Pipeline | Alabama Shakespeare Festival
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Pipeline

by Dominique Morisseau

directed by Ron OJ Parson

October 17 – October 27, 2019
Octagon Stage | 1 hour, 25 minutes; no intermission
Recommended ages 17+

A child’s life hangs in the balance. This mother knows the pitfalls of growing up in her neighborhood — too many chances for her son to become another one of many statistics. But the path to safety and opportunity she’s chosen for him presents a different set of dangers. How will mother and son find their way out of crisis?

With profound compassion and lyricism, Pipeline propels an urgent conversation about the school-to-prison pipeline to the fore. Every parent, every educator — everyone who is invested in the life of a child and their community — needs to see Pipeline.

Produced in partnership with Equal Justice Initiative.

“Pipeline is an emotionally harrowing, ethically ambiguous drama that raises barbed questions about class, race, parental duty, and the state of American education.” – Variety

Produced in partnership with
The Equal Justice Initiative is committed to ending mass incarceration and excessive punishment in the United States, to challenging racial and economic injustice, and to protecting basic human rights for the most vulnerable people in American society.

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Creative Team

Torée Alexandre

Torée Alexandre

Jasmine

TORÉE ALEXANDRE (Jasmine) is ecstatic to re- turn to ASF in this necessary production of Pipe- line. Torée received her B.F.A. in Acting from Point Park University, and has been in As You Like It here at ASF, Marvel’s Luke Cage, Oz Rodriguez’s Vampires vs. The Bronx, and most recently understudied Jackie Sibblies Drury’s Fairview at Theatre for a New Audience. Torée would like to thank God, the cast/crew of Pipeline, her grandmother and sister for their undying support, her friends, and Amber. Torée dedicates this to her mother.
Barbara Figgins

Barbara Figgins

Laurie

BARBARA FIGGINS (Laurie) is making her ASF debut. She is a Chicago-based actor and a company member of Irish Theatre Chicago. Chicago credits include: Utility (Interrobang); My Brilliant Divorce (Jeff nominee Best Solo Performance), In Pigeon House, The Shadow of a Gunman, Dancing at Lughnasa, Our Father, Scenes from the Big Picture, WAR and Bold Girls (Irish Theatre of Chicago); Barbecue (Strawdog Theatre at Steppenwolf); Pam in Exit Strategy (Jackalope Theatre); Hedda Gabler (Writers Theatre); The History Boys (Timeline, Jeff Award Best Ensemble); Elizabeth Rex (Oak Park Festival Theatre). Film & TV: Chicago Justice, The Chi.
Ethan Henry

Ethan Henry

Xavier

ETHAN HENRY (Xavier) Alabama Shakespeare Festival debut: Some stage credits include Mar- tin Luther King in The Meeting, Zephyr Theater (NAACP award winner). Boy Willie in The Piano Les- son, Iowa Rep. King in King Hedley II, M Ensemble Theater. Walter Lee in A Raisin In The Sun, Palm Beach Dramaworks. Ralph D. in The Mother!@#$er With The Hat, & Henry Brown in Race, both appearing at The Gablestage Theater. Television credits are: Criminal Minds, Burn Notice, Sleepy Hollow, The Bold & The Beautiful, Graceland & Bloodline. Thanks to Ron OJ Parson and ASF for the experience and opportunity! He dedicates this performance to his mother, Rene’ Valencia Henry.
Brian Nelson

Brian Nelson

Dun

BRIAN NELSON (Dun) is excited to be making his Alabama Shakespeare Festival debut doing one of his favorite plays. He has been blessed to work for Chicagoland companies such as Northlight Theater, First Floor Theatre, Route 66, Black Ensemble Theatre, Porchlight Music Theatre, Court Theatre, Pride Films and Plays, Profiles Theatre, Raven Theatre, Clockwise Theatre and Paramount Theatre. He recently completed training at the British American Drama Academy in Oxfordshire, England. His T.V. and film credits include this season premiere of Chicago Med, Chicago P.D., A.P.B. and TEACHER. He is grateful for this opportunity and thanks God for the vision. He is repped by DDO Artist Agency.
Jay Wade

Jay Wade

Omari

JAY WADE (Omari) from St. Louis, MO, is in his first professional production at Alabama Shakespeare Festival. He is currently in his last semester at the Conservatory of Theatre and Dance at Southeast Missouri State where he is pursuing a BFA degree in Acting. He gives special regards to the faculty and to Tyla Abercrumbie, who has supported him on this journey
Eunice Woods

Eunice Woods

Nya

EUNICE WOODS (Nya) is a Chicago-based actor and she’s thrilled to make her Alabama Shakespeare Festival debut! Chicago credits include The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (Steppenwolf Theatre Company); Father Comes Home From the Wars u/s (Goodman Theatre); Much Ado About Nothing (Oak Park Festival Theatre); No Blue Memories: The Life of Gwendolyn Brooks (Manual Cinema); Little Shop of Horrors (American Blues Theater); The Project(s) (American Theater Company) and more. Other regional credits include Her Portmanteau at American Conservatory Theater. Television credits include Shameless and Chicago PD. Eunice is represented by Gray Talent Group. Follow her on Instagram! @eunicewoods

Director – Ron OJ Parson
Scenic Designer – Shaun Motely
Costume Designer – Dana Rebecca Woods
Projection Designer – Mike Tutaj
Lighting Designer – Kathy A. Perkins
Sound Designer – Christopher Kriz
Stage Manager – Victoria Broyles
Production Assistant – Madison Rutledge

The Actors and Stage Managers employed in this production are members of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

Sponsors

Laurie Jean Weil, D.V.M. and Dr. Tommy Wool