A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Written by William Shakespeare
Directed by Sherri Young

Lovers, Amazon women, and mystical fairies share the stage in this colorfully imaginative tale of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream set in Trinidad & Tobago’s Carnival. The audience becomes part of the cast as they are taken through an enchanted forest upon a magical night revealing star-crossed lovers, magical fairies, and a troupe. All before the Carnival celebration on the Duke and Duchess’ wedding day.

“Bottom Line: This A Midsummer Night’s Dream is witty, pulsating, full of oomph, and tremendously imaginative.”
—Richard Connema, Talkin’ Broadway

“not only the best I’ve seen, but also the most unique. …
She [Director Sherri Young] and her production team succeeded on all levels, heightening the magic, mystery, fantasy, and intrigue inherent in the play. … Don’t miss it!”
—Gaetana Caldwell-Smith, For All Events

“Even if you have seen ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream,’ you’ll want to catch this beautiful, inspired version of a classic comedy. It’s great fun!”
—Tyler Jeffreys, Theatrius

#AMidsummerNightsDreamAASC

Director’s Note

A Midsummer Night’s Dream has always been my personal Shakespeare favorite. This production was performed by African-American Shakespeare Company almost 20 years ago. When you think about a family-friendly Shakespeare production, Midsummer is on the top of the list. There is something for everyone with a myriad of characters, intrigue, lovers, magic, and fantasy.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream was my opportunity to create a culturally vibrant production that incorporated elements that soars with the richness of Shakespeare’s language, while entwining the cultural rhythms of the West Indies. This production puts the audience in the middle of the action – no passive observers at this show, audience members might be called on the stage to play with us, so if anyone is a shrinking violet I would suggest taking a seat as far from the stage as possible.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream is my personal homage to L. Peter Callender. Many people think of Mr. Callender as this stern and intense Shakespearean actor. What many people don’t see is the man behind the image: Funny, lively, vibrant, full of energy and extremely creative. Almost each character in the production is an accumulation of Peter’s personality—especially Bottom.A Midsummer Night’s Dream is my gift to Mr. Callender who has made magic for our company for all these years.

—Sherri Young

Cast

Theseus — Jourdán Olivier-Verdé

Jourdán Olivier-Verdé is very excited to be making his African-American Shakespeare Company debut with this production. Jourdán is an actor and singer and was previously seen in the DC Metro area appearing in A Raisin in the Sun as Walter Lee (Hallam Award Recipient for Best Actor); Marty in Dreamgirls; and Mister in The Color Purple, to name a few credits. He received his training as an Acting Minor at Howard University, American Academy of Dramatics Arts in New York (AADA), and the International Academy of Film and Television Los Angeles. He is very grateful to Ms. Sherri Young, Mr. L. Peter Callender, and the AASC family for providing guidance, a nurturing environment and opportunities/access to classic works not normally afforded to artists of color. He is thankful for the support of his family and friends, and in particular to his “Brosin” (Brother/Cousin) J-D who pushes continually him to be a better artist.

Hippolyta — Emily T. Phillips

Emily Teresa Phillips is a singer and actress recently relocated back to the Bay Area after many years abroad, and is over the moon to be working with the African-American Shakespeare Company. A graduate of University of California Los Angeles’ theater department, and Georgetown/Sotheby’s Institute, London, Emily is fluent in German, and has taught in the U.S., Europe, Turkey, and South East Asia. A former set designer for theatre and opera, she most recently appeared as Cheryl in the independent short comedy, Inner Kid. She has studied at the Old Vic in Bristol, England, and the Actor’s Workshop in Germany, with such luminaries as Giles Foreman, Siobhan Richardson and Michael Abts. Emily just joined the Board of the LEAP Foundation, where she is able to marry her passion for education and the arts.

Egeus — Jarrett Holley

Jarrett Holley is proud to make his professional acting debut with the African-American Shakespeare Company. He is originally from Memphis, TN, but has lived and worked in the Bay Area for over 10 years since graduating from the Academy of Art University with an AA in Motion Pictures and Television here in the city. He has a passion for languages, swords, and stage combat, and is known as the resident Star Wars encyclopedia among his friends.

Hermia — Antonette Bracks

Antonette Bracks is excited to be working with the African-American Shakespeare Company again for her third production with the company. She is an actress and writer with over ten years of theatrical experience and has studied theater at Laney College and San Francisco State University. She has had the privilege of working in the Bay Area as well as Los Angeles, and she hopes to continue to spread her wings world wide.

Lysander — Ryan Marchand

Ryan Marchand is an actor, director, and teaching artist in San Francisco, and is thrilled to be working with the African-American Shakespeare Company again, having performed as a ballroom dancer in a previous production of Cinderella. Ryan graduated from San Francisco State University (SFSU) where he completed his B.A. in French, with a minor in Theater Arts. At SFSU, Ryan studied various styles of theater including the classical Japanese forms of Noh and Kyogen Theater. Ryan put this training to use and has performed various roles with Theater of Yugen, including in the world premiere production of This Lingering Life by Chiori Miyagawa. Ryan recently directed for the Playwright’s Foundation’s Flash Plays, and is an occasional presenter with Klanghaus. Ryan is also the Artistic and Programming Director with Handful Players, a non-profit, social justice-oriented performing arts program that provides San Francisco’s most underserved youth in the Western Addition with high quality performing arts experiences.

