BMP Festival Playbill 2022

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Black parenthood is often overlooked in our national and artistic conversations and represented without any nuance. That’s why this festival is so important.

The Black Motherhood and Parenting New Play Festival was established to tell stories focused on Black families.

GARLIA CORNELIA JONES FESTIVAL CO-FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE PRODUCER

Dominique Hana

Jonathan

Nataki

SEAT TABLE at the our

BLACK ARTISTIC DIRECTORS FROM AROUD THE COUNTRY ARE TAKING THEIR SEAT AT THE TABLE AND MAKING IMPACT IN THE THEATRE COMMUNITY.

THE NARRATIVE IS SHIFTING... is often overlooked in our national and artistic conversations and represented without any nuance. That’s why this festival is so important.

MEET THE LEADERS OF OUR PARTNER THEATERS.

The National Black Theatre (NBT) is a non-profit cultural and educational corporation, and community-based theatre company born out of the civil rights movement to tell the stories of black the atre that did not often have a home in mainstream theatre.

Detroit Public Theatre produces nationally recognized plays and programs with world-class writers, directors, actors, and designers in the heart of Midtown Detroit’s thriving cultural district. DPT creates bold, relevant work that illuminates the thrills, joys, and challenges of our shared human experience.

Founded in 1966, The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis is a fully professional theatrical operation belonging to the League of Resident Theatres, The League of St. Louis Theatres and is a constituent member of Theatre Communications Group, Inc., the national service organization for the not-for-profit professional theatre.

Often called the Broadway of the West Coast, the Oregon Shakespearean Festival (OSF) is one of the region's biggest attractions, boasting multiple Tony Awards and accolades. TIME named it as one of the top five regional theater companies in the country. February through November, Oregon Shakespearean Festival produces 11 world-class productions by classical and contemporary playwrights, crafted by some of the

Dominique Morisseau

Hana Sharif

Nataki Garrett

Jonathan McCory

SAHM is a fish out of water story in many ways and offers a unique perspective of Motherhood in a comedic way. It reveals the isolation that most stay-at-home moms feel, coupled with the desire to find, and connect with other moms that look like them.

motherhood, marriage, and business, all from the

I live in South Minneapolis with my husband, 11-month old son Dorian, and my feisty Frenchton “Scout”. In addition to acting in film, TV, and theatre, I have experience as a teaching artist and directed my first musical in 2021. Notable theatre company credits include: Guthrie Theatre, Children's Theatre Company, MN Fringe Festival, Indiana Repertory Theatre, ACT Theatre, Seattle Children's Theatre, and Seattle Shakespeare Company. TV credits include GRIMM and CHICAGO MED. In my spare time (when I have it!) I love taking walks around Lake Marguerite Hannah (Horizon Theatre Company-Atlanta, Georgia-Associate Artistic Producer) started her adventures in theatre and the arts 30+ years ago as an actor, now also a producer and director.As an actor, Marguerite has walked the boards of regional theatre across the country and made appearances on several network tv shows. In 2006, Marguerite joined Horizon Theatre’s adminis trative & artistic staff and completed her journey to becoming a multi-hyphenate arts professional. Currently Marguerite is producing a new initiative for Horizon Theatre she created, The New Georgia Woman Project: Black Women Speak. Black Women Speak combines an essential community engagement component utilizing an ongoing series of informal “Coffee Chats” with Black women in the Atlanta greater metro area and an artist cohort of eight Black female play wrights with a strong connection to the south commissioned to write stories centering Black women and the spirit of the women joining us for the BWS Com munity Coffee Chats. A proud member of Actors’ Equity Association, Marguerite is secretary of the board of the National New Play Network where she is co-chair of the Membership Committee and board member and Festival Committee Co-chair of the National Alliance for Musical Theatre. She is also a proud alumnus of Howard University.

Enoch King is an Atlanta native and is excited to be a part of this festival! He has been blessed with the opportunity to work with Horizon Theatre,Ga. Shake speare, Aurora Theatre, Theatrical Outfit, True Colors Theatre, Alliance Theate, Jewish Theater of the South, and Dad’s Garage. His movie credits include: UNCLE DREW, THE WATSON'S GO TO BIRMINGHAM, DRUMLINE, THE FIGHTING TEMPTATIONS, and MADEA’S FAMILY REUNION. T.V. credits include: KEVIN (PROBABLY) SAVES THE WORLD, TYLER PERRY’S HOUSE OF PAYNE, BET’S LET'S STAY TOGETHER, GA. LOTTERY, GOLDEN CORRAL, and ZAXBY’S commer cials. He can currently be seen in THE LAST DAYS OF PTOLEMY GREY on AppleT V+. Follow Enoch on IG @enochaking. #damancalledking

The National Black Theatre (NBT) is a non-profit cultural and educational corporation, and community-based theatre company born out of the civil rights movement to tell the stories of black theatre that did not often have a home in mainstream theatre.

