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Playwright Jackie Alexander
Photo credit: Alex Berg
The Playwright and Director
The playwright says he owes his career to two people, Billie Holiday Theatre producer Moon, and the late musician and composer Weldon Irvine. “I’m only a playwright because of Marjorie Moon,” says Alexander. The more than half-dozen plays he has had produced at the Theatre, he says, has helped him find his voice. He also performed on two recordings produced by Irvine.
Alexander started as an actor, but one who was dissatisfied with the roles he was asked to play. “I started complaining about my work as an actor,” to Irvine, he says, and the veteran musician brought him up short. “He asked what was I doing to make it better.” From that spark, and the support of The Billie Holiday Theatre, came Alexander’s career as a writer.
—Geoffrey Jacques
Author of Change in the Weather
The Legend of Buster Neal
"The Legend of Buster Neal rises as one of the most valiant and relevant dramatic discourses in Black Theatre today." — Bedstuypatch.com
"Entire cast does a phenomenal jobxa piece of theatre that you need to experience."
— Amsterdam News
"Pointed dialogue and stirring performances."
— Back Stage
"Strong life lessons…a must-see."
— Our Times Press
The Legend of Buster Neal photo credit:
Images by Tanja
Selected for the 2011 National Black Theatre Festival
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| Photo credit: Images by Tanja |
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2. Dennis Johnson and Stephen Hill
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| 1. Nathan Purdee |
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3. Nathan Purdee |
4. Dennis Johnson and Charles Anthony Burke |
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5. Nathan Purdee, Stephen Hill, Dennis Johnson and Patrick Mitchell
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6. Dennis Johnson and Nathan Purdee
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7. Dennis Johnson and Nathan Purdee |
8. Dennis Johnson and Sidiki Fofana |
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| 9. Stephen Hill and Dennis Johnson |
10. Charles Anthony Burke, Sidiki Fofana, Dennis Johnson, Stephen Hill, Patrick Mitchell, and Nathan Purdee |
11, Dennis Johnson, Charles Anthony Burke and Sidiki Fofana |
12. Dennis Johnson and Nathan Purdee |
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| 13. Dennis Johnson and Nathan Purdee |
14. Dennis Johnson, Charles Anthony Burke and Sidiki Fofana |
15. Patrick Mitchell and Dennis Johnson |
16, Stephen Hill and Nathan Purdee |
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| 17. Nathan Purdee and Patrick Mitchell |
18. Stephen Hill and Dennis Johnson |
19. Patrick Mitchell |
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The High Priestess of Dark Alley
"Wonderful...an intricate piece of work that touches on our sensibilities with humor, and a genuine philosophical perspective."
—Legendary Actress, Ruby Dee
Selected for the 2009 National Black Theatre Festival
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| Photo credit: Edouard H.R. Gluck |
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1. Michael Chenevert and Zeb Hollins III
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2. Mari White, Marcelle Gover and Aura Vence
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4. Mari White and Nicoye Banks
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3. Mari White and Marcelle Gover |
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7. Zeb Hollins III, Mari White and Aura Vence
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8. Mari White and Aura Vence
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| 5. Nicoye Banks |
6. Aura Vence |
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Birthright
"Alexander's dialogue is rhythmic and often lyrical, his characters rounded...a fine play, with some echoes of August Wilson."
—Gwen Orel, Back Stage
"Exceptional writing...Alexander manages to weave his characters together in a way that will simply astound you."
—Linda Armstrong, Amsterdam News
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| Photo credit: Leroy Henderson |
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1. Victor Dickerson and Stephen Hill
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3. Jaime Lincoln Smith and Stephen Hill
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2. Nedra McClyde and Suzette Azariah Gunn |
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4. Suzette Azariah Gunn and Nedra McClyde |
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5. Stephen Hill and Susan Spain
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7. Nedra McClyde, Stephen Hill and Suzette Azariah Gunn
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8. Nedra McClyde and Victor Dickerson
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6. Susan Spain and Victor Dickerson |
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| 9. Victor Dickerson |
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The Desire
"Enthralling to watch...funny, at times surprising, and definitely thought-provoking ...'The Desire' is delightful."
—Linda Armstrong, Amsterdam News
"As playwright, Jackie Alexander is a keen observer of how the aftermath of hurricane Katrina affects two long time friends in his brilliant play, The Desire; Mr. Alexander further enlightens us with excellent direction."
—Woodie King, Jr.
Obie and Audelco Award-Winning Artistic Director, New Federal Theatre
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| Photo credit: Leroy Henderson |
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1. Kellie E. McCants, Heidi Kristoffer, Anthony Sandkamp, Shane Taylor and Wendell B. Franklin
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2. Kellie E. McCants, Shane Taylor and Wendell B. Franklin
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3. Kerri Miller and Wendell B. Franklin
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4. Wendell B. Franklin and Shane Taylor
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8. Shane Taylor and Wendell B. Franklin
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| 5. Kellie E. McCants and Wendell B. Franklin |
6. Wendell B. Franklin and Shane Taylor |
7. Shane Taylor |
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9. Kellie E. McCants and Wendell B. Franklin
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11. Heidi Kristoffer, Shane Taylor and Anthony Sandkamp
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12. Kellie E. McCants and Wendell B. Franklin
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10. Kellie E. McCants and Wendell B. Franklin |
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| 13. Wendell B. Franklin |
14. Kellie E. McCants and Wendell B. Franklin |
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