Cast & Creative

Appearing in well over 100 films, Samuel L. Jackson is one of the most respected actors in Hollywood. Jackson’s portrayal of ‘Jules’, the philosopher hitman, in Quentin Tarantino’s “Pulp Fiction” made an indelible mark on American cinema. In addition to unanimous critical acclaim, he received Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations, as well as a Best Supporting Actor award from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts. Among his many award-winning performances, Jackson made movie history with his portrayal of a crack addict in Spike Lee’s Jungle Fever when he was awarded the first and only Best Supporting Performance Award ever given by the judges at the Cannes Film Festival. Jackson will receive an honorary Academy Award at the upcoming Governors Awards in January 2022. Jackson recently completed production on his first limited series for television, “The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey” in which he stars and produces for Apple. This year, Jackson reunited with Salma Hayek and Ryan Reynolds for Lionsgate’s “The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard,” the sequel to the 2017 film, “The Hitman’s Bodyguard.” He can also be seen in the newest “Saw” sequel, “Spiral,” with Chris Rock and Max Minghella and in Lionsgate’s “The Protégé.” In 2020, Jackson starred in the EPIX docuseries, “Enslaved,” which he also executive produced with LaTanya Richardson Jackson. “Enslaved” won three awards at the 2021 Canadian Screen Awards and two awards at the 2021 Impact Docs Awards. He also starred opposite Anthony Mackie in the Apple drama “The Banker.” In 2019, Jackson starred in Warner Bros.’ “Shaft” and Sony’s “Spiderman: Far From Home.” Jackson also starred as a young ‘Nick Fury’ opposite Brie Larson in the massive global hit, “Captain Marvel.” Jackson also reprised his role as ‘Mr. Glass’ in M. Night Shyamalan’s “Glass.” The film is the final installment of the universe Shyamalan created, which also includes “Split” and “Unbreakable.” In 2018, Jackson lent his voice to the Academy Award-nominated film “Incredibles 2,” reprising his role of ‘Lucius Best/Frozone.’ In 2017, Jackson starred in Warner Bros. “Kong: Skull Island” with Brie Larson and Tom Hiddleston. In 2015, Jackson appeared in Quentin Tarantino’s Oscar-nominated Western “The Hateful Eight.” He starred as Major Marquis Warren, alongside Walton Goggins, Jennifer Jason Leigh and Kurt Russell. That same year, Jackson appeared in Matthew Vaughn’s “Kingsman: The Secret Service” and Spike Lee’s “Chiraq.” In 2016, Jackson was seen in David Yates’ “The Legend of Tarzan,” starring alongside Alexander Skarsgård, Margot Robbie and Christoph Waltz in addition to Tim Burton’s “Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children.” Also in 2016, Jackson completed production on Brie Larson’s directorial debut “Unicorn Store,” “The Last Full Measure” with Sebastian Stan, Christopher Plummer and Ed Harris as well as Dan Fogelman’s “Life Itself.” In 2012, he co-starred in Quentin Tarantino’s “Django Unchained” as ‘Stephen,’ with Christoph Waltz, Jamie Foxx and Leonardo DiCaprio. He also starred in “The Avengers,” which is part of his 9-picture deal with Marvel Studios. Jackson reprised his role in both Marvel’s “Captain America: The Winter Soldier,” which was released in April 2014, and the 2015 sequel “The Avengers: Age of Ultron.” Jackson made his Broadway debut in 2011 at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theater in “The Mountaintop,” where he portrayed Martin Luther King Jr. The play also starred Angela Bassett and was directed by Kenny Leon. Jackson’s career began onstage upon his graduation from Morehouse College in Atlanta with a degree in dramatic arts. Among the plays were Home, A Soldier’s Play, Sally/Prince and The District Line. He also originated roles in two of August Wilson’s plays, The Piano Lesson and Two Trains Running at the Yale Repertory Theatre. For the New York Shakespeare Festival, Jackson appeared in Mother Courage and Her Children, Spell #7, and The Mighty Gents. Additional film credits include: RoboCop, Oldboy, Mother and Child, Iron Man 2, HBO’s The Sunset Limited, Lakeview Terrace, Soul Men, The Spirit, Jumper, Resurrecting the Champ, 1408, Black Snake Moan, Snakes on a Plane, Freedomland, Coach Carter, Star Wars: Episode III: The Revenge of the Sith, S.W.A.T, Changing Lanes, Formula 51, Stars Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones, Caveman’s Valentine, Eve’s Bayou, Unbreakable, Rules of Engagement, Shaft, Deep Blue Sea, Star Wars Episode One: The Phantom Menace, The Negotiator, The Red Violin, Jackie Brown, 187, A Time to Kill, Die Hard with a Vengeance, Jungle Fever, Sphere, The Long Kiss Goodnight, Ragtime, Sea of Love, Coming to America, Do the Right Thing, School Daze, Mo’ Better Blues, Goodfellas, Patriot Games, and True Romance. On the small screen, Jackson served as Executive Producer for the Spike TV animated series, “Afro Samurai” which premiered in 2007. The series received an Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Animated Program from the Television Academy of Arts and Sciences. The first edition of the “Afro Samurai” video game launched in February 2009. Jackson also starred in John Frankenheimer’s Emmy Award-winning “Against the Wall” for HBO. His performance earned him a Cable Ace nomination as Best Supporting Actor in a Movie or Miniseries, as well as a Golden Globe nomination.

