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B.j Tindal is in constant conversation with the director and cast/crew of TROUBLE IN MIND, and their role includes researching extensive of historical information such as the time period, lifestyle, the play's structure, its language, its themes, etc. to make Alice Childress's play and the presented interpretation as authentic as possible.  B.J Tindal (they/them) is a Black queer playwright, teaching artist, and sour candy enthusiast. They recently moved back to their hometown of Philadelphia after completing their MFA in Writing for the Screen and Stage at Northwestern University. Since moving back to the city, BJ has been working with a number of organizations devoted to arts-Education, including Philly Young Playwrights and After-School Activities Partnerships as well as creating their own workshops designed to encourage writing-confidence for elementary school students. BJ’s play Goodnight, Tyler received its world premiere in February 2019 at the Alliance Theater and has been published by Samuel French/Concord Theatricals in Fall 2020. Their other play, What We Look Like, had its inaugural production at Oberlin College’s new Irene and Alan Wurtzel Theater also in February 2019. BJ is honored to move forward in this new way of collaborating with Philadelphia artists at the Philly Artist’ Collective B.J has been vital in helping the actors familiarize themselves and understand Alice Childress's TROUBLE IN MIND world set in 1950s' New York! And also what it was like for black actors & actresses on stage and in film during that time period!  Welcome to the 50's Join us on Saturday, October 24th @ 7pm!FREE to attend; ALL donations benefit BLM Philly
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Alice Childress's TROUBLE IN MIND is brought to life through Amina's visionary direction!  INTRODUCING: Amina Robinson
Born and raised in Philadelphia, Amina Robinson is a professional actor, director, and currently a Professor of Acting and Musical Theater at Temple University. Amina's directing credits include Sunset Baby at Azuka Theatre, Dauphin Island at Passage Theater, The Color Purple at Theatre Horizon, Seventy Four Seconds to Judgment at The Arden Theatre, Godspell, and the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at Temple University, and Seventy IV Seconds to Judgement as presented with Go Kash Onstage in Residence at the Arden. Amina is also the first Black woman to win a Barrymore Award for Outstanding Direction of a Musical for The Color Purple. Trouble in Mind follows an experienced Black stage actress through rehearsals of a major Broadway production of an anti-lynching play written by a white man. It's a wry and moving look at racism, identity and ego in not only the world of theater, but in American society. Regarding Trouble in Mind, Amina says: “The world of Trouble in Mind, for me, is very similar to the world we live in today. We find ourselves unable to break the chains of racism and white supremacy, even today. Our now moment is the now moment of my mother, my mom mom and my nana, each time taking slightly different shape. In the arts, this moment has led and leads us to the exact same place that many of these characters find themselves in, in this play. We oftentimes hide our truths for fear of losing our livelihoods, whitewash stories and narratives for white comfort and consumption, abide by the notion that we should be grateful for crumbs from the American Theater’s table of plenty. Some shuck and some jive, others fight against hope, and every other way of survival found in between. This is Trouble in Mind. For me the “trouble” is actually that Wiletta has reached a place where she is saying 'NO, I will not abide in it any longer… even if that means my own destruction and the death of my life’s dreams.' She is torn, and the sad reality is, this trouble only holds value in her mind because the world that she lives in couldn’t care less." Experience Amina’s vision for the world of Alice Childress’s TROUBLE IN MIND in the virtual reading on Saturday, October 24th @ 7pm Introducing Joilet F. Harris as leading lady "Wiletta" in PAC's virtual reading of Alice Childress’s TROUBLE IN MIND.  Joilet Harris is a Philadelphia treasure. Throughout her 30 year career, Joilet consistently proves that she is a powerful and dynamic presence on stage as well as on television, with roles on The Wire, Do No Harm and Law & Order: SVU. Joilet has also toured the world as a vocalist, most recently playing Ella Fitzgerald in Ella, The Ella Fitzgerald Story. She has appeared on many Philadelphia stages including the Walnut Street Theatre, Act 2 Playhouse, People’s Light and Theatre Company and Delaware Theatre Company. She most recently starred as Gloria in the Broadway-bound Because of Winn Dixie and has also appeared as Motormouth Maybelle in Hairspray, Miss Jones in How to Succeed in Business… and in Ain’t Misbehavin’ and It Ain’t Nothin But the Blues. In addition to her many talents, Harris is a founding and former board member of The Philadelphia Black Theatre Festival, and is an active member of the Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church where she serves as a soloist choir member and assistant choir director.
“Wiletta” is a veteran black actress who made a career out of playing stereotypical black roles but aspires to be cast in parts more deserving of her rich talents; as antics from her white director and scenes from a stereotypical script intensify will Wiletta be able to sustain the “act”? Watch Joilet’s magnetic portrayal on Saturday, October 24th @ 7pm FREE to attend; ALL donations benefit BLM Philly Welcome back Victoria Goins as our Assistant Director for the PAC's virtual reading of Alice Childress's TROUBLE IN MIND!  Meet Victoria:
Victoria Aaliyah Goins is an emerging director who has a desire to utilize storytelling to reveal the depths of humanity. She is currently directing a devised piece at Arcadia University entitled, "Who Are You?". Recently she has directed virtual plays for the "Going Viral Festival" and Jouska Playworks. She is also a member of Director's Gathering and her work has been featured at the 2019 DG 'Wonder Womxn' JAM. Victoria has also worked as an Assistant Director at The Arden alongside Terry Nolen and Amina Robinson as well as at InterAct Theatre alongside KC MacMillan. Victoria is also a Philadelphia based actor. Recent Credits Include: Nina (Sunset Baby), Squeak (The Color Purple), and Maria Marten (Maria Marten or The Murder in the Red Barn). For more info visit victoriaagoins.com . We surely can't wait to share this special project with Victoria and with all of you on Saturday, October 24th @ 7pm! FREE to attend; ALL donations benefit BLM Philly! |
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