by: Jacqueline (Jaye) Ware
As part of Transformations :the African American Writers' Alliance Play Festival
Stream Madison Park Bench on Youtube!
Madison Park Bench is a recognition and appreciation for the known and unknown rich lives of our elders and how their experiences and generosity can influence and enrich the lives of a new generation.
Playwright: Jacqueline (Jaye) Ware
Jaye says poetry and spoken word challenge her artistic energy and expression, allowing her to pull from a bottomless well of emotions, experiences, and observations. Jaye is published in the African-American Writers' Alliance anthology Voices That Matter. She is a social justice and children;s poetry writer and has performed at The African American, Tacoma, and Seattle Art Museums; Gallery 110, Onyx, Elliot Bay Company, Open Books: A Poem Emporium, and a host of other venues. Check out Jaye's new children-centered radio show 'Pop Up Time'
on KVRU.org
Director: Iman
The Artistic Director of Earth Pearl Collective (EPC), a group that supports the work of women living at the intersections of the African Diaspora who are dedicated to healing their communities through creative collaborations. As an interdisciplinary artist and activist, : challenges preconceived notions of marginalized identities through theater, dance, and poetry workshops and performances. In 2019, she was awarded the Seattle Arc Fellowship for Innovative Creations and used the funds to open the new African-centered healing arts center Nile's Edge.
Mr. Maestro: Tee Denard
Tee is an original founding member of The Group Theatre and former Artistic Director of Black Arts West Theatre in Seattle. Tee has worked at most of the theaters in the Seattle area, as well as in Denver and Atlanta, and he is honored to be a part of this project with Merri Ann and The Mahogany Project. In addition to having numerous theatre productions, he has appeared in several film and television ventures and can be seen in Bao Tran's soon to be released film Paper Tigers and Megan Griffith's Sadie. The most notable films he has appeared in were An Officer and a Gentleman, Black Widow, and Seven Hours to Judgement. Tee would like to thank Jaqueline (Jaye) Ware for thinking of him to be a part of this great project.
Noah: Chip Sherman
Chip is a Core Company member at ACT Theatre and is in the Acting Ensemble of the Seagull Project. They are also known around town as Isis in and out of the Drag Duo LuChi. Beloved roles include, Corduroy (Corduroy), Benvolio (Romeo and Juliet), Dorian Gray (The Picture of Dorian Gray), Bailey Jr. (I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings), Rudy Clay (And In This Corner, Cassius Clay), and Alexander the Great (Alex and Aris). Thanks for supporting diverse theatre; the world needs it now more than ever!
Carolyn: Betsy Haddox
Betsy has been involved with stage productions for many years, most often working behind the scenes in the orchestra pit or with lighting and props. Recently, she has taken part in a handful of community productions in Seattle, including Outdoor Trek performances put on by Hello Earth. She also "performs" as a volunteer audiobook narrator at the Washington Talking Book and Braille Library.
Derrik: Brandon JonesMooney
Brandon is a multi-hyphenated artist from Oakland, CA. He's a graduate of the Pacific Conservatory of Performing Arts and Cornish College of the Arts. Past productions for Brandon include Endgame (Hamm) with Young Hot Thespian, The Brother's Size (Oshoosi) with Young Hot Thespian, Reparations (Leonard/ Jimmy/ Maceo) with Sound Theatre Company, The Temptest (Ensemble) with Seattle Shakespeare, and As You Like It (Oliver) with Freehold Theatre.