SiSTERS FREEHOLD IS PROUD TO PRESENT
A WORLD PREMIERE PLAY written & directed by Shakill Jamal
July 14-30, 2023 // Baltimore Theatre Project
The production runs 90 minutes with no intermission.
There will be a talkback following the performance.
We invite you to post about your experience with The Code Switch or codeswitching using the following hashtags:
#codeswitch #codeswitchplay #flipthatswitch
“Remind yourself, Nobody built like you, you designed yourself” - JAY Z
Setting: Right here, Right now.
ENSEMBLE:
(in alphabetical order)
Michael Changwe
Hana Clarice
Griffin DeLisle
Sha-Nel Henderson
Jae Jones
Jess Rivera
Understudy & Voice of The Code Switch: ReginaGinaG
CREATIVE TEAM:
Director & Playwright: Shakill Jamal
Associate Director: Kateri
Creative Consultant: Raven Lorraine
Stage Manager: Shea Winpigler
Dramaturg: Abby Cady
Costumes: Kitt Crescenzo
Scenic: Bruce Kapplin
Projections: Chris Uehlinger
Lighting: Lillie Kahkonen-Timlin
Music: navi
Sound: Shakill Jamal
Puppets & Props: Raven Lorraine
SCROLL DOWN FOR CAST/CREW BIOS.
SPECIAL THANKS:
Amenia
Rand Black
Valerie Dowdle
Jericho Events
Jojo
Joseph Jones Sr.
Sandra Jones
Jossy
Christy Luis
Liz Miller
Justyne Paxton
Alex Perry
Dave Ray (drums!)
RGG
Sheray Sims
Gavin Witt
Xavi
FROM THE ARTISTIC DIRECTORS:
Welcome to the World Premiere of The Code Switch, a new play written by Shakill Jamal!
When The Code Switch was first presented to us in fetus form, we knew then that we wanted to help nurture it into the multifaceted, complicated piece of art that it is today. Shakill wrote a script that captures the essence of language altercation, or code-switching. This voluntary transformation works like camouflage to help us fit in wherever we feel like we don't.
The topic of code-switching is common but seldom discussed and as Sisters Freehold strives to transform our community by holding a mirror up to it, The Code Switch is a step in the right direction. We hope you see yourself in this piece. We hope you take something special with you when you leave. We hope you feel seen.
Congratulate Shakill when you see him. This wasn’t easy. No labor of love ever is. <3 —Makeima & Ann
Abigail “Abby” Cady (dramaturg) is a new play and production dramaturg in the Baltimore/DC region and the Director of Sisters Freehold’s Horticulture Playwrights Workshop. She has served as production dramaturg at many Baltimore theaters including Single Carrot Theatre, Iron Crow Theatre, Cohesion Theatre, and Interrobang Theatre Company. Abby currently serves as the Foundation Relations Manager at Arena Stage, and was an Education Apprentice at Everyman Theatre and she has interned in the literary departments of the Goodman Theatre in Chicago and City Theatre Company in Pittsburgh. She holds a Master’s Degree in Literary and Cultural Studies from Carnegie Mellon University and a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature and Creative Writing from Miami University of Ohio.
Michael Changwe (ensemble) is a D.C./ Baltimore based actor/artist. He started performing theatre dating back to his undergraduate days at Frostburg State University (Go Bobcats!). When not on stage, he enjoys software development and rooting for D.C. sports teams. He is excited to do his first show in years and grateful to Sisters Freehold for this opportunity!
