JULY 1 – AUGUST 6, 2022
August Wilson’s FENCES
WINNER OF THE PULITZER PRIZE FOR DRAMA
Written by: August Wilson
Directed by: Monty Cole
This is the sensational drama about Troy Maxson, a former star of the Negro Baseball League, who now works as a garbage man in Pittsburgh. Troy and his wife Rose want the American Dream – to own a house with a white picket fence that keeps the family safe and trouble out. When mistrust builds and secrets are revealed, this iconic Black family begins to crumble in America’s embrace. Director Monty Cole’s innovative and intimate production explodes Wilson’s masterful text with raw emotion. You’ve never seen Fences like this before!
Read Backstage Guide, Director’s note, or welcome from the Artistic Director.
Read our digital program.
PERFORMANCE INFO
(New location!) Theater Wit
1229 W Belmont Ave, Chicago 60657
July 1 – August 6, 2022
Box Office: (773) 975-8150
Runs 2 hours and 15 minutes with intermission
Tickets range $25-$45 + $2.75 Theater Wit venue fee
Recommended for ages 14+
Schedule:
Thursdays: 7:30 PM
Fridays: 7:30 PM
Saturdays: 2:30 PM (except July 2 & 9) & 7:30 PM (except Aug 6)
Sundays: 2:30 PM
Added shows – Wednesdays July 6 & August 3 @ 7:30 PM.
ARTISTS
CAST: Kamal Angelo Bolden (Troy Maxson), Manny Buckley* (Gabriel), Shanésia Davis (Rose), Ajax Dontavius (Cory), Martel Manning (Jim Bono), William Anthony Sebastian Rose II (Lyons), and Riley Wells (Raynell).
PRODUCTION TEAM: August Wilson (playwright), Monty Cole (director), Yeaji Kim (scenic design), Jared Gooding* (lighting design), Stephanie Cluggish (costume design), Rick Sims* (sound design), Verity Neely (properties design), Charlie Baker (fight & intimacy direction), Cara Parrish* (stage manager), Shandee Vaughan* (production manager), and more.
*Ensemble member or Artistic Affiliate of American Blues Theater.
As featured by CBS, WBEZ, WVON, Crain’s Chicago “The Big Ticket”, Choose Chicago’s “10 Hot Shows to see in Chicago”, Chicago Reader’s “Swinging for the Fences with Monty Cole”, Daily Herald, and Chicago Tribune’s “Hottest Shows for the Summer”. Joseph Jefferson Award recommended.
“3.5 out of 4 stars. The casting and staging combine for an intense revival of a modern American classic.” – Chicago Tribune, full review
“Monty Cole’s blistering staging of Fences for American Blues Theater should not be missed. SEE THIS PLAY.” – Chicago Reader, full review
“Riveting…there could be no greater testament to the play’s greatness than this magnificent production.” – WTTW, full review
“Exceptional Cast!” – Chicago Sun Times, full review
“Brilliant staging by Monty Cole. Pitch perfect acting all around.” – Picture this Post, full review
“Intense and emotional!…feels as though you are at a family backyard gathering.” – Splash Magazine, full review
“[Kamal Angelo Bolden’s] impeccable and powerful presence will captivate the audience. Outstanding performance came from Shanesia Davis.” – Let’s Play Theatrical Reviews, full review
“Five out of five stars! Amazing cast.” – Around the Town Chicago, full review
“Amazing experience! …Beautiful concept.” – Amy S.
“Masterpiece! Loved it!” – Lynette B.
“Don’t miss this, especially if you’re an August Wilson fan!” – Nancy R.
“I loved, loved, loved the direction, the depth and commitment of the performers, and the entire concept. When I walked in, I was struck by the simplicity of the set, but how it also surrounded, so the metaphor worked instantly.” – T.E.
“Amazing rendition! We can’t wait to go back.” – Tyshawn S.
“Performed in an intimate space where the characters’ emotional journeys are palpable. It is a must see.” – Keith K.
“Amazing performances!” – Ivory S.
“[This] production was magnificent.” – Michael K.
“DOPE! Spoke to my generation. “ – Adrianna M.
“Fences was wonderful; funny, intense, and moving. The cast was terrific.” – Michael L.
“Can you please put out tissues for the audience? We need them. This is so good.” – an usher
“Incredible. I’ve never been this close to an August Wilson show.” – Ann V.
CAST BIOGRAPHIES
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Understudies include LUCAS LOOCH JOHNSON (Lyons / Cory), WARREN LEVON (Gabriel / Jim Bono), NNEOMA SAMPSON (Rose), and NIA WRIGHT (Raynell). Special thanks to Robert Wilson.
