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November 7 - November 30
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Showtimes:
Friday & Saturday - 8 p.m.
Sunday - 2 p.m.
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All Tickets are $24
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A talented and experienced Black actress has been cast in Chaos in Belleville, an anti-lynching play set to open on Broadway. She's paid her dues throughout the years, playing stereotypical supporting roles in second-rate shows, and is ready for her star turn. Chaos in Belleville, written by a white playwright, might not be quite as enlightened a piece as she's been hoping for — but that doesn't mean it won't sell out. A cast of multigenerational Black actors rehearse under the purview of a white director and stage manager, and as the rehearsal process unfolds, theatre conventions and racial politics collide, resulting in a surprisingly funny yet deeply piercing look at the entertainment industry.
In 1955, Trouble in Mind was a critical and popular success off-Broadway at the Greenwich Mews Theatre, and it immediately drew interest from producers for a Broadway transfer. In an ironic twist echoing the tribulations of the characters in the play itself, the producers wanted changes to the script to make it more palatable to a commercial audience. Childress refused to compromise her artistic vision, and the play never opened on Broadway.
In 2021, the play made its long-awaited Broadway debut when Roundabout Theatre Company produced Trouble in Mind at the American Airlines Theatre, receiving four Tony Award nominations.
Cast of Characters
Wiletta Mayer: Kay-Megan Washington*
Henry: Margaret McCabe Janicki
John Nevins: Brandon Dion Gregory
Millie Davis: Mae Philippe-Auguste
Judy Sears: Abby Dobry
Sheldon Forrester: J Purnell Hargrove*
Al Manners: Colin Tillery
Eddie Fenton: Mady Sims
Bill O'Wray: John Dignam
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*Members of Fells Point Corner Theatre
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Director: Christen Cromwell
Stage Manager: Darlay Altenord*
Assistant Stage Manager: Sam Foxx
Set and Costume Designer: Bernard B. Johnson
Sound Designer: J Purnell Hargrove*
Lighting Designer: Martin Sundiata
Wig Styling: Penelope Chan*
​Dramaturgy: Susan Stroupe
​Producers: Marianne Gazzola Angelella* & J Purnell Hargrove*
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*Members of Fells Point Corner Theatre
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Production Team
Bios
Kay-Megan Washington (she/her/hers) is a seasoned stage actress in the Baltimore/DC region. She is delighted to return to the stage here at FPCT after playing Vivian in Wit and Hermia in Dead Man’s Cell Phone, and intimacy directing last season's On the Verge. Recent roles include Mrs. Muller in Doubt (Vagabond Players), Beatrice in The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds (Spotlighters), , Ethel Green in the premiere of Pillar Rabbit (Baltimore Playwrights Festival), and featured roles in Dan Rodricks’s plays, Baltimore, You Have No Idea and Baltimore Docket. Kay-Megan is also a film and television actress and an intimacy director when not on her Muggle job with Maryland Department of Agriculture. Website: kay-meganwashington.com/
Margaret McCabe Janicki (she/her/hers) is excited to make her FPCT debut. Favorite past roles include Amelia Earhart in One Voice (AmaZing Theatre), Mary Greenhouse in Justice on Trial (The Chad Cooper Company - Touring), and M in Shadow In Her Eyes (The Strand Theatre Company). Margaret is grateful to her family and friends for their ongoing support.
Brandon Dion Gregory (he/him/his) Brandon’s storytelling experience extends through-out large and small U.S. and international markets including but not limited to; STAGES (South African National Arts Festival, Classical Theatre of Harlem, Baltimore Center Stage, Pennsylvania Centre Stage, Syracuse Stage, Whole World Improv Theatre, Island Shakespeare Festival and now FPCT for the first time), NETWORKS (abc, showtime, bet, tvone), and BRANDS (Toyota, Reese’s, Crunch, Tim Horton’s, College Football Hall of Fame). Brandon has trained in Atlanta, New York City, London, and has a Masters of Fine Arts Theatre Degree from the Pennsylvania State University. Mr. Gregory currently coaches storytellers individually along with instructing at institutions like the Baltimore School for the Arts, New York Film Academy, Newberry College and Penn State. Visit http://www.brandongregory.net for more details.
Mae Philippe-Auguste (she/her/hers), is a Baltimore-based actor, singer, and educator. She is thrilled to return to Fells Point Corner Theatre, where she acted in their production of Machinal. This past summer, Mae participated in Chesapeake Shakespeare Company’s Shakespeare Beyond troupe, performing in their summer tour of It’s The Comedy of Errors, Hon! She has also appeared as Jasmine in Vagabond Players’ production of Pipeline. In addition to her acting, Mae has sung in cabarets with Stillpointe Theatre and Dance & Bmore as well as at events for the Greater Baltimore Section of the National Council of Negro Women. Mae has also produced several audiobooks.
