Jitney

Written by August Wilson
Directed by L. Peter Callender

Set in 1977 in the Hill District of Pittsburgh that is served by a makeshift taxi company, Jitney is a beautiful addition to the author’s decade-by-decade cycle of plays about the black American experience in the 20th century.

Jitney takes place during an end of an era, where urban renewal threatens to eliminate the makeshift small business Jitney service, which developed to serve the Black community when taxis would not come to their neighborhoods. Jitney is a play about father and sons and brotherhood and love; loss and hope; and ultimately, community, told with passion that transcends all races. Jitney is part of the “Pittsburgh Cycle” of plays created by August Wilson about the African-American experience in Pittsburgh.

5 out of 5 stars
“August Wilson’s play ‘Jitney,’ produced with magnificent splendor by San Francisco’s African-American Shakespeare Company, the first time in their 23-year history they have ventured into the Wilson canon, is a mesmerizing dazzler, a delicious slice of the joy and pain of Black life set in 1977.” —David John Chávez, Bay Area Plays

“The fine cast and direction make us want to catch this Jitney, before it leaves. Wilson and Callender bring the Black working man’s experience to life in this gem.” —Irene Nelson, Theatrius

“The story of Jitney is relevant now as so many small arts groups are struggling with funding cuts and threats to culture by the ‘forces that be.’” —Christine Okon, Theater & Such

#JitneyAASC

Director’s Note

No director worth his/her salt would turn down an opportunity to direct one of August Wilson’s plays, nor an actor turn down an opportunity to play one of his richly nuanced characters. I have had the pleasure of doing both! I have acted in 23 Shakespeare plays, directed several and, as in Shakespeare (who wrote 10 history plays as did Wilson), Wilson’s words are textured, the thoughts are rich and complicated, the characters bigger than life and the stories are breathtaking! Jitney, Wilson’s first play, is such an example. It is a play about fathers and sons; brotherhood and love; loss and hope, and ultimately, community, told with passion and poetry that transcend all races. This is not an epic play. It doesn’t follow in the footsteps of Wilson’s other masterpieces like The Piano Lesson, Fences, Gem of the Ocean, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, and Joe Turner’s Come and Gone. What makes this play stand on it’s own are the characters you’ll be introduced to and how they maneuver through their lives on life’s battlefield. The leaders and the followers, the dreamers and those whose dreams have faded away; and those clawing their way back from near destruction, in a world that is crumbling around them. All the while, exhibiting pride, honor, dignity, humor, love and the unwavering desire to survive! I will be forever grateful to have the opportunity to helm this brilliant work! I dedicate this production to Brandon Callender, Elsa Callender, and to you, reading these notes, for your support of these great plays.
—L. Peter Callender

Cast

Becker, L. Peter Callender*

L. Peter Callender, Artistic Director of African-American Shakespeare Company, has directed three of August Wilson’s plays (Fences at Harbor Theater in Fairfield, California and Jitney and Joe Turner’s Come and Gone at American Stage Company in St. Petersburg, Florida). He has acted in King Hedley II (Hedley), Seven Guitars (Red Carter), Radio Golf (Sterling) and, now as Becker in Jitney. Callender’s other directing credits include: Safe House at Aurora Theatre Company in Berkeley, “We Are Proud To Present…” at San Jose Stage and several productions at African-American Shakespeare Company. His extensive bio, photo gallery, coaching opportunities and upcoming productions can be seen on his site at www.LPeterCallender.com

Turnbo, ShawnJ West

ShawnJ West returns after directing African-American Shakespeare Company’s 2015 production of Cinderella. Favorite roles include Sterling North in Permanent Collection with Piedmont Center for the Arts; Lady Percy in The Free Theatre’s Henry IV, Part I; Doaker in The Piano Lesson & George in Of Mice and Men with Role Players Ensemble Theatre; Buckingham in Richard III and Pandarus in Troilus and Cressida with Impact Theatre. Dogberry in Much Ado About Nothing; Gooper in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof; with African-American Shakespeare Company. As well as challenging roles as Belize in Angels in America; Perestroika, Gidger in The Violet Hour; Raul in Extremities; and Robert in The Exonerated. He’s also enjoyed roles on the musical side of theatre in Grease, Guys and Dolls, West Side Story and A Chorus Line. Here’s to the journey, live, learn & pass it on. Enjoy!!!