Demetrius — Jon-David Randle

Jon-David Randle is thrilled to be making his African-American Shakespeare Company debut. He is an actor and singer originally hailing from the DC Metropolitan Area, receiving his training at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts and Howard University where he earned his Bachelors of Fine Arts in Acting. He was last seen as Gator in the 2015 National Tour of Memphis the Musical. He would like to thank Sherri Young and L. Peter Callender for their nurturing support in helping him become a “Shakespearian” actor. He sends a special shout out to his bro, “J.V.” for the selfless acts and sacrifices that he daily makes to ensure that they both are able to keep striving towards becoming full time performing artists.

Helena — Paige Mayes

Paige Mayes is a singer, actress and dancer from Denver, Colorado. She is extremely blessed to be working with the African-American Shakespeare Company! She attended Arizona State University, where she studied the Performing Arts in Dance and Theater. She also attended the American Conservatory Theater where she did the Summer Training Congress and the SF Semester. This is Paige’s third production with the African-American Shakespeare Company and she is forever grateful to be doing what she loves.

Oberon — Jourdán Olivier-Verdé

Jourdán Olivier-Verdé is very excited to be making his African-American Shakespeare Company debut with this production. Jourdán is an actor and singer and was previously seen in the DC Metro area appearing in A Raisin in the Sun as Walter Lee (Hallam Award Recipient for Best Actor); Marty in Dreamgirls; and Mister in The Color Purple, to name a few credits. He received his training as an Acting Minor at Howard University, American Academy of Dramatics Arts in New York (AADA), and the International Academy of Film and Television Los Angeles. He is very grateful to Ms. Sherri Young, Mr. L. Peter Callender, and the AASC family for providing guidance, a nurturing environment and opportunities/access to classic works not normally afforded to artists of color. He is thankful for the support of his family and friends, and in particular to his “Brosin” (Brother/Cousin) J-D who pushes continually him to be a better artist.

Titania — Emily T. Phillips

Emily Teresa Phillips is a singer and actress recently relocated back to the Bay Area after many years abroad, and is over the moon to be working with the African-American Shakespeare Company. A graduate of University of California Los Angeles’ theater department, and Georgetown/Sotheby’s Institute, London, Emily is fluent in German, and has taught in the U.S., Europe, Turkey, and South East Asia. A former set designer for theatre and opera, she most recently appeared as Cheryl in the independent short comedy, Inner Kid. She has studied at the Old Vic in Bristol, England, and the Actor’s Workshop in Germany, with such luminaries as Giles Foreman, Siobhan Richardson and Michael Abts. Emily just joined the Board of the LEAP Foundation, where she is able to marry her passion for education and the arts.

Peter Quince — Jarrett Holley

Jarrett Holley is proud to make his professional acting debut with the African-American Shakespeare Company. He is originally from Memphis, TN, but has lived and worked in the Bay Area for over 10 years since graduating from the Academy of Art University with an AA in Motion Pictures and Television here in the city. He has a passion for languages, swords, and stage combat, and is known as the resident Star Wars encyclopedia among his friends.

Bottom — ShawnJ West

ShawnJ West returns after an exciting run in one of his favorite roles: Turnbo in African-American Shakespeare Company’s production of August Wilson’s Jitney, and as Polixenes in The Winter’s Tale. 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!!!

Snug — Charlotte Christien

Charlotte Christien is a Bay Area transplant by way of Alabama. She has studied at Berkeley Repertory Theatre as well as completed a Meisner-based program of study at Waterfront Playhouse and Conservatory. The past four years have propelled Charlotte deeper into her own truth through acting and other creative forms. This is her first production with the African-American Shakespeare Company and she couldn’t be more excited!

Flute/Thisby — Gabriel A. Ross

Gabriel A. Ross is excited and honored to be making his African-American Shakespeare Company debut with Midsummer. He has performed in the San Francisco Bay Area for over 15 years. Some highlights include: Antony in Julius Caesar (Silicon Valley Shakespeare); Charles/Ladvenu in St Joan (Jewel Theatre); Torvald in Doll’s House (Marin Onstage); Launcelot Gobbo in Merchant of Venice (Custom Made Theatre); Saturninus in Titus Andronicus (Renegade Theatre); and Edgar in King Lear (Festival Theatre Ensemble). He earned an MFA in Classical Acting from George Washington University/The Shakespeare Theatre Company. Last year he toured the west coast performing children’s theatre with California Theatre Center.

Robin Goodfellow (Puck) — Charles Lewis III

Charles Lewis III is overjoyed to make his African-American Shakespeare debut in Midsummer. The San Francisco native first performed the play in high school, and he’s delighted to perform in it again. Charles has acted with such renowned companies as American Conservatory Theater, California Shakespeare Theater, Atmos Theatre, PianoFight Productions, Impact Theatre, and the San Francisco Opera. He has written and directed for Wily West Productions, Awesome Theatre, Shotz! SF, and PianoFight. He frequently appears in film and television, including TV spots for the San Francisco Giants and Golden State Warriors, as well as the film The Diary of a Teenage Girl. He can be found online at TheThinkingMansIdiot.wordpress.com.

