The Winter’s Tale

Written by William Shakespeare
Directed by L. Peter Callender

The Winter’s Tale explores the unsteady, unsettling, poisonous realm of jealousy and distrust as a childhood friendship is irrevocably torn apart by a grievous misunderstanding.

King Leontes of Sicilia accuses his pregnant wife, Hermione, of infidelity with best friend and fellow King of neighboring Bohemia, Polixenes. His rage and misguided tyranny results in the plot to have the King of Bohemia killed, banish the newborn baby girl, imprison his innocent wife, and turn his stunned staff and nation against him. Directed by Artistic Director of AASC, L. Peter Callender, this study of love, jealousy, tyranny and ultimate forgiveness will bring all the complicated plot twists, memorable characters and one of Shakespeare’s most magical and romantic and unforgettable endings to life.

“’The Winter’s Tale’ is story of repentance and forgiveness, even renewal. But I cannot not help but think that politically, it comes off as timely. If only every nation had a Delphic Oracle to correct the lies, rumors, and alternate truths of misguided leaders.

The African-American Shakespeare Company is always interesting. Come see this production and support a most worthy San Francisco arts organization.”—Irene Nelson, Theatrius

#WintersTaleAASC

Director’s Note

“and a little child shall lead them” Isaiah 11.6

In The Winter’s Tale, one the last of Shakespeare’s plays, we journey from the tyrannical to the pastoral to the spiritual and romantic all through the workings of Time and as imagined by the young Prince, Mamillius. This classical story is presented by African-American Shakespeare Company with a cast consisting equally of male and female actors. Each bringing their own special talents to our stage; an untraditional, raw approach where women play male roles, and the classic male characters are portrayed as Shakespeare realized them—all informed by the brilliance of the romantic text.

I think it’s fair to say that we are all very interested in and concerned about the plight of our young people. They are asked to grow up too quickly, missing out on the promised childhood. Children listen with their eyes. They see more than their parents think they see and experience. In my adaptation of this brilliant story, we are introduced to a little Prince seeing his family torn apart by the suddenly tyrannical behavior of his father. He sees the effects on his pregnant mother and shares a sad tale of what could happen to a family in this situation and, in so doing, leads his family out of the darkness to the light.

It is a triumphant display of clashing desires, hidden motives, and love: always love. Shakespeare has threaded contemporary themes such as mental illness, family abuse, teen rebellion, with the classic themes of fate, royal privilege and monomaniacal behavior. This is when theatre excites and thrills and makes us lean forward. It moves us to think and look at our own hearts and actions. It asks us to awake our faith in each other and ourselves.

African-American Shakespeare has assembled a team of artists and artisans, who, in conjunction with the impeccable setting of the Taube Atrium, present this reimagined telling of The Winter’s Tale, with enhanced staging emphasizing each character’s internal struggle.
We are proud to be there!

I am thankful to the staff, the board, sponsors and donors of African-American Shakespeare Company for their continued support.

Lean forward and look on with marvel!

Thank you,
—L. Peter Callender

Cast

Leontes, Eric Reid

Eric Reid is originally from Baltimore, MD and has been a Bay Area actor, director and producer for over 14 years. Reid recently played Booster in African-American Shakespeare Company’s production of August Wilson’s Jitney, Lymon Jackson in the Ensemble Players’ The Piano Lesson also 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 he is a 2016-2017 YBCA Equity cohort. Eric Reid is also the Artistic Director for Theater MadCap, which he founded in 2012. He is thrilled to be working with the African-American Shakespeare Company for a second time and being directed by the very talented L. Peter Callender.

Hermione, Regina Morones

Regina Morones is thrilled to make her African-American Shakespeare Company debut in The Winter’s Tale! She is a native Bay Area actor, singer, teaching artist and a proud member of San Francisco Shakespeare Festival’s Resident Artist Company. Morones is passionate about using theatre as a positive vehicle for change and healing among marginalized communities in the Bay. Most recently she was seen in Love Sick, a new musical by Ofrá Daníel at Jewish Circle Theatre. Her favorite stage roles have been Conchita in Anna in the Tropics (Ross Valley Players) and Rosaline in the musical adaptation of Love’s Labour’s Lost (Douglas Morrisson Theatre). Morones has a BA in Theatre Arts from Clark Atlanta University and an MFA in Acting from the University of Iowa, and she is an Equity Membership Candidate with Actors’ Equity Association. Many thanks to her family and friends for their endless love and support! www.ReginaMorones.com

Polixenes, ShawnJ West

ShawnJ West returns after a successful run in one of his favorite roles as Turnbo in African-American Shakespeare Company’s production of August Wilson’s Jitney. 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; Doucher 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!!!

