Taking place on April 3, 1968, after the legendary civil rights leader delivers one of his most memorable speeches, the exhausted Dr. King retires to his room at the Lorraine Motel while a storm rages outside. When a mysterious stranger arrives and reveals a secret, Dr. King is forced to confront his destiny and his legacy to his people.
THE MOUNTAINTOP
The Mountaintop is a gripping reimagining of events the night before the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Taking place on April 3, 1968, after the legendary civil rights leader delivers one of his most memorable speeches, the exhausted Dr. King retires to his room at the Lorraine Motel while a storm rages outside. When a mysterious stranger arrives and reveals a secret, Dr. King is forced to confront his destiny and his legacy to his people.
Meet The Cast
Brian Sullivan Taylor
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Brian Sullivan Taylor is a SAG-AFTRA actor, director,
and acting coach from Southfield, Michigan. He has experience across film, television, theatre,
commercial, print, and voiceover. Brian is the founder of the award-winning Detroit Drama Studio, where
he trains actors using the Ivana Chubbuck technique.
He made his professional acting debut in 2017 in Detroit Public Theatre’s award-nominated production of
Dominique Morriseau’s Skeleton Crew. His theatre credits include Detroit ’67, Sunset Baby, Jesus Hopped
the “A” Train, the world premiere of Into the Side of a Hill at Flint Repertory Theatre, and the Michigan
premiere of Halftime with Don at Tipping Point Theatre.
On screen, Brian can be seen on Amazon Prime’s H-Block: McGraw Ave as Detective Harvey. He made his
directorial debut in 2023 at Tipping Point Theatre with their award-winning production of Driving Miss
Daisy. Brian is honored to portray Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in The Mountaintop.
Rebecca Rose Mims
Camae
REBECCA ROSE MIMS (Camae) (she/her) is overjoyed to be a part of the Detroit Public Theatre’s 2025 – 2026 season. Rose’s thespian history started around the corner at Mosaic Youth Theater of Detroit, and most recently, Rose acted in Here There Are Blueberries (Charlotte) at DPT. Some of her other theatrical credits include: Titania (Midsummer), Miranda (The Tempest), Emilia (Othello), Confederates (Sara), Intimate
Apparel (Esther U/S), Taylor (Stick Fly), and Elinor (Sense and Sensibility). Rose is a proud Detroiter and is deeply humbled to explore her artistry among family. Her deepest gratitude is extended to her parents and loved ones for their unwavering support. More than anything, Rose hopes that this production moves you, not to tears, but to action.
Meet The Creative Team
Brian Marable
Director
BRIAN MARABLE (Director) Detroit Public Theatre director: Detroit ‘67, Blues for an Alabama Sky; Detroit Public Theatre actor: Detroit ‘67, Skeleton Crew, Pipeline, Paradise Blue, Mud Row, Thurgood; Baltimore Center Stage: Detroit ‘67; The Old Globe and People’s Light Theater: Skeleton Crew; People’s Light Theater: Thurgood; Irish Classical Theatre: Thurgood; Studio Theatre: Hot Wing King; Performance 2
Network: The Mountaintop (Martin Luther King, Jr.), The Piano Lesson (Boy Willie); Purple Rose Theatre
Company: Superior Donuts (Franco). Tipping Point Theatre: Driving Miss Daisy. 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
Angie Ayriss
Production Stage Manager
Angeline has recently made her way back to the great city of Detroit after graduating with an MFA in Stage Management at Wayne State University in 2004. She is thrilled to be joining DPT’s eleventh season as Resident Stage Manager. Angeline has had the privilege of working across the country with The Midnight Circus, Circus Smirkus, and The Oregon Shakespeare Festival. She is so grateful for the support and love of her mom, partner and two amazing kiddos!
Badriyyah F. Wazeerud-Din
Assistant Stage Manager
Badriyyah F. Wazeerud-Din // Assistant Stage Manager (she/her)
Badriyyah is delighted to be part of the Detroit Public Theatre family. She was the PSM (Clyde’s), RSM (DPT’s Holiday Cabaret 2024) and an ASM (Detroit ’67 On Tour 2023-2025, Passing Strange, DPT’s Holiday Cabaret 2023 & 2025, Eight Nights, Blues for an Alabama Sky, Fat Ham, Soft Target) at DPT, stage manager/production assistant for the African World Festival, and a stage manager for the Obsidian Theatre Festival. Badriyyah is a captivating singer-songwriter/recording/voiceover artist who enjoys telling stories through music. Family and friends bring her the greatest blessings and joy. IG: @badriyyahthesinger
Alison Dobbins
Projection Designer
Alison Dobbins, Professor of Integrated Performance Media Design at Michigan State University, most recently designed projections for A Driving Beat at the Flint Repertory Theatre and A Very Northville Christmas at Tipping Point. Dobbins is the project director and creator of Dance Engine, Shark! The Interactive Musical, BranchOut, Mostly Human, The Poetic Dramas of Mina Loy and other interdisciplinary art projects that focus on audience engagement and creating community through performance.