Kitt Crescenzo (costumes, she/hers) is a Baltimore based costume designer, and company member at Stillpointe Theatre. Recent credits include: Costume Designer, “Nevermore” and “Macabaret” (Stillpointe Theatre) Associate Costume Designer, “Here, There are Blueberries” (Shakespeare Theatre Company), in house Costume Assistant (Arena Stage). Upcoming projects: Costume Designer, “Orlando” (Constellation Theatre Company), “The Lights Went Out Because of a Problem” (Acme Corporation); Wardrobe Associate “Crystalline” (Tepui Media)
Hana Clarice (ensemble) is thrilled to be returning to Sisters Freehold, where she was last seen in The Sleepover. Previous credits include The Rocky Horror Show, Hurricane Diane, Head Over Heels, Bare, and Collective Rage: A Play In 5 Betties (Iron Crow Theatre), The Trip (Best Medicine Rep), Hamlet (Endangered Species Theatre Project), and Intimate Apparel (Silver Spring Stage). She has also done work with Washington Improv Theater, KIT District, the Capital Fringe Festival, and the One-Minute Play Festival. Hana earned her BFA in acting from University of Maryland Baltimore County, where she appeared in Leah’s Dybbuk (world premiere), A Game of Love and Chance, Gum, Two Gentlemen of Verona, and 3D: Diversity, Disparity, Dialogue. She also completed the core training program at The Studio Acting Conservatory.
Griffin DeLisle (ensemble) is a Baltimore based theater artist interested in community focused experimental work. Recent credits include being a Showrunner for Submersive's "Katalepsis", Boh in Truepenny's "Immortal" festival, and Person/Doll in Interrobang's "Here We Are". He is an Actor, Director, Producer, SM, HM, and Teaching Artist.
Sha-Nel Henderson (ensemble, she/her) is an Indianapolis, Indiana (Naptown) native that intertwines her passion for community, performance and advocacy. Her fascination with the art of communication, social change and performance has led her to Towson University. She enjoys creating and performing vignettes that challenge and introduce conversations that can lead to social change. Her work is not solely devised in the ideas of prestigious theatre but using the artform in nontraditional spaces that allow for storytelling to unconventionally connect people. As a lifelong learner, she believes in the cycle of learning, unlearning and relearning ways that theatre encourages innovative spaces for people to experience storytelling that empowers them personally and artistically.
Jae Jones (ensemble) has always been an avid consumer of both historical nonfiction and fiction, specifically black history. He has pursued reading and going to the library digging into archives to understand the black history of various geographical areas for years. Acting has provided the ideal opportunity to share his body of knowledge and his passion for social justice issues and black history. These topics seem especially poignant in a city like Baltimore that demographically is 60% African-American and still has trouble having these stories told, let alone with vigor and passion. blackhistorytoursbaltimore@gmail.com
Lillie Kahkonen-Timlin (lighting designer) is a DC/Baltimore based Lighting Designer & Museum Lighting Consultant, and is excited to be working with Sisters Freehold on this production of The Code Switch. She obtained her MFA in Lighting Design from the University of Florida, where she designed Pippin, and a film adaptation of Anton Checkhov’s Three Sisters. Her recent projects include La Cerentola with Bel Cantanti Opera Company, the This Present Moment: Crafting a Better World art exhibit at the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s Renwick Gallery, and A Raisin in the Sun with Visionaries of the Creative Arts (VOCA).
Kateri (associate director, they/she) is a Baltimore based collaborative interdisciplinary artist, with a focus in queer-coded Camp and devised performance. They are a company member with the contemporary musical theatre company Stillpointe Theatre, and an active member of the Baltimore Rock Opera Society. Kateri holds a Master's of Arts in Theatre Directing from the University of London Royal Holloway. They are a director, stage manager, performer, and designer, as well as a reviewer for the Maryland Theatre Guide and reader for the Baltimore Playwrights Festival.
