can i touch it?

PAST PRODUCTION | SEASON 24

The Boy Who Kissed The Sky

by Idris Goodwin
music by Divinity Roxx and Eugene H. Russell IV

directed by Summer L. Williams

music direction by David Freeman Coleman

dramaturgy by afrikah selah

in partnership with the
City of Boston’s Office of Arts and Culture

Jul 14 - Aug 12, 2023

The Strand Theatre (543 Columbia Road, Dorchester)

All tickets are Pay-What-You-Want, with $0 minimum!

ABOUT THE PRODUCTION

With just a broom, a pencil, and a dream for a better life, a budding guitarist — unsure of his place in the cosmos — invokes the past, present & future of rhythm ‘n’ blues as his guide. Rocking and rolling with the hippest ancestral spirit, our young hero must set aside his fears and dig deep to discover his own voice.

This summer, Idris Goodwin returns to Company One with The Boy Who Kissed The Sky, a groovy ride through space, time, and imagination for dreamers of all ages. Inspired by the early life of Jimi Hendrix, this intergenerational journey is a celebration of reaching for the stars, finding community, and embracing the creative legacy that lives inside us all.

Updated COVID-19 Information

Press and Buzz

Program notes by Ilana M. Brownstein and afrikah selah. For reprinting permissions, or more information, please contact info@companyone.org

To cite these program notes:

Brownstein, Ilana & afrikah selah. Program Notes for Company One Theatre, The Boy Who Kissed The Sky. Idris Goodwin, playwright; Divinity Roxx & Eugene H. Russell IV, composers. July 14-August 12, 2022. Accessed [include your access date here]. URL https://companyone.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/The-Boy-Who-Kissed-The-Sky-Program.pdf.

Producing Partners

AMPLIFYING ACTION

Company One Theatre is producing
The Boy Who Kissed The Sky to AMPLIFY:

  • Public Art for Public Good in Upham’s Corner.

  • powerful reverberations of community care, where neighbors show up for one another in the face of adversity.

  • visionary artists, activists, and musicians, whose work heals us, propels us, and helps us imagine ourselves into a better future.

  • nurturing intergenerational spaces, supported by partner organizations across Boston, who empower our young people to achieve their dreams and become impactful changemakers.

  • communal joy, creativity, and relentless optimism as essential tools for social justice.

    RESOURCES & ACTION STEPS

    Take Action for Community Care

     

    Support Music Education and Youth Development

     

    Resources for Healthy Communities

    • Sign up for Vital CxNs newsletter to receive a weekly digest of food resources, local events, and health & wellness services.
    • Check out Project Bread’s Resource Directory for information on SNAP, the Summer Eats program, and more!
    • Contact ABCD Connect for referrals to programs and services related to food & clothing assistance, early education and childcare, housing services, elder care and more!
    • Meet your neighbors and help end stigma and loneliness at an Everyday Boston training or event.
    • Use the directories below to find culturally-conscious therapists and mental health support for communities of color: 

     

    Resources for Parents and Caregivers

     

    Dig Deeper into the World of the Play

    BRANCH OUT WITH C1

    Sounds Like a Rainbow

    Wednesday, Aug 2 at 4:30pm

    Sounds Like a Rainbow

    An All-Ages Jam Session

    Join Company One Theatre at the newly opened Lot Lab for a sneak peek from C1’s production of The Boy Who Kissed the Sky! Then, stick around to catch performances from our friends at ZUMIX and Boston Music Project, interact with our instrument petting zoo, and join in for some communal music making — no instrument or music experience required!

    Playtime on Dream Street

    Saturday, Aug 5 at 10:30am

    Playtime on Dream Street

    A Celebration of Community and Creativity

    Join Company One and friends for a day of family fun to celebrate the vibrancy of our neighborhoods, Black joy, and the power of dreaming big! Activities will include a read-aloud of Dream Street by Tricia Elam Walker and Ekua Holmes, a communal collage of our dreams for the neighborhood led by racial justice educator Francie Latour of Wee The People, and an opportunity to daydream and find inspiration during a guided meditation and sound bath experience led by holistic wellness practitioner and social justice educator Marlene Boyette. Snacks and good vibes will be provided, just bring a blanket and your imagination!

    ABOUT THE TEAM

    CAST

    Errol Service Jr.

    Errol Service Jr.