J Purnell Hargrove (they/them/theirs) - Sheldon Forrester (Replacement)
Once dubbed “The Busiest Performer in Baltimore”, J Purnell Hargrove is a queer, multi-disciplined performer, producer, and all-around galactic treasure. They’ve been shimmying up and down the East Coast, delighting folx with their signature joie de vivre. They were last seen as Mutha Laurence in the queertastic adaptation on Romeo and Juliet, Call Me By Any Other Name… Just As Sweet. In addition to serving as the Artistic Director at Fells Point Corner Theatre, J is the Co-Founder of The Greasy Utterson, a podcast production team whose adaptation of The Secret Garden is available on all major streaming platforms. When not doing theatre business around town, you can find them gaming or joining live D&D antics with Baltimore’s own live roleplaying company, The WRPG. Previous credits include but are not limited to; Albert/Kevin in Clybourne Park (Spotlighters), Lola in Kinky Boots (DCT), Prof Hidgens in The Guy Who Didn’t Like Musicals (CJProd), Clifford Anderson in Deathtrap (Spotlighters). Carpe Noctem…
Abby Dobry (she/her/hers) Abby Dobry is a writer and multi-disciplinary theatre artist based in Baltimore. She received her bachelor's degree from the University of Pittsburgh in nonfiction English writing and theatre arts, and received a certificate in medieval and renaissance studies. Her favorite past roles include Bailey Gallagher in John Proctor is the Villain (Pitt Stages) and Megan Jones in Puffs (Pasadena Theatre Company). She currently works at the Chesapeake Shakespeare Company.
Colin Tilery (he/him/his) is excited to make his FPCT debut with Trouble in Mind. A Baltimore-based actor and playwright, Colin holds a B.A. in English and Theatre from Goucher College and a master’s degree in French and Comparative Literature from the University of Nantes. Recent credits include Floating Down to Camelot (Spotlighters), Variations on Courage (Rapid Lemon Productions) as both actor and playwright of the 10-minute play So Brave, and King Lear (Baltimore Shakespeare Factory) as Albany. He would like to thank Christen, the FPCT Board, the producers, and his fellow cast and crew for this opportunity and all of their amazing work to bring this story to life. Much love to family and friends for their love and support and special thanks to JT, Max, Bam, and Willow, the stars of my life.
Mady Sims (they/them/theirs) is making their Fells Point Corner Theater debut in Trouble In Mind. They are excited to work on such an amazing show with a wonderful cast and crew! Mady’s other credits include: Persuasion (Mary Musgrove), I’ll Follow Tomorrow (Monica), Most Massive Woman Wins (Rennie), Dracula: A Feminist Revenge Fantasy… Really (Mina), Trouble in Mind (Judy), and various devised works. Thank you to all of my loved ones for the support you have given me!
John Dignam (He/Him/His) This is John Dignam’s fourth traipse across Fells Point Corner Theatre’s stage. He previously appeared in FPCT’s 2022 and 2023 10x10x10 Play Festivals, and in the 2021 production of Wit. Since returning to the stage 10 years ago (following a very long 25 year hiatus), he has performed in close to three dozen plays (this is #35!) with FPCT and with these Baltimore area troupes: Vagabond Players, Cockpit in Court Summer Theatre, Salem Players, YouHaveNoIdea.org, Memorial Players, Spotlighters Theatre, Laurel Mill Playhouse, Stand Up for…Theatre, Lumina Theatre Company, Dundalk Community Theatre, Strand Theatre Company, Just Off Broadway, and Woodbrook Players. John would like to thank Christen, Marianne, Darlay, and the rest of the cast and crew for their support.
Christen Cromwell (she/her/hers) - Director is a theatre artist born and raised Baltimore with 20 years of experience. After becoming passionate about equity in education, she earned her MAT in Secondary English and Theatre Education. Her wacky arts resume includes acting, directing, and writing credits in theatre and film. She currently teaches English and Theater Arts at the Baltimore City College, her alma mater. She serves on the boards of the Strand Theater Company in Hamilton, Arts Education in Maryland Schools (AEMS), and Two Strikes Theatre Collective (TSTC). Liam is the coolest person in the world to her. Much love to Cromwells for always being supportive.
Darlay Altenord (she/her/hers) - Stage Manager is a passionate and diligent theatre professional in the Baltimore area. Works include serving as stage manager for the Fells Point Corner Theatre production of Blood at the Root and assistant stage manager for Clyde’s at Spotlighters Theatre. When not letting the arts consume her, you can find Darlay teaching at Baltimore City Community College or writing poetry in her free time.
Bernard B. Johnson (he/him/his) - Set and Costumes Bernard B. Johnson is a designer and director from Baltimore, MD. His previous work at FPCT includes: Dead Man’s Cell Phone (Lighting); The Thanksgiving Play (Set Design). Other credits included Joseph and the…Dreamcoat, Dundalk Community Theater (Director); Twelfth Night, Chesapeake Shakespeare Co. (Assistant Director); Marie Antoinette, Single Carrot (Set Design); The Nutcracker, Baltimore School/Arts (Lighting). He is a theatre graduate of the BSA and The City College of New York. His future work can be seen at Chesapeake Shakespeare Co. with Fences (Assistant Director); and at Arena Players with The Gospel at Colonus (Director). Thank you Starr and BJ for the construction and alterations
Samm Foxx (she/her/hers) - Assistant Stage Manager is thrilled to work on her first show at Fells Point Corner Theater. She’s excited to bring her film and video production experience to the stage by helping as the assistant stage manager. She can’t wait to work on more shows in the future.
Martin Sundiata (he/him/his) - Lighting Design is a Baltimore-based lighting and sound designer. With a BA in Theatre from Morgan State University, he has since designed for numerous local venues. Some of his credits include: Aida, The Color Purple (Musical Theatre Morgan), Honey Bee Baby, Variations on Night (Rapid Lemon Productions), Street Scene, Treemonisha (Morgan State Opera). He is also a playwright and directed his original work Dream and Disconnect at the Turpin-Lamb Theatre in April 2022. You can find more of his past and future work at MartinSundiata.com
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