In celebration of Black History Month, Goodman Theatre presents its first-ever on-site art expo—Hidden Gems: A Celebration of African American Artists & Art—in conjunction with the major revival of Gem of the Ocean by August Wilson, directed by Chuck Smith. This month-long showcase celebration features four of Chicago’s most revered artists—Daimon Hampton, Naimah Thomas, Martha A. Wade and Blake Lenoir—in a specially curated weekly art installation, including an opportunity to meet-and-greet the artist. The event culminates in an Artisan Vendor Fair, featuring celebrated creatives as the DoubleStitch Twins, Black Plant Lovers, Kfleye, Sista Dolls, Twenty Thou, Paint the City and Studio Rez.
Hidden Gems: A Celebration of African American Artists & Art expo takes place February 3 – 27—including an artisan vendor fair on Saturday, February 26 from 3:30 – 7:30pm—at Goodman Theatre in the Alice Center. Ticket holders to Gem of the Ocean are invited to the expo during their Goodman visit. General Admission is free, granted with proof of vaccination (with an FDA or WHO-authorized vaccine); masks are required at all times. Patrons under age five are not permitted. Learn more at GoodmanTheatre.org/Protocols. For additional information, including details about each artist, visit GoodmanTheatre.org/HiddenGems.
FEATURED ARTISTS
Daimon Hampton
February 2-6 – Meet the Artist on February 3 at 6:30pm
DaimonDrewThis.com
Naimah Thomas
February 10-13 – Meet the Artist on February 11 at 7pm
NaimahThomasArt.com
Martha A. Wade
February 17-20 – Meet the Artist on February 17 at 6:30pm
WadeCreate.com
Blake Lenoir
February 24-27 – Meet the Artist on February 25 at 7pm
BlenArtistry.com
FEATURED VENDOR FAIR ARTISANS
Saturday, February 26 from 3:30 – 7:30pm
From handmade jewelry and accessories to works of clay and fine art, the artists in the Vendor Fair offer something for everyone. Participating artisans include the DoubleStitch Twins (Doublestitch.Etsy.com); Black Plant Lovers (BlackPlantLovers.com); Kfleye (Kfleye.com); Sista Dolls (SistaDolls.Etsy.com); Twenty Thou (TwentyThou.com); Paint the City (PaintTheCity.net/); and Studio Rez (JuarezHawkins.com).
ABOUT GEM OF THE OCEAN
Goodman Theatre produces a major revival of August Wilson’s Gem of the Ocean directed by Resident Director Chuck Smith, who served as the original production’s dramaturg and featuring a cast of seven including: Sharif Atkins (Citizen Barlow), Sydney Charles (Black Mary), Lisa Gaye Dixon (Aunt Ester), Gary Houston (Rutherford Selig), Kelvin Roston, Jr. (Caesar), A.C. Smith (Eli) and James A. Williams (Solly Two Kings). Originally directed by the late Marion McClinton at the Goodman in 2003, Gem of the Ocean is the play that chronically launches Wilson’s famed “American Century Cycle”—10 plays, each set in a different decade of the 20th century, that together chronicle 100 years of the African-American experience. Gem of the Ocean is on stage now through February 27. Tickets ($25 - $80, subject to change) are available at GoodmanTheatre.org/Gem or by phone at 312.443.3800. More details about “Hidden Gems,” including information about participating artists, will be released soon. Goodman Theatre is grateful for the support of Sponsor Partners Abbott Fund and Allstate.
Tensions flare into riots across Pittsburgh’s Hill District as chaos threatens a city desperate for freedom. It’s 1904, the dawn of the new century—yet slavery’s shadow looms large. There is solace to be found at the home of 285-year-old Ester Tyler, keeper and transmitter of African American history and cleanser of souls. When a suspicious traveler appears at her door in search of a new life, Aunt Ester guides him on a journey of spiritual awakening.
THE COMPANY OF GEM OF THE OCEAN
By August Wilson, Directed by Chuck Smith
CAST (listed in order of appearance)
Eli — A.C. Smith
Citizen Barlow — Sharif Atkins
Aunt Ester — Lisa Gaye Dixon
Rutherford Selig — Gary Houston
Black Mary — Sydney Charles
Solly Two Kings — James A. Williams
Caesar — Kelvin Roston, Jr.
