The Very Last Days of the First Colored Circus

Written by: Steven A Butler Directed by Courtney Baker-Oliver

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Restoration Stage, Inc. Restoration Stage, Inc. is an independent theatre production company and artist development program that produces, markets and sells popular theatre productions under the Restoration Stage, Inc. brand. It also provides in-depth arts education to youth with concentrations in acting, vocal performance, dance, script development, music composition, music production, and film production. It is located in the City of Bowie; Prince Georges County, Maryland.

Restoration Stage, Inc. earns most of its revenue from the sale of theatre tickets.

Other sources of revenue include script publishing (royalties) and production income from consulting services on theatrical productions being otherwise produced. Additionally, Restoration Stage, Inc. creates and licenses audio and audiovisual work for manufacturing (as Restoration Records), distribution and all other forms of related commercial exploitation. These include, but are not limited to the sale of DVDs of live performances, original cast recordings, merchandising, touring revenues, etc.

Our Mission: The core focus of Restoration Stage, Inc. is to develop new artists and present themes that positively impact families and communities---specifically in the Prince Georges County area. Through the production, direction, and/or development of these artists and themes, Restoration Stage seeks to contribute to the on-going dialogue about how to improve the condition of the family in American society.

Our Founders: Courtney Baker-Oliver and Steven A. Butler, Jr. created Restoration Stage, Inc. in May 2005 and serve as Restoration Stage’s legal directors. Initially created as a producing entity for Butler’s play, THE TRUTH, it has expanded to include additional projects currently in various stages of development. Since 2005, Restoration Stage has employed the talents of more than fifty performers, designers, technicians and other support staff to produce its productions.

Please visit us online at www.restorationstage.com “Restoring the Black Family- One Story at a Time” 2 The Very Last Days of the First Colored Circus

From the Artistic Director “Good Trouble” In some ways, Black performers are even more unsung than other Black heroes and sheroes as the fickle nature of celebrity leaves some of the brightest stars in the universe relegated to footnote status. Black circus performers, vaudeville stars, and even the biggest star of the 1920’s, Florence Mills are no exception. Through disrespect, debasement, and demoralization, Black performers stood in the klieg lights and expressed the hope, despair, and triumphs they experienced in the face of unimaginable conditions.

Each of us who call ourselves artists can learn lessons from this unexamined past. We would do well to remember that we stand on the shoulders of giants who persevered with none of the conveniences that too many of us now take for granted. This production is presented in memory of them and all of the “good trouble” they made as they ‘stepped and fetched a country to write the blues in screams,’ as Maya Angelou wrote.

I’d like to thank my partner in all things, Steven A. Butler, Jr. for creating this love letter to both his family and the family of artists we celebrate in this work. Reflecting the struggles, hopes and dreams of Black people is your raison d’être---and we are all grateful for your gifts. That you allow yourself to be a vessel in this way is a great benefit to society. I am humbled by you and that beautiful mind of yours each day.

I would like to thank my cousin, Christopher John Burnett for collaborating with me on the original songs you hear in the piece as well as the incomparable Wilkie Ferguson, III and Justin Thompson for bringing them to life. Thank you to my brother forever Raquis Petree for your energy, enthusiasm, and beautiful choreography. Thanks to Jerry M. Dale, Jr. for your inspired lighting design.

Thank you to my parents Dan and Delores Oliver-Calloway and Malcolm and Lucile Oliver-Brown for your unconditional love. In equal measure I would like to thank Kelvin and Bernice Hemsley for your unwavering support. Steven and I are forever in your debt for things people have no idea about. I love you both.

To the amazing cast of “The Very Last Days of the First Colored Circus,” THANK YOU for your dedication to this project. Your love of your work shows onstage, but you took it a step further and made the process easy because of your grace. You may be the first cast to never complain about the late nights, weekend rehearsals, and my endless notes. I love and appreciate all of you.

Ayana Reed---you, my dear, are a wonder. Your commitment to your craft, doing your homework (and doing the actual work that so many take for granted) is all over your performance. You are everything I wanted “Ruby” to be on stage and so much more.

