robey theatre no place to be somebody program … · 2016. 5. 31. · time:!1969!...

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Page 1: ROBEY THEATRE NO PLACE TO BE SOMEBODY PROGRAM … · 2016. 5. 31. · Time:!1969! APlayinThree!Acts!! There!is!one!15Hminute!intermission! ACTONE! Scene1! PLACE:!New"York"City.! SETTING:!Johnny’s"Bar.!

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Page 2: ROBEY THEATRE NO PLACE TO BE SOMEBODY PROGRAM … · 2016. 5. 31. · Time:!1969! APlayinThree!Acts!! There!is!one!15Hminute!intermission! ACTONE! Scene1! PLACE:!New"York"City.! SETTING:!Johnny’s"Bar.!

CAST  (in  alphabetical  order)  

   Dee  Jacobson/Ellen………………………………………………………..Allison  Blaize  

Gabe  Gabriel………………………………………………………..…………..Leith  Burke*  

Machine  Dog…………………………………...…………………………………Ray  Dennis  

Sweets  Crane…………………………………………………………Hawthorne  James  

Melvin  Smeltz………………………………………………………………...Matt  Jennings  

Evie  Ames………………………………………………………..………...Saadiqa-­‐Kamille  

Shanty  Mulligan…………………………………………………………Ben  Landmesser  

Mary  Lou  Bolton…….……………………………………………..Meghan  Renee  Lang  

Mike  Maffucci…………………………………………………..…….Gianluca  Malacrino  

Sergeant  Cappaletti……………………………………………….Monty  Montgomery  

Judge  Bolton…………………………………………………………………Darrell  Philip  

Cora  Beasley  …………………………………………...……………………..  Kacie  Rogers  

Johnny  Williams………………………………………………………Sammie  Wayne  IV  

     

*  Actors  appear  courtesy  of  Actors  Equity  Association  

               

Page 3: ROBEY THEATRE NO PLACE TO BE SOMEBODY PROGRAM … · 2016. 5. 31. · Time:!1969! APlayinThree!Acts!! There!is!one!15Hminute!intermission! ACTONE! Scene1! PLACE:!New"York"City.! SETTING:!Johnny’s"Bar.!

 Time:  1969  

 A  Play  in  Three  Acts  

 There  is  one  15-­‐minute  intermission  

ACT  ONE  Scene  1  

PLACE:  New  York  City.  SETTING:  Johnny’s  Bar.  

 Scene  2  

TIME:  A  week  later.    

Scene  3  TIME:  Three  weeks  later.  Late  morning.  

   

ACT  TWO  Scene  1  

TIME:  Two  days  later.    

Scene  2  TIME:  Two  weeks  later.  Afternoon.  

 Scene  3  

TIME:  A  day  later.  Late  afternoon.      

ACT  THREE  Scene  1  

TIME:  Two  weeks  later.    

Scene  2  TIME:  Three  days  later.  Afternoon.  

 Scene  3  

TIME:  A  day  later.  Afternoon.    

Page 4: ROBEY THEATRE NO PLACE TO BE SOMEBODY PROGRAM … · 2016. 5. 31. · Time:!1969! APlayinThree!Acts!! There!is!one!15Hminute!intermission! ACTONE! Scene1! PLACE:!New"York"City.! SETTING:!Johnny’s"Bar.!

PRODUCTION  TEAM    

 

Director/Producer..…..………………………………..…….…….Ben  Guillory*    

Production  Stage  Manager……..............………………………Tamir  Elbassir  

Rehearsal   Assistant  Stage  Manager…....…….Melvin  Ishmael  Johnson    

Assistant  Stage  Manager/Prop  Master………………………Kiana  Lyons  

Scenic  Design……………………………………………………………Tom  Meleck  

Lighting  Design…………………………………………………..Micheal  D.  Ricks  

Costume  Design………………………..…………..…....Naila  Aladdin  Sanders  

Music/Sound  Design…………………………….…...……….……..Julio  Hanson  

Graphic  Design……………………………..…...............…................Jason  Mimms  

Production  Photographer..........................................Niketa  Calame-­‐Harris  

Publicist…………………………………………….…..…..…………Phillip  Sokoloff  

Development  Director…………….……..…….…….………….Judith  Bowman    

*  Team  Members  appear  courtesy  of  Actors  Equity  Association  

                   

Page 5: ROBEY THEATRE NO PLACE TO BE SOMEBODY PROGRAM … · 2016. 5. 31. · Time:!1969! APlayinThree!Acts!! There!is!one!15Hminute!intermission! ACTONE! Scene1! PLACE:!New"York"City.! SETTING:!Johnny’s"Bar.!

