December 22–24, 2016
Cinderella
Co-production with The San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Company
Written by African-American Shakespeare Company Members and SFBATCO
Directed by Rodney Earl Jackson, Jr. and Marcelo Pereira
Music Composition and Lyrics by Angel Eaglin
Musical Arrangement by Robert Michael Moreno and Marcus McCauley
Choreography by Raissa Simpson
Back by popular demand, the holiday season once again sees the return of this heartwarming holiday show where Cinderella, a young, beautiful dreamer, toiling away as a lowly scullery maid to please her evil stepmother (and oddly masculine stepsisters) comes in contact with a Fairy Godmother who means business with a capital B. Aided by the help of a little bit of magic, Cinderella finds her Prince Charming and learns that anything—even miracles—are possible when you believe in yourself. This holiday treat for the entire family has been delighting audiences for over thirteen years.
Note: audiences members will be invited to try on the life-changing shoe; also parents are encouraged to have their cameras at the ready because following the performance kids of all ages are invited to have their portraits taken with the cast and the beaming royal couple.
“Almost Pretty”
“Bad Mama”
“Share Love”
Cast
Samantha Rose Williams, Cinderella
Samantha Rose Williams is thrilled to be playing Cinderella. A native of Alexandria, Virginia, Ms. Williams is a senior at Stanford University earning a Bachelor of Arts in Music. Favorite roles include Stanford: Spring Awakening (Martha); The San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Company and 4th Walrus Productions: Sweeney Todd (Mrs. Lovett); Broadway By the Bay: My Fair Lady (Eliza Doolittle).
Jeffrey May Hyche, Prince Charming
Born and raised in the Bayview District of San Francisco, Jeffrey May Hyche is honored to make his African-American Shakespeare Company debut in Cinderella. Mr. Hyche began his musical theater journey with the San Francisco Arts Education Project and is an alumnus of the Ruth Asawa San Francisco School of the Arts. Mr. Hyche was last seen as the trombone-playing Mayor of Whoville and Wickersham Brother in Seussical! at Freight and Salvage with the Bay Area Children’s Theatre. Favorite credits include Artists Giving Back Chicago: Rent (Angel Dumott Schunard); Berkeley Playhouse: The Little Mermaid (Ray Ray); and Marin Summer Theater: In the Heights (Benny). Peace, love, and laughter. God bless!
Amanda Christine Ajisebutu, Evil Stepmother
Amanda Christine Ajisebutu, a San Francisco native, graduated from Ruth Asawa San Francisco School of the Arts (SOTA) in San Francisco, where she studied voice (classical, jazz, opera, etc.) Ms. Ajisebutu graduated in 2005 and moved to Los Angeles, where she studied fashion design and began working as a fashion designer/stylist, specializing in women, men, and children highend clothing for both celebrities and fashionistas. Ms. Ajisebutu launched her clothing line “Aji by Amanda Christine” in 2008 and was offered many opportunities in Los Angeles, New York, and internationally. She is currently combining her talents in fashion, art, and music as she works on her debut album Soundwaves, set to be released Spring 2017. Ms. Ajisebutu is grateful for the opportunity to work with the African-American Shakespeare Company and very honored to be selected by her former SOTA classmates (Rodney Earl Jackson, Jr. and Marcelo Pereira) to take on this role. She believes that, “art imitates life, life imitates art. Expect the unexpected.”
Branden ‘Noel’ Thomas, Shaniqua
Branden ‘Noel’ Thomas began singing in 11th grade after he was admitted into Oakland School for the Arts. He joined its award-winning Concert Choir and was later bass singer/award-winning choreographer of Vocal Rush, where he received vocal training. Mr. Thomas progressed as a vocalist in high school and started to perform in musical theater. Credits include: Avenue Q (Gary Coleman); Wish Upon A Star (Ursula); and Hairspray (Motormouth Maybelle). Mr. Thomas desires and hopes to become someone who touches people through his work, hopefully with a career in musical theater. He aspires to inspire.
