Interim Artistic Director Interim Producing Director Ann Joseph Douglas Daniel Bryant
PRESENTS
THE NATIVITY By: McKinley Johnson Director * Aaron Todd Douglas ◊ Musical Director/Composer/Arranger Jaret Landon Choreographer Kevin Iega Jeff Stage Manager *Razor Wintercastle Scenic Design Andre Onegin Lighting Design Richard Norwood Costume Design Michael Alan Stein Sound Design Rick Sims Properties Design Douglas Kupferman Production Manager Christine Ferriter * Actor’s Equity Association ◊ Member of Congo Square Ensemble Congo Square Theatre Company 2936 N. Southport Suite 210 Chicago IL 60657 773 296-1108 Office 773 472-6637 Fax www.congosquaretheatre.org
The 2010-2011 Season is graciously funded in part by:The MacArthur Fund for the Arts and Culture at Prince and The MacArthur Fund for the Arts and Culture at Richard H. Drieshaus Foundation. Congo Square Theatre Company 1
S U P P O R T S TA F F Assistant Director * Rueben D. Echoles Assistant Stage Manager Lee Strausberg Consulting Choreographer Gary Abbott Assistant to Choreographer Kish Jackson Assistant Costume Designer Atra Asdou Assistant lighting Designer Emily Barbian Assistant Sound Designer Sarah Ramos Production Intern Nakeia Medcalf SPECIAL THANKS Hubbard Street Dance Jason Palmquist Julia Perkins Julian Roberts Molly Feingold Tranesha Ballard The Court Theater Rolling Out Magazine CAST LIST Kathleen Purcell Turner...........................................................................................................Mary Pierre Clark...............................................................................................................................Joseph * John Steven Crowley........................................................................................................ Gabriel * Alexis J. Rogers............................................................................................Athaliah/Ensemble Jeniel Smith.............................................................................................Johashobah/Ensemble * Melody Betts.......................................................................................................Mother of Mary Kalind Haynes......................................................................................................Father of Joseph * Dwelvan David................................................................................................Herod/Ensemble Dawn Bless.....................................................................................................Elisabeth/Ensemble * Laura Walls........................................................................................................ Angel/Ensemble John Pierce...................................................................................................Wise Man/Ensemble Kelvin Rosten Jr.....................................................................................Tax Collector/Ensemble Roshawn Thompson........................................................................ Roman soldier/Ensemble Marketta Wilder...........................................................................................................Understudy Baron Clay......................................................................................................................Understudy * Member of Actor’s Equity Association 2 Congo Square Theatre Company
C O N G O S Q UA R E E N S E M B L E M E M B E R S Will Sims II ◊ * Ann Joseph ◊ * Monifa Days ◊ * Aaron Todd Douglas ◊ * TaRon Patton ◊ * Aimee K. Bryant◊ * Javon Johnson ◊ Derrick Sanders ◊ * Anthony Irons ◊ * Bakesta King ◊ * Daniel Bryant ◊ * Ericka Ratcliff ◊ * Ron Conner ◊ * Alexis J. Rogers ◊ * Tracey Bonner ◊ * Allan Gilmore ◊ ARTISTIC ASSOCIATES * Chad Boseman * Samuel Robinson, Jr. * Malkia Stampley * Member of Actor’s Equity Association ◊ Member of Congo Square Ensemble SONG LIST Scene 1 Two Thousand Years Ago.........................................................................................Gabriel/Cast Only You.....................................................................................................................Mary’s Mother Scene 4 God is Good.........................................................................................................Friend of Mother Scene 5 A World for Me and Mary............................................................................................Carpenters Scene 6 Chosen...................................................................................................................... Aunt Elizabeth Scene 7 You didn’t Wait...................................................................................................................... Gabriel Scene 9 Her Way’s Cloudy.................................................................................................................Women Scene 12 There Was No Room........................................................................................................... Woman Joseph’s on the Road................................................................................................................Men Mary, What’s the Matter.....................................................................................................Women Scene 13 For Unto Us a Child is Born..................................................................................................... Cast What Child is This...............................................................................................Father of Joseph Oh Come All Ye Faithful.................................................................................................. Elisabeth Congo Square Theatre Company 3
