ABCD

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CAST

	MELVIN ABSTON* (Ellis) This Chicago native and current Harlem resident makes his BSC debut in ABCD. Broadway/National tours: Sister Act, Skittles Commercial: The Broadway Musical, The Lion King and The Little Mermaid. TV appearances include Law & Order: SVU, Blue Bloods, Gotham, Touch, Chuck, Raising Hope and recurring roles on Grey’s Anatomy, Weeds and H+: The Digital Series. Additional theatre credits include Roundabout Theatre, Ars Nova, Pasadena Playhouse, 5th Avenue Theatre, Baltimore Center Stage, Milwaukee Rep, ZACH Theatre, La Jolla Playhouse and The Goodman Theatre. Proud member of AEA and SAG-AFTRA, but an even prouder Father to Jaron, Stevie and Kae! MelvinAbston.com
	JUSTIN AHDOOT* (Bilal) NYC: Off Broadway: Sleep No More (Punch Drunk); Off-Off Broadway: Neighborhood 3: Requisition of Doom and The Mysteries (The Flea Theater), Regional: Disgraced (Pittsburgh Public), Cymbeline (Richmond Shakespeare); performed his solo show Justin versus at Richmond Triangle Players, and Uncle Tom: Deconstructed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. TV: Upcoming Fleishman Is In Trouble (FX), Little America (Apple TV), The Good Cop (Netflix), Law & Order: SVU, The Americans, Blue Bloods. BFA Virginia Commonwealth University. Big thank you to Daniel, Zi Alikhan, and May for their love and support during this process. This performance is dedicated to my late grandmother Tooba. JustinAhdoot.com
	TORÉE ALEXANDRE* (Tamara Gardner) Originally hailing from Yonkers, NY, Torée is a graduate of Point Park University with a B.F.A. in Acting and a minor in Musical Theatre. She most recently played Riley in How to Catch Creation at Geva Theatre. Torée is honored and humbled to be working with Barrington Stage on this gripping play that hits so very close to home. Torée’s mother has so generously dedicated nearly 30 years to the education system. Teachers are jewels among us and need to be protected and respected, “thank you so much Mommy!!” Glory to the Most High! Giving many thanks to the people who inspire her daily: Paige, Mama, Mommy, Andre and CHI Talent Management! Sending love, light and lift to all.
	JURI HENLEY-COHN* (Ibrahim) is thrilled to be returning to BSC. He last performed here in the one-man show Bashir Lazhar. Off Broadway: The Strangest (4th Street Theater/NYTW) and Inventing Avi (Abingdon Theater). Regional: Oslo at Roundhouse Theatre (Helen Hayes award nomination); Dracula at ASF; Dying City at Opera House Arts; The Blue Demon at Williamstown Theatre Festival. Film/TV credits include: Dear Edward; Divorce; Ramy; Orange is the New Black; Halston; Blindspot; When They See Us; The Loudest Voice; Unforgettable; Blue Bloods; Believe; Golden Boy; Jessica Jones; American Odyssey; Odd Mom Out; Brittany Runs a Marathon; Manifest. JuriHenley-Cohn.com
	MARIBEL MARTINEZ* (Mika Ramos) is honored to be making her BSC debut with ABCD’s world premiere. Off Broadway: Will You Come With Me? (PlayCo); Julius Caesar (New York Shakespeare in the Park). Select Regional Theatre: Vanity Fair (Shakespeare Theatre Company, American Conservatory Theater); Christmas at Pemberley (Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park); Henry V P 1 (Folger); Black Joy Project (JAG). TV credits: Evil, New Amsterdam, The Watcher. She is in community with the Latinx Playwrights Circle and with Dominican Artists Collective as a part of the Artistic Producing Team. Maribel-Martinez.com
	CHAVEZ RAVINE* (Joanna Krueger) BSC: A Streetcar Named Desire. In the Upper Room (Denver Center for the Performing Arts), Cullud Wattah (The Public Theater), James Lapine’s Muscle! (Pegasus Players Theatre). Off Broadway: Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye (The Duke 42nd). Regional: The Winter’s Tale, The Comedy of Errors (Santa Cruz Shakespeare), Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye (The Arden Theatre, Steppenwolf Theatre), Black Pearl Sings! (Portland Center Stage), My Fair Lady (OSF), Yellowman (Virginia Stage Co.), Daughters of the Mock (Congo Square Theatre), George C. Wolf’s Spunk! (Penobscot Theatre), The Winter’s Tale (Chicago Shakespeare Theatre), Mark Hayes’ Civil War Voices (Virginia State Theatre), Crowns by Regina Taylor (The Theater Project), Being Beautiful (Bailiwick Repertory Theatre), Bronzeville (Pegasus Players Theatre), Menopause The Musical (Heartland Theatre). Film/TV: Barbershop II, Death of a President, Sleepwalk with Me, April Fools, Tapioca, Southern Cross, Prison Break.
	PEARL SHIN (Sunghee) A Korean-American actor with “remarkable texture and command” (Laura Collins-Hughes of The New York Times), Pearl is incredibly excited and honored to be a part of the ABCD world premiere. Originally from Nashville, she now divides her time between LA and NYC. Recent bookings include The Equalizer, Law & Order: SVU and several national commercials. She’d like to thank U-Shin and Chiara for being her tireless advocates, and is so incredibly grateful for her unbelievably supportive family and friends (love you 엄마, 아빠, 어머님, 아버님, John, Em + 수진 ♥), who she wouldn’t be here without; and Wesley—who’s better than us?
	BRANDON ST. CLAIR* (Davon Lawrence) Hailing from Atlanta, Brandon St. Clair is a product of the Atlanta Public school system and couldn’t be more proud to express his art through this work. A few of Brandon’s credits since moving to NY have been Law & Order, Power: Book 3 and Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival’s Lamentable Trial… Brandon is a recent graduate of the UNC/Playmakers MFA Program Class of 2020 and has made NY his new home. Playmakers Rep: Native Son, Topdog/Underdog, Galileo. Website: BrandonSaintClair.com
	JESS DIAZ GRIFFIN* (Mika Ramos u/s) recently joined BSC as the new Associate Director of Education and Director of the Musical Theatre Conservatory. A proud Latina Educator, Actress and Director, she is originally from Port Chester, NY, and holds a dual degree in Theatre Education — having studied at NYU and Manhattanville College. Having taught in NY Public Schools, she is especially honored by the opportunity to jump into this meaningful new work. Jess is a proud member of Actors’ Equity and SAG-AFTRA. Favorite performance credits include Betty Jean (The Marvelous Wonderettes), Nina (In the Heights), Sister Mary Robert (Sister Act), Lucy (Bright Star) and Jovie (Elf). Paciencia y Fe! Say hello @jemigriff or check out Jess-Griffin.com

