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Director's Notes:

The year 2022 holds a special place in my heart, as it was a year brimming with both personal growth and creative inspiration. It was during that time that I had the profound experience of marrying the woman who has consistently challenged me to become a more compassionate and empathetic individual, to push the boundaries of my artistic expression, and to fully embrace the transformative power of love in a way I had never previously conceived. Furthermore, that same year marked the genesis of a project that had been simmering in my mind ever since I first witnessed the seminal interview between the literary giants, Nikki Giovanni and James Baldwin. Driven by a desire to bring this captivating exchange to the stage, we embarked on a journey to reimagine and reinterpret their powerful conversation in a theatrical format. Drawing inspiration from the dynamic and electrifying oral exchange between Giovanni and Baldwin, we envisioned a production that would capture the essence of their interaction through a multi-sensory tapestry of spoken word, original musical compositions, and meticulously crafted choreography. Our primary goal was to not only honor the depth and breadth of their conversation but also to translate the raw energy and intellectual spark that characterized their discourse into a captivating theatrical experience. The Baldwin | Giovanni Experience quickly evolved into a cherished passion project, born from our shared vision and unwavering commitment to artistic excellence. The woman who stands beside me as my guiding light, my unwavering support, and my collaborative coauthor on this remarkable endeavor is the extraordinary Bria Walker-Rhoze. I invite you to immerse yourself in this journey and embrace the spirit of "Trust Life!"

-Tim Rhoze

Cast

Creative Team

Meet the Company

Mardra Thomas

Vocalist

Mardra Thomas is a celebrated vocalist with the Birch Creek Academy Jazz Orchestra and is also featured with The Chicago Jazz Orchestra. She tours with ensembles such as Trio Nexus and The Reggie Thomas Ensemble, and has recorded notable albums, including "Fade to Blue" and "Matters of the Heart.” Mardra showcases her talent at jazz festivals across the country, including the Monterey Next Generation Festival and Jazz at Lincoln Center's Essentially Ellington Festival. With a dynamic presence on theater, concert, and club stages, Mardra has portrayed central characters in productions such as "Having Our Say," "Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill," "The Chicago Trilogy," "Crowns," "Thirty," "Front Porch Society," "Pocketbook Monologues," "Daydream: The Life of Billy Strayhorn," and "Mama." A familiar face at the Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre, she portrays Mother Shaw in “Crowns” and was nominated for Chicago’s prestigious “Best Leading Actress Lena Horne Award” for her portrayal of Billie Holiday in their production of "Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill.”

Isaiah Jones, Jr.

Pianist

Isaiah Jones Jr. is a highly esteemed pianist based in Chicago, originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He is currently pursuing a Master’s degree at Northern Illinois University, where he also serves as a graduate teaching assistant. Recognized for his versatility and expressive artistry, Jones has established himself as a prominent figure on the Chicago jazz scene. He has had the privilege of collaborating with renowned artists such as Brian Lynch, Derrick Gardner, Pharez Witted, Charles Heath, and Lenard Simpson, among others. Jones’ musical journey began in the church, where he continues to perform weekly. This foundational experience profoundly shapes his musical identity and philosophy. As co-leader of the "Elisha Organ Trio," Jones performs regularly in Chicago and has recently completed the trio's debut album. Previously, Jones worked with Mardra Thomas at the Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre, where he served as the understudy pianist for “Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill.” He remains hopeful for many more opportunities in the future.

Rachel Blakes

Nikki Giovanni

is an Atlanta-based actress originally from New Orleans, LA. She received her BFA in Acting from The Theatre School at DePaul University in 2019. Rachel has most recently been seen in the original production of The Baldwin Giovanni Experience and Fleetwood Jourdain Theater's production of HOME as Pattie Mae, for which she procured a Black Theater Alliance Award nomination. She’s also recently starred in short films, Nova, Duster Grey’s Come and Gone and Gary Screams for You which was selected for the Focus WIP program at the Cannes Film Festival and world premiered at TIFF ‘22. She’s thrilled to be back home on the Fleetwood stage honoring the incomparable Ancestor Nikki Giovanni.