Understudies for this production include Wardell Julius Clark—Citizen Barlow; Ronald L. Conner—Eli/Caesar; Krystel McNeil—Black Mary; Joseph Primes—Solly Two Kings; Ron E. Rains—Rutherford Selig; and TayLar—Aunt Ester.
CREATIVE TEAM
Set Design by Linda Buchanan
Costume Design by Evelyn Danner
Lighting Design by Robert Perry
Sound Design by Pornchanok Kanchanabanca
Projection Design by Mike Tutaj
Casting is by Lauren Port, CSA and Rachael Jimenez, CSA. Dramaturgy is by Jared Bellot and Fatima Sowe. Briana J. Fahey is the Production Stage Manager and Nikki Blue is the Stage Manager.
ENHANCED AND ACCESSIBLE PERFORMANCES
Touch Tour and Audio-Described Performance: Saturday, February 19, 12:30pm Touch Tour; 2pm performance – The action/text is audibly enhanced for patrons via headset. NOTE: Touch Tours for the 2021/2022 Season will not have access to the stage due to current health and safety protocols, but will feature alternate pre-show sensory introductions.
ASL-Interpreted Performance: Friday, February 25 at 8:00pm – A professional American Sign Language interpreter signs the action/text as played.
Open-Captioned Performance: Saturday, February 26 at 2pm – An LED sign presents dialogue in sync with the performance.
Spanish-Captioned Performance: Thursday, February 24 at 7:30pm – An LED sign presents Spanish translated dialogue in sync with the performance.
Visit Goodmantheatre.org/Access for more information about Goodman Theatre’s accessibility efforts.
Health and Safety Note: Proof of full vaccination with an FDA or WHO-authorized vaccine is required for all guests over 12 and a recent negative test must be presented for children under 12. Patrons must wear face coverings at all times while inside Goodman Theatre. Learn more GoodmanTheatre.org/Protocols.
ABOUT GOODMAN THEATRE
Chicago’s theater since 1925, Goodman Theatre is a not-for-profit arts and community organization in the heart of the Loop, distinguished by the excellence and scope of its artistic programming and community engagement.
Led by Artistic Director Robert Falls and Executive Director Roche Schulfer, the theater’s artistic priorities include new play development (more than 150 world or American premieres), large scale musical theater works and reimagined classics. Artists and productions have earner two Pulitzer Prizes, 22 Tony Awards and more than 160 Jeff Awards, among other accolades. The Goodman is the first theater in the world to produce all 10 plays in August Wilson’s “American Century Cycle.” Its longtime annual holiday tradition A Christmas Carol, now in its fifth decade, has created a new generation of theatergoers in Chicago. The Goodman also frequently serves as a production and program partner with national and international companies and Chicago’s Off-Loop theaters.
Using the tools of the theatrical profession, the Goodman’s Education and Engagement programs aim to develop generations of citizens who understand the cultures and stories of diverse voices. The Goodman’s Alice Rapoport Center for Education and Engagement is the home of these programs, which are offered free of charge for Chicago youth—85% of whom come from underserved communities—schools and life-long learners.
As a cultural and community organization invested in quality, diversity and community, Goodman Theatre is committed to using the art of theater for a better Chicago. Goodman Theatre’s Action Plan for Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Anti-Racism and Access (IDEAA) was born out of the belief that progress means action, which includes building on the decades-long commitment to using art, assets and resources to contribute to a more just, equitable and anti-racist society.
Goodman Theatre was founded by William O. Goodman and his family in honor of their son Kenneth, an important figure in Chicago’s cultural renaissance in the early 1900s. The Goodman family’s legacy lives on through the continued work and dedication of Kenneth’s family, including Albert Ivar Goodman, who with his late mother, Edith-Marie Appleton, contributed the necessary funds for the creation on the new Goodman center in 2000.
Today, Goodman Theatre leadership also includes the distinguished members of the Artistic Collective: Rebecca Gilman, Dael Orlandersmith, Henry Godinez, Steve Scott, Kimberly Senior, Chuck Smith, Regina Taylor, Henry Wishcamper and Mary Zimmerman. Jeff Hesse is Chairman of Goodman Theatre’s Board of Trustees, Fran Del Boca is Women’s Board President and Craig McCaw is President of the Scenemakers Board for young professionals.