    The Boy

    Martinez Napoleon

    Martinez Napoleon

    J. Sonic

    Cedric Lilly

    Cedric Lilly

    Mel/Feedback #1

    Yasmeen Duncan

    Yasmeen Duncan

    Donna/Feedback #2

    Kiera "Kee" Prusmack

    Kiera "Kee" Prusmack

    Mrs. Newton/Feedback #3

    James Turner

    James Turner

    Person with Clipboard/Feedback #4

    Adriana Alvarez

    Adriana Alvarez

    Person with Clipboard/Feedback #5

    David W. Prout

    David W. Prout

    Guitar

    Sahil Warsi

    Sahil Warsi

    Bass

    Hector Saint-Hilaire

    Hector Saint-Hilaire

    Drums

    PLAYWRIGHT AND PRODUCTION TEAM

    Idris Goodwin, Playwright

    Divinity Roxx, Composer

    Eugene H. Russell IV, Composer

    Summer L. Williams, Director

    David Freeman Coleman, Music Director

    afrikah selah, Dramaturg

    Ilana M. Brownstein, Director of New Work

    Victoria Lynn Awkward, Choreographer

    Danielle DeLaFuente, Scenic Designer

    Danielle Dominique Sumi, Costume Designer

    E. Rosser, Wardrobe Supervisor

    Christopher Brusberg^, Lighting Designer

    Nok Kanchanabanca^, Sound Designer

    Rasean Davonté Johnson^, Projections Designer

    Carmen Catherine Alfaro, Production Stage Manager

    Becca Cottrell, Rehearsal Stage Manager & Production Assistant Stage Manager

    Ethan Hewlett, Assistant Stage Manager

    Ben Lieberson, Technical Director

    Eliott Purcell, Assistant Technical Director

    Anna Brevetti, Production Electrician

    Nick Walwer, Audio Engineer

    Arielle Greenspan, Props Master

    Josh Glenn-Kayden, Artistic Producer & Casting Director

    Kimstelle Merisma, Artistic & Producing Intern

    BIOS

    Errol Service Jr. he/him

    Errol Service Jr. is thrilled to rock his Company One debut with the cast and crew of The Boy Who Kissed The Sky! Hailing from Detroit, MI, EJ is on his way towards his senior year in Boston Conservatory’s BFA Musical Theater Program. His recent credits include Mark in RENT (Umbrella Stage Company), Britney Spears in We Will Rock You: The Queen Musical (Timber Lake Playhouse), and the Youth in Passing Strange (Moonbox Productions). EJ wants to shout out his closest friends and family for helping him become the artist he is today. He is also very thankful for being offered this incredible opportunity. “It’s Game Time!”

    Martinez Napoleon he/him

    Martinez Napoleon is a Boston native making his Company One Theatre debut! He was recently seen as the Tinman in The Wiz (New Bedford Festival Theatre), Christmas Where Are You? (Hallmark Films), I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Sony Pictures), as well regional and national commercial and print credits. Martinez is grateful to God for the gift of music that flows through his veins, and thankful for the support of his amazing family throughout this shows creative process! Follow Martinez on Instagram @MartinezNapoleonMcNeil

    Cedric Lilly he/him

    Cedric is very excited to be doing his fourth production with Company One. He has done productions in New York, Philadelphia, Providence, and has Company One to thank for his return to Boston. Past credits include The Pain And The Itch, The Overwhelming, The Good Negro (all Company One) and Ti Jean and his Brothers with Underground Railroad Theater. He would like to thank Summer and the entire comany one family this for this opportunity.

    Yasmeen Duncan she/her

    Yasmeen Duncan is making her Company One debut! Recent credits include The Color Purple (Church Lady Doris) and The Colored Museum (Aunt Ethel, Topsy Washington, Lady In Plaid) at the Umbrella Arts Center in Concord, MA. She works as a Boston-based model and actor, and is a graduate student at Emerson College studying Applied Theatre. Other credits include For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/ When The Rainbow is Enuf and A Song For Coretta (CMU University Theatre) She is thrilled to be working with Company One!