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Page 6: ROBEY THEATRE NO PLACE TO BE SOMEBODY PROGRAM … · 2016. 5. 31. · Time:!1969! APlayinThree!Acts!! There!is!one!15Hminute!intermission! ACTONE! Scene1! PLACE:!New"York"City.! SETTING:!Johnny’s"Bar.!

A  MESSAGE  FROM  THE  PRODUCING  ARTISTIC  DIRECTOR    

   

Welcome   Ladies   and   Gentlemen   to   Robey’s   first  production   of   the   2016   spring   season   of   the   Los  Angeles   Theatre   Center.   Charles   Gordone   ‘s   1969  Pulitzer   prize   play   NO   PLACE   TO   BE   SOMEBODY   is  rarely   performed   these   days.   The   language   and  extraordinary  poetry  is  rough  &  in  your  face  and  it  is  this  unflinching  quality  that  conjures  up  the  world  of  the  play  and  what  makes  it  an  unforgettable  piece  of  writing.   Its   characters   are   razor   sharp   and  unapologetic.  Johnny  Williams,  out  to  get  revenge  on  

the  white  system  that  has  excluded  him,   is  a  reflection  of  many  who’ve  been  marginalized  too  long  and  as  a  result  lash  out  at  everyone  around  them  even  those  who  care  for  them.  Gabe  Gabriel  the  poet-­‐actor,  who’s  been   denied   professional   opportunities,   ironically   because   of   the  lightness   of   his   skin,   is   filled   with   a   bitter   and   angry   frustration   that  settles   into   a   melancholy   when   he’s   not   emotionally   erupting.   Dee  Jacobson  abused,  confused,  and  running  scared,   is  a   tragic   figure  who’s  momentary   insights   give   the   revelation   of   someone   who’s   seen   and  knows   too   much   of   the   dark   side   that   many   inhabit.   This   raw,   gritty,  violent,  and   lowdown  noir  world   is  not  a  nice  place,  but  a  specific  one,  with  its  inhabitance  all  searching  desperately  for  a  way  out  of  the  place  they’re  in  and  a  way  into  some  place  to  become  …  somebody.  Thank  you  for  joining  us.        Ben  Guillory  Producing  Artistic  Director    

           

       

Page 7: ROBEY THEATRE NO PLACE TO BE SOMEBODY PROGRAM … · 2016. 5. 31. · Time:!1969! APlayinThree!Acts!! There!is!one!15Hminute!intermission! ACTONE! Scene1! PLACE:!New"York"City.! SETTING:!Johnny’s"Bar.!

ROBEY  THEATRE  COMPANY  THANKS    

   

FRIENDS  OF  ROBEY  Lonnie  Brook  •  Kellie  Davis  Akousa  Hobert-­‐Pierce  

Bobbie  Lyons  •  Carolyn  Magbie  Parenthysis  Garner  •  Lonnie  Calvin  

 BOLT  BARBERS  

 CENTER  THEATRE  GROUP  

Yvonne  Bell    

KPFK  InnerVisions;  An  African  Perspective  

Kamau  Ramsey  Rev.  Meri  Ka  Ra  Richard  Byrd  

Julio  Marinez    

KJLH  –  Front  Page  Dominique  DiPrima  

 Dr.  E  Jay  Pierce  &  Akousa  Hobert-­‐Pierce  

 Edward  Martinez  

 Richard  Martinez  

 MEYER  and  SON  

Direct  Mail  Advertising  Company    

Toyin  Moses    

Akinfemi  Joseph  Akinwale,  Musican              

 

Page 8: ROBEY THEATRE NO PLACE TO BE SOMEBODY PROGRAM … · 2016. 5. 31. · Time:!1969! APlayinThree!Acts!! There!is!one!15Hminute!intermission! ACTONE! Scene1! PLACE:!New"York"City.! SETTING:!Johnny’s"Bar.!