Miles Folley---Once again you validate every instinct I had about you when I first encountered you as a student so many years ago. Your bravery and depth of character make me proud to work with you. Thank you. www.restorationstage.com

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Corisa and Charles---your characters have long been unsung and misunderstood.

Thank you for bringing the struggle of early Black performers to the stage with such humanity. Our ancestors are smiling at you.

The “Colored Circus” cast is a beautiful collection of folks. All of you are extraordinary talents and I’m grateful that you have shared you great gifts with Restoration Stage.

Brittany, Abiola, Mandrill, Pat, Marquis, Nikki, Jenna, Robert, and Katy - all of you are a part of this family for life.

The advent of Restoration Stage is something I never dreamed of. It was born by necessity and is being nurtured by a long list of people who have engendered my deepest gratitude.

They include Desire’ Dubose (Cuz) Kimberly Gaines (Sis), David Lamont Wilson and Suli Myrie who have walked this path with Steven and me from the beginning.

Rikki Lacewell Howie, Dr. Will Cobbs, Trystin Kier Francis, Eric Wells, Andrea Gerald, Aaron Gerald and so many others that my scattered brain will surely omit here---thank you.

I’d also like to thank Wendell Jordan, Grace Garner, Kyle McGruther, Desire’ Dubose and Marlon Russ for their performances in various stages of this project. I hope we have made you proud.

I will forever acknowledge the wisdom and artistry of my mentors Ronnie E. Staley and Alvan D. “Mike” Malone. As always, I dedicate my work to you---and to my friends who watch from heaven: Lorenzo Kelly Black, Jeffery Louis Young, and Chad Emil Deveaux. I miss you guys.

Many thanks to Sandra J. Evers-Manley, Tommy Hobson, Kelvin Hemsley, Jr., Marquise Venzago, Lynn Williams, Jeremy Keith Hunter, Inga Willis, Halima Peru (and Peyton), my uncle/advisor Rick Napier, Keta Newborn, Bradlyn Ashley, Darcel Clemmons, Tim Speer, Dr. Joyce Garrett, Pops Garrett, Rodney Garrett, and the Alfred Street Baptist Church Family for your generous donations of time, resources, and love.

Courtney Courtney Baker-Oliver Founding Artistic Director Restoration Stage, Inc

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From the Playwright Ollie Thomas and Ruby Dyson were my great-great grandparents. While they died before I was born, the story of how they fell in love has been passed on through my family from generation to generation. At family gatherings, cookouts, and while playing cards on my grandmother’s five acres of land (marked by a sign that reads ‘Mary Barnes’ Place) it is evident that their love lives on in their children and great-grand children.

I can even see it in the eyes of my first niece---their great-great-great grand-daughter Anaya, who was born this past October.

The story of Ollie and Ruby won’t be found in your history books, nor will any monuments be erected to celebrate their love. I guess the biggest contribution they made to this world is the fact that they found love in spite of the naysayers who claimed that they shouldn’t even love themselves; let alone anyone else. Together their descendants have prospered and made their mark on this world---all because they simply dared to love.

So love.

Love hard.

I dare you.

Steven Steven A. Butler, Jr.

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Production History “The Very Last Days of the First Colored Circus” is the first script completed by Steven A. Butler, Jr. during his tenure as an Arena Stage Playwright’s Arena Fellow. It was first read at Arena Stage on November 16, 2015. The cast for the initial reading included: Ayanna Hardy, Wendell Jordan, Robert Hamilton, Desire’ Dubose, Charles W. Harris, Jr., Kyle McGruther, Grace Garner, and Marlon Russ. Courtney Baker-Oliver was the director.

The first workshop performance of the play took place on Wednesday, February 15, 2017 at Anacostia Playhouse.

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Restoration Stage, Inc.

