The Colored Museum… Bravo!

Last week’s incredible production of George C. Wolfe’s The Colored Museum was a dynamic, thought-provoking, and entertaining expression of our school’s yearlong work in DEI and an exemplary celebration of Black Excellence. It was also a milestone event for students in the Oakwood Theatre program as every element—costume design, set design, sound design, stage management, and the inspiring final performances—was carried out by students, teachers, and mentors working online.

You can read more about how the cast and crew conquered the challenges of producing a show in the era of remote learning here. And as students engaged in the final weeks of virtual preparations, Spectrum News 1 also connected with the cast and crew to capture the story behind their momentous effort.

An artistic team of students from various ethnic backgrounds have come together to present a play rich in the culture of the African American experience as proof that when we work together, as one, to foster understanding and celebrate each other’s differences, we will be able to advance as a nation filled with love, acceptance, and hope for a brighter future.

Herb Newsome, Director

CAST

Caleb Armstrong
Lola Bodé
Noah Mack
Kennedy Reynolds
Amaya Hassan Scott
Ryan Suchniak
Nadiya Wilson

PRODUCTION TEAM

Director: Herb Newsome
Producer: Javier Rivera
Performing Arts Chair: Brian Walsh
Technical Director: Sarah Moretz
Student Technical Director: Leo Frankel
Production Stage Manager: Coco Cooley
Assistant Stage Manager: Ella Cutforth
Assistant Stage Manager: Jordan Kleinberg
Assistant Stage Manager: Richard Chung
Dramaturg: Becca Light Rake
Program Builder: Pearl Metcalf
Costume Design Team Mentor: Johnnyangel Pineda

DESIGNERS

Background Design: Leo Frankel
Costume Designer, Program Cover Art: Ninah Brown
Costume Designer Mia Elkins
Costume Designer: Lori Krekorian
Costume Designer: Henry Winkleman
Costume Designer: Emma Blankstein
Sound Designer: Arlo Kremen
Sound Designer: Otis Birnbaum

GUEST ARTISTS

Hair & Wig Design and Instruction: Nikiya Mathis
Makeup Design Instructor: Earon Nealey

SPECIAL THANKS

Oakwood Security for helping with supply pick-ups and seemingly endless deliveries.

Oakwood IT Department for enthusiastically setting up our broadcast computers in the theatre and scene shop.

Oakwood Business Office, especially Patricia Mondragon, for processing the massive number of purchases efficiently.

Families of The Colored Museum Cast & Crew members for supporting converting spaces in their homes into broadcast studios and giving up their WIFI to the production.

Elisha Schaefer, De Toledo HS Technical Director, gave us lots of key instruction in setting up our broadcast software OBS.

EB Brooks for crafting the four rag dolls in “Cookin’ With Aunt Ethel” with love on her Great Grandmother’s sewing machine.

Ron Frankel (Proof Inc.), Jarrett Smith (Derivative), Roy Gerritsen (y=f(x) labs), and David Bianciardi (AV&C) for their guidance and mentorship with Leo Frankel as he navigated the steep learning curve integrating the Media Server into this new theatrical format.

Tara Lynn Wagner at Spectrum 1 News for spotlighting The Colored Museum cast and crew and the story behind their momentous and historical efforts.

Rowan C. Young for your insight into the behind-the-scenes nature of running virtual performance on the tech side. Your willingness to share your experience was invaluable.

Charles Dumas for the words and wisdom that have always been an inspiration and deep well of guidance.

VIEW THE OFFICIAL OAKWOOD THEATRE PLAYBILL FOR THE COLORED MUSEUM

The Colored Museum is presented by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc., New York.

Originally produced by Crossroads Theatre Company, New Brunswick, NJ (Lee Richardson, Artistic Director).

Original New York production by New York Shakespeare Festival, produced by Joseph Papp.