S O N G L I S T ( c o n t .) Scene 14 Go Tell It on the Mountain.................................................................... Father of Joseph, Cast We Three Kings...................................................................................................................... 3 Kings Stir World....................................................................................................................................... Cast Scene 15 O Holy Night.........................................................................................................................Athaliah Scene 16 There’s a Little Jew................................................................................................................. Herod Scene 17 You Ought to Try the Lord................................................................................................. 3 Kings Scene 18 We Declare War...........................................................................................................Gabriel, Cast Scene 21 I Have Faith............................................................................................Athaliah and Johasheba Scene 22 Only You............................................................................................. Athaliah/Johashobah,Cast 1st Noel.......................................................................................................................................... Cast Jesus Oh What a Wonderful Child........................................................................................ Cast Reprise: Go Tell It on the Mountain....................................................................................... Cast INSPIRED BY LANGSTON HUGHES (Writer) Langston Hughes was one of the most important writers and thinkers of the Harlem Renaissance, which was the African American artistic movement in the 1920s that celebrated black life and culture. Hughes’s creative genius was influenced by his life in New York City’s Harlem, a primarily African American neighborhood. His literary works helped shape American literature and politics. Hughes, like others active in the Harlem Renaissance, had a strong sense of racial pride. Through his poetry, novels, plays, essays, and children’s books, he promoted equality, condemned racism and injustice, and celebrated African American culture, humor, and spirituality. C O N G O S Q UA R E B OA R D O F D I R E C TO R S Amer Abdullah Les Coney Amina Dickerson Michael Cathey Ron DeNard Tony Glen Eric Grant September Gray Suzanne Griffith Michael Hughes 4 Congo Square Theatre Company
Ahmad Islam Oscar Johnson Keith McGregory Glen McKeown Melinda McMullen Tyrone Stoudemire Veronica-Anderson Thigpen Jesse Wardlow Ron Whitley James Wooten
AU T H O R MCKINLEY JOHNSON (Adaptor/Director) has been writing new musicals for over fifteen years. This year his latest musical contribution was as arranger/composer of Steppenwolf’s Young Audiences production of “Harriet Jacob’s” ,”Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl”, with playwright Lydia Diamond. Last year, he successfully produced his romantic musical comedy, “Sunday Afternoon” at Captain Hard Time Café introducing to the Southside of Chicago its first foray into dinner theatre. He directed the critically acclaimed ‘Crowns” at Open Door Repertory where it not only was extended but moved to another venue and was nominated for several BTAA awards including Best Direction. Some of his award-winning works include “Train Is Comin” produced twice at Chicago Theatre Company and around the country. His musical “Being Beautiful” was developed in part at the New Tuners Workshop with Joan Mazzonell and John Sparks and was produced at Chicago Theatre Company and Bailiwick Repertory. “Georgia Tom: Thomas Andrew Dorsey”,” the Father of Gospel Music”, for which he was given a 1998 NEA/TCG Residency for Playwrights Program Grant, was produced at the Bailiwick Theatre. McKinley will direct his latest musical, “Eye of the Storm, the Bayard Rustin Musical,” written with Marshall Titus and David Taylor, in the upcoming season of Open Door Repertory.
D I R E C TO R AARON TODD DOUGLAS Aaron Todd Douglas is a freelance actor, director and part time faculty member at Loyola University Chicago. Aaron is a founding ensemble member of Congo Square Theatre Company, and would like to salute Reginald Nelson and Derrick Sanders for their inspiration in co-founding Congo Square as we celebrate ten years of production. Recent directing projects include: 12 Angry Men (Raven Theatre, Jeff Award Best Ensemble, nomination Director), The Brother/Sister Plays (assistant director Steppenwolf Theatre), The Hip Hop Project: Insight Into A Generation (professional guest director University of Illinois), Smash/Hit by Steve Broadnax (Cultural Conversations Festival), And They Said I Wouldn’t Make It (Victory Gardens Theatre-Fresh Squeezed Solo Series). Other directing credits include: Pill Hill (Black Theatre Alliance Award – Best Director, Best Production ETA Creative Arts), Talented Tenth (BTAA – Best Production), African Company Presents Richard III (Congo Square), Invisible Man (Art Institute Chicago), and The Actor’s Rap (Hip Hop Theatre Festival/ Congo Square). Acting credits include: Wait Until Dark (Court Theatre), Journal of Ordinary Thought (Chicago Theater Company), Fortunes of the Moor (ETA), The State of Mississippi v. Emmet Till (Pegasus Players), Wheatley (Victory Gardens), Julius Caesar (Chicago Shakespeare) and Perfect Mendacity (Steppenwolf ). Congo Square acting credits include the multiple Jeff Award winning Seven Guitars, Boy Willie in their inaugural production of The Piano Lesson, Before it Hits Home, Spunk, and Ali. He originated Flip in the world premiere of Stick Fly by Lydia Diamond and performed in Joe Turner’s Come and Gone at The Goodman Theatre as part of the August Wilson Celebration commemorating the Goodman’s historic completion of Wilson’s Century Cycle.
