BCT's Fourth Annual BIPOC Playwrights Festival at Boise Contemporary Theater
Dates: 8/21/2024 - 8/25/2024
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854 Fulton St
Boise, ID 83702
Tickets: $10-$30
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Boise Contemporary Theater’s annual BIPOC Playwrights Festival, founded in 2021 with assistance from the Idaho Women’s Charitable Foundation, seeks to champion emerging and mid-career playwrights by connecting exceptional works with professional actors, directors, and technicians. The festival gives playwrights of color the chance to workshop their script during the week with a director and full cast. Hearing their words read out loud by professional actors provides valuable feedback. The festival culminates in staged readings of their scripts. This experience helps inform their work, building the careers of playwrights of color, so they can keep telling their stories.
For the first time, BCT's annual festival will be held in BCT's own theater! Join us for staged readings and performance pieces on the MainStage at BCT. 2024 also marks the launch of the Young Playwrights Initiative, which includes one unproduced work by a writer between 18 and 25 years old in the lineup.
Festival Passes include all five readings and performances for $30. Tickets to individual events are also available for $10 each.
Ages: Many of our plays include strong language and mature themes and are best suited for mature audiences (17 and older).
BCT's Fourth Annual BIPOC Playwrights Festival at Boise Contemporary Theater Schedule
WED, 8/21 at 7 PM: Playwrights’ Panel – Meet these emerging playwrights as they discuss their plays, the Festival process and audience questions! Free event, but seating is limited. Reserve your ticket today!
THU, 8/22 at 7 PM: Staged Reading of Ajax by Habib Yazdi
FRI, 8/23 at 7 PM: Staged Reading of In Case of Bruising by Kamila Boga
SAT, 8/24 at 2 PM: Staged Reading of Dear God by Lisa Langford
SAT, 8/24 at 7 PM: Staged Reading of Artificial by Prince Gomolvilas
SUN, 8/25 at 7 PM: Performance of Between Here and There, I am Homeless by Iraqi-born Boise artist Luma Jasim
Cast and Creative Team for BCT's Fourth Annual BIPOC Playwrights Festival at Boise Contemporary Theater
Cast
Rodd Cyrus
"Kambiz"
Eric T. Miller
“Kermit”
Eric T. Miller: Theater credits include Debate : Baldwin vs. Buckley and (A)Loft Modulation (American Vicarious), Mope (Ensemble Studio Theatre), rogerandtom (HERE), Sweet Storm (LAByrinth), Awake and Sing! and Ripcord (Huntington Theatre), Wink (TerraNova), Luft Gangster (Sheen Center), Safe Home (Royal Family Productions), Betrayed (Culture Project) as well as work at Syracuse Stage, Bard’s Summerscape, New York Stage and Film, Rattlestick, PS 122, Workshop, and the Flea. Television/Film credits include Nyad, Mare of Easttown, Separation, Blue Bloods, Chicago PD, Law & Order: Organized Crime, FBI: Most Wanted, Jules, Halston, Blacklist, Elementary, The Unusuals, Kings, Law & Order, Reaching Home, The Waiting Room, Home, Tom’s Dilemma, AdFirm, Redemption in Cherry Springs, and Josie & Jack, www.erictroymiller.com
Amin El Gamal
“Shah”
Amin El Gamal (he/they) is an actor and producer of Egyptian, Lebanese, and Palestinian heritage. He’s best known for playing Cyclops on the Prison Break revival—which made him the first openly queer Muslim actor to play a leading role on television. Amin’s other film and TV credits include Good Trouble, The Newsroom, Shameless, Transparent, The Librarians, Message from the King (opposite Chadwick Boseman and Alfred Molina), Namour, Breaking Fast, and the upcoming Ride or Die. On stage, he's worked at South Coast Rep, Roundabout, NY Public Theater, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, A Noise Within, and Golden Thread, among others. He is also an Earphone Award-winning audiobook narrator. As a producer, Amin’s short film Unmasking premiered at Cannes 2024. He is also an associate producer at Palestinian-led production house FlipNarrative. Amin is a graduate of Stanford University and USC's MFA in Acting program.
