In the Wake of Our Shadow: Black Voices American Players Theatre

Director Ron OJ Parson shares his journey from his early days as an actor at the Studio Arena Theatre in Buffalo, NY to becoming one of the most sought after directors on the regional theatre scene. Now a resident artist at the Court Theatre and a company member at Timeline Theatre in Chicago, he offers his unique perspective on non-traditional casting, his connection to August Wilson, and his hopes for the future of American theatre in  a post George Floyd world.

Actor/Playwright/Director Tyla Abercrumbie discusses her hit play, Relentless, and her deep commitment to telling stories from the Black experience that have been often overlooked. She shares her thoughts on pivotal moments in American history - moments that our country tends to lean on when defining the Black experience, the most recent being the murder of George Floyd. She reminds us how vital it is to take control of our own narrative and ultimately our own skin instead of letting others use it to decorate their stories and characters - stories and characters  that were clearly not created with us in mind. 

Actor, songstress, and author Greta Oglesby traces her journey from accountant to acclaimed theatre artist of the American stage. From her first audition when she sang with her eyes closed to a phone call from the great August Wilson asking her to originate a role in his new play, Gem Of The Ocean, Greta's story is funny, moving, and deeply inspiring.