ROMEO & MOTHER JULIET
The Cast
June 2021
“Intensely passionate”
“poetry, bliss and unabashed heartbreak”
Deep in the Louisiana bayou, an old bootlegger and a retired show girl finding love at first sight and the most unusual place...Mardi Gras party during prohibition.
In this tragic tale of love, these beautiful elders, Romeo & Mother Juliet must fight their family’s generational feud. Mother Juliet’s daughter insistence to commit her in Dr. Paris’s senior care “clinic” drivers Mother Juliet to desperation. The goddess Erzuli and The Keeper of the Dead, Baron Samedi, both of Louisiana Hoodoo religion, vie for the souls of these two lovers as they play tug-of-war with the fates.
Their love was strong enough to bring them together…
but is there resolve deep enough to keep them from being pulled apart?
KT Masala as MOTHER JULIET
KT MASALA has performed and featured with several "The Macbeth Project," Celebration Arts," "African-American Shakespeare Company," "Theater First," and "California Musical Theater, Martin Luther King Projects" productions. She is an ELLY Nominated Supporting Actress and Award Winner. Ms. Masala has assistant directed, stage managed, and operated lights and sound in multiple productions as well. KT is the Founder of “Will Succeed Mentor Services,” and “The Audition.” She was Co-Founding Member for “Images Theatrical Company.” and currently board member of "Celebration Arts," and Assistant Director/Lead Contributor of "The Macbeth Project." KT Masala holds a Master’s degree in Educational Counseling.
Terry Moore as ROMEO
Performance poet Terry Moore has featured with and opened for some of the world's top entertainers. He has won eight Best Spoken Word Poet awards, one Best Live Performer award, one BMA Image award, appeared on the world-famous Showtime at the Apollo and BET, won multiple competitions, hosted numerous events and appeared in movies. He is most known for his captivating crowd-pleasing style that awes audiences. This multi-published, multi-talented poet is nationally recognized. He has dominated the English language through his masterful organization of words that sets him in a class of distinguished spoken word artists and scholars.
Has Shared the Stage With
The Temptations, Maya Angelou, Kirk Franklin, Floetry, Mary Mary, Rashaan Patterson, Dr. Cornel West, Freddie Jackson, CeCe Winans, Lalah Hathaway, Zapp, WAR, Marvin Sapp, and Philip Bailey (Earth, Wind and Fire), to name a few.
Carla Fleming as BIG MAMMA
Carla Fleming is a Creative Performing Artist, Singer, Songwriter, and Actor. She has
released several original music projects and videos. Her acting career is vastly
growing as she appears in a variety of stage and film projects. Carla is passionate
about the arts and welcomes the opportunities engage on stage
Some recent projects Carla has appeared in are “The Jackie Wilson Story”, with
Images Theater; “Polar Bears, Black Boys, and Prairie Fringed Orchids,” with
Celebration Arts Theater; and “MacBeth” with the MacBeth Project.
BJ Nash as PRIESTESS LAURENCE/ERZULIE
BJ Nash is delighted to return to the Celebration Arts Stage for the third time to participate in The MacBeth Project. BJ’s love of Shakespeare and Celebration Arts Theater combine in MacBeth to create an experience of language, culture and drama that are both entertaining and educational. Inspired by the Project and grateful to be a part of this very talented group of actors led by our director Khimberly Marshall, who brings her wealth of knowledge and insightful leadership.
Christian "SB The Moor" McLaurin as DR. PARIS/BARON SAMEDI
Christian McLaurin, also known by their alias as underground rapper Signor Benedick the Moor, has performed Shakespeare exactly one time before this, nearly ten years ago. But one time proved sufficient inspiration for the nom de guerre, and as impetus to take their theatrical and story driven hip hop to audiences far and wide, performing around the US and Europe before returning back to their home town of Sacramento, CA. Currently a music educator and psychology student working on their Bachelor's degree, as well as an artist engaging in a number of artistic pursuits, Christian is immensely grateful for the opportunity to perform Black Shakespeare with such a driven, skilled and inviting cast, and cannot wait to become more involved with The MacBeth project and Celebration Arts.
Gerry "GOS" Simpson as BENVOLIO
GOS” is a self-taught Visual Artist/Photographer whose work communicates
positive images of his community and the people, places and interesting things
around him. GOS” creates vibrant scenarios with the aide of his brushes and the
lens of his camera. He has recently opened GOS" Art Gallery Studio "UPTOWN"
In The Design District where he also creates original Fashion Designs. His main
focus is to keep it simple so that the story can be easily told…
Simpson has been involved with The Macbeth Project since its introduction in
2019.