YEAJI KIM she/her (Scenic Design) is excited to work with American Blues Theater for the first time. Yeaji is a scenic and video projections designer based in Chicago. Her recent Chicago credits include White (Steppenwolf Theatre LookOut Series; Scenic & Projections design), In Every Generation (Victory Garden Theater; Projections design), Passage, The Year Of Magical Thinking (Remy Bumppo Theatre; Scenic design), Solaris (Griffin Theatre; Projections design), The Secret Council (First Folio Theatre; Projections design). Her regional credits are The Chinese Lady (Geva Theatre, Kitchen Theatre, NY; Scenic design). Her projections design for Strawdog’s The Effect has been nominated for 2020 Jeff Awards Non-Equity Projections Design, and her scenic design for The Great Expectations (Co-production Remy Bumppo & Silk Road Rising) was nominated for Best Scenic Design for Broadway World Chicago. Future projects include Dear Jack Dear Louise (Northlight Theatre, IL), Fun Home (Paramount, IL). For more information, please visit yeajikimdesign.com.
JARED GOODING he/him (Lighting Design) is a proud Ensemble member of American Blues Theater. His design credits include designs for Writers Theatre, Court Theatre, Florentine Opera Company, Indiana Repertory Theatre, First Stage Theater, Depaul University, Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Victory Gardens Theater, TimeLine Theatre, Bristol Riverside Theater, Madison Children’s Theater, University of Illinois Chicago Theatre, University of Indiana Northwest, Remy Bumpo Theatre, Strawdog Theatre, The Hypocrites, Definition Theatre, Windy City Playhouse, Sideshow Theatre, Jackalope Theatre, First Floor Theater, About Face Theatre, MPAACT, Pegasus Theatre, and serving as the Lighting Assistant for The Wiz Live on NBC along with Associate Designing for Lookingglass Theatre’s touring of Lookingglass Alice in Miami and Denver. He spends weekends as a professional DJ and his design work is work is featured at goodingdesigns.com.
STEPHANIE CLUGGISH she/her (Costume Design) is making her American Blues Theater debut. She is a Chicago based costume designer and Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois Chicago. Most recently she has designed with Haymarket Opera Company, Theatreworks Colorado, A Red Orchid Theatre, and Theatre Raleigh. She is also an active member of USA829 and Co-Chair of the National Costume Department United Best Practices Committee. She is thrilled to join Monty and the American Blues team to bring this play to life. See more at stephanie-cluggish.com.
RICK SIMS he/him (Sound Design) is a proud Artistic Affiliate of American Blues Theater. He has composed and designed sound for numerous Chicago-area theaters, including Steppenwolf Theatre, Lookingglass Theatre Company, American Blues Theater, Congo Square Theatre, Writers Theatre, Lifeline Theatre, Griffin Theatre, Chicago Children’s Theatre, The Hypocrites, House Theatre of Chicago, Court Theatre, American Theater Company, Victory Gardens Theater, Raven Theatre, Steep Theatre, Northlight Theatre, and About Face Theatre. His additional credits include The Getty, Boston Playwrights’ Theatre, Arden Theatre Company, Playwrights Horizons, Actors Theatre of Louisville, and Portland Playhouse. Rick won Jeff Awards for Sound Design for Moby Dick and Hepheastus (Lookingglass Theatre Company), a Black Theatre Alliance Award for Brothers in the Dust (Congo Square Theatre), and has received several nominations for both awards. Rick also wrote the book, music, and lyrics for Hillbilly Antigone at Lookingglass Theatre Company, where he is an Artistic Associate.
VERITY NEELY she/her (Props Design) is a Properties Designer from Central Wisconsin. She has recently graduated from the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point, and has been able to work on musicals, plays, and dance. In the last year, Verity had the opportunity to work with NewArts in Connecticut, as well as an upcoming dance company: Sock Opera Dance. She greatly enjoys the theatrical world and how we are able to create meaningful, as well as fun works that not only move the audience but the actors and designers that get the opportunity to see them. She loves helping create a space in which anyone who enters, can escape their reality for a moment and be entertained and captivated.
CHARLIE BAKER he/him & they/them (Fight & Intimacy Direction) is thrilled to be returning to American Blues. Previous Blues productions include Roan @ the Gates. Charlie has also worked with Court Theater, Marriott Theater, University of Chicago, among others. Most recently Charlie served as guest resident intimacy director for the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and teaches intimacy direction with Intimacy Directors and Coordinators. Charlie would like to thank their mentor Rachel Flesher.
DANIEL C. BROWN he/him (Assistant Fight & Intimacy Direction) considers it an honor to assist in intimacy/violence design in this, his first collaboration with American Blues Theater. Other works of his include Hoodoo Love (Raven Theatre), Hang Man (The Gift), and Natural Affection (Eclipse Theater Company).
MONET FELTON they/them (Assistant Director) is a Director, Producer, Writer, Teaching Artist, and company member at Jackalope Theatre. Monet earned their BFA in Acting at The University of Illinois at Chicago, where they currently teach as an Adjunct Lecturer for their non-majors theatre class. They are currently studying to be certified in Alexander Technique. Monet is a proud member of the Steppenwolf Teaching Artist Cohort. They have had the opportunity of working theatre’s such as Chautauqua Theater Company, American Blues Theater, Jackalope Theatre, Stage 773, Court Theatre, Writers Theatre, Steppenwolf for Young Adults, Bluebird Arts, and Artistic Home. They are happy to be working with American Blues for the first time!
