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Director Statement
Smart People is a play that fearlessly tackles the complexities of race, privilege, power, and identity. Lydia R. Diamond has crafted a story that’s both sharp and relatable, capturing the messy, awkward, and tense conversations many of us have experienced. Smart People doesn’t shy away from uncomfortable truths, highlighting the subtle dynamics of power, the pitfalls of white saviorism and the way the marginalized experience otherness and bias not only within the workplace but also among close peers. It challenges us to confront our own assumptions and see the world—and ourselves—more clearly.
Smart People will make you laugh, smile, uncomfortable and question yourself, reflectively. As directors, our goal is to bring out the raw honesty in these characters. They’re intelligent, flawed, and deeply human, each wrestling with their own beliefs and positions in a society where race and power are always at play.
The set and design will be intentionally simple, allowing the focus to remain on the conversations and relationships that drive the story. Our galley It’s about creating an environment where the audience can connect deeply with what’s unfolding on stage, and perhaps see themselves reflected in the characters’ journeys.
Ultimately, Smart People serves as a conversation starter, prompting us to think about how we navigate race, power, and identity in our own lives. Our hope is that audiences leave the theater not just entertained, but also engaged in their own internal dialogues, ready to continue the conversation long after the curtain falls
- Milan Levy & Xavier Bolden
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.
culturalasticity - “communities that heal, grow, care and inspire together, wire together and bring us all higher together" - Susana Barkataki
Content Warning
This play contains charged discussions of race, racism, and racial stereotypes. It also includes strong language, sexual content, and mature themes. Recommended for adult audiences.
Sponsors
Cast
Creative Team
Milan Levy
Xavier Bolden
Kennedi Wheeler
Dr. Quincy Thomas
Kristen Chesak
Brandon Newson
Shea-Lin Shobowale Benson
Meet the Company
Jéyvonā Kelley
Jéyvonā Kelley is an accomplished Midwest actor who has graced the stage in productions
such as Ain’t Misbehavin’ and Barbecue with Kazoo Civic Theatre, and she has also made her
mark at the Kazoo 48 Film Festival. She is excited to return for her second production with Face
Off Theatre. Outside of the theatre, Jéyvonā enjoys roller skating, spending time with her dog, modeling, and creating content on TikTok. She extends her heartfelt thanks to Face Off Theatre and everyone who has supported her journey. Special shoutouts go to her Mom, Garner, and her friends for their unwavering encouragement.
Jared Pittman
Jared is originally from Muskegon, Michigan! He is the son and brother of Gregory, Theresa Kay, and Cherish Pittman! Jared is the owner of HomeFLD LLC, a platform established to inspire, motivate and uplift the masses! He does so through podcasting, mentoring & speaking engagements! Jared is a member of the Faceoff Theater Company Acting Cohort, featuring in his 3rd play with the company!
Clare Ray
Clare graduated from Kalamazoo College in 2023 majoring in International Area Studies and Philosophy. With her music scholarship she played clarinet with the community’s Academy Street Winds and Kalamazoo Philharmonia. At K, Clare also contributed to the school’s awards at Model United Nations conferences representing various characters and countries. When they’re not applying for careers and grad schools, Clare enjoys video games, hiking, playing, and playing Dungeon & Dragons.
Daniel Whitcomb
Daniel Whitcomb is an actor, writer, cyclist, retired DJ, and lover of life from Kalamazoo. They graduated in 2022 from Kalamazoo College, where they played such roles as Commander Effingham Swan/Walter Trowbridge in It Can’t Happen Here, Judge in The Exception and the Rule, and Sir Toby Belch in Twelfth Night. They are thrilled to work with Face Off for the third time after appearing as Mr. Connell/Jake in North Star and as Phil Liberman (understudy) in Bambiland earlier this year.
Daniel is grateful to their partner Ruth and the supportive community of passionate artists at Face Off for helping inspire and enable them to do their best work.
Nikita Rose
This is Nikita’s second time performing with Faceoff. They made their debut as Erika In Expectation to the Rule directed by Arizsia Station back in 2023. Nikita plans to graduate Western Michigan University in Spring 2025 with their BFA in Musical Theatre. Nikita is also a new music artist and is proud to represent the 269 and has dropped two singles this year!
