The African Company Presents Richard III by Carlyle Brown

Presented by Rochester Community Players
in association with {theater}+{náfsi}

Directed by Reuben J. Tapp

Performances:
October 3, 4, 9, 10 & 11 (ASL-interpreted) at 7:30 p.m.
October 5 at 2:00 p.m.

At the Multi-use Community Cultural Center (MuCCC), 142 Atlantic Avenue

They had the talent, the audience, and the script. They just weren’t allowed to perform it!

A powerful theatre experience, The African Company Presents Richard III is based on the true story of a New York City theatre company in 1821 and its production of Shakespeare’s Richard III that a white theatre owner was determined to shut down. 

The African Grove Theatre started by William Alexander Brown, a free Black man, was the first African-American theatre in the United States. Featuring performances that attracted both Black and white audiences, The African Company had a significant impact on Black theatre and culture.

Tickets at $20 general admission and $15 for seniors/students can be purchased in advance at www.muccc.org or at the door before each show.

An informal “Talk Back” discussion with the cast and director after the matinee performance on October 5 will give interested audience members an opportunity to ask questions, share their thoughts and reactions, and gain insights into the creative process of producing this play.

{theater}+{náfsi}is a Black repertory theater producing artistic performances that illuminate the human condition through the prism of people from the African Diaspora (African-American, African, Afro-Latino, etc.). Náfsi means soul in Swahili; therefore, its name is also its mantra: Theater with Soul!  

The African Company Presents Richard III is presented by special arrangement with Broadway Licensing, LLC, servicing the Dramatists Play Service collection.

Cast

Kristan “Kupid” Sandford	Ann Johnson
Wyatt Doremus	The Constable
Kevin G. Shinnick	Stephen Price
Anthony Aceyon Owens	William Henry Brown
Kesha Sharee Hartzog	Sarah
Douglas A. Curry	Papa Shakespeare
Wanya Simmons	James Hewlett

Production Team

Reuben J. Tapp	Director
Elyse Pommenville	Stage Manager
Michael C. Krickmire	Producer
Vincent Carbone	Assistant Producer
Ken Dauer	Scenic Designer/Technical Director
Elyssia Primus	Costumer Designer
Kate Quinn	Costume Assistant
Anderson Allen	Lighting Designer
Jonathan Lowery	Fight Choreographer
Ruth Childs	Shakespeare Coach
Luane Davis Haggerty	ASL Interpreter
Christopher Coles	ASL Interpreter