Shakespeare Over My Shoulder

Written & Directed by Ted Lange

May 12 – June 7, 2026

What really went on behind the quill of the world’s most famous playwright?

In this sparkling new comedy from Ted Lange—the iconic actor, director, and writer (known to millions as Isaac the Bartender on the classic television series The Love Boat) —the truth is far more outrageous, imaginative, and laugh‑out‑loud funny than history ever admitted.

Set in 1593 as the bubonic plague closes London’s theatres, Shakespeare Over My Shoulder throws audiences into a witty, fast‑paced “who‑wrote‑it” mystery where Shakespeare, Marlowe, Bacon, and the Earl of Oxford clash, connive, and compete over authorship, ambition, and artistic credit. With modern humor woven into Elizabethan intrigue, Lange’s sharp script reveals how legends are created—and how fame has a way of reshaping history.

World‑premiering with the African‑American Shakespeare Company, this inventive new play upends expectations while honoring the brilliance, struggle, and legacy of artists whose stories still shape the stage today.

Fresh. Bold. Hilarious. And written and directed by Ted Lange himself—this is one premiere you don’t want to miss.

Performance Dates

Friday, May 29^th at 8pm

Saturday, May 30^th at 7pm

Sunday, May 31^st at 3 pm

Friday, June 5^that 8pm

Saturday, June 6^that 7pm

Sunday, June 3^rd at 3 pm

Theme

Comedy, historical fiction, Shakespeare conspiracy, rivalry and ambition

Access

Wheelchair Seating

Running Time

2 hours

Age Restriction

Recommended 13 years and above

Content

Fast-paced comedy, mild adult humor, historical satire

Venue

Theater 33 (533 Sutter St,

San Francisco, CA 94102)

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Dates and Times

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Nazeerah Rashad

Position: Arts Education Program Coordinator
Bio:

Nazeerah is a strategic and excited artist with over 18 years of theatrical experience. For AASC, she serves as the Arts Education Program Coordinator, and enjoys connecting with community partners to bring art to the youth in an accessible way. Nazeerah is most passionate about storytelling through music. Previously, she has been a musical theater instructor and director, the Chair on the Board of Directors of Cultural Arts and Diversity Resource Center, and a Live Studio Assistant at HWY17 Studios.

Brittany Nicole Sims as Beverly Jenkins

Full Name: Brittany Nicole Sims as Beverly Jenkins
Biography:

Brittany Nicole Sims is thrilled to make her return to the African-American Shakespeare Company, first debuting as Pauline in Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale. A Bay Area Native, from San Leandro, she earned her BA in Theatre Arts from California State University, Sacramento. She won the Shellie Award for Best Supporting Actress in 2020 for her role as Mary in ReproRights. You recently saw her on stage as The Woman/Abioseh in Lorraine Hansberry’s Les Blancs at Oakland Theatre Project. Some of her favorite roles include Dede Okafor in Nollywood Dreams (SF Playhouse), Averie in Dot (Regional Premiere at NCTC), Wanda in Crowns (CCCT) and Lady in Green in Four Colored Girls (AASC). Brittany would like to thank her mom, sister and fiancé for their love and support. She dedicates this role to her grandparents who have passed on but are always with her.

Halin Moss as Kenny Mabry

Full Name: Halin Moss as Kenny Mabry
Biography:

Halin Moss is a recent graduate of the University of California, San Diego, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Theatre. His performance credits include Omari in Pipeline (African American Theater Arts Troupe, UCSD), Jack in The Importance of Being Earnest (American River College), Edmund in King Lear (The Macbeth Project Company), Tom Collins in Rent (Sutter Street Company), Walter Younger in A Raisin in the Sun (Black Rock Company), Mr. McAfee in Bye Bye Birdie (NAEF Company), and most recently The Seeker in an original world premiere play titled When We Are Found (Penumbra Theatre Company). Halin is dedicated to exploring a wide range of theatrical work, bringing depth and authenticity to both classical and contemporary roles, as well as new and original plays. This is Halin’s first time working with the African-American Shakespeare company and he is excited for y’all to see the show!

