Stew
by Zora Howard
Directed by Yolanda Marie Franklin
co-production with
April 5-21, 2024
Preview performances:
April 5 at 7:30 pm and April 6 at 2 pm
Opening Night: April 6 at 7:30 pm
Mama is up early to prepare an important meal and, even with her family on hand to help, time is running short. Tensions simmer with three generations of Tucker women under one roof, but things come to a boil as the violence hovering around the periphery of their lives begins to intrude. The kitchen becomes a microcosm of the family, a protection from outside traumas with the making of the stew a challenging task (it gets ruined twice) and a group activity needed to keep the family together. (SOME STRONG LANGUAGE)
CAST
Danielle Bunch
(Lilllian)
Danielle is a Houston native with a BFA in Theatre Performance from the University of Houston and an MS in Arts Administration from Drexel University. Her favorite roles of the last decade include Suzanna in Becky Shaw (Firecracker Productions), Carol in Feathers & Teeth (Mildred’s Umbrella Theatre), A Black Lady Showcase (Black Artist Collective residency at The Old Globe), Billie in Harlem Duet (Coronado Playhouse), and Der Ring des Nibelungen (Houston Grand Opera). Off stage, Danielle is an arts education advocate in her roles as Communications Manager for Create CA and new board member of San Diego Regional Arts & Culture Coalition.
Marti Gobel*
(Mama)
Marti is a nationally recognized Actor, Director and Teaching Artist. Upon her graduation from UW-Whitewater (2008) with a degree in Performance Theatre and Philosophy, Ms. Gobel began a rich career both on stage and in television and film. A firm believer in the need for diversity in the arts, Ms. Gobel has worked with theatre groups from Tennessee to South Africa. Locally, Marti has worked with Scripps Ranch Theatre, Diversionary Theatre, Cygnet Theatre, Moxie Theatre and La Jolla Playhouse. Ms. Gobel is a proud member of both AEA and SAG-AFRTA.
*Appearing Courtesy of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States, appearing under a Special Appearance Contract.
Jamaelya Hines
(Lil’ Mama)
Jamaelya has been performing as a dancer for most of her life in theaters on the East and West coasts. Her most recent credits include 42nd Street and Jesus Christ Superstar (Moonlight Amphitheater), In the Heights (San Diego Musical Theater) and Footloose (Norwegian Cruise Line). She is excited to be making her acting debut at SRT and showing off her acting ability in Stew.
jamaelyahines.com
Jodi Marks
(Nelly)
Jodi is thrilled to be making her Scripps Ranch Theatre debut. Credits: Ain’t Misbehavin’ (Laguna Playhouse), Once On This Island, Ragtime, Jesus Christ Superstar, Tarzan (Moonlight), In the Heights, Sound of Music (La Mirada), Ain’t Misbehavin’ (CCAE). Most of all she would love to thank her agents at FSE, her family and her friends for their continuous support and love.
www.jodi-marks.com
IG: @jodimarks
PRODUCTION TEAM
Yolanda Marie Franklin
(Director)
Yolanda Marie Franklin is the Executive Artistic Director for Common Ground Theatre, a local theatre company in San Diego which stands as one of the first and longest running black theatre companies in America.. She loves the work she gets to bring to the community. Yolanda has heart, dedication, skill, talent, community relations and vision. For almost 20 years Yolanda has been a very loyal and dedicated member of our San Diego theatre community. In that time she has had the privilege and good fortune of working with almost all of our theatre companies as either as an actor, a writer, a director, producer and in 2019 as an artistic director.
Yolanda is a multi-faceted award winning actress and director capable of many disciplines and has been the recipient of three Craig Noel Critics Circle Awards for her production of The Ballad of Emmet Till. Under her direction, the show won the award for Outstanding Ensemble, Outstanding Dramatic Production, and Outstanding Direction. In 2020, Yolanda was appointed Executive Artistic Director of Common Ground Theatre, and has given the company a resurgence within the community, while restoring this theatre community with the gift of producing works primarily for, by and about African American people. Yolanda has what it takes to get the job done and loves what she does in the arts serving and advocating for the equity of the unheard and unseen in her community and beyond.
Ruth Russell
(Producer)
Ruth is an actor and producer. Producing credits at SRT: Chapatti, The 39 Steps, Lost in Yonkers, Neat, Extreme Home Makeover, The Outsider, The Dining Room, and The Taming. Ruth studied acting at the University of St. Thomas and has trained locally with Jacquelyn Ritz, Justin Lang and Jo Anne Glover. Recent acting credits include: Myra Bruhl in Deathtrap, Arlene Moss in Rose and Walsh (Aubrey Award winner), and Jennifer in The Little Witch at The Conrad. Outside of theatre, Ruth is a communications professional and occasionally spends time with her husband and adorable dogs.
IG: @theruthrussell and @citydoggossd.
