The Acting Company Announces Casting for 44th Season and National Tour
(© Clinton Brandhagen)
The Acting Company has announced casting for its 44th consecutive season and national tour, which will feature the world premiere of X: Or, Betty Shabazz v. The Nation and William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar in repertory. Both will be staged in an artistic and educational collaboration with nearly 30 universities, colleges, and community partners across the country.
X: Or, Betty Shabazz v. The Nation, a new play written by Marcus Gardley, focusses on the assassination of Malcolm X, "both the story we think we know and illuminating details that have seldom been shared." The show's cast will feature TAC veterans Jimonn Cole as Malcom X, Jonathan-David as Louis X, William Sturdivant as Elijah Muhammad and Bootblack, Joshua David Robinson as Brother Eugene X and Doc, and Gabriel Lawrence as Muhammad the First. The cast will also include Chelsea Williams as Betty Shabazz, Kevis Hillocks as Wilbert X, and N’Jameh Camara as the Judge and ensemble members Austin Purnell and Tatiana Wechsler.
The Acting Company's Artistic Director Ian Belknap will helm the production. The creative team is also set to include Lee Savage (scenic design), Candice Donnelly (costume Design), Mary Louise Geiger (lighting design), Justin Ellington (ound design/music composition), Byron Easley (choreography), Elizabeth Smith (voice, speech, and text consultant), and Orlando Pabotoy (fight direction).
The Julius Caesar cast is also led by TAC Alumni, with Gabriel Lawrence as Julius Caesar, William Sturdivant as Caius Cassius, Jimonn Cole as Marcus Brutus, Jonathan-David as Mark Antony, Joshua David Robinson as Casca and Titinius. Other ensemble cast members include N’jameh Camara as Calpurnia, Chelsea Williams as Portia, Kevin Hillocks as Octavius, Austin Purnell as Soothsayer, and Tatiana Wechsler as Trebonius.
Devin Brain will direct the production. The creative team for Julius Caesar includes Lee Savage (scenic design), Jennifer Moeller (costume design), Mary Louise Geiger (lighting design), and Nathan A. Roberts and Charles Coes (music and sound design), Elizabeth Smith (voice, speech, and text consultant), and Orlando Pabotoy (fight direction).
Founded in 1972 by Oscar winner John Houseman and Margot Harley from the first graduating class of the Drama Division of The Juilliard School, The Acting Company is the only permanent, professional touring repertory company dedicated to the development of classical actors.