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PROFILES KATHLEEN PURCELL TURNER (Mary) Kathleen Purcell Turner was born in Columbus, Ohio where her dance training began at BalletMet under the direction of Yoko Ichino and April Berry. She continued her education at institutions such as American Dance Festival, Julliard, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, and Ohio University where she graduated Magna Cum Laude from the Honors Tutorial College with a degree in dance. Kathleen has performed with Cleveland Contemporary Dance Theater, Wylliams/ Henry Contemporary Dance Company, The Karamu House, and Chicago Dance Crash and at the Kennedy Center. She has worked with artists such as Ronald K. Brown, Craig “Bopi” Patterson, and Murray Louis. She is currently in her fourth season with Deeply Rooted Dance Theater. PIERRE CLARK (Joseph) is an 18-year-old senior at Emerson School for the Visual & Performing Arts in Gary, IN. He is a vocal music major but joined the dance department in the Fall of 2007 and has been dancing for a year. He is also a member of the West Side Theatre Guild and the South Shore Dance Alliance in Gary and has participated in a summer program with Deeply Rooted Dance Theatre in Chicago as well as a week with Kenyetta Dance Company in Indianapolis. His major accomplishments include first place in all district and state ISSMA competitions for solo and ensemble work and choreographing & performing a first place small ensemble in IHSDTA for the Emerson Dance Alliance, under the direction of Larry Brewer. JOHN STEVEN CROWLEY (Gabriel) John is honored to be working with Aaron Todd Douglas and the Congo Square Theatre on this production of McKinley Johnson’s The Nativity. John’s last production with Congo Square was Sanctified. Most recently, John appeared in productions of The Buddy Holly Story at Drury Lane Theatre, directed by Tammy Manner, Ain’t Misbehavin’ at the Goodman Theatre, and 6 Congo Square Theatre Company
Elizabeth Wilder’s Gee’s Bend at Northlight Theatre, both directed by Chuck Smith. John began his theatrical training at the old Loop College (now Harold Washington College) in Of Mice and Men, directed by Ricardo Guttierez. John has received three Jeff Awards and one Black Theatre Alliance Award. Regional Theatres John has performed at include San Diego Repertory Theatre, Alliance Theatre, Arena Stage, Huntington Theatre, Hartford Stage, and Alhambra Theatre. Favorite productions include Jackie Taylor’s Doo Wop Shoo Bop (Jeff Award), Regina Taylor’s Crowns (Helen Hays Nomination), The Wizard of Oz, August Wilson’s Fences, and, of course, Ain’t Misbehavin’(Jeff Award). John has worked with such directors as Sean Graney, Eric Rosen, Henry Godinez, Todd Booth, Marc Robin, Dr.Ralph Green, Ron OJ Parson, and Peter Chatman. John is grateful to God for life and to his family and friends for their love and support over the years. Selah! ALEXIS J. ROGERS (Athaliah/Ensemble) Alexis J. Rogers has had the opportunity to be in every ‘NATIVITY’ experience since it’s start in 2004. She is a Chicago native holding a BFA from Howard University. She recently made her Writers’ Theatre debut in their production of OLD SETTLER directed by Ron O.J. Parson, which she received a 2010 Black Theater Alliance Award for. She was last scene with Congo Square in an all-ensemble 2010 Black Excellence Award-winning cast (Outstanding Ensemble) of THE COLORED MUSEUM. Additional Chicago credits include THE PIANO LESSON (Court Theatre), SEVEN GUITARS (3 Jeff Awards), ST. JAMES INFIRMARY, BLACK NATIVITY (Congo Square Theatre Company), IF ALL THE WORLD WERE PAPER (Chicago Children’s Theatre), AIN’T MISBEHAVIN (Goodman Theatre), RAGTIME (Porchlight Theatre Company), DON’T MAKE ME OVER: A TRIBUTE TO DIONNE WARWICK (Black Ensemble Theatre) and, RUNAWAY HOME (eta). Regional credits include MERCHANT OF VENICE (Shakesphere Theatre, DC) and, CIVIL WAR and BIG RIVER (Barn Theatre). Alexis is a proud ensemble member of Congo Square Theatre Company, as well as a member of Actor’s Equity Association and Aftra.