Monique Crawford as MERCUTIO
Monique Crawford is honored to be performing in her first Macbeth Project show. Monique earned her B.A. in Theatre from CSU Sacramento in Spring 2019. During her time at CSU Sacramento, some of her favorite roles include Molly Aster (Peter and the Starcatcher), and ensemble roles (In The Heights) and (The Present). Since graduating, Monique has performed with Celebration Arts as Bulrusher (Bulrusher), Lily (Spell #7), and The Girl (Eclipsed). Monique also founded BE FREE (Black Engaged Fundamental Racial Equity Everyday in June 2020, as a response to Sacramento State Theatre and Dance Department’s silence in regards to the Black Lives Matter protests and movement. Monique thanks you for supporting Black artists and Black theatre. Follow Monique’s journey on Instagram: @monique.n.crawford and on Facebook: Monique Crawford
William Schmidt as TYBALT
William Schmidt is ecstatic to be taking the Celebration Arts stage for an amazingly strong show and cast! ! A graduate of Sacramento State with his degree in Theatre. Some of his favorite roles include Brucie (Sweat), Piragua Guy (In The Heights), Sky Masterson (Guys and Dolls) and Oberon (A Midsummer Night’s Dream). He is a two time Kennedy Center American College theatre festival region 7 Irene Ryan’s acting’s competition finalist( top 16 out of 210 teams), as well as two time finalist in the Musical Theatre competition as well. He has enjoyed being in the ensembles for The Producers, Annie, and Peter and The Starcatcher. He has had the pleasure of taking the stage across sacramento as well, a couple favorite credits have been: Vocalist/Soloist (“Hear My Song” cabaret Sacramento Theatre Company) Vocalist/Soloist (35mm, New Helvetia Theatre) Jack/Jesus ( Reefer Madness @ Fair Oaks Theatre Festival), Audrey II ( Little Shop Of Horrors, Sutter Street Theatre) . He would like to thank his Loved ones and mentors for their support and love.And thank you the audience for being here today to come on this journey with us! Follow his journey on Instagram @williamschmidtofficial !
Tammie Denyse as LADY CAPULET
Tammie Denyse is thrilled to return to the stage and Celebration Arts after a long hiatus. Though she's performed for almost 40 years, her role as Lady Capulet will serve as her Shakespearen debut. A few of Tammie’s favorite roles have been: Berniece, "The Piano Lesson; Vinnie, "Jar the Floor"; "Steel Magnolias." Tammie thanks the cast, and especially director, Khimberly Marshall, for the opportunity to join the Macbeth Project Family. She dedicates this performance to the late Myrtle Stephens and Lynne Rankin-Cochran.
Corey D Winfield as LORD CAPULET
Corey D. Winfield is a theatrical performer/technician who has worked in stage, film and television and has had the privilege to perform for local, U.S., and international audiences. A Renaissance Man of the entertainment industry his experience includes almost everything. Locally, he has performed/worked with Capital Stage, Broadway Sacramento (Music Circus), American River College Theatre, Bike City Theatre Company, Hawkins School of Performing Arts, Chautauqua Playhouse, Celebration Arts, Rocklin Community Theatre, and Roseville Theatre Arts Academy; among others. In his “free time” he also works as a vocal, ballroom, and runway coach. Working at American River College as the HomeBase Coach for the People, Culture, and Society area of Student Services, he inspires and supports marginalized and disenfranchised student populations to achieve their academic, professional, and personal goals.
to stage our innovative and unique performances. We really can’t thank Sovix enough! Get involved to make a difference in the San Francisco performing arts scene.
Charles Cooper: Music Composer
CHARLES COOPER (COMPOSER/LYRCIST/MUSICAL DIRECTOR) is a founding member and Executive Director/Composer of IMAGES THEATRE COMPANY. In addition to the Legacy series, Ma Rose, Hallelujah City, Wings of Freedom, Everyday People, and Evangelize for Images, Charles has served as the musical director for All Night Strut at Garbeau's Dinner Theatre and Night Club, Ain't Misbehavin’, Piano Man, and Smokey Joe's Cafe at Magic Circle Theatre. He also participated in California Musical Theatre’s MLK Project for many years. In 2001 and 2003, he sang as a soloist in Gospel at Colonus and Keeping the Dream Alive. He also worked as the composer and musical director for the 2004, 2005, and 2006 productions of And the Dream Goes On!, for which he earned a 2005 Elly Award nomination for Best Musical Direction. His additional stage credits include performing with Donna Summer and Lou Rawls and entertaining across the country from New York to Hawaii. He has established his own sound recording studio, Piano Images and produces CDs. He is the musical director at Unity of Sacramento. And also is the founder of Music in Motion Empowerment Program
Ashwut Rodriguez: Featured Guitarist on MacBeth Blues
Ashwut Rodriguez is a Sacramento area based guitarist with over 30 years of experience writing, recording and performing music. He's played throughout the US, as well as toured overseas. He's worked with members of Sapo, Malo, Parliament Funkadelic and artists Della Reese and Ishmael Reed. He enjoys studying classical, funk, Latin, jazz, gospel and world music. Currently he performs at Unity of Sacramento with Chakra and other bands like Latin Soul, Maya, Dinorahs Band. Other current projects include, Melisa Corona's solo project, Dinorah Klinger, and solo performances.