Youngblood, Edward Neville Ewell

Edward Neville Ewell is an actor from Detroit, Michigan and is honored to work with African-American Shakespeare Company for the second time. After graduating from Yale University, Ewell moved to Oakland and studied acting at Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Shelton Studios, and the Phoenix Theatre. Last year, he understudied with Berkeley Repertory Theatre in Head of Passes. This past spring, Ewell was the ensemble in Antony and Cleopatra at African-American Shakespeare Company. In the fall, he performed in We Are Proud to Present… at San Jose Stage, and he was most recently seen in TheatreFirst’s VS. Ewell also has a passion for education; he served as an elementary teacher for three years and currently works as a private tutor.

Fielding, Trevor Nigel Lawrence

Trevor Nigel Lawrence was born in Guyana, South America and moved to America at age 14. It was not long before he gained an appreciation for the arts, but did not start his career on stage until eight years ago, when he attended the Summer Training Congress at American Conservatory Theatre (A.C.T.) in San Francisco. Since graduating from A.C.T., he has appeared in August Wilson plays Gem of the Ocean, Jitney and Two Trains Running, as well as 12 Angry Men and Emperor Jones. Additionally, Lawrence was a narrator on the award-winning Slave Narratives in conjunction with the Museum of African Diaspora.

Doub, Jonathan Smothers

Since elementary school, Jonathan Smothers has been engaged in the boundless art culture of the Bay Area, outward. Original productions, including a role as Prince Charming in Cinderella with African-American Shakespeare Company, and performances with Youth Entertainment Network (YEN), San Francisco State University, and Oakland Unified School District were spring boards of expression which fostered his love of theater and performing arts in general. With a B.A. in Communication with an emphasis in Performance, and many years singing, it’s truly an honor to have an opportunity to play Doub in August Wilson’s Jitney, a first for him. Smothers has worked in the role of Wilson’s Cory in the Tony award winning Fences among other roles, such as the Wiz and the Lion in The Wiz, the Ethiopian in Prometheus Theater Company production of The Ethiopian Tattoo Shop, Danny Zukko in Grease and even Jim in Big River.

Shealy, Fred Pitts

Fred Pitts is excited to return to the African-American Shakespeare Company where he was last seen as Marc Antony/Soothsayer in Julius Caesar. He is a member of Custom Made Theater Company in San Francisco and has worked with several theater companies throughout the Bay Area including Contra Costa Civic, Altarena Playhouse, Berkeley Rep, Hillbarn, Palo Alto Players, Pear Theater, and Dragon Productions. Pitts has numerous film/TV/commercial credits. And the rumors are true—he is a doctor by day. Really. Much love NK!

Booster, Eric Reid

Eric Reid is originally from Baltimore, MD and has been a Bay Area actor, director, and producer for over 14 years. Reid has recently played Lymon Jackson in Role Players Ensemble’s The Piano Lesson written by August Wilson; Sgt. Bakley in Southern Railroad Theater Company’s Taken; and Co-Directed On The Hill: I am Alex Nieto written by Paul S. Flores. Theatre Bay Area Awards nominated Reid for Outstanding Actor in 2015 for his role as Lee in Sam Shepard’s True West, which he also produced and is a 2016–2017 YBCA Equity cohort. Reid is also the Artistic Director for Theater MadCap, which he founded in 2012. Reid is thrilled to be working with the African-American Shakespeare Company for the first time and being directed by the very talented L. Peter Callender.