CREATIVES

MAY TREUHAFT-ALI (Playwright) is a playwright, director, and dramaturg. She couldn’t be more thrilled to have her first-ever production at Barrington Stage. She is the 22–23 Van Lier Fellow at Rattlestick Theater. She is also part of Ars Nova’s Play Group and the Middle Eastern American Writers Lab, and an alumna of Clubbed Thumb’s Early-Career Writers’ Group and The Playwrights Realm Writing Fellowship. She has received commissions from Barrington Stage Company, South Coast Repertory, and Theater Masters. She recently served as Associate Director on the world premiere of SHHHH by Clare Barron at Atlantic Theater Company, and is the Literary and Community Engagement Assistant at Playwrights Horizons. May would like to thank Daniel, Kyra, and this incredible cast and creative team for bringing her words to life and making this process so joyful. She’d also like to thank the Playwrights Realm, all the collaborators who have contributed to this play’s growth, her colleagues at Playwrights Horizons, Mom and Ross for their love and support, and most of all, her twin sister Layla. This play is for her and all the teachers like her.

DANIEL J. BRYANT† (Director) is excited to be directing at BSC, so close to his birthplace of Springfield, MA. Most recent directing credits include What To Send Up When It Goes Down (Congo Square Theatre), How to Catch Creation (Geva Theater) and Feeding Beatrice (St.Louis Rep). Previously serving as Associate Producer/Director of Community Programs at Baltimore Center Stage under the leadership of AD Kwame Kweih-Armah and Hana Sharif, Daniel designed BCS’s Mobile Unit program, producing and directing Antigone, Twelfth Night and Endgame, as well as directing A Wonder In My Soul for the main stage. Daniel is also an ensemble member and former artistic director of Congo Square Theatre in Chicago where he directed/produced What I Learned in Paris, Brothers of the Dust (2012 ATCA New play Award, BTAA for Best Play), The Fall of Heaven and King Hedly II (BTAA for Best Ensemble, Best Director). Daniel is a member of SDC, SAG-AFTRA and AEA.