Nia's parents, Kenneth and Beverly Carter, come over to babysit their grandson, Justin, while Nia and her new partner, Theresa, lead a parenting workshop downstairs. Kenneth and Beverly find Theresa has redecorated their grandson's bedroom, restricted his diet and imposed her notions of child rearing onto their daughter, even though

Off-Broadway: Sandblasted (Vineyard),The Cake (MTC), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Mobile Unit), Teenage Dick, Miss You Like Hell (The Public); The Treasurer, Bella: An American Tall Tale, A Life, Far from Heaven (Playwrights Horizons); Sex of the Baby (Access Theatre); Obama-ology (The Juilliard School). Regional: Airness (Humana); A Doll’s House (Huntington); Three Sisters (Playmaker’s Rep); Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill, Intimate Apparel (Dorset Theatre Festival); Fairfield (Cleveland Play House). TV: “New Amsterdam,” “High Maintenance,” “Madam Secretary,” “Gotham.” BFA: Howard University. MFA: NYU Graduate Acting Program.

Mister Fitzgerald, hailing from Baltimore, MD, is excited to be apart of the New Play Festival! He is recently coming off of his run in Exception To The Tule at Roundabout Theatre Company as Abdul. His other Off-Broadway credits include: Blue Man Group, On Sugarland (NYTW). Regional: Rent, The Wiz, Electra, Raisin in The Sun. He’s also preparing to play George in The Public Theatre’s upcoming reinvention of A Raisin In The Sun directed my Robert O’Hara. Film & TV: Boogie, 30 Weeks, “Power Book ll: Ghost,” “FBI,” “The Blacklist” and “Blue Bloods.” He thanks his friends and family for the endless love and support!

Michael Aaron Pogue (KENNETH), his delighted to particaite in the play THERESA in the BMP Fest. Chicago credits include: Father Comes Home from the Wars (Goodman Theatre); Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, Electra, Agamemnon, Tartuffe, The Misanthrope, Angels in America, and Spunk (Court Theatre); Carter’s Way, and Venus (Steppenwolf Theatre); The Recommendation, Becky Shaw, and Stick Fly (WindyCity Playhouse); Dutchman (American Blues Theater); Night and Day (Remy Bumppo); Romeo and Juliet (Teatro Vista); Hamlet and Two Gentlemen of Verona (Oak Park Festival). Regional credits include: The Mountaintop (Cardinal State) Television credits include: Somebody Somewhere (HBO MAX), Chicago Fire,

Sardia, is a writer, actress and producer. She is a leader in shifting the narrative for Jamai cans in Hollywood and working steadily to bring diverse, complex, genuine characters to television and film. She proudly graduated from Columbia College, Chicago, with a BA in theatre. She wrote and starred in her critically acclaimed, autobiographical, one-woman show, "From a Yardie to a Yankee" with the screenplay currently in pre production.

A minister of Earthseed, a Dorothy Dandrige devotee, and RPG obsessed (currently playing: The Witcher III: Wild Hunt.) Shayvawn was last seen in For All the Women Who Thought They Were Mad at Soho Rep. She also previously co-starred in the world premiere production of The Gods of Comedy at The McCarter Theatre Center and The Old Globe. You can catch Shayvawn Thursday nights on NBC’s reboot of Law & Order. Her past screen credits include: Flying Lessons (Indie), Happiness For Beginners (Netflix), F.B.I. (CBS), and Devs (Hulu). Shay vawn is a proud alumnus of NYU’s Graduate Acting Program. 2017MFU2.

Often called the Broadway of the West Coast, the Oregon Shakespearean Festival (OSF) is one of the region's biggest attractions, boasting multiple Tony Awards and accolades. TIME named it as one of the top five regional theater companies in the country. February through November, Oregon Shakespearean Festival produces 11 world-class productions by classical and contemporary playwrights, crafted by some of the biggest talents in theater today.

Marinda Anderson

Mister Fitzgerald

Micahel

Aaron

Pogue

Sardia Robinson

Shayvan Webster

Set in the 1980s, we start with Gwendolyn, a black woman, age 33, who moves to Paris with her boyfriend, James to further their careers in visual arts. Gwendolyn is mother to Danielle, her 14-year-old daughter (product of a teen pregnancy) whom has been raised by various family members over the years. With dreams of Jose phine Baker and Charlie Parker, Gwendolyn and James had hoped that Europe would greet them with open arms and they would be celebrated for the artists they couldn’t be in America.