*Sean Blake

James Baldwin

is very happy to once again collaborate with Tim Rhoze on such an incredible project. Sean has previously been seen at FJT in Gees Bend and Why Not Me the Sammy Davis Jr. story. Sean has performed at The Goodman Theatre. The Court Theater. Seattle Rep and The Kennedy Center to name a few. He's a Jeff Award nominee and can be heard on the original cast recording of Stephen Sondheim's BOUNCE. Television credits include Empire. Chicago PD, and Mixtape. Thank you, Tim, for making this happen. Enjoy!

Tim Rhoze

Producing Artistic Director/Director/co-Writer/Set Designer/Costume Designer

has been the Producing Artistic Director of Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre since 2010.His regional and FJT directing credits include: PASSOVER, HONEYPOT: BLACK SOUTHERN WOMEN WHO LOVE WOMEN, UNTIL THE FLOOD, THE LIGHT, AMERICAN SON, HOME, TWILIGHT: LOS ANGELES 1992, THE MEETING, FIRES IN THE MIRROR, BLACK BALLERINA (co-writer), NUTCRACKER(ISH), CROWNS, HAVING OUR SAY, FROM THE MISSISSIPPI DELTA, FOR COLORED GIRLS WHO HAVE CONSIDERED SUICIDE WHEN THE RAINBOW IS ENUF, WOZA ALBERT!, GOING TO ST. IVES, SINGLE BLACK FEMALE, A SONG FOR CORETTA, YELLOWMAN, SWEET, LADY DAY AT EMERSON BAR & GRILL, BEAR COUNTRY, NOBODY, FENCES, PIANO LESSON, AIN'T MISBEHAVIN, K2, THE GLASS MENAGERIE, et. al. Most recently, Tim directed PASSING STRANGE for Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre. He is also the writer/director of WHY NOT ME? A SAMMY DAVIS JR. STORY, and MAYA’S LAST POEM, both produced at FJT; and BLACK BALLERINA, produced at FJT and Pittsburgh Public Theatre. He was co-writer and director of A HOME ON THE LAKE, co-produced with the Piven Theatre Workshop.

Bria Walker-Rhoze

co-Writer & Artistic Associate

is a multidisciplinary artist and educator. She is the Akram and Watfa Midani Associate Professor of Acting at Carnegie Mellon University and is Artistic Associate at Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre (FJT). She has performed at various theatres such as City Theatre, The Rep at St. Louis, Triad Stage, and Pittsburgh Public Theatre (to name a few). Selected directing credits: Obama-ology, co-director of Crowns (FJT), Fury (Parker Theatre), staged reading Off With Her Maidenhead (The Pitch series for Merry-Go-Round Playhouse). Selected writing credits: co-writer of The Baldwin|Giovanni Experience (FJT); Crossroad (City Theatre Spotlight Series); You think the arts don’t matter? What about quarantine? (Pittsburgh-Post Gazette op-ed); Chant (The Monologue Project). MFA - Denver Center for the Performing Arts (National Theatre Conservatory); BFA - Wright State University. www.briawalker-rhoze.com

Jazzma Pryor

Stage Manager

is excited to dust off her stage management skills at Fleetwood Jourdain Theatre. Her Chicago SM credits include Here Where It’s Safe (Stage Left Theatre) and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Wilbur Wright College). Jazzma has had the pleasure of being in several FJT productions including Until The Flood; For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When The Rainbow Is Enuf; The Light; Twilight: Los Angeles,1992; Sunset Baby; and From The Mississippi Delta. Jazzma is an ensemble member with Shattered Globe Theatre where her credits include A Tale of Two Cities; Jump; STEW; Hannah and Martin; and Crime and Punishment. Jazzma has a M.S. in Leadership for Creative Enterprises from Northwestern University and B.A. in Production Studies in Theatre from Clemson University. She is represented by Grossman & Jack Talent.

Tyrone Norwood, Jr.