KEVIN IEGA JEFF† (Movement Director) is an accomplished dancer, award-winning choreographer, acclaimed artistic director, respected dance educator and innovative executive leader. He creates transcendent works while inspiring those around him to foster extraordinary lives, onstage and off, through dance/art-making. After co-founding and serving as Artistic Director of Deeply Rooted Dance Theater for 24 years, Jeff became creative/executive director of Deeply Rooted Productions in 2019. His choreography has been featured in film, on television and on Broadway. He recently was named one of 10 recipients of the Field Foundation’s Leaders for a New Chicago. He has taught nationally and internationally at public and private educational and cultural institutions.

BARON E. PUGH (Scenic Design) Berkshire Theatre Group: B.R.O.K.E.N code B.I.R.D switching. Lyric Stage Company of Boston: The Light, Breath and Imagination, The Wiz. The Huntington Theatre: The Bluest Eye (Associate Designer). Trinity Rep: Tiny Beautiful Things, Radio Golf. TheatreSquared: The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity, School Girls. SpeakEasy Stage Company: Passover, Choir Boy, School Girls. Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival: How I Learned What I Learned. Shakespeare Theater of New Jersey: The Comedy of Errors, Snug. Baron received his MFA in Scenic Design from Boston University and is a proud member of United Scenic Artists Local 829. For upcoming productions, please visit BaronPughDesign.com. Follow @bpscenic on Instagram for behind-the-scenes content.

APRIL M. HICKMAN (Costume Designer) is a Connecticut-based costume designer, stylist and costume illustrator for stage and film, originally from Denver, CO. Her most recent design credits include Omar at Spoleto Festival; Stick Fly at St. Louis Repertory; Nine Night at Round House Theater; The Mountain Top at Weston Playhouse; Blue at Michigan Opera Theatre; Border of Lights, Ghosts of the Diaspora, Freaky Dee, Baby at Williamstown Theatre Festival; and Capricorn 29 at The Tank. April currently holds a position at Wesleyan University as an Assistant Professor in the Practice of Costume Design. She received an MFA in Costume Design from Yale School of Drama, and a BFA in Costume Design and Technology from The University of North Carolina School of the Arts.

JASON LYNCH (Lighting Designer) BSC Debut. Off Broadway: You Are Here: An Evening with Solea Pfeiffer (Audible Theatre/Minetta Lane Theatre). Regional: Alley Theatre, Alliance Theatre, American Players Theatre, Arkansas Repertory Theatre, Baltimore Center Stage, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, City Theatre Company, Dallas Theater Center, Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Geva Theatre Center, Goodman Theatre, Long Wharf Theatre, The Old Globe, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Seattle Repertory Theater, Steppenwolf Theatre Company, among others. Jason is a proud member of The Association for Lighting Production and Design and is represented by United Scenic Artists, Local USA-829 of the IATSE and The Gersh Agency.
JasonDLynch.com, @jasonlynch.design on Instagram.

FABIAN OBISPO (Composer & Sound Designer) BSC: American Underground, The Chinese Lady. Off Broadway: Ma-Yi Theater, Public Theater, Manhattan Theatre Club, Manhattan Class Company, Classic Stage Company, Atlantic Theatre Company, Vineyard Theatre, The New Group, New York Theatre Workshop, Theatre for a New Audience, The Acting Company. Regional: Arena Stage, The Shakespeare Theatre Company, Kennedy Center, American Conservatory Theater, Goodman Theatre, Guthrie Theater, Alliance Theatre, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Huntington Theatre, Cincinnati Playhouse, Cleveland Playhouse, Seattle Repertory, Hartford Stage, Long Wharf Theatre, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Playmakers Repertory Company, Indiana Repertory Theatre, among others. Awards: Berkshire Theatre Critics, Barrymore, International Motion Picture and the LA Film Festival’s Indie Short Fest.