P R O F I L E S ( c o n t .) JENIEL SMITH (Johashobah/Ensenble) Jeniel was later seen in the lead role as Ms. Devine in the very popular “Don’t Make Me Over: A Tribute to Dionne Warwick” at the Black Ensemble Theater which received national press. More recently, Jeniel was seen in the role of Rhonda in the moving story YRT at Chicago State Breakey Theater. Jeniel M. Smith was also nominated for a 2007 Black Excellence Award for Outstanding Actress for her role as Grandma Lee at the ETA Theater . Aside from theater, Jeniel is a very skilled entertainer performing as lead vocalist with various chicago based bands. In addition, Jeniel has been seen as a Host for events such as the American Legacy Challenge sponsored by American Legacy Magazine in conjuntion with American Family Insurance along with the Black Theater Alliance Awards to be added to her credit. In pursuit of artistic excellence, Jeniel was recently picked up as a client with Paonessa Talent Agency, Jeniel would like to take this time to extend a sincere thanks to all her family and friends that continue to support her on her artistic journey. MELODY BETTS (Mother of Mary/ Ensemble) is appreciative of this opportunity to participate in The Nativity for the first time! Regional Credits include Asaka in Once on This Island, Trix the Aviatrix in The Drowsy Chaperone, Sister Hubert in Nunsense, Sylvia in All Shook Up (Marriott Theatre); Courtesan/Abbess in ShortShakes! Comedy of Errors (Chicago Shakespeare Theater); Muzzy Van Hossmere in Thoroughly Modern Millie, Luce in The Boys from Syracuse, and as Sarah’s Friend in Drury Lane’s Jeff Award winning production of Ragtime (Drury Lane Oakbrook). I am who I am and I do what I love only because God allows me and for that I am grateful! Without Him I am nothing.”Romans 10:9 LOVE! KALIND L. HAYNES (Ensemble) is back for his third production of Black Nativity. His outstanding performances have led to his back to back Black Theatre Alliance Award
nominations. He has performed in numerous productions including: “The Etta Moten-Barnett Story”, “The Mitty Collier Story”, and “The Trial”, which was nominated by Chicago’s Urban Hip-Hop Awards for best theatrical stage production. Mr. Haynes’ vocals have led him to such places as Italy, Mexico, France and Jamaica where he aroused the crowds each night. He can be seen regularly capturing audiences at the Regal Theater. In all that he does, his greatest desire is that his gift be used to edify and glorify his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ…the Sovereign God!!! Thanks to Congo Square for another superb run of Black Nativity. DWELVAN DAVID (King Herod/Ensemble) Dwelvan David is overjoyed to be making his inaugural performance with Congo Square in the Owen Theatre at The Goodman. Most recently Dwelvan was seen in Drury Lane Oakbrook’s multi Jeff award-winning Ragtime. His favorite regional credits include Marc Robin’s Treasure Island (Billy Bones/Job Anderson); Cats (Deuteronomy); Big River (Jim); songs for a new world (Man 1). A graduate of Homewood- Flossmoor HS, Dwelvan holds a BFA from Millikin University and is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association. Thanks to ATD, KIJ and JL for this opportunity to share my gift. Shalom Y’all! DAWN BLESS (Elisabeth/Ensemble) Dawn Bless is delighted to belong to the cast of The Nativity for the second time. She is an accomplished artist, singer, poet, actress and, playwright. Acting credits include: Don’t Make Me Over: A tribute To Dionne Warwick; At Last: A Tribute To Etta James; Seusical The Musical; Buddy Holly; I Am Who I Am: The Teddy Pendergrass Story; Once On This Island; and many, many, more. Her playwrighting credits include: Sounds So Good Makes You Wanna Holler, Old School Verses Nu Skool; and, Tribute To The Black Crooner. She is presently writing You Brought The Sunshine: A Tribute To The Clark Sisters, which will make it’s world debut at The Black Ensemble Theater in 2011.