The Very Last Days of the First Colored Circus Written by Steven A. Butler, Jr. Original Songs By Courtney Baker-Oliver, Steven A. Butler, Jr. and Christopher John Burnett Directed by Courtney Baker-Oliver Musical Direction by Christopher John Burnett and Wilkie Ferguson Choreography by Raquis Petree Assistant Direction by Desire’ Dubose Production Staff Executive Producers: Courtney Baker-Oliver and Steven A. Butler, Jr. Restoration Stage Chief Executive Officer: Dr. Will Cobbs, Jr. Associate Producers: Rikki Lacewell Howie and Suli Myrie Production Stage Manager: Keta Newborn Director of Marketing and Communications: Alvin Ford, Jr. Technical Director: Robert Hamilton Costumes and Properties: Courtney Baker-Oliver and Steven A. Butler, Jr. Lighting Design: Jerry M. Dale, Jr. Sound Design: Eric Wells and Aaron Gerald Graphic Design: Jeremy Keith Hunter and Kimberly C. Gaines Creative Consultant: Trystin Kier Francis Pre-recorded Sound Engineer: Justin Thompson

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The Setting Set against the backdrop of the 1927 Charles County Fair, playwright Steven A. Butler, Jr. tells the story of how his great-great grand parents Ollie Thomas and Ruby Dyson fell in love and settled in the small town of LaPlata, Maryland. Interweaved into the intense drama is original and 1920’s music that circus performers use to navigate the struggles that African American performers had to deal with in order to survive doing the art they love.

Cast Ayana Reed as Ruby Dyson Miles Folley as Ollie Thomas Robert Hamilton as Colby Boswell Katy Chimara as Daphne Greenberry Corisa Myers as Essie “Pumpkin” Barnes Charles W. Harris, Jr. as Joseph “Pickles” Barnes Nikki Summons as Lenora Gardner Sara Hernandez as Freda Marquis Fair as Rudolph “Tumbler” Jones Brittany Timmons as Madame Zola Pat Martin as Benjamin Boswell Mandrill Solomon as William Abiola Yetunde as Birdie

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Scenes ACT I Prelude Ollie’s Girl Sweet Pickles The Letter

ACT II Prelude Sweet Pumpkin and the Hot Cakes Circus Tradition Queen Nicotina Mary Barnes’ Place

Song List ACT I “Good Trouble” Pumpkin “Darkies Never Dream” Ruby “By the Light of the Silvery Moon” Lenora, Ensemble ACT II “You Can’t Tell the Difference After Dark” Zola “I Ain’t Gonna Give You None of My Jellyroll” Birdie “Mr. America” Freda “Oh, You Coon” Pickles and Pumpkin “I’m a Little Blackbird Looking for a Bluebird” Ruby “There’s A Man Over the River” Ensemble

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About the Artists - Cast Ayana Reed (Ruby Dyson) is thrilled to make her Restoration Stage debut. A native of Washington, D.C., her credits include: “Blackberry Daze” (Horizon Theatre Company), “Master Class”, “Blackberry Daze” (Metrostage), “Love Songs from the Liberation Wars” (Elise Bryant), “Right Hand of Fellowship” (Atlas Performing Arts Center), “24 Hours to Mercy” (OpenStage), “Waldy Street” (Harmony Hall), “Die Zauberflöte” (Amalfi Coast Music Festival). Duke Ellington School of the Arts alumna. B.A. from George Mason University. She dedicates this performance in memory of her beloved classmate Christa Bennett.

Miles Folley: (Ollie Thomas) Hey y'all! This is my second performance with the beautifully brilliant people of the Restoration Stage. Peace and love. “Virginia: Alls Well That Ends Well” (Interpreter), “Antony and Cleopatra” (Menas, u/s Mark Antony), 2015 Virginia Shakespeare Festival (Phi Betta Kappa Hall); New York: “Crossing Verrazano” (Mario), Producers Club Theatre; DC: “Chocolate Covered Ants” (Flexx), Restoration Stage; “Intimate Apparel” (George), Actors Center; “Kulcha” (Tender), Blackburn Theatre; “In the Cut” (Red), Ira Aldridge Theatre; ... “The Life of Malcolm X” (Malcolm X), Anacostia Arts Center; ...

“Scenes of Social Ills” (Legislator/Journalist), “A Barbarian Woman” (Black Sea), Nat’l Museum of Women in the Arts.