John David Washington produced and starred alongside Zendaya in the Sam Levinson directed film Malcolm & Marie. The film’s production set the example for others on how to safely film during COVID-19. The film was released on February 5th, 2021 on Netflix. He stared as “The Protagonist” in Christopher Nolan’s blockbuster film Tenet which released internationally on August 27, 2020 and domestically on Sept 3, 2020. He was also recently seen in the Luca Guadagnino produced film Beckett released on Netflix in 2021. John David played the lead in Blackkklansman, directed by Spike Lee and produced by Jason Blum and Jordan Peele. He appeared alongside Adam Driver and Laura Harrier. The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival to a standing ovation and won the Grand Prix. John David received multiple nominations for his portrayal of Ron Stallworth during the 2019 awards season including a Best Actor nomination for both a Golden Globe and SAG Award. Up next John David will be seen in the upcoming untitled David O. Russel movie where he stars alongside Christian Bale and Margot Robbie. It was also recently announced that he will star in the latest sci-fi story from director Gareth Edwards titled True Love. John David was previously seen in Monsters and Men directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green, where he played the role of ‘Dennis’ alongside up-and-comers Kelvin Harrison Jr. and Chante Adams. The script was selected and developed as part of the 2017 Sundance Directors Lab. John David received a nomination from the Independent Spirit Awards for Best Supporting Male for his performance. He can also be seen in the Anthony Mandler helmed All Rise, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, starring Jeffrey Wright, ASAP Rocky, & Jennifer Hudson. The film was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize. In the fall of 2018, he appeared in Fox Searchlight’s Old Man and the Gun, directed by David Lowery playing opposite Casey Affleck, Elisabeth Moss, and Robert Redford. John David got his film debut as a child in Spike Lee’s Malcolm X in 1992. He returned to the big screen in 2017 in Lionsgate’s Love Beats Thymes, directed by RZA, opposite Common and Jill Scott. Prior to acting, John David spent six years playing professional football. Shortly after, he booked his first-ever audition to play ‘Ricky Jerret’ in the HBO series “Ballers” with Dwayne Johnson. His performance as ‘Ricky’ generated rave reviews.

Danielle Brooks starred as “Tasha ‘Taystee’ Jefferson” in Netflix’s Emmy nominated series “Orange is the New Black,” a role that garnered her two NAACP Image Award nominations for “Best Actress in a Comedy Series.” She also received the Young Hollywood Award for “Breakthrough Actress.” Next up, Brooks will star opposite John Cena in the HBO Max series “Peacemaker,” the spinoff series to James Gunn’s upcoming The Suicide Squad movie. Brooks starred as the legendary Gospel singer Mahalia Jackson in director Kenny Leon’s “Mahalia” which premiered on Lifetime in April. For her performance, Brooks earned the “Actress Award for Television” from the Critics Choice Association Celebration of Black Cinema & Television. Additionally, Brooks was nominated for a Critics Choice TV “Best Actress in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television” Award and received a Primetime Emmy Award Nomination as a producer on “Mahalia.” On stage, Brooks starred as “Beatrice” in The Public Theatre’s Shakespeare in the Park production of Much Ado About Nothing, directed by Kenny Leon. For her performance, she received the AUDELCO Award for “Lead Actress in a Musical,” the ANTONYO Award for “Best Actor in a Play, Off-Broadway,” and a Drama League Award nomination for “Distinguished Performance.” Brooks made her Broadway debut in the Tony Award-winning revival of The Color Purple, which earned her a Tony Award nomination, a Drama Desk Award, and an Outer Critics Circle Award. She also received a Grammy Award and a Theatre World Award for “Significant Broadway Debut.” Other feature work includes a leading role opposite Anna Kendrick in Chris Morris’ The Day Shall Come, produced by See Saw and released by IFC, and a role opposite Alfre Woodard, Wendell Pierce, and Aldis Hodge in Clemency, which won the Sundance Grand Jury Prize and was released by Neon. Other television work includes a recurring role on Aziz Ansari’s Emmy Award-winning Netflix comedy series “Master of None,” and guest lead roles on HBO’s “High Maintenance” and “Girls.” Brooks’ voice work includes Sony’s animated feature Angry Birds, HBO Max’s Close Enough, and Netflix’s Karma’s World. Danielle released her four track EP entitled FOUR. Brooks co-wrote the songs including “Seasons,” which is featured in the series finale of “Orange if the New Black.” Danielle is the co-founder of “Black Women on Broadway,” which honors the legacy of Black Women’s contributions to the theatre. She serves on the Artistic Board of Urban Arts Partnership, which advances the intellectual, social and artistic development of underserved public school students through arts-integrated education programs to close the achievement gap. Danielle grew up in South Carolina and is a graduate of The Juilliard School.