    Kiera "Kee" Prusmack she/her

    Kiera “Kee” Prusmack is a recent graduate student from UConn’s MFA Acting class of 2023! Hailing all the way from Houston, Texas, she’s now based in Boston and is super excited to make her Company One debut! Her previous collegiate performances and credits include Mimi in RENT (Connecticut Repertory Theatre), Lady Macbeth in Macbeth (Time’s Fool Company), Aileen/Uma in ROE (CRT), Ronnette in Little Shop of Horrors (CRT), Sailor 1 in Food For The Gods (CRT), and Simonides/Marina in Pericles, Prince of Tyre (CRT). Kiera is thankful for this opportunity and for the constant support of her family and friends. Learn more about her at kieraprusmack.com.

    James Turner he/him

    James Turner (He/Him) is making his Company One Theatre debut! Recent credits include: Lyric Stage Company: Sister Act (Joey), Seacoast Repertory Theatre: A Christmas Carol (Christmas Present), Billy Elliot (George). The Firehouse Center for the Arts: Jesus Christ Superstar (Judas), Shrek (Shrek), The Last 5 Years (Jamie), Avenue Q (Nicky/Trekkie), The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Chip). James runs a small studio for voice and acting students, and teaches Improv at North Shore Music Theater. Endless thanks to my family for their love, patience, and support.

    Adriana Alvarez she/her

    Adriana Alvarez is excited to make her Company One Theatre debut! Her recent credits include: Handbook of Civilian Defense with Juvenilia Theatre Company at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival (world premiere), Priscilla Scollay at the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum, UBU ROAR with Juvenilia Theatre Company, Everybody with Suffolk University. She’s also a resident Choreographer at Artbarn Community Theatre. Adriana would like to thank her parents, sisters and mi amor for always supporting her dreams!

    David W. Prout

    David Prout is a self-taught guitarist and who is accomplished in many aspects of the music industry. He picked up the guitar at the age of 7 and started his first Funk/ R&B band “StarChild” by time he was 16. Shortly after high school, he spent a year studying Music Composition at The Modern School (an extension of Boston’s Berkeley School of Music). He went on to head theband “Strike Force” where he had his first taste of studio work at Normandy Sound in Bristol, RI. He left “Strike Force” for Los Angeles and began touring with Steve Arrington, an Atlantic Records recording artist (former member of Slave and Steve Arrington’s Hall of Fame), where he toured the U.S. and Europe and played on two studio albums over a three year period. Upon returning to RI he became a much sought after session musician doing advertising work, including music for NESN (New England Sports Network) ads. A passionate lover of Jimi Hendrix, rock and roll, heavy metal and funk, he went on to lead “Bold As Love”, a Jimi Hendrix tribute band that toured the East Coast for about 3 years. He also co-founded “Squire”, a heavy metal band, and “The Business”, a funk band. All of which enjoyed very successful runs. In 1996 David opened Boo Recording Studio/Productions, Inc. where he was not only Chief Engineer, Songwriter and Producer, but was also a fair but firm mentor to many young artists who came through his studio. Some went on to achieve great things.

    Sahil Warsi he/him

    Originally from New Delhi, India – and based out of Boston, MA – Sahil Warsi is a professional electric and upright double bassist specializing in Jazz, Musical Theatre, and contemporary music. A Berklee College of Music Alumni, Sahil performs regularly in New England for many production companies, including, but not limited to: the Ogunquit Playhouse; Company One Theatre; Umbrella Arts Company; and the American Repertory Theatre. You can follow Sahil on Instagram at @warsisahil

    Hector Saint-Hilaire he/him

    An experienced Boston area drummer. Recent engagements include Matilda at Wheelock family theater and Sister Act at Lyric stage.

    Idris Goodwin he/him

    Idris Goodwin is an award-winning breakbeat poet, playwright, filmmaker, educator and arts champion. He’s created original content for and/or appeared on Nickelodeon, HBO Def Poetry, Sesame Street, NPR, BBC Radio, and the Discovery Channel. Your House is Not Just A House, his first picture book, will be published by Harper Collins in Spring 2024. Idris is the author of over 60 original plays ranging from his Hip Hop inspired breakbeat series to historical dramas to works for young audiences. Titles such as And In This Corner Cassius Clay, How We Got On, Hype Man: A Break Beat Play, and the ground breaking Free Play: open source scripts for an antiracist tomorrow, are widely produced across the country by a diverse mix of professional and academic venues. Driven by a passion for cultural impact and civic engagement, Idris currently serves as Artistic Director of Seattle Children’s Theater.  Find him at www.idrisgoodwin.com and on across all the socials.

