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Barefoot in the Park |
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Donald "DJ" Lacy Darlene Tellis Aaron Walker Julian Jefferson Stephen Walker |
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About Celebration Arts
Celebration Arts provides performing and training opportunities in theatre, dance, and music through a celebrated annual theater season, which showcases some of the nation's top award-winning Black playwrights of the Black experience at our 100-seat theater.
We also present special events and programs including dance and music concerts, comedy shows, and Kids' Time, all dedicated to enhancing our community by showing stories that illuminate us as central subjects.
Our Founder
Founding the Celebration Dance Company in 1976, James Wheatley brought it under the umbrella of Celebration Arts in 1986. For many years, he directed the majority of the productions during our annual theater season. He is also a playwright and has notable achievements as an actor, singer and dancer, winning six Elly acting awards and an Elly for his original play, Petra. Mr. Wheatley received a Lifetime Achievement award from the Sacramento Area Regional Theatre Alliance and the Sacramento Chapter of the Links, Inc.
Director's Note
Troy Maxon was hand picked to be king, & then we watch him systematically dismantle it, & he does it with zeal.
It’s admirable. It’s tragic.
Troy Maxon was one of the greatest baseball players that ever lived, except for “...Babe Ruth and Josh Gibson.”, says Jim Bono.
Troy struck out a few times & “the next time up he hit the ball over the grandstand.” says Lyons. After that game 200 people lined up to shake his hand.
Rose is pure good. Her patience and forgiveness are Biblical.
Troy does not deserve her - now that’s grace.
“When you picked Rose, I was happy for you.
That was the first time I knew you had some sense.”
- Bono
Troy is hard on Cory so that Cory won’t be like Troy.
He may have succeeded.
It’s arguable.
Bono is loyal to Troy until the end.
Actually everyone is loyal to Troy until the end - sometimes out of fear.
The story is beautifully devastating.
It shakes one to the core in a way I had not realized until staging it.
August Wilson wrote plays that are meant to last. The 10 Play Cycle is an epic theatrical completion. Like Albee & Miller, he told human stories through large scopes. He wrote battles between good & evil - men who believe in free will but choose the self, & then the women who suffered because of their choices, & yet they still forgive.
Wow.
FENCES proves that people are flawed to perfection.
It’s why we go to the theater.
- Anthony D’Juan
Cast
Creative Team
James Ellison III
Brooklynn T. Solomon
Qiana Hill-Ross
Liz Baidoo
Ashley Méndez
Michael Dugan
Quincy Middleton
Nashay Bouie
Mark Teemer Jr.
Liz Frederick
Erik Ross
Imani Mitchell
Meet the Company
Jasmine Washington

Donald "DJ" Lacy

Darlene Tellis

Aaron Walker

Julian Jefferson

Stephen B. Walker

James Ellison III
Brooklynn T. Solomon

Qiana Hill-Ross

Liz Baidoo

Ashley Méndez

Michael Dugan

Quincy Middleton
Nashay Bouie

Mark Teemer Jr.
Liz Frederick

Erik Ross

Imani Mitchell