Trai Byers starred on the FOX’s hit show ‘Empire’ as Andre Lyon. In 2014, he portrayed James Foreman in the Ava DuVernay directed ‘Selma’. Most recently, Byers starred in, co-wrote and produced ‘The 24th’; the true story of the largest murder trial in US History. He holds an MFA from Yale School of Drama and is now making his Broadway debut.

April Matthis is an Obie Award-winning actor and company member of Elevator Repair Service. Off-Broadway: HELP (The Shed); Toni Stone (Roundabout); Fairview, LEAR (Soho Rep); Signature Plays—Funnyhouse of a Negro (Signature Theatre); IOWA, Antlia Pneumatica (Playwrights Horizons); On the Levee (LCT3). With ERS: The Sound & the Fury; Fondly, Collette Richland (NYTW); Measure for Measure (The Public); Everyone’s Fine with Virginia Woolf (Abrons Art Center); GATZ (Perth Festival)., Regional: A Streetcar Named Desire (Yale Rep). TV: “The Blacklist”, “New Amsterdam” (NBC), “EVIL”, “The Good Fight” (Paramount Plus). Film: Black Card (HBO, Showtime), Fugitive Dreams (FantasiaFest, Cinequest).

Ray Fisher is best known for his breakout role as ‘Victor Stone/Cyborg’ in Warner Brothers’ DC Cinematic Universe. ‘Cyborg’ is first introduced in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and was last seen in Zack Snyder’s Justice League, where Fisher starred alongside Ben Affleck, Jason Momoa, Gal Gadot, and Ezra Miller. Ray can currently be seen starring in the limited series Women of the Movement, from creator-writer Marissa Jo Cerar and a producing team that includes Jay-Z, Will Smith and Aaron Kaplan. The six-episode series, set to premiere in 2021, centers on Mamie Till-Mobley (Adrienne Warren), who devoted her life to seeking justice for her son Emmett Till (Cedric Joe), following his brutal killing in the Jim Crow South. Fisher will play Gene Mobley, the man who would have been Emmett Till’s stepfather, if not for his murder. A devoted partner to Emmett’s mother, Mamie, Gene was considered the love of her life. They later married. On the small screen, Fisher recently starred in the third installment of HBO’s Emmy Award winning series “True Detective” opposite Mahershala Ali, Carmen Ejogo and Stephen Dorff. A seasoned theater actor as well, Ray made his mark on stage earning rave reviews for his portrayal of Muhammed Ali in the Off-Broadway production, “Fetch Clay, Make Man” from Tony-Award winning director, Des McAnuff. Ray will next be seen starring in Zach Snyder’s upcoming film Rebel Moon for Netflix, opposite Sofia Boutella, Charlie Hunnam and Djimon Hounsou.

