands as Beneatha and Sidney Poitier as Walter .

Image credit , Wikipedia, Scene from the play. Ruby Dee as Ruth, Claudia McNeil as Lena, Glynn Turman as Travis, Sidney Poitier as Walter, and John Fiedler as Karl Lindner.

The original production starred Hollywood leading man Sidney Poitier, Ruby Dee, Claudia McNeil, Diana Sands, Louis Gossett, Ivan Dixon, Lonne Elder III, John Fiedler, Glynn Turman and Ed Hall. A timeless classic has revisited the stage and screen through countless variations over the past years.

Special Thanks We appreciate the support of our board, many sponsors, supporters, members, volunteers, patrons and all friends of CBTC! We could not do it without your help! * We thank the staff and crew of The Artsville Theater Jim and Cathy Garrison * We would like to say a special Thank You, to the cast, crew, all our families and friends for all the time, hard work, and support you have contributed to this production! * From the Executive Director, Don Sherman I would like to thank my family for their love and continued support!

Inside CBTC

Theatrical Arts Programming Series

Imagine That! Summer Performing Arts Camp

CBTC’s You Gotta Move Arts In Health Miss Black Teen Cincinnati Pageant

The mission of the Cincinnati Black Theatre Company (CBTC) is to Keep Alive the Spirit of African–American Theatre by offering top-notch theatrical productions, performance an employment opportunities, children’s theatre, educational programs and community outreach in all aspects of theatre arts. CBTC is committed to increasing literacy, promoting diversity and multiculturalism, pursuing community outreach, collaborations, and providing access to the arts.

CBTC promotes and preserves the culture of African Americans through theatre and theatre arts education, and ensures greater artistic performances, participation and appreciation for the arts within the African American community, as well as within Greater Cincinnati’s general public. We are composed of instructors, performers, crew, staff, members, and volunteers who are degreed, highly trained, and experienced professionals in Black Theatre, performing arts, education, creative and technical theatre, literature, arts administration, and community service.

CBTC has received acknowledgments of success that prove our influence and effectiveness in the community through recognition and achievements, such as receiving the Learning through Art 2006 Heart for the Arts Award, the Cincinnati Enquirer Acclaim Award for Daniel Beaty’s Emergence-See, and Cincinnati Entertainment Awards nominations for Ain’t Misbehavin for Best Ensemble Acting Performance and Best Community Theater Production. CBTC was honored by the 2007 Success Guide Community Arts Recognition and the 2009 Joyce Shariff Foundation Recognition for our contributions in arts and education and to underserved children and recognition as supporter and co-producer of the Miss Teen Cincinnati Pageant.

Cincinnati Black Theatre Company Staff Don Sherman - Director Valerie B. Williams—Company Manager Pam Evans—Front House Coordinator Mincel Peele—Office Manager Kevin Hammonds—Maintenance

Cincinnati Black Theatre Company, 513-241-6060, cincyblacktheatre@gmail.com www.cincinnatiblacktheatre.org

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A Raisin In The Sun Cast Walter Younger

Jeffrey Jermaine Jackson

Beneatha Younger

Nicole Stubbs Kashia –Ellis Taylor (understudy)

Mama Lena Younger

Regina Poole

Ruth Younger

Brittany Mayti

Joseph Asagi

Michael Lee Young Jr.

Travis Younger

Ean Evans

George Murchison

Michael Lee Young Jr

Mrs. Johnson

Marva Hammonds

Bobo

Tony Harper

Mr. Lindner

Brian Richardson

Production Team Don Sherman

Director

Jackie Jackson

Assistant to the Director/Stage Manager

Jacqueline Johnson

Production Team

Linda Sherman

Marketing & Promotions

Kathryn Macon

Marketing

Brittany Mayti

Marketing

Kevin Hammonds

Props/Costume

Michael Gaynor

Light Design/Operator

Avery Hammonds

Set Design

Stephen Hunter

Sound Operator

Paula Sherman

Front of the House

Pam Evans

Lead Front of the House

Valerie Williams

Front of the House

A Raisin In The Sun Scenes The action of the play is set In Chicago’s Southside, sometime between World War II and the present.

Act 1 Scene One: Friday Morning.

Scene Two: The following morning.

Act II Scene One: Later, the same day. “ Intermission” Scene Two: Friday night, A few weeks later.

Scene Three: Moving day, One week later.

Act III An Hour later

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A RAISIN IN THE SUN Cast Ean Evans (Travis Younger)

Ean began his performing by singing with the church choir at age 3, Ean found performance arts both challenging and rewarding. After enjoying shows such as Disney’s The Lion King, Ean felt he’d like to transition from spectator to performer. Over the last few years, he’s had leading roles and supporting cast roles in various musical productions and has begun learning to play musical instruments. When not rehearsing for a production, Ean delves more into performing arts training to hone the craft.

Outside of performing, he loves traveling with his family, and participates in a variety of sports, including flag football and martial arts. Ean also volunteers his time to help disadvantaged youth by helping to escape food insecurities and improve literacy rates.

Marva Hammonds (Mrs. Johnson)

Marva has been an aspiring actress with Cincinnati Black Theatre Company since 2009.

Marva enjoys being on stage through acting and bringing the character to life. Her credits include CBTC’s Black Nativity 2009-2011, A Tribute to Motown 2010, For Colored Girls Who Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf 2010. Marva has performed in plays at the Aronoff center such as Troubles Don’t Last Always 2004, Lord I Need A Change 2005, and Glory of the Resurrection 2006. Recent artistic credits included Bffrey Production in Holiness or Hell 2019 as Dr. Shelia Marcus, Even If It Kills Me as Repo 2021, and CBTC’s Having Our Say 2021 as Bessie Delaney.

