America’s efforts to reckon with social intolerance and politically inspired violence result in the arrest of a young black man (pursuant to a newly-enacted “Hate Speech” law) and his trial for “provocative and malicious use” of one of the most offensive words in the English language.
Philip C. Hall, 59, a Brooklyn transplant and playwright, is a resident of Harlem, New York. In 2019, his dramatic writings were utilized in theatrical workshops and performances to support the positive development of incarcerated youth in New York State Office of Children and Family Services facilities, as well as adults in New York State prisons. Since 2019, his dramatic work Dutch Crown (an inner-city take on Edgar Lee Masters’ Spoon River Anthology) has been performed in several New York State correctional facilities, where it continues to be used as a teaching tool.
In 1996, Philip was a founding member of Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA), a nonprofit organization that utilizes the transformative power of the arts to help incarcerated women and men in New York State develop critical life skills. In 2020, RTA commissioned him to write three screenplays for its Reimagining Myself program, which is currently offered to incarcerated adults in New York and California.
In March 2023, Philip’s play The N Trial (a critical exploration of one of the most offensive words in the English language) was performed at TADA! Theatre’s Emerging Artists Festival in New York City. In October 2023, he was a panelist at Brooklyn Borough Hall for the Osborne Association’s event “See Us, Support Us: Reentry Through a Child’s Eyes.” Since 2022, Philip has performed in David Rothenberg’s play The Castle. He is employed as a case manager and is currently working on two plays. He enjoys writing, attending plays, and cycling.
KM Jones (She/Her) is committed to Diversity, Inclusivity, LGBTQIA+ and Neurodivergent voices in Theatre/Film. Member: League of Professional Theatre Women (Board Member 2020-2025. Past Co- Executive Vice President), previous Associate Artistic Director Planet Connections Festivity, AEA, Associate Member SDC. Directorial venues include: The Flea Open Jar Studios, AMT Theatre, TADA!, HOSTOS Community College, Houghton Hall, The Tank, Drama League, The RAT NYC, and The Connelly Theatre. Education/Training: St. John’s University and The American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Website: KMJDirector.com, IG: @km.jones.52493
Antonyio Artis is a NYC Based multifaceted storyteller who graduated with his BFA in Acting from Brooklyn College. He studied at Atlantic Theater school in the summer of last year and recently completed The Actors Center’s Mentorship Program as a member of their first cohort. His solo show, “Tariq’s Interlude,” had a successful week-long run at HERE Arts Center, with plans to return in the Spring. Last month, he simultaneously played the roles of Dwight Barnes in Jonathan Caren’s “The Recommendation” at The Flea Theater and Chiron/Ares/Hades/others in Rob Rokicki’s musical “The Lightning Thief” at On Your Mark. He can be seen next in the new workshop production of “Little Black Book” by Najee Omar at 651 Arts in December.
Joyia D. Bradley is an actor, writer, director and producer residing in NYC. She is thrilled to be back on stage and exploring this new and exciting work.Theatre Off-Broadway (selected)-Cracked Open, Dream Big World Theatre/Theatre Row; Mirrors, New
York Theatre Workshop/Parity Productions; Gray-A Play Through Race and Time, SheNYC Arts Fest; Running Out of Time, New Perspectives Theatre Co.; MacBeth, Stairwell Theatre; Antony and Cleopatra, Columbia Stages/Miriam K. Grill; King John, Judith Shakespeare Company. TV/Film (selected)- “Law & Order SVU”, “ Evil Lives Here”, “Sun”, “Bushwick Jodi”, “Five Questions” and “Mirrors”. Joyia thanks her daughter, her little rock-star, for her encouragement and love. She also thanks her management team at The Talent Express. You can follow her and keep tabs on IG, TikTok, Threads @joyiadbradley
After graduating from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Melissa Denize booked various commercials for brands like Wal-Mart, Lipton Tea, Evolution fresh and Lola. Shows including TV One’s “Fatal Attraction” and Max’s “Mean Girl Murders.” Her recent stage credits include “The N Trial” (Emerging artists Theater festival) and Trauma Bonding (New York Theater festival), Melissa is so excited to be working on “The N Trial” once again, and grateful for the continued support of her family and friends.