Robert Hamilton (Colby Boswell) does a lot of stuff, but acting has remained a constant passion over the years. As a stagehand, he has helped out on a number of productions across the city and the DMV, but has been waiting for this role since this play’s conception 3 years ago. This character has revealed alot about himself while simultaneously reasserting certain truths and he hopes you, the audience member, takes something away from this performance as a whole. Robert would like to thank his family, both theatre and immediate, for their ever-present support throughout this breathtaking process that affects the community so.

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Corisa Myers (Pumpkin) is beyond honored to be making her first appearance on the Restoration Stage platform! This “Cali-girl” has a lifelong love for music, performing, and the stage. She started performing at a very young age in church, school choirs, school productions, local sporting and community events. She was most recently seen as most recently seen as Deloris Van Cartier in Port Tobacco Players’ production of Sister Act, the Musical (Deloris Van Cartier) and previously seen in productions such as Dreamgirls (Effie Melody White) presented by Tantallon Community Players in Fort Washington, MD and previously seen in such productions as “JAM, the Revue”, “U Street, the Musical” (Ruth), “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat “(Narrator), TCP’s “Diamonds and Pearls 30th Anniversary Revue”, “The Wiz” (Pitt Singer & Ensemble), and “Ragtime” (Sarah’s Friend). “The Very Last Days of the First Colored Circus” is such a phenomenal piece of artistry and Corisa wishes to thank Courtney, Steven and the whole Restoration Stage team for the blessing of trusting her with the story. She dedicates her performance to her grandmother, Lois Jean Henderson – Gone but Never Forgotten. She wishes to thank God for continued favor for she knows without Him none of this would be possible. She also wishes to thank her family and friends who continue to push her to live out her dreams.

Charles W. Harris, Jr.’s (Pickles) career began in the nineteen sixties on public television. Highlights include performances in film, national television, radio, internet, industrial films and the stage.

Katy Chmura (Daphne) is absolutely thrilled to be making her professional theatre debut with Restoration Stage! Katy has been involved, both on stage and off stage in over 40 productions in the Northern VA/DC areas. Some of her most noted works include Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray, Ilse Neumann in Spring Awakening, and Bad Idea Bear in Avenue Q. Many, many thanks go out to her family, friends, boyfriend, theatre mentors, and Courtney and Steven for believing in her. Also, to Patti and Donald, who are her number one fans from the other side. Much love www.restorationstage.com

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Nikki Summons (Lenora) is elated to be making her Restoration Stage debut in this poignant and vital production of The Very Last Days of the First Colored Circus. She has been seen in the D, the M, AND the V making audiences laugh and cry as Barbara in TCP’s August: Osage County, guffaw for 5 years running in King’s Players Capital Fringe shows, and sing along during High School Musical, Cabaret, Smokey Joe’s Café, Oliver!, A Little Night Music, and The Wiz. She is eternally grateful to the masterful duo, Courtney and Steven, for trusting her with their vision for Lenora and granting her this opportunity to spread her wings. She would also like to thank her husband Mike for being her rock and ride-or-die supporter.

Sara Hernandez (Freda) is excited to make her DC theatre debut with this amazing company. Her previous work includes playing Nancy in Montgomery College's production of “The Unmentionables”. With a passion for performance, her training includes studying theatre performance at Montgomery College and Studio Theatre. Sara would like to thank her fellow cast and crew members for inspiring her with their hard work, dedication and talent.

Marquis Fair (Tumbler) is delighted, humbled and eternally grateful for the opportunity to return to the second home he has found in Restoration Stage. His theatrical career has spanned over two decades but this is, by far, one of his moor challenging roles, to date. MarQuis has appeared in a great variety of shows in the DC metro area including in Restoration Stage’s Chocolate Covered Ants, TCP’s August Osage County and A Raisin in the Sun, SMP’s Chicago, Parade and many others. He’d like to thank his classmate and of friend for life, Nikki, for her endless inspiration, his partner Jason for his patient support, his mother, Veronica, for instilling in him the drive to reach for the stars and Steven Butler, for giving him this chance to do just that.

Brittany Nicole Timmons (Madame Zola) is a native of Washington, DC. She received her BFA in Professional Theatre-Acting from North Carolina A&T State University.

