Theatrical Productions
Current Productions
- On the Front Line
James E. Hurd, Jr. and Linda Bannister have co-written (with several other playwrights) a new play, On the Front Line: Three Generations of Soldiers' Voices, directed by Judith Royer, CSJ.
James E. Hurd, Jr. also has a starring role in the production.- Turpentine Jake
The Turpentine Jake trailer is currently available for viewing on YouTube. View the trailer!
Turpentine Jake is a two-act drama based on oral histories we gathered from surviving centenarian Turpentine workers of the Florida pine forests, circa 1900-1960. Turpentine workers, mostly Blacks, enslaved under debt peonage to the camp owners and the company store, rarely escaped. Beatings, bloodhounds, manhunts and lynching were commonly used to deter those fleeting the camps.The title character, Turpentine Jake, (based on co-author James Hurd's Grandfather Jake) is an experienced turpentiner and a storyteller who helps his fellow workers assert some control over their crushingly oppressive environment by spinning tales and songs that celebrate life in all its forms. The play is an ensemble piece, a slice-of-life in the camps where Blacks and Whites negotiated coexistence, sometimes uneasily. One Saturday night in a makeshift jook over a skin game, that uneasy coexistence sputters into flame, igniting the Florida pine forest and the workers. Jake, aided by the Woods Witch, hatches a plot to escape turpentining once and for all. The play includes original work songs and folk tales.
Turpentine Jake was performed Aug. 1 –24, 2008, at the Del Rey Theatre, Los Angeles, CA.
Production Photos
Production photos taken by Suzanne Sirota, Derek Shaun, and Kohl Adams-Hurd.
Cast Bios
- Catero Alain Colbert (Pappy, Shamus)
A working actor by the age of seven, Colbert migrated from Chicago to Los Angeles at fourteen to pursue his career. He has appeared in several television shows including "Baywatch," "Boston Public," "American Dad," and "CSI: Miami." On the big screen he worked with the late Tupac Shakure and James Belushi in Gang Related and in the Bill Cosby film adaptation of Fat Albert. As a composer and performer, Catero worked extensively with Quincy Jones, and has written songs with Rod Temperton, Lamont Dozier, and the husband and wife team Barry Man and Cynthia Weil to name a few.
- Eljaye (Ossie, Tush)
Eljaye is originally from Chicago where at young age he immediately to took to theatre. It has been rumored that it all started when his mother told him to go to his room and not come out until he learned how to act… he's been trying to get it right ever since. Some of his favorite roles on stage are, and not limited to: Cobb in A Soldier's Play, Boyet in Shakespeare's Loves Labour Lost, Julian in Communicating Doors, and Roger in Streamers. Now, Eljaye can be seen on many a stage and TV doing stand-up comedy. He can also be in the films: 305, Losing Faith, Consignment and Skidmarks, which are all tearing up the straight to video market.
- Jerome Anthony Hawkins (Runaway, Spence, Joe)
Jerome Hawkins was born in 1979 in San Francisco, California. While earning a degree in finance at LMU, he landed a role in a student thesis production of Blues for Mister Charlie by James Baldwin, which ignited his passion for acting. He went on to play back-to-back leading roles in main stage productions of Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun (Walter Lee) and the title role in William Shakespeare's Macbeth. Over the past few years, Jerome has worked steadily in independent film and theatre in the Los Angeles area. He currently has three films in major video distribution including A Night in Compton, Consignment and In With Thieves. He acted in "Poet of the Swinging Blade," which has been invited to eight festivals internationally. He also recently completed the successful run of an original theatrical production titled "Multiverse" by Richard Robinson. Jerome made his debut at this year's 2008 Sundance Film Festival with two films in participation: North Starr, (a Grand Jury Prize nominee), Jerome's first feature length lead performance, and A Good Day to be Black and Sexy.
