"I feel like whenever I see any sort of civil rights play or civil rights movie, it's like there is a sort of sepia-toned hope at the end of it that I don't necessarily feel," said William Jackson Harper, about the impetus for writing his new play Travisville.
Inspired by the unique racial politics in 1960s Dallas, where Harper grew up, Travisville follows a group of political and religious leaders — led by Alden Hearst, the retiring elder of New Mount Olives Pentecostal — who are forced to reckon with the measured approach to civil rights they've championed within their community.
And instead of sepia tones, Harper has worked to create a world of nuanced characters, all of whom are trying, and often failing, to do the right thing. "It was actually a lot easier to write shaded people than it was to write characters who are just angry and antagonistic for the sake of it."
He continued, "I'm angry and I'm worried and I kind of wanted to try to create something that dialogues with those emotions that I have rather than giving us something that feels like where we should be. I wanted to write something that feels more like the ancestor to the world we actually have than the one that we wish we had."
— William Jackson Harper
Wes Frazier (Minister Ora Fletcher) is an actor, voice actor, and model from Dallas, Tx. When not in front of the camera or in a recording booth, he likes to work behind the scenes as a director and producer. . After acting in his first stage play in 2008, he has appeared in several short films, webseries, commercials and voice animated characters. He is excited to return to the stage with Soul Rep Theater and will appear in his first feature film that will begin streaming next year.
Ken Orman (Anisley Gillette/ Jaston Honeycutt) has performed across Texas and off-Broadway, including at Dallas Theater Center, Circle Theatre, African American Rep, Stage West, WaterTower and Theatre 3. His film and television work can be seen and heard on HBO Max, TNT, STARZ, REELZ, Amazon as well as commercials and voicing anime with FUNimation. He is a producer of ALL ABOUT BETTE: An Interlude with Bette Davis by Camilla Carr, starring Morgana Shaw with special narration by Robert Wagner. Thanks to Guinea, Ashley and my wife, Morgana, for your belief and trust.
Tyler “T” Lang (Zeke Philips) an African-American actor, musician, and playwright based in Dallas, Texas. He was born in Chicago, Illinois, and moved to Texas at the age of 13. He attended Anna High School in Anna, Texas, and graduated in the class of 2021. He is currently attending Collin College with plans of transferring to Howard University in Washington, D.C. T has been involved with various theater companies such as Cara Mia Theatre Co., Junior Players, Shakespeare Dallas, Collin Theatre Center, and now Soul Rep Theatre Company. He was a playwright finalist in PUP Fest 2021 with his play “CHANGES”. His most recent roles have been in “Lost Girl” as Peter Pan. “Luchadora!” as Leopold, “12th Night: A Rock Musical” as Duke Orsino, “A Midsummer Night's Dream” as Theseus and Oberon, and “The Addams Family” as Mel Beineke. "The struggles along the way are only meant to shape you for your purpose."- Chadwick A. Boseman ”
Corey Pratt (Thurston Beasley/Orthell Dawson) is an Actor and Producer from Dallas, Texas who burst on to the scene after executive producing and starring in season 1 of the award-winning series, "#Washed". Corey got into acting later than most, but his passion for the craft and raw ability has landed him leading roles in several feature films such as "Lowkey Hustle", "Heavy" and "Black Clown" to name a few. “Travisville”, is Corey’s Theatre debut.
Bill Hass (Howard Mims/ Hollis Burch) A writer, actor, director, currently living in Ft Worth, this is Bill's first time working with Soul Rep Theatre. He has been working in the DFW theater/film community for over 30 years. Previous credits include "Gem of the Ocean", "The Bluest Eye", and "Dance on Widow's Row" at Jubliee Theatre; "Sam Shade", and "The Ties That Bind" with DVA Productions; as well as two feature and multiple short films that he wrote, directed, and acted in. He also serves as the Festival/Programming Director for the Fort Worth Indie Film Showcase, an annual celebration of independent film, currently preparing for their eighth season in July 2023. I am thankful to have this opportunity to work with such a talented cast and crew. I pray that this glimpse into the world of these people helps to make us all better souls.
Calvin Gabriel (Alden Hearst) A native of Dallas, Gabriel is a Dallas-based performer who has worked in theater and film in the area. Gabriel has worked with Dallas Drama Company, Dallas Theater Center, Undermain Theater, Irving Arts Center, Mesquite Art Center, GRIOT, Jubilee Theater, DVA Production, Soul Rep Theater and other local theater houses.
He has been seen in film and local commercial work; America’s Dream, FILA Corporation, America’s Most Wanted, TRANE air systems, Local industrials, Mavericks, Web series Te$timoney.
“Love what I do and I do what I love…”
namaste
Jerrold Trice (Darryl “DL” Gunn) is a native of Rock Island, Illinois, but has lived in Texas for twelve years. The proud Soul Rep Company Member has accomplished a great deal in the theatre, and is motivated by a desire to learn and improve as an artist. He was last seen in August Wilson’s ‘The Piano Lesson’ at Theatre Arlington, which is one of his favorite works. He was previously featured in Soul Rep’s production of ‘Bourbon at the Border’; he played ‘Slow Drag’ in Jubilee Theatre’s ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom;’ he was on stage with African American Repertory Theatre in ‘A Lesson Before Dying’; he played various roles in ‘Playwright’s in the Newsroom’ – an original work that premiered at Dallas Theatre Center’s Wyly Theatre; and he was ‘Tico’ in ‘Yemaya’s Belly’ (a Cara Mia production). He received training at Illinois State University where he earned a BFA in acting.