AGGIE PRIDE!!! Some of her professional credits include: “Our Christmas Dinner” at Blue Gate Theatre (Indiana), “The Wiz” at Burning Coal Theatre (Raleigh), “Hairspray” at Temple Theatre (Sanford), “Showtime in Harlem” and “Black Nativity” at the Barn Dinner Theatre (Greensboro). Ms. Timmons is a host and panelist on DC’s District Knowledge Network millennial based talk show “I Wish You Knew”. She is excited about her life’s journey and what is to come next in her career. However, God orders her footsteps, she believes His will over her life.

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Mandrill Solomon (William) is thrilled to be making his Restoration Stage, Inc. debut. He has been performing for local audiences for the past 15 years in various theatrical roles. Most recently he was seen as King Herod in the “Uncut Coming of Christ” at the First Baptist Church of Glenarden. Other local credits include: B’Fly Productions' “Til Death Do Us Part”, (Cambridge South Dorchester) and “There's a Stranger in My House”, (Frank W. Ballou Auditorium); “N Word” (Anacostia Arts Center), “When Two Became Three” (Harmony Regional Hall) and “The Project” (Patuxent Playhouse). Mandrill started his acting career as a performer and stuntman at Six Flags America (Upper Marlboro, MD) for several years. He also served as Co-Director of Revelations Ministry at Kent Baptist Church. He is a proud graduate of Towson University.

Pat Martin* EMC (Benjamin Boswell) is pleased to make his debut with Restoration Stage in this production. His most recent roles were General Powers in “Visit to a Small Planet” and Michael Dillon in Good People at Church Hill Theater. Other favorite roles include Vinnie (“The Odd Couple”), Mike LaFevre (“Working”), Arnell (“Line”), Neal Tilden (“1940's Radio Hour”), Theater Owner (“One Mo' Time”), Gangster (“Kiss Me Kate”).

Pat has also performed with the Studio Theater and the VSA Series at the Kennedy Center. Film includes "House of Cards".

Abiola Yetunde (Birdie) is an artist from Washington DC with roots from the deep south of Mississippi. She is a graduate of Howard University from which she received a Bachelor’s in Fine Arts for Visual Art. Her passion for the theatre began when was asked to be a member of the cast of Sybil Roberts’ a “Liberating Preyer a Love Song for Mumia”. She is honored to be a part of the Restoration Stage production of “Colored Circus” and would like to thank Courtney and Stephen for inviting her to be a part of something truly special and unique.

Andrea Gerald (Birdie - Select Dates), mother, singer, actor, and dancer, is a native of the DC Metropolitan Area. Andrea has studied Musical Theater at Thomas Pullen Arts Magnet School, Duke Ellington School of the Arts and Howard University, where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts. She has performed in For Colored Girls… as the Lady in Red (DESA); A Raisin in the Sunas Ms. Johnson (DESA); and All That Glitters… as Heather (Restoration Stage). She performed with Rockville Musical Theater in West Side Story and Tantallon Community Players in Aida. She was nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical by the Washington Area Theater Community Honors (WATCH) for her role as Celie in The Color Purple (Tantallon).

Lady recently released her single, “You Deserve”, available on iTunes, Google Play, and CDBaby. www.restorationstage.com

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About the Artists - Artistic and Production Courtney Baker-Oliver (Director) is a graduate of Howard University where he earned his B.F.A. in Theater. For fifteen years he worked as Assistant to the Director on the musical theatre productions of the legendary Mike Malone who Courtney credits with being his mentor. He also completed coursework at La Sorbonne and the American University of Paris in Paris, France.

As a producer, director, writer, and teacher Courtney has spent more than twenty years training young people in the theatre.

From his role as a faculty member at Duke Ellington School of the Arts to his work as Education Director of the Theatre Washington (The Helen Hayes Awards) and beyond, he’s been developing the skills set required to direct and produce large scale productions on the world’s stage.

Always pushing for positive images of Blacks in the arts, Courtney has developed tributes presented before legendary leaders Maya Angelou, Cicely Tyson and Congressman John Lewis among others. Courtney wrote and directed the debut tributes for the U.S. Postal Service’s African-American stamps honoring Paul Robeson (2004) and Marian Anderson (2005). He was a master teacher at Britney Spears’ Summer Arts Camp on Cape Cod in Massachusetts.

