STEAL AWAY: A Folktale by Ramona King *ENCORE*

AVENUE BLACKBOX THEATRE | 780 JOSEPH AVENUE | ROCHESER, NY 14621

**Encore performance of a Season 5 sold out hit!

SHOWTIMES:

• Thursday, March 13, 2025 7:00PM (doors open 6:30)
• Friday, March 14, 2025 7:00PM(doors open 6:30) *Talkback immediately following show
• Saturday, March 15, 2025 7:00PM (doors open 6:30)
• Sunday, March 16 4:00PM (doors open 3:30) *Talkback & Closing Reception immediately following show

Come join us for an exciting night of theatre at The Avenue Blackbox Theatre! Get ready to be captivated by the hillarious and powerful storytelling of Ramona King, dynamic directing of David Shakes (Northstar Players) and brilliant acting of a killer cast! STEAL AWAY will surely become your next favorite play if it's not already (for those who caught it last season!)

Technical Direction, Set & Lighting Design by Reenah Golden (Founder/Artistic Director)

Production & Stage Manager: Kathy Kristich
Lighting & Scen Technician Technician: Anderson Allen (Artist-in-Residence)
Sound Technician and Operator: Josiah Tapp
Photographer/ASM/Stagehand: Kadeem Blackman (Artist-in-resdience)
Prop Boss: Faith Lumly (Artist-in-Residence)
House Manager: Kenya Malcolm
Box Office Manager: N'dia Prout
Production Apprentice/Stagehand: Kareem Brooks
Additional Front of House/Stagehands: Avenue Fellows

A Folktale, set in Chicago in1930 during the Depression, this comedic farce is the story of 5 "upstanding church ladies" who raise funds to send young Black women to college by holding bake sales and the like. Their latest beneficiary, Tracy Ada, has more ambitious ideas. She wants them all to rob a bank! Of course, the ladies are reluctant to do anything that drastic; that is until they are turned down at the bank for a loan to send another young woman to college because the White bank manager doesn't think "colored girls" need an education.

• Kesha Hartzog reprising the role of Tracy Ada Kyzer
• Shelia Rankin reprising the role of Mrs. Stella Margaret Kyzer
• Javannah Davis reprising the role of Mrs. Renita "Redd" Ruth
• Vanessa Ryland-Buntley reprising the role of Mrs. Jade Long
• Kat Rina Davis as Mrs. Bluiah "Blu" Daniels
• Deborah Washington as Miss Sudy Atkinson

Additionally, Rick Staropoli as the radio news voice (voice over)

• Steal Away (1981)
• Wildlife (2011)

David A. Shakes, born in Philadelphia, PA, was raised in Brooklyn, NY, where his interest in dramatic arts was nurtured as a young student in the schools of New York City. David continued his work as a young adult during the Black Arts Movement of the late 60’s and early 70’s and became one of the founding members of the Spirit House Movers and Players, a prominent theatre company that presented dramatic and poetic works around the country, under the direction of Amiri Baraka (LeRoi Jones). As a member of Spirit House Movers and Players, the group produced two performance albums, Nation Time and A Black Mass. During that time, he worked and studied with many dramatists and authors including Haki Mhadabuti, Woodie King, Jr. and Yusef Iman; he also studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. In addition, he shared the stage with theatrical icons including Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee, Samuel L. Jackson, Debbie Morgan, Lou Myers, Theresa Merritt, and Josh Brolin.

Mr. Shakes is a long-time resident of Rochester and has worked with numerous theater groups in the Rochester community as an actor, director, guest artist, and producer in performances and productions that have received critical as well as public acclaim. At GeVa Theatre Center, his roles included actor, director, teaching artist, and he acted in, as well as consulted in the mounting of August Wilson’s Century. In 2022, Geva Theatre Center presented David with the Essie Calhoun Diversity in the Arts Award. He also was a contributing artist at the JCC Centerstage, Shipping Dock, Blackfriars, RAPA, Downstairs Cabaret Theatre, Eastman Theater with Kathleen Battle and the Rochester Community Players. In addition, Mr. Shakes founded the Village Theatre, showcasing many budding, local actors and was director of Public Arts Services, bringing performing arts to hospitals, nursing homes, and correctional facilities. Currently, he is artistic director of the North Star Players, an artist-in-residence at The MuCCC and collabortive producer at Avenue Blackbox Theatre.

Mr. Shakes is an actor in local films. His film credits include Brick by Brick, an award winning short film, directed by Tina Chapman DaCosta, Look Where He Brought Me From, The Alphabet Killer, Cherry Crush, and Cotton Comes to Harlem. In addition, he has worked on advertising campaigns and is a historical interpreter of such persons as Langston Hughes, William Wells Brown, Dr. Martin Luther King, and Frederick Douglass. Douglass’ words are particularly inspiring and relevant and his message of dignity, justice, and freedom rings throughout the ages. The study, coaching, and presentation of the works of Frederick Douglass are especially important and ongoing work for him. For decades, Mr. Shakes has also designed and coordinated arts enrichment programs for hospitals,nursing homes and incarcerated persons presenting artists such as Dizzy Gillespie, Sonia Sanchez, Hali Madhubuti, Felipe Luciano, Joe Locke and Spider Martin. David has been producing, directing and presenting theatre in the Rochester community for over forty six years.

Mr. Shakes received a BS from Empire State College and a MSW from Syracuse University’s School of Social Work. He is a retired Rochester City School District social worker.

Mr. Shakes is the featured director-in-residence for The Avenue Blackbox Theatre 5th Anniversary Season. On April 11, 2024 at The Avenue Blackbox Theatre, Mr. Shakes was honored with the Living Legend Award by The Avenue and the Key to the City by Mayor Malik Evans.

We are grateful for financial support for our initial production of Steal Away from City of Rochester-ArtsBloom and ongoing financial support from Monroe County, the Leah Lozano Memorial Fund for the Avenue Children's Theatre Project, Democrat and Chronicle/Gannett Foundation, our generous O.W.Ls, angels and monthly donors. Visit avenuetheatre.org/donate for tax deductible options to join the family of supporters.

Host or Publisher Avenue Blackbox