Richard III

Written by William Shakespeare
Directed by Kirsten Brandt
Starring L. Peter Callender

Richard III explores the Machiavellian rise of power of one of Shakespeare’s most fascinating and complex anti-heroes. King Edward sits on the throne ending the decades-long War of the Roses, but his youngest brother Richard has his eyes on the crown. Fueled by an entitled lust for power and villainous panache, Richard’s path to glory is marked by seduction, murder, and betrayal. His darkly comedic ambition is no match for friends, family, or enemies as he careens his way to the top. Starring AASC Artistic Director L. Peter Callender as the unapologetic king you love to hate, this exploration in masterful manipulation is one of Shakespeare’s most profound commentaries on power, family, and the right to rule.

5 out of 5 stars Outstanding
“A performance like this comes along once in a blue moon. … this is trimmed down Shakespeare that captures a truly Elizabethan aesthetic. Seasoned lovers of Shakespeare will be reminded of why he is still so great; newcomers couldn’t receive a better introduction. Not to be missed.
—Charles Kruger, TheatreStorm

“L. Peter Callender and African-American Shakespeare Company rise to rightful throne with ‘Richard III’”
—Shannon O’Hara, The Daily Californian

“A role and talent perfectly matched in ‘Richard III'”
—Lily Janiak, San Francisco Chronicle

#RichardIIIAASC

Director’s Note

And therefore, since I cannot prove a lover
To entertain these fair well-spoken days,
I am determined to prove a villain,
And hate the idle pleasures of these days.
—Richard, Duke of Gloucester, later King Richard III. Act I, scene 1.

In the first moments of the play, Shakespeare’s anti-hero, and one of the most controversial monarchs of British history, invites us to be a co-conspirator in his machinations. And, we can’t help but be drawn in as he plots against, betrays, and crushes those that stand in his way. We are shocked when we find ourselves cheering for him while at the same time horrified by his actions. Richard casts himself as the villain and plays upon our empathy to justify his motives. Slowly, we begin to see the price extracted by his brutality. Richard’s emblem, the boar’s head, is fitting for such a man who uses rhetoric as others use swords, for boars are one of the most dangerous creatures.

In our current world of fake news and misinformation, Richard III reminds us how language is a weapon to control, confuse and conquer. Richard himself is a master manipulator, a supreme orator and propagandist, who understands how easily words can influence and mislead. No one is safe once he sets his plans in motion. He uses the tools of fascism: fear mongering, disregarding human rights and civil liberties, controlling media, creating fraudulent “elections”, and intertwining religion and government. His speeches and those of his loyalists, are eerily reminiscent of our contemporary political environment. His actions nauseatingly similar to the playbooks of modern and would-be dictators around the world.

Against a political backdrop rife with curses, dreams, and ghosts, Shakespeare asks us to consider the price we pay for our greed and zeal for power. Our conscience will remind us the cost our apathy has on our mortal soul.

I am thankful to African-American Shakespeare Company for inviting me to direct this play and work with these phenomenal artists.

Thank you,

—Kirsten Brandt

Cast

Richard, Duke of Gloucester, later Richard III — L. Peter Callender*

L. Peter Callender is the Artistic Director of African-American Shakespeare Company, Bay Area veteran actor, director, teacher, mentor, father and proud member of Actors Equity Association. He’s been a visiting professor at Stanford University (Acting Shakespeare and Fundamentals of Directing), and conducted classes at Waterfront Conservatory Playhouse, UCEB, and Emory University in Atlanta. His recent directing credits include Safe House at Aurora Theater Company; We are Proud to Present… at San Jose Stage; Joe Turner’s Come and Gone, Jitney, and A Raisin in the Sun at American Stage Company (St. Petersburg, FL); and A Raisin in the Sun, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Much Ado About Nothing, Jitney, The Winter’s Tale, and A Streetcar Named Desire at African-American Shakespeare Company. A few acting credits: Master Harold…and the Boys (Sam, Aurora Theatre Company), Swimmers (Walter, Marin Theater Company), Whipping Man (Simon, Marin Theater Company), Breakfast with Mugabe (Mugabe, Aurora Theater Company), Proof (Robert, TheatreWorks) and 20 years of great theater at California Shakespeare Theatre! www.lpetercallender.com

Lord Grey / Murderer 2 / Lord Mayor / Sir James Tyrrel / Earl of Oxford — Devin A. Cunningham

Devin A. Cunningham is an actor, singer, and writer from Oakland, CA and this is his second show with African-American Shakespeare Company. Devin studied acting on California’s central coast at PCPA-Professional Actor Training Program. Devin made his debut with African-American Shakespeare Company in their original production of Cinderella in the role of Shaniqua, the stepsister. Other credits include Officer Lockstock, Urinetown the Musical; Ensemble, Cinderella; Ensemble, The Pirates of Penzance; and US Lord Stanley, Richard III.

