backstage - African American Children`s Theatre

BACKSTAGE
Volume 2 Number 4
Thaddeus Smith portrays the young Stevie Wonder in the AACT production of “Flashback
to Motown”. Thaddeus won in the 5th/6th grade category in Milwaukee’s 2010 Dr. Martin
Luther King Jr. Essay Contest.
Spring 2010
Everyone starts somewhere. For the past
20 years, the African American Children’s
Theater (AACT) has been the place to start. Children from Milwaukee get their big break
as they learn the skills of the theatre stage –
building and preparing for the stage of life. Under the direction of Constance Clark and
other area artists, AACT grew from a response to personal tragedy and developed into
a doorway of opportunity for the youth in our
community.
Currently, AACT provides after school programs and school residencies which allows
children an opportunity to come together and
demonstrate their talent through acting and
singing. Past productions like 2009’s “Follow
the Drinking Gourd” help the youth recall
their history and understand the struggles that
have led to the successes of today. Paying attention to the basics allows them to excel and
build confidence on stage. The resulting end
products are engaged youth getting ready for
the next big stage of life.
The mission of AACT is to provide opportunities for young people to explore their gifts
and talents through the arts. AACT helps
shape future leaders through their exposure to
the arts. Youth develop confidence and stage
presence which helps them excel in other areas of learning. The program provides a safe
place to take risks and recognize that there is
no such thing as failure – just another opportunity to succeed.
More information on the company can be
found at www.aact.us. Or call AACT at 414461-5771. Motown’s girl groups are reinvented by AACT youth. Quantaae Lenyard (front) is backed up
by (l to r) Raven Tribune, LaMiracle Manago, Ciera Robbins, and Matia Williams.
~ Antoinette Mensah, Board Member
African American Children’s Theatre 1915 N. M.L. King Dr., Suite 213G, Milwaukee, WI 53212 [email protected] 414-461-5771 www.aact.us
Cast Bios
Wanyah Frazier –
Michael Jackson
I currently attend Golda Meir Elementary in the 7th grade. I have
recently joined AACT and it has been
an enjoyable experience. I am an
active ballroom dancer and am performing for Danceworks in Mad Hot
Ballroom. When I get older I plan
to become an actor and as a back up
(in case things don’t go as planned), I
would like to become a lawyer.
A’Raeya Gatson –
Kim Sledge
I am 8 years old and attend Elm
Creative Arts School and dance and
act. I also like math, art and reading.
When I get older, I would like to be
a doctor and a mom.
Jacquel Jolly and Raven Tribune rehearse their lines with Thaddeus Smith for “Flashback to Motown”, the
February 27 production by African American Children’s Theatre.
Selene Hightower –
Kathy Sledge
I attend Hartford University School
in the 3rd grade. I might be tall, but
I am only 8 years old. I have a book
buddy in school named Lydia. I also
go to MYAC for other activities. I
play piano, violin and harmonica and
sing in the choir at my church.
Jacquel Jolly –
Show introduction and Ray’s back up singer
I am 8 years old and I attend
I.D.E.A.L. school. I like to play with
my friends outside.
La Miracle Lenyard –
Debbie Sledge and Ray’s back up singer
I am 9 years old and go to Harambee
Community School and I read to the
other kids at my school. I have a
sister and a brother. I like to sing and
dance. When I grow up I want to be
a lawyer.
2 African American Children’s Theatre
Qwantae Lenyard –
Florence Ballard
I am 7 years old and attend Harambee
Community School in the 2nd grade.
This is my first year with AACT. I
sing in the church choir and like to
sing and dance. I would like to be a
singer and dancer when I grow up.
I like the AACT!
Anthony Mensah –
Marvin Gaye
My full name is Anthony James Kwabena Yakapoe Mensah. I am 13 years
old and attend YMCA Young Leaders
academy where I reside in 7th grade
for the gifted and talented. I am a
veteran member of the AACT and
consider myself a cultured intellectual
who loves to act, sing and fulfill my
passion. Over all, this has been an
amazing experience and I happy to
be a part of it.