    Divinity Roxx she/her

    Divinity Roxx is a multi-hyphenate Grammy-nominated musician, recording artist, author, and composer from Atlanta, GA who is celebrated for her empowering lyrics and infectious bass grooves. Her career as a bass player skyrocketed after touring with 5-time Grammy award-winning virtuoso, Victor Wooten. She toured and performed with Beyoncé as her bassist and Musical Director, and was a featured soloist and composer for the I Am…Sasha Fierce tour. Her newly formed production company, Divi Roxx Kids aims to inspire and empower young people through music, edutainment and storytelling. In 2021, Scholastic Inc. released two picture books based on songs from her debut, full-length Family Music album, Ready Set Go! The album was nominated for Best Children’s Music Album in 2022. She was invited to perform at The White House Easter Egg Roll in 2023. She is excited to share her love for hip-hop and rock in the music she co-composed for The Boy Who Kissed The Sky, and hopes that everyone feels inspired by the power of imagination so eloquently portrayed in this work. @diviroxxkids @diviroxx

    Eugene H. Russell IV he/him

    Eugene H. Russell IV, born and raised in southwest Atlanta, is a multi-talented vocalist, musician, songwriter, and award-winning actor. He’s served as both a vocalist and saxophonist for countless bands who’ve opened for the likes of George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic, Boyz II Men, KC & the Sunshine Brand, Brand New Heavies, and Mother’s Finest. Among his regional theatre acting credits are East Texas Hotlinks (True Colors Theatre Company), Dutchman (Nebraska Repertory Theatre), and Before It Hits Home (St. Louis Black Rep), for which he received the prestigious Woodie King, Jr. Award. Eugene’s film/TV appearances include Disney’s Secrets of Sulphur Springs and the upcoming Netflix film Six Triple Eight. In addition to co-writing the music for The Boy Who Kissed The Sky, he’s been quite busy composing for many other regional theatres looking to produce new works that extend beyond the “traditional” musical theatre sound. No stranger to the studio, Eugene IV is also a solo recording artist whose representative catalog can be found on all music streaming platforms.

    Summer L. Williams she/her

    Summer L. Williams is an award-winning director and Co-Founder/Associate Artistic Director of Company One Theatre in Boston. Her most recent directing credits include Jump by Charly Evon Simpson at Everyman Theatre in Baltimore, MD,  can i touch it?, a National New Play Network Rolling World Premiere by Francisca Da Silvera at Company One Theatre, sandblasted by Charly Evon Simpson with Vineyard Theatre and WP Theater, Off-Broadway. 

    Local/Regional credits: The Arboretum Experience at American Repertory Theater (A.R.T), Daddy Issues at Salt Lake City Acting Company New Play Sounding Series, the Digital World Premiere of Downtown Crossing at Company One Theatre, Wolf Play at Company One Theatre, School Girls, or The African Mean Girls Play at SpeakEasy Stage Company, Miss You Like Hell with Company One Theatre and OBERON at American Repertory Theater, the World Premiere of Leftovers at Company One Theatre, Wig Out! with Company One and OBERON at A.R.T.; Smart People at Kitchen Theatre Company in Ithaca, NY and Geva Theater in Rochester, NY; Barbecue at Lyric Stage Company of Boston—Winner of the 2018 Elliot Norton Award for Outstanding Director; Revolt. She Said. Revolt Again. at Company One Theatre; Bootycandy at SpeakEasy Stage Company; An Octoroon and Colossal with Company One Theatre—Winner of the 2016 Elliot Norton Award for Outstanding Director for both productions. Intimate Apparel at Lyric Stage Company of Boston; Shiv as a part of The Displaced Hindu Gods Trilogy; Shelter of Last Resort by Miranda Craigwell as a part of XX PlayLab 2014; the New England Premiere of Jackie Sibblies Drury’s We Are Proud To Present A Presentation About The Herero Of Namibia, Formerly Known As Southwest Africa From The German Sudwestafrika Between The Years 1884-1915; Idris Goodwin’s How We Got On; Lynn Nottage’s By The Way, Meet Vera Stark at the Lyric Stage Company of Boston; The Brothers Size and Marcus; Or The Secret Of Sweet as part of The Brother/Sister Plays (2012 Elliot Norton Award nominated for Outstanding Production and winner of the 2012 IRNE Award for Best Play); Neighbors, Grimm; The Good Negro; Voyeurs De Venus (Winner of 2009 Elliot Norton Award for Outstanding Director); The Bluest Eye (IRNE and Elliot Norton Award nominated); The Last Days Of Judas Iscariot; Spell #7 (IRNE nominated); Jesus Hopped The A Train (2004 Elliot Norton Award for Best Fringe Production); and Twilight: Los Angeles 1992 (IRNE nominated).

