Written and Directed by Quenna Barrett What happens when a class of young Black women and non-binary folx of color take a trip to 1776? A collage of time and space, a blend of character and self — the ensemble of Re-Writing the Declaration exists in both today and yesterday in order to change tomorrow. Believing that the founding fathers and documents never intended to include us, we consider the impacts of that founding on our lives today & realize it’s time to re-write the Declaration of Independence. On this journey, we visit some troubling moments in our collective past, while celebrating Blackness on the path towards freedom. Catalyzed by the Movement for Black Lives, Re-Writing the Declaration is a devised, participatory play inviting audiences to center Black women, and femmes, non-binary, and trans folx of color, in order to free us all.
Ages: 7th Grade and Older
Cast and Creative team for Re-Writing the Declaration at The Center for Performing Arts
Cast
Nekia "Kiaa" Driver
TK
Kiaa received her Bachelor’s Degree in Theatre and Performance Studies with a minor in Dance from Governors State University in May 2020. She continues to give back to she community in the form of using performance as an outlet for exploration of healing. Kiaa assisted as an acting coach for youth program, “Mama’s Birds,” led and directed by Sandy Redd. Kiaa also has choreographed for the GSU Dance Company and has been seen in several productions including: Othello, The Laramie Project, The Tempest, and more. It is Kiaa’s intention to continue to explore performance as a platform of freedom. The freedom to simply be. She is appreciative to the limitless support she receives on her journey as a performer.
Bria Hall
Sam
Bria is thrilled to make her acting debut at Governors State University. Having studied theater performance throughout the Chicagoland area, she is eager to showcase her skills. With a passion for storytelling, Bria hopes to bring dynamic energy and a commitment to excellence to every role she takes on. Stay tuned for more exciting performances from this talented actor! She would also love to thank her family for their unwavering support.
Jameelah Houston
Sage
Jameelah Houston, a Southside Chicago native and master’s student in Independent Film & Digital Imaging at Governors State University, brings a wealth of theater and film experience to her debut production, Re-Writing the Declaration. With roles in Ebony Scrooge, Back in the Day, and Preacher's Kids: The Untold Stories, Jameelah is a passionate storyteller, committed to crafting narratives that inspire and provoke thought. She aims to make her mark on the world, one impactful story at a time.
Ronnie McDowell
Leon
Ronnie McDowell is a graduating senior at Governors State University. He is majoring in Theater and Performance Studies. You may have seen him perform in Scarlet Letter, Alice in Wonderland, and Jesus Christ Superstar. Outside of performing at GSU Ronnie is also an accomplished vocalist. He has done background vocals for Deitrick Haddon, Dorinda Clark Cole and, Hezekiah Walker. One day Ronnie wishes to see his name in lights.
Jade Parker
Zora
Jade is very excited to be a part of Re-Writing the Declaration. She was recently in The Little Mermaid with CAMPXDisney. Her favorite shows to perform in were Dreamgirls (Stepsisters/ensemble) and Barbeque (Black Movie Star Barbra). Jade received her B.F.A in Theater from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in 2023. When she is not on stage she enjoys watching reruns of her favorite tv shows.
Creative Team
Dr. Quenna Lené Barrett
Director
Dr. Quenna Lené Barrett is a theater artist + practitioner, whose work gathers folks of diverse backgrounds, centers marginalized identities, learns from Black radical wisdom, and then dreams collectively to act boldly through those learnings. This is Quenna’s second year in TAPS at GSU. As an artist and educator, credits include UChicago, Goodman, Paramount, NYU, Chicago Children’s Theatre, The Theatre School at DePaul, Free Street, Pegasus, Court, eta, Theater Unspeakable, Sojourn, and For Youth Inquiry.
Brittany White
Stage Manager
Brittany White is a Veteran of the United States Navy and Governors State Alumni. After an honorable discharge from the Navy she became a life coach and personal trainer. Her love for theatre came from watching her father act and direct throughout the years, this brought her to the theatre family of Chicago. Working with Directors, Crew, Cast, and Producers, Brittany found a knack for bringing people together and running performances. As a stage manager her credentials include, Governors State University, The Theatre Group, and ETA.
Janelle Smith
Costume Designer
Janelle Smith is a Chicago-based costume designer, wardrobist, and stylist who has worked at Marriott Theatre, Oil Lamp Theater, Oak Park Festival Theatre, University of Chicago, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Remy Bumppo Theatre Company, and Writer’s Theater bringing characters to life. They have a BFA in Theatrical Production and Design at Western Michigan and an MFA in Theatrical Design from Illinois State University. Thank you to everyone who brought this show to life. Enjoy the show!
Henry Bender
Props Coordinator
Henry Bender is a Chicago based theatrical swiss army knife from the sleepy mountain town of Portal, Arizona. He’s been making a mess on stage for almost as long as he’s been talking, and has dipped his toes in every aspect of the stage. He’s lit, built, written, directed, and designed for shows all over Chicago. His recent prop design credits include “Wise Guys” (Jeff Nominated), and “Party at the Pantheon”, both at the Factory Theatre.
Gabe Seplow
Lighting Designer
Gabe Seplow (He/Him) is a director, writer, actor, designer, and deviser based in Chicago, IL. He holds a BFA in Contemporary Theatre from the Boston Conservatory at Berklee with a concentration on Directing and Production. His designs can be seen throughout NYC, in off-broadway houses and local theatres, in Boston and Cambridge, Massachusetts, and in the Chicago area. Gabe currently serves as the Production Manager for Brightside Theatre.
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