After months of odd jobs, being paid under the table as ironically a nanny for Gwendolyn–she discovers that she is Gwendolyn has to decide if the life she’s been avoiding as

Christian Graduated from The American Musical Dramatic Academy. He is extremely happy to be working on this production.

Mari Andrea Travis is dance and theatre performer, director, choreographer, and community curator from Baltimore, MD. She has performed with Baltimore company's Kuumba Collective, and Cohesion Theatre. She was last seen in Soul: The Stax Musical at Baltimore Center Stage. Select directing credits include In the Blood (Fells Point Corner Theater); King Lear and Julius Caesar (Fools and Madmen). She has assistant-directed several productions at Baltimore Center Stage and Studio Theatre. Select choreography credits include Twelfth NightBaltimore Center Stage; The Wiz, Black Nativity, Miss Ever’s Boys - Morgan State University; Ain’t Misbehavin’ - Spotlighter’s Theatre. Mari Andrea has a BA in theatre arts from Morgan State University and an MFA in dance from The University of the Arts.

Founded in 1966, The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis is a fully professional theatrical operation belonging to the League of Resident Theatres, The League of St. Louis Theatres and is a constituent member of Theatre Communications Group, Inc., the national service organization for the not-for-profit professional theatre.

Christian Kitchens

Mari Travis

Joe is content living with his plants, listening to jazz NY’EA REYNOLDS KEENYA JACKSON

"Born and Bred in Chicago, Ti Nicole Danridge is an actress,teaching artist, and filmmaker. Recent credits include The Watsons Go to Birmingham (Chicago Children's Theatre); Mother of the Dark Water (MPAACT); Breath, Boom (Eclipse Theatre); Paradise Blue (Timeline Theatre); A Song for Coretta (Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre); Sounds so Sweet (Black Ensemble The atre); What I Learned in Paris ( u/s Congo Square Theatre); Fool Me Twice: Deja Vu ( u/s The Second City). TV/Film credits include: NBC’s Chicago PD, 701 Studio's His Insecurities, Oppor tuniTi Productions' web-series, Blackboard Jungle, Cadence: A Love Story and her directorial debut PLOW.”

Ameer Dunn (RJ) is nothing short of elated to be working with Blackboard Plays and the Parent Artist Advocacy League. They're reprising the role of RJ from a previous iteration of Botanicals. This performance will be their post college professional debut.

Donn Carl Harper is a veteran actor. He has appeared in several feature films such as "Monkey Hustle", " Soul Food" "Bad Boys", "Ali", "Mimic 2" Southside with you" and "Vacant Lot". Donn's television credits include NBC's Emmy wining "Fast Break to Glory" and recurring roles in NBC'S "Chicago Story" "City Guys" "Chicago PD" "Chicago Med' and ABC'S "The American Dream", " "Happy Endings" "Brewsters Place" and Nickelodeon's "The Haunted Hathaway's the Soaps ABC's "General Hospital" and NBC'S "Passions" and several national commercials. Donn has performed as numerous, memorable theatrical characters at Zebra Crossing, Steppenwolf Theater, Black Ensemble Theater, ETA Creative

Mary Anitha Parris is a Brooklyn, NY native and a graduate of The American Musical and Dramatic Academy, Touro College, and Syracuse University where she holds degrees in Musical Theatre and Psychology and a Master of Science in Communications/Public Rela tions. Credits: (Theatre) All God's Saints Go To Heaven-Not, The Amen Corner, Love Hap pened By Chance, Our Lady of 121st Street, Dear Mr. Rosen, Black Latina; (National Tour) Wizard of Oz; (Film) Black Dog, Red Dog, Blue Caprice, Cuffin', Erroneous Convictions, Full Circle, The Challenger; (TV) The Americans, Mansions and Murders, The Drew Barrymore Show, The Rachel Ray Show.

Detroit Public Theatre produces nationally recognized plays and programs with world-class writers, directors, actors, and designers in the heart of Midtown Detroit’s thriving cultural district. DPT creates bold, relevant work that illuminates the thrills, joys, and challenges of our shared human experience.