    David Freeman Coleman he/him

    David is excited to return to Company One after music directing Wig Out! and Miss You Like Hell. Lecturer of Music at Tufts University, Director of Choral Music at Dana Hall School. Recent Music Direction: The Little Mermaid (Reagle Music Theatre), Sister Act (Lyric Stage). Matilda (Wheelock Family Theater), Jelly’s Last Jam (Long Wharf Theatre), Ain’t Misbehavin’ (Central Square Theater & Greater Boston Stage), Once On This Island, Choir Boy (SpeakEasy Stage), The Bluest Eye (Huntington Theater), Wild: A Musical Becoming (A.R.T.), Passing Strange, Sister School (Moonbox Productions). 4 Eliot Norton Award Nominations for Outstanding Music Direction and 1 win for 2023. Has worked with Idina Menzel, Audra McDonald, Mariah Carey, Bobby McFerrin, Ryan Gosling and the Boston Pops. Learn more at www.davidfcoleman.com.

    afrikah selah they/them

    afrikah selah is the 2022-23 NNPN New Work Producer in Residence at Company One Theatre, and a Boston-based cultural worker with a focus on producorial dramaturgy, new play development, and arts writing. Outside of producing, collaborating, and supporting new work in development, they are a freelance writer who has written for the American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.), New England Theatre Geek, The Public Theater, and 3Views on Theater. As a cultural worker, their mission is to create intentional work that activates and bridges community action and dialogue at the intersections of identity, time and space, social change, and healing-centered engagement for artists and audiences. You can learn more about their work at itsafrikah.com.

    Ilana M. Brownstein she/her

    Ilana M. Brownstein is the Director of New Work at C1, and a parent-artist specializing in new plays, social justice, and public advocacy. She is the Founding Dramaturg at Playwrights’ Commons. Previously, she created the Playwriting Fellows program and Breaking Ground Festival at The Huntington; led the dramatic literature and dramaturgy curriculum at Boston University for 10 years; and has served as a freelance dramaturg for new play festivals, including The O’Neill, New Harmony, and the Kennedy Center among others. Dramaturgy with C1 includes works by Kirsten Greenidge, Jackie Sibblies Drury, Young Jean Lee, Aditi Kapil, Natsu Onoda Power, Lauren Yee, Mia Chung, Tarell Alvin McCraney, Josh Wilder, Kristoffer Diaz, A. Rey Pamatmat, Qui Nguyen, and Idris Goodwin. She is the senior dramaturg for the C1 PlayLab program, which has provided script and professional development to 60+ playwrights over 11 seasons. She is a member of the 2019 NAS Creative Community Fellows Cohort, artEquity’s 2017 anti-racism facilitator cohort, and holds an MFA in Dramaturgy from Yale. Ilana has been a Kilroys nominator, served on the National Advisory Board for HowlRound, and is a two-time winner of the LMDA Elliott Hayes Award for excellence in dramaturgy. imbturgy.wordpress.com

    Victoria Lynn Awkward she/her

    Recently awarded 1 of 15 Artists of Color making an impact in Boston by WBUR, Victoria is the Director of VLA DANCE. She aims to celebrate the talents and artistries of Boston through contemporary dance. Originally from Massachusetts Victoria L. Awkward trained at Impulse Dance Center by LuAnn Pagella and worked with Boston-based artists such as Karen Krolak. She graduated from Goucher College with honors in Dance, Visual Art and Education. Victoria is also a freelance artist, who most recently choreographed Bluebeard’s Castle with Boston Lyric Opera in addition to Romeo and Juliet with Boston Lyric Opera & Commonwealth Shakespeare Company. She has performed with Shura Baryshnikov, Levi Marsman, Ashani Dances, Attn: Dance, The Davis Sisters, Heather Stewart, Jenna Pollack and Ruckus Dance. An educator, she has been a guest teacher at Urbanity Dance, Salem State University, the Head Dance Coach at Middlesex School in Concord and the Visual Arts Coordinator at the West End House. She continually deepens her teaching practices through her work as a mentee with Cambridge-based Midday Movement Series.

