Thoughts of a Colored Man

October 10–November 10

Thoughts of a Colored Man
BY KEENAN SCOTT II
DIRECTED BY STEVE H. BROADNAX III
CO-PRODUCTION WITH SYRACUSE STAGE
IN ASSOCIATION WITH BRIAN MORELAND AND RON SIMONS

“LUMINOUS. YOU CAN’T IMAGINE A MORE POWERFUL DYNAMIC BETWEEN ACTOR AND AUDIENCE.” —DC Theatre Scene

ONE THEME, SEVEN VARIATIONS

A world-premiere play from Keenan Scott II, one of today’s boldest new voices, Thoughts of a Colored Man blends language, music, and dance. Welcome to the vibrant inner life of being Black, proud, and thriving in the 21st Century. Set over a single day, this richly theatrical mosaic goes beyond the rhythms of the basketball court and the boisterousness of the barbershop to shed brilliant light into the hearts and minds of a community of men searching for their most triumphant selves.

RUN TIME: Approximately 95 minutes with no intermission.

WARNING: This performance includes the use of haze and recorded gunshots.

CONTENT ADVISORY: Baltimore Center Stage recognizes each family’s need to make informed decisions about what show is appropriate for their young people. We do not presume that every show is well-suited for every young person, and it is in that spirit we share the following content considerations. This play contains discussions of adult behavior such as sex, drugs, and violence, profanity and racial slurs.

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Cast

Jerome Preston Bates
Wisdom

Brandon Dion Gregory
Passion

Forrest McClendon*
Depression

Ashley Pierre-Louis
Woman #1

Reynaldo Piniella*
Lust

Jody Reynard*
Happiness

Ryan Jamaal Swain*
Love

Garrett Turner*
Anger

Hollie E. Wright
#2 Woman/Dance Captain

Broadway: American Son, Jitney, Stickfly, and Seven Guitars.Off-Broadway: The Public Theater, Classic Stage Company, Classical Theatre of Harlem, The Beckett, Negro Ensemble Company, Abingdon Theatre Company, New Federal Theatre, 127th Repertory Ensemble, and Circle Rep. Regional:Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Two Trains Running, A Comedy of Errors, and Richard III; The Old Globe in Macbeth;Arena Stage, Denver Center, Goodman, and Alley Theatre in Satchmo at the Waldorf; Yale Rep, Hartford Stage, Wilma Theater, Philadelphia Drama Guild, Philadelphia Theatre Company, Arden Theatre Company, Center Stage, Folger Theatre, Long Wharf, and the Goodman Theatre in the world premiere of Seven Guitars opposite Viola Davis. Film:Peeples opposite Kerry Washington, Musical Chairs, Tio Papi, Shaft 2000, The Out of Towners, It Runs in the Family, The Narrows, and Romeo and Juliette in Harlem. Television: HBO’s Oz, All My Children, Law & Order, NYPD Blue, Third Watch, and Lights Out. As a writer, he penned the plays Augusta Brownand Electric Lady, and the Jimi Hendrix screenplay. He directed The Man in Room 306 at Luna Stage, and both Easy Money and A Salute to August Wilson and Religion at the Billie Holiday Theatre. Winner of seven Audelco Awards. Thank you to Syracuse Stage and Baltimore Center Stage and the TOACM team. Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

Brandon Dion Gregory was born and raised in Stone Mountain, Georgia. The New York Times caught Gregory being a whole lot of “fun” on stage in the holiday classic: Christmas Carol in Harlem. This year, you will get to witness him create more magic with this incredibly talented cast and crew. Gregory loves the constant balance of art and business. He has a Bachelor’s in Management and a Master’s in Theatre. His favorite stage roles include his work in Argonautika as Jason and Twelfth Night as Sir Toby. You may have also seen him on Netflix’s Let the Church Say Amen, Showtime’s Homeland, ABC’s Resurrection, or on the N train the other day. Follow Brandon at www.brandongregory.net or on Instagram: @thebrandongregory