Assistant Stage Manager

is a dynamic actor and DePaul University MFA graduate from The Theatre School, where he honed his craft through intensive classical and contemporary training. He was last seen in FJT's performance of PASSOVER. He starred in the award-winning short film Sheet Music, earning recognition for his emotional depth and screen presence. Ty is passionate about storytelling that bridges cultures and highlights shared human experiences. Off-screen, he finds inspiration through travel, exploring different cultures, and spending quality time with his fiancée. Committed to growth and authenticity, Ty brings heart, discipline, and a spirit of connection to every role he embraces. This is his first professional theater performance!

Ben Duncan

Assistant Stage Manager/Front of House

has a varied production background spanning community organization, large scale music festivals, tour management, and venue operations. He's excited for the opportunity to expand his horizons into live theater production as an ASM for The Baldwin/Giovanni Experience.

Shane Rogers

Technical Director/Set Builder

This is Shane’s third season with Fleetwood-Jourdain. He has worked in professional theatre as an actor and/or stage technician for over 25 years at places including: the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland, Oregon; the Classical Theatre Company in Houston, TX; Pioneer Theatre Company, Salt Lake Acting Company, and Plan-B Theatre in Salt Lake City, Utah; Shadowland Stages and Bard College in the Hudson Valley in New York.

Ethan Korvne

Composer

is a composer and sound designer from Akron, Ohio. He is a graduate of The Theatre School at DePaul University, where he recently received a certificate of merit from the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival commending his design and music for MEETING POINTS (directed by Megan Carney). Ethan has also worked as a designer and composed original music for the Ohio Shakespeare Festival and About Face Theatre, as well as virtual events such as the SMA’s Del Hughes Awards and the National Collaborators Conference. Listen to his work and more at: ethankorvne.com

Rick Sims

Sound Designer

has composed and designed sound for numerous Chicago-area theaters, including Steppenwolf, Lookingglass, Northlight, Congo Square, Writers, Chicago Children's Theatre, Court, and American Blues. Regional credits include Arena Stage and Roundhouse Theatre in Washington D.C., Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, South Coast Rep in Southern California, The Getty, Boston Playwrights' Theatre, Arden Theatre Company in Philadelphia, 2nd Stage and Playwrights Horizons in New York City, Actors Theatre of Louisville and Portland Playhouse. He is an artistic associate of Lookingglass, an artistic affiliate with American Blues. He composed the music for The Thanksgiving Play at 2nd Stage Theatre on Broadway. Sims won a Jeff Award for sound design for Lookingglass' Moby Dick, Frankenstein, and Hephaestus, and a BTA award for Congo Squares Brothers In the Dust. Sims also wrote the book, music, and lyrics for Lookingglass Hillbilly Antigone.

David Goodman-Edberg

Lighting Designer

David Goodman-Edberg (lighting design) is delighted to be working with Fleetwood-Jourdain again after lighting Until the Flood, The 1619 Project, This Bitter Earth, American Son, and Home. Elsewhere in Chicago his work has been seen with Adventure Stage, Cerqua Rivera, Chicago Fringe Opera, Chicago Repertory Ballet, Definition Theatre, The Gift Theatre, Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Co., Grant Park Music Festival, LEVELdance, Manual Cinema, Theo, Third Eye, Thodos Dance, Visceral Dance, and others. Regional: Bay View Music Festival, Eisenhower Dance Detroit, Opera Idaho, Opera Mississippi, Water Street Dance Milwaukee, and others. David has also worked on various rides and shows at Disney and Universal theme parks in the U.S. and internationally. dglxdesign.com

Brenden Marble

Assistant Lighting Designer

(He/Him) Is excited to be designing his first show with Fleetwood Jourdain Theatre. After studying theater design at Eastern Michigan University, the Detroit MI native moved to Chicago to start living their dream of becoming a lighting designer! Recent credits include At the Wake of a Dead Drag Queen(The Story Theatre) We Always Bounce Black(Second City Chicago) Dontrell, Who Kissed the Sea(Pegasus Theatre) Native Son(Lifeline Theatre) An Educated Guess(Definition Theatre), Liaisons(Chicago Tap Theatre), Black By Popular Demand(Second City Chicago), A Hit Dog Will Holler (Artemisia Theatre), Fairview(Definition Theater), and Dance Like There Are Black People Watching(Second City Chicago) Even though his career is just beginning, he knows this is something he wants to do for the rest of his life. Website: www.brendenmarble.com