Michael Potts is an accomplished actor of stage and screen. In March, he’ll portray Michelle Obama’s father “Frasier C. Robinson III” alongside Viola Davis in Showtime’s critically acclaimed limited series, “The First Lady” and star opposite Melissa Leo in the psychological thriller “Measure For Revenge.” Later this year, Potts takes on the role of civil rights activist “Cleveland Lowellyn “Cleve” Robinson” in Netflix’s historical drama ‘RUSTIN.” In 2020, his portrayal of “Slow Drag” earned him critical acclaim in Netflix’s award-winning, feature adaptation of August Wilson’s play “MA RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM.” The film served as Chadwick Bosman’s final acting portrayal. On the stage, he is known for originating the roles of “Mafala Hatimbi” in the 2011 Tony award winning musical comedy The Book Of Mormon from Trey Parker, Robert Lopez and Matt Stone as well as the heartwarming “Mr. Hawkins” in the Tony nominated Broadway musical The Prom. He received critical praise for his role as “Joe Mott” alongside Denzel Washington in the Tony nominated Eugene O’Neill revival The Iceman Cometh. For his role in Iceman – Potts received the distinguished “Richard Seff Award,” which is presented to veteran actors for their performances in supporting roles both on and off Broadway. Additionally, he was appointed as the 2018 Denzel Washington Endowed Chair in Theatre for Fordham University. In 2017, he starred as the notorious gossip “Turnbo” in the Tony award winning production of August Wilson’s Jitney, under the direction of Ruben Santiago-Hudson’s. That same year, Potts appeared alongside Olivia Wilde and Tom Sturridge in the stage adaptation of George Orwell’s dystopian masterpiece 1984. Potts is widely recognized for his role opposite Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson as “Detective Maynard Gilbough” in the Emmy Award winning HBO anthology series “True Detective.” Well versed in producer David Simon’s work, Potts starred opposite Idris Elba as the well-mannered yet feared assassin, “Brother Mouzone” on HBO’s critically acclaimed series “The Wire.” He starred in the HBO six-hour miniseries, “Show Me a Hero,” co-created by David Simon (“The Wire”) and directed by Oscar winner Paul Haggis. Recurring television roles also include CBS’ “Madam Secretary” and FOX’s “Gotham.” As a graduate the Yale School of Drama, Potts’ extensive theater background has afforded him several performances on New York’s theater stages. Roles in Rent, The Tempest, Twelfth Night and Richard III garnered him the Falstaff Award for best ‘Male Supporting Performance’ and The Village Voice’s Obie Award for his portrayal in the off-Broadway production of The American Play. Potts originated the role of “Brooks, Sr.” in the Tony Award winning play Grey Gardens and additionally the role of “Paul Pierce” in Tony Kushner’s The Intelligent Homosexual’s Guide to Capitalism and Socialism with a Key to the Scriptures at the Guthrie Theatre. In the regions, Michael has starred in Oedipus, Highway Ulysses, Romeo and Juliet, The Hostage, The Rivals and was in the original Broadway company of Lennon. He is an active supporter and contributor of the 52nd Street Project, dedicated to the creation and production of new plays for, and often by, kids between the ages of 9-18 that reside in the Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood in New York City. The organization achieves this goal through a series of unique mentoring programs that match kids with professional theater artists. Potts was born in Brooklyn, New York and raised in Wisacky, South Carolina. He resides in New York City.

Nadia, is delighted to make her Broadway debut at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre, in an August Wilson play, and with such a talented cast and creative team. She has appeared locally as Lucy in The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe and collaborated with Yonder Window Theatre Company. On television, she can be seen as 9-yr old Amira in “The Last O.G.” She thanks her family for their constant support of her interests and Mara Entertainment for this wonderful opportunity.

Jurnee, is a native NYC girl, who began her acting career at a very early age after attending an after-school theatre camp. At that moment, is when she decided that she wanted to do this forever. Being from NYC, Jurnee enriched her passion by submerging herself in plays. She has been cast in many theatre shows throughout NY. Cinderella, Peter Pan and Aladdin were most memorable to her. Jurnee also can be seen in national commercials and “The Daily Show with Trevor Noah.”

BROADWAY: Lincoln Center: Macbeth | Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (Original Broadway Cast) OFF-BROADWAY (selected): TFANA: Timon of Athens, Merchant of Venice | Roundabout Theatre Company: Napoli, Brooklyn | Bedlam’s The Crucible; | Bedlam’s Mary Stuart | WP Theatre: Aliens with Extraordinary Skills. REGIONAL(selected): Shakespeare Theatre Co.: Timon of Athens, Merchant of Venice | Kennedy Center: Measure + Dido w/ Derek Jacobi | Roundhouse Theatre: School Girls; Or, the African Mean Girls Play (Helen Hayes Award) | Shakespeare Festival St. Louis: Antony and Cleopatra (2015 Theatre Circle Award nomination) | Folger Theatre: Julius Caesar, Antony and Cleopatra | Huntington Theatre Company/Long Wharf Theatre: Disgraced (2015 Critics Circle Award nomination) | Old Globe Shakespeare Festival: 2010/2011 seasons. INTERNATIONAL: Arcola Theatre (London): Widows. TELEVISION: upcoming new projects for Apple TV, “Iron Fist”, “I Love You…But I Lied”, “Blue Bloods”, “Madam Secretary”. EDUCATION: Training: East 15 Acting Conservatory UK: MA | USD/Old Globe PTAP: MFA.