    Danielle DeLaFuente she/her

    Danielle DeLaFuente is thrilled to return to Company One as the Set Designer of The Interrobangers. Her recent design credits include The Sitayana (The Tank), The Boy Who Kissed the Sky (Company One), and While We Wait (The New School). Her recent associate design credits include The Covenant (Roundabout Theatre), Bulrusher (McCarter Theatre), and Proof (American Players Theatre). She would like to thank Company One and this wonderful team for this process!

    Danielle Dominique Sumi she/her

    Danielle Domingue Sumi is a visual artist inspired by culture, spirituality, and humility. She is committed to promoting emotional and social well-being. Danielle’s creativity is explicated through diversity and social justice principles with recognition, exploration, and reflection upon multiethnic heritage. A graduate of Clark Atlanta University, FIDMLA and Loyola Marymount University; with degrees in both design and art psychotherapy, Danielle is treasured for ingenuity and leadership skills in theatrical, fashion, dance, and opera costume production. Danielle has created with Theatre Forty, Los Angeles Opera, Music Academy of the West, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Perm Opera and Ballet, Los Angeles Master Chorale, East West Players, JACCC, Halau Hula Moani’a’ala Anuhea, New Orleans Opera, and Company One Theatre. Danielle’s costume design was last seen at New Orleans Opera’s productions of The Barber of Seville and Charlie Parker’s Yardbird. www.danielledominguesumi.com

    E. Rosser she/her

    E. Rosser is thrilled to be choosing the clothes, rather than supervising the clothes, for this one! Rosser has been behind the scenes for several Company One projects, including Greater Good, Hype Man, Black Superhero Magic Mama, can i touch it?, and The Boy Who Kissed the Sky. Rosser works magic as a freelance costume designer, puppet enthusiast, and general theater wizard in the Boston scene for such varied groups as Speakeasy, the A.R.T., the Young Company at Greater Boston Stage Company, and Moonbox Productions. See more at erosser.com!

    Christopher Brusberg^ he/him

    Christopher Brusberg is a regional lighting designer based in NYC who is passionate about Opera, Dance, and New Theatrical Work, including how the intersection of design and storytelling can influence the relationships between art, the viewer, and the artist. Chris is happy to return for his seventh show with Company One. He has designed for the following companies: Opera Lafayette (DC/NYC), Annapolis Opera (Resident Designer), Tri-Cities Opera, Syracuse Opera, EMERGE125 (Resident Designer), BANDPoteir, Lyric Stage Company of Boston, Arrow Rock Lyceum, The Cherry Arts Space, New Repertory Theatre, NYU Steinhardt, and Boston Conservatory. Christopher holds a MFA from the University of Maryland and is a proud member of USA829. For upcoming design work, check out: Website: www.ctblighting.com, Instagram: @ctblighting

    Nok Kanchanabanca^ she/her

    Pornchanok (Nok) Kanchanabanca is a Thai artist, sound designer, musician, and composer. Recent productions include Describe The Night, The Seagull, Choir Boy, The Bald Sisters (Steppenwolf), Gem of the Ocean (The Goodman), Common Ground Revisited (Huntington Theatre Company), and The Wolves, Skylight (McCarter Theater). Nok has worked with theatre companies across the United States, including Lincoln Center, Rattlestick, Actors Theatre, Hartford Stage, Everyman Theatre, Montana Shakespeare, OSF, Actors Theatre, St. Louis Rep, and Milwaukee Repertory Theater, among many others. She has collaborated with performing groups and theatre companies in Thailand, since 2008. Nok graduated from the Yale School of Drama and is a member of the Theatrical Sound Designers and Composers Associate (TSDCA) and a member of USA Local 829. www.wishnok-music.com

    Rasean Davonté Johnson^ he/him

    Rasean Davonté Johnson is delighted to be working with Company One. He has worked locally with Huntington Theatre, and ArtsEmerson. His regional work includes projects with Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Goodman Theatre, Lookingglass Theatre Company, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, South Chicago Dance Company, Chicago Opera Theatre, Toledo Opera, Cleveland Playhouse, Indiana Rep, The Public Theatre, Yale Repertory Theatre, Hartford Stage, McCarter Theatre Center, Long Wharf Theatre, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Portland Opera, Manual Cinema, and internationally with the Edinburgh Fringe Festival (Scotland), B-Floor Theatre (Thailand), and the Ningbo Song and Dance Company (China). Additionally his installation work has been seen at the Yale Art Gallery, The Bay Street Theatre, The Bridgeport Film Festival, the Logan Center for the Arts, and the Columbus International Film Festival. BA The Ohio State University, MFA Yale School of Drama. raseandavontejohnson.com.