Broadway/WestEnd: The Scottsboro Boys (Tony Award nomination). Off-Broadway: The Scottsboro Boys (VineyardTheatre), Cabin in the Sky (City Center Encores!), James Baldwin: A Soul on Fire (New Federal Theatre). Regional: The Scottsboro Boys (Philadelphia Theatre Company/Barrymore Award), Red Velvet (Lantern Theater Co./Barrymore Award nomination), The America Play (Zach Scott Theatre/B. Iden Payne Award), Avenue X (11th Hour Theatre Co./Barrymore Award), Seven Guitars (Actors Theatre of Louisville), Wild With Happy (Baltimore Center Stage), Romeo and Juliet (North Carolina Shakespeare Festival), Othello (Philadelphia Shakespeare Theatre), Julius Caesar (Lantern Theater Company) and most recently Cabaret (Connecticut Repertory Theatre). Forrest is a recipient of the Lunt-Fontanne Fellowship for top regional actors, and enjoys working on new plays and musicals—most recently at Sundance, New York Stage & Film, Arena Stage, and Arden Theatre Company. He teaches throughout the U.S., Europe, and Canada and is currently on the faculty of the National Theater Institute at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center. www.ForrestMcClendon.com

Ashley Pierre-Louis is a Miami native and is a graduate of Florida State University where she obtained her B.F.A. in Dance. Her solo, Re-self, was selected to be performed at the American College Dance Association 2018 in South Carolina and her solo entitled Mine was selected for presentation as an alternate at the National College Festival at the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. Pierre-Louis has performed for the premiere of Donna Uchizono’s work March Under an Empty reign at The Joyce, NY Quadrille Festival, and has also been a part of Alvin Ailey’s inaugural Choreography Unlocked Festival under the direction of Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, Urban Bush Women, and Robert Battle. Ashley has attended the School at Jacobs Pillow, San Francisco Conservatory of Dance, as well as Gaga intensives in Tel Aviv and New York. Ashley hopes to travel the world, perform professionally, and inspire others with her passion to move. Follow her on Instagram: @ashleypierrelouis.

Reynaldo Piniella was named a “person to watch” by American Theatre Magazine. He was previously seen in The Death of the Last Black Man…, Venus (Signature Theatre Company), The Skin of Our Teeth (Theatre for A New Audience), The Space Between the Letters (The Public Theater’s Under the Radar Festival), Terminus (NYTW Next Door), Lockdown (Rattlestick), Romeo & Juliet (Shakespeare Festival St. Louis, Actors Theatre of Louisville). Film credits include Madeline’s Madeline, Broken City, One Percent More Humid, and Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close. Television credits include Sneaky Pete, Law & Order: SVU, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, Flesh & Bone, NYC 22, and The Carrie Diaries. He received the Fox Foundation Resident Actor Fellowship from TCG. Follow him on Instagram and Twitter @ReynaldoRey.

Jody Reynard attended the Cobb County Center for Excellence in the Performing Arts outside of Atlanta, GA and graduated with a dance major. He earned a B.A. in Theatre from Kennesaw State University all while performing with The Atlanta Shakespeare Tavern, The Atlanta Opera, and Georgia Ballet. From there, his regional career began with roles in On the Twentieth Century at the Goodspeed Opera House and Mame at Paper Mill Playhouse. He then caught the eye of Ann Reinking at an open audition and made his Broadway debut in Fosse, dancing featured specialties such as “From the Edge,” “Rich Man’s Frug,” and “Take Off with Us.” His other Broadway credits include Summer: The Donna Summer Musical, Legally Blonde, Taboo, Saturday Night Fever and the national touring companies of Camelot, Kiss Me, Kate, My Fair Lady, Memphis, and Chicago. Some of his favorite roles include Darren Lemming in Take Me Out, Gaveston in Edward II, Paul in Kiss Me, Kate, Ken in Smokey Joe’s Café, and Core Company Member of Quick Silver Theater Company.