CAST  &  CREW    

*  Actors  appear  courtesy  of  Actors  Equity  Association                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

Allison   Blaize   (Dee   Jacobson/Ellen) Allison   Blaize   graduated  from   the   American  Musical   Dramatic   Academy   in   LA.   Prior   to  AMDA,  she  received  her  B.A.  in  Theatre  Arts  from  the  University  of  New  Orleans.  She's  thrilled  to  be  part  of  this  amazing  cast  and  story.    

   Leith  Burke*  (Gabe  Gabriel)  This  is  Leith’s  debut  with  Robey.  Credits  include  Judgement  at  Nuremburg  on  Broadway  with  the  late,   and   wonderful,   Maximillian   Schell;   3   seasons   with   the  Oregon   Shakespeare   Festival;   Antony   and   Cleopatra   at   the  Guthrie;  Miss   Julie   at   San   Jose  Rep.;   Tours  with   the   S.F.  Mime  Troupe;   the  premiere  of  Neighbors   at   the  Matrix  Theater;  and  Citizen  at  the  Fountain.  Television  credits  include:  Tyler  Perry’s  The  Have  and  Have  Nots;  Scorpion;  The  Young  and  the  Restless;  

Real  Husbands  of  Hollywood;  Grey’s  Anatomy;  Parenthood;  NCIS;  Criminal  Minds;  CSI:  NY;  Numbers;  and  the  West  Wing.  Upcoming  Film:  The  Tiger  Hunter;  Choir  Director…    A  founding  member  of  Berkeley’s  Shotgun  Players,  Leith  is  from  New  York   and   a   graduate   of   the   American   Conservatory   Theater.   More   at  Leithburke.com      

 Ray   Dennis   (Machine   Dog)   Ray  was   born   and   raised   in   New  Orleans,  L.A.  He  has  always  had  an  affinity  for  working  on  plays  that   bring   the   African-­‐American   experience   and   pertinent  issues  to  life.    He  was  last  seen  with  Robey  in  the  production  of  The   Magnificent   Dunbar   Hotel   at   the   National   Black   Theatre  Festival.    He  is  grateful  for  this  opportunity.    

Hawthorne   James   (Sweets   Crane),   a   Chicago   native,    received  his  B.A.  from  the  University  of  Notre  Dame  and  his  M.A.   from  the  University  of  Michigan.    After   teaching  at   Illinois   State   University,  he   attended   the   London  Shakespeare  Academy   in  London,  England.    He  has  been  extremely   active   in   all   aspects   of   entertainment  

including,   an   executive   of   a  major  Hollywood   film   studio,   director   of   national  theatrical   tours,   films   and   commercials.     He   has   performed   in   over   three  hundred  plays  and  received  several  awards  including  being  nominated  several  times   for  Drama  Logue,  NAACP  Theatre  Awards  and  several   international   film  awards.     Some   of   the   film   and   television   credits   include,  The   Five   Heartbeats,  Speed,   Seven,  The  Color  Purple,   Cheers,   Frasier,  Martin,   Charmed,   I'm  Gonna  Git  You  Sucka,  just  to  name  a  few.  

Page 9: ROBEY THEATRE NO PLACE TO BE SOMEBODY PROGRAM … · 2016. 5. 31. · Time:!1969! APlayinThree!Acts!! There!is!one!15Hminute!intermission! ACTONE! Scene1! PLACE:!New"York"City.! SETTING:!Johnny’s"Bar.!

