In a New York City apartment building bustling with news and gossip about the luminaries of the Harlem Renaissance, a close-knit group of friends has become a chosen family. New roommates Angel and Guy — a recently fired blues singer and a promising costume designer with Paris in his sights — live across the hall from Delia, a social worker who sparks a relationship with the hardworking doctor Sam. Their lives are upturned when Southern newcomer Leland arrives and falls hard for Angel, who is torn between a stable life in Manhattan and an exhilarating overseas adventure with Guy. Angel chooses her path, but the decision leads to devastating consequences that shift the trajectory of everyone’s futures and long-held dreams. This modern classic by celebrated native Detroit playwright Pearl Cleage has profound relevance to our current times even as it is set during the Harlem Renaissance on the cusp of the Great Depression.
Blues For An Alabama Sky
In a New York City apartment building bustling with news and gossip about the luminaries of the Harlem Renaissance, a close-knit group of friends has become a chosen family.
Meet The Cast
Mildred Victoria Penman
Angel
Mildred Victoria Penman is based out of Los Angeles, CA. A proud graduate of Brooklyn College’s BFA Theatre program. Mildred is passionate about storytelling in all expressive mediums. Her most recent notable work includes Pipeline (DPT) ,The Mountaintop at the Villagers Theatre, The Girls of Summer at St Luke Theatre (Off Broadway) and Josh the Black Babe Ruth at the Theatre for the New City in New York City. Mildred’s first love is the Theatre and is so enamored to be working with Detroit Public Theatre. Special thanks to her life scene partners D’Angelo and Delilah. Connect @MildredVictoria.
Izaya Spencer
Guy
Detroit native, Izaya Spencer began his career in the arts as a creative writer and poetic orator in InsideOut/Citywide Poets program. In 2009, after being featured in several publications and performing his work across the state of Michigan, Izaya earned a spot on the Detroit SLAM team and went on to participate in HBO’S Brave New Voices competition in Chicago. By 2015, Izaya evolved his passion for performance art into the production Collaborations (2015) that brought together many independent writers, directors, and producers. Here, he worked under the direction of Don Snipes and Dana Elam, which lead to him furthering his education under the tutelage of acting coaches like Brian Taylor, Rich Goteri, and Henri Franklin to name a few.
In 2019, after being featured in a slew of independent film and stage productions, Izaya was cast in the psychological-thriller, Dangerous Creation. Following its national and international success, the film participated in the 2022 Calella Film Festival in Spain. The film amassed over 30 awards, two of which Izaya earned for Best Actor. Izaya is currently featured by muralist and painter, Ijania Cortez at The University of Michigan. Where the art is said to remind all that anything is possible and nothing we want is closed to us. Izaya is elated to continue his new journey here at The Detroit Public Theatre starring in Blues for an Alabama Sky, and would like to dedicate his performance to anyone brave enough to dream.
Henri Franklin
Sam
HENRÍ FRANKLIN is an award winning SAG-AFTRA actor based out of Detroit, MI. After obtaining his Bachelors Degree from Wayne State Universityʼs Theater Program, he went on to work professionally in the fields of stage, film, television, commercials and voice over. Some of his notable career accomplishments include Days of Our Lives and Chicago P.D. on NBC, Detroiters on Comedy Central, Low Winter Sun on AMC, Batman Vs Superman for Warner Bros., commercial and voice work for Ford, Chevrolet, G.U.M., T. Rowe Price and many others plus productions of Dominique Morisseauʼs Pipeline, Detroit’ 67 and Paradise Blue. You can see him as Ahmed in Richard Wesley’s Black Terror (produced by Tina Knowles – Lawson and directed by Richard Lawson) coming soon. Henrí is honored to have been able to work with Detroit Public Theatre for several years now and looks forward to continuing to do work that continues to change people’s lives for the better! You can follow his journey at www.henrifranklin.com and @henrifranklin on social media platforms.
Shaunie Lewis
Delia
Shaunie Lewis (they/she) is an actor and DJ from the west side of Detroit who couldn’t be happier to make their regional theater debut in their hometown! Recent credits include: NY THEATRE: Is God Is (BAI); Rock Medea(workshop); Wyld Woman: The Legend of Shy Girl (tour). FILM/TV: Atrabilious; Third Wheel. Shaunie is a proud graduate of the University of Michigan and is currently based in Brooklyn, NY.