Ciera Robbins –
MC Ciera and Joni Sledge
My life is about a normal 11year old
6th grader. I always want to do the
best no matter what. In my spare
time I like to dance, draw, read and
talk on the phone. I love music and
I play piano and viola. I love school
and have a 3.9 GPA attending Lafollette Middle School. My favorite
subject is math. When I was 7 I had
a poem published and received an
award from President George W.
Bush.
Imani Smith –
Patti Labelle and Mary Wilson
I attend Milwaukee School of languages where I compete in forensics.
I am also acting in “The Wiz” with
First Stage. This is my 4th year in
AACT, and I think this show will be
FANTASTIC!
1915 N. M.L. King Dr., Suite 213G, Milwaukee, WI 53212 [email protected] 414-461-5771 www.aact.us
AACT Staff
Constance Clark
Artistic/Executive Director
Thaddeus Smith –
Caroline Lenyard
Grantwriter
Stevie Wonder
I am 10 years old and attend Elm
Creative Arts School. I ballroom
dance, play basketball and am very
busy. When I am an adult, I want to
be an astronaut or an actor. This is
my second year with AACT.
Markellis Steele –
Ray Charles
I am 15 years old. I like to play football, rap, and play video games. After
school I like to go to my Dad’s office
and fix computers.
Isaiah Taylor –
Assistant Stage Manager
I am 10 years old and go to Highland
Community School. I am a talented
person and play soccer and basketball.
I also play with Milwaukee Youth
Symphony Orchestra.
Wallace Cheatham
Music Director
Jason Drake-Hames –
Choreographer Martin Gregory and Wanyah
Frazier rehearsimg Michael Jackson moves.
Raven Tribune –
Show introduction and Ray’s back up singer
I attend Wilson Elementary in the 3rd
grade. I am 8 years old and like to
play Wii with my brother Julius. I also
like to sing and dance. I have lots of
friends and read to my book buddy.
I was in a play in my church.
Jaela Wilder –
Diana Ross
I am 10 years old, and I attend Craig
Montessori School. I also work with
Mad Hot Ballroom when I am not
working on this show. When I have
spare time, I like to hang out with
friends and listen to music. I am also
a Junior Girl Scout in Troop 1675.
Matia Williams –
Anthony Mensah asks “What’s Going On” as
Marvin Gaye. Anthony was a winner in the 2009
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Essay Contest.
MC Matia
I am 11 years old, turning 12 in September. I play the violin, flute and
drums. I used to be in gymnastics
and love to sing, dance and act.
Photos by Sue Borges Vliet
Stage Director
I am 32 years old and a graduate from
UW-Milwaukee with a BFA in Film
and Theater. Along with theater, I
pursue video making, music, poetry
and anything else that promotes creativity and community. I am beyond
happy to be working for an organization like African American Children’s
Theater. The kids have been a pleasure to instruct and direct and being
able to help foster their creativity has
been a joyful and challenging endeavor. I would like to thank Constance,
Martin, Amy and especially Kasia
for all their help, support and love in
making this show possible.
Amy Turk –
Stage Manager
I am most comfortable behind the
scenes of any production. I founded
and ran a youth theatre group in
Waterford, WI where I directed, produced, managed, (and even acted...
once) in plays with casts of all ages...
sometimes with 100 actors on stage!
Since moving to Milwaukee, I have
missed being a part of that theatre
magic. I feel truly honored to be a
part of AACT’s “Flashback to Motown!” It has been amazing to see the
progress in these past few months, to
see how dedicated and talented this
group is, and to watch them shine.
African American Children’s Theatre 1915 N. M.L. King Dr., Suite 213G, Milwaukee, WI 53212 [email protected] 414-461-5771 www.aact.us
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Did you know?