Paulina, Brittany Nicole Sims

Brittany Nicole Sims is an actress, singer and native of the Bay Area from San Leandro, CA and is thrilled to be working with the African American Shakespeare Company for the second time! Sims studied and received her B.A. in Theater Arts from Sacramento State University (CSUS) and performed in The Vagina Monologues, North Star, You Can’t Take It With You, The Wiz and numerous performances with Sons & Ancestors Players. Sims’s recent works have been with All Terrain Theater in Women in Solodarity & Seven Monsters: A Six Monster Play, Don’t Tripp Productions in Generation of Dreams, African-American Shakespeare Company in Romeo and Juliet, Inferno Theater in Quantum Desires, Vallejo Shakespeare in the Park in Taming of the Shrew and Those Woman Productions in Escape Velocity. Brittany Sims would like to thank her family for all their love and support, especially her mom who has always told her to never stop reaching for your dreams.

Camillo, Edward Neville Ewell

Edward Neville Ewell is an actor form Detroit, MI and is honored to work with the African-American Shakespeare Company for the third 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, Ewell 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. Last fall, he performed in We Are Proud to Present… at San Jose Stage and TheatreFirst’s VS. He was most recently seen in African-American Shakespeare Company’s Jitney. Ewell also has a passion for education; he served as an elementary teacher for three years and currently works as a private tutor.

Perdita, Jasmine Milan Williams

Jasmine Milan Williams graduated from California State University East Bay 3 years ago, where she received her B.A. in Theatre Arts. This is her tenth production since college. She attended A.C.T.’S 5 week Summer Training Congress the summer after she graduated. Other productions include: New Conservatory Theatre Center’s Leaving the Blues and Realtalk, Olympians Playwright Festival, H.O.M.E (Campo Santo), Sheroe (Fringe of Marin Festival), Timon (Theater Rhinoceros), and Six Monsters: A Seven Monster Play (All Terrain Theater), and To Kill a Mocking Bird (Hillbarn Theater). Williams thanks her theater family at CSUEB and her immediate family, especially her parents and sisters for always encouraging her to follow her dreams.

Florizel / Ensemble, Jacob Williams

Jacob Williams is a 17-year-old Dominican-American actor who attends the United World College of Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina, attaining his International Baccalaureate Degree with a history in the Arts. He trained for the past three years at Oakland School for the Arts. A model for Hollister, the clothing brand and company, and one of the reality TV personalities on AwesomenessTV, Williams’ passions lie in the field of Pediatric Neurosurgery and a wide, theatrical repertoire, ranging from Shakespeare and straight plays to Vaudeville and musicals. Williams is excited to return as Florizel in Winter’s Tale after having debuted as Romeo in the African-American Shakespeare Company’s production of Romeo and Juliet (2015) and the annual African-American Shakespeare Company production of Cinderella in 2015 and 2016. Hope you enjoy the show!

Shepherd / Antigonus, Awele Makeba

Awele Makeba is thrilled to be working with L. Peter Callender. She was last seen at African-American Shakespeare Company as Spirit / Old Blind Woman in the world premiere of Nambi E. Kelley’s Xtigone. She has been around the world as a storyteller from the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, The Musikverein in Vienna, Tsinchu Teacher’s College in Taiwan, Suriname (U.S. Dept. of State tour), Russia, Australia, France, Canada to TED-Ed. Favorite projects include City Council Meeting (Erika Chong Such, Mallory Catlett, & Aaron Landsman), The Wash, Jamaican Project with Carl Lumbly (Steven Anthony Jones), and Rage Is Not A 1-Day Thing! (Ellen Sebastian Chang and Benny Sato Ambush). Her featured award-winning CDs include The Undiscovered Explorer: York with Danny Glover, Tell That Tale Again, and This Land Is Your Land. She holds a BFA from the Conservatory of Theatre Arts, Webster University. Makeba’s drama students have been invited to perform at the American High School Theatre Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland in August 2017. You can follow her at @AweleMakeba and Awele.com