Ryan Jamaal Swain currently stars as Damon in Ryan Murphy’s Emmy winning and Golden Globe nominated series Pose on FX. Ryan was just named to Forbes Magazine’s coveted “30 Under 30” list for his LGBTQ+ activism. He made his Broadway debut in Tarrell Alvin McCraney’s Choir Boy earlier this year. Prior to making his small screen and Broadway debut, Swain made a name for himself performing in numerous theatrical productions including Paul in Six Degrees of Separation (Keegan Theatre, Washington, D.C.), Jasen in the world premiere of 295N (Signature Theatre, Washington, D.C.), Wisdom in Thoughts of a Colored Man (GALA Hispanic Theatre), and Moritz in Spring Awakening (City Equity Theater, Birmingham, Alabama). He is a graduate of Howard University. Follow Ryan: @ryanjamallswain (IG) @ryanjamaal (Twitter)

A proud native of Florence, Alabama, Garrett Turner received his Masters from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London. NYC: The Dove (York Theatre Company), Acappella the Musical (NYMF). Regional: Half Time (Jerry Mitchell; Paper Mill Playhouse), Holler If Ya Hear Me (Kenny Leon; True Colors Theatre), The Royale (Theatrical Outfit), The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity (Asolo Rep), Lookingglass Alice (Baltimore Center Stage), Memphis (Mason Street Warehouse), In the Heights (Aurora Theatre), Dreamgirls (Atlanta Lyric Theatre). TV: Law & Order: SVU, Madam Secretary. Emory Grad. Marshall Scholar. Psalm 115:1 – garrett-turner.com – @garrettmturner

Miss Wright, a Philadelphia native, began her professional career at The Philadelphia Dance Company (Philadanco!). She went on to Broadway working with Maurice Hines in Hot Feet, performing the lead before the show closed. Other favorites, regionally and touring: The Color Purple (First National Tour), Oklahoma (Arena Stage, first Black Dream Laurey in a regional theatre), Amazing Grace, and Cabin in the Sky. Holding a B.F.A. in Dance Education, Miss Wright is currently Jazz Chair at The Ailey School. She is also on faculty at American Ballet Theater Summer Series, Purelements, and has taught at NYU and SUNY Purchase. Choreography stateside and abroad includes favorites: UniverSoul Circus, a commercial spot for Party City, production of Dream Girls, DanceUnika in Italy, Hair, and Disaster! The Musical at NYU. She wants to thank family, friends, LDC, and all of her students who inspire her.

Creative Team

Keenan Scott II
Playwright

Steve H. Broadnax III
Director

Millicent Johnnie
Choreographer

Robert Brill
Scenic Designer

Toni-Leslie James
Co-Costume Designer

Devario Simmons
Co-Costume Designer

Ryan J. O’Gara
Lighting Designer

Mikaal Sulaiman
Sound Designer

Sven Ortel
Projection Designer

Te’La
Music

Kamauu
Music

Bianca Laverne Jones
Associate Director

B.J. Forman*
Production Stage Manager

Cathy Hwang*
Assistant Stage Manager

Kyle Bass
Script Consultant

Calleri Casting
Casting

Keenan Scott II is a native New Yorker born and raised in Queens, New York. The youngest of two, Keenan relocated with his mother and sister to southern Maryland. There he began his journey in the underground SLAM poetry scene of Washington, D.C., at the age of 15. A self-published poet, by 18 Keenan had performed up and down the East Coast winning various SLAM poetry contests. A graduate of Frostburg State University, he received a Bachelor’s in Theater Arts with a concentration in acting. While attending he was a part of the Black Student Alliance, an organization that had a duty to represent and address the needs of the African American student body and to culturally enrich the campus as a whole through programs and lectures. Keenan is truly a Renaissance man; in addition to playwriting, Keenan is also an actor, director, and producer of original work. A few of Keenan Scott II’s previous works have been produced at Howard University, Gala Hispanic Theatre, Single Carrot Theater, National Black Theater, and the NYC Fringe Festival. Keenan’s latest work Thoughts of a Colored Man has been workshopped and developed at Arena Stage and the historic New York Theatre Workshop for private readings. Now this bold new work is a world premiere at Syracuse Stage then transferring to Baltimore Center Stage for its 2019-2020 theatrical season. The multi-faceted Keenan Scott II always believes: “Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced”- James Baldwin. Follow Keenan on Instagram @keenanthemuse