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P R O F I L E S ( c o n t .) LAURA E. WALLS (Angel/Ensemble) Laura E. Walls, previously appeared in Congo Square’s ‘Sanctified’ receiving a Black Theater Alliance Award for Best Featured Actress. Other credits include: Crowns (CATCO Theater), Hats (Royal George Theater), Nefertiti (Deeply Rooted Dance Company), Get Ready (Victory Gardens) for which she received a Jeff Nomination for Best Actress), The Other Cinderella (Black Ensemble Theater), Mens, Dreamgirls and, In The House Of The Blues. International credits include: North Sea Jazz Festival, Monte Carlo Sporting Club, Montreal Jazz Fest and, the Osaka and Tokyo Jazz Fetsival. Laura’s performance is in memory of Bishop Arthur M. Brazier (Apostolic Church Of God). JON PIERCE Jon Pierce is elated to be returning to Congo Square’s production of The Nativity. Jon is a native of Chicago. Some of his credits include Dreamgirls, Home the musical, Don’t Shed A Tear, and Eye Of The Storm. Jon released a single entitled My Words that hit #1 on the U.K. dance charts. He is currently recording his solo debut album. Jon is so thankful to his family and friends who love and support him. “Congo Square, you did it again! Thank yal!” KELVIN ROSTON, JR (Tax Collector/Ensemble) Kelvin is pleased to be back on stage with Congo Square. He debuted with Congo in their production of ST. JAMES INFIRMARY. Kelvin’s Chicago credits include: THOSE SENSATIONAL SOULFUL SIXTIES, NOTHIN’ BUT THE BLUES (BET), THE OLD SETTLER (Writer’s Theater), MA RAINY’S BLACK BOTTOM (Court Theater), TO BE YOUNG GIFTED AND BLACK (Illinois Theater Center), PILL HILL (eta), and others. His regional credits include: DEATH AND KING’S HORSEMAN, DREAMGIRLS, BEFORE IT HITS HOME, OTHELLO (The Black Rep), THE LAST DAYS OF JUDAS ISCARIOT (HotCity Theater Co), MAMA (Unity Theater Ensemble), BEOWULF (Metro Theater Co) and many others. “We are the vessels through which our story continues to be told. Go tell it!” 8 Congo Square Theatre Company
ROSHAWN THOMPSON (Roman Soldier/ Ensemble) Rashawn is very very happy to work with Congo Square at the Goodman Theatre for the first time. He has worked at the Black Ensemble Theatre for the past 6 years. You’ve probably seen him in shows such as: Those sensational soulful 60’s, Those sensuous seductive 70’s,Sound so Good...,The other cinderella,The black crooners, My brothers keeper the story of the Nicholas Brothers and his award winning for best featured actor in a musical/ play, I Am Who I Am the story of Teddy pendergrass! He thanks GOD for the gifts he has giving him, He thanks his Mother for bringing him in this world,he thanks his stern father for pushing him so much and he thanks Jackie Taylor for taking him to the next level. He also would like to thank his special woman, Caren Blackmore for her strong support, Love you all! MARKETTA WILDER (Understudy) Marketta P. Wilder is a proud native of Riverdale, IL. She is a recent graduate of Illinois State University where she received her BS in Acting. She was nominated for two Irene Ryan awards for outstanding performance for the production In The Blood by Suzi Lori Parks, and King Hedley II by August Wilson. She has performed throughout the City of Chicago as a singer/songwriter. She is honored to be a part of this production, and would like to thank you family and friends for support. BARON L. CLAY (Understudy) Baron L. Clay, Jr. is so excited to be in his first production with Congo Square Theatre Company. He was a company member of White Horse Theatre Company and a Choreographer for Taurista Artists. His past credits include, “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat”,“Miss Saigon”, “The Who’s Tommy”, and “Kiss of the Spider Woman”. Baron would like to thank Chad and all of his loved ones for their support.
PRODUCTION TEA M JARET WILLIAMS (Musical Director/ Composer) (“J.Landon”) singer/ pianist, and prolific writer/arranger of gospel, jazz, and classical music. He is a graduate of the Florida State University and is currently pursuing a Masters degree in Music Education. Jaret has composed and arranged scores for various independent films, musicals, and recorded albums. Last year, he received the BTAA, Duke Ellington Award for Best Musical Direction for Sanctified by Javon Johnson. He serves as musical director at the Pullman Christian Reformed Church here in Chicago, IL. Jaret thanks his family and friends for their undying support. KEVIN IEGA JEFF (Choreographer) has captivated audiences with his direction and choreography for over 15 years. A New York native, Iega attributes his artistic excellence to training at some of the nation’s top artistic institutions including: Bernice Johnson’s Cultural Arts Center, New York City’s High School for the Performing Arts, Darvash Ballet School, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center, and