- Jim Holmes (Co-Director, Mr. Peavy)
Jim's recent directing credits include The Laramie Project by Moises Kaufman for Loyola Marymount University last spring, A Gift From Heaven by David Steen at The Beverly Hills Playhouse, Phanos a six-part play reading series for the Center for Sacred Story, Studio City, CA and Badge for the Hayworth Theatre, Los Angeles Celebrity Reading series with Carol Kane. He won a Drama Critics Circle Award for his direction of David Steen's Avenue A at the CAST Theatre Los Angeles and directed a revival in 2001 off-Broadway. For the past 25 years Jim has consistently worked as an actor in film, television and theatre. He has had multiple national contracts for television commercials and was the signature voice for Radio Shack from 1997 – 2006. He has guest-starred in numerous television programs including, Entourage, Boston Legal and played Dr. Arthur Welton in 24 (season six). He had recurring roles in several shows Randall Browning on NYPD Blue, Ken Kirstenbaum on Civil Wars and ASA Harcourt on Judging Amy. He was a series regular on Showtime's Bedtime Stories and Fox's Fashion House. Recent film credits include Beauty Shop alongside Djimon Hounsou and Queen Latifah, Garden Party recently at the Seattle Film Festival and he can be seen in the upcoming Disney release, Confessions of a Shopaholic. Jim holds an MFA from California Institute of the Arts and is currently an adjunct professor of acting at Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles.
- Shamika Franklin (Musical Director, Nella)
Shamika is very happy to be joining the cast and crew of Turpentine Jake, as a long friend and colleague of both James and Linda she feels honored to serve in the roles of Nella and musical director for this incredible, spiritual show. Wearing many hats, Shamika's work has ranged from producing independent projects with her non-profit "The Restoration Project" and working at Sundance Institute. In addition, she has worked as a performer for many regional theatres across America and can be seen in commercials for Boston Market, and Leap Frog. Her most recent musical role, includes performing with the Jambalaya Jazz Band, 7 days a week at Disneyland's New Orleans Square as the sassy, yet lovable Queen of N'awlins "Queenie."
- James E. Hurd, Jr. (Co-Director, Playwright, Jake)
James was raised in Wewahitchka, Florida, and began his theatre work at Florida State University and Florida A&M, where he starred in The Mighty Gent and Room Beneath the Blues. His leading role L.A. stage work includes Sentence of Silence, No Longer an Alien, Living on the Edge, The Split, Room 1222, (which he also wrote and directed in workshop), Peeled and Speaking of Charlie, which opened at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre in 2005. Hurd recently completed the feature films Columbus Day, Jive Chicken, Duplicator, Red Herring, Able Edwards, Compton Cowboy and Consignment. He appeared in episodes of "General Hospital" and "Murder She Wrote," and he starred in the film Repo Jake. His film debut was in Something Wild with Melanie Griffith and Jeff Daniels. Hurd is also a playwright and director, co-authoring civil rights-themed dramas with Linda Bannister. He wrote One Sunday in Mississippi, a one-act play about the murders of civil rights workers in 1964, was featured at the National Black Theater Festival 2003. Hurd spent 13 years working in the art departments of feature films including The Five Heartbeats, Sneakers, Next Friday, Batman & Robin, What Lies Beneath, Dog Catcher and Like Mike. Hurd also co-authored, directed and produced "Poet of the Swingin' Blade," which was a finalist at 8 international festivals. The short won "Best Message Film" at The San Diego Black Film Festival.
- Rae'Ven Larrymore Kelly (Woods Witch)
Through the careful guidance and support of her parents, with her mom as manager, Rae'Ven has had the fortune of performing in a wide range of high quality projects for film and television: she starred in A Time to Kill as Tonya Hailey; What's Love Got To Do With It as young Tina Turner; Ghosts of Mississippi as Rena Evers; How to Make an American Quilt as young Anna; Blossoms and Veils as EM; Underclassmen as Qweenshawn Washington; Tournament of Dreams as Slick. A sample of her credentials for television and made for TV movies include recent guest-starring on Disney's Hannah Montanna as Olivia; Buffy the Vampire Slayer as Lisa; Freedom Song as Dora Charles; Maximum Bob as Wanda Grace; Ditchdigger's Daughters as Jeanette; Even Stevens; Any Day Now; City of Angels as Savannah; Scrooge as young Ebenita; Lily in Winter as Louetta; and America's Dream as Laura. Rae'Ven's most recent theatre work include the lead in For Colored Girls Who have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf at The Stella Adler Theatre; the California premiere of Regina Taylor's Crowns as Yolanda; Mazel Tov & Black-Eyed Peas as Maya and Achieving the Dream as Lead Vocalist.