World Premieres: Mud Row by Dominique Morisseau, Travisville by William Jackson Harper, Bayard Rustin: Inside Ashland (also author), The Hot Wing King by Katori Hall, Everybody Black by Dave Harris. Theatre includes: Actors Theatre of Louisville, Cleveland Play House, People’s Light, Hattiloo Theatre, Ensemble Studio Theatre Company, Chautauqua Theatre Company, Apollo Theatre (NYC), Classical Theatre of Harlem, Atlantic Theatre (NYC), Detroit Public Theatre, Baltimore Center Stage, The Black Theatre Troupe (Phoenix, AZ), Arkansas Repertory Theatre, Moore Theatre (Seattle), Market Theatre (Johannesburg, South Africa), The Edinburgh Festival Fringe, National Arts Festival in South Africa, and The Adelaide Arts Festival Australia. The Hip Hop Project, an award-winning, full-length, original play directed, choreographed, and conceived by Steve, has toured nationally and was showcased at the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival in Washington, D.C. Other writings include the award-winning American Taboo and Camouflage (Eugene O’Neill semi-finalist). Training: Conservatory of Fine Arts Webster University (B.F.A.), Penn State University (M.F.A.). Steve is currently a professor of Theatre and associate artistic director for outreach at Penn State University. Visit www.stevebroadnax.com

Millicent Johnnie received a prestigious United States Artist nomination in Dance and is a Creative Capital Award winner. She served as an associate artistic director of the Urban Bush Women, choreographed the original Parable of the Sower workshop (New York City Opera) dir. Peter Sellers. Off-Broadway: Party People (The Public Theater). Universes’ Ameriville, Parable of the Sower The Opera (Under the Radar at The Public Theater) Other theatre credits include Zinnias: The Life of Clementine Hunter (Montclair Peak Performances) dir. Robert Wilson, Symphony for the Dance Floor with Daniel Bernard Roumain (Brooklyn Academy of Music), The Love Project (National Black Theater Festival) dir. Rhodessa Jones, The Hip Hop Project written by our very own Steve H. Broadnax III (Krannert Performing Arts Center), The Shipment (UnderMain Theater) dir. Stan Wojewodski Jr., Cubamor The Musical (The Village Theater) dir. Kent Nicholson, and Cry You One (Mondo Bizarro and Art Spot Productions) dir. Kathy Randals. Johnnie directed and choreographed RENT (Ferndale Repertory Theater), West Side Story (University Kwazulu Natal, South Africa), and Bamboula: Musician’s Brew (Cleo Parker Robinson Dance 45th Anniversary Tour). She has received numerous awards and nominations for her work including Prague International Dance Festival Awards (Best Choreography and Best Production), Times-Standard Beti’s Choice Awards (Best Director and Best Musical), Theatre Bay Area Award (Choreography), and a Vivian Robinson/AUDELCO Recognition Award nomination for choreography. Her Creole heritage has taught her the beauty and necessity of versatility; Johnnie’s success in the theatre world is complemented by her impact and demand in the commercial arena working with artists: Usher Raymond, Chrisette Michele, Bill Summers (Los Hombres Calientes), Lord Jamar (Brand Nubian), Tekeitha Wisdom (Wu-Tang), celebrity photographer Jonathan Mannion, and choreographing opening acts for artists like Dave Chappelle (Tallahassee Civic Center), Angélique Kidjo (National Black Arts Festival), and the UniverSoul Circus. Johnnie worked in artist development for Marvelous Enterprises in Atlanta, GA before choreographing the feature film Scary Movie 5, directed by Malcolm D. Lee and produced by David Zucker (Naked Gun franchise). She has served as a choreographer for Walt Disney Creative Entertainment and worked for the 2016 Opening Ceremonies of the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. More recently, Johnnie wrote and directed Ma Negresse: Le Esprit Creole and Bamboula is Not Bamboozled for Florida State University’s College of Motion Pictures.

