Directed by Janai Lashon It is 1936, and Boy Willie arrives in Pittsburgh from the South in a battered truck loaded with watermelons to sell. He has an opportunity to buy some land down home, but he has to come up with the money right quick. He wants to sell a piano that has great importance to his family, but he shares ownership with his sister Berniece, and the piano sits in her living room. Berniece has already rejected several offers, because the antique piano is covered with beautiful carvings detailing the family’s rise from slavery. Boy Willie argues that the past is past, but Berniece proves to be more formidable than he anticipated. The Piano Lesson is the fourth installment of the American Century Cycle, following African American life experiences, decade by decade. Winner of the 1990 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. “Like other Wilson plays, it seems to sing even when it is talking.” –The New York Times This play has one fifteen minute intermission.
August Wilson's The Piano Lesson at Detroit Repertory Theatre Schedule
Cast and Creative team for August Wilson's The Piano Lesson at Detroit Repertory Theatre
Cast
Delanti Hall
Boy Willie
Delanti Hall (Boy Willie) of Kalamazoo has been a professional actor for four years and is making his Detroit Repertory Theatre debut. He studied Acting at Western Michigan University and is blessed to return home to Detroit. Delanti’s previous roles include Omari in Pipeline, Dayrin in Exception to the Rule, and Damon in Sunset Baby at Face Off Theatre Company. He has also been in front of the camera for commercials for Henry Ford Hospital, Zoom, and the Radisson Hotel in Kalamazoo.
Nathan Alford-Tate
Lymon
Nathan Alford-Tate (Lymon) has been a professional actor for 10 years. He graduated from Detroit School of Arts before going on to obtain his BFA in Acting from Western Michigan University and MFA in Devised Performance from the University of Arts. Nathan is making his Detroit Rep debut. Previous roles include Balin/Ensemble in The Hobbit and Cat/Ensemble in Pinocchio at the Arden Theatre Co., Posthumous/Ensemble in Cymbeline at the Delaware Shakespeare Theatre, and King George/Ensemble in The American Revolution at Theatre Unspeakable.
Will Bryson
Doaker
Will Bryson* (Doaker) is a director, actor, and teacher. He earned his MFA in Classical Theatre from The George Washington University and his BFA from Wayne State University. Will was recently on the Rep’s stage as Slow Drag in August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Lincoln in Topdog/Underdog, Brucie in Sweat, and Harold Loomis in August Wilson’s Joe Turner’s Come and Gone. He is a member of the Actors’ Equity Association, an instructor for the Detroit Repertory’s Actors Workshop and directed last season’s Covenant.
Jacquese Steele
Berniece
Jacquese ‘Jac’ Steele (Berniece) is making her professional acting debut here at the Rep. She received her BFA in Theatre from Michigan State University. Jacquese appeared as Tea Flake in Xtigone, in Legally Blonde (Michigan State University), as Yolanda in Crownes, in Ragtime!, and in The Sound of Music She is also an accomplished singer, having performed as an opening act for artists such as Bobby Valentino, E-40, and Joe.
Jocelyn Cierra Letts
Maretha
Jocelyn Cierra Letts (Maretha) made her professional acting debut as Zonia Loomis in the Detroit Rep’s production of August Wilson’s Joe Turner’s Come and Gone. She’s currently in high school and has studied musical theatre at the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp and Hawk Community Center. Jocelyn’s other credits include The Little Mermaid Jr. (On Top of the World Productions), In Search of a Christmas Carol (Motor City Youth Theatre), and Annie Jr. (The Franklin Players). She can also be seen in the films Foot Soldiers and Pressure.
Izaya Spencer
Avery
Izaya Spencer (Avery) is an award-winning actor from Detroit, has been acting professionally for over 10 years, and is making his Detroit Rep debut. Izaya studied acting at the Michigan Actor’s Studio and the Detroit Drama Studio. Recently he was seen on stage in Blues for an Alabama Sky (Detroit Public Theatre). Film/TV credits include Dangerous Creation, Semblance Amiss, Depart from It, the List, Street Legal: South, and Heaven in Detroit: a Sanctuary of Sound. Before starting his acting journey, Izaya was a competitive spoken word poet with InsideOut’s Literary Arts program Citywide Poets and just last year made his debut as a director with B.R.E.D’s Hip Hop Theater Festival.