JACQUELINE HOLLOWAY (Intimacy & Fight Choreographer)

KYRA BUTTON (Production Stage Manager) is excited to be making her Barrington Stage debut. She has most recently worked at Cleveland Play House on Antigone, Where Did We Sit on the Bus?, Tiny Houses, Into the Breeches and Pipeline, to name a few. Her previous credits also include Dreamgirls (Virginia Stage Company), Hurricane Diane (Dobama Theatre), Baby Camp (Leviathan Labs), Resistance (Semicolon Theatre), The Heart’s Impatience (Shufflefoot Theatre Company), A Streetcar Named Desire (St. Ann’s Warehouse), Medea and Dreamgirls (Red House Arts Center), This Day Forward (The Vineyard Theatre) and The Intergenerational Project (Rose Bruford, London). Kyra is proud to hold a BFA in Stage Management from Syracuse University’s Department of Drama and is overjoyed to be working on this production, with this team, particularly this playwright, who also happens to be a dear childhood friend. Thank you, May, for your words, your trust, and your joy!

MCCORKLE CASTING LTD: PAT MCCORKLE, CSA; Rebecca Weiss (Casting) Casting actors for Barrington Stage for 20 years. Pat McCorkle is pleased to be an Associate Artist at BSC. Broadway: Over 50 productions including On the Town, Amazing Grace, End of the Rainbow, The Lieutenant of Inishmore, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Amadeus, She Loves Me, A Few Good Men. Off Broadway: highlights — Clever Little Lies; Sheer Madness; Tribes; Our Town (Barrow Street); Freud’s Last Session; Toxic Avenger; Almost, Maine; Driving Miss Daisy. Feature film: Premium Rush, Ghost Town, The Thomas Crown Affair, Die Hard with a Vengeance, School Ties, etc. Television: Twisted, St. George, Sesame Street, Hack, Californication, Max Bickford, Chappelle’s Show, Strangers with Candy, Barbershop, etc. mccorklecasting.com

CHARLIE SIEDENBURG (Berkshires Press Representative) (Associate Artist, 18^th Season) joined the BSC family in 2005 and has represented over 150 BSC productions. His work has led to features in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Boston Globe, Associated Press and American Theatre Magazine. His many PR credits include the Metropolitan Opera (Live in HD), Paper Mill Playhouse, George Street Playhouse, Hartford Stage, Goodspeed Musicals, Long Wharf Theatre, Surflight Theatre and Two River Theater Company. He serves as Press Rep for Wagner College Theatre, The Minty Awards, Ghostlight Productions and Forestburgh Playhouse. Charlie is a 1995 Theatre/Arts Administration graduate of Wagner College on Staten Island, where he currently teaches Theatre Appreciation. In 2021, he received a Berkshire Theatre Critics Association Special Award for Exceptional Support of Arts Journalism in the Berkshires.

THE PRESS ROOM (National Press Representatives) represents the Broadway productions of Hamilton, The Book of Mormon and Paradise Square, as well as the Vineyard Theatre, Shakespeare’s Globe, The Wooster Group, Rosie’s Theater Kids, Building for the Arts, Hunter Theater Project, Miami New Drama, Paper Mill Playhouse, Ogunquit Playhouse, 3-D Theatricals, NY Classical Theatre, The Drama Book Shop and the Antonyo Awards. Recent: Black No More; The Waverly Gallery; Gloria: A Life, Three Tall Women; Farinelli and the King; Beyond Babel; Waterwell’s 7 Minutes; Out of the Box Theatrical’s The Last Five Years. Upcoming: Florida Georgia Line’s May We All; Personality: The Lloyd Price Musical; Born for This; Mister Miss America; Sidney.

BERKSHIRE RESIDENTS NIGHTS

Wednesday, July 13 — 7:30PM
Friday, July 22 — 7:30PM

A 25% discount will be offered for all Berkshire Residents. Call the Box Office to redeem this discount: 413-236-8888.

All purchases must be made at the box office or over the phone. Limit two per patron per performance. You must show a valid form of ID or proof of residency at Will Call the night of the performance. This offer cannot be combined with any other discount. Subject to availability.