Chesapeake Shakespeare Company announces new Black Classical Acting Ensemble.

The Chesapeake Shakespeare Company is proud to have established the Black Classical Acting Ensemble, tasked with both mentoring and training local Black actors.

One of the core missions of the Chesapeake Shakespeare Company has always been its commitment to serve Maryland’s diverse population and cultures. CSC supports and maintains community programs, like the Black Classical Acting Ensemble, and continues to develop further programming that invests in the greater Baltimore community and its citizens throughout Maryland.

Led by CSC Associate Artistic Director Gerrad Alex Taylor, the Ensemble is made up of over 20 members, and has a mission to explore how to engage with Shakespeare and the classics from a uniquely Black and intentionally anti-racist perspective as well as to provide mentorship and training to both experienced and novice Black actors. We recognize the BCAE's commitment and hard work and are eager to see what they discover and achieve in future programming.

The group includes resident company members, as well as actors who are working with us for the first time. Members include:

Renea Brown
Zipporah Brown
Tyrel Brown
Ashley Bufkin
Gregory Burgess*
Tina Burkhalter
Tamieka Chavis*
Lauren Davis*
Terrance Fleming*
Dominic Gladden
Isaiah Harvey
Lauren Jackson
Jamie Mann
Bethany Mayo
Elana Michelle*
Dawn Thomas Reidy
JC Payne
Shaquan Pearson
Adrienne Powell
Keith Snipes
Gerrad Alex Taylor*
Quincy Vicks

*CSC Resident Company Members