Tony Harper (BoBo) Anthony Harper has been acting for two years. He has done commercials for Krogers.

He was in the movie entitled "All or Nothing" and performed in the Cincinnati Black Theater Company's version of the "Black Nativity." ,”Mr Rickey Calls a Meeting “He enjoys acting as a hobby. He blessed to be a part of a master piece “A Raisin in the Sun.

Brian Richardson (Karl Lindner) Brian is delighted to be back on stage reprising his role as Karl Lindner for CBTC under the wonderful direction of Don Sherman. He was last seen with CBTC in ANNE & EMMETT where he played Anne’s father and one of Emmett’s killers. Brian has also been seen with the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra at Music Hall in their Concert Version of RAGTIME, starring Broadway and Cincinnati’s own Alton Fitzgerald White. Some of Brian’s other favorite performances were in HOT CHOCOLATES; THE SECRET GARDEN; TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD; HMS PINAFORE; LOVE SEX & THE IRS; and most importantly as PawPaw to 3 wonderful grandchildren: Cole, Kyson and Khloe-Rae. Brian thanks his amazing wife, Helen, for supporting him so he gets to play on “the boards”!

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A RAISIN IN THE SUN Cast

A RAISIN IN THE SUN Cast

Jeffery Jermaine Jackson (Walter Younger)

Regina (Blanchard) Poole ( Lena Younger)

Jeffery is thrilled to be working with CBTC once again! Jeffery is coming directly from THE LOCKED DOOR (Benjamin Marshall). Jeffery's regional theater credits include: BRIDGERTON: THE TOUR (Viscount Darcy Davenport), ANNE & EMMETT (Emmett), PURPLE PAINT(Lewis Grissom), EVE IN PARADISE (Adam Hughes), MR.RICKEY CALLS A MEETING (Jackie Robinson), DREAMGIRLS (Marty) ,JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR (Apostle), TRIBUTE TO MOTOWN (Berry Gordy), THE COLOR PURPLE (Grady), CHECKMATES (Sylvester), IS GOD TRYING TO TELL YOU SOMETHING? (Deacon Brooks), THE LARAMIE PROJECT (Moises Kaufman), and A CHORUS LINE (Butch). Jeffery has been in numerous movies that have been filmed here in Cincinnati including MILES AHEAD (Starring Don Cheadle), GIRL FROM COMPTON (Lifetime Original Movie), Point Blank(Netflix), Ted Bundy(Netflix) and most recently SHIRLEY ( Starring Regina King)." Jeff dedicates this show to the SAG-AFTRA Unions- stay strong !

Nicole Stubbs (Beneatha Younger) After years in healthcare and the military, Nicole is overjoyed to make her theater acting debut as Beneatha in this production of A Raisin in the Sun. Her acting resume includes a number of short films and commercials. One of her most recent projects is In the Gray, which has made rounds at the Catalina Film Festival and New FilmMakers Los Angeles Film Festival. Nicole has trained in acting throughout the United States including The BGB studio, Margie Haber Acting Studio and Michelle Danner Studios in Los Angeles, EEB Studios based out of Atlanta, Acting out Academy in Birmingham, Cincinnati Actor’s Studio in Cincinnati and Black Box Improv in Dayton. When she is not acting, Nicole works as an ER nurse and spends time with her Air Force husband and their two wonderful kids. She also enjoys working out and eating delicious food.

Regina is a native of Cincinnati, Ohio. She attended Walnut Hills High School before attending college where she studied Biology, African American Literature, and Ultrasound Technology. Regina discovered her love for theater later in life. Her very first formal stage debut was as “Sis. Margaret” in James Baldwin’s “The Amen Corner” (Directed by Jackie Jackson – Cincinnati Black Theatre Company). Over the past 20 years Regina has been with the Cincinnati Black Theater Company and has had the privilege in being a part of “Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters First 100 years”, “Shaking The Mess Out of Misery”, “The Black Nativity”, “Kitchen Committee”, and “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf”. After being away from the stage since 2018 (Colored Girls), Regina is excited to return to the stage as “Lena Younger”. Regina notes that every since she got involved in theater she has wanted to do “A Raisin In The Sun”. She is glad to share the stage with what has become her extended family. Regina dedicates this performance to her 90+ year old Grandmother, Bernice Lockett. Regina is the oldest Grandchild, and vividly remembers her grandmother becoming a widow before she was 45.Regina has been married to her FAVORITE SuperHero for 25 years, Terrence Poole, Sr., and they are the proud parents of 3 of the most amazing children. She thanks them for their love and support. Regina would also like to thank the Cincinnati Black Theatre Company for trusting her to bring “Lena Younger” to life. Regina would like to shout out Sandra Wright and Jackie Jackson for pushing her to her passion.

Brittany Mayti (Ruth Younger) Brittany is a Cleveland, Ohio native that has extensive experience and training in marketing, in addition to working both in front of and behind the camera in the entertainment field, having both award-winning produced films and best actress nominations. After graduating from Kent State University with a degree in Marketing, Brittany followed her passion for acting and found dual success in both entertainment and marketing. She later received her MBA in Marketing. Brittany Mayti recently completed Yale University’s Summer Conservatory for Actors, and is currently enrolled in Juilliard’s extension program for Actors this fall.

Michael Young Jr ( Joseph Asagai & George Murchison)

Mike is an amazing young actor who loves to perform and likes to be seen. Mike is making his debut with CBTC’s A Raisin In The Sun. Mike has performed in several plays, musicals and films as both an actor and as an extras. Mike enjoys acting for a living and takes it very seriously. He also takes pride, time and effort to play any kind of character.

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