After a scathing letter is written to the American theatre by the BIPOC community, one artistic director must decide how to continue a life in the arts. Sharp and deeply funny, this play asks the question; who gets to decide what theatre is and how it should be made?
Where: Virtually
When: November 13th-30th. Talk backs on the 13th and 15th. Fundraiser for GOPAR on 13th.
Paris Crayton III(Playwright) is an award-winning playwright, actor, and director. He has written over 50 plays, 21 of which have been produced around the country. He was one of ArtsATL “30 under 30” and Atlanta Journal Constitution’s “Artist to watch.” Creative Loafing named him 2014’s “Best Local Playwright” Critics have called him “a powerful dramatist” and praised him as “One of the most important playwrights of our time.” His plays have been presented and/or workshopped by NewYorkRep, The Lark, Classical Theatre of Harlem, Aurora Theatre, Clark University, Working Title Playwrights, Stage Door Players, Rising Sage Theatre, 3 Hill Productions, Atlanta Black Theatre Festival, Indianapolis Fringe Festival and more.Roberta Emerson (Director) is a Director, Actor, Producer, and educator among many other hats she proudly wears. She is a graduate of both the University of Minnesota with a BFA in Acting and Theatre Management and New York University with an MFA in Acting. She has worked as an actor and director in many regional theaters around the country, has done extensive voice-over, commercial and film work, and has been a teaching artist both stateside and in Europe. Roberta is an active voice for the representation of BIPOC artists and as such, serves as the Theatre Relations lead with the Central Florida Entertainment Advocacy Organization. She is also on the Board of The Arts Bridge Charity, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing relief to struggling artists. Previous non-profit experience includes work with Artists Striving to End Poverty, Fractured Atlas, and Drama Club NYC among others. She is currently the Director of Theatre for Montverde Academy’s Theatre Conservatory and is represented by Lock Talent.
Meet the Cast!
A four-time Emmy Award winner from his days as a television producer/talent in San Francisco, Patrick Flick (Bob) is currently Executive Director of The Shakespeare Theatre Association and Producing Artistic Director of the Richmond Shakespeare Festival in Richmond, Indiana. He is the former Literary Chair of the National New Play Network and former Associate Artistic Director of Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Orlando, Florida. He has directed and acted at many theatres including Richmond Shakespeare Festival, Orlando Shakespeare Theater, Gamut Theatre in Harrisburg, PA., the Kennedy Center in Washington DC, Mad Cow Theatre, Actors Theatre of Naples, New Theatre in Miami, Florida Studio Theater, TheatreWorks in Mountainview, CA., Marin Theatre Company, San Jose Stage, American Musical Theatre of San Jose, Sacramento Theatre Company, Marin and Wisconsin Shakespeare Festivals, the Phoenix Theatre in Indianapolis, Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, and Riverside Shakespeare and the Independent Theatre in New York. Patrick was also an adjunct professor at Rollins College in Orlando and taught advanced directing and audition techniques. He holds an MFA in Directing/Dramaturgy from the University of Idaho, an MA in Playwriting from Miami University, and a BA in Theatre and Journalism, also Miami University.
Beth Marshall (Marsha) is an award-winning and critically acclaimed Producing Artistic Director, Theatre Artist and recovering Arts Administrator. Beth has made her living creating original works or producing traditional works told in nontraditional ways with a strong focus on touring Fringe Festival Circuits. From 2003-June 2011, Beth was the Producing Artistic Director of The Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival and served as the Vice President of The Canadian Association of Fringe Festivals from 2006-2008. Beth is a current Artistic Ambassador for The National New Play Network and remains a consultant and advocate for Fringe Festivals globally, while fully producing theatrical seasons as Producing Artistic Director/CEO of her own company Beth Marshall Presents. Beth has been awarded 3 grants from United Arts: The most recent is in 2012 for her work as a performing artist in a one-woman show:Commencement. In 2008 she was awarded a professional development grant for her work as a Director/Producer for The Bric-A-Brac Vintage Vagabond Variety Show and in 2009 she was awarded a Professional Development grant for her work as Producing Artistic Director for Orlando Fringe. For 3 consecutive years (2009-11), Beth has been awarded “Best Arts Advocate” by Orlando Weekly. In 2007 Beth was awarded the prestigious Bank of America Local Hero Award for her artistic and humanitarian work within the Central Florida Community and received a $5k grant to donate to the non-profit charitable organization of her choice. She chose Orlando Fringe. Additionally. Beth is a part-time movie star, having recently finished filming alongside of Matt Dillion as his BFF (Molly) in Laurie Collyer’s Indie Film, Sunlight Jr. As well as a Horror Movie Queen where she recently played Loretta the Biker Bitch in Rockabilly Zombie Weekend and psychic twins Amity/Corrie in Cassadaga. Click here to see a complete list of Beth’s awards and honors. Beth’s favorite roles are those of Mother, Wife and Friend!Dennis Neal’s(Peter) career as an actor, director, coach, and motivator spans 30 years. He has a close relationship with both Paris Crayton III and Beth Marshall. Dennis is old school and Blackity Black Black. For more about Dennis go to: www.dennisneal.biz
Stelson Telfort (Daniel) known as ST3 is an Actor in the Orlando Area. He was last seen on the Orlando stage as Aumerle in Orlando Shakes production of Richard II. He is thrilled to be working on yet another Paris Crayton III project.Meka King (Jasmine) is a WORSHIP LEADER/ACTOR/AUTHOR from Central Florida. Meka has toured the globe sharing her gift and ministry in 6 continents. She has 2 solo recording projects and a Live DVD. Meka has appeared in acclaimed productions for Cirque Du Soleil, Walt Disney World and Universal Studios, as well as popular stage productions like After Midnight, Little Shop of Horrors and Ain’t Misbehavin’. Meka can be seen in national and regional advertisements for companies like Disney and Florida Blue. She’s been featured in Essence Magazine and is currently an advocate for equity, diversity and inclusion in the Arts and Entertainment.Alaina Kai Chester (Susan) is an actor-singer based in New York, and originally from Cincinnati, Ohio. Her regional work includes Flex (44th Humana Festival of New American Plays), Caroline or Change (Tantrum Theater; Columbus), You Across From Me, Skeleton Crew, Little Bunny Foo Foo (Actors Theatre of Louisville). She is the lyricist and singer on her debut EP First Comes Love, Then Comes Liberty (Released April 2020). An alum of the Professional Training Company at Actors Theatre of Louisville, an alum of the 24 Hour Play Nationals (in partnership with the New School of Drama), and has performed in multiple short play series produced by Ensemble Studio Theatre as a part of developing new work. Alaina is a graduate of Ohio University School of Theatre and E.W Scripps College of Media Arts and Studies. She is honored to join forces with Paris on this relevant piece, and one that asks difficult questions of us all on how to navigate this challenging and deeply changing time. Much Gratitude. www.AlainaKaiChester.comSusan Neal (S.D.) is an actor sprinkled in with being a wife and mother. She has been doing the craft for 20 plus years with theater being her main school of training. Having done two stints at the Groundlings School and, along with commercial/print representation, is currently helping her husband with his coaching sessions. Covid has made us ALL have to think outside the box and with that, the blessing of this craft for me is I can go at a pace that works for me. I am honored to have this opportunity to work with Paris, again! Always an honor, indeed!
Beth Marshall Presents 