RACHEL WEST she/her (Associate Lighting Design and Master Electrician) is a proud Artistic Affiliate of American Blues Theater. She recently worked as Asst Lighting Designer & Master Electrician on It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago! and as Master Electrician on Stand Up If You’re Here Tonight. She has been serving as the Master Electrician for American Blues since 2018. Rachel is the Lighting Supervisor for Porchlight Music Theatre where she recently designed Nunsense and Passing Strange as part of their Revisits series of lost musicals. She works with The Black Ensemble Theater, Mercury Theater, and volunteers with the Maine-Niles Association of Special Recreation teaching theater to individuals with special needs. She is a Chicago-area native and a graduate of Boston University School of Theatre.
DELENA BRADLEY she/her (Associate Costume Designer) is a costume and scenic designer currently based out of Chicago, IL. She received her M.F.A. from The University of Texas at Austin in 2020. Recent credits include: costume design for Much Ado About Nothing at Asolo Repertory Theatre/FSU, costume and scenic design for The Infinite Energy of Ada Lovelace at Third Eye Theatre Ensemble (Chicago), costume design for; Alcina, Lucio Silla, and Albert Herring at Chicago Summer Opera, and production and costume design for Addict Named Hal a feature film by Lane Stanley (Austin, TX). Delena received her bachelor’s degree in Theatre Technology and Design from Ball State University in 2012.
SHANDEE VAUGHAN she/her (Production Manager) is a proud Artistic Affiliate of American Blues Theater and is excited to be working with this incredible team for Fences! Blues credits: Stand Up if You’re Here Tonight, Roan @ the Gates, Five Presidents, The Spitfire Grill, The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey, On Clover Road, It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago (2016 & 2018-2021), Flyin’ West, The Buddy Holly Story, The Columnist, and Little Shop of Horrors. Other recent Chicago credits include: In Every Generation (Victory Gardens), Time Is On Our Side (About Face Theatre), Deathscribe X (WildClaw Theatre), Night in Alachua County (WildClaw Theatre), and The Woman in Black (WildClaw Theatre). Shandee is a production manager and stage manager from Arizona. She is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association.
MANNY ORTIZ he/him (Technical Director) is a proud Artistic Affiliate of American Blues Theater. He is thrilled to be working with American Blues theater again after having Technical Directed The Spitfire Grill, It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!, Five Presidents, and Roan @ the Gates. Manuel received his BFA in Acting at DePaul University’s Theater School and expanded on his love for theater as a Technical Director, Scenic Designer, Props Master, Scenic Charge and many more! He has currently found a new path of educating and broadening the minds of grades 6th-12th in stagecraft and design for production at North Shore Country Day School. Using theater to show students the wonders of a creative mindset and approach to life in its many forms, Manuel hopes to better the theater community through education and mentorship.
CARA PARRISH she/her (Stage Manager) is a proud Ensemble Member of American Blues Theater where she is also the Office & HR Manager. Chicago credits include productions at Court Theatre, Writers Theatre, TimeLine Theatre Company, Drury Lane Theatre Oakbrook, and Chicago Children’s Theatre, as well as Stand Up If You’re Here Tonight, Beauty’s Daughter, and Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story at American Blues Theater. Cara thanks her family and friends for all of their love and support.
BREANA YOUNG she/her (Assistant Stage Manager) Growing up with a love for anything entertaining, she graduated from UIC with a bachelor’s degree in Theatre Design in 2017. Since then she has worked on many plays surrounding the Chicago area.
CARLY JO GEER she/her (Young Performer Supervisor) received her BA in Acting from Columbia College Chicago and since graduating, has dipped her toe in a variety of theatrical experiences. In order to fill her creative needs, Carly began writing and performing her own solo show, I Come From Hoarders which premiered in 2017 and was published in 2021 in At The Intersection of Disability and Drama: A Critical Anthology of New Plays. Carly Jo can also be heard as the voice of several Revlon hair product videos on Amazon. Besides acting, she also hosts a Degrassi recap podcast with her cousin Jessie Mack called “A Social Disease” which is available to stream on all major podcast apps. Carly Jo is excited to be a part of this cast as the young performer supervisor as it is a perfect combination of her love of theatre and children.
Scenic art provided by ALTMAN ART HAUS (Altman, Abbott, Gant).
COMMUNITY SERVICE
We raise awareness of other non-profit organizations’ great causes through creative collaborations. We’re proud to partner with Northwestern University’s The Family Institute, and Chicago Public Schools.
MORE INFORMATION ON AUGUST WILSON’S FENCES
Backstage Guide for August Wilson’s FENCES and Additional Resources
Inside look at August Wilson’s FENCES – read interviews, see designs, & learn more about the production.
Director’s Note for August Wilson’s FENCES
Read Director Monty Cole’s note for his re-imagined vision of August Wilson’s masterpiece.
Artistic Director’s Note for August Wilson’s FENCES
Read the welcome note by Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside.
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