Lord Stanley, Earl of Derby — Jarrett Holley

Jarrett Holley is proud to be continuing his work with the African-American Shakespeare Company after previously being in A Midsummer’s Night Dream, Cinderella, and A Streetcar Named Desire. He is originally from Memphis, TN, but has lived and worked in the Bay Area for 10 years after 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.

Lady Anne / Prince Edward / Princess Elizabeth — Brandi Huzzie

Brandi Huzzie is a classically trained actor from Miami, FL. She studied at The American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York, NY and Los Angeles, CA. Her stage credits include Gloria in Lanford Wilson’s The Gingham Dog, Stenographer in Clifford Odets’ Waiting for Lefty, and Stella in Little Man Productions’ Life Changes. Brandi’s film work was featured in the Pan-African Film Festival, BHERC’s S.E. Manly Showcase, Peachtree Village International Film Festival, and, most recently, the Los Angeles Independent Filmmakers Film Festival. With sincere and passionate regard for child development, she founded Camp Act Up & Show Out, a performing arts program established to instill confidence in youth. Brandi extends wholehearted acknowledgment and gratitude to her Creator for orchestrating the esteemed opportunity to work with the African-American Shakespeare Company, and a special thanks to her family and friends for the incessant outpour of love and support.

George, Duke of Clarence / Duchess of Buckingham / Duke of Norfolk — Leontyne Mbele-Mbong

Leontyne Mbele-Mbong is delighted to return to African-American Shakespeare Company’s stage for her third Richard III. Previous AASC roles: Ruth in A Raisin in the Sun, Mistress Ford in Merry Wives of Windsor, Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing, the title role in Medea (TBA Award: Female Actor in a Principal Role), and Cleopatra in Antony & Cleopatra (TBA Award Finalist). Other favorite Bay Area roles: Guthrie Theater/Berkeley Rep: Watch on the Rhine (Anise); Aurora Theatre Company: Breakfast With Mugabe (Grace Mugabe); Shotgun Players: Top Girls (Pope Joan/Nell); Aluminous Collective: The Last Days of Judas Iscariot (Fabiana Cunningham); Altarena Playhouse: Fences (Rose); Central Works: Andromache (Andromache); Lamplighters Music Theatre: Candide (Paquette); Woman’s Will: Richard III (Buckingham), Twelfth Night (Orsino), Macbeth (Lady M, and others); TheatreFIRST: World Music; Solano College: Intimate Apparel (Mayme; ARTY Award, best supporting actress). www.leontynembele-mbong.com

Queen Elizabeth — Regina Morones

Regina Morones is a native Bay Area actor, singer, educator, a member of San Francisco Shakespeare Festival’s Resident Artist Company, and a company member at Ubuntu Theater Project. She is thrilled to return to African-American Shakespeare Company where she was last seen as Hermione in The Winter’s Tale. Bay Area credits include Palace Wreckers with Central Works Theater Company, A Streetcar Named Desire with Ubuntu Theater Project, Strange Ladies with Central Works Theatre Company, Love Sick with Jewish Circle Theatre, Othello with Marin Shakespeare Company, Anna In The Tropics with Ross Valley Players, and Romeo and Juliet with San Francisco Shakespeare Festival. Regina has a BA in Theatre Arts from Clark Atlanta University and an MFA in Acting from the University of Iowa. Regina 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

Sir William Catesby / King Edward IV — Jourdán Olivier-Verdé

Jourdán Olivier-Verdé returns to the African-American Shakespeare Company for his third show this season, having previously been seen as Oberon and Theseus in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Zonita in Cinderella. He is thrilled to be working with Kirsten Brandt, and playing opposite some of the artists whose work he has admired greatly. He remains buoyed by the support of his family and the friends that he holds dear.

Young York / Young Stanley — Cameron Payne

Cameron Payne is a fourth grader at Cleveland Elementary School in Oakland, CA. This is Cameron’s second season with the African-American Shakespeare Company and he loves it. In his first season, Cameron performed as Prince Mamillius in The Winter’s Tale. Cameron is also passionate about art and cartooning.