Links to music and upcoming projects can be found on shaunielewis.com.
IG: @itz_shaunie_k
Jesse Boyd-Williams
Leland
Jesse Boyd-Williams is an actor, writer, director, and voice-over artist currently pursuing a B.A. in Theatre at Wayne State University. A 2017 graduate in vocal studies from Detroit School of Arts, he received rigorous training in classical, jazz, and choral ensemble music. In 2022, he achieved his A.A. in Telecommunication from Henry Ford College, a milestone marked by a distinguished internship at the esteemed Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit. He currently serves as a Deans Delegate and Student Ambassador for the College of Fine, Performing & Communication Arts at Wayne State University. A winner of the 2023 Black Theatre Network’s StudentQuest Monologue competition, Jesse actively serves on the executive board. His TV/Film credits include; BMF (Season 2), No Sudden Move (2021); Why Me!? (2022); Listen to The Silence (2022); and I Declare War (2014). His theatre credits include; Hastings Street (Emmanuel Wheathers); A Raisin in The Sun(Joseph Asagai); Dreamgirls (Wayne); Broke-ology (Ennis King); Marcus; or the Secret of Sweet (Oshoosi Size); The Lightening Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical (Brunner/Chiron/Ares); Rocky Horror Show (Narrator); and In The Heights(Jose). You can follow Jesse on Instagram @officialjessebw.
Meet The Creative Team
Brian Marable
Director
Detroit Public Theatre: Detroit ‘67, Skeleton Crew, Pipeline; Baltimore Center Stage: Detroit ‘67; The Old Globe and People’s Light Theater: Skeleton Crew; Performance Network: The Mountaintop (Martin Luther King, Jr.), The Piano Lesson (Boy Willie); Purple Rose Theatre Company: Superior Donuts (Franco). Film/ TV—Have a Little Faith (Hallmark Movie), The Citizen (2012, Monterey Media), Low Winter Sun (AMC), Standing in the Shadows of Motown (James Jamerson). Education— Howard University, Wayne State University.
Noah Eisenberg
Assistant Director
Noah Eisenberg (he/him) is an NYC-based director/producer and a Detroit native! Recent credits include a reimagined Songs From An Unmade Bed (Director, 54 Below), a site specific Eelegies: A Song Cycle (Director, Dive 106), Jersey Boys (Asst. Director, Maltz Jupiter Theater), and Murder On The Orient Express (Asst. Director/Male Understudy, Cape Playhouse). Noah serves as the Executive Director for NYC arts organization, the Red Ribbon Revue, and was a co-producer on the Obie Award winning off-Broadway run of Circle Jerk. He is also the founder and CEO of new production company Ice Berg Productions. Proud graduate of the University of Michigan’s BFA Musical Theater program. Fun fact: Noah served as DPT’s FIRST intern back in 2017! A million thank yous to Brian, Sarah, Courtney, Sarah Clare, the cast and crew, and my family. It’s truly an honor to be back at the theater that feels like home. www.noaheisenberg.net @noaheisenberg426
Doran Kojan
Stage Manager
Doran Konja (he/him) – Doran is a Theatre Artist who is more than excited to be back for DPT’s 9th Season. As a local Chaldean artist, he deeply appreciates DPT’s efforts to reflect the unique and diverse communities in Detroit through the work we produce. Some of his most memorable credits outside of DPT were with Shakespeare in Detroit (Detroit), The In[HEIR]itance Project (Detroit), The Agency (Chicago), and The New Coordinates (Chicago). This will most likely be the last show he works in professional theatre before returning to the family business. He would like to deeply thank DPT for giving him an artistic home over the past year and a half, and for Patrick, Badriyyah, Jalise, and Owen for being the dream team. “You helped me achieve heights I never dreamed of”.