    Carmen Catherine Alfaro she/her/ella

    Carmen Catherine Alfaro is a facilitator specializing in stage management, lighting production, and anti-ableism practices. She is trilled to be returning to Company One after stage managing Miss You Like Hell and Leftovers. Carmen Catherine has a passion for new and contemporary work that is socially conscious, collaborative, accessible and diverse, both onstage and at the tech table. Recent stage management projects include Circé (Stage Manager, Boston Early Music Festival), Omar (Assistant Stage Manager, Boston Lyric Opera), Bluebeard’s Castle (SM, Boston Lyric Opera), Ocean Filibuster (ASM, American Repertory Theatre. Carmen Catherine holds a BFA in Stage Management and Lighting Design (dual) from Boston University. Proud member American Guild of Musical Artists.

    Becca Cottrell

    Becca is excited to return to Company One on The Interrobangers as an Assistant Stage Manager! Recent credits include Production Manager for The Fortune Teller with Chuang Stage, Substitute Wardrobe Supervisor for POTUS with SpeakEasy Stage, and Special Effects Design for Break, Break with the Legion Theatre Project. Congratulations to this wonderful mystery gang‽

     

    Ben Lieberson he/him

    Ben Lieberson is excited to collaborate with Company One again, after serving as Technical Director for can i touch it? and Set Designer for Really. As a Technical Director, Ben has recently worked with Actors’ Shakespeare Project, Arlekin Players Theatre, and Liars and Believers. Design credits include As You Like It (ASP), Shrike (Fresh Ink Theatre), Not Medea (Flat Earth Theatre), This Place/Displaced and Drunk Enough to Say I Love You (Artists’ Theater of Boston), True West and The Taming (Hub Theatre Co.) Ben also works as the Scene Shop Supervisor at Wellesley College and is a member of the immersive design studio Clerestory Light. website: www.benlieberson.com

    Eliott Purcell they/he

    Eliott Purcell is excited to be working with Company One! Eliott previously worked with Company One as an Electrician/Carpenter on Edith Can Shoot Things… and Wolf Play. Eliott is a local actor, puppeteer and technician. As a technician, Eliott has worked at Boston College (Lead Carpenter), Boston Playwrights Theater (Interim Tech Director), Speakeasy Stage Co (Assistant Technical Director), Huntington, ART, BLO, ASP, WFT, Lyric, GBSC, and others. As an actor, their, notable credits include The Seagull [Arlekin Players] The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (IRNE Nomination Outstanding Actor) and Hand to God (Norton Nomination Outstanding Actor) at Speakeasy Stage. As a Puppeteer, Eliott will next be seen with White Snake Projects.

    Anna Brevetti they/them

    Anna Brevetti is making their Company One Debut. Anna is is a recent Boston University graduate who is passionate about lighting, storytelling, and equity within the theatre community. Anna has had the pleasure of working with companies such as American Reparatory Theater, Huntington Theater, SpeakEasy Stage, and Festival Ballet Providence.

    Arielle Greenspan she/her

    Arielle Greenspan is a local actor, writer, and props designer. Recent design credits include The Turn of the Screw (NEC), The Chinese Lady (Central Square Theatre), Ada and the Engine (Central Square Theatre), Truth or Consequences (Fresh Ink), and Moonbox’s 1st Annual New Play Festival. Arielle received her BA in Theatre & Communications from Northeastern University, and is excited to be a part of the professional Boston theatre community.

    Josh Glenn-Kayden he/him

    Josh Glenn-Kayden is a Boston based director, the Artistic Producer and Casting Director at Company One Theatre, and a co-producer of the Legion Theatre Project. Josh‘s work centers around new plays that help us imagine a more equitable and just world together.