Laura E. Johnston is an actor, director and producer. Favorites—NYC Theater: Loretta in Revolution’s Smite (NPTC), Leonato in Much Ado About Nothing (Classics in Color). Regional: Calpurnia in To Kill A Mockingbird (Arkansas Rep). Readings: The Grandmother in Tesseract by Scott Sickles (Playwrights Thriving Reading Series), Tempie in Amma’s Witby Sandra Daley (EST). Film: Genie in James White. TV: Tawanda in “Wu-
Tang: An American Saga.” Producer: Life on the Mississippi (The WorkShop Theatre—NYIT Nominee). Director: Artificial Light (SPARK Theatre Fest-Spring), Whitewashed by Lynda Crawford (Brownstone Steps Entertainment). Asst. Director: American Captives by Connie Winston (Dixon Place), I Made it to the Moon by Karen Campion (Broadway Bound Theatre Fest at AMT). Always for J.J.
Antwain N. Lewis is a native of Philadelphia. His theatre credits include: (S)KINFOLK, Rhythm of Blu, Running Out of Time, A Mouth Full of Flies, Was it Me, This Book Ain’t Been Written, Their Eyes Were Watching God, Lulu’s Dance, and The Light and Dark of Billie Holiday. Antwain trained under the guidance of Marishka Phillips, Petronia Paley, and Trazana.
Gladys Pérez is an actor, voiceover artist, writer and coach. She has performed in Spanish and English throughout New York, the United States and Europe, at notable theatres such as the PRTT (NYC), Walker Art Center (Minneapolis), Barbican Centre (London), and more. TV/Film: Life and Beth, Ray Donovan, God Friended Me. BFA, The New School, proud AEA and SAG-AFTRA member. IG: thegladysperez and website: gladysperez.com
In 2011, Susanne Pinedo jumped into her car and drove from her home town of Miami, Florida to have a love affair with NYC and the relationship is still going strong. She obtained her BFA in Theatre from Florida International University. Credits include Teresita in El Bacalao: The Catfish Man by Desi Moreno-Penson, Sophia in A Critical Encounter by Julia Genoveva, Marisol in Jagged Journey by Elana Gartner, Sara in Speed Dating by Curt Strickland, Daniela in Arpilleras by Justin P. Lopez, Lola in Ghosts of Bogota by Diana Burbano, the Nurse in a modern adaptation of Romeo & Juliet, Simone in Caplata by Margo Rofe, as part of The Covid Monologues, and Carmen in Have to Believe We Are Magic by Sara Guerrero. She can also be heard as the Spanish voice on several telephone systems for IT companies, hospitals, and PSAs. Susanne’s family is originally from Colombia.
Dennis A. Woodbine is an actor, writer, and advocate whose journey into the arts began in 2005 while incarcerated at Sing Sing Correctional Facility. There, he joined Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA)—a transformative nonprofit organization that uses theatre and other art forms to teach life skills and foster personal growth. Through RTA, Dennis discovered his voice, his potential, and the redemptive power of creativity. Since his release, Dennis has continued to develop his craft and share his story through performance and community engagement. His work is rooted in authenticity, resilience, and social purpose—illuminating themes of transformation, justice, and hope. Dennis believes deeply in the power of art to heal, connect, and change lives, just as it changed his.
At the core of the Classical Theatre of Harlem’s Literary Series is the belief that theater has the transformative power to challenge the status quo, connect disparate worlds of thought, and, ultimately, change the world. Thus, we are invested in the development of work that shifts the conversation around representation in the theater and are dedicated to providing a platform for those voices traditionally underrepresented on the American Stage.
CTH’s Literary Series is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, the Jarvis & Constance Doctorow Family Foundation and the Axe-Houghton Foundation.
Selected playwrights submit 10-12 pages of a new work in the early stages of development. Actors are cast on the spot and perform a cold reading, followed by a moderated audience feedback session. In addition to serving the development of new work, these readings give audiences a sneak peek into how new plays are created.
CTH asserts that a “Future Classic” promotes courageous and open-minded examination of controversial and critical topics that are at the heart of society. Designed for the emerging professional playwright, Future Classics offers participating writers the opportunity to showcase their new completed works and receive dramaturgical feedback. Participants work with CTH’s resident dramaturge, a professional director and a dedicated group of actors to showcase a new full-length play.
Submit your work to Ms. Shawn René Graham, Literary Director at shawnrene@cthnyc.org. No phone calls please.