Goodnight Tyler

Goodnight Tyler

Produced by: Face Off Theatre Company
The Jolliffe Theatre @ The Epic Center

Written by: BJ Tindal		Directed by: Marissa Harrington

Starring

Tyler: portrayed by Jared Pittman Davis: portrayed by Johnathan Townley	Shana: portrayed by Aija Hodges Fannie: portrayed by Brenda Earvin	Drew: portrayed by August Gallagher Chelsea: portrayed by Shannon Hill

Director's Statement

"Goodnight, Tyler" by B.J. Tindal, is a thought-provoking and timely play that will leave you questioning the narratives we construct around tragedy and legacy.

In this contemporary and unexpectedly humorous drama, we delve into the story of Tyler, a young Black man desperate to control the contradicting narratives surrounding his untimely passing. Using magical realism, the playwright B.J. Tindal shows Tyler navigating between dimensions as his loved ones fight bitterly after his passing. As Tyler haunts his best friend, a captivating exploration unfolds, revealing how friends and family grapple with the complexities of his legacy while seeking a common ground.

But this play goes beyond just personal relationships. It shines a spotlight on the history of policing in the United States and its impact on the present, all against the backdrop of the powerful Black Lives Matter Movement. We are forced to ask ourselves WHY? Why is the police system is the way it is? WHY do we view Black and Brown folx as dangerous. Why are Black and Brown children viewed and treated as adults?

"Goodnight, Tyler" is a reminder that we are all individuals with MANY different stories and experiences. We are not a monolith. The systems that we operate in today are built on the foundations of racism, sexism, misogynoir, xenophobia, homophobia, and other biases and generalizations. I hope that as a community, we can continue to remember that in order for TRUE equity to happen we must dissect the origins of these systems and tackle the difficult job of DISMANTLING them with understanding and empathy.

Marissa Harrington
Co-Founder/Managing Artistic Director
Face Off Theatre Company

Cast

Jared Pittman

Tyler

Johnathan Townley

Davis

Aija Hodges

Shana

Brenda Earvin

Fannie

August Gallagher

Drew

Shannon Hill

Chelsea

Creative Team

Marissa Harrington

Director

Milan Levy

Production Manager/Stage Manager

Sam Snow

Lighting Designer

SheaLin Shobowale-Benson

Dramaturg

Kayde Moore

Arts Administation/Light Board Op

Dr. Quincy Thomas

Intimacy Director

About Face Off Theatre Company

Face Off Theatre Company is a West-Michigan ensemble-based theater founded in 2015 by six graduates of Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Today, FOTC seeks to both ENGAGE and EMPOWER the communities we represent.

Meet the Company

Jared Pittman

Tyler

Jared is originally from Muskegon, Michigan. He is a graduate from both Kalamazoo College and Western Michigan University. He is passionate about people with the gifts to inspire, motivate and uplift others. He does so through his creativity of acting, writing, and hosting his own podcast HomeFLD The Podcast! Jared is the son of Theresa Kay & Gregory Pittman, brother to Cherish & proud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc!

Johnathan Townley

Davis

After a few years break from theatre, Jonathan Townley is excited for their re-debut in Goodnight Tyler. Past roles include Ryan in High School Musical and Gollum in The Hobbit. Jonathan works for the First United Methodist Church of Kalamazoo and United Campus Ministries. At times, they also write music for guitar and harmonica.

Aija Hodges

Shana

Aija lives in kalamazoo. She would like to shout out Bella and Anessa for holding it down.

Brenda Earvin

Fannie

Originally from Illinois, Brenda has been in Kalamazoo for 12 years. She has been married for 23 years with 3 sons and a Godson. Brenda appeared on stage with Face Off theatre back in 2020 with the role of "Mother Shaw" in the musical play Crowns. She looks forward to growing in theatre with Face Off!

August Gallagher

Drew

August Gallagher is excited to have his Face Off debut in a show covering important topical and important subjects. He is a Theatre Graduate from Columbia College Chicago where he was in such productions as Zero Positive and Mary Stuart. While in Chicago he performed as an ensemble member for Democracy Burlesque. August has most recently been seen acting in Big Fish (Karl) and The Hunchback of Notre Damn (Phoebus) with the Kalamazoo Civic. In his free time August can be found playing D&D and having Trivia nights with his friends.

Shannon Hill

Chelsea

Shannon Hill is thrilled to return to the stage in her hometown after a 10 year hiatus. Shannon received her BA in Theatre from Western Michigan University and her MFA in Theatre from the University of Houston. As an actor, Shannon's favorite roles include Hamlet (Hamlet, Houston Shakespeare Festival), Rosalind (As You Like It, Festival 56), Sally (Tally's Folly, Allen's Lane Theatre), Lady M (MacBeth, Palo Duro Shakespeare), and Elizabeth (The Crucible, Wortham Theatre). Shannon served as the Artistic Director of Festival 56 and the Associate Artistic Director of the Philadelphia Women's Theatre Festival. Most recently, Shannon directed Big Fish at the Kalamazoo Civic Theatre and Addy and Uno at Farmers Alley Theatre. Huge thanks goes out to Marissa for the opportunity and to Patrick for all of the support.