cast questions

Getting to know…Jay Reeves

jay reeves theat Name: Jay Reeves

Role: Cory

Hometown: Newark, New Jersey

What about Fences speaks to you as an artist?: Fences speaks to me in many different ways. The everyday love dynamic of a family rocks my soul.

What’s your biggest challenge when taking on this role?: Not listening to my Pops when he’s talking. Troy Maxson is a tough man.

Favorite role (that you’ve played or that you want to play?): I’d hope to one day play Spiderman or Static Shock. I’d save the world as we know it today.

When you have a five minute break during rehearsal, what do you spend that time doing?: Easy one haha! I spend my time doing football tricks and tossing the pigskin.

Come and see Jay and the rest of our cast in August Wilson’s Fences, from April 5 – 21, with a preview night on April 4. Click here to buy tickets.

Getting to know…Nylah Langford

Nylah's Photo Name: Nylah Langford

Role: Raynell

Hometown: Aurora, Colorado

What about Fences speaks to you as an artist?
I think Fences is a really great play. It’s nice to learn about how the 1950s were – times were really different back then. I am able to feel the emotion of that time period and put that emotion back into acting out each scene.

What’s your biggest challenge when taking on this role?
My biggest challenge with this role would have to be playing a role of a younger girl.

Favorite role (that you’ve played or that you want to play)?
My favorite role that I’ve played would have to be the Director in The Final Dress Rehearsal. A role that I would like to play would be Little Inez in Hairspray.

When you have a five-minute break during rehearsal, what do you spend that time doing? Hanging out with the cast, eating (mostly something sweet), and going over my lines.

Come and see Nylah and the rest of our cast in August Wilson’s Fences, from April 5 – 21, with a preview night on April 4. Click here to buy tickets.

Getting to know…Julanne Chidi Hill

JCH Name: Julanne Chidi Hill

Role: Rose

Hometown: Born in Los Angeles, CA and raised in Altadena, CA

Bonus Fact! Julanne and Leonard Earl Howze go way back – they went to high school together in L.A. and college in New York!

What about Fences speaks to you as an artist? A few things that come to mind are the social relevance of the play and the language. The rhythm and motion in the words. He has created these beautifully flawed characters with cultural specificity.

What’s your biggest challenge when taking on this role? Perhaps the biggest challenge is honoring the role to the fullest extent, in a way that will help inform and clarify others perception of Rose and the choices she makes.

Favorite role (that you’ve played or that you want to play?): I am currently playing Rose in August Wilson’s Fences…and right now, she’s my favorite!!

When you have a five minute break during rehearsal, what do you spend that time doing? I usually take that time to regroup, have a sip of coffee and I try to step outside for a sec to breathe in the fresh air of Colorado.

Come and see Julanne and the rest of our cast in August Wilson’s Fences, from April 5 – 21, with a preview night on April 4. Click here to buy tickets.

Getting to know…Leonard Earl Howze

howze01 Name: Leonard Earl Howze

Role: Bono

Hometown: Los Angeles, California

What about Fences speaks to you as an artist?: The way August Wilson writes the relationships in Fences is poignant, gripping, and truthful. Yes, he’s writing about the black experience. Yet he’s also writing about the human experience. When you listen to those voices, they speak to the heart.

What’s your biggest challenge when taking on this role?: A challenge in playing the role of Bono is one similar to reality. Where we’re put in difficult situations to shine a light and deliver the hard truth on the wrong doings of close friends, in an effort to get them back on track.

Favorite role (that you’ve played or that you want to play)?: I must say, every role that I’ve had the honor of doing means something special to me. They have all contributed and played a significant part in the journey of my career.

When you have a five-minute break during rehearsal, what do you spend that time doing?: My 5 min break is a time to get a breather from the intensity of the work. Also, with being new to this Colorado altitude, it’s time to pee. lol – no but seriously.

Come and see Leonard and the rest of our cast in August Wilson’s Fences, from April 5 – 21, with a preview night on April 4. Click here to buy tickets.

Getting to know…Darryl Alan Reed

Darryl Alan Reed 2 Name: Darryl Alan Reed

Role: Gabriel

Hometown: Chicago, IL

What about Fences speaks to you as an artist?: What speaks to me as an artist regarding Fences is the identification of fatherhood and the role of baseball in my life. My father played, I played (even had the opportunity to try out for the Chicago Cubs!). In addition, my baseball idol, Roberto Clemente, is mentioned significantly and singularly within the play.

What’s your biggest challenge when taking on this role?: A particular challenge for me is making sure Gabriel is not a caricature.

Favorite role (that you’ve played or that you want to play)?: My favorite role(s) are Gabriel and Stool-Pigeon (from King Hedley II), which I was so far able to understudy and help prepare for, but not actually perform for a paid audience.

When you have a five minute break during rehearsal, what do you spend that time doing?: During break I check messages and use the bathroom, due to my increased water intake while here in Colorado!

Come and see Darryl and the rest of our cast in August Wilson’s Fences, from April 5 – 21, with a preview night on April 4. Click here to buy tickets.

Getting to know…Bradford Barnes

Name: Bradford Barnes

Role: Lyons

Hometown: Oakland, California

What about Fences speaks to you as an artist?: The retelling and exploration of a black family in the 1950’s and how that era helped reflect each characters’ individual points of view.

What’s your biggest challenge when taking on this role?: My biggest challenge was not holding my character up to my personal standards in life. Like an onion, I want to continue peeling away layers in order to find the truth and essence of Lyons, not only as a musician but also as a young man.

Favorite role (that you’ve played or that you want to play?): A favorite role I’d love to play is Iago in Shakespeare’s Othello.

When you have a five minute break during rehearsal, what do you spend that time doing?: On a five (or ten) minute break, I usually put on my headphones and find a nice secluded place to dance. Most of the time I’m pop locking and gliding to old school music. It’s very relaxing and I return to rehearsal feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.

Come and see Bradford and the rest of our cast in August Wilson’s Fences, from April 5 – 21, with a preview night on April 4. Click here to buy tickets.

Getting to know…Esau Pritchett

Esau_Pritchett Name: Esau Pritchett

Role: Troy Maxson

Home: Saginaw, MI

What about Fences speaks to you as an artist?: Fences speaks to me because it addresses the convention of the fall of the tragic hero, but in the guise of a more contemporary working class black man in America.

What’s your biggest challenge when taking on this role?: My biggest challenge is being careful not to judge my character Troy – allowing for a greater and more truthful exploration of the character as written by August Wilson and not sanitized through my own contemporary and judgmental filter.

Favorite role (that you’ve played or that you want to play?): My favorite role is always the role I’m currently working on. Therefore, Troy is my favorite role.

When you have a five minute break during rehearsal, what do you spend that time doing?: I drink lots of coffee.

Come and see Esau and the rest of our cast in August Wilson’s Fences, from April 5 – 21, with a preview night on April 4. Click here to buy tickets.