CAST  &  CREW    

 Matt  Jennings  (Melvin  Smeltz)  is  thrilled  to  be  part  of  the  No  Place  To  be  Somebody  cast.    He  would  like  to  give  thanks  to  God,  The  Robey  Theater  Company,  family  and  friends  for  their  support.      www.mattlawrencejennings.weebly.com        Saadiqa  Kamille  (Evie  Ames)  is  extremely  excited  to  be  working  with  The  Robey  Theatre  Company  and  playing  the  role  of  “Evie”  in  this  production.  She  gives  thanks  to  God  for  her  many  gifts  and  talents,  her  friends  and  family  for  their  support  and  an  “I  love  you  the  most”  to  her  number  one  fan,  her  son  Maseeh.        Ben  Landmesser  (Shanty  Mulligan)  a  Chicago  native,  Ben  performed  in  San  Francisco  before  moving  to  LA.  Credits  include  Sazonov  (Coast  of  Utopia,  Shotgun  Players),  Horatio/Laertes  (Hamlet,  Do  It  Live!)  and  Azdak  (The  Caucasian  Chalk  Circle,  AMDA-­‐LA).  Catch  him  in  the  web  series  The  Partitioned  this  summer.  Ben  holds  a  BFA  from  AMDA-­‐LA.    Meghan  Lang  (Mary  Lou  Bolton),  originally  from  New  Mexico,  recently  graduated  from  AMDA  following  two  years  of  training  in  the  acting  conservatory  program.  While  in  New  Mexico,  she  appeared   in   shows   such   as   The   Crucible   and   Rodger   and  Hammerstein's   Cinderella.   This   is   her   first   Los   Angeles  production.   She   is   excited   to   be   working   with   this   group  of  people.    

 Gianluca  Malacrino   (Mike  Maffucci/Louie)   is   a  Welsh/Italian  actor  and  recent  graduate  of  AMDA  College  &  Conservatory  of  The   Performing   Arts   in   Los   Angeles.   He   is   delighted   to   be  working   with   The  Robey   Theatre   Company  on   his   first  production  out  of  college,  as  well  as  starring  in  the  Christopher  Ad  Castillo  film  Night  Rider,  later  this  year.        

Page 10: ROBEY THEATRE NO PLACE TO BE SOMEBODY PROGRAM … · 2016. 5. 31. · Time:!1969! APlayinThree!Acts!! There!is!one!15Hminute!intermission! ACTONE! Scene1! PLACE:!New"York"City.! SETTING:!Johnny’s"Bar.!

CAST  &  CREW    

 Monty  Montgomery   (Sergeant  Cappaletti/Harry)   is   a  Retired  Master  Sargent  and  Iraqi  Veteran  from  Chicago.  While  on  active  duty  his  motto  was  “One  Team  –  One  Fight”.    Since  retirement  it  has  changed  to  “One  Man-­‐One  Mic”.  He  would  like  to  thank  Mr.  Ben  Guillory  &  the  Robey  Theatre  Company  for  the  opportunity  to  be  a  part  of  No  Place  to  be  Somebody.          Darrell   Philip   (Judge   Bolton)   Darrell   studied   with   Kathy  Griffin,   and   Ivana   Chubbuck.   Stage:     Cyrano   in   Cyrano   de  Bergerac,   California   Suite,   Blithe   Spirit,   Gross   Indecency:     The  Three  Trials  of  Oscar  Wilde,  Pity  the  Proud  Ones,  and  Bronzeville.      TV:    Dead  of  Night,  Unusual  Suspects,  Murder  Book,  and  an  AT&T  commercial.     Look   for  him   in   the   films  The  Algerian,   and  Saint  Mary’s  Secret.      

   

Kacie  Rogers  (Cora  Beasley)  a  Native  Houstonian,  received  her  classical   training   from   AMDA   College   and   Conservatory   of  the  Arts   and   kept   her   instincts   sharp   with   improvisation  training   from  The  Second  City.   She   is   thankful   for   the   journey  so   far   and   looks   forward   to   gracing   many   more   stages   and  screens,  both  big  and  small.  

   

Sammie   Wayne   IV   (Johnny   Williams)   Sammie   is   an   Actor,  Lighting   Designer,   Stage   Manager   and   Director,   last   seen   as  Chester   Himes   in   The   Magnificent   Dunbar   Hotel.   Awards  received:   Best   Supporting   Actor   -­‐   One   Woman   Two   Lives  (2009)  and  Anna  Lucasta  (2013),  Best  Lighting  Design  -­‐  Pieces  of   Me   (2011),  Hattie:  What   I   Need   You   To   Know   (2012)   and  Camp  Logan  (2013).  He  directed  several  episodes  of  America’s  Next  Top  Model  Cycle  20.        