Robert Brill is a three-time Tony Award nominee for Broadway, where his credits include Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations, Summer: The Donna Summer Musical, Assassins, as well as the set and club design for the critically acclaimed revival of Cabaret, at the Kit Kat Klub and the legendary Studio 54. His other Broadway credits include Jesus Christ Superstar, Guys and Dolls, A Streetcar Named Desire, Design for Living, Buried Child, and many others. Brill’s other theatrical credits include the musical spectacular Frozen, produced by Disney Creative Entertainment, Christopher Plummer’s A Word or Two; Sinatra: His Voice. His World. His Way. (Radio City Music Hall); The Wiz (La Jolla Playhouse); American in Paris (Boston Ballet); A Clockwork Orange (Steppenwolf Theatre); Anna Deavere Smith’s Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992 (Mark Taper Forum and McCarter Theatre); and The Laramie Project, presented throughout the U.S. including The Brooklyn Academy of Music. His designs for opera have been presented internationally, including the Metropolitan Opera, the English National Opera, as well as numerous world premieres, including Moby-Dick, Cold Mountain, Everest, Doubt, The Manchurian Candidate, and It’s A Wonderful Life. Brill is a founding member of Sledgehammer Theatre, a recipient of the Michael Merritt Award for Excellence in Design and Collaboration, and is professor of Scenic Design at the University of California
San Diego.

Ms. James’ Broadway credits include Bernhardt/Hamlet, Come From Away, August Wilson’s Jitney, Amazing Grace, Lucky Guy, The Scottsboro Boys, Finian’s Rainbow, Chita Rivera: The Dancer’s Life, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, King Hedley II, One Mo’ Time, The Wild Party, Marie Christine, Footloose, The Tempest, Twilight Los Angeles 1992, Angels in America: Millennium Approaches & Perestroika, Chronicle of a Death Foretold, and Jelly’s Last Jam. Ms. James’ work has been featured in productions for off-Broadway, regional theatre, opera, dance, and internationally in the UK, Ireland, Australia, and Canada. Awards and nominations include three Tony Award nominations, the 2019 Drama Desk Award and five other Drama Desk nominations, two Hewes Design Awards, the Irene Sharaff Young Masters Award, and the Obie Award for Sustained Costume Design Excellence. Dedicated to Jett Gerald Higham.

Devario Simmons is an American costume designer of staged productions. He received his M.F.A. in Costume Design from Virginia Commonwealth University. His design credits include Spamalot, The Merchant of Venice, In the Next Room, or the Vibrator Play, Man of La Mancha, A Streetcar Named Desire, and Ensemble. He has also done work on three seasons of AMC’s television show TURN, the 2nd National Touring production of the Broadway hit In the Heights, and two seasons of the PBS television series Mercy Street. He is currently the associate costume designer for all productions of Come from Away (designed by Toni-Leslie James) playing in the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre on Broadway, the Royal Alexandra Theatre in Toronto, the Phoenix Theatre in London, the Comedy Theatre in Melbourne, Australia, and in various theatres across the U.S. and Canada for the North American Tour. He was very excited to do his first show at Syracuse Stage!