    Recent directing projects include Break, Break by Erin Lerch (Legion Theatre Project & Artists’ Theatre of Boston), Muse by Sarah Wendy Burman (Wellesley College), Shrike by Erin Lerch (Fresh Ink Theatre), Wild Flowers by Tatiana Isabel Gil (Company One Better Future series), Visionary Futures: Science Fiction Theatre for Social Justice Movements (consisting of new plays by Phaedra Michelle Scott, M Sloth Levine, and Jaymes Sanchez) at UMass Amherst, Baltimore by Kirsten Greenidge (UMass Amherst), workshops of Walden by Amy Berryman and The Interrobangers by M Sloth Levine (UMass Play Lab), Greater Good by Kirsten Greenidge (A.R.T. & Company One, associate director), the world premiere of This Place/Displaced (Artists’ Theater of Boston, ArtsFuse Best Stage Productions of 2018), The Lyons by Nicky Silver (Titanic Theatre), and Don’t Give Up the Ship by Laura Neill (Fresh Ink Theatre). Josh is also the director and co-producer of The Legion Tapes, a sci-fi podcast written by Erin Lerch.

    Josh has directed and developed new work for the A.R.T., Company One Theatre, Fresh Ink Theatre, Flat Earth Theatre, Artists’ Theater of Boston, the Museum of Science, UMass Amherst, Wellesley College, and Hub Theatre, among others. Josh holds a BA in Drama from Tufts University and an MFA in Directing from UMass Amherst.

    Kimstelle Merisma she/her

    Kimstelle is a Boston based actress and playwright and joined Company One Theatre this summer as the Artistic & Production Intern! She is a third year performing arts student at Emerson College. Kimmi’s work lies at the intersection of theatre arts, story-telling, and community-strengthening. As both an artist and an intern, Kimmi’s focus has been on bringing under-represented stories to the stage and showcasing faces and bodies theatre has previously denied.

    ^ Member of United Scenic Artists, Local USA 829

     

    PRODUCTION PHOTOS

    Click each thumbnail to enlarge. Photos by Erin Crowley.

    PRESS & BUZZ

    August 4, 2023: Joyce’s Choices, “THEATER: LOVE, LOSS, & WHAT I WORE, THE BOY WHO KISSED THE SKY/ REVOLUTION’S EDGE”

    “A charming, incisive, and universal tale of creativity.”

    August 4, 2023: WERS, “Company One’s Electric New Musical, ‘The Boy Who Kissed The Sky'”

    “An egaging celebration of Black joy and resilience… the perfect summer excursion for young theatre audiences.”

    July 21, 2023: The Boston Globe, “Company One’s ‘Boy Who Kissed the Sky’ mythologizes a young Jimi Hendrix’s experience”

    “An engrossing experience… moving and prophetic.”

    July 19, 2023: WBUR, “Company One favorite Idris Goodwin returns with Jimi Hendrix (sort of) in tow”

    “Summer L. Williams directs this production, with outstanding musical backup from a four-piece band, supporting the story by shifting the focus as needed from the quiet conversations between a 12-year-old boy and his dad to the mind-blowing adventure through his family history, his musical heritage and the possibilities ahead.”

    July 14, 2023: WBUR, “Company One stages an Afrofuturistic meditation on Jimi Hendrix’s early days”

    The Boy Who Kissed the Sky comes at a time when Hendrix’s own legacy is being reconsidered. Hendrix’s early years were spent on the R&B circuit backing the likes of Little Richard and the Isley Brothers. But when he emerged as a psychedelic rock star, he often played to largely white audiences who stereotyped him with racist tropes instead of crediting him as a musical innovator.”

    July 13, 2023: The Boston Globe, “Idris Goodwin’s ‘The Boy Who Kissed the Sky’ imagines a mythical journey for a budding guitarist”

    Playwright Idris Goodwin wants to tell stories that ‘stick to people’s ribs.'”

    July 5, 2023: The Bay State Banner, “The Boy Who Kissed The Sky debuts at the Strand”

    “Music, imagination and the importance of a strong community are central tenets in The Boy Who Kissed The Sky, a play by award-winning poet and playwright Idris Goodwin.”

    June 13, 2023: WBUR, “11 theater productions to see this summer”

    “The action centers on an emerging guitarist’s quest to find his voice and footing in the world. On this journey guided by an ancestral spirit, the young musician must face his fears and come into his own.

    May 19, 2023: The Boston Globe, “10 standout shows for theatergoers this summer”

    “An aspiring musician, called The Boy and played by Errol Service Jr., goes on a journey through time and space with the spirit of a bandleader named J Sonic (Martinez Napoleon).”