Courtney has worked with Diana Ross, Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis, Taraji P. Henson, Frenchie Davis, Tony Terry and many more. He has directed or taught notables including Cornelius Smith, Jr. (Scandal), Samira Wiley (Orange is the New Black), Corey Hawkins (Straight Out of Compton), Isaiah Johnson (The Color Purple---Broadway) and numerous others.

In 2005, Courtney co-founded Restoration Stage, Inc., the premier Black-owned and operated theater company in the Washington, DC area.

Perhaps best known for the critically-

acclaimed musical “THE TRUTH,” Restoration Stage, Inc. has been featured on AOL Black Voices, in CLIK Magazine, The Bleu Magazine, on Rod2.0.com, in The Washington Blade, Metro Weekly and in numerous newspaper articles.

Other Restoration Stage, Inc. productions include “All That Glitters,” “Chocolate Covered Ants,” “Drag On,” “The First Lady,” “Veils,” and “Silver Foxes.”

In 2008, Courtney developed an original production for Dekalb County Schools in Atlanta, GA called “They Keep ComingVoices of the Civil Rights Movement.”

In 2013, Restoration Stage, Inc. provided entertainment for Martin Luther King III’s celebration of his father’s legacy as part of the 50th Anniversary commemoration of the historic March on Washington.

Steven A. Butler , Jr (Playwright) is a Maryland-based playwright and actor whose plays have been seen across the world.

His first full-length play, “THE TRUTH”, made its premiere at the H Street Playhouse in the spring of 2005, produced by Restoration Stage Inc. Steven’s plays have toured in numerous cities, and have been featured in National Theatrical Events. His play “All That Glitters” opened to a sold out crowd in the winter of 2010, and is slated to be produced again early 2015. “Chocolate Covered Ants” is the playwright’s third play and the first not to be accompanied by the always spell bounding music and lyrics of Christopher John and Courtney Baker-Oliver. A proud graduate of Howard University and a veteran of the United States Air-Force, Steven’s hopes for his new play, is that it simply brings about conversations on topics that most in the African American community have been too afraid to even admit exist.

Steven would like to thank Courtney

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Baker-Oliver, Alan Sharpe, Pat Davis, Desiré DuBose, Wilkie Ferguson, Raquis Petree and the dedicated cast of “The Very Last Days of the First Colored Circus” for their hardwork and respect for my great, great grandparent’s story.

Christopher John Burnett (Musical Director) is a highly sought after music producer, recording artist and Minister of Music who has appeared and recorded with some of the greatest gospel voices of today, including Vickie Winans, Karen Clark-Sheard, and Richard Smallwood. He was a founding member of the R&B group, Majesty (later Prophet Jones), and his writing and production work appear on the motion picture soundtrack of the Jamie Foxx hit, “Bait”.

Wilkie Ferguson (Musical Director) is a native of Miami, Florida and a graduate of New World School of the Arts. He studied mathematics at Morehouse College, and classical piano performance at Eastman School of Music. His first job after college was on the faculty of the Boys’ Choir of Harlem as assistant director, piano accompanist and music theory instructor.

In addition to being a classical pianist, Ferguson is also a professional singer, dancer and actor. He was a part of the original broadway casts of the Tony Award winning The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess, Motown the Musical, and Wonderland. and has toured with In the Heights; Hairspray; and Dreamgirls.

Off broadway and regional shows include Cotton Club Parade at City Center and the world premieres of Sister Act and Ray Charles Live at Pasadena Playhouse.