Selected – National Tour: Juke Box Hero, A Night with Janis Joplin, Vocalosity, Walking Dead Experience, The Little Prince. Selected – NYC: Tail Spin, play/date, Lady Day, Moses of Egypt (New York City Opera), Knuckle Heads Zoo, Black Violin, Chix 6, THE RIDE,and NBC Upfront at Radio City Music Hall, plus various productions for Cirque du Soleil, Norwegian Cruise Line, Paper Mill Playhouse, Walnut Street Theatre, Drury Lane-Chicago, TUTS, Signature Theatre DC, Laguna Playhouse, Barter Theatre, Lincoln Center Festival, Capital Repertory Theatre, and Bristol Riverside Theatre (2016 Barrymore Award). Associate lighting designer for over 25 Broadway productions, currently: Aint’ Too Proud, Come from Away, and Hamilton. O’Gara graduated from North Carolina School of the Arts. www.ryanogara.com

Off-Broadway: Continuity (Manhattan Theatre Club); Passage, Fairview (Soho Rep); Recent Alien Abductions, Time’s Journey Through a Room (Play Co.); Meet Vera Stark (Signature Theatre); Blue Ridge (Atlantic Theatre); The Thanksgiving Play (Playwrights Horizons); Rags Parkland (Ars Nova), Underground Railroad Game (Ars Nova); Light Shining in Buckinghamshire (NYTW); Master (Foundry Theatre Co.); Skittles: The Broadway Musical. Regional: Berkeley Rep, The Alley, Woolly Mammoth, Trinity Rep, Pig Iron, Syracuse Stage, Arden Theatre, Early Morning Opera. Mikaal has received nominations from Drama Desk Award, Lucille Lortel Award, Bay Area Critics, and Audelco Award. He is a recipient of the Henry Hewes Design Award.

Sven Ortel designs projections and imagery for theatre, opera, dance, musicals, and beyond. His select Broadway credits include The Little Mermaid, Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, Wonderland, and Newsies (Tony Award nomination). His West End credits include Marguerite, Jumpers, and The Woman in White, among others. He has also designed A Disappearing Number (world tour), Measure for Measure (world tour), Tieflnad (Zurich, Barcelona), Rebecca (Vienna, Stuttgart), The Three Musketeers (Berlin, Stuttgart), Richard II (The Old Vic), Swan Lake (San Francisco), and The Ring Cycle (St. Petersburg). Mr. Ortel’s Off-Broadway credits include Hamlet, Party People, Carrie, and Julie Taymor’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. His many regional productions include A Confederacy of Dunces (Huntington Theatre Company), Mary Page Marlowe (Steppenwolf Theatre Company), Roman Holiday (SHN Golden Gate Theatre), “Mat Franco – Magic Reinvented Nightly” (The Linq), Ever After (Alliance Theatre), and Life After (The Old Globe). Mr. Ortel also leads the M.F.A. program in Integrated Media and an undergraduate track in Projection, Lighting, and Interactivity at The University of Texas at Austin.

The rowdy rebel and all-around sunny vibe creator, is here to make her presence known. A multidisciplinary artist hailing from central New Jersey, she delivers ethereal heartfelt ballads and trap jazzy serenades through her enchanting vocals and colorfully arranged harmonies. In Fall of 2017, Te’La released her debut album Out of Bounds on all musical platforms. The Mezzo-Soprano songstress hopes to make a lasting impact touching souls with her music. Te’La believes her purpose on Earth is to inspire her audience to strive for their own truth. The Sunshine Queen is both a remarkable story and an alluring song. She offers an authentic approach to music through her bright, sunny style. Regional acting credits include: NYTW: Rated Black; Shakespeare Theatre Co. (Washington, D.C.); As You Like It; Imagination Stage: Cinderella: The Remix; Howard University: The Colored Museum, Passing Strange, Breath, Boom, Sirens, For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide . . . . Fringe Festival: The Hair Chronicles. Te’La would like to thank Keenan Scott II, Brian Moreland, and Ron Simons for such a wonderful opportunity. Cheers to the amazing Thoughts of a Colored Man Team! For more information please visit staysunnytey.com