Lady Hastings / Captain Blunt — Radhika Rao

Radhika Rao is deeply honored to be in her first African-American Shakespeare Company show. In addition to performing Shakespeare, she works as a Director, Storyteller, and Improviser, as well as Theatre Teacher and Arts Integrator. Recent performances have been at Cutting Ball Theater (Timon of Athens, A Dream Play), San Francisco Shakespeare Festival (Hamlet), Central Works Theater (Strange Ladies), Arabian Shakespeare Festival (Macbeth), Bay Area Children’s Theater (Splish Splash, Rickshaw Girl), Eth-Noh-Tec Asian American Storytelling Company, and with the Farah Yasmeen Shaikh Dance Company (Narrator). www.radhikarao.org

Murderer 1 / Duchess of York / Bishop of Ely — Brittany 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 again after playing the powerful and loyal Paulina in last year’s The Winter’s Tale! Brittany studied and received her Bachelor of Arts in Theater Arts from Sacramento State University. Her recent works have been with All Terrain Theater, Inferno Theater, Vallejo Shakespeare in the Park, Those Women Productions, The San Francisco Olympians Festival, Playwrights Center of San Francisco, Ubuntu Theater; and she just closed The Congresswomen with The Exit Theater. Brittany would like to thank her family and friends for all their love and support, especially her mom who has always told her to never stop reaching for your dreams.

Antony, Earl of Rivers / Cardinal / Henry Tudor, Earl of Richmond — Terrance Smith

Terrance Smith is excited to make his debut at African-American Shakespeare Company. He obtained his B.F.A from the Academy of Art University in 2013, and has been acting professionally ever since. Several of his more notable theatre credits include The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (Jim Mosten) and A Civil War Christmas (Willy Mack, Jim Wormley, Soldier and Chorus) at Town Hall Theatre in Lafayette; Golden Boy (Tokio) at the 620 Sutter Street Theatre in association with The Roustabout Theatre Company in San Francisco; The Cool (James) which was performed at the Amados venue in San Francisco; King Lear (Edmund) at the B8 Theatre Company in Concord; Love’s Labour’s Lost (Dumain) at the Marin Shakespeare Company in San Rafael; Animal Farm (Squealer) and The Rover (Belvile) with the Role Players Ensemble in Danville. Enjoy the show!

Lady Brakenbury / Queen Margaret / Messenger — Beli Sullivan

Beli Sullivan is an award winning storyteller and actor with career work spanning from radio to television to digital media platforms. Beli has performed in several African-American Shakespeare Company productions including Merry Wives of Windsor, Cinderella, Tartuffe, Oedipus, and School for Scandal. An accomplished vocal actor, Beli has also worked with Larry Reed’s ShadowLight Theater Company voicing multiple characters in the award winning shadow play, In Xanadu. As a vocal actor she is also a fan favorite as the voice of the Mother Bat in the Broderbund’s children’s book, Stella Luna. Beli is currently working as a freelance producer and filmmaker and is lead editor and creative consultant for A Fierce Heart Productions. She has spent the last several years teaching inter-media literacy tools at the Ninth Street Independent Film Center; and her digital media, photography and animation artwork can be viewed online at www.belicreates.com.

Production Team

Director — Kirsten Brandt⁺

Kirsten Brandt is an award winning director, playwright, and producer and is thrilled to be working with African-American Shakespeare Company for the first time. Kirsten served for six seasons as Artistic Director of Sledgehammer Theatre where she directed over a dozen plays and wrote Berzerkergang, The Frankenstein Project, and NU. She was the Associate Artistic Director of San Jose Repertory Theatre where she directed Dr. Faustus, Next Fall, The Big Meal, Legacy of Light, and Groundswell among others. As a director, Kirsten’s work has been seen at Utah Shakespeare Festival, The Old Globe, TheatreWorks Silicon Valley, La Jolla Playhouse, San Diego Repertory, Santa Cruz Shakespeare, Jewel Theatre, City Lights Theatre Company, Marin Theatre Company, North Coast Repertory, and Arizona Theatre Company. Kirsten Brandt is a lecturer at University of California, Santa Cruz and San Jose State University. www.kirstenbrandt.com

Production Manager — Leontyne Mbele-Mbong

Leontyne Mbele-Mbong is in her second season with the African-American Shakespeare Company as Production Manager, having previously supplied them editing services. She is the founder of 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 — Arashi Veronica Cesana

Arashi Veronica Cesana is delighted to join African-American Shakespeare Company for the first time! You can also find Arashi running around fixing things in Magic Theatre as Production Associate, taking notes as Secretary of the Board for Playwrights Center of San Francisco, designing and running lights/sound for burlesque and musical acts, practicing violin, crafting, making videos, and sharpening their problem-solving skills. Previous productions include Oh My Sweet Land (Golden Thread); PLAYOFFS 2016/2017, Sheherezade’s Last Tales (PCSF); Suddenly Split and Swiping Over, Six Monsters: A Seven-Monster Play (All Terrain Theater); Margaret of Anjou (Those Women Productions); Whale’s Wake (Ragged Wing Ensemble); Ring of Fire, Nunsense (Altarena Playhouse). They would like to thank their husband for making sure they remember what food and sleep are.