Desiré DuBose (Assistant Director) is honored to serve as the acting coach for “Chocolate Covered Ants”. She was in the

first touring company of “Crowns” at the Arena Stage (Helen Hayes Best Musical), Goodman Theatre (Chicago), and the Alliance Theatre (Atlanta). Other regional credits include “Set it Off” the musical, “All that Glitters” and “The Women of Tin Palley” at H Street Playhouse, “Roll On” with Melba Moore at the Lincoln Theatre, “Three Sistahs” and “Harlem Rose”at Metrostage and “Big River” at the Ford Theatre. Des’re holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from Howard University; where she also served as an Adjunct Professor for Musical Theatre and Creative Drama. She has performed and trained under the direction of Mike Malone, Regina Taylor, Al Freeman Jr. and Tom Jones. in 2007 Des’re was a featured mezzo-soprano on the Albany Records classical album “Somewhere Far Away” live recording in the Czech Republic with Dvorak Symphony. She has also been a vocalist with the East Coast Jazz Festival and various agency bands in Washington, DC and Baltimore, MD. Raquis Da’Juan Petree (Choreographer) was the first student to graduate from Duke Ellington School of the Arts with a concentration in musical theatre/producing. He went on to study musical theatre and dance at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in NYC. As a performer he has appeared with Melba Moore in Anything Goes (Theater Fest), The 35th Anniversary of Purlie starring Melba Moore (Fox Theater Atlanta), the 25th Anniversary production of The Wiz (Theater Under the Stars) Mike Malone’s Annual Production of Black Nativity (Kennedy Center), The Restored Bubblin’ Brown Sugar (Theatre Virginia), and the Oedipus Plays (Shakespeare Theatre/Athens Greece Festival). Most recently, Raquis was seen in the first ever multi-ethnic production of Damn Yankees (directed by Jason Alexander).

As director/choreographer, Raquis has worked with Asia Theater, ACTCo, Washington Shakespeare Theater and recently served as assistant director/ www.restorationstage.com

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choreographer on the new production of Seneca Theatre’s A Clockwork Orange.

Raquis is also a celebrated librettist as he was commissioned to write and direct “Stories Never Told,” a three musical series commissioned by Red Canoe Productions and by the Lincoln Theatre to create a new musical version of Romeo and Juliet called “R and J’s Final Tour” which premiered at Howard University and was later performed at the Folger Shakespeare Theater. He has also taught theatre and dance at some of the greatest institutions in the country.

Brandyn Marshall (Stage Manager) Brandyn Ashley Marshall is a Georgia native who has fallen in love with the DMV. She studied Musical Theatre at Howard University and graduated with her BFA in Theatre Arts.

She has directed, stage managed, and performed throughout the DC area and continues to pursue her passions while simultaneously teaching and attaining her Master’s degree in education to help guide the next generation of artists and leaders.

She is very grateful for the unwavering support from her loving spouse and family.

Keta Newborn (Stage Manager) having been apart of the Restoration Stage Family from the very beginning, she is thrilled to be joining them for their production of The Very Last Days of the First Colored Circus. Keta has worked in the world of theatre for over 10 years. Holding a plethora of titles including PSM, ASM, Venue Manager, Production Assistant and Light & Sound Board Op. Her past credits include: KING LEAR and THE GOSPEL AT COLONUS (WSC Avant Bard), THE NEW PLAY FESTIVAL (YPT), LITTLE THING, BIG THING (Solas Nua), YELLOWMAN (Anacostia Playhouse), BLACK NATIVITY and DONTRELL, WHO KISSED THE

SEA (Theater Alliance), to name a few.

Keta would like to thank the whole TVLDOTFCC cast, crew and Restoration Stage for being apart of an amazing show!

Kimberly C. Gaines (Graphic/ Program Design) is a visual artist and arts administration professional. Ms. Gaines is an alumna of Howard University where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Communications with an emphasis in film and a minor in photography. Kimberly also received her Master of Arts in Arts Administration from Savannah College of Art and Design.

She has taught photography and design to youth in urban areas for over ten years. Her educational and non-profit experience has included media empowerment facilitation for youth and adults, curriculum development and management.

Kimberly continues to do freelance photography and design which has lead to many professional accomplishments including the Museum of the African Diaspora’s permanent collection, work for the Smithsonian Institutions’ National Portrait Gallery, the American University’s Katzen Arts Center and in the photo archives of Washington Express Newspaper and Washington City Paper.

