Behind the Scenes: DAY OF ABSENCE Staged Reading

On February 1-2, 2009 Signature Theatre Company presented a staged reading of Douglas Turner Ward's Day of Absence, the landmark play that inspired the founding of the Negro Ensemble Company. Ward directed a cast of 17 for the reading, among them several original cast members. The cast included Peggy Alston, Norman Bush, Yaya DaCosta, Keith David, Brandon Dirden, Jason Dirden, Arthur French, January LaVoy, William Jay Marshall, Kathryn Meisle, Erica Peeples, Terrence Riggins, Heather Alicia Simms, Joyce Sylvester, Raphael Nash Thompson and Allie Woods.

The show, performed in white face, featured make-up design by Erin Kennedy Lunsford. Jessica Pabst provided the costumes, with Michael Jarrett on lights and Graham Johnson on sound.

Check out these pictures of the cast getting ready backstage before the staged reading.

Arthur French

Arthur French

Keith David with make-up designer Erin Kennedy Lunsford

Brandon Dirden

Jason Dirden

Raphael Nash Thompson

Heather Alicia Simms

Yaya DaCosta

Joyce Sylvester


Peggy Alston

January LaVoy

Norman Bush

All photos by Gregory Costanzo

Backstage with the Cast and Crew of HOME

We spent some time backstage with the cast and crew of Home before a recent performance -- here's what we saw!

Kevin T. Carroll (Cephus Miles) shaves before the show...

...with a straight razor!

January LaVoy (Woman 1/Pattie May Wells) gets her hair just right

Tracey Bonner (Woman 2) puts on the finishing touches

Assistant Stage Manager Kara Aghabekian is focused on the task at hand

Deck carpenter Derek Loehr and Stage Manager Chandra LaViolette hang out before it's time to do their thing

The cast warms up their voices before the show -- break a leg everyone!

All photos by Gregory Costanzo

The Cast of HOME Talks Back to the Students

On November 20, a group of student playwrights came to see Home, and the cast stuck around after the show to participate in a talkback with the aspiring artists, moderated by Signature's Associate Artistic Director Beth Whitaker. Check out the photos below of Tracey Bonner, Kevin T. Carroll, January LaVoy.

All photos by Gregory Costanzo

Coming HOME: Photos From First Rehearsal

The first rehearsal for Home, the second show of our 2008/09 season celebrating the historic Negro Ensemble Company season, was last week, and we were there to take photos!

Stage Manager Chandra LaViolette, Director Ron OJ Parson and Assistant Director Lileana Blain-Cruz discuss what topics to go over before the reading begins

Old friends January LaVoy (Woman 1) and Kevin T. Carroll (Cephus Miles) embrace

The cast and Ron OJ Parson check out the plans for the set

The set, as imagined by designer Shaun Motley

Ron OJ Parson and his assistant Lileana Blain-Cruz share a laugh

Signature Artistic Director James Houghton welcomes back Signature alum January LaVoy

Tracey Bonner (Woman 2) and Kevin T. Carroll already hard at work!

Ron OJ Parson talks to the cast and crew about his vision for Home

Home playwrightSamm-Art Williams and NEC founder Douglas Turner Ward in deep discussion

Douglas Turner Ward listening to the first read-thru

Kevin T. Carroll getting into his role of Cephus Miles

Tracey Bonner during the read-thru

January LaVoy flashes a smile at one of her co-stars

Go Backstage With the Cast of THE FIRST BREEZE OF SUMMER

Signature Theatre photographer Gregory Costanzo snuck backstage at a recent performance of The First Breeze of Summer to take some photos of the cast getting ready for the show...and here they are!

Sandra Daley

Yaya DaCosta

Keith Randolph Smith

Leslie Uggams

Marva Hicks

Quincy Dunn-Baker

Quincy Dunn-Baker and Gilbert Owuor

Brandon Dirden

Brenda Pressley

Crystal Anne Dickinson

Harvy Blanks

Photo Feature: "Signature After Hours"

On September 12th, Signature Theatre Company launched "Signature After Hours," a post-show cocktail party (hosted by 10 Cane Rum) that allowed the audience to mingle with the cast and crew of The First Breeze of Summer. The event was a big success -- most of the audience stuck around to enjoy delicious Passion Fruit Daquiris and discuss the show with their fellow theatregoers. Check out the photos below, and make sure to attend our next "Signature After Hours" event, scheduled for December 12th following Home.

10 Cane Rum provided the delicious Passion Fruit Daquiris

The audience enjoys the drinks and the company

Cast members John Jelks and Brandon Dirden mingle with the audience

Yaya DaCosta chats about the show...and the drinks!

Leslie Uggams shares a laugh with cast member Quincy Dunn-Baker

Video Montage of THE FIRST BREEZE OF SUMMER