Joel Hochman as Logan Liebowitz

Full Name: Joel Hochman as Logan Liebowitz
Biography:

Joel Ellis moved to the Bay Area in March, after spending eight years forming his creative identity in New Orleans. On stage, he has appeared in The Diary of Anne Frank at the National WWII Museum and in original productions with Mélange Dance Company, including Fantômes and The Upstairs Lounge. On screen, he co-wrote and starred in Xulectra (Louisiana Film Prize finalist, 2023) and co-starred in Thirst Trap (New Orleans Film Festival, 2024). He recently finished writing and directing his comedy short, Customer Satisfaction (2025). In his free time, Joel can be found rewriting his actor bio twenty times. Find him on Instagram @joelellisland

Arista D’Nae as Brianna Jenkins

Full Name: Arista D’Nae as Brianna Jenkins
Biography:

Arista D’Nae is honored to join AASC for her first production with the company. A SAG-AFTRA actor and professional stunt performer, her journey includes films such as The First Martian and The Bell Affair, along with stunt work in The Steel Harp, and stage credits including The Colored Museum. She has trained in the Meisner and Chubbuck Techniques, studying at Empowerhouse Acting Studio, Berkeley Rep, and IDSA, and continues her work at the Chubbuck Studio to keep her skills sharp. For Arista, acting is not about a list of credits but about creating connection—heart to heart, story to soul. She believes in the power of storytelling to heal, inspire, and remind us of our shared humanity. Theatre, at its best, is a space where we can gather, listen, and leave just a little more connected than when we arrived.

Micaela Davis as La’Trice Franklin

Full Name: Micaela Davis as La’Trice Franklin
Biography:

Born and raised in Oakland, California, Micaela (she/her) started acting at the Berkeley Black Repertory Group theater’s summer camp at the age of 7 years old. Throughout her years there, she performed in productions such as The Wiz, The Lion King, and Annie. Her time in high school was when her love for Shakespeare developed, doing productions such as As You Like It and the classic Romeo and Juliet. In 2023, she had the pleasure of understudying as Goneril in Berkeley Shakes’ King Lear, and the following year she performed with African-American Shakespeare in their productions of From One to Another: An Homage to the Legacy of Maya Angelou, and Cinderella. As of today, she is studying acting at Academy of Art University in San Francisco. Although her current training consists of acting techniques for the camera, Micaela still considers the stage to be her true home.

Camille Collaço as Simone Mabry

Full Name: Camille Collaço as Simone Mabry
Biography:

Camille Collaço (Co-la-so) is a Bay Area actress born in San Francisco and raised between the Bay and the Pacific Northwest. She is thrilled to be making her African-American Shakespeare Company debut as Simone in Chicken and Biscuits. Her previous works include the first two productions of I, Too, Sing America (SFBATCO) and stage readings of SistahFriend (3Girls Theatre), Every Saturday Night (SFBATCO), Driving the Girls (Playwrights Foundation), and True Beauties (Magic Theatre). Camille has trained at the American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) in both the Summer Training Congress and Studio A.C.T. programs. She further expanded her storytelling skills by studying playwriting while earning her B.A. in Creative Writing from the University of Washington. She is deeply grateful for the endless love and support of her community, family, and fiancé, Alex.

Rhett Burden as Reginald Mabry

Full Name: Rhett Burden as Reginald Mabry
Biography:

Rhett Burden is excited to return to the stage in Chicken & Biscuits with African-American Shakespeare Company. A graduate of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) and Salisbury University, where he performed in various stage productions, Rhett is thrilled to reconnect with his love for storytelling and performance. This marks his first return to the theatrical spotlight since college, and he’s honored to bring warmth, humor, and presence to the role of Reginald. Rhett extends gratitude to the cast, crew, and creative team for this opportunity.