Devary White, Zonita
Devary White, a San Francisco native, is nothing short of excited and humbled to be a part of this amazing production! He was most recently seen in That Jones Gal: The Story of Carmen as Dink, and Dreamgirls. Mr. White gives thanks to God for this gift and all of his family and friends for their unwavering and loving support! Instagram: @dev_the_coolest
Mason Smith, Duke
Mason J. Smith is an Afro-Xicano Activist, Quintuple Threat (voice, acting, dance, literary, and visual arts) and former SAG/AFTRA Youth Entertainer who was born, raised, and displaced in San Francisco. An alum of Ruth Asawa San Francisco School of the Arts, Mr. Smith has received movement training in ballet, character, jazz, modern, and Afro-Latin dance as well as acting instruction in Shakespeare, improv, stage combat, voice over, theater, and television. Mr. Smith is elated to return to the stage after a decade-long hiatus during which he pursued a part time literary and playwriting career that led him to workshopping, and mentorship from Ishmael Reed, Michelle Tea, Octavio Solis, Taylor Mac, and Chinaka Hodge. Past productions include Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame Opening Ceremony 1992, God, Museum, Into the Woods, Cabaret, West Side Story, Barnum, The Glass Menagerie, Matty & Lenny at the edge of a Sunny Dawn, and WildcardxFaust.
Jacob Williams, Page
Jacob Williams is a 16-year-old Dominican-American actor from the Bay Area. A junior at Oakland School for the Arts, Mr. Williams has studied and performed theater since first grade at Isla Vista Elementary School in Santa Barbara. After being cast in numerous school-related and non school-related productions such as Archangels Don’t Play Pinball by Dario Fo, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (adapted for the stage) by Richard R. George, and The Dresser by Julia Franks, Mr. Williams took on stage managing for multiple plays at Oakland School for the Arts, and Broadway West Theatre Company in Fremont. Mr. Williams’ interests include environmental activism; community leadership; and community service, especially with the Black Star Organization branch “Uhuru Foods”, which is dedicated to creating an independent economy for Africa. Some of his hobbies include instrumental music (piano, guitar, organ, ukulele, banjo, drums), sports (volleyball, baseball, soccer, lacrosse), and photography.
Brittany Boutte, Fairy Godmother
Brittany Boutte grew up in the vibrant and electric San Francisco Bay Area. Since a young child she has always loved acting and performing with her childhood friends, creating scenes and acting them out with her best friend at the young age of 6 years old. Ms. Boutte continued acting throughout her childhood and attended Ruth Asawa San Francisco School of the Arts Theatre department. It was in high school Ms. Boutte confirmed she would like to pursue acting as a career. Since high school, Ms. Boutte has been a part of College of Marin’s production of Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and has taken several acting and improv classes in the Bay Area. Ms. Boutte took a few years off to work and start a family, and she is thrilled to be playing the Fairy Godmother in her first production in over five years. This is just the beginning for Brittany Boutte and she is excited to see what’s to come.
Paige Mayes, Grandmother
Paige Mayes from Denver, Colorado, is an artist in every sense of the word. Ms. Mayes is a singer, dancer, and actress who has wanted to be an entertainer since childhood. She spent her time perfecting her crafts and decided to pursue performance as a career. Ms. Mayes earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance and Theater from Arizona State University, specializing in modern, jazz, and ballet technique. She has been involved in campus and community productions and is interested in television/film. Vocally, Ms. Mayes has performed in numerous local talent showcases and resorts, as well as with the sassy female vocal group, Hot Birds. She participated in the American Conservatory Theater for the Summer Training Congress in 2014. Ms. Mayes recently moved to the Bay Area and is excited to be a part of the community while finding many ways to share her gifts and make people happy!
Adella Hand, Shayla
Adella Hand is a 10 year old Bay Area native who has dreamed of acting since she was a toddler, and is excited to be working in a show she has admired for most of her life. When Miss Hand entered elementary school she participated in school plays, memorizing not only her part, but nearly the entire script. With this experience came an even greater passion for theater and an opportunity to study the fundamentals of acting through the San Francisco Recreation and Park’s course, So You Think You Can Act? Miss Hand went on to appear in the Harvey Milk Center for the Arts Junior Acting Troupe’s production of Animal Farm by George Orwell. In addition to theater, Miss Hand performs dance, loves to sing, as well as design and model fashion. She would like to give a special thank you to her parents and sister for all of their support.
Sutchat Mosley-Wise, Shayla
Sutchat Mosley-Wise began performing at the age of three; Carla Service and Dance-A-Vision were her first teachers. Miss Mosley-Wise currently is a member of Jr. Girl Brigade at Dance Mission.