Milan Levy
Milan Levy (They/Them) was born in Los Angeles, California, and has been involved in theatre almost their entire life. They studied technical theatre and acting at the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts (LACHSA) and graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Theatre Arts from Kalamazoo College in 2023. After graduating, Milan became the production manager for Face Off Theatre Company. This is their first time directing with Face Off Theatre Company (YAY!) Their recent director credits include Unzipped at Festival Playhouse and All of Us: A Celebration of BIPOC Voices at The Civic. They want to shout out their amazing cast, crew, company and most of all co-director Xavier Bolden!
Xavier Bolden
Xavier D. Bolden is an actor, rapper, content creator and curator; a true performing artist. The former student of WMU’s Theatre Program applied the knowledge gained from their curriculum and experience of 10+ years of theatrical stage performance, amongst other skills and built Reivax Noved Productions.
Native to Kalamazoo, Mi, Xavier’s known for winning the National Race to the Top Commencement Challenge (2010), bringing the 44th President, Barack Obama to Kalamazoo. Winning The Price as Right (2011), and being seen on various ABC/Disney television shows such as No Ordinary Family.
Most recently his stage credits include: Lymon in The Piano Lesson by August Wilson, Ogun in Marcus, or the Secret of Sweet by Tarell Alvin McCraney, as Othello in Othello by William Shakespeare, and Walter Lee Younger in A Raisin in the Sun.
Xavier is delighted to be a part of such an amazing project, working with talented artists.
Kennedi Wheeler
Dr. Quincy Thomas
Quincy’s Ph.D. in Theatre and their Performance Studies certification are both from Bowling Green State
University. As an actor, director, intimacy coordinator, and playwright, their offerings focus on subjects
such as counter-storytelling; Black performativity in American media; stand up and solo performance,
and performative writing. As a Professor in the Kalamazoo College Theatre Arts Department, Quincy
employs their passion for theatre, performance studies, and writing while speaking to issues surrounding
cultural marginalization and misrepresentation in the arts, specifically of racial and ethnic minorities,
women, and members of the LGBTQ+ community. As a director, their most recent offering is Oscar
Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest. As an actor, some of their favorite roles played include
Christopher in Blue/Orange, Albert in Clybourne Park, Touchstone in As You Like It, Lord Longeville in
Love’s Labours Lost, Selsdon in Noises Off, and Actor in Nassim Soleimanpour’s White Rabbit; Red Rabbit.
As a writer their play, The Whites Explain It All, was selected as the full-length play for the 2023 Region III
Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival. When not seeing to these undertakings, Quincy is
writing a novel and new play entitled, Complex Rhythms.
Kristen Chesak
Brandon Newson
Shea-Lin Shobowale Benson
Shealin has been performing onstage since the age of three as a dancer, singer and actress; she is also a writer. She was a member of The VUU Players at her alma mater, Virginia Union University in Richmond, Va., performing in several stage plays and impromptu nights. She honed her dance skills as a member of Expressions Liturgical Dance Troupe and Unique Image Dance Troop, and on the dance line as a Dancing Diva with the VUU Marching Band. She has been with FOTC for the past 2 ½ years with the past 2 years being the Season Stage Manager working backstage on several FOTC productions. She even wrote a play “Is Black Enough” as part of FOTC’s New Play Series during the summer of 2020. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Virginia Union University, a master’s degree in Psychology from Fayetteville State University, she is currently a Doctoral Candidate at Capella University. She currently resides in Kalamazoo, MI with her husband of 5 years, Rashidi, II and their very handsome fraternal twin boys Rashidi, III and Rashod.
Multimedia
Special Thanks
The Face Off Theatre Board of Directors
Kalamazoo Community Foundation
Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo
Stryker Corporation
Dorothy U. Dalton Foundation
Irving S. Gilmore Foundation
Kalamazoo College Center for Civic Engagement K-Votes Coalition
Kourtney Ketterhagen
Black Arts and Cultural Center
Angela Anderson with 95.5 The Touch