The Juilliard School. In 2005, he was named one of The Juilliard School’s 100 Outstanding Alumni in celebration of the school’s 100th anniversary. It’s an honor he shares with actor Robin Williams and musician Wynton Marsalis, to name only a few. At the age of 21, Iega founded JUBILATION! Dance Company in New York City. The company was created out of a need to provide a forum for African-American artists to be nurtured emotionally, spiritually and physically through the arts. For 10 years JUBILATION! toured internationally, inspiring diverse audiences and communities all over the world. In October 1994 he was appointed Artistic Director of Joseph Holmes Chicago Dance Theater. In 1995 he co-founded Deeply Rooted Productions in Chicago where he continues to serve today as Artistic Director. Iega has served as artist-in-residence at Howard University, the University of Las Vegas, Goucher College, SUNY Purchase and at Purdue University’s Black Cultural Center. His work has been featured in several on- and off-screen productions
including Spike Lee’s She’s Gotta Have It and the Broadway shows Comin’ Uptown and The Wiz. He performed the role of the Beast in Beauty and the Beast, dancing with prima ballerina Cynthia Gregory, in the 1994 Academy Awards. His credits for direction and choreography include an international tour of Porgy and Bess, choreography for Alvin Ailey American Dance Ensemble, River North Dance Company, Dallas Black Dance Theater, Cleveland Contemporary Dance Theater, and the Wylliams/Henry Danse Theater. Iega was awarded a Chicago DanceMakers Forum Lab Artist grant in 2009, and this past spring, he premiered the resulting work, I Am Deeply Rooted, which highlights through the collection of true stories the lives and beliefs of individuals who have contributed to humanity through their dedication to the arts, education or human rights. RAZOR WINTERCASTLE (Stage Manager) Razor has worked in the Chicago area, Europe, Asia and all over the place with various theatre companies, bands, concerts, you name it. It is a pleasure to work with Congo Square. Stay Sharp. RUEBEN D. ECHOLES (Assistant Director) Rueben D. Echoles is a native of Chicago and has been seen on stages throughout the city, which include ETA Creative Arts and Black Ensemble Theater where he is currently the director of “Plays With a Purpose” their daytime children’s theater program. He is also the Associate Director and resident choreographer at Black Ensemble. He has directed such works as Once on this Island (Cornerstone Productions), Hopera a Fallen Hero,(HoperaWorld Productions) Ama And The Magic Toy Box (Eta Creative arts Foundation) and Crooners(Black Ensemble) which earned him a Black Theater Alliance Award nomination for best director in a musical. Mr. Echoles would like to thank the Congo Square family for allowing me to be a part of such an awesome experience! He also wants to thank the Angels for being in the Building! SHARLET WEBB (Assistant Stage Manager) is delighted to return to Congo Square on this production of The Nativity, after The Colored Museum last season. Ms. Webb is an Artistic Associate with Congo Square Theatre Company 9
P R O D U C T I O N T E A M ( c o n t .) MPAACT (Maa’t Producation Association of Afrikan Centered Theater).Ms Webb has worked with City Lit Theater, Absolute Shakespeare, The Theatre Building of Chicago, eta Creative arts foundation, Pegagus Players, Live Bait Theater, Metamorphosis Theater, DuSable Museum and many others in the Chicago area for over two decades. Thank you family and friends for your support and love. GARY ABBOTT (Consulting Choreographer) Gary Abbott began his career as a dancer in Atlanta, GA with Barbara Sullivan’s Atlanta Dance Theatre. There he developed his interest in choreography and created works for musicals presented by Jomandi Productions and The Clark College Players. Receiving a scholarship to attend California Institute of the Arts in 1979, Abbott studied with dance legends Crystine Lawson, Nicholas Gunn and Mia Slavenska. Abbott and Jeff, along with Linda Spriggs, Diane Shober and LaVerne Alaphaire Jeff founded Deeply Rooted Dance Theater in 1995. From 2001-2003, Abbott served as choreographer and Jeff as director for Black Nativity presented by the Penumbra Theatre. Abbott shared choreographic duties alongside Mr. Jeff in Bailiwick Chicago’s 2010 production of Aida’. Mr .Abbott’s choreography was also included in the Goodman Theater production of Ballad of Emit Till in 2009. ANDRE ONEGIN (Set Designer) Andrei is happy to be back and design the set for Black Nativity. Last season he designed Colored Museum at the Congo Square. His other work in Chicago has included designing sets for Death of a Salesman and Hedda Gabler (Raven), Cat’s Cradle (Lifeline), Princess Club, The Balloon Man and The Golden Truffle (Redmoon), Unsung Stars (Moving Dock), The Day of Knowledge (Stage Left), Hamlet (Yamaworks), Flood and Rosmersholm (Alchimia). During the last 30 years of Andrei’s theater career he has participated in and accomplished more than 110 productions, and worked for such legendary companies as Moscow Art Theater, Kabuky and ComédieFrançaise. He received his MFA in 1992 from The Moscow Art Theater School. RICHARD NORWOOD (Lighting Designer) Richard has designed numerous shows for Trap Door Theatre, Remy Bumppo Theatre and Vitalist Theatre. Recent 10 Congo Square Theatre Company