- Joshua Nazaroff (Charlie)
Joshua is a senior theatre major at Loyola Marymount University. Previous stage productions include Roberto Zucco, M*A*S*H, Get Smart, and Elephant Man. Joshua is excited to be a part of this production of Turpentine Jake and is thankful for this opportunity.
- Julius Noflin (Cy)
A native of Chicago, Illinois, Julius has done a number of commercial and theatrical projects. Some of his stage credits include The Boys Next Door, The Connection, and Macbett, among others. He can be seen in the upcoming film Hollywood Dreams due next year. He is very pleased to be a part of this production and thanks the audience for their support.
- Ebony Perry (Hattie)
Ebony Perry is a native of Little Rock, Arkansas. At the age of 10 her mother encouraged her to take acting classes at the Arkansas Art Center. Since then acting has always been her passion. Ebony furthered her education at Clark Atlanta University and received a BA in Theatre Arts. After graduation, she acted with Climb Theatre in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota where she toured throughout mid-America performing children's theatre. She later moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in television and film. Her credits include Speaking of Charlie at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre, Flyin' West, Tambourines to Glory, Morning, Noon, and Night and Medea. Ebony would like to thank God, the cast and crew, all of her friends and family for their support. For moreinformation please visit www.ebonyperry.com.
- Patrick Rafferty (Mr. Peavy)
Patrick Rafferty has co-starred on "Carpoolers" on ABC and recently completed a co-starring role on the pilot "Night Life" for ABC studios, directed by Zach Braff. Patrick has performed in productions of Bye, Bye Birdie, Blues for Mister Charlie, Prvt. Wars and The Bad Seed. Patrick appeared in the theatrical film, The Rockville Slayer. From Chicago, Patrick has studied improvisation with the Second City in both Chicago and Hollywood. Patrick would like to thank the Kohl Players for the opportunity.
- Quent Schierenberg (Woodsrider, U.S. Marshal)
This is Quent Schierenberg's third play 40 somethin' years. He starred in the Preston Surges, Jr. comedy, The Split in 2002, which won a NoHo Arts Award. Before that, he was the Candlestick Maker stuck in a tub with a butcher and baker...he was six. Although he had no lines, his larger than life presence in "City of Angels" graced the film as a cowboy on a billboard. Quent has worked for 20 years in the Art Departments of T.V. and Features, notably "Friends," "News Radio," Breakers, Memoirs of a Geisha, Switchback and many, many others. Quent is also a country music songwriter and dedicates this performance to tolerance.
- Derek Shaun (Jake, Tush)
Derek is a native of Memphis, Tennessee. When he's not working on a film or on a set somewhere, you can always find him on stage. Some of his most memorable performances were as Walter Lee Younger in A Raisin In The Sun, Harper Edwards in The First Breeze Of Summer, and Pvt. Garrison in the Layon Gray production of GHOSTS, which was performed in front of sell-out crowds. He just finished shooting the Walter Richardson directed film, Forgive Us Our Transgressions which will be screened later this year, as well as making the festival rounds. Derek will co-produce his first feature film in 2009. Featured in Backstage West for the entire year of '07 as 1 of 5 "Actors To Watch," he has also done work in commercial voice-overs, music videos, and is always looking for any and every opportunity to create. Derek would like to thank his family for keeping him humble, his friends who have been extremely supportive since the beginning stages, James and Linda for believing and trusting in his work, and God for, not only allowing him to be where he is at this point in his career, but for every place within this beautiful journey that he has yet to go. He can be contacted at: poetjazz@aol.com.
