Zooman and the Sign: A Play by Charles Fuller

**PREVIEW AND MEET & GREET: SEPTEMBER 14TH @ 6:30PM (Meet & Greet immediately following. FREE no RSVP needed. Donations welcome at the door.)

SCHEDULE:

• Friday, September 15, 2023 7:00PM (doors open 6:30)
• Saturday, September 16, 2023 7:00PM (doors open 6:30)
• Sunday, September 17, 2023 4:00PM (doors open 3:30) *Director's talk before the show
• Friday, September 22, 2023 7:00PM (doors open 6:30) *talkback immediately following show
• Saturday, September 23, 2023 7:00PM (doors open 6:30)
• Sunday, September 24, 2023, 4:00PM (doors open 3:30) *talkback immediately following show

Come join us for an exciting in-person event at The Avenue Blackbox Theatre! Get ready to be captivated by the powerful storytelling of Charles Fuller's play, Zooman and the Sign directed by David Shakes (North Star Players).

This thought-provoking drama explores themes of justice, community, and personal responsibility. Don't miss this opportunity to witness this powerful cast bring this important story to life on stage. Immerse yourself in the intimate atmosphere of the theater and experience the raw emotions of this compelling play. Mark your calendars for an unforgettable night of entertainment that will leave you questioning societal norms and reflecting on the dilemma of standing up for what's right.

Set in Philadelphia in 1979, Zooman senselessly terrorizes his community. When he kills a 12-year-old Black girl on the street, all witnesses refuse to talk. Bereaved and infuriated, the dead girl's father posts a sign accusing the entire community of cowardice in the face of escalating violence.

• Zooman - Anderson Allen
• Rueben Tate - Wallace House
• Rachel Tate - Ashona Pulliam
• Emmett Tate - Robin Brown
• Victor Tate - Antonio "Sight" Muñiz
• Russell Adams - Jordan Williams
• Donald Jackson - Irving Murph
• Ash Boswell - Amaris "Tippy" White (Understudy: Sheila Rankin)
• Grace George - Vanessa Ryland-Buntley

Technical Direction, Set & Lighting Design by Reenah Golden (Founder/Artitistic Director)

• Zooman and the Sign (1982)
• A Soldier’s Play (1981 Pulitzer Prize Winner)
• The Brownsville Raid (1976)

Charles Fuller was born in Philadelphia. He achieved critical notice in 1969 with The Village: A Party. He later wrote plays for the Henry Street Settlement theatre and the Negro Ensemble Company in New York. His 1975 play The Brownsville Raid, won him critical acclaim. He won an Obie Award for Zooman and the Sign in 1980. His next work, A Soldier's Play, was a critical success, winning the 1982 Pulitzer Prize, Best American Play, New York Critics and Edgar Awards. He later adapted the script into the 1984 film A Soldier's Story. Directed by Norman Jewison the film and his screenplay were nominated for Academy Awards, a Golden Globe Award, and a Writers Guild of America Award. Fuller has received grants from the Rockefeller Foundation, Guggenheim Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts. He has also written short fiction, a novella 'Snatch: The Adventures of David and Me in Old New York' for young readers, screenplays for CBS, Showtime, NBC and PBS, and worked as a motion picture producer. He is a member of the Dramatist Guild and Writers Guild of America, East. A new play One Night…commissioned by Cherry Lane Theatre played in 2013 in New York City.

David A. Shakes, born in Philadelphia, PA, was raised in Brooklyn, NY, where his interest in dramatic arts was nurtured as a young student in the schools of New York City. David continued his work as a young adult during the Black Arts Movement of the late 60’s and early 70’s and became one of the founding members of the Spirit House Movers and Players, a prominent theatre company that presented dramatic and poetic works around the country, under the direction of Amiri Baraka (LeRoi Jones). As a member of Spirit House Movers and Players, the group produced two performance albums, Nation Time and A Black Mass. During that time, he worked and studied with many dramatists and authors including Haki Mhadabuti, Woodie King, Jr. and Yusef Iman; he also studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. In addition, he shared the stage with theatrical icons including Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee, Samuel L. Jackson, Debbie Morgan, Lou Myers, Theresa Merritt, and Josh Brolin.

Mr. Shakes is a long-time resident of Rochester and has worked with numerous theater groups in the Rochester community as an actor, director, guest artist, and producer in performances and productions that have received critical as well as public acclaim. At GeVa Theatre Center, his roles included actor, director, teaching artist, and he acted in, as well as consulted in the mounting of August Wilson’s Century. In 2022, GeVa Theatre Center presented David with the Essie Calhoun Diversity in the Arts Award. He also was a contributing artist at the JCC Centerstage, Shipping Dock, Blackfriars, RAPA, Downstairs Cabaret Theatre, Eastman Theater with Kathleen Battle and the Rochester Community Players. In addition, Mr. Shakes founded the Village Theatre, showcasing many budding, local actors and was director of Public Arts Services, bringing performing arts to hospitals, nursing homes, and correctional facilities. Currently, he is artistic director of the North Star Players, an artist-in-residence at The MuCCC and collabortive producer at Avenue Blackbox Theatre.

Mr. Shakes is an actor in local films. His film credits include Brick by Brick, an award winning short film, directed by Tina Chapman DaCosta, Look Where He Brought Me From, The Alphabet Killer, Cherry Crush, and Cotton Comes to Harlem. In addition, he has worked on advertising campaigns and is a historical interpreter of such persons as Langston Hughes, William Wells Brown, Dr. Martin Luther King, and Frederick Douglass. Douglass’ words are particularly inspiring and relevant and his message of dignity, justice, and freedom rings throughout the ages. The study, coaching, and presentation of the works of Frederick Douglass are especially important and ongoing work for him. For decades, Mr. Shakes has also designed and coordinated arts enrichment programs for hospitals,nursing homes and incarcerated persons presenting artists such as Dizzy Gillespie, Sonia Sanchez, Hali Madhubuti, Felipe Luciano, Joe Locke and Spider Martin. David has been producing, directing and presenting theatre in the Rochester community for over forty six years.

Mr. Shakes received a BS from Empire State College and a MSW from Syracuse University’s School of Social Work. He is a retired Rochester City School District social worker.

We are grateful for financial support for our 5th Anniversary Season from County of Monroe, City of Rochester-ArtsBloom, the Leah Lozano Memorial Fund for the Avenue Children's Theatre Project, our generous O.W.Ls, angels and monthly donors . Visit avenuetheatre.org/donate for tax deductible options to join the family of supporters

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

The Avenue Blackbox Theatre, 780 Joseph Avenue, Rochester, United States

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