Gordon Reinhart
“Loy”
Gordon Reinhart, Professor of Acting/Directing at Boise State University, has worked at theatres such as the Attic Theatre in Detroit, the Court Theatre in Chicago, the Great Lakes Theatre Festival in Cleveland, and Theatre 40 in LA. Idaho acting credits include Lopakhin in The Cherry Orchard, Renfield in Dracula, and Peter in At Home at the Zoo at BCT, Gerardo in Death and the Maiden and Astrov in Uncle Vanya with Company of Fools, and Charlie in The Foreigner at the Idaho Shakespeare Festival. Idaho directing work includes Macbeth, SpongeBob the Musical, Hamlet, and The Sound of Music among others at Boise State University. Amadeus, Twelfth Night, Greater Tuna, Tuna Christmas, The 39 Steps, and Noises Off at the Idaho Shakespeare Festival, Moonlight and Magnolias for Company of Fools, and The Memory of Water and The Pillowman at BCT.
Benjamin Farha
“Pool”
Benjamin Farha is a NY-based actor last seen in Colin Murphy’s Stay. Other recent credits include Zizi Majid’s Return to Fall, Asim Naqvi’s Shot Roots, numerous workshops and readings, and the Covid project The Living Mural/Calendar. With Rapidfire Bootleg Theater, he produced and performed in multiple productions including David Lindsay-Abaire’s Rabbit Hole, the Little Love Stories series, and Play Nice. Cabaret: “So Far Away,” “11 Songs to Remind You…” Training: Larry Moss, Adelphi University (BFA). He is a founding member of Pure Verb Playwrights Group (formerly AAPG.) He is represented by Lohne/Graham Management.
Amira Danan
“Della”
Amira Danan (Della) is pleased to be making make her BCT debut! Based in Chicago, her previous work includes: A Christmas Carol 2021-2023 (Goodman Theatre, 2024 upcoming), Bernhardt/Hamlet (Goodman Theatre), Comedy of Errors (Chicago Shakespeare Theatre); Southern Gothic (Windy City Playhouse) and A Doll’s House (Raven Theatre). Regional credits include world premieres of Ever in the Glades (Kennedy Center) and Origin Story (Cincinnati Playhouse), as well as productions of Sanctuary City (Cincinnati Playhouse) and School Girls (TheatreSquared). Television credits include Chicago Med, 61st Street, and 4400. Amira earned her BA from Northwestern University, and is proudly represented by Gray Talent Group. @amiradanan
Cage Sebastian Pierre
“Milo”
Cage Sebastian Pierre is honored to be a part of the 2024 Boise Contemporary Theater BIPOC Playwrights Festival . Select regional theatre credits include Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Writers Theatre, American Players Theatre, and Timeline Theatre. TV credits include Empire and Chicago PD. He holds a Master's degree in Design for Social Impact from Paris College of Art and a BFA from the University of Minnesota/Guthrie Theatre BFA Actor Training Program. Cage wishes to extend his heartfelt thanks to his talent agents at Stewart Talent for their unwavering support. "The purpose of art is to lay bare the questions that have been hidden by the answers." -James Baldwin. Instagram: @yesinfrench.
Jayson Lee
"Otis"
Onnie Williams IV
"Calico"
Chesney Goodson
“Deacon”
Chesney Goodson is a comedian based out of Asheville, NC, his comedy style has been described as unapologetic and thought-provoking.
Donna Marie McMillan
“Vonnie”
Donna Marie is a socially engaged performance artist, actress, and activist dedicated to using the power of performance arts to share culturally resonant stories that reflect the experiences of people of color and their diverse communities. Through her work, she aims to expand minds, promote healing, and foster deeper understanding. Known for her captivating portrayals, Donna Marie has brought characters such as Lena Younger in “A Raisin in the Sun”, Dean Hernandez in “Baltimore”, Dorothy in “The Speakeasy SF”, and Dr. Bessie Delany in “Having Our Say” to life on stage. Her favorite roles allow her to explore complex narratives and bring depth to her performances. She is excited for the opportunity to share in bringing a new story to life while raising the voice and perspective of the author, as she delves into her role as Vonnie in Lisa Langford’s “Dear God.”