- Anthony G. Smith (Mr. Blount)
A modern day Renaissance Man, Anthony has had a varied and wide-ranging life and is convinced there is nothing he can't do. After a stint in the US Air Force and careers in the telecom and the automotive industries, as a college teacher and a business executive, Anthony moved to Hollywood to pursue an acting career. He has since appeared in leading, supporting and background roles on stage, in television, and in films. He has an MBA from the University of Texas and is a member of the Screen Actors Guild. Anthony's stage roles include Blues for Mr. Charlie, The Bad Seed, and The Interrogation.
- Carlin Smith (Woods Witch)
Carlin migrated to Los Angeles, California from her hometown of Roanoke, Virginia in 1975. Her background is in broadcasting. After raising two sons, the acting bug bit her, a little late in life, but that didn't stop her desire to get on stage. She has performed in many theatrical productions in and around Los Angeles, California as well as television and film. Her hobbies include writing, sewing, cooking, comedy, singing, dialects, traveling, people greeting and auto mechanics (just kidding about auto mechanics). I love performing with the Kohl Players. They are so kind, professional and creative. God bless them. I am currently writing a play for my granddaughters. I truly hope you enjoy this wonderful production of Turpentine Jake.
- Tory Smith (Lord of the Gate, Seafus, Buck)
Tory hails from Bakersfield California. He has been seen in numerous productions around LA, including shows in The Underground Theater production of Lysistrata, Showing Our Age, an About Production, and Artists on the Brink, Studio 1954. Tory is also a talented director and has directed The Country Club at the Hollywood Fight Club in Hollywood, and the award-winning production of Closer at the Del Rey Theater. Tory has been seen in such productions as The Laramie Project, A Streetcar Named Desire, Heights, Cabaret, This Place On Third Avenue, and A Winter's Tale. Tory would like to dedicate his performance to the people who fought for his freedom.
- Maynard Dean Wade (Gravedigger)
Maynard has over 20 years experience on the stage and in film but most recently has worked behind the scenes in film and video production. In 2007 he co-produced Raised in Captivity in North Hollywood. He writes music and developed his voice on stage, in choirs, and in nightclub bands. He plays multiple instruments and apart from LA has performed in Las Vegas, St. Louis, Chicago and every small town in Central Illinois. Getting "the bug" at age 6, Maynard went on to perform in over 25 productions including lending his voice to a sold-out run and hold-over of Little Shop Of Horrors. This production marks a return to his gospel roots and he is elated to work with such a talented and giving cast and crew.
Future Productions
- Cul de Sac
Cul de Sac is a full-length, two-act drama about the menopausal experience of three diverse women, and the post-menopausal wise woman who unites and strengthens them. Drawing on the testimonials of dozens of menopausal women we interviewed, the play reflects the real-life transformations women and their families undergo during the usually mysterious and often dreaded “change.” The characters are amalgams of the real women we interviewed; the structure of the play follows their transformations— sexual, spiritual, emotional. We see these women — one black and married, one white and divorced, one a Latina lesbian — destroyed and refashioned, and in a magically realistic ritual, guided by the post-menopausal wise woman, celebrate becoming new women. Just as The Vagina Monologues helped liberate women via frankly shared sexual histories, Cul de Sac seeks to demystify menopause and charge it with hope.
A Cul de Sac is sometimes a dead-end street, a point beyond which further progress seems impossible. For the women of Cul de Sac menopause is transformative; they use it to find their way out of the blind alley of aging in America in the twenty-first Century.