Washington, D.C. native Kamau Mbonisi Kwame Agyeman could be referred to as a singer and rapper, but his inclination for sound play as much as word play—inspired by African music, doo wop, and hip-hop alike—demonstrates that he’s a vocalist more so than either specific distinction. The productions that support his voice likewise defy easy categorization, as they’ve drawn from contemporary pop and rap while reflecting inspirations that include Oddisee, Lupe Fiasco, Bobby McFerrin, Vieux Diop, André 3000, and k-os. Oddisee’s The Good Fight album, released by Melo Music Group, and No Wyld’s “Ascension” EP, released by Columbia, both in 2015, were the first major recordings on which Kamau was heard. The following year, he contributed “The Icarus” to The Birth of a Nation: The Inspired by Album, appeared on No Wyld’s full-length Nomads and released a handful of singles, as well as the six-track “A Gorgeous Fortune” EP. A full-length set entitled The KAMAU-CASSETTE: ŭRTH GōLD arrived in 2017, including the tender single “MĭNT” featuring Talibah Safiya.

Bianca Laverne Jones is thrilled to be with this production. She is a North Carolina born, New York based actor/director. Director: FEAST: A Yoruba Tale (HERE Arts, Dream Center Harlem), ARMED by James Anthony Tyler (Amoralist Theater Company); LAMDA Showcase (Playwrights Horizon). Development Director: Looking Through the Stained Glass Window by Evie Rhodes (Playroom Theater). Associate Director: A Small Oak Tree Runs Red by LaKeithia Dalcoe (Billie Holiday Theater) directed by Harry Lennix. Assistant Director: BLKS by Aziza Barnes directed by Robert O’Hara (MCC); The First Noel (Classical Theater of Harlem, Apollo Theater) co-written by Jason Michael Webb and Lelund Durond, directed by Steve H. Broadnax III. Film: Mother’s Milk by Larry Powell; Undercover Sidechick by Cherie Danielle. Readings: New Black Fest, Quicksilver Theater Company, Miranda Theater Company, TheaterSouthAtlanta, New Perspec-tives. London: Devised work; All the Other Kids with the Pumped Up Kicks; Class by Gloria Marshall Brown at (Katzspace, London Bridge); Partners by Dorothy Fortenberry (Carne Theater); Assistant Director to Adam Penford, Artistic Director of Nottingham Theater for LAMDA Showcase (Ambassador Theater, West End). Assistant Director: Twelfth Night, The Sea, Cherry Orchard. Film (London): Script Supervisor for STORKER by Cyril Nri. Education: North Carolina School of the Arts (Diploma), SUNY Purchase Acting Conservatory (B.F.A.), and London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts (LAMDA, M.A. in Directing). Awarded Best Direction by DC Black Theater Festival for Best One Act Play.

B.J. Forman is thrilled to continue his journey with Thoughts of a Colored Man, having been part of the family for the past two years. He was on the stage management team at Avenue Q on Broadway and stage managed the Broadway production and the First National Tour of the revival of 42nd Street. He has toured nationally and internationally with The Sound of Music, Man of La Mancha, Joseph…Dreamcoat, and The Phantom of the Opera. Off-Broadway, he was the production stage manager for Jewtopia, Confessions of a Mormon Boy, The Musical of Musicals (The Musical!), The Pirates of Penzance, and The Rink. A veteran of summer stock, B.J.’s favorite credits include The Opposite of Sex, The World Goes ‘Round, Man of La Mancha, The Pirates of Penzance, The Robber Bridegroom, Nine, Big River, Victor/Victoria, The Sound of Music, Titanic, and Swingtime Canteen. Much love to MJP for always being my rock.