Broadway: How I Learned To Drive. Off-Broadway: In The Southern Breeze at Rattlestick, 2019 Pulitzer Prize, Fairview(Soho Rep, TFANA, Berkeley Rep) Drama desk nominee, Classical Theater of Harlem, Classic Stage Company, Gallery Players Regional: LaJolla Playhouse(Here There Are Blueberries),Virginia Stage Company, Arrow Rock Lyceum, Goodman, Chicago Shakespeare. TV: Hulu’s MONSTERLAND Education: Columbia University(MFA), DePaul University

Peter has enjoyed a long and multi faceted career as an actor and educator. Broadway : ‘All the Way’, ‘Cyrano DeBergerac’, ‘Henry IV’, ‘Julius Caesar’, ‘Jelly’s Last Jam’ , ‘The Merchant of Venice’. Off Broadway : ‘Socrates’, ‘Red Speedo’, ‘Father Comes Home from the Wars’ ‘Seven Spots on the Sun’, ‘Othello’, ‘The Pain and the Itch’, ‘Macbeth’, ‘Thunder Knocking on the Door’, ‘The Winter’s Tale’, ‘Checkmates’, ‘As you like it’ and many more. TV/Film : ‘The Equalizer’, ‘New Amsterdam’, ‘For Life’, ‘Luke Cage’, ‘Shades of Blue’, ‘Elementary’,’Blue Bloods’, ‘Law and Order(s)’, ‘Royal Pains’ , ‘House of Cards’, ‘The Good Wife’, ‘The Irishman’, ‘Brawl on Cellblock 99’, ‘Gotham’ and much more. Other August Wilson: ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’ ( Audelco Award), ‘Gem of the Ocean’ (Original cast, Black Theatre Alliance Nomination) Peter currently serves as Co Head of Acting in Columbia University’s School of the Arts, Graduate Division. God is Good.

Off Broadway: Confederates (Signature Theatre/US), Round Table (59E59), The Talk, Showtime Blues, The Extinctionist (Ensemble Studio Theatre), Manhood, Untamed (National Black Theatre), The Beautiful Beautiful Sea Next Door (ArsNova). Regional credits include: Black Moon Lilith (Williamstown Theatre Festival), Doubt (Westport Playhouse – CT Critics Circle Award Best Featured Actress), Everybody Black (Humana Festival), Familiar (Woolly Mammoth Theatre Co), A Christmas Carol (McCarter Theatre), Dracula (Actors Theatre of Louisville), Metamorphoses (Arden Theatre Company), Alls Well that Ends Well, Major Barbara (American Players Theater), Black Diamond, Fedra (Lookingglass Theatre), The Voysey Inheritance (Remy Bumpoo), Macbeth (Lady M, greasyjoan & co.). Other credits: Richard III (Boomerang Theatre Co), Heartbreaker (Eugene O’Neill Theatre Center). Film: Queen of Glory, Blind, Requited, Nowheresville, Happily After. Television: Dear Edward (Apple), Z: The Beginning of Everything (Amazon), The Outs, Redrum (Discovery ID), In Between Men. BTA Award Nomination, Best Actress. Training: Northwestern University, Steppenwolf Theatre, LAByrinth, Esper. Sharina is a proud member of Ensemble Studio Theatre.

Warner J. Miller is a professional film, television and stage actor having appeared in numerous theaters across the country, including Off Broadway and most recently in the Tony Award winning revival of Charles Fuller’s “A Soldier’s Play” starring Blair Underwood and David Alan Grier. Recent television credits include the Netflix (formerly NBC) sci-fi drama, Manifest and the Amazon Prime dramedy, Harlem, starring Meagan Good. Other notable appearances include the Netflix series, Marvel’s: Luke Cage and HBO’s Boardwalk Empire. Other TV shows include, Chicago, P.D., Law & Order and CSI:NY. On the big screen, he’s appeared alongside Denzel Washington and Chiwetel Ejiofor in the film American Gangster.