Designs include The Piano Lesson for The Court Theatre and Me Too, I am Catherine Deneuve for Trap Door Theatre. Richard is the Performance Coordinator at the Museum of Contemporary Art. RICK SIMS (Sound Designer/Composer) Rick is an artistic associate of Lookingglass Theatre Company and an associate designer with Aria Music Designs (Ray Nardelli and Josh Horvath). Sound Design and Composer credits include: Trust , Icarus, Brothers Karamazov and Wooden Breeks at Lookingglass; Picnic at Writers Theatre; Gary at Boston Playwrights/ Steppenwolf, Huck Finn and A Separate Peace at Steppenwolf; Colored Museum (BTAA nomination), Sanctified, St James Infirmary, Talented Tenth(BTAA nomination) and Black Nativity at Congo Square; Company, The Hostage, Be More Chill and Little Brother at Griffin; True West/Top Dog Underdog Rep and Welcome To Arroyo’s at American Theatre Company; Caroline or Change at Court Theatre, Hollowlands at Steep Theatre, 12 Angry Men at Raven Theatre, Sweet Charity, Goodbye Girl at Drury Lane; The Attempters and the Magnificents at House Theatre; Wedding Play at About Face; Four Places at Victory Gardens; Icarus at the Getty in L.A. w Lookingglass. Other Credits: Rick also wrote the book, music and lyrics for Lookingglass’ Hillbilly Antigone. He also composed music for Up Against It, Vanishing Twin, Her Name Was Danger and West for Lookingglass. SARA RAMOS (Assistant Sound Designer) This Sarah’s first time working with Congo Square. She has just recently opened “Float” with About Face Theater at Stage 773 and is also working on “A Christmas Carol” at the Goodman Theater’s Albert Stage. She has also worked sound around the city with Lookingglass Theatre, Court Theatre, Bailiwick Chicago, American Theater Company, Light Opera Works, Teatro Luna, and Livewire Chicago. Nationally, she has worked with AndHow Theater Company (NY), Gateway Playhouse (NY), Piedmont Opera (NC), and IATSE Local 635 (NC). She is a proud alumnus of the North Carolina School of the Arts. MICHAEL ALAN STEIN (Costume Designer) has been an acclaimed award winning Costume/Clothing Designer for several years. Michael started his career in New York City where he attended PARSON’S
P R O D U C T I O N T E A M ( c o n t .) SCHOOL OF DESIGN and THE FASHION INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY. Mr. Stein has been noted for his Fantastic designs and exciting use of color. He has designed for many of this nations’ premiere Theatres, they include: The Goodman , Steppenwolf , Victory Garden’s, Black Ensemble, and ETA Theatres in Chicago; The Dallas Repertory Theatre; The Ford’s Theatre, The Arena Stage, and The Kennedy Center For The Performing Arts in Washington D.C.; The Pittsburg Public Theatre, Center Stage Baltimore; The Long Wharf Theatre, New Haven; The Sacramento Theatre Co., and The Guthrie and Pantages Theatres in Minneapolis. His costumes have graced many of today’s leading entertainers: ANGELA BASSETT, ROBERT TOWNSEND,JENNIFER HOLLIDAY, MELBA MOORE, FELICIA FIELDS, HEATHER GRAHAM, JERRY O’CONNELL,JANE SEYMOUR,WHITNEY HOUSTON and ERYKAH BADU amongst them. Mr. Stein is also an accomplished Costume Designer of feature films. He recently designed the anticipated film THE TRUTH, directed by noted actor HILL HARPER (CSI,NEW YORK), in his directorial debut. Further, Michael is recognized for his innovative restaurant uniform designs, doing so for the internationally known restaurant group, LETTUCE ENTERTAIN YOU ENTERPRISES. In the Fall of 2009, Michael debuted his well received clothing line, THE MICHAEL ALAN STEIN COLLECTION. Thanks to Daniel, Aaron and the CONGO SQUARE THEATRE Family. ATRA ASDOU (Assistant Costume Designer ) Atra Asdou is a recent graduate from Loyola University Chicago. Holding a B.A. in Theater (Acting) she has been working around her hometown of Chicago in a staged reading of THIRST at Chicago Dramatists, understudying for SCORCHED at Silk Road Theater, and in the spring will be seen on stage at Writers’ Theatre. Back stage credits include wardrobe run crew for COLORED MUSEUM, Asst. Costume Designer for THE HUNDRED DRESSES (Remount,) and now Asst. Costume Designing Michael Stein in THE NATIVITY. Thank you to family, friends, and Congo Square Theatre! Enjoy THE NATIVITY, everyone!