             

 

Page 11: ROBEY THEATRE NO PLACE TO BE SOMEBODY PROGRAM … · 2016. 5. 31. · Time:!1969! APlayinThree!Acts!! There!is!one!15Hminute!intermission! ACTONE! Scene1! PLACE:!New"York"City.! SETTING:!Johnny’s"Bar.!

CAST  &  CREW    

 Ben   Guillory  (Director/Producer)   studied   at   the   American   Conservatory  Theatre.   He   appeared   in,   Julius   Caesar,   The   Taming   of   the   Shrew,   The   Cherry  Orchard,  Othello,   Athol   Fugard’s   Sizwe   Banzi   is   Dead   for   the   Arizona   Theater  Company,   The   Los   Angeles   Theatre   Center’s   Ma   Rainey’s   Black   Bottom,  Sacramento  Theatre’s  Fences,  the  Mark  Taper  Forum’s,  Miss  Ever’s  Boys,  and  the  Robey/Greenway   co-­‐production   of   Permanent   Collection   at   the   Kirk   Douglas  Theatre.    Mr.  Guillory  is  Producing  Artistic  Director  of  the  award-­‐winning  Robey  Theatre  Company  and   instructor   for   its  Advanced  Scene  Workshop.  Co-­‐producing  Bee-­‐Luther-­‐Hatchee  with  Elephant  Industries,  Yohen  with  East-­‐West  Players,  For  The  Love   of   Freedom   Trilogy   with   Greenway   Arts   Alliance   and   the   Los   Angeles  Cultural  Affairs  Department,  The  Last  Season  with  Legacy  Productions,  A  Medley  of   One   Act   Plays   with   the   Against   Type   Theatre   Company,   and   producing   the  Paul  Robeson  Theatre  Festival  are  some  of  his  accomplishments.    He   received   San   Francisco   Critic’s   Circle   Award,   for   his   portrayal   of   Paul  Robeson,  in  Illustrated  Stage’s  Are  You  Now  or  Have  You  Ever  Been.    For  his  Los  Angeles   performances   of   Phillip   Hayes   Dean’s   Paul   Robeson,   he   received   the  DramaLogue  Award  and  a  NAACP  Theatre  Award,   and   for  his  directing  of  For  the   Love   of   Freedom:   Part   I,   he   received   a  NAACP  Theatre  Award.   In   2010   he  received  honors   from  Playwrights  Arena   for  Outstanding  Contributions   to   the  Los   Angeles   Theatre   Community,   and   NAACP   Best   Producer   awards   for   The  River   Niger,   The   Reckoning   in   2011,   and   Camp   Logan   in   2013.   He   was   also  presented   with   the   2013   National   Black   Theatre   Festival   Larry   Leon   Hamlin  Producer  Award.        Television  credits  include:  Eli  Stone,  My  Name  is  Earl,  The  West  Wing,  Charmed,  The   Guardian,   Dynasty,   Judging   Amy,   LA   Law,   JAG,   The   Young   and   the   Restless,  NCSI,  and  General  Hospital.  Film   credits   include:  The   Color   Purple,   Our   Father,   The   Tuskegee   Airmen,   Star  Wars,   Maid   to   Order,   3   Strikes,   Crawlers,   America’s   Dream   and   The   Harimaya  Bridge.    Charles  Gordone  (Playwright)  Charles  Gordone  won  an  Obie  (an  award  given  to  off-­‐Broadway  productions)  for  his  performance  in  an  all-­‐black  production  of  John   Steinbeck’s  Of  Mice   and  Men   in   1964.   Between   acting   and  directing   jobs,  Gordone   worked   as   a   waiter   in   a   Greenwich   Village   tavern.     His   experiences  there  inspired  him  to  write  his  most  famous  play  No  Place  to  be  Somebody.    The  play  opened  off  Broadway  at  the  New  York  Shakespeare  Festival  Public  Theatre  in  May  of  1969  to  rave  reviews,  and  made  Gordone  an  instant  celebrity.    Over  the  next   two   years   the   play   would   be   performed   over   900   times   off-­‐Broadway,  before  moving   to   the  Morosco   Theatre   on   Broadway   in   1971.   No   Place   to   Be  Somebody  won  the  1970  Pulitzer  Prize  for  drama,  making  Gordone  the  first    

Page 12: ROBEY THEATRE NO PLACE TO BE SOMEBODY PROGRAM … · 2016. 5. 31. · Time:!1969! APlayinThree!Acts!! There!is!one!15Hminute!intermission! ACTONE! Scene1! PLACE:!New"York"City.! SETTING:!Johnny’s"Bar.!

