Karani Marcia Leslie Johnson’s
The Trial of One Short-Sighted Black Woman vs. Mammy Louise and Safreeta Mae

Directed by Sherri Young

This satirical play by Karani Marcia Leslie Johnson is set up as a mock trial of black female identity—specifically the jovial, asexual and servile “mammy,” along with the hyper-sexualized Jezebel-like “Safreeta Mae” stereotypes, which the main character charges, are actually based on television, advertising and the movies, not reality. And it is these stereotypes that have impeded her success in making it up the entertainment industry’s corporate ladder. Interestingly, the playwright herself was an editor and staff writer for CBS, NBC and Fox, with credits that also include The Cosby Show and Parenthood.

#TheTrialAASC

“Johnson’s play offers strong medicine—a tonic and inspiration for those who believe in social justice. Director Sherri Young brilliantly lays the foundation for a deeper understanding of how Black women blossom into warriors for change.”
—Robert M. Gardner, Theatrius

Director’s Note

Looking back at my youth, there was such a need to fit in and belong. I remember one day wearing afro-puffs in South Lake Tahoe and a little white girl younger than I pointed at my hair and said, “Mom, her hair looks funny.” My problem was that I had no idea who she was talking about so I looked around to see the girl with the funny hair only to realize it was me. So much of my childhood, I tried to fly under the radar. Not be too brash, too outspoken, too this — and sometimes too black.

Which is why when my mother would go out of her way to point out all of those things that made us black from our clothes, to our music, and even the friends we had chosen — there was hurt in our mother eyes when I chose to veer away from this in a stance of wanting to not be an “other”.

I never understood the need to seek out our history, learn about my family members, and develop that black pride. Waving a flag of your blackness seemed redundant as I carry it wherever I go… it never leaves me.

Now as an adult, I understand what she was really trying to create was a foundation and roots to build strong women. She wanted us to be proud and fierce and to never forget from where we came because so many people in this world will tell your own story and will always get it wrong. So we have kings and queens among us who have forgotten themselves.

Through the strength of connecting our history and culture, the process of inheriting this pride and understanding of the people was designed to withstand any wind, storm, or threat. I see now, my mother was giving me the strength so that no one was able to knock me down — because the roots were so deep, so strong, and filled with fortitude that her children would never allow an “other” to dictate who I am, or what I could be.

The Trial is a remnant of my mother’s message and I would play the role of Victoria Dryer: “why do I have to know this stuff?” I can now cringe at my words I use to think or say out loud when my mother made attempts to push me in the direction of embracing my culture.

What we both needed to learn is that those roots are so strong there was never any need to force the connection, because when enough growth happens and you realize your history, learn from the people around you, and really see them — you become connected. We become stronger.

This play is a dedication for those who have not found the strength of their connection; and for those who have been reaching out to connect with our lost community.

— Sherri Young

Cast

Victoria Dryer — Desiree Rogers

Desiree Rogers is happy to be back at African-American Shakespeare Company for a second time. She Loves doing work that entertains and educates. She recently got that opportunity playing Deborah in Jordan Tannahills “Late Company” & Susan in Tim Pinkenys “Still At Risk” at New Conservatory Theater Center, Deborah Lacks in Lauren Gunderson & Geetha Reedy’s “Hela” with TheatreFIRST, Alberta Hunter in Jewelle Gomez’s “Leaving The Blues” at New Conservatory Theater Center , Siara in Patricia Milton’s “Enemies Foreign & Domestic” with CentralWorks, Myra in Ira Levin’s “Deathtrap” with Theater Rhinoceros , 3 characters in Jewelle Gomez’s “Waiting For Giovanni” at NCTC, understudying 3 roles in Naomi Wallace’s “The Liquid Plain” at OSF Ashland & playing 6 Characters in Ed Decker & Robert Leone’s” Rights Of Passage” at NCTC.

The Defense — Brittany Nicole Sims

Brittany Nicole Sims is an actress and Bay Area Native from San Leandro, CA and is thrilled to be working with AASC as the Fairy Godmother. Brittany was recently Lady In Green in AASC’s production of For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf. Brittany received her B.A. in Theater Arts from Sacramento State University. Brittany has had the pleasure of working with All Terrain Theater, Inferno Theater, Those Women Productions, The SF Olympians Festival, Playwrights Center of SF, Ubuntu Theater, The Exit Theater, Custom Made Theater, B8 Theater, and 6th Street Playhouse. Brittany would like to thank her family and friends for all their love and support, especially her mom, sister and grandma.

Mammy Louise — Juanita Harris

Juanita Harris is a musician/vocalist/actor who has been actively entertaining audiences around the Bay Area and internationally. A native of Sunnyvale, she is a graduate of the Berklee College of Music and excels in myriad genres such as Jazz, R&B, Musical Theater, Gospel, Rock and Roll, and Opera. She was voted “Best Jazz Singer” by KDFC’s Best of the Bay in 2018 and 2019 and has been nominated twice for Theater Bay Area Awards in 2017 for “Roar of the Greasepaint, Smell of the Crowd” and in 2018 for “The Further Adventures of Hedda Gabler”. She travels internationally to Austria and Germany to perform for UNICEF in many of the concerts and fundraisers they host around Europe. She is a vocal coach, Director, Vocal and Music Director and has appeared onstage numerous times in Musicals and Straight Plays throughout the Bay Area.

Bailiff+ — Devin A. Cunningham

Devin A. Cunningham is an actor and singer from Oakland, CA and he is excited to work with African-American Shakespeare Company. Devin studied acting on California’s central coast at PCPA—Professional Actor Training Program. Devin made his debut with AASC in their original production of Cinderella in the role of Shaniqua, the stepsister. Other credits include: Lord Mayor/Lord Grey, Richard III; Officer Lockstock, Urinetown the Musical; Ensemble, Cinderella; Ensemble, The Pirates of Penzance.