Matt Taylor
Lighting Designer
MATT TAYLOR (Lighting Designer) is a professional lighting designer for live entertainment and an associate professor at Wayne State University in Detroit, MI. He’s thrilled to return to Detroit Public Theatre, where previous credits include Eight Nights and the 2023 Holiday Cabaret. His work spans theatre, dance, concerts, and cruise ships, with his work seen on Broadway, Off-Broadway, and at major regional theatres including the Old Globe (San Diego), Ford’s Theatre (Washington, DC), and internationally at Centro de Convenciones Figali (Panamá City, Panamá). Additional credits include Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines and Busch Gardens Williamsburg. Matt is a proud member of United Scenic Artists Local 829. Visit www.matttaylordesign.lighting. Instagram @tailormadesc313
Moníka Essen
Scenic and 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. She has also designed for the Atlanta Opera, Florida Grand Opera and Cincinnati Opera. Some local favorite productions include The Impossibility of Now and A Christmas Carol at Tipping Point Theatre, Alabaster and Be Here Now at Williamston Theatre, and American Hero, Paradise Blue, and Blues for an Alabama Sky here at Detroit Public Theatre. She is currently designing projections for “Turandot” at the Music Hall Theatre. Additionally, she creates art, furniture, museum exhibits, interiors and full sensory, multi-media environments for residential and commercial clients, including the Detroit Zoo. All her design work can be viewed at www.studioepoque.com.
Toni Davison
Costume Designer
Toni Davison is a Metro Detroit-based costume designer and costume technician. As a little girl, she would write plays and assemble the neighborhood kids to perform them in the clubhouse in her backyard. Curious about other people’s journeys for as long as she can remember, she is fortunate to be able to use her skills to visually communicate their stories to others. Seeing her designs go from living rent free in her head to realized pieces in motion on stage never gets old.
Toni loves working with other creatives to produce wonderful experiences for audiences to enjoy. Toni wishes to express immense gratitude to the team at Detroit Public Theatre for entrusting her with this production as well as all of the collaborators on The Mountaintop. Lastly, she would like to thank her husband, Darrell, for his love and support.
Denitra Townsend Gregory
Make-up and Wig Consultant
Denitra’s creative expertise combines 15+ years as an Image Consultant with 13 years of experience in theater and film. As a member of the Detroit Opera Wig & Makeup Crew, she has contributed to numerous local productions and major motion pictures. Denitra’s career includes creative directing, producing, and designing for her own productions, alongside expertise in transforming how people present themselves through intentional styling. This unique intersection of artistry and image consulting brings a distinct perspective to character development and visual storytelling. She is also co-founder of Twelve 12 Coffee Co., a specialty coffee brand rooted in intentionality. Always a Detroiter, she is devoted to helping individuals discover confidence through the transformative power of style and presentation.
Chris Corporandy
Dialect Design & Coach
Chris Corporandy (Dialect Design and Coaching) has performed, coached, and taught around the world but loves Detroit best. Voice/Speech/Dialects (selected): American Hero, Murder Ballad, Dot, Beauty Queen of Leenane, Noura, Passing Strange, Eight Nights, Confederates (DPT); Blood at the Root, One Man Two Guv’nors, Noises Off, Taming of the Shrew (Chautauqua Theatre Co.); The Letts Fest (Alliance Theatre); Venus, Angels in America, The Colored Museum, King Lear, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, As You Like It (Hilberry Rep). Acting (selected): Dot, Birthday Candles (DPT); Dan Cody’s Yacht, Love’s Labour’s Lost, The Romeo & Juliet Project (Chautauqua); The Brown Bull (Cherry Lane). Film: Savannah, The Wolf of Wall Street. MFA: Acting, Hilberry Rep. BFA: Acting, NYU Tisch. Certified in Knight-Thompson Speech Work. Chris is grateful to Mr. Marable, the wonderful cast, and the DPT family for trusting him on this one.
Amanda Grace Ewing
Intimacy Coordinator
Amanda Grace Ewing [she/her] is a facilitator, dramaturg, and intimacy choreographer passionate about advocacy and community building. Amanda’s current creative work is parenting – she tells stories, plays pretend, and problem solves every day. She is proud to be the Connectivity Manger for A Host of People, the former Director of the University of Michigan’s Educational Theatre Company (ETC), and a former Artistic Director of BoxFest Detroit.
Lumumba Leon Reynolds II
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. In his teens, Lumumba was a DJ for house parties, cabarets and various hall parties including the Boblo Boat. After graduating from Cooley High School, Lumumba 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, teaches sound design and engineering at Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit, and is honored to contribute to the storytelling excellence that is always on display at Detroit Public Theatre.
Patrick Hanley
Fight Direction
Patrick has been with DPT since season two. He has worked as a stage manager (Skeleton Crew), house manager, build crew, designer, technician, and continues to be involved with DPT’s Shakespeare in Prison program as a facilitator and fight choreographer. Outside of DPT, Patrick was the former Education Director for Water Works Theatre Company, directing both the Teen Ensemble and KidsAct! programs. He also freelances as a director and fight choreographer. Patrick holds a BFA in Acting from Wayne State University. His selective credits include productions with Wayne State University, University Liggett Schools, Open Book Theatre Company, Matrix Theatre Company, Shakespeare in Detroit, the Elizabeth Theatre at the Park Bar, and numerous shows with Planet Ant Theatre.