CAST  &  CREW  

 African-­‐American  to  win  the  coveted  award.    It  also  won  the  New  York  Drama    Critics   Award   and   the   Vernon   Rice   Award   in   the   same   year   and   holds   the  distinction   of   being   the   first   off-­‐Broadway   play   to   win   the   Pulitzer.   Gordone  continued  to  write  and  direct  during  the  1970s  and  1980s  but  was  never  able  to  repeat   the   success   that   he   enjoyed   with   No   Place.   In   the   mid-­‐1970s   he   was  involved  in  the  Cell  Block  Theatre  Program  in  New  Jersey  which  used  theatre  as  a  rehabilitation  tool  for  inmates.    Gordone  remained  active  in  community  theatres  around  the  U.S.  until  accepting  a  teaching  position  with  Texas  A&M  University  in  1986.    Gordone  died  of  cancer  on  November  13,  1995  in  College  Station,  Texas.        Tamir   Elbassir   (Production   Stage   Manager)   Tamir   Elbassir  is   a   Sudanese  Egyptian   director,   actor,   and   fight   choreographer   from   Long   Beach,   CA.   He  received  his  AA   in  Acting   from  Long  Beach  City  College  and  his  BA   in  Theatre  with  a  Directing  Emphasis  from  UC  San  Diego.  He  is  very  honored  to  be  working  on  this  production.      Melvin   Ishmael   Johnson   (Assistant   Stage   Manager/Veteran   Intern/Prop  Master)   is   the   founder   of   Dramastage-­‐Qumran   and   Veterans   Community  Theater   Workshop.   He   is   a   member   of   The   Robey   Theatre   Company’s  Playwrights   Lab.   Born   December   1,   1947   in   Greenville,   Mississippi,   he  graduated   from   Coleman   High   School.   After   high   school,   Melvin   attended  Mississippi   Valley   State   University   and   served   in   the   United   States   Marine  Corps   (1969-­‐71).   After   being   honorably   discharged   from   the   service,   he  attended  Eastern  Michigan  University.  He   is   the   author   of   plays   Surviving   The  Nickel,  Catch  The  Tiger,  Number  One  Recruit,  Nail   Heads  and  The  Emperor's  Last  Performance.    Tom   Meleck   (Scenic   Design)   attended   NYU   for   his   Master’s   Degree   in  Theatrical  Stage  Design.  He  designed  Arrabal’s  The  Architect  and   the  Emperor  of   Assyria   while   in   New   York   City.   He   assisted   on   the   Broadway  productions   of   Lenny,   Jesus   Christ   Superstar,   and   on   Candide  at   the   opening  of   the   Kennedy   Center   in   Washington   D.C.   Tom’s   Los   Angeles   credits  include   sets   and   lighting   for   the   musical   Paquito’s   Christmas,   Just   Men,  Parental   Discretion,   Sacrificial   Lamb,   Tight   Quarters,   and   Love   is   Always   the  Matter.  He   was   nominated   as   Best   Set   Designer   by   the   LA   Weekly   for   his  work   on   The   Imposter,   and   three  times   by   the   NAACP   for  Section  8      and  for  The  Robey  Theatre  Company’s  For   the   Love   of   Freedom   Pt.   I:   Toussaint,   and  Knock  Me  A  Kiss.  He  won  an  L.A.  Weekly  theater  award  for  his   lighting  of  They  Shoot   Horses,   Don’t   They?   at   the   Greenway   Court   Theater.   Add i t i ona l  c r ed i t s   i n c lude :   the   LA   Met   Theater’s   production   of   California   Dreamin’  Women   in   Shorts   at   the   Working   Stage   Theater,   and   Bronzeville,   for   the  Robey   Theatre   Company   on   location   in   Manzanar.   His   other   design   credits  include   Clueless   and   The   Larry   Sanders   Show,   the   pilot   season   of   Dennis  Miller   Live,   Quantum   Leap,   and   Fast   Times   at    