CHRISTINE FERRITER (Production Manager) Christine has been working with Congo Square Theatre Company since 2005 and has previously designed the lighting for Sanctified (2009,) The Saint James Infirmary (2008- nominated, Black Theatre Alliance Award for Best Lighting Design), Black Nativity (2008), Black Nativity (2007) and The African Company Presents Richard III (2006). Christine is also a core member of The Anatomy Collective and Resident Lighting Designer and Artistic Associate at Raven Theatre here in Chicago as well as the Resident Lighting Designer for Circus Flora based in St. Louis, MO. She holds a BFA in Lighting Design from The Conservatory of Theatre Arts at Webster University. DOUG KUPFERMAN (Properties Design) Douglas holds a B.A. in Technical Theatre and Design from Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pa. Some of his recent props credits include the property design for Stage Left’s world premiere production of Piano Teacher, Next Theatre’s The Piano Teacher and The Red Orchid Theatre’s production of Homer’s Illiad. In addition, he has served as Properties Master for Colorado Shakespeare Festival for the past two seasons. In the upcoming months he will be serving as the Props Designer for Genesis Production’s From Generation to Generation. KISH JACKSON (Assistant to Choreographer) Kish Jackson is the creator and Artistic Director for Taurista Artists. She Currently works for Looking Glass Theater as a teaching artist for acting and dance and DePaul Theater School as a House Manager. Past choreography credits include The Wiz, Once on This Island, Godspell and Hair. This is her first production with Congo Square Theater. NAKEIA MEDCALF (Production Intern) Nakeia Medcalf is a 20 year old student at Columbia College Chicago studying costume design and theater. Her love for the performing arts and design is personified in her love of the costumes and designs of the theater. Nakeia is excited about this internship with Congo Square Theatre Company.
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BAND MICHAEL WEATHERSPOON (Drummer) Michael Weatherspoon has been a drummer, producer and songwriter in the contemporary gospel music arena for 20 years. Working with the likes of Yolanda Adams,Karen Clark-Sherd, Donald Lawrence, Kim Burrell, Phil Tarver, Danny Weatherspoon to name a few and The Temptations in the secular arena. In addition he presents at workshops and music conferences around the country. Currently, Michael Weatherspoon is President of Spoonfed Productions L.L.C. where the company produces and provides consulting services for independent and record label artists for their albums. Also he serves as Director of A & R for Kingdom Records Inc. Michael is very excited to be part of The Black Nativity for the 2nd time.
KORY NERO (Bass Player) Kory Nero is known for innovative bass playing at Valley Kingdom Ministry International and for his work with the 2009 Stellar Award Winning Shekinah Glory Ministry (Universal Music Group). Nero’s distinct bass sound enhances the Gold Status CD Shekinah Glory Live and Shekinah Glory Ministry’s third project Jesus. In addition to his personal studies including a semester at Columbia College (Chicago), Nero studied the works of Victor Wooten, Marcus Miller, John Patitucci, and other world renowned bass players. Countless hours spent learning theory and perfecting his gift, bred a high level of creativity and a sound all his own. His unique style created opportunity to travel the United States and abroad; including Sao Paulo, Brazil.
2 010 - 2 011 D O N O R S LEGACY DONORS $10-$99 B.F Hartfield Danny Goldring Diane Dorsey Elizabeth Kubicki Lillian J. Fleming MM. Smith Maua Y. Behm Nia Crawford Patricia Joseph D’Andrea Crossley Rena Prizant Candice Johnson Chad Walker Samuel G. Roberson, Jr. TaRon Patton Aaron Todd Douglas Tracy Bonner Rueben D. Echole Tamberla L. Perry Anita Tucker Susan Ward Winifred French April Linton Stephen Blessman Jennifer Biernmann Carolyn J. Granthan Jeanette Cummins Candice Johnson Rena Prizant Lilli-ann Brown Brenda A. Fondren
LEGACY BUILDERS $100-$499 Allan Gilmore Mr. and Mrs Anthony Irons Barry AxlerCheryl Monroe Cree Rankin Peter Ellis Ron OJ Parson Munson Steed Katie Seeman YORR Consulting Group Deborah B. Williams Timothy Kincaid Brian Booker Albert Goodman Bruce Baker Cameron & Katherine Williams Dominick’s Harold D. McRae Karen Page Michael & Pamela Orr Oscar & Venus Johnson Paul & Dedrea Gray Sharon A. Giles TG Vanzandth, Inc. The Hollins Group Eric Reeves Kathy Perkins Arlene McFadden Fatima Aliu Stephen Spencer Darrell Hackett
12 Congo Square Theatre Company
Daniel R. Cyganowski Keith McGregory Nancy Timmer Donald Stewart LEGACY CIRCLE $500-$999 Marc Brooks Ropes & Gray LLP Lamont Change John Sable LEGACY MAKER $1000-$3000 Allstate Amina Dickerson Blue Cross& Blue Shield of Illinois Deborah Bricker Gray Financial Group Illinois Tool Works James Bell Juanita Vanoy Jordan Les Coney Macy’s Mesirow Financial Michael & Lori Hughes Michigan Avenue Magazine Patricia Cox Timothy Schwertfeger & Gail Waller Jesse Wardlow Glen McKeown