Sholo Beverly

Scenic Muralist

a mixed media intuitive artist living on the northside of Chicago. She is a 53-year-old single mother of two that has always only prioritized her children and her art for the last twenty years. She has learned embracing her mistakes makes for a better understanding of what the universe wants for her art. Her activism to right the injustices against people of color has caused her art to evolve. She is also taking her art to the streets to advocate for social changes on racism, and women's rights with the murals, painted in bright colors with hidden messages to observe and process. The mediums and techniques used are homemade inks, collage, watercolor, and the new medium of encaustic wax painting with acrylic inks. With our current situation in the world, her art has become a necessity for herself and others. There is a need for expression and discussion from POC. She is not concerned with her artwork being liked by society, but she does want her work to spark an emotion to the viewer to ask the question of why when they see her art. "I Am Aware I Am Rare" is her motto, embracing being a female black artist without boundaries for expression in her creations.

Sean Blake

co-Choreographer

is very happy to once again collaborate with Tim Rhoze on such an incredible project. Sean has previously been seen at FJT in Gees Bend and Why Not Me the Sammy Davis Jr. story. Sean has performed at The Goodman Theatre. The Court Theater. Seattle Rep and The Kennedy Center to name a few. He's a Jeff Award nominee and can be heard on the original cast recording of Stephen Sondheim's BOUNCE. Television credits include Empire. Chicago PD, and Mixtape. Thank you, Tim, for making this happen. Enjoy!

Kara Roseborough

co-Choreographer

Kara Roseborough is a multidisciplinary artist specializing in dance, creative writing, and theatre. She holds an MFA in Dance and a Certificate in World Performance Studies from the University of Michigan, as well as a BA in English from the University of Utah. She is also a certified instructor in Grades I–V of the Cecchetti Ballet Method. Kara currently serves as a Lecturer in Dance at the University of Michigan and works as a freelance dancer and choreographer. For over fifteen years, she has been an Artistic Associate with Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre. She previously served on the artistic leadership team of the Evanston Dance Ensemble and has performed with a range of dance companies and theatres, including Charleston City Ballet, The Ruth Page Civic Ballet of Chicago, South Chicago Dance Theatre, New Dances, Pittsburgh Public Theater, and Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre. Her choreography has been presented nationally and internationally, including with the Dutch National Ballet.

John Olson

Press Representative

provides marketing and public relations services to a variety of theaters and arts organizations in the Chicago area. He followed a career as an account manager and media planner in Chicago and Milwaukee advertising agencies by moving into arts marketing and publicity in 2010. He worked at ComedySportz Chicago as Marketing Director and Raven Theatre as Director of Marketing and Press before founding John Olson Communications in 2017. Additionally. John has served as Associate Editor for The Sondheim Review and Chicago reviewer for TalkinBroadway.com.

City of Evanston & Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre Present:

A Youthful Kwanzaa Celebration 2025

Friday, December 26 at 6 PM

We are uplifting our younger community members with the Community African Drum Circle, Dance Performances, and Kwanzaa Ceremony.

Robert Crown Center

1801 Main St.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Celebration:

Honoring the Brave Children of the Movement

Saturday, January 17 at 2 PM

Young singers, dancers, and a brilliant keynote speaker will be featured.

Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center

1655 Foster St.

Signup for The Fourth Wall, our monthly newsletter and stay up to date with the Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre. 

For more information, please call 847-866-5914 or 311 (847-448-4311 outside Evanston). 

SPECIAL THANKS:

Sheila Montgomery-Bower, owner of The Mexican Shop

Mary Toussaint, owner of Minouchic Boutique

PROUD SPONSORS OF FLEETWOOD-JOURDAIN THEATRE:

https://www.stackedandfolded.com/

https://heckys.com/

https://www.prairiemoonrestaurant.com/

https://arts.illinois.gov/

https://www.cityofevanston.org/

Visit www.fjtheatre.com for more information.

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