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CAST  &  CREW  

 Ridgemont   High,   the   final   season   of   the   Sonny   &   Cher   Comedy   Hour,   the  Emmy  Award-­‐winning  shows   Murder,  She  Wrote,  and  The  Parsley  Garden,  Brad  Pitt’s  first  film  Across  the   Tracks,  and  Natalie  Wood’s  final  movie,  Brainstorm.      Micheal  D.  Ricks   (Lighting  Designer)  With  a  BFA   in   theatre,  and  a  BS   in  Set   Design,  Micheal   David   Ricks,   originally   from  Detroit,   has   acclimated  himself   as   a  most   sought  after   set/lighting  designer.  Nominated   in  2007  for   an   NAACP   Image   Award   for   best   Set   Design   Crash   Pad,  Micheal   also  designed   sets   for  Dawgs,   Shoplife,   and  9   to   5.   In   Lighting,   he   designs   for  the   BBC,   PhilaDanCo,   LWDT,   also   plays  Parade,   Peter   Pan,   and  Anul   and  the   Night   Visiters.   “I   don’t   just   create   sets,   I   create   awe-­‐inspiring  environments…”    Naila   Aladdin   Sanders   (Costume   Design)   has   recent   credits   which   include  Neighbors   for   the   Matrix   Theatre,   In   the   Red   &   Brown  Water,   The   Ballad   of  Emmett  Till,  Gem  of  the  Ocean,  and  Joe  Turner’s  Come  and  Gone  for  the  Fountain  Theatre,  The  Color  Purple,  The  Women  of  Brewster  Place:  the  Musical,  and  Haram  Iran  for  the  Celebration  Theatre,  The  Many  Mistresses  of  Martin  Luther  King   for  Ensemble  Studio  Theatre,  and  Good  Bobby  for  the  Greenway  Court  Alliance  and  the  59th   Street  Theatre   in  NYC.   Knock  Me  A  Kiss,  Bronzeville,  The  River  Niger,  The  Reckoning,  Transitions,  A  House   With  No  Walls,   Permanent   Collection,   and  The  Haitian  Trilogy  were  designed  by   Naila  for  The  Robey  Theatre  Company.      Julio   Hanson   (Music/Sound   Design)   actor,   singer,   songwriter,   and   dancer.   A  native  of  Inglewood,  California,  Julio  has  appeared  in  the  feature  films,  American  Carol,  and  Angels  and  Demons.  Julio  was  in  the  stage  musical  Paquito's  Christmas  directed  by  Luis  Avalos   (Electric  Company),   and  had  a   recurring   role  on  RPM  Miami  on  the  television  station  Mun2.  Julio  portrayed  Paul  Laurence  Dunbar  in  the   Robey   Theatre   Company   production   of   The   Magnificent   Dunbar   Hotel,  written  by  Levy  Lee  and  selected  for  the  National  Black  Theatre  Festival.    Julio  is  proud   of   his   African-­‐American   and   Panamanian   heritage   and   ability   to   speak  English,   Spanish,   and   other   languages.   Julio   toured   and   performed   with   Toni  Braxton,   Keith   Washington,   Mint   Condition,   Chante   Moore,   Shanice   Wilson,  Howard  Hewett,  Yolanda  Adams,  La  Ley,  Kelis,  and  others.  Julio  was  nominated  for  Best  Musical  Director  at  the  NAACP  awards  for  the  play,  Hattie  McDaniels.      Kiana   Lyons   (Assistant   Stage  Manager   /   Prop  Master),   a   Los   Angeles   native,  began  acting  as  a   tribute   to  her  brother  Malcolm  and   to  God.  A  mental  health  advocate  she  works  with  NAMI  (National  Association  of  Mental  Illness)  to  help  further   educate   families   of   color   about   the   many   resources   within   every  community   which   will   give   them   a   more   accurate   understanding   of   mental  illness.    Kiana  studied  at  Santa  Monica  College  where  she  pursued  a  degree  in      