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.

Media Designer — Kirsten Brandt

Kirsten Brandt is an award winning director, playwright, and producer and is thrilled to be working with African-American Shakespeare Company for the first time. Kirsten served for six seasons as Artistic Director of Sledgehammer Theatre where she directed over a dozen plays and wrote Berzerkergang, The Frankenstein Project, and NU. She was the Associate Artistic Director of San Jose Repertory Theatre where she directed Dr. Faustus, Next Fall, The Big Meal, Legacy of Light, and Groundswell among others. As a director, Kirsten’s work has been seen at Utah Shakespeare Festival, The Old Globe, TheatreWorks Silicon Valley, La Jolla Playhouse, San Diego Repertory, Santa Cruz Shakespeare, Jewel Theatre, City Lights Theatre Company, Marin Theatre Company, North Coast Repertory, and Arizona Theatre Company. Kirsten Brandt is a lecturer at University of California, Santa Cruz and San Jose State University. www.kirstenbrandt.com

Lighting Designer — Kevin Myrick

This is Kevin Myrick’s 16th season working with the African-American Shakespeare Company as the company’s resident technical director and lighting designer, sometimes switching to sets, sound, or projections. He studied technical theatre at San Francisco State University, and later earned degrees and worked in Computer Science and Technology. Since 1974 Kevin has worked as a designer, technical director or theatre tech for many artists and arts organizations including civic organizations like the San Francisco Arts Commission, the San Francisco Neighborhood Arts Program, and the Atlanta Bureau of Cultural Affairs; theatre companies like San Francisco’s Lorraine Hansberry Theatre Company, AfroSolo, Cultural Odyssey, the Oakland Ensemble Theatre Company, the Atlanta Children’s Theatre Company, Alliance Theatre Company, Just Us Theatre Company; and dance companies like the Wajumbe Cultural Ensemble, Dimensions Dance Theatre Company, and the Village Dancers. Kevin has also produced and designed for local cable television in metro Atlanta and San Francisco.

Sound Designer — Everett Elton Bradman

Everett Elton Bradman was most recently sound designer for productions of Skeleton Crew at Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles and Studio Theater in Washington D.C. Other adventures include sound design for African-American Shakespeare Company’s production of A Streetcar Named Desire; music direction for As You Like It at the California Shakespeare Theater; sound design for The Winter’s Tale, also at Cal Shakes; and sound design for Thurgood, at the Lorraine Hansberry Theater. His resume includes music for Lincoln-Mercury, the San Francisco Mime Troupe, the New Pickle Circus, and bass work on Madi Das’s Grammy-nominated 2015 album Bhakti Without Borders. As a writer/editor, Elton has worked for Rolling Stone, Vibe, Guitar World, and Bass Player. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Journalism (Florida A&M University) and an Master of Fine Arts in Music for Visual Media (Academy of Art University).

Costume Designer — Jackquelin Pedota

Known for wearing many hats, Jackie Pedota has worked as a costumer on shows throughout the bay area such as Lamplighter’s Musical Theatre’s Yeomen of the Guard, as an assistant designer for Word for Word’s Lucia Berlin’s Stories, and as a wardrobe coordinator on Berkeley Playhouse’s Ragtime. She is excited to have the chance to work on her first project with the African-American Shakespeare Company’s production of Richard III. She loves making anyone who will listen laugh so, besides her time in the costume shop, she’s also a comedian, actress, and tour guide.

Prop Designer — Ting Na Wang

This is Ting Na’s first time collaborating with African-American Shakespeare! Ting Na is a Taiwanese-native scenic and props designer based in the Bay Area. She has recently designed props for When Pigs Fly, Leaving the Blues, and Casa Valentina with New Conservatory Theatre Center; Peter Pan, The Little Mermaid, and Into the Woods at Palo Alto Players; Hunchback of Notre Dame at Hillbarn Theatre; Miss Bennett: Christmas at Pemberley’s at City Lights Theatre Company; and Pippin and Bat Boy at Los Altos Stage.

Fight Choreographer — Jarrett Holley

Jarrett Holley is proud to be continuing his work with the African-American Shakespeare Company after previously being in A Midsummer’s Night Dream, Cinderella, and A Streetcar Named Desire. He is originally from Memphis, TN, but has lived and worked in the Bay Area for 10 years after 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.

Assistant Stage Manager — Storm White

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⁺ The Director is a member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, a national theatrical labor union

More Information

Character Spotlight on Richard III by
Good Tickle Brain