Doron JéPaul is an actor and writer. He made his Broadway debut in Aaron Sorkin’s critically acclaimed adaptation of TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, alongside Jeff Daniels, Celia Keenan-Bolger, Latanya Richardson-Jackson and directed by Bartlett Sher. His works have included the Lincoln Center’s One Night Only Benefit Concert of CAMELOT featuring Lin-Manuel Miranda. He’s been featured in GOOD MEN WANTED (NYSAF), soft (The New Black Fest), and The Fortress of Solitude. His film credits include Off-Broadway Award winning feature TESTAMENT (Best Featured Actor Nominee) CONCRETE ROSE, GETAWAY (BET CRE8 Finalist), NIGHT (Huffington Post Award film). Most recently, Doron can next be seen portraying African American inventor Lewis H. Latimer in film entitled, LET THERE BE LIGHT. Writing credits include A LETTER TO… (playwright; world premiere, The National Black Theatre) and A HISTORY BY: An upcoming anthology series (Level Forward Company). Doron has developed and cultivated film, plays and new works with New York Stage and Film, New York Theatre Workshop, The Lark, SPACE on Ryder Farm, Wheelhouse, BMI, Less Than Rent Theatre and Playwrights Horizons to name a few. All in all, Doron strives to never be tied down to one artistic medium, constantly pushing to inspire those around him to embrace all their gifts. He holds an MFA from NYU Graduate Acting Program. IG: @doronjepaul

Mr. Sullivan has performed in all ten of the August Wilson plays. This marks the fifth production of Piano Lesson. He has played Avery, Doaker and Wining Boy twice before. His most recent production was Gem of the Ocean, where he played Solly Two Kings at Theatreworks Silicon Valley in April and May of 2022. Since 2019 he has been touring in Switzerland, Portugal and France in Silence and Fear, the story of Nina Simone, playing her father, John Divine. Mr. Sullivan is honored to be a member of this company.

August Wilson (April 27, 1945-October 2, 2005) authored Gem of the Ocean, Joe Turner’s Come and Gone, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, The Piano Lesson, Seven Guitars, Fences, Two Trains Running, Jitney, King Hedley II, and Radio Golf. The ten play compilation is entitled The American Century Cycle. These works explore the heritage and experience of the descendants of Africans brought to North America as slaves, decade-by-decade, over the course of the twentieth century. Each of the Wilson plays have been produced on Broadway, at regional theaters across the country, and all over the world. In 2003 Wilson made his professional stage debut in his one-man show, How I Learned What I Learned, currently being presented at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. His works garnered many awards including Pulitzer Prizes for Fences (1987), and for The Piano Lesson (1990), a Tony Awards for Fences (1987 and the 2010 revival) and Jitney (2017 revival), Great Britain’s Olivier Award for Jitney, and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, as well as seven New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Fences, Joe Turner’s Come and Gone, The Piano Lesson, Two Trains Running, Seven Guitars, and Jitney. Additionally, the cast recording of Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom received a 1985 Grammy Award, and Wilson received a 1995 Emmy Award nomination for his screenplay adaptation of The Piano Lesson. During his life, Wilson received many fellowships and awards, including the Rockefeller and Guggenheim Fellowships in Playwriting, the Whiting Writers Award, the Heinz Award, and was awarded the 1999 National Humanities Medal by President Bill Clinton. He received numerous honorary degrees from colleges and universities, as well as the only high school diploma ever issued by the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. He was an alumnus of New Dramatists, a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and a 1995 inductee into the American Academy of Arts and Letters. Wilson’s now famous TCG speech,The Ground on Which I Stand in 1996 triggered a great debate in the world of the American Theater which is still talked about today. With Wilson’s passing in 2005, the August Wilson Legacy LLC, has continued to promote his cultural contribution and nurture countless productions of his plays. On October 16, 2005, Broadway renamed the theater located at 245 West 52nd Street, The August Wilson Theatre. Visitors to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture can view his prominent placement in the Performing Arts section. New York Public Radio recorded the entire American Century Cycle at the Greene Space, casting many of the original Broadway actors. PBS aired a documentary on Wilson entitled, “The Ground On Which I Stand,” as part of the American Masters series. Wilson’s screen play for the full feature film, Fences starring Denzel Washington and Viola Davis, garnered him an Academy Award nomination (2017). Recently, The August Wilson African American Cultural Center in Pittsburgh opened a permanent exhibit under its roof, solely dedicated to the playwright’s artistic legacy, entitled, August Wilson: The Writer’s Landscape. Two more tributes to Wilson in Pittsburgh are due to open in the near future: The August Wilson House, the playwright’s birth home, and his full archives now being housed at Pittsburgh University. Today, WIlson is considered one of America’s finest playwrights, and is also one of the most produced. Some theater fans have given him the moniker “America’s Shakespeare”. Though Wilson was born in Pittsburgh, PA, he resided in Seattle, WA at the time of his death. He is immediately survived by his two daughters, Sakina Ansari Wilson and Azula Carmen Wilson, and his wife, costume designer, and Executive Director of the August Wilson Legacy LLC, Constanza Romero-Wilson.