Rena, Jemier Jenkins

Jemier Jenkins is a writer and actress from St. Petersburg, Florida, and is thrilled to be working with African-American Shakespeare Company! She is an alumna of Florida State University and is currently an MBA candidate at Syracuse University. When she is off stage, you can catch her on @IME_TV’s original series Spiked Lemonade or teaching acting workshops at Campbell Park Community Church. New York credits include: Sonnet 128 (Sonnet Project NYC); Sex Relationships & Sometimes Love (The Producers Club); Outcasts (The Actor’s Project NYC); Where Are All The Good Black Men (Afrikan Love Company); Love Questionmark (Boxed Out Productions). Regional Credit: Joe Turner’s Come and Gone (Molly, American Stage). Jenkins studied acting at William Esper Studio in NYC, is a Manhattan Monologue Slam champion, & proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She would like to thank L. Peter Callender, African-American Shakespeare Company, her mother, family, sorority sisters, and friends for their prayers, love, and support. You can follow her on social media @JemierBriel and www.JemierJenkins.com.

Philmore, Gift Harris

Gift Harris has worked on stage at many Bay Area theaters including the Lorraine Hansberry, Marin Theater Company, and Berkeley Repertory’s school touring company. Harris’ stage credits include Fences, Master Harold…and the Boys, and Miss Julie. Harris also toured around the country with the New Shakespeare Company performing As You Like It and A Midsummer’s Night Dream. Harris has performed with the African-American Shakespeare Company one other time in the production of Romeo and Juliet. Harris’ television and screen credits include Weeds, Midnight Caller, and he most recently starred in an episode of Discovery ID’s “Cuff Me If You Can”. Harris appreciates the opportunity to work again with AASC and the chance to work with the talented cast, director and crew of this show. Harris thanks God for the opportunity to share his talent; and also thanks his wife Candy, his mother and family for their support.

Production Team

Director, L. Peter Callender

L. Peter Callender is the Artistic Director of African-American Shakespeare Company and Associate Artist at California Shakespeare Theater. He has appeared in many productions at CalShakes over the years including Julius Caesar, Nicolas Nickleby, Richard II, Man and Superman, The Importance of Being Earnest, Winter’s Tale, SPUNK, Romeo and Juliet and many, many others. He’s also appeared at Marin Theatre Company (Whipping Man, My Children! My Africa!, Swimmers, The Convert, Seven Guitars); at Aurora Company (Permanent Collection, Breakfast with Mugabe); American Conservatory Theater (The Tempest, Streetcar Named Desire, Tartuffe) and several other local theaters. Callender also appeared on Broadway (Prelude to a Kiss), teaches at Stanford University (Acting Shakespeare and Fundamentals of Directing), directs (American Stage Company, Aurora Theater, AASC), is a private acting coach, and an especially proud Dad of Brandon Callender. www.LPeterCallender.com

Production Manager, Leontyne Mbele-Mbong

This is Leontyne Mbele-Mbong’s first season as Production Manager for the African-American Shakespeare Company, having previously supplied them editing services. Mbele-Mbong recently founded CogentOAK, a virtual admin business that provides administrative assistance. Prior to starting her own business, Mbele-Mbong worked for 10 years at an engineering consultant firm, working her way from temporary receptionist to business development coordinator. The customer service skills she learned in her first job as travel agent fresh out of college, she now puts to use at the American Conservatory Theater box office, and at various theaters across the city where she can be seen working front of house. The over-arching theme of this patchwork is assisting people with just what they need to do what they desire hassle-free—be it seeing a show or working on the aspect of the budding business they love. She even creates websites! Check hers out at www.CogentOAK.com.

Stage Manager, Brian Snow

Brian Snow has studied acting at Chabot College, Laney College, Pan Theater and San Francisco State University. He began stage-managing at San Francisco State University and is continuing his training through the African-American Shakespeare Company. Snow plans to earn his Master of Fine Arts in Theatre and advance his skills in stage managing.

