The Piano Lesson

TYLA ABERCRUMBIE made her Court Theatre debut in Flyin’ West. Regional credits include: Magnolia at Goodman Theatre, Radio Golf at Pittsburgh Public Theatre, Short Shakespeare! Romeo & Juliet at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, The Piano Lesson at Portland Stage Company, Intimate Apparel at Milwaukee Repertory, Ariadne’s Thread at Victory Garden Theatre, A Raisin in the Sun at Studio Arena, Jitney at St. Louis Black Repertory Theatre and Four Queen No Trump at Onxy Theatre Company. Television Credits: The Beast, Family Practice,The Tracy Morgan Show, Bette, Cupid, and Turks. Film Credits: Poker House, Time Served, Mary & Jo. Ms. Abercrumbie is also a published author and Spoken Word performance artist. She holds a BA in Theatre from Columbia College.

RONALD L. CONNER is made his Court Theatre debut in The First Breeze of Summer. Other Chicago credits include Short Shakespeare! Romeo & Juliet and Short Shakespeare! The Taming of the Shrew (Chicago Shakespeare Theater), The African Company Presents Richard III and Deep Azure (Congo Square Theatre), The Oresteia (Greasy Joan & Co.), Black Caesar and 2005 Young Playwrights Festival (Pegasus Players), and Short Eyes (Urban Theatre Co.). Regional credits include The Piano Lesson (Portland Stage), Macbeth, The River Niger, and Joe Turner’s Come and Gone (St. Louis Black Repertory Company). He is an ensemble member at Congo Square Theatre Company.

ALLEN D. EDGE has worked with the Goodman Theatre, e.t.a. Theatre, Victory Gardens Theatre, the Black Ensemble Theatre Company, Portland Stage Company, First Stage Children’s Theater, and Steppenwolf Theatre Company.  He has performed stand-up comedy at Zanies Chicago, Comedy Central’s “Comic Justice,” the Comedy Café, and Jokes & Notes.  He was also featured in Barber Shop 2 and Tyler Perry’s “Meet the Browns.” Allen has a B.A. in Theatre from Columbia College Chicago.

ALEXIS J. ROGERS is proud and honored to make her Court Theatre debut working with the revered Ron O.J. Parson.  She recently closed the world premiere of Brian Tucker’s St. James Infirmary with Congo Square Theatre Company, of which she is an ensemble member.  Other credits include Black Nativity, Ragtime (Sarah), Don’t Make Me Over (Dionne Warwick), and Seven Guitars (Ruby), to name a few.  Alexis received her formal training at Howard University.

A.C. SMITH has appeared at Court Theatre in The Piano Lesson, The First Breeze of Summer and Fences. He is always happy to return to a company that allows an actor to grow and be challenged at the same time. His portrayal of Troy Maxon in August Wilson’s Fences (Court) earned him the prestigious Jeff Award for lead actor in a drama. He has appeared at the Victory Gardens Theatre , Timeline Theatre, Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Goodman Theatre, The Chicago Center for the Performing Arts, Illinois Theatre Center, Second City, and Chicago Shakespeare Theater to name a few.

BRIAN WEDDINGTON is thankful to return to Court Theatre this season.  He appeared last season in the role of Nate in The First Breeze of Summer.  He is an instructor of theatre at the University of Illinois at Chicago, where he also received his B.A. in theater.  Continuing his studies at Rutgers University earned him an M.F.A in acting.  His professional acting career is extensive and varied with theatrical, film, and television work throughout the United States and abroad.  Some of his creative works include the hit movie Barber Shop 2, ABC’s One Life to Live, The People Who Could Fly (National Black Arts Theater Festival), The Darker Face of the Earth and Thieves Carnival (Kennedy Center), the latter of which was performed in Moscow.  He has instructed at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Chicago Public Schools Advanced Arts Education Program at Gallery 37, After School Matters, Upward Bound, Project CHANCE, and the Boys and Girls Clubs of America.  He is the Principal Director and Co-Founder of the HHW School for the Performing Arts, and is presently writing a book of monologues for youth and a book of scenes and monologues from the Christian experience.  He thanks God for allowing him the opportunity to share his gift.

ALFRED H. WILSON is happy to be returning to Court Theatre.  Recent credits include August Wilson’s Gem of the Ocean and Radio Golf (Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati), and Radio Golf (Pittsburgh Public Theatre).  Chicago credits include Bourbon at the Border (Eclipse Theatre), Panther Burn (MMPAACT), Jitney and Two Trains Running (Pegasus Players), where he was awarded a Jeff Citation as best actor.  He has also worked at the Goodman Theatre and Victory Gardens Theatre, and is a co-founder of Onyx Theatre Ensemble.

CHINA GRAY‘s phenomenal natural talents of singing, dancing, modeling, and acting were exhibited at an early age.  She’s been in numerous radio and television commercials, print ads, and plays.  She has performed on Carnival Cruise Line and Disney MGM Studios in Orlando.  She also “struts” the runway, including Tommy Hilfiger’s Fashion Show.  Born in Chicago, her many years of vocal training, dance, acting, and piano lessons enable her in becoming one of the industry’s finest.

M. ALETTIE SMITH, now 14 years old, has dazzled audiences since the age of five. She has studied and performed with The Second City, Lookingglass Theatre, Light Opera Works, Chicago Children’s Choir, Chicago Theater Company, and Paradise Releasing Group. She recently co-starred in the PBS series “Dragonfly TV” and starred in The People’s Jazz Theater’s Raven: A Kwanzaa Tale.  M. Alettie intends to leave a legacy for the world through her passion for acting.