Black Blues Queens
Gertrude “Ma” Rainey, from Georgia, was the
“Mother of the Blues,” and lived from 1886–1939. She
was the first woman to incorporate blues into her act of
show songs and comedy. In 1902, she heard a woman singing about the man she’d lost, and quickly learned the song.
From then on at each performance, she used it as her closing number calling it “the blues.” She recorded over 100
songs and wrote 24 of them herself. “Bessie Smith (and
all the others who followed in time), wrote jazz historian
Dan Morgenstern “learned their art and craft from Ma,
directly or indirectly.” Young women followed Ma Rainey’s
path in the tent show circuit, since black performers were
not allowed to be in venues. Eventually most singers were
booked on the T.O.B.A. (Theatre Owners Booking Association) circuit.
Mamie Smith, “America’s First Lady of the Blues,”
was the first black woman to record the blues in 1920.
Harlem songwriter/music publisher, Perry Bradford,
brought Smith by the Okeh studio to get his songs heard.
Sophie Tucker was ill on the day of her session and Okeh
allowed Smith to record. They recorded two non-blues
songs but were brought back into the studio to record a
blues song six months later. All of the recording band
members claimed different titles for the song that became
known as “Crazy Blues.” The song sold over 17,000 copies
in its first month. This affected the recording industry so
that hundreds of black female singers began being scouted, booked and recorded.
~ from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classic_female_blues
Register for fall classes
Tuesday, Sept. 21 and Wednesday, Sept. 22
4:00 to 5:00 pm
Please register in person
Parent must accompany child
Classes start Tuesday, September 28
Milwaukee Youth Arts Center, 325 W. Walnut Street
Session runs 4 - 6 pm
Tuesdays & Wednesdays, Sept. 2010- May 2011
414-461-5771
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www.aact.us
2010 Board of Directors
Maya J. Peterson, President
Legacy Bank
Antoinette Simon, Vice President
Pyramax Bank
Dominique Smith, Secretary
Milwaukee Public Schools
Sue Press, Treasurer
The Brewery Works, Inc.
Susan Disbrow
Whitefish Bay Schools
Antoinette Mensah
YMCA
African American Children’s Theatre 1915 N. M.L. King Dr., Suite 213G, Milwaukee, WI 53212 [email protected] 414-461-5771 www.aact.us
The original Hitsville USA building, once frequented
by the likes of the Temptations, Diana Ross and the
Supremes, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Smokey
Robinson and the Miracles, and other Motown royalty
to record their first hits. Looking very much like it
did in the 1960’s, the building was one of the original
eight structures owned by Motown’s Berry Gordy
on Detroit’s Grand Avenue to house his sprawling
music empire before the record company moved to its
downtown Detroit headquarters.
Cast
MC Ciera . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ciera Robbins
Show introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jacquel Jolly
MC Matia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Matia Williams
Show introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Raven Tribune
Marvin Gaye . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Anthony Mensah
Stevie Wonder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Thaddeus Smith
Diana Ross . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jaela Wilder
Florence Ballard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Qwantae Lenyard
Mary Wilson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Imani Smith
Ray Charles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Markellis Steele
Ray’s back up singer . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jacquel Jolly
Ray’s back up singer . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Raven Tribune
Ray’s back up singer . . . . . .. .. . . . . . . . . . . La Miracle Lenyard
Patti Labelle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Imani Smith
Michael Jackson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Wanyah Frazier
Joni Sledge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ciera Robbins
Kim Sledge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A’Raeya Gatson
Kathy Sledge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Selene Hightower
Debbie Sledge. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . La Miracle Lenyard
Crew
Stage Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jason Drake-Hames
Choreographer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Martin Gregory
Costumes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Becky Peelen
Stage Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Amy Turk
Assistant Stage Manager (Student) . . . . . . . .. . . . . Isaiah Taylor
Stage Crew . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kasia Drake-Hames
Make-Up and Hair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Toni Martin
Right:
Imani Smith flying through the
music of Patti Labelle.