T. Pharaoh Muhammad
Wining Boy
T. Pharaoh Muhammad* (Wining Boy) is a seasoned professional actor and an award-winning filmmaker. He is a Wayne State University theatre graduate and Second City Detroit alumnus. Recently at the Rep he portrayed Bert in Primary Trust and Toledo in last winter’s hit production of August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. Other recent stage credits include Ruined and Topdog/Underdog (Clubhouse Theater), (N) (Marygrove Theater), and The Tempest (Hilberry Studio.) T. Pharaoh also co-starred in seasons 5 and 8 of Chicago Med (NBC) and has appeared in a number of films and commercials.
Sharmaine Jones
Grace
Sharmaine Jones* (Grace) has been a professional actor for almost 20 years and is on the Detroit Rep’s stage for the first time. After earning her Bachelor’s in Musical Theatre Performance from Western Michigan University, Sharmaine went on to such roles and appearances as Nala in Disney Magic and Disney Wonder on the Disney Cruise Line, Sour Kangaroo in the national tour of Seussical, in Ain’t Mis Behavin’ at Forestburgh Playhouse in New York, and in Smokey Joe’s Cafe at the Little Theatre on the Square in Illinois.
Creative Team
Harold Jurkiewicz
Stage Manager
Harold Jurkiewicz* (Stage Manager) most recently worked at the Rep as the Stage Manager for Primary Trust. Harold dedicates the work on this show in memory of Judy Dery, Rae Lawrence, and Traci Roster. Enjoy the show.
Damian Bullis
Infection Control Manager/Tech Director
Damian Bullis (Technical Director) has been the Technical Director at the Rep since 2023. He received his education from Detroit Rep legends such as Robert Vogue Williams, Harry Wetzel, Lynch Travis, and of course Leah Smith and Bruce Millan. He’s also the resident barkeep; don’t be shy, head over and say hello!
Drew Hall
Set Design
Drew Hall (Set Design) has been working the theatre for 15 years professionally. He learned everything he knows under the guidance of stage crew veterans at Stagecrafters. Drew has worked as a Scenic Designer and Scenic Painter for the Birmingham Village Players and Stagecrafters Royal Oak. He has also worked on numerous sets here at the Detroit Rep. Drew is the Technical Theatre Director at Mercy High School.
X'ydee Alexander
Property Design
X’ydee Alexander (Property Design) is exploring property design with this production. She is the Rep’s Box Office Manager, an actor—next appearing in Eclipsed on the Rep stage—and a crafty, curious person.
Sandra Landfair Glover
Costume Design
Sandra Glover (Costume Design) has been a professional theatre worker for 30 years and was the costumer for Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit. She studied at Henry Ford College and Wayne State University. Her most recent work at the Rep was as the costume designer for Primary Trust. She has designed at the Rep since 2018.
Dan Morency
Light Design
Dan Morency (Lighting Design) has been the Rep’s lighting designer for a decade. His work was most recently a part of Hysterical, August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, and Alamo Shoes.
Krista Pennington
Sound Design
Krista Pennington (Sound Design) has been the sound designer at the Rep since 2023 and has her degree in theatre based in sound design from Alma College. Krista’s most recent work at the Rep was on Primary Trust.
Katherine Clemons
Intimacy Director
Katherine Clemons (Intimacy Director) has been a professional theatre worker for 15 years. She received her MFA in Acting from Michigan State. Her recent work at the Rep has been on Covenant, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, and Between Riverside and Crazy. Katherine works at Grand Valley State University as the Assistant Professor of Musical Theatre. She is an active Intimacy Director, Actor, Director, and Fight Choreographer throughout Michigan.
SUBMIT UPDATES
Detroit Repertory Theatre Frequently Asked Questions FAQ
Eclipsed (3/27/26-5/17/26)
Spit in Your Face (5/29/26-6/28/26)
Detroit Repertory Theatre is at 13103 Woodrow Wilson St, Detroit, MI.
Primary Trust (11/7/25-12/28/25)
Covenant (5/16/25-7/7/25)
Hysterical! (3/14/25-5/4/25)
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom (1/10/25-3/2/25)
Alamo Shoes (11/1/24-12/22/24)
Between Riverside and Crazy (5/17/24-7/7/24)
Annabella in July (3/15/24-5/5/24)
Harmony Park (5/10/18-5/20/18)
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