Jully Lee
“Casey”/”Nin”
Jully Lee is an Ovation-nominated actor, making her Broadway debut in KPOP the Musical. She most recently performed in PARITY at Pan-Asian Rep in New York, a one-woman play portraying Chinese American physicist Chien-Shiung Wu and was part of the workshop of Soft Magical Tofu Boys at the O’Neill Festival as part of their National Musical Theatre Conference in July. Jully has received critical acclaim for her performances in over 30 productions onstage and was nominated for Good Morning America's Inspiration List: Who is Making Asian American Pacific Islander History in 2021 as a "powerhouse in the LA theatre scene." Television credits include recurring roles on “Young Sheldon” (CBS), “The Kicks” (Amazon) and “Gang Related” (Fox), as well as guest appearances on “S.W.A.T.,” “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend,” “Jane the Virgin” (CW), “Veep” (HBO), “This Is Us” (NBC), “Henry Danger” (Nickelodeon), “Rosewood” (FOX), “I’m Sorry” (TruTV), and “The Kominsky Method.” jullylee.com
Tommy Bo Hansana
“Jetsada”
TOMMY BO (Jetsada). First time in Boise, Idaho. Off-Broadway: Snow in Midsummer (Classic Stage Company), Regional: The Far Country (Berkeley Repertory Theatre), The Brothers Paranormal (Olney Theatre Center), The Great Leap (Portland Center Stage). Film & TV: Law and Order: Organized Crime (NBC), FBI: Most Wanted (CBS), Hit and Run (Netflix), Master (Amazon), and Boogie (dir. Eddie Huang). @prettydumbboys
David Huynh
“Simon”
David recently appeared in Playwrights’ Arena and Boston Court’s co-production of “Unrivaled”. He has also performed at East West Players in "Brother’s Paranormal” and “Mysterious Skin", in Actor's Co-Op's "Rope", and at The Colony Theatre in "Year Zero". On screen, David can be seen in season 4 of USA Network’s anthology series The Sinner, available on Netflix. His feature film credits include "M.F.A." (premiered at SXSW) and "Baby."
Member of Actor’s Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage members in the United States.
Ariel Estrada
“Kiet”
ARIEL ESTRADA Off-Broadway: A PERSISTENT MEMORY, MBL Productions (Jessi D. Hill, dir.); DOUBLE FALSEHOOD, Letter of Marque (Andrew Borthwick-Leslie, dir.); FAR EAST, Lincoln Center Theater (Daniel Sullivan, dir.); SHOGUN MACBETH, CAMBODIA AGONISTES, Pan Asian Repertory Theatre. Selected Off-Off/Regional: BLENDED 和 (HARMONY), History Theatre/Theater Mu (Lily Tung Crystal, dir.); TARTUFFE (NYITA Nominee), Phoenix Theatre Ensemble; MADE IN CHINA (NYT Critics Pick), Wakka Wakka (Gwen Warnock, dir.); ALL WE HAVE LEFT, Eugene O’Neill Theatre Center, Jim Henson Foundation Puppetry Residency; THE IMBIBLE (FringeNYC Encore Award); DISORIENTED, Theater C; HONOR, Prospect Theater Company; MISS SAIGON, Merry-Go-Round Playhouse; 90 NORTH, Kennedy Center, ASCAP/In the Works Program.. TV/Film: Don’t Let Me Drown; Future Folk, Nero, No Loss Here,Title VII; “Another World”, “Bull,” “Blue Bloods”, ”, “Occupy White House Sprites”, “One Life to Live”, “Osprey”, “Tell Me A Story”, The Americans.”
www.arielestrada.com
Julyana Soelistyo
“Lawan”
Julyana has played on and off Broadway, in regional theaters, and also internationally in Paris, Singapore, London, and Rome. She was nominated for a Tony award for originating Golden Child by David Henry Hwang. She recently appeared in two short films All Good and Apho & Me. Julyana is a member of The Actors’ Center. She lives in Brooklyn with her family and their whoodle, Louise.