Kimberly also served as the Creative Director and curator for the Deanwood x Design project through a $75,000 ArtPlace grant for creative place-making in which she assisted in the creation and management of art workshops and exhibitions for DC’s Ward 7 residents.

Jerry M. Dale, Jr. (Lighting Designer) is making his professional lighting debut with “Circus”. The lighting design for this show is simple because we are in a tent in a field and there would not have been electricity. Jerry has been involved in lighting for the last 10 years with the St. Mark’s Players, Capitol Hill’s Community

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Theater. “It has been a privilege to work with such a talented group of people in a fantastic black box theater. I hope you don’t notice the lights because that means I have done my job.” Jerry’s recent credits include “Recent Tragic Events”, “Moon Over Buffalo”, “Sweeney Todd” and “12 Angry Jurors” all with the St. Mark’s Players.

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The Playwright, Director and Cast of “The Very Last Days of the First Colored Circus” (Not pictured: Corisa Myers and Charles W. Harris, Jr.)

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The real-life Ollie Thomas (great-great grandfather of the playwright and the inspiration for “The Very Last days of the First Colored Circus.�

Entrance to the Charles County Fair as seen today.

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#ColoredCircusHistory In 1865, Ella Williams from Laurence County, South Carolina was born. Barely missing slavery by a few months, she was born a free woman. She would grow, and grow, and then grow some more until she would be known as the world’s tallest woman “African Giantess”. She preferred often to go by her stage name Mme. Abomah. It is believed that her height actually reached 6’10” to 6’11”, although at some point people thought her height might have reach a mind blowing 7’6” tall. She traveled the world to countries such as Germany, Italy, France, Australia and many more places.

#ColoredCircusHistory The original "Betty Boop," Esther Jones, was a regular performer at Harlem’s infamous Cotton Club, where a white American singer/actress named Helen Kane saw her act in 1928 and copied Jones’ “baby” singing style for a recording of “I Wanna Be Loved By You.” In June 1930, Kane starred in Malcolm St. Clair‘s comedy film titled Dangerous Nan McGrew. A few months later in August 1930, "Betty Boop" made her first appearance in Dizzy Dishes, the sixth installment in Fleischer’s Talkartoon series.

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#ColoredCircusHistory The Muse brothers had an incredible career. The story of the two black albino brothers from Roanoke, Virginia is unique even in the bizarre world of freaks and sideshow. They were initially exploited and then later hailed for their unintentional role in civil rights. Born in the 1890’s the pair were scouted by sideshow agents and kidnapped in 1899 by bounty hunters working in the employ of an unknown sideshow promoter. To accentuate their already unusual appearance, their handler had the brothers grow out their hair into long white dreadlocks. In the mid 1920’s the Muse brothers toured with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. In 1927, while visiting their hometown, their mother finally tracked them down. She fought to free her sons, some 20 years after their disappearance. She threatened to sue and the Muse brothers were freed.

The brothers filed a lawsuit for the wages they earned but were never paid. They initially demanded a lump-sum payment of 100,000. However, as time passed the Muse brothers missed the crowds, the attention and the opportunities sideshow provided. Their lawyer got them a smaller lump-sum payment and a substantial contract with a flat monthly wage. The pair returned to show business in 1928.

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Millie and Christine were born into slavery on July 11, 1851. The girls were joined at the spine and as‘The Two-Headed Nightingale’ the conjoined girls started to gain a remarkable reputation. While Millie was a contralto and Christine a soprano, the girls were able to blend and harmonize their voices in incredibly appealing ways.

Throughout much of their life, Millie and Christine were often considered one person. Due to their shared body, it was often unclear if the girls were legally and physically a single being or individuals. The girls themselves often referred to themselves in the singular, using ‘I’ in the place of ‘we’. The girls became Millie-Christine, a girl with two heads, four arms and four legs.

The concept of such an incredible phenomenon drew immediate crowds and MillieChristine enjoyed immediate and world-wide popularity. During the course of her career, Millie-Christine earned more than $250,000.

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“The Very Last Days of the First Colored Circus”

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Restoration Stage, Inc. “Restoring the Black Family - One Story at a Time!� www.restorationstage.com

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24 The Very Last Days of the First Colored Circus