Ashley Oliver (Gorgia Dawson) Designer, Actor, and Director from Arlington, Tx. She holds a BA in Drama from Prairie View A&M University and has been working in theaters around Dallas/ Fort Worth for 15 years as a Stage manager. Although she has worked with Soul Rep since she was 14, this is her 1st time on stage as an actor. She has worked on such shows as Cake Ladies, Little Women, Ann, Fetch Clay Make Man (Dallas Theater Center) Amazing Grace, Hurt Village, Dot, Do No Harm (Soul Rep Theatre) Bootycandy, Mr. Burns Post-Electric Play, Deer(Stage West), Shakin the Mess Outta Misery, Flight (Jubilee Theater) and Erykah Badu's One (Hu)man show (TBAAL) and many other shows. "A word equal a thought, a thought an idea, an idea an action, an action can change the world."-Claude McKay
Octavia Thomas (Bethany Fletcher/Laverne Campbell) is delighted to have her debut performance with Soul Rep in this powerful production. Seen recently in If Pretty Hurts at Jubilee Theatre, and as Goneril in Auriga Production's King Lear, she has performed throughout DFW – including Echo Theatre, Circle Theatre, Dallas Children’s Theater, Lyric Stage, Pegasus Theatre, Stage West, and Theatre Arlington. Favorite productions include Obama-ology, Men on Boats, Let It Be Me, Company, Batboy, Women Playing Hamlet, Showboat, Once on This Island, Little Shop of Horrors, Junie B. Jones, and A Midnight Cry. Many thanks to Soul Rep for providing such a wonderful opportunity and to her family and friends for their continued support. Miss Thomas received her BA from the University of Texas at Dallas.
Guinea Bennett-Price (Director) is Co-Founder and Artistic Director of Soul Rep. She is a Dallas born actor, director, playwright and Theater educator. She holds an MFA in Theater from Texas A&M and a BFA in Theater from Howard University in Washington D.C. Her acting and directing credits include THE SHINE PLAYS, BLACK NATIVITY, HERSTORIES, SPUNK, IN THE BLOOD, FOR COLORED GIRLS…, ONCE ON THIS ISLAND, and DREAMGIRLS. Most recently, she directed SNOWY DAY, a collaborative production between Soul Rep and Dallas Children’s Theater, in addition to the celebrated world "staged" premiere of Anyika McMillan-Herod's DO NO HARM, as part of the 2021-22 Elevator Project at the Wyly Theater. Guinea currently serves as Theater Conservatory Director at her alma mater, Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. Guinea received a 2018 Irma P. Hall Award for her tremendous work mentoring young artists.
Patiance Wiley (Stage Manager) is a senior at Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Dallas. She recently stage managed this year's All School Musical Performance of The Wiz! While Patiance enjoy enjoys stage managing, she also acts, and has a deep passion for writing. Most notably, she is a Poet who has performed an original piece at the Music Hall at Fair Park during Booker TWHSPVA's centennial celebration. Patiance is extremely excited to participate Soul Rep's production of Travisville. “Aren’t we all waiting to be read by someone, praying that they’ll tell us that we make sense?” - Rudy Francisco
Rebecca Jefferey (Scenic Designer) Designer, Choreographer, Teacher, and Curriculum Writer from Tulsa, Ok. She holds a BS in Dance from Stephen F. Austin State University. She worked with Dallas ISD for 13 years as a dance director and curriculum writer. She has been with Soul Rep Theatre Company since 2013 as a scenic designer, curriculum writer and finance manager. Rebecca has worked on shows such as Freedmans, Amazing Grace, Retales, and several others.
Charlton Gavitt (Lighting Designer) is a teacher at Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. Among his many duties, he is the resident Fight Choreographer and stage combat teacher. A graduate of Case Western Reserve University he has performed with Karamu Theater, Beck Center, Forth Worth Shakespeare Festival, Shakespeare Dallas, Dallas Children's Theatre and Stage West to name a few.
Nash Farmer (Sound Designer) is proud that Travisville marks his return to collaborating on new work with Soul Rep Theater Co. Excited to be back after finishing his bachelor's degree in History from the University of Texas; Nash began sound designing for Soul Rep with Topdog/Underdog and would later win the Irma P. Hall Black Theater award for best sound design in a musical for Naughty but Nice. He also works as an actor, producer, and editor for 'The Doom Train Players,' an actual play tabletop role playing game podcast.
Jasmine Woods (Costume Designer) is an interdisciplinary artist based in Dallas. With a surrealist approach, she explores Black culture under the mediums of fashion design, costume work, collage, and digital art.
TACA
CITY OF DALLAS OFFICE OF ART AND CULTURE
ANONYMOUS
MOODY FUND FOR THE ARTS
BIG D READS