Kyle Bass is the author of Possessing Harriet (Syracuse Stage, Franklin Stage Company), Tender Rain, Bleecker Street, Separated (Syracuse Stage, the Paley Center in New York City), and Cry for Peace: Voices from the Congo (Syracuse Stage, La MaMa), co-written with Ping Chong. Current projects include a play titled salt/city/blues and an opera libretto based on the life of legendary folk singer and guitarist Libba Cotten (commissioned by the Society for New Music). Kyle worked with acclaimed visual artist Carrie Mae Weems on her theatre piece Grace Notes: Reflections for Now (2016 Spoleto Festival USA), is co-author of the screenplay for the film Day of Days (Broad Green Pictures). He is Assistant Professor of Theater, Colgate University, Susan P. Stroman Visiting Playwright, University of Delaware, holds an M.F.A. in Playwriting, and is a proud member of the Dramatists Guild of America. Representation: The Barbara Hogenson Agency.

James Calleri, Paul Davis, and Erica Jensen cast the recent Broadway productions of Burn This, Bright Star (National Tour), Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Fool for Love, The Visit, The Elephant Man (also West End), and Venus in Fur. Their recent Off-Broadway and regional credits include Kate Hamill’s Little Women at Primary Stages; the Pride Plays festival and Samuel D. Hunter’s Lewiston/Clarkston at Rattlestick Playwrights Theater; and productions at Actors Theatre of Louisville, Long Wharf Theatre, and Two River Theater. Their television credits include the upcoming Dickinson (Apple) and The Path (Hulu), and their films include I Origins and Another Earth. Calleri Casting has received 14 Artios Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Casting. They are members of the Casting Society of America. www.callericasting.com.

*Member of Actors’ Equity Association

In the Press

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Robyn Murphy at 410.986.4016 or rmurphy@centerstage.org.

Reviews

“EXPANDS THE THEATRICAL LANDSCAPE OF TELLING THE AMERICAN STORY. CHILLS RUN UP AND DOWN YOUR SPINE.”— URBAN CNY

“A PRODUCTION WORTH SEEING AGAIN AND AGAIN.”— SYRACUSE.COM

“THE ENTIRE CAST IS SENSATIONAL… EXPERTLY DIRECTED BY STEVE H. BROADNAX III.”— WWW.NYTV.COM

“LUMINOUS. YOU CAN’T IMAGINE A MORE POWERFUL DYNAMIC BETWEEN ACTOR AND AUDIENCE.””— DC THEATRE SCENE

“OUTSTANDING! IMPRESSIVE! A POETIC BALM… ‘THOUGHTS’ REVEALS UNIVERSAL TRUTHS.”— DC METRO THEATER ARTS

In the News

09.03.19: Playbill—Go Inside Rehearsal for 'Thoughts of a Colored Man' With Pose’s Ryan Jamaal Swain
09.04.19: Broadway World—Video: First Look at 'Thoughts of a Colored Man'
10.18.19: DC Metro Theater Arts—‘Thoughts of a Colored Man’ reveals universal truths at Baltimore Center Stage
10.18.19: WBAL-TV—Baltimore arts community honors Rep. Elijah Cummings
10.21.19: DC Theatre Scene—Review: Thoughts of a Colored Man at Baltimore Center Stage
10.2219: MD Theatre Guide—Theatre Review: ‘Thoughts of a Colored Man’ at Baltimore Center Stage
10.25.19: Baltimore Outloud—Ryan Jamaal Swain: His Thoughts On Thoughts Of A Colored Man At Center Stage
11.01.19: CBS Baltimore— ‘Thoughts Of A Colored Man’ Receives High Praise At Baltimore Center Stage
11.03.19: WBALTV— 11 TV Hill meets the mind behind 'Thoughts of a Colored Man'
11.03.19: WBALTV— 1 TV Hill: 'Thoughts of a Colored Man' cast explores meaning behind their characters
11.03.19: The Crisis Magazine (Official Publication of the NAACP)—Thoughts of a Colored Man

“LUMINOUS. YOU CAN’T IMAGINE A MORE POWERFUL DYNAMIC BETWEEN ACTOR AND AUDIENCE.” —DC Theatre Scene

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