Board of Directors Honorary Board David Bass Ed Asner Fred Deni Judi Barker Susan Hayden Patricia Dougherty Dylan McDermott Eve Ensler Carole Middleton Rita Franciosa Rachel Pollack Robert Myers John Ruskin In Memorium Barbara Schroeder Karen Landry Linda Sullivan Anthony Franciosa Michael Visbal Wendy Brenninkmeijer JR Wurster Artistic Director Managing Director Kevin Wyrauch John Ruskin Mikey Myers A Raisin in the Sun WRITTEN BY LORRAINE HANSBERRY DIRECTED BY LITA GAITHERS OWENS PRODUCER JOHN RUSKIN PRODUCTION STAGE ASSISTANT MANAGER MANAGER STAGE MANAGER MIKE REILLY NICOLE MILLAR SAMMY ANDERSON SOUND BUILDER / SET CREW / PROPS DESIGN DRESSER / PROPS GINA WILLIAMSON CHIP BOLCIK ERIC BARRON KATE KELLY LIGHTING SET BUILDER COSTUMES DESIGNER RYAN WILSON SARAH FIGOTEN MIKE REILLY WILSON GRAPHIC DESIGN CASTING PUBLICITY ALEXIS BOOZER PAUL JUDITH STERLING RUDDY BORNE LITA GAITHERS OWENS (Director) is a singer/songwriter and a Tony Award nominated playwright and co-author of the Broadway musical, “It Ain’t Nothin’ But the Blues,” which opened at the Vivian Beaumont Theatre in Lincoln Center, and was nominated for four Tony Awards including Best Musi- cal of 1999. Now licensed by Samuel French, the musical has been produced by several theatre companies nationally, including the Terrace Theatre at the Kennedy Center, and such theatre companies as: The Geffen Playhouse, Seattle Repertory Theatre, Arizona Repertory Theatre, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Portland Center Stage, Theatre Works in Palo Alto, Virginia Sanford Theatre, Cumberland County Playhouse in Tennessee, and the New Stage Theatre in Mississippi. She penned the song, “Please Don’t Stop Him” for the musical, which was in honor of the female blues pioneer, Memphis Minnie. Ms. Owens trained at the Los Angeles Music Center’s location of the Ameri- can Center for Musical Theatre, under artistic director, Paul G. Gleason. In addition, she had the privilege of studying with legendary jazz musician, Phil Moore, at his jazz vocalist conservatory in West Hollywood. After completing her studies, Lita went on to perform on legitimate stages in featured and leading roles at the Mark Taper Forum, Pasadena Playhouse, Cleveland Playhouse, Denver Center Theatre, The Arena Stage in Washington, D.C., and more. She was co-founder/director of the multi-racial, “Friendship Choir” that performed with Celine Dion, Dianne Reeves, Luther Vandross, Gloria Estefan, Michael Bolton, Nelson Mandela, and for former President Ronald Reagan and his wife Nancy. At the personal request of Bill Cosby, the choir also had the privilege of appearing in the “Story Teller” episode of “The Cosby Show” with Mavis Staples. Gospel music being her first love, Lita wrote music and lyrics for her gos- pel EP entitled, “In the Beauty of Holiness/The Naomi Project”, which has become an international success, reaching listeners on radio stations in more than 30 countries. Most recently, Lita is a contributing author for the book, “Soul Sisters”, by Dr. Suzan Johnson Cook. Dr. Cook served during President Barack Obama’s ad- ministration, as the 3rd U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom. The book consists of uplifting personal stories and prayers designed to encourage the reader during life experiences that are challenging. Lita is married to Elder Oscar Owens, Jr., who is the Director of Christian Education and the President of the West Angeles Bible College at West Angeles Church of God in Christ in Los Angeles, where Bishop Charles E. Blake is the Senior Pastor. CAST *denonotes membership to *Starletta DuPois (Mama Lena Younger) A gifted veteran character actress, Starletta DuPois has breathed life into a bevy of memorable roles on both stage and Screen. From cult classics such as "Friday After Next," with Ice Cube and Mike Epps, and "Big Momma's House with Martin Lawrence to Oliver Stone's "South Central," she has shared the screen with legends such as James Earl Jones, Cicely Tyson, Jack Nicholson, Lou Gossett Jr., Robert Duvall, David Alan Grier, Gena Rowlands, Anthony Anderson, Steve Harvey, Denzel Washington, and the late James Garner. In independent film circles, DuPois appeared in the Pan African Film Festival's top prize-winning film "Ties That Bind," with Marla Gibbs. Many simply recognize her for playing Whitney Houston's mother in "Wait- ing to Exhale." On television, DuPois has been no stranger. Highlights include "Lost," "Cold Case," "Any Day Now," and "Strapped." She recently appeared on "Scream Queens" and "Black Jesus." Her theatre roots run deep. They include dozens of award winning performances which include the St. Louis Black Rep's "Intimate Apparel," "King Hedley II," "Before It Hits Home," where she received the "Woodie" (Woodie King, Jr.) Award for Best Actress. She also received a Tony nomination for Richard Wesley's "The Mighty Gents," as well as NAACP nomination for "Miss Evers Boys." She originated the role of Bernice in the August Wilson play "The Piano Lesson," directed by Lloyd Richards. The span of her career has allowed her to play all three Younger women in Lor- raine Hansberry's "A Raisin in the Sun." She received an NAACP Image Award for the landmark PBS production opposite Danny Glover and played Lena Young- er at the Royal Exchange in Manchester, England garnering another Best Actress Award. Starletta received the Eternity Award from the LA Women's Theater Festival and the Living Legend Award from the National Black Theatre Festival. A Philadelphia native, she holds a B.S. in Biology from the University of Mary- land Eastern Shore and an M.F.A. in Theatre Arts from UCLA graduating magna cum laude. A philanthropist, that proudly mentors aspiring artists, Ms. DuPois served as an adjunct professor in Theatre at USC. Not only has she success- fully toured her solo play "Order My Steps", she is currently preparing her first autobiographical solo play. She will next be seen in the screen adaptation of Terri Woods "True To The Game" and the faith based film, "Mosaic". Ms. DuPois resides in Los Angeles, California and is the proud mother of incred- ible young man named Deandre. Redaric Williams (Walter Lee Younger) is an American television, theatre, and film actor based in Los Angeles, CA. He lived and trained in London, UK before moving to New York City, and he also spent time in South Africa, between both Cape Town and Johan- nesburg. Williams was under contract with CBS/Sony Pictures Television from 2012 until 2014, during which time he relocated to Los Angeles and was nominated as an outstanding actor in a daytime drama series in 2014 by the NAACP Image Awards. Currently, you can catch Redaric on Fox’s Lucifer, TV One's Chasing Waterfalls, and BET's upcoming project The Yard. Redaric was born in Michigan, however constantly moving as a youth he was raised throughout the states. After finishing highschool in Detroit, MI he went on to Major in business at the University of North Texas. Williams went to college on an athletic scholarship for football as well as track & field, and received a 4.0 grade point average his freshman year before leaving college to move abroad. Charlotte Williams (Beneatha Younger) is thrilled to be making her debut at the Ruskin Group Theatre. She was blessed to play Beneatha early this year and feels utter gratitude to portray this character again. A CSU Fullerton alum, Charlotte has performed at several play- houses in LA. Some of her past credits include portray- ing Beneatha in A Raisin in the Sun at the Westchester Playhouse, Louka in Arms in the Man at the Long Beach Playhouse and Teresa in Short Sighted with the Com- pany of Angels. She recently became a company member of LA’s Premiere African-American Theatre Company, Towne Street Theatre. She is overjoyed to be part of this cast and she hopes you enjoy her portrayal of the illustrious Beneatha. Angelle Brooks (Ruth Younger) is a native of Los Angeles, CA. She has appeared in various TV shows, indie films and stage productions since the 90's. She is extremely grateful for the opportunity to be in this pro- duction and dedicates every single show to her brother Blair; her hero, her inspiration, and a man of valor like no other. Psalms 23. Jaden Martin (Travis Younger) is a young Ameri- can actor and model who resides in Los Angeles, California where he moved to pursue his dreams in 2010. After arriving, Jaden almost immediately started booking modeling jobs for several companies like Chase Bank, Target, Disney, Nivea, Wrangler, Tilly’s, Crocs, Pottery Barn, Front Gate and many more. As a rising young actor, Jaden first appeared on the day time soap “All My Children” in a 2010 episode as Simon. He also had a spread in Hudson Magazine (Oct- Nov 2011) and appeared in a feature for Kohl’s. Jaden received his next break when he booked his first commercial in January 2012 for Pillsbury’s Cinnabon. In March of 2012, Jaden embarked on his biggest accomplishment yet when he was cast in the major motion picture After Earth. Starring alongside Will and Jaden Smith, Martin plays the character of Young Kitai. Directed by mastermind M. Night Shyamalan, After Earth hit the theatres on June 7, 2013. Jaden can also seen in Reach Me (2014) as ‘Lil Dominic’ along with a cast that includes such names as Sylvester Stallone, Terry Crews, Lauren Cohan and Cary Elwes. Jaden has gone on to book Guest Star role on Disney Jessie (2015) as Martin and the same year he booked A History of Radness (2015) as Roop. Jaden latest project to date Battle of Skyark which hits theatres in 2016 where he plays Spindle. These roles are sure to place the rising young actor in the spotlight and watch for more roles to follow as he becomes established.