Wayne State University’s Studio Theatre presents Before There Was Broadway, by Wayne State University students Thomas L. Harris and Henri D. Franklin, opening at 8 p.m. on March 23, 2006. The play is an exploration of The African Company, the first African-American theatrical company, which was established in 1821 in Lower Manhattan. African Company productions became a popular diversion with white audiences who were "generally of a riotous character, and amused themselves by throwing crackers on the stage, and cracking their jokes with the actors" according to Laura V. Blanchard vice chair of the American Branch of the Richard III Society and executive director of the Philadelphia Area Consortium of Special Collections Libraries. Although the group’s early performances ended peaceably, police arrested the actors for reasons that remain a mystery. On October 1, 1821 the company moved to a new locale at Mercer and Bleecker streets, where they were again eventually forced to close down.

Thomas L. Harris is a junior BA major at Wayne State University from Phoenix, Arizona. His most recent credit is Adventures of a Black Girl in Search of God at the Bonstelle Theatre. Henri D. Franklin is a senior BA major from Detroit, Michigan and his most recent credits include No Feare Shakespeare, a touring show for middle and high school students, and Adventures of a Black Girl in Search of God.

Directed by Oliver Pookrum, the cast includes: junior Thomas L. Harris (Pheonix, AZ) as James Hewlett, senior Henri D. Franklin (Detroit) as William Brown, freshman Kristina Johnson (Detroit) as Ms. S. Welsh, freshman James Abbott (Lathrup Village) as Ira Aldridge, junior Alaina Fleming (Detroit) as Ms. Bell, sophomore Trono Hudgins (Detroit) as Charles Taft, senior Kenny Konaszewski (Hamtramck) as Big Sammy, sophomore Justin Vesper (Howell) as Mordecai M. Noah, junior Sam Brilhart (Fenton) as Isaac, junior Jozefa Chmielewsik (Harper Woods) as Mrs. Price and sophomore Branden Chowen (Rochester Hills) as Watchman and Mob Member. The narrators are sophomore Holly Portman (Milford), senior Lisa Gibson (Livonia), sophomore Damon Moore (Wales), freshman Romona Lucius (Detroit), freshman Antoinette Moore (Detroit), LaVenia Scott (Detroit) and Manu Smith. Designers for Before There Was Broadway include senior Gwen Lindsay (Hazel Park) as scenic designer, freshman Kathryn O’Brien (St. Clair) as assistant scenic designer, junior Patrick Field (Ann Arbor) as lighting designer and Lisa Reed (Detroit) as costume designer.

Ticket prices range from $8 to $10. Discount tickets are available to all students, senior citizens aged 62 and up and WSU faculty, staff and Alumni Association members. For tickets and further information, please call (313) 577-2972 or visit the Wayne State University box office at 4743 Cass on the corner of Cass and W. Hancock. Performance information may also be obtained by visiting the company’s website at www.theatre.wayne.edu.