The Prosecutor — Ashley Raggs

Ashley Raggs is a an actress and San Francisco native. She graduated from San Francisco School of the Arts. There, she studied movement and ethnic dance, playwriting, voice and speech, Shakespeare, directing, periods and styles, script analysis, theatrical literature, Commedia dell’arte, Alexander Technique and Noh Theatre. She won 2nd place in the SF School of The Arts Shakespeare competition in 2007 and 2008. Some of her theatre credits include; “Murder in The First” on TNT, “Chance” on Hulu, “Helen’s Last Love”, and her latest movie “X” has premiered in Manchester, Milan, Berlin, and various places in the US. You can follow the movie “X” at everybodylovesx.com

Safreeta Mae — Zoe Hodge

Zoe Hodge is a native Bay Area performer and is absolutely ecstatic to be making her African-American Shakespeare Company debut in “The Trial.” Zoe recently graduated with a BFA in Acting from the Academy of Art University (AAU) and has been working in theaters all across the Bay Area. Some recent favorite roles include Detention Kid in “Hairspray” at Bay Area Musicals, Vanessa in “In The Heights” at AAU, Naomi in “She Persisted” at Bay Area Children’s Theater and a Swing in the regional premier of “Groundhog Day” at San Francisco Playhouse. Zoe has a deep love and passion for theatre and performing arts and is so thankful that you are here supporting theatre today! She also wants to thank her friends and family for their unwavering love and support.

The Judge — Clara McDaniel

Clara “Clarae” McDaniel is a singer, actress, and a proud San Francisco native who has shared her many talents since childhood. Clara has performed solo concerts for churches and other audiences throughout the Bay Area. She is once again very excited to be returning to the African-American Shakespeare Company to be featured in “The Trial”. Clara studied acting and voice at City College of San Francisco, The Knox Performing Arts at Contra Costa College, Jazz with the School of the Get Down, and Shakespeare Workshop offered through the African-American Shakespeare Company. Some of her work includes the movie “The Rapture”, performances “Your Arms To Short To Box With God,” “Gethsemane Park,” “Waiting to be Invited,” “Ain’t MisBehavin’,” “The Eubie Blake Review,” “The Bluest Eye,” “Black & Blue,” “Black Nativity” at Lorraine Hansberry Theatre; “Cinderella,” “The Colored Museum” at the African-American Shakespeare Company; “Queenie Pie” at Oakland Opera; “The Tie That Binds” and “A Little Piece of God,” at Bayview Opera House. Clara is the Mother of 3 and Grandmother of 5! She is also a Paraprofessional with the San Francisco Unified School District with a passion for children with special needs, and for the arts. She attends Destiny Christian Fellowship, Fremont, CA. She would like to thank her family and friends for their continued prayers and support!

Production Team

Director — Sherri Young

Sherri Young is an M.F.A. graduate from the American Conservatory Theatre; and former Commissioner for the San Francisco Arts Commission proudly serving for Mayor Gavin Newsom. She founded the African-American Shakespeare Company in 1994 and has been its Executive Director ever since. Sherri has directed over 16 productions; produced and executed four programs for the organization; and speaks at various colleges, universities, and conferences across the nation. She manages approximately 60 company members and volunteers for the organization’s programs. Some career highlights includes creating the company’s signature holiday performance Cinderella, effectively building and stabilizing the organization over the past five years, increasing audience attendance by 30%, and increasing new funding support by foundations and individual donors within the past two years.

Lighting & Video Designer — Kevin Myrick

Kevin Myrick has worked in theatre since 1968 as a theatrical designer, technical director and multimedia artist. He studied technical theatre at San Francisco State University, and has most recently designed for the African-American Shakespeare Company (Othello and Macbeth), TheatreFirst (The Last Sermon of Sister Imani), Lorraine Hansberry Theatre Company (Urban Retreat), Throckmorton Theatre (Ragtime) and Youth Musical Theatre Company (A Man of No Importance).

Production Assistant — Bex Brzostoski

Bex Brzostoski is a student at the University of San Francisco, double majoring in English and Performing Arts and Social Justice (PASJ). They compiled the dramaturgy for this show, made certain props, and helped wherever was needed. When not working for the African-American Shakespeare Company, they are working for the Palace Theater or the ASUSF College Players.

Production Manager — Leontyne Mbele-Mbong

Leontyne Mbele-Mbong is in her fourth season with the African- American Shakespeare Company as Production Manager. She is the founder of CogentOAK, a virtual admin business that provides administrative assistance. Prior to starting her own business, Leontyne worked for 10 years at an engineering consultant firm, working her way from temporary receptionist to business development coordinator. The customer service skills she learned in her first job as travel agent fresh out of college, she now puts to use at the American Conservatory Theater box office, and at various theaters across the city where she can be seen working front of house. The over-arching theme of this patchwork is assisting people with just what they need to do what they desire hassle-free—be it seeing a show or working on the aspect of the budding business they love. She even creates websites! Check hers out at www.cogentoak.com.

Sound Designer — Barry Despenza

Barry Olusegun-Noble Despenza is a Sound Designer, Composer + Filmmaker, from Chicago IL based in Los Angeles. Barry received his BFA from San Francisco Art Institute and also composes for experimental film and sound installations. Barry has worked with Cutting Ball Theatre, Ubuntu, Bay Area Musicals and excited to continue his sonic chops with African-American Shakespeare Company.

Stage Manager — Devin Parker Sullivan

Biography and photo not available.

Costume Designer — Corrida Carr

Biography and photo not available.