Badriyyah F. Wazeerud-Din
Assistant Stage Manager
Badriyyah is delighted to be a part of the DPT family. She has worked on DPT productions Mud Row, Noura, The Peculiar Patriot (build crew/light board); and Detroit ’67 On Tour, Passing Strange, Eight Nights, and DPT’s Holiday Cabaret (Assistant Stage Manager). She has been a stage manager and production assistant for the African World Festival, and a stage manager for the Obsidian Theatre Festival. As a resident of Detroit, DPT’s creative space in the community resonates deeply with her, where diverse and powerful stories come to life. She loves the performing arts and has appeared in musical theatre productions and has performed as an instrumentalist. Badriyyah is a captivating singer-songwriter, recording, and voiceover artist who enjoys performing and telling stories through music. She has performed and recorded with many artists including Painted Pictures, Malik Alston & The Linwood Ensemble, Sean Blackman, and Veronique. Her current well-received vinyl EP project is “You Are The One” (Truth Manifest Records). Family and friends bring her the greatest blessings and joy. IG: @badriyyahthesinger
Christianne Myers
Costume Designer
Christianne Myers is delighted to be back at DPT (Marie & Rosetta, Dot, Beauty Queen…). She is a freelance costume designer and Prof. of Theatre & Drama at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. New York highlights include the Obie Award-winning productions of Music Theatre Group’s Running Man and Blue Light’s production of Dare Clubb’s Oedipus. Other design credits include productions for The Santa Fe Opera, The Detroit Public Theatre, The Juilliard School, The Vermont Stage Company, The Lincoln Center Institute, The Clarence Brown Theatre, The Syracuse Stage, The Indiana Repertory Theatre, Theatreworks/USA, The Caldwell Theatre, The Irondale Ensemble, Opera Memphis, and The Santa Fe Opera. At U-M, she has designed more than fifty productions, including Henry IV, A Little Night Music, and Caroline, or Change.
Cornell Jermaine
Hair & Makeup Designer
Cornell Jermaine is a dedicated wig designer known for his passion for enhancing beauty and commitment to professionalism. He has an exceptional track record in the entertainment and fashion industries, with a keen eye for detail and a relentless pursuit of excellence. Cornell has significantly contributed to numerous Broadway productions such as Beautiful: The Carole King Story, August Wilson’s Jitney, Disney’s Lion King, and more, as well as television and film projects like BMF: Black Family Mafia (Starz), Eddie Murphy’s Beverly Hills Cops, and OWN’s Greenleaf. His artistic expertise and dedication make him a distinctive artist, committed to helping individuals shine on and off the stage.
Lumumba Reynolds
Audio Designer
Lumumba Leon Reynolds II was educated in Detroit Public Schools. During the summers of his youth, he studied stagecraft and public speaking under renowned entertainer, Motown artist Kim Weston’s Festival For The Performing Arts. After graduating from Cooley High School he went on to earn a degree from Specs Howard School of Broadcast Arts. Lumumba has a passion for sound design, has been a practitioner since the 80’s, and is honored to be an educator of theatrical arts in Metro Detroit.
Moníka Essen
Scenic & Props Designer
Moníka Essen is an award winning, nationally recognized artist and designer. The recipient of the prestigious Lawrence DeVine Award for Outstanding Contribution to Theatre, she studied Interior Architecture and Environmental Design at Parsons School of Design NYC and received her MFA in Scenography from the renowned Hilberry Repertory Co. Moníka has designed over 300 productions in theatre, opera and film, and is currently the Resident Designer at the Detroit Opera where she has just recently designed their highly acclaimed productions of Frida and Bliss, and is currently designing Europeras 3 & 4 there. She has also designed for the Atlanta Opera, Florida Grand Opera and Cincinnati Opera. Some local favorite productions include The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, The Impossibility of Now and A Christmas Carol at Tipping Point Theatre, Alabaster and Be Here Now at Williamston Theatre, and Murder Ballad, American Hero, Paradise Blue, and Passing Strange at Detroit Public Theatre. Additionally, she creates art, furniture, museum exhibits, interiors and full sensory, multimedia environments for residential and commercial clients, including the Detroit Zoo. All her design work can be viewed at www.studioepoque.com.
Jen Pan
Intimacy & Fight Coordinator
Jen Pan (she/they) is a Ypsilanti-based fight and intimacy director, actor, and stunt performer. Her work has recently seen at Passing Strange, Eight Nights (Detroit Public Theatre), The Play That Goes Wrong, Jekyll & Hyde (Croswell Opera House), Life on the Moon (Detroit Repertory Theatre), Obsidian Theatre Festival, Perfect Arrangement (PTD Productions), and Henry V (Livonia Shakespeare in the Park). In addition to their training with the Society of American Fight Directors (SAFD), Dueling Arts International (DAI), and Intimacy Directors & Coordinators (IDC), they are also a co-founder and lead instructor at Theatrica Gladiatoria in SE Michigan where they teach year-round classes and workshops in stage and film combat(www.fightglad.com).