Autolycus, Titus VanHook

Titus VanHook is an American actor based in the Bay Area, and is thrilled to make his professional theatrical debut with the African-American Shakespeare Company! After studying history and theatre at Pomona College, he studied the Meisner technique at the Waterfront Playhouse & Conservatory in Berkeley, CA. In the fall of 2017, VanHook will continue his theatrical studies at Columbia University School of the Arts’ Masters of Fine Arts Program. He would like to thank his family for supporting him throughout his career.

Clown / Ensemble, Marlo Su

Marlo Su is a Trilingual Bay Area film and theatre actress. She is trilled to make her professional Shakespeare debut with the African-American Shakespeare Company. Su is known for her recent role as Kanika in Permanent Collection directed by Jeffery Lo at the Piedmont Center for the Arts, work with Piano Fights’ Pint Sized Plays and FoolsFURY Theater. Su held starring and principle roles in short films Strength and Fortune (Eimanne El Zein), Invisible Men (Nina Rayes Rosenberg), SlipDrive and The Knock (Paul Johnstone). She has written and performed in youth theatre with the Almeida Theatre and Royal Court Theatre in London, England. Su trained at Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute in Los Angeles and the Academy Drama School in London. She holds a BA in French and Spanish and MA in Caribbean and Latin American Studies.

Mamillius, Atlantis Clay

Atlantis Clay is thrilled to be working with L. Peter Callender in his debut role at African-American Shakespeare Company and in Callender’s Romeo & Juliet master class at Skyline High School in Oakland. He is a first year drama student studying with Awele Makeba. Past performances include: Prospect High: Brooklyn (Devin), 12 Days of Christmas (Little Timmy), Don’t Do Drugs (Brother). Clay is a 1st place Dr. MLK, Jr. Oratorical champion in two categories—Famous & Not So Famous Speeches and Dramatic Performances. In middle school he was a 1st and 2nd place state champion in competitive performances in choral poetry, monologues, scenes, and storytelling. He was invited to perform at the American High School Theatre Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland with his school in August 2017. He would like to give a special thanks to his mom and “aunt Mary Ann” who helped to make this moment possible.

Mamillius, Cameron Payne

Cameron Payne is a third grader at Cleveland Elementary School in Oakland, California. Payne swims and rides horses and hopes to be an artist when he grows up as well as a book writer and illustrator. The Winter’s Tale is Payne’s first African-American Shakespeare Company production.

Mopsa, Atiana Gabriella Skokan

Atiana Gabriella Skokan is an actress, musician, composer, and singer from San Francisco. A sophomore at the International High School (IHS) in San Francisco, Skokan has studied acting at the African-American Shakespeare Company, American Conservatory Theater, Westlake School for the Performing Arts (WSPA), and at the French American International School (FAIS) Performing Arts Program. Skokan also plays the piano and has studied Jazz music at the Jazz School at the California Jazz Conservatory. Skokan has performed in the AASC’s Romeo and Juliet (Juliet), in the FAIS adaptation of Hamlett – “Hamlett Mashup”, the FAIS presentation of Liberté Ou la Mort (Freedom or Death), and in WSPA adaptation of the Lion King—“Hakuna Matata”. Skokan’s volunteer work includes work at the San Francisco Public Library, environmental service work in Cuba, raising money for school supplies for Guatemalan children. Skokan has a passion for diversity and is an active member of the Black Student Union at IHS. She speaks French, English, and is learning to speak Spanish. Skokan has recently been accepted to the UCLA 2017 Acting and Performance Summer Institute to further her studies in acting.