Ti Nicole Danridge

Ameer Dunn

Donn Harper

Mary Anitha Parris

STAFF & CREATIVE TEAM

Garlia is a writer, producer, photographer and mother from Detroit, MI. In 2008, Garlia founded Blackboard Plays, a monthly series devoted to Black Playwrights. She is one of the founding producers of Harlem9, OBIE Award winners for, “48Hours in…™Harlem”. Her Essays and articles have appeared in "The New York Times", "The Washington Post”, "Salon.com" and “American Theatre”. Her work as a playwrights has been supported by the cell, The Fire This Time Festival and #24viralmonologues. She was a guest artist at Wayne State University 2020-2021. She worked on an MA in African American and African Diaspora studies at Indiana University before coming to New York for her MFA in Playwrighting which she earned at The New School for Drama. Garlia is a member of the Dramatists Guild of America and the Producing Director of PAAL, where she also received one of their first childcare grants in 2019. Finally, Garlia was a Line Producer at The Public Theater (“Socrates”, “Much Ado About Nothing”, (filmed for Great Performances on PBS), “Mojada”, “for colored girls who have considered suicide when the rainbow is enough, “Coal Country”, “The Visitor”). She was also the Line Producer for Mobile Unit’s Summer of Joy, Shakespeare: Call and Response - August 2021. Garlia was the Co-Cre ative Producer of #ToBeBlack, released on Juneteenth 2020 and Co-Pro ducer of “Forward Together” a Virtual event, in support of The Public. During the Fall of 2020, Garlia was the co-developer and Curator of the #Saytheirnames projection installation. In April 2022, Garlia was promot ed to the first ever Director of Innovation and New Media at The Public. Garlia is the Creative Producer for the Obsidian Theatre Festival in Detroit, MI. Finally, she is the Executive Producer of the Black Motherhood and Parenting New Play Festival (#BMPFest), a festival focused on the stories of Black families from Black Black artists with families. #BMPFest is now in its 2nd year! www.garliacornelia.com

Amber D. Gray is a theatre Producer, Director, Performer, Choreographer and Administrator. She received a BFA in Musical Theater at Rockford University. Her first major performances began at a very young age performing all over Houston and surrounding areas including the Opening of the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, Superbowl XXXVIII Pre-game show with Josh Groban, for previous Presidents and much more. During college and after graduation Amber performed in the Chicago area receiving her Equity Membership Candidacy. Amber then returned home to Houston and began directing, choreographing, teaching Musical Theatre and later becoming a Dance Studio Director. Amber’s career then led her to Washington DC where she was the Company Manager at Arena Stage Theater. Following DC, Amber then found herself in New York City as the Assistant Line Producer at The Public Theater. She has now returned to Houston Assistant Directing (Alley Theatre’s High School Play, A Nostalgia Fest and upcoming, A Christmas Carol; Stages Repertory Theatre: upcoming, cullud wattah) and recently performed in Stages Repertory Theatre’s Putnam County Spelling Bee as Marcy. She is currently the Associate Artistic Director for New York’s Reading Series BlackBoard Plays, General Manager for Detroit’s Obsidian Theatre Festi val and the Senior Producer for Detroit’s GhostLight Productions, Inc. For more information about Amber, please visit her website at www.am berdgray.com.

Blackboard Founder & PAAL Producing Director

Artistic Producer/General Manager

STAFF & CREATIVE TEAM

John Sloan III is a Detroit based arts professional and community orga nizer. After studying musical theatre at The University of Michigan, Sloan spent over fourteen years working in New York, LA, several regional theatres, and on the national tour of Disney’s The Lion King. He is the Founding CEO/Artistic Director of GhostLight Productions, and Producing Artistic Director of The Obsidian Theatre Festival, and the Film Producer for the Black Motherhood and Parenting New Play Festival. Sloan is a Composer and Lyricist whose most recent credits include Hastings Street and #24viralmonologues. He currently serves as lead organizer for Black Lives Matter Detroit, and is the Director of Operations for The Detroit

Frankie + Feleceia Wilson are a Dallas- based couple passionate about family, business, the arts and community.

They currently serve as co-principals of the Zoe Communications Agency, an award winning strategic communications firm named for their daughter born with Down syndrome, Zoe. She's the basis of their approach toward marketing - understanding how people communicate before we engage.

With five degrees between the pair of them, Frankie and Feleceia are award-winning millennial digital natives with over 30 years of combined experience in the strategic communications space. Frankie is currently working on adding the family's sixth degree - a Ph.D. in psychology and applied behavior analysis.

The couple live in Downtown Dallas with Zoe and their newest addition, Ellington, born fall of 2021.

zoecreates.com

Brianna Pippens is a Visual and Performing Artist based in Washington, DC. Artistically known as Banana Peppers, she creates illustrations, paint ings, drawings, animations, and cut out work that focuses on race, nostal gia, and the nuances of black identity and experiences. She is a self-taught visual artist that began sharing her visual artwork in 2010. As a trained singer and dancer, Brianna has been able to tap into those modes of expression to influence her art style and dedication to honing her craft. Brianna has displayed her art at pop-up events and in local galleries in the DMV area as well as provided visuals for many small and large organi zations. She creates from the heart and aims to share artwork that

Communications Team

DEC 1, 2022