LaTanya Richardson Jackson is a critically acclaimed actress of the stage and screen. In 2014, Richardson Jackson received a Tony Award Best Actress nomination for her performance as “Lena Younger” in the Broadway revival of Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun. She also received the Distinguished Performance Drama League Award nomination. Most recently, Richardson Jackson and her husband, Samuel L. Jackson produced EPIX award nominated docu-series “Enslaved” via their production company UppiTV. In 2019, Richardson-Jackson starred on Broadway as “Calpurnia” in Aaron Sorkin’s critically acclaimed adaptation of To Kill a Mockingbird, alongside Jeff Daniels, Celia Keenan-Bolger and Dakin Matthews, and directed by Bartlett Sher. In 2018, Richardson Jackson narrated the feature length documentary “Sighted Eyes/Feeling Heart” on playwright Lorraine Hansberry, who penned the iconic A Raisin in the Sun. The world premiere took place at the Toronto International Film Festival and the documentary premiered on PBS’ “American Masters.” She also appeared in a recurring arc as Diane Pierce in Shondaland’s “Grey’s Anatomy” on ABC, as well as Mama Mabel in the Netflix Original Series “Luke Cage.” In 2016, Richardson Jackson starred in the Public Theater’s Shakespeare in the Park’s production of Taming of the Shrew as “Baptista” under Phyllida Lloyd’s direction, in honor of the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare’s death. She also starred in “Show Me a Hero,” HBO’s six-hour miniseries from “The Wire” co-creator David Simon and directed by Oscar winner Paul Haggis. For her performance, she received the NAACP Image Award Nomination for Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special. Richardson Jackson’s extensive theatre credits include Joe Turner’s Come and Gone (Broadway), For Colored Girls…, Spell #7, Casanova, Unfinished Women (Public Theater), Stop Reset (Signature Theatre), and August Wilson’s Century Cycle (Kennedy Center), among others. In 2016, she was honored with the NAACP Theater Awards Trailblazer Award in recognition of her pioneering theatrical contributions. Richardson Jackson’s additional film and television credits include “Juanita,” “The Fighting Temptations,” “U.S. Marshals,” “Freedomland,” “Losing Isaiah,” “Mother and Child,” “Damages” and Sidney Lumet’s critically acclaimed “100 Centre Street.” Richardson Jackson has received numerous awards for her philanthropic work including The United Negro College Fund and the N.Y. Keeper of the Dream Award. This year she was honored by the Ladylike Foundation, which is a faith based non-profit organization whose purpose is to educate, empower and inspire young women living in underprivileged communities. In 2016, she and her husband Samuel L. Jackson were honored by the Children’s Defense Fund for their longstanding commitment to the organization and their “Leave No Child Behind” mission. Richardson and her husband Samuel L. Jackson established the Samuel L. & LaTanya R. Jackson Foundation to carry out their commitment to a range of philanthropic issues in the United States and Africa. A graduate of Spelman College, she has served on their Board of Trustees and presently serves on the Advisory Board of their Women’s Center. She serves on the advisory council of Atlanta’s True Colors Theatre, the Ebony Repertory Theatre of Los Angeles, and is currently a board member of the American Theatre Wing and the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. LaTanya Richardson Jackson and her husband Sam have one incredible, Emmy Nominated daughter, the beautiful Zoe Dove.

25 Broadway shows include: Act One (Tony Award), The Scottsboro Boys (Tony Nomination), Therese Raquin (Tony Nomination), Come From Away, Flying Over Sunset, Freestyle Love Supreme, Be More Chill, The New One, Bernhardt/Hamlet, Meteor Shower, A Bronx Tale, Prince Of Broadway, Hand To God, Sondheim On Sondheim, …Spelling Bee , LoveMusik, Rock Of Ages, Chaplin, On The Town, Bronx Bombers, Grace, and The Two And Only. 100 Off- Broadway shows include The Last Five Years, Fiddler On The Roof (in Yiddish), Sleepwalk With Me, Miss Julie, Shakespeare in the Park’s Much Ado and Merry Wives. He has designed for The NYC Ballet and the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus and around the world in England, Russia, China, Australia, and Japan. 2007 OBIE Award for sustained excellence.