Gabrielle Bracy, Sherena
Gabrielle Bracy was born in Berkeley, California. Miss Bracy has been singing and dancing since the age of four, and has won several awards. Miss Bracy added acting to her repertoire at age six when she began theater classes. Currently Miss Bracy trains with Traci De Leon for vocals; and Sara Sanderson for acting. She has big dreams and wants to attend an art academy program before starting a career in film and theater. This is the second time Miss Bracy has appeared with African-American Shakespeare Company and she is thrilled to work with the company again.
Erika Morris, Sherena
Since she began acting a year ago, Erika Morris has performed in Crack. Rumble. Fly, A Little Piece of God, The Hysterical History of Trojan Horse, and Overtones. Miss Morris is now studying with Mary L. Booker and Infinity Productions. Miss Morris would like to become an actress and go to Mercy Burlingame High School to further her education.
Trenia Dunbar, Young Cinderella
Trenia Dunbar is a San Francisco native who began performing on stage at the age of five in ballet recitals and school performances. She is so thrilled to make her African-American Shakespeare Company debut as Young Cinderella. Miss Dunbar enjoys acting and has wowed several talent agencies and someday aspires to make it big in everything from TV shows to Broadway. Miss Dunbar thanks her parents for all the love and support they constantly give her. None of this would have been possible without their encouragement! Enjoy the show and live your dreams.
Sumayyah Nuriddin-Green, Young Cinderella
Sumayyah Nuriddin-Green is a Bay Area native with talents in acting, dancing, and singing. Miss Nuriddin-Green first appeared as Louis the Alligator in Princess and the Frog at Kids in Dance at the age of 4. She is best known for her role as an orphan in Annie! The Reality Show, a Lyric Performing Arts Academy Production. Miss Nuriddin-Green also enjoys playing golf, meeting with her book club, and has recently begun learning French.
Stephen Benjamin Fambro, Dancer
Stephen Benjamin Fambro is excited to be in his first production with the African-American Shakespeare Company. Mr. Fambro began dancing at Santa Barbara City College and graduated with a degree in choreography and production from San Francisco State University in 2013. Trained in classical ballet, he has danced in various theater shows around the Bay Area. Mr. Fambro currently is dancing with Blue Scorpion Dance Theater and hopes one day to dance with San Francisco Opera and eventually with New York City Ballet.
Carlos Guerrero, Dancer
Carlos Guerrero Is making his African-American Shakespeare Company debut with Cinderella. He was recently seen in Ray of Lights Theatre Company production of Rocky Horror. Credits includes: Broadway Bares SF: Tech Tails, On Broadway, Broadway Song & Dance, Chicago, Funky Town, Wicked Games: TILT Shift Dance Company, Missionary Man: Alfonzo King Lines Ballet. Mr. Guerrero studies Dance Theatre Production at City College of San Francisco and teaches dance and color guard at Archbishop Riordan High School. He hopes you enjoy the show!
Autumn Taylor, Dancer
Autumn Taylor is a San Francisco native who began dancing at the age of three and performed in her first production, Grease at the age of nine. She is a Ruth Asawa San Francisco School of the Arts alumna, and earned her Bachelor of Arts from San Jose State University in 2013. Ms. Taylor performed with contemporary modern company University Dance Theater for four years, under the direction of Gary Masters and Fred Matthew; and was featured in choreography by Heather Cooper, Holly Johnson, Kara Davis and Mike Esperanza to name a few; all of which were performed at the American College Dance Festival. Autumn Taylor began her own choreographic career in 2008, choreographing over 25 contemporary modern, musical theater, jazz and tap pieces and won the Martha Graham Choreographic Excellence Award in 2011 and 2012. In addition to her performance career, Ms. Taylor held the title Miss Black California Teen 2009 and Miss Black San Francisco 2014 & 2015.
Tabrela Wilson, Dancer
Tabrela Wilson is a 25 year old San Francisco native who has been dancing since the age of 12. This is her first musical with the African-American Shakespeare Company and Ms. Wilson’s goal is to have a full-time career in dance. She attended Ruth Asawa San Francisco School of the Arts where she trained in ballet, jazz and modern dance. While attending San Francisco State University, Ms. Wilson joined a hip hop company called Mind Over Matter and was trained in hip hop with Allan Frias.