Dorcas, Jazara Metcalf

Jazara Metcalf is celebrating her 11th year with the African-American Shakespeare Company. As a company actor, Metcalf performed in the lead role of Juliet in Romeo and Juliet. Also, she has performed in A Comedy of Error, Cinderella, and Much Ado About Nothing. School performances have included the Neil Simon Playwright Festival, Dracula Rides Again and The Lottery. Recently, she appeared in the ODC Dance Showcase. Metcalf’s academic success at St. Ignatius High School (S.F.) has earned her admittance into the California Scholarship Federation and lifetime membership to National Honor Society. She is also a teen scientist at the California Academy of Science. This renaissance young lady’s passion for life includes tap/ ballet training at the Westlake School of Performing Arts and ODC, video directing, and multiple sports. She would like to thank God for her blessings, her Mom and Dad for their unconditional love and support, and Sherri Young and L. Peter Callender for allowing her to live out her dream!

Production Team

Director, 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

Production Manager, Leontyne Mbele-Mbong

Leontyne Mbele-Mbong is in her first season with the African-American Shakespeare Company as the Production Manager 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, Jemier Jenkins

Jemier Jenkins is an actress, writer, and teaching artist from St. Petersburg, FL and she’s excited to continue working with African-American Shakespeare Company. She is also a small business owner Jemier Briel Productions, LLC, and is currently in preproduction for an original series titled “Spiked Lemonade.” She’s an alumna of Florida State University and William Esper’s Acting Conservatory (NYC). Favorite roles include Molly in Joe Turner’s Come and Gone (American Stage); Rena in Jitney (AASC); Wonder Woman in Sex Relationships & Sometimes Love; and Laura in Where Are All The Good Black Men? Jenkins is a Manhattan Monologue Slam Champion and proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She would like to thank L. Peter Callender, African-American Shakespeare Company, her family, & friends for their prayers, love, & support. You can follow her on social media @JemierBriel & www.JemierJenkins.com.

Assistant Stage Manager, Nikki Anderson-Joy

Nikki Anderson-Joy is a costume designer from the Pacific Northwest and lives now in the Bay Area. She is excited to be working with the African-American Shakespeare Company again. She assisted Maggie Whitaker last season on Antony and Cleopatra and recently was the Costume Designer for Jitney. 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 as costume assistant at the San Francisco Opera. She returned to the opera this May.

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.

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, Cliff Caruthers

Cliff Caruthers has created soundscapes and music for over 300 productions, including We are Proud to Present a Presentation about the Herero of Namibia for San Jose Stage; The Diary of Anne Frank, Gross Indecency, and Man in Love for Kansas City Repertory Theatre; Bug, Dead Man’s Cell Phone, Reborning, and Period of Adjustment for San Francisco Playhouse; Elektra, The Homecoming, The Caucasian Chalk Circle, and Race for American Conservatory Theater; Crime and Punishment and TRAGEDY: a tragedy for Berkeley Repertory Theatre; Troilus and Cressida for Oregon Shakespeare Festival; American Night, The Tempest, and The Seagull for California Shakespeare Theater; Death of the Last Black Man in the Whole Entire World, Ubu Roi, and A Dreamplay for The Cutting Ball Theater; The Happy Ones for Magic Theatre; The Loudest Man on Earth, Intimate Apparel and Outside Mullingar for TheatreWorks; Julius Caesar for The Acting Company; Happy Days for The Guthrie Theater; and Circle Mirror Transformation, and 9 Circles for Marin Theatre Company. Caruthers is also co-curator and technical director of the San Francisco Tape Music Festival and has performed his electronic music compositions internationally. His music for the iOS app Earth: A Primer was featured at the GDC’s Experimental Gameplay Workshop in 2015.

Costume Designer, Keri Fitch

Keri Fitch has designed for many Bay Area theaters over the years including Berkeley Repertory Theater, San Francisco Shakespeare Festival, Golden Thread Productions, Center Rep and New Conservatory Theater Center. She has been privileged the past 10 years to work on a diverse selection of plays at New Conservatory Theater Center including Take Me Out, Greater Tuna, Other Desert Cities, Mothers and Sons and most recently Casa Valentina and Leaving The Blues. She is delighted for this opportunity to work again with L. Peter Callender. When not working as a freelance designer Fitch makes her home in Boise, Idaho where she is currently the interim Costume Director for Ballet Idaho and on the staff of the Idaho Shakespeare Festival and Boise State University.

Prop 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.

Video