Far right:
Anthony Mensah and Wanyeh Frazier
discussing their roles.
African American Children’s Theatre 1915 N. M.L. King Dr., Suite 213G, Milwaukee, WI 53212 [email protected] 414-461-5771 www.aact.us
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Major Donors
2-Story Creative
African American
Women’s Fund
African Hut Restaurant
African World Festival
America’s Black Holocaust
Museum, Inc.
Arts@Large, Inc.
Association of Fundraising
Professionals
Greater Milwaukee Chapter
AT&T Employee Giving Campaign
Helen Bader Foundation
Brico Fund
Betty Brinn Foundation
Century Fence, AW Bryant
Rodney Coubbie Attorneys
City of Milwaukee Arts Board
Delta Memorial
Endowment Fund
Delta Sigma Theta
Sorority, Inc.
Lambda Alpha Chapter
Einhorn Charitable
Family Trust
Eli Lilly Pharmaceuticals
Ralph Evinrude Foundation
Fellowship Open 2003
Gonzalez Saggio & Harlan
Greater Milwaukee
Foundation, Inc.
Harley Davidson Foundation
Herzfeld Foundation
In Their Best Interest
Joy Global
Jewish Community
Foundation
Legacy Bank
Lena’s Foods
Marquette University
Upward Bound
Faye McBeath Foundation
Milwaukee Arts Board
Milwaukee County CAMPAC Milwaukee Employment &
Training, Inc.
Milwaukee Community Journal
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Diversity Council
Milwaukee Links
Special Projects
Milwaukee Public Schools
Northwestern Mutual
Foundation
OYAM Community Institute
Milton & Lillian Peck
Foundation
Jane Bradley Pettit
Foundation
Potawatomi Foundation
Mr. Perkins Restaurant
Meyer & Norma L. Ragir Foundation
Redwood Insurance
Jack & Lucy Rosenberg
Charitable Funds
Senator Herbert Kohl
Stackner Family
Foundation, Inc.
Sulli & Associates
United Performing Arts Fund
United Way of Greater
Milwaukee
U.S. Cellular
Voluptuous Secrets
WE Energies Employee
Giving Campaign
WellPoint Associate Giving
Campaign
Wisconsin Arts Board
Wisconsin Energy Corporation
Foundation, Inc.
Women’s Club of Wisconsin
Friends of AACT
Anonymous
Adekola Adedapo
Lillian Alford
Alfred & Joyce Altman
Mr. & Mrs. Steven Anthony
Barb Armstrong
K. A. Baillargeon
Stanley Battle
Joseph Becker
Mr. & Mrs. William Beckett
Linda Beckstrom
Monique Bell
Georgia Berndsen
Kelly C. Bishop
Yvonne A. Bowenn
Angela Boyd
William B. Boyd
Michelle Brock
Audrey Brooks
Christy Brown
Gail & Chester Brown
A.W. Bryant
Jessie L. Burks
Dr. & Mrs. Wallace Cheatham
Benjamin Clark
Constance Clark
Dolly Clark
Sheila Cochran
Thomas & Malena Copeland
Rosemary Coris
Alicia Danielle Crawford
Mary Crouther
Randy & Joann Crump
Louise Cruther
Rodney L. Cubbie
Giles & Polly Daegar
Danae Davis
6 African American Children’s Theatre
Jerry Dean &
Christina Parsons
Cory Dod
Judith Drink
Tyrone Dumas
Tracy Edwards
Nancy & Stephen Einhorn
Joyce Enrhardt
Elizabeth Estes
Marcia E. Facey
Virginia Finn-Lenhard
Thelma R. Friedman
Pam Garvey
Cecilia Gilbert
Beverly Goudy & Family
Sheena Carey Gransberry
Inez Green
Laverne Green
Eve Hall
Pam Halter
Mr. & Mrs. Reuben Harpole, Jr.