Production Team

Director — Sherri Young

Sherri Young is an M.F.A. graduate from the American Conservatory Theatre; and former Commissioner for the San Francisco Arts Commission proudly serving for Mayor Gavin Newsom. She founded the African-American Shakespeare Company in 1994 and has been its Executive Director ever since. Sherri has directed 16 productions; produced and executed four programs for the organization; and speaks at various colleges, universities, and conferences across the nation. She manages approximately 60 company members and volunteers for the organization’s programs. Some career highlights includes creating the company’s signature holiday performance Cinderella, effectively building and stabilizing the organization over the past five years, increasing audience attendance by 30%, and increasing new funding support by foundations and individual donors within the past two years.

Production Manager — Leontyne Mbele-Mbong

Leontyne Mbele-Mbong is in her second season with the African-American Shakespeare Company as the Production Manager, having previously supplied them editing services. She recently founded CogentOAK, a virtual admin business that provides administrative assistance. Prior to starting her own business, Leontyne 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 — Lila Mullins

When Lila Mullins decided to take a life-long passion for theater and turn it into a career, it was the African American Shakespeare Company that gave her her first internship with A Raisin in the Sun. Now, 5 years later, she is thrilled to be part of the production team for A Midsummer Night’s Dream! A self-proclaimed “Bay Area Brat”, Lila has worked and volunteered with numerous theatrical groups in San Francisco, including such productions as The Lamplighters’ 60th Anniversary Gala, Theater Rhinoceros’ Gertrude Stein & a Companion, and the Richmond/Ermet Foundation-Broadway Cares gala fundraisers, featuring various Broadway casts. Fresh off her latest internship with the touring cast of Hamilton, Lila is completing her final year as a senior at University of California Berkeley, studying production and stage management. When not in the theater, Lila can be found traveling, reading, or feeding her baby turtles. Love to Mom, Sherri, and Peter!

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 — 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 — Rachael Heiman

Rachael Heiman is a Bay Area Production Designer and Fabricator. A Midsummer Night’s Dream is the first show that she has worked on for the African-American Shakespeare Company and she is very excited to be part of the team. She will also be working on the upcoming AASC production of A Streetcar Named Desire. Rachael has been working in the Bay Area as an actor as well as a costume, prop, and set designer for seven years. In that time, she has worked with San Francisco Playhouse, West Bay Opera, Opera Parallèle, Marin Shakespeare Company, Silicon Valley Shakespeare Company, The San Jose Stage, and the up-and-coming interactive theater experience The Speakeasy San Francisco. Currently, she is a third-year undergraduate at the California College of the Arts where she is mixing Industrial Design, Sculpture, and Fashion Design into one individualized major.

Fight Choreographer — Durand Garcia

Durand Garcia (M.A., SAG-AFTRA), is an actor, director, educator, and Fight Choreographer. He is co-founder of Luminarias Theatre Company, which was invited twice to perform at Center for the Arts Yerba Buena Gardens. He has recently appeared on stage in Role Players’ production of Of Mice and Men, and with the Eugene O’Neill Festival’s production of The Iceman Cometh. As a Fight Choreographer he has worked for Lorraine Hansberry Theatre, Off Broadway West, Sacramento Opera, Opera On Tap, Boxcar Theatre Company, Shady Shakespeare Theatre Company, Dragon Productions Theatre, The Eugene O’Neill Festival, Folsom Lake College, Stanford University, San Francisco State University, and U.C. Davis, among others; and as an action coordinator on over forty indie films. He is the resident Fight Choreographer at African-American Shakespeare Company. Currently, he teaches Stage Combat at the Academy of Art University and received a Master of Arts in Drama from San Francisco State University.

Puppet Designer — Scott Ludwig

Scott Ludwig is an alumnus of San Francisco State University’s drama department and has designed sets, props, and puppets for San Francisco Lyric Opera, Urban Opera, Shotgun Players, and most recently for Palo Alto Players. Directing credits include Macbeth, The Three Sisters, The Blue Room, and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged).

Prop Designer — Lila Mullins

When Lila Mullins decided to take a life-long passion for theater and turn it into a career, it was the African American Shakespeare Company that gave her her first internship with A Raisin in the Sun. Now, 5 years later, she is thrilled to be part of the production team for A Midsummer Night’s Dream! A self-proclaimed “Bay Area Brat”, Lila has worked and volunteered with numerous theatrical groups in San Francisco, including such productions as The Lamplighters’ 60th Anniversary Gala, Theater Rhinoceros’ Gertrude Stein & a Companion, and the Richmond/Ermet Foundation-Broadway Cares gala fundraisers, featuring various Broadway casts. Fresh off her latest internship with the touring cast of Hamilton, Lila is completing her final year as a senior at University of California Berkeley, studying production and stage management. When not in the theater, Lila can be found traveling, reading, or feeding her baby turtles. Love to Mom, Sherri, and Peter!

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