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CAST  &  CREW    

 Business  Marketing  and  Advertising.  Kiana  would  love  to  thank  her  family,    Maya  Angelou  (R.I.P),  for  getting  her  through  dark  times  with  her  wisdom  and  understanding  of  love,  Ben  Guillory  for  giving  her,  her  first  real  opportunity  to  work   for   a   theatre   company,   and   the   cast/staff   for   welcoming   her   so   openly  while  continuing  to  inspire  her  with  their  incredible  acting  abilities.      Jason   Mimms   (Graphic   Design)   Teaming   up   with   Robey   again,   Jason   shares  other  talents  that  extend  beyond  the  stage  with  the  addition  of  graphic  design  to  his  credit.  Working  as  a   freelance  Video  editor  and  Graphic  Designer,   Jason  heads  his  own  media  production  company,  Black  Canvas  Productions  where  he  has   worked   for   a   variety   of   clients   including   Jack   Daniel’s   Tennessee   Honey.  Jason   has   always   aligned  with   the   notion   that   an   artist   is   not   limited   by   any  form  of  expression,  yet,  only  the  limitations  placed  by  ourselves.    Niketa   Calame-­‐Harris   (Production   Photographer)   Niketa   Calame   is   most  noted  as  the  voice  of  “Young  Nala”  in  Disney's  Film  The  Lion  King.  She  received  her  MFA  in  Acting  from  The  Actors  Studio  Drama  School  in  New  York,  her  BA  in  Theater   from   UC   Santa   Cruz   and   studied   theater   for   a   year   overseas   at  University   of   Exeter   in   England.     A   SAG/AFTRA   and   Equity  member,   Niketa's  credits   include:   “Squeak”   in   The   Color   Purple,   Celebration   Theater's   Ovation  Award   Winning   Production,   Co-­‐star   roles   on   NBC,   FOX   and   MTVu.  NiketaCalameHarris   Photography   has   always   been   a   passion   and   she   loved  shooting  for  The  Robey  Theatre.      Philip   Sokoloff   (Publicist)   is   L.A.'s   most   active   theatre   publicist,  representing  over  100   live  attractions  annually   throughout   the  city,  as  well  as  independent   films.   He   has   worked   with   The   Robey   Theatre   Company   for  thirteen  years.      Judith  Bowman   (Development  Director)  brings   some  measure  of   her   love   for  culture  and   passion   for   anything   creative   to   every  project.   The   variety   of   hats  she   wears   for   Robey   reflects   the   roles   she   plays—researcher,   grant   writer,  volunteer  coordinator,  and  project  manager.  Her  energy  has  helped  produce  the  ancillary  historical  overview  available  on  the  Robey  website.    Chris   Carnell   (Webmaster)   is   a   multimedia   consultant   and   IT   specialist   with  more  than  15  years  of  experience  in  print,  online  media,  and  video.  He  learned  web   programming   during   the   onset   of   the   “dynamic   web”   and   has   been  designing   interactive   websites   ever   since.   Chris   is   a   Microsoft   Certified  Professional   and   an   A+   Certified   Technician.   He   is   currently   practicing  mobile  development   and   social  media  marketing.   Chris   is   grateful   to   be  working  with  The  Robey  Theatre  Company,   increasing  their  web  presence  and  growing  their  social  media  reach.  

Page 15: ROBEY THEATRE NO PLACE TO BE SOMEBODY PROGRAM … · 2016. 5. 31. · Time:!1969! APlayinThree!Acts!! There!is!one!15Hminute!intermission! ACTONE! Scene1! PLACE:!New"York"City.! SETTING:!Johnny’s"Bar.!

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Page 16: ROBEY THEATRE NO PLACE TO BE SOMEBODY PROGRAM … · 2016. 5. 31. · Time:!1969! APlayinThree!Acts!! There!is!one!15Hminute!intermission! ACTONE! Scene1! PLACE:!New"York"City.! SETTING:!Johnny’s"Bar.!

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