Raven Lorraine (creative consultant/props/puppets, She/Her) is an interdisciplinary artist currently residing in the DC/Baltimore area. Fulfilling her dream as storyteller, she has worked as a Director, Choreographer, and Teaching Artist for over 10 years collaborating with companies such as: Arts on the Horizon, Theatre Alliance, Bowie State University, Educational Theatre Company, and several schools and libraries across the country. A proud member of Actor's Equity Association, she has performed in shows with Shakespeare Theatre Company, Virginia Repertory Theatre, Synetic Theater, Hampstead Stage Company, National Theatre for Children, Quill Theatre, Convergence Theatre, TheatreLAB, The New Theatre, Little Island Theatre NYC, and The Kennedy Center for Performing Arts TYA. Film and voice over credits: "Ellen" in the feature film SHANIDAR on which she also serves as a Producer, “Liki” in Dark City, a video game from 4615 Theatre Company, and other shorts and industrial films. Raven is a company member with Only Make Believe DC, Synetic Theatre, and serves as a Board Member and Facilitator with The Conciliation Project. She holds a BFA in Theatre Performance from VCUArts class of 2015.
Navi (composer, he/they) is a non-binary Sri Lankan manymedia artist, music producer, and Helen Hayes nominated sound designer. A self taught creative, they've released five albums, and performed & toured as the lead vocalist for multiple bands. As a theater artist, they starred in & wrote the music for Pointless Theatre’s d0t::, and have devised on stage with The Arcanists (The Tarot Reading), We Happy Few (Frankenstein), Dog and Pony (Romeo and Juliet for the deafblind), and more! They're an alumni company member with Pointless Theatre, where - in addition to Art Making™ as a lighting designer, composer, sound engineer, performer, puppeteer, production manager, graphic designer & marketing content creator, they wrote Forest Tréas - an absurdist reflection on the 2002 DC Sniper crisis. Currently, they're running the R&D wing of Flying V as an Artistic Lead, exploring the vast reaches of performance, technology, and nerd culture!
ReginaGinaG (understudy, voice of the code switch, she/her) is a Baltimore native curator. She has a classical background in people management that has given her a unique ability to adapt to many different roles in the entertainment profession. She has performed at The Soundstage, The Downtown Cultural Arts Center, Center Stage, and various other play houses in Baltimore City. She has been a main cast member in traveling production in LA and Philadelphia. ReginaGinaG regularly host improv comedy shows at the Baltimore Improv Group Theater and The Downtown Cultural Arts Center.
Jess Rivera (ensemble, she/her) is a queer Boricua actor and theatre artist. She has recently performed as Maricela in Maricela de la Luz Lights the World (Fells Point Corner Theatre), Carly in The Most Massive Woman Wins (The Strand Theatre) Rachel in High School Coven (The Strand Theatre) and Shelly in Evil Dead: the Musical (Deer in the Spotlight Productions). When she's not on stage, she is loudly simulating child birth and assisting in clinical education.
Actor, writer, and musician, Shaquille Stewart aka Shakill Jamal (playwright & director) has been active in the DC theatre scene since 2014, is an active company member at 4615 Theatre Company, and has spent a decade nurturing his deep love for the artform. A native of Wheaton, MD, he’s lived in DC, MD, Virginia, and Baltimore, all in the last five years, but no matter where he finds himself, calls this city his true home. At his core a deviser, Shaq believes that devised theatre is the future of the artform because of its multifaceted collaborative nature that paints a wider picture than one person can alone.Recent stage credits include: Mlima’s Tale, (Various) 1st Stage (upcoming) Tempered-4615 Theatre Company (self), Macbeth, (Banquo) PG Shakespeare in the Park, Do You Feel Anger? (Howie), Theatre Alliance, Museum 2040 (Sebastien), 4615 Theatre Company, as well as Othello (Othello) and Alice in Wonderland (Alice #3) all with National Players Tour 69.
Shea Winpigler (stage manager) is a vocalist, band manager, stage manager, and all around theater and event management pro. Shea has worked with Fells Point Corner Theater, Guerilla Theater Front, Third Wall Productions and currently Sisters Freehold and the Baltimore Rock Opera Society. She's also the lead singer of Chase Entertainment's Gold City band and performs with a number of acts in the DMV area.
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