Broadway: Birthday Candles, Paradise Square, Thoughts of a Colored Man; Bernhardt/Hamlet; Come From Away; Jitney; Amazing Grace; Lucky Guy; The Scottsboro Brothers; 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; Chronicle of a Death Foretold; and Jelly’s Last Jam. Awards: Three Tony nominations, Drama Desk Award, Lucille Lortel Award, and 2 Hewes Design Awards.

Japhy Weideman has been nominated for five Tony Awards for lighting design. His notable Broadway credits include Dear Evan Hansen, The Visit, The Nance, Of Mice and Men, Airline Highway, Lobby Hero, Bright Star, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Sylvia, The Snow Geese, Old Times, Macbeth, Cyrano de Bergerac, Significant Other, and Marvin’s Room. Off-Broadway: Lincoln Center Theatre, The Public-NYSF, NYTW, Second Stage, Playwrights Horizons, MTC, MCC, LAByrinth, The Vineyard, Ma-Yi, and others. On the West End he designed lighting for Dear Evan Hansen (Noel Coward), A Nice Fish (Harold Pinter Theatre), and Blackbird (Albery Theatre). Recent: Set and Lighting for Hasan Minhaj’s The King’s Jester at Radio City and National Tour.

Scott Leher has designed sound for over 200 productions on and off Broadway, at regional theatres, and internationally: from the original production of Sunday in the Park with George at Playwrights Horizons to Angels in America to the long running revival of Chicago. Current productions include The Music Man, To Kill a Mockingbird and Plaza Suite. He received the first sound design Tony for Lincoln Center Theater’s revival of South Pacific. As a music producer/engineer, recording projects include the B’way cast recording of An American in Paris (Grammy nom), Loudon Wainwright III’s High Wide and Handsome (Grammy) and Meredith Monk’s mercy.

Cookie Jordan has designed 15 Broadway shows including A Strange Loop, POTUS, For Colored Girls, Trouble in Mind, Clyde’s, Skeleton Crew, Fela!, Slave Play, Choir Boy, The Cher Show, Once on This Island, Sunday in the Park With George, In Transit, Eclipsed, Side Show, After Midnight, Fela, A View From the Bridge and South Pacific. Off-Broadway: All the Natalie Portmans, Girls, Fefu and Her Friends, Aint No Mo’, Fairview, Toni Stone, If Pretty Hurts, The Secret Life of Bees, Boseman and Lena, Fabulation…Our Lady of Street, In the Blood, Daddy 121st Hercules in the park. Television: Makeup for “The Wiz Live.”

Tina—The Tina Turner Musical, Once on This Island, The Color Purple, Motown, Scandalous. National tours: Memphis, Dreamgirls. Off-Broadway: Merrily We Roll Along, Hercules. Television/film: Dear Evan Hansen, “Pose,” tick, tick…BOOM!, Vivo. Originally from D.C., Alvin also has two degrees in meteorology from Harvard and Georgia Tech. He sends love to his wife, Rebecca, and their wonderful children, Samuel (5) and Camille (3). alvinhoughjr.com

Broadway: Over 100 shows… The Kite Runner, Company, A Soldier’s Play (Drama Desk award, fight choreography), True West, War Horse… At NYTW: Othello (Drama Desk nomination, fight choreography ). Park Ave Armory: The Hairy Ape (Drama Desk nomination, fight choreography).

Broadway: Topdog/Underdog, Leopoldstadt, Take Me Out, for colored girls…, Skeleton Crew, MJ, Moulin Rouge!, Soldier’s Play, To Kill a Mockingbird. Film/TV: Women Talking, The Tragedy of Macbeth, “Mrs. America,” Lady Bird, Three Billboards. Faculty: Juilliard.

Calleri Jensen Davis (James Calleri, Erica Jensen, Paul Davis) is a creative casting partnership of over 20 years. Recent Broadway: Topdog/ Underdog, For Colored Girls…, Thoughts of a Colored Man, Burn This, Fool for Love, Hedwig, Of Mice and Men, Venus in Fur. TV: Love Life, Queens, Dickinson, The Path. https://www.callerijensendavis.com/

Otis Sallid’s work as a choreographer, director and writer on stage, film and television has influenced more than three decades of American popular culture. From Spike Lee’s School Daze to the co-conceiver of Smokey Joe’s Café to “Tyler Perry’s Young Dylan,” his work remains constant.