Luma Jasim
Artist
**Supported by MAP Fund NYC**
Iraqi-born artist and performer Luma Jasim presents a multidisciplinary performance artwork based on her story of growing up and living in Baghdad, of being a witness to three wars, debilitating sanctions, devastating sectarian violence, and finally immigration and acculturation in the U.S.
Creative Team
Lily Yasuda
BIPOC Playwrights Festival Director
Lily is a Japanese American writer, actor, and filmmaker from Boise, ID. She has spent the last five years working in nonprofit arts management and has chaired Boise Contemporary Theater’s BIPOC Playwrights Festival since its conception in 2021. She previously served as the Festival Manager for Slamdance Film Festival, where she oversaw the screenplay competition and film festival, as well as the Programs Manager for the Alexa Rose Foundation. She wears many hats and is deeply passionate about supporting new and emerging artists from marginalized communities.
Habib Yazdi
Playwright
Habib Yazdi is an Iranian-American director and comedic writer molded by his upbringing in rural Texas, where his family's Persian traditions collided with a Southern Baptist community. Such collisions continued well into adulthood, on the urchin-strewn rocks off the coast of Senegal and the paved tarmac of LaGuardia Airport on Southwest Airlines Flight 345. Now Habib crafts stories about how cultural background shapes behavior, and the shapes in which we emerge as we rise from the rubble. Yeehaw. Habib is currently finalizing a PBS docuseries about comedians across the United States. He earned his MFA from NYU Tisch, where he received the Oliver Stone Screenwriting Award and Goldberg Play Prize.
Kamila Boga
Playwright
Kamila Boga (she/her) is a director, playwright, and actor from Los Angeles. Fueled by the belief that creatives are second responders, she develops and directs expressive, ensemble-driven work that turns tension into art. Kamila attends Dartmouth College, where she has received multiple awards, including the Ruth & Loring Holmes Dodd Drama Prize and the Eleanor Frost Playwriting Prize. Her plays have been developed by The Road Theatre Company, Breaking & Entering Theatre Collective, Horizon Theatre Company, and Dartmouth College. Kamila is thrilled to work with Boise Contemporary Theater and grateful for the opportunity to collaborate on new work.
Lisa Langford
Playwright
Lisa Langford is a Buffalo-born playwright based in Cleveland, OH. Her play Rastus and Hattie received a Joyce Award, a Kilroy’s List honorable mention, and was published by New Stage Press. Lisa’s other plays include How Blood Go, produced by Congo Square Theatre in residence at Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago and Breakfast at the Bookstore, which won Pittsburgh Public Theatre’s 2022 New Play Contest and was one of five winning plays in the Ashland New Plays Festival in Oregon.
Prince Gomolvilas
Playwright
Prince Gomolvilas is an internationally produced Thai-American playwright and winner of a PEN Center USA Literary Award for Drama. His critically acclaimed supernatural play, “The Brothers Paranormal,” debuted Off-Broadway at the Beckett Theatre, in a production by Pan Asian Repertory Theatre. It has since been published by Dramatic Publishing and performed across the country. He received an unprecedented co-commission from East West Players, Perseverance Theatre, and Theatre Mu to write “Paranormal Inside,” a standalone sequel to “The Brothers Paranormal.” He is also a former Assistant Professor of Writing at the University of Southern California. Visit www.princegomolvilas.com for more information.
