Intimate Apparel

November 17 - December 10

Showtimes:

Friday & Saturday - 8 p.m.

Sunday - 2 p.m.

All Tickets are $24

In New York City in 1905, a young African-American woman, Esther, pursues her dreams of becoming an independent seamstress and opening a beauty parlor for black women. She sews striking undergarments for clients who range from wealthy white patrons to black prostitutes. By way of a mutual acquaintance, she begins receiving beautiful letters from a lonesome Caribbean man named George Armstrong who is working on the Panama Canal. Being illiterate, Esther enlists the help of her patrons to respond to the letters. Gracefully exploring the lost or hidden stories of New York’s early 20th century black population, and drawing on Nottage’s own family history, the play insists that, in a world where even a bolt of wool or silk can come with a story, every person deserves their story, too.

Intimate Apparel was commissioned and first produced by South Coast Repertory and Center Stage, Baltimore. It was originally produced in New York by Roundabout Theatre Company, Todd Haines, Artistic Director.

PRODUCTION TEAM

Director:

Production Stage Manager:

Rehearsal Stage Manager:

Lighting Designer:

Sound Designer:

Costume Designer:

Scenic Designers:

Intimacy Direction:

Stagehand:

Producers:

Belle Burr*

Christelle Daceus

Kai Blackford

Niya John

Heiko

Britany Marriott

Faith Gaskin/Kai Blackford

Kay-Megan Washington*

Mecca Verdell

Brad Norris* & Laura Malkus*

CAST

Esther:

Mr. Marks:

Mayme:

Mrs. Dickson:

Mrs. Van Buren:

George:

Zipporah Brown

Nathan Suberi

Najah Bayyan

Jenelle Brown

Sharon Maguire

Festus Aguai

* Indicates a Member of FPCT

BIOS

Belle Burr, Director

Burr directed Stop Kiss at Vagabond Players as well as three plays in the 2022 10x10x10 festival at FPCT; her last directing gig was Alice In Wonderland for the Overlea ArtsFest. An alumnus of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Belle Burr has studied classical theater, Commedia Dell'arte, Dance and Film. When not directing, Burr combines theater with history to teach children of all backgrounds about the world around them. As an actor, she has performed all over the country in various styles of dramatic and comedic theater. Follow her adventures via @BelleBurr on Instagram, check out her reviews and podcasts at Pop Culture Uncovered and PCU on YouTube, catch her on tour with the American Immersion Theater or join her at a show with the crew of Drop Three Sketch and Improv.

Mo Stewart George

Mo Stewart is a Baltimore-based up and coming actor. Mo made his on-stage debut at the CCBC's production of "We are Proud to Present... Mo graduated from Tuskegee University with a B.A. in History. Mo enjoys traveling and entrepreneurship.

Najah Bayyan Mayme

Najah S. Bayyan (aka NajahBNajah) is a featured Spoken Word Artist, Vocalist, Author, and former Open Mic Host. Raised with an appreciation for the performing arts, Najah is honored to be a part of this stellar Cast & Crew. Najah dedicates her performance to her grandmother, Carol Marie “Candy” Wall (her Past) & her son, Damon (her Future): may she honor one, and inspire the other.

Jenelle Brown, Mrs. Dickson

Jenelle Brown is a Senior Engineering Major at Morgan State University and a native of Baltimore. INTIMATE APPAREL is her FPCT debut! She has been a member of the world renowned Morgan State University Choir and has performed in several Theater Morgan productions. Jenelle wishes to bring her acting career to the screen and television, as well, and is considering further acting study. She wishes to thank her family, her parents and grandparents, for their continued love and support. Also, her amazing fellow castmates, production crew, and awesome directors for their work and dedication. Break a leg!

Zipporah Brown, Esther

Zipporah Brown is a local actor in Baltimore, MD, and has a B.A. in Theatre. She is very excited to be in Intimate Apparel, her first full production with Fells Point Corner Theatre! You may remember her from other FPCT events such as Corner Carol, the annual holiday cabaret, where she played the beloved Mrs. Claus or from the 2019 Monologue Slam. Recent productions with other local companies include Our Town at Baltimore Center Stage and Rachel at Rapid Lemon Productions. For Rachel, Zipporah received a nomination for Best Performer in a Play by Broadway World for her performance as the title character. In addition, Zipporah also works with youth as a teaching artist with Baltimore Center Stage and with Arts for Learning MD.

Sharon Maguire, Mrs. Van Buren

Sharon Maguire (she/her) is a Baltimore based artist and engineer. She recently appeared as Mrs. Gibbs in Our Town (Dundalk Community Theatre) and Istole in The Murder of Gonzago (Chesapeake Shakespeare Company). Sharon earned a minor in Theatre Arts and Studies at Johns Hopkins University. She is thrilled to be performing with FPCT for the first time and taking a break from dying onstage!

Nathan Suberi, Mr. Marks

Nathan Suberi lives in Baltimore for the past several years, and grew up in Annapolis, MD. He has recently been engaged by theatre in Baltimore, playing Amir in Disgraced at Vagabond Theatres in 2021, and now as Mr. Marks in Intimate Apparel. Both of these plays have to do with religion, and a person's relationship with their religious heritage and beliefs. The themes of love and boundaries present in Intimate Apparel interested Nathan to join the cast, and it has been an amazing experience to explore these characters' lives. Hope you enjoy :)

Niya John, Lighting Design

Niya John is a lighting designer from PG County Maryland. She is elated to be back at Fells Point Theatre Company for this production of Intimate Apparel. Recent design credits include 10x10x10 Festival (Fells Point Theatre Company), Gideon's Knot (Laurel Mill Playhouse), and, You Can See Me In The Dark (UMBC). Niya is thankful to her professors, friends, and family for their support. Shout out to the cast and crew of Intimate Apparel, you're all amazing and incredible!

Heiko, Sound Design

Heiko is incredibly grateful and excited to be back working with FPCT. In his 20+ years on and off stage, Heiko has worked with virtually every small theatre in the Baltimore area. Personal highlights include but are not limited to operating sound on a moving bus for Promenade with Single Carrot, performing countless hours of improvised comedy with The Early Monday Morning Show and Drop Three, portraying Doctor Everett Scott in the Rocky Horror Show, stage managing and sound designing Mr Burns: A Post-Electric Play and far too much 4 a.m. sleep-deprived set building. Heiko would like to thank the cast and crew for their passion, and his family, both blood and assimilated, and especially Mrs. Awesomesauce, for their constant support. Also, if today is your birthday, happy birthday to you!

SPECIAL THANKS TO

Mary Bova, Kimberley Lynne, Larry Malkus,

and to Ron Burr for his infinite patience.

Britany Marriott , Costume Design

Britany is a New York born, Baltimore based cosplayer, self-published writer, podcaster and artist, and now convention chairwoman of KhromaKon, a new Baltimore based convention. She's been a featured artist at conventions as well as in interviews and podcasts. Leading as well as participating in panel discussions focusing on diversity, cosplay, and art. Britany's knowledge stems from her background in the Arts, Comic History, and Graphic Design. With her motto "Creating Fantasy and Altering Reality", she works tirelessly to expand her side of the internet by evolving her cosplay portfolio, increasing the details in her costumes, as well as showcase her available artwork and cosplay accessories at conventions across the country. Britany is currently working on creating KhromaKon, more episodes on her podcast "Noir Narration", which focuses on fairytales and Folklore from cultures of color, and working on costumes for Baltimore based companies.