Set Designer, Kevin August Landesman

Kevin August Landesman is a Bay Area-based lighting, sets, and projections designer for opera, dance, and theatre. He is also the Lighting Director and frequent designer for West Edge Opera, Resident Designer for Bay Area Children’s Theatre, and the Technical Director for Hidden Valley Music Seminars. He has designed for local companies such as West Bay Opera, Mark Foehringer Dance Company, Ray of Light Theatre, 42nd Street Moon, Golden Thread Productions, and Ferocious Lotus Theatre Company.

Technical Director, Roger Chapman

Roger Chapman is proud to be joining African-American Shakespeare Company for his first production with them. A San Francisco native, he is excited to be working with another great Bay Area arts organization. Recent credits include work with American Conservatory Theater, West Edge Opera Company, Steve Silver’s Beach Blanket Babylon, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Marin Theatre Company, as well as work with multiple groups for the Burning Man arts festival.

Lighting Designer, Kevin Myrick

Kevin Myrick has been lighting theatrical events since 1968, working for dance and theatre companies in Chicago, Atlanta, and here in the Bay Area. He studied theatrical design at San Francisco State University, and has designed shows for the Oakland Ensemble Theatre Company, A Black Box Theatre Company, United Projects, Berkeley Black Repertory Theatre Company, Go Productions, SEW Productions, Dimensions Dance Theatre, Wajumbe Cultural Ensemble, the Alliance Theatre Company and Just Us Theatre Company in Atlanta, African-American Shakespeare Company, Cultural Odyssey, AfroSolo Theatre Company; and many other community and professional arts organizations.

Sound Designer, True Siller

True Siller was exposed to radio and theatre as a high school student at El Cerrito High. It was there that he produced his first show. By senior year his career path was set as a sound engineer. He went on to study engineering under Frank Dourty at Los Mendanos College before starting his first record company at 18. In 2000 he had the opportunity to intern at Jim Larkins Frisco Studios. With Jim he was exposed to live sound and was hooked, but will never give up the theater!

Costume Designer, Nikki Anderson-Joy

Nikki Anderson-Joy is a costume designer from the Pacific Northwest and lives now in the Bay Area. She excited to be working with the African-American Shakespeare Company again. She assisted Maggie Whitaker last season on Anthony and Cleopatra. She graduated from the Academy of Art University in 2014 and since has assisted on plays around the Bay, including Bereaved at Crowded Fire and Waiting for Godot at the Marin Theatre Company. Her most recent work has been a costume assistant at the San Francisco Opera. She will return to the opera this May.

Props Designer, Devon LaBelle

Devon LaBelle is a multidisciplinary artist with emphasis on vivid visual and special effects components. In eight short seasons she has fueled over 100 Bay Area productions with the physical artifacts that make them work. LaBelle is a Resident Artist with Crowded Fire Theater and a Theatre Bay Area award winning Props Designer. She is thankful to be working with African-American Shakespeare Company. Check out her blog to see what she makes: giveherprops.wordpress.com. Love to Sam, Jo, and Roscoe.

Assistant Director, Jemier Jenkins

Jemier Jenkins is a writer and actress from St. Petersburg, Florida, and is thrilled to be working with African-American Shakespeare Company! She is an alumna of Florida State University and is currently an MBA candidate at Syracuse University. When she is off stage, you can catch her on @IME_TV’s original series Spiked Lemonade or teaching acting workshops at Campbell Park Community Church. New York credits include: Sonnet 128 (Sonnet Project NYC); Sex Relationships & Sometimes Love (The Producers Club); Outcasts (The Actor’s Project NYC); Where Are All The Good Black Men (Afrikan Love Company); Love Questionmark (Boxed Out Productions). Regional Credit: Joe Turner’s Come and Gone (Molly, American Stage). Jenkins studied acting at William Esper Studio in NYC, is a Manhattan Monologue Slam champion, & proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She would like to thank L. Peter Callender, African-American Shakespeare Company, her mother, family, sorority sisters, and friends for their prayers, love, and support. You can follow her on social media @JemierBriel and www.JemierJenkins.com.

_{*The Actor appears through the courtesy of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.}