Kareem Fahmy
Director
Kareem Fahmy is a New York-based, Canadian-born director and playwright. Regional directing credits include: Pioneer Theatre, Cincinnati Playhouse, Contemporary American Theatre Festival, Premiere Stages, Portland Stage, Crossroads Theatre. He has developed plays at Atlantic Theatre Company, New York Theatre Workshop, Second Stage, Soho Rep, MCC, Ensemble Studio Theatre, The New Group, New Dramatists, Geva Theatre, Northlight, Silk Road Rising, Berkeley Rep, and more. Alum of the Sundance Theatre Lab, The Old Globe Classical Directing Fellowship, Oregon Shakespeare Festival Phil Killian Directing Fellowship, The National Directors Fellowship, Lincoln Center Directors Lab. Kareem’s plays, which include Dodi & Diana, A Distinct Society, and American Fast (winner of the Woodward/Newman Playwriting Award), have been produced at theatres across the U.S. Kareem founded NYC’s Middle Eastern American Writers Lab. MFA in Theatre Directing: Columbia University. www.kareemfahmy.com
Steph Paul
Director
Steph Paul is a first-gen Haitian-American director/choreographer who clears space for uninhibited physical truth. What comes up must come out. Her work includes directing Martyna Majok’s Sanctuary City (Steppenwolf Theatre), co-directing and movement directing Liliana Padilla’s How to Defend Yourself (New York Theatre Workshop - NYT Best of 2023), choreographing Jeff Augustin’s Where the Mountain Meets the Sea (Manhattan Theatre Club - SDC Callaway Award Finalist, Choreography), directing and choreographing Marco Ramirez’ The Royale (Kansas City Repertory Theatre), and choreographing Sarah DeLappe’s The Wolves (Studio Theatre - Helen Hayes Award-winner, Choreography). Additional credits include Lincoln Center, Paper Mill Playhouse, Shakespeare Theatre Company, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Goodman Theatre. International credits include NYU Abu Dhabi, Royal Opera House Muscat, National Theatre of Scotland. Steph is a Princess Grace Award-winner, a NYTW Usual Suspect and proud SDC member. Steph is also a fan of curating playlists and watching all of the sports. www.stephpaul.com
Stephanie Hickling Beckman
Director
Stephanie Hickling Beckman is a dynamic and influential figure in the world of performing arts in Asheville NC. , and the visionary founder of Asheville’s Different Strokes Performing Arts Collective, and co-founder of A Different Myth, a development resource for emerging Black Playwrights. With an unwavering commitment to social justice and inclusivity, Stephanie utilizes her artistic talents to amplify underrepresented voices and stimulate meaningful discourse within her community. As a director, Stephanie has demonstrated a keen artistic vision and an unwavering commitment to thought-provoking storytelling. Through her guidance, Different Strokes! has challenged societal norms, sparking important conversations about identity, equity, and empathy. Stephanie's enduring dedication to using the arts as a force for positive change has solidified her legacy as an influential artist and advocate, leaving an indelible mark on the world of theater and the communities she serves.
Jeff Liu
Director
Jeff Liu is a writer and director for theater, film, and web, and also an Artistic Producer for the Ojai Playwrights Conference. His productions include the LA premiere of Chinglish by David Henry Hwang (LA Times Critics Choice), as well as the world premieres of Unbroken Blossoms and The Golden Hour by Philip W. Chung, Warrior Sisters of Wu by Damon Chua (2 Drama Desk noms), Memorial by Livian Yeh (NYT Critics Pick), Paletas de Coco by Franky D. Gonzalez (Ars Nova ANTFest), The Brothers Paranormal by Prince Gomolvilas, Two Mile Hollow by Leah Nanako Winkler, The Chinese Massacre (Annotated) by Tom Jacobson, Terminus Americana by Matt Pelfrey, and Texas and Solve For X by Judy Soo Hoo. He also adapted the Pulitzer-nominated Yellow Face by DHH for the YOMYOMF Network on YouTube, where it is still available to watch for free.
Benjamin Burdick
Director
John Wicks
Stage Manager
Jessica Ires Morris
Stage Manager
Jeanna Vickery
Stage Manager
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Boise Contemporary Theater is at 854 Fulton St, Boise, ID.
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