Past Productions
- One Sunday In Mississippi
One Sunday in Mississippi is a dramatization of the events surrounding the murder of three civil rights workers in Neshoba County, Mississippi during Freedom Summer, 1964. The play features the differing points of view of the three slain workers as they recall the events of Sunday, June 21, 1964. The surviving widow (Rita Schwerner) of one of the workers is the only “living” character onstage, and she is contemporary, looking back on her past involvement with the civil rights movement and her relationship with her husband. The play explores the facts and the fictions of the civil rights movement, the political and emotional timbre of the time, and probes the nature of racism.
One Sunday in Mississippi was based on interviews with Rita Schwerner, wife of Michael Schwerner, Carolyn Goodman (now deceased), mother of Andrew Goodman, and Ben Chaney, brother of James Chaney.
- Room 1222
The play is set in Room 1222 of a modern-day, big-city hospital. E.J., one of the patients in the room, is an older white man from the south, a working class carpenter in the advanced stages of emphysema. Anthony, the other patient in Room 1222, is a middle-aged black man, also from the rural south, who is now a high-powered advertising executive, very recently diagnosed with the same disease. E.J. has worked hard all his life, but has never realized the dreams he had of a home and family. In his 60s, he now faces death essentially alone. Anthony grew up with strong family ties, but has abandoned them, seeing his career and financial success as the true measures of worth in what is still a white man's world.
The major device in the play is a window in the room next to E.J.'s bed that only he can look out of. He goes to it frequently and sees people on a bench in a park outside. The window will be hung facing the audience. E.J. addresses the audience through the window. What he sees and describes will appear upstage behind a scrim. These scrim “scenes” will be either live or on videotape and will be silent. They represent the fantasy E.J. has constructed in order to participate in a life he never lived.
The conflicts in the play arise through the growing relationship between the older man and the younger. E.J. wants to reach Anthony (a tangible effort to interact in the world of the living), so Anthony doesn't make E.J.'s mistakes. He encourages Anthony to reach out to his mother, from whom he is estranged. Anthony is discomfited at seeing a reflection of himself and his future in E.J. The climax occurs when Anthony rejects E.J.'s efforts to reach him.
In order to dramatize the racial issues in the relationship between the two major characters, the play should run with two casts. In the second cast, E.J. will be black and Anthony, white. Anthony's mother, Myrtle, will also change from black to white in this alternate version. Sally, the nurse, will be white in both versions. The second version features script and dialogue changes that foreground the racism embedded in all conversational exchanges between Blacks and Whites.
Theater Into Film
- Turpentine Jake & Poet of the Swingin’ Blade
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American history tells us Slavery ended in 1865. But deep in the swamps and pine forests of Florida and Georgia, over half a million Blacks were held in debt servitude until the 1970s. More than 100 years after the last cotton plant was plucked by an unpaid Black hand, turpentiners tapped the longleaf pines, harvesting pine gum fourteen hours a day, but earning less each week than they were forced to spend on food and clothing in the company store. “The onliest way out is to die out,” says a seasoned worker in the play Turpentine Jake, Bannister and Hurd's poetic look at the extraordinary lives of the Blacks enslaved by debt peonage, but freed by their stories, songs, rootwork, and magic.
Based on dozens of interviews with surviving centenarian turpentiners and the memories of Hurd's own grandfather, Jake, Turpentine Jake and “Poet of the Swingin’ Blade” (a short film based on the play) are rich spoken word poems, full of dreams and wonders and hard realities. Part history lesson, part poetry, part American Folklore and all inspiration, Turpentine Jake and “Poet of the Swingin’ Blade” are “Blues Dramas.” Their magic, on stage and on screen, sparkles with the wit and tenacity of the turpentiners, truly poets of the swingin’ blades that carved the faces of the pines in the deep South.
Photos (L to R and T to B):
- Poet of the Swingin’ Blade, on location in Angeles Crest Forest: James E. Hurd, Jr., and Dean Mitchell
- Poet of the Swingin’ Blade, on location in Angeles Crest Forest: Carlin Smith and DeSean Terry
- Poet of the Swingin’ Blade, on location at Crenshaw Studios, Los Angeles, CA: Jook, Entire Cast