Ellen A. Hayward
Tague Hobert
Ruth A. Hoenick
Leona Holt
Virginia Hutchins
Gwen Jackson
Jenene James
David Joles &
Elizabeth Flores-Joles
Harry T. Kemp
Joan Kessler
Mae D. Killebrew
Julily Kohler
Kulliki Kuningas
Deirdre Lafford
Lamara Lampkins
Lathen, Lathen-Harris
Caroline Lenyard
Martha Love
Rose M. Lue-Hing
Bruce A. MacIntyre
Phillip & Kirsten Matthews
Margaret & Michael McGuire
Peggy McGuire
Mr. & Mrs. Lafayette McKinney
Venora W. McKinney
Marilyn Nowak
Joan Michaels-Paque
Linda S. & Sheppard Mollick
Verona L. Morgan
Fujie Moses
Mardon Murphy
Rhoda Mykies
Sheila Payton
Mr. & Mrs. David H. Peters
Nailz by Pica
Claire Pfleger
Marvin & Dianne Pratt
Susan L. Press
Rev. & Mrs. R. B. Nabors
Marilyn Nowack
Udette Quinn
Carol Richards
Atty. Bettie Rodgers
Redonna Rodgers
Terry Rozga
William Sanders
James S. Scherer
Kristin Schultz
Thelma Sias
Mr. & Mrs. Patrick Sims
Cathy Simpson
Lucy Smith
Mr. & Mrs.Thaddeus Smith
Gina Spang
Rose Spang
Barbara A. Stein
Marcia Stephens
Monica Street
Teri L. Sullivan
John L. Touchett
Edith Wagner
Dr. Steven M. Waldman, FACFAS
Adolphus Ward
Chris Ware
Elsie Warr
Ella & W. Herold Washington
John White
Carolyn White-Travanti &
Leon Travanti
Dionne Lea Williams
Ralph & Marlena Williams
In recognition of
Lillie M. Harris
Fran & Ron Lee
In memory of
Brian Lenyard
Jeff Clark
Edmund Clark
Floyd Campbell
In honor of Margie Sutton
Carolyn & Samuel Nakasian
Barbara M. Weigner
Kathleen D. Wild
Thank you
to the
parents!
1915 N. M.L. King Dr., Suite 213G, Milwaukee, WI 53212 [email protected] 414-461-5771 www.aact.us
Here’s a very easy way
to support AACT.
Register your Pick’n Save shopper’s
card at the customer service desk.
African American Children’s Theatre:
18125
It only takes 5 minutes of your time
but will help provide hours of theatre fun
and education for our children.
Theatre that
changes
hearts and minds
The mission of the African American
Children’s Theatre is to provide
all children of the metro
Milwaukee area with opportunities
to express their creativity, to nurture
their individuality, and to guide them
in the learning and acquiring of
leadership and performance skills
while producing quality art.
AACT Programs
Academy of Theatre Training
and Leadership Program
After school program for children ages 8-14 at Milwaukee Youth Arts
Center, with public performances scheduled periodically.
Artist in Residency with
Milwaukee Public Schools
AACT’s We Are The Dream program is taught weekly in Milwaukee
Public Schools and private school classrooms.
Behind the Curtain
Children and their parents attend professional local theatre companies’
productions and are taken on special Behind the Curtain tours.
Your support is important to the youth
of our community.
Please mail your tax-deductible
donation to our administrative office:
African American Children’s Theatre
1915 N. King Drive, Suite 213 G
Milwaukee, WI 53212
Donor Name ___________________________________________________
Company Name ________________________________________________
Street Address __________________________________________________
City __________________________________ State ____ Zip____________
Phone ________________________E-Mail ____________________________
Total Donation Amount Enclosed: $ ___________
African American Children’s Theatre 1915 N. M.L. King Dr., Suite 213G, Milwaukee, WI 53212 [email protected] 414-461-5771 www.aact.us
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Administrative Office
1915 N. M.L. King Drive
Suite 213 G
Milwaukee, WI 53212
Jack and Lucy Rosenberg
Charitable Funds