Production Team
Rodney Earl Jackson, Jr., Director
Rodney Earl Jackson, Jr. made his Broadway debut in The Book of Mormon after graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Drama and was last seen traveling North America in the first national tour of Motown: The Musical. A San Francisco native who was discovered in his public elementary school at age nine by SFartsEd (Emily Keeler and Danny Duncan). Mr. Jackson, Jr. continued his theatre and performance education at San Francisco Recreation and Park’s Young People’s Teen Musical Theater Company (Diane Price, Anne Marie Bookwalter, and Nicola Bosco-Alvarez); and graduated from the Ruth Asawa San Francisco School of the Arts’ theatre department (Phillip Rayher). He is now the Artistic Director and co-founder of the San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Company, a non-profit arts organization comprised of San Francisco natives who support artists in all performing arts areas with productions, creative development, mentorship, and engaging a new generation of live theater supporters; bridging the gap between youth and professional theatre. SFBATCO.org Twitter: @RodneyEJacksonJ Instagram: @rodneyearljacksonjr
Marcelo Pereira, Director
Marcelo Pereira is the co-founder of the San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Company (SFBATCO). Mr. Pereira has helped produce two off-Broadway shows, The Black Book by Phil Blechman, and rogerandtom by Julien Schwab. Recent acting credits include Theatreworks USA: Skippyjon Jones; Syracuse Stage: Rent; Syracuse University Drama: A New Brain; and Bathwater Productions: A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Directing credits include New York Public Library: Celebrate 12th Night Joyfully with Kathryn Crosby at Lincoln Center; Community Music Center: La Posarela!; Marsh Youth Theatre: Too Many Tamales; and Black Box Players: The Complete History of America [Abridged]. To learn more about the ambitious community work SFBATCO produces, visit SFBATCO.org.
Leontyne Mbele-Mbong, Production Manager
This is Leontyne Mbele-Mbong’s first season as Production Manager for the African-American Shakespeare Company, having previously supplied them editing services. Ms. Mbele-Mbong recently founded CogentOAK, a virtual admin business that provides administrative assistance. Prior to starting her own business, Ms. 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 CogentOAK.com.
Brian Snow, Stage Manager
Brian Snow has studied acting at Chabot College, Laney College, Pan Theater and San Francisco State University. Mr. Snow began stage-managing at San Francisco State University and is continuing his training through the African-American Shakespeare Company. He plans to earn his Master of Fine Arts in Theatre and advance his skills in stage managing.
Kevin Myrick, Lighting Designer
Kevin Myrick has been lighting theatrical events since 1968, working for dance and theatre companies in Chicago, Atlanta, and here in the Bay Area. Mr. Myrick 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.
Raissa Simpson, Choreographer
Raissa Simpson is an award-winning choreographer and the Artistic Director of the San Francisco based dance company, PUSH. This is her first time working with the African-American Shakespeare Company under the direction of Rodney Earl Jackson, Jr. and Marcelo Pereira. She has danced for Robert Moses Kin and Joanna Haigood, among others. Hailed by Dance Spirit Magazine as “Reflective Contemporary Choreography,” she has presented her works at Ferst Center in Atlanta, Joyce SoHo in New York, Washington Ensemble Theater, Evolve Dance Festival in New York, Los Angeles Theater Center, Black Choreographers Festival, Renberg Theater, Links Hall in Chicago, and Dance St Louis. Ms. Simpson studied at the Conservatory of Dance at Purchase College in New York; and recently received her Master of Fine Arts in Dramatic Art. She has received the Margrit Mondavi Award, Grants for the Arts, Zellerbach Family Foundation, San Francisco Arts Commission and AATAIN in association with the Hewlett Foundation to name a few. She would like to thank her husband for his loving support and her amazing cast for all their hard work.
Joshua Bowden, Costume Designer
Joshua Bowden is a San Francisco native who graduated from the vocal department at Ruth Asawa San Francisco School of the Arts. Music is his first love but hasn’t always been his only love. Mr. Bowden fell in love with fashion his last year of high school after picking up his first copy of V Magazine. Mr. Bowden attended San Francisco City College for Fashion Design and two years later transferred to Academy of Art University for Fashion Design—then ended up changing to a visual merchandising major. Fashion has become his life, his love, and allows him to express himself and most importantly allows others do the same.
