The Burning of Greenwood

by Atlese Robinson

Dramatis personae

The production runs 70 minutes with no intermission.
This show contains strong language, loud noises and flashing lights, and depictions of violence.

Is this show appropriate for children?
This show contains some difficult language and violence. We believe it is important for everyone to know this history, but it is a parent’s decision if their children can appropriately process the content.

Biographies

Nathan Block (he/him) has a degree in Theatre Arts from the University of Minnesota. While attending the university, he was involved in numerous stage productions as well as a comedy improv troupe. Upon graduating, an opportunity arose for him to enter the movie industry. Nathan has spent the last 25 years in the motion picture exhibition industry as well as production. This is Nathan’s first stage acting role in almost 30 years.

Jasmine Clopton (she/her) is a native of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and a graduate of Metropolitan State University College. Since 2010, she has had a hand in Production Assistance, Co-Directing, Set-Designing, Producing, and behind the screen acting work. In addition to her artistry in producing and behind the scenes duties, she also serves as K-Production’s Assistant Production Manager. In her "free time" she enjoys cooking, biking, reading, gardening, and serving in her community as a mentor and committee chair.

Mitchell Frazier (he/him) attended University of Minnesota studying Theater and Speech with a minor in African American History. He was recently named nimbus’ third co-Artistic Director, and has collaborated with them as an actor (American Noise, Emerald and the Love Song of the Dead Fisherman, From Darkness, The Red and the Bright and more); as a Lighting designer (Mail Order Bride, The Year of Magical Thinking, The Lower Depths, The Golden Ass, Happy Birthday Wanda June, Storms of November, and The River Becomes Sea); and as director (Nacirema: Stories of Color, Redemption). Mitchell is also an Independent Lighting Designer and resident lighting designer at Youth Performance Co., St. Paul Academy. He is also the Technical Director for the MN Fringe Festival and Roseville High School.

Michael Green Galvan (he/him) has been in entertainment since the 1990’s in the Twin Cities from dance, music, football and acting. He has been in plays, music videos and just completed a short film. Michael enjoys fishing, music, movies and his family. Michael passion is entertaining others and if a message can be conveyed that is always a bonus. Michael has performed on such stages as The Steppingstone Theater, The Historic Capris Theater , Paul Wellsone Theater, The Punumbra Theater, MN Fringe Festival and as well as local church productions.

Erin Carol Gustafson (they/them/she/her) is very honored to be stage managing this production and to be a part of telling this piece of history. They have been stage managing in the Twin Cities since 2017 and most recently worked on Youth Performance Company's production of Inspired by Claudette and Rosa by Laura Mann Hill. Beyond stage management, Erin enjoys working as a theater carpenter and as the School and Youth Programs Facilitator at Mill City Museum. When not working, they like to spend time with family, friends, their girlfriend, and their cat Pío.

B.E. Kerian (he/him) originates from Southwest Wisconsin, where he earned his BA in Fine Arts and minors in Music and Creative Writing from UW-Platteville in 2010. He moved to Minnesota in 2012 and has lived here since. Last year, he played the role of Henry Sowders in the Fringe Festival production of Black Wall Street: Dreamland Theatre, and is incredibly grateful to be working with many of his colleagues once again for this challenging and important historical drama. B.E.'s other stage credits include The Fantasticks, Fiddler on the Roof, A Midsummer Night's Dream, and The Importance of Being Earnest. He has also appeared in a few local films since 2019, including "Weightier Matters" (with director Doc Woods) and castmate Nathan Block's films, "Tribulations" and "The Bus Ride."

Camrin King (she/her) is a professional actress and dancer in the Twin Cities. She graduated with a degree in Theatre from the University of Northwestern in St. Paul. She has previously been seen in Black Wall St. Dreamland Theatre (MN Fringe Festival), Redemption (MCTC), A Raisin in the Sun (Lyric Arts), Mufaro‘s Beautiful Daughters (Steppingstone Theatre), The Dining Room (Fridley Community Theatre). You may have also seen her in a commercial or ad with Cenex, Best Buy or Royal Casino. Lastly, she enjoys dancing and spending time with her family and friends! Enjoy the show!

Tyler Krohn (he/him) is a scenic designer and carpenter building shows at theaters across the Twin Cities. He has contributed to the sets at Old Log Theater, Theater Latté Da, and The Jungle Theater, among several others. Most recently, he designed and built a production of Urinetown at Saint Paul Academy. In 2021, Tyler graduated from St. Olaf with degrees in Theater and Film and Media Studies, where he also worked on shows throughout his time there. When he's not holding a drill or paintbrush, Tyler enjoys seeing movies at the theater and trying new breweries.

Tara Lucchino (she/her) is a theatre artist, vocalist and musician from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Tara graduated from Penn State University with a theatre degree and after various gigs found her way to the Twin Cities in 2009. This is Tara’s 6th production with nimbus. Other local theatre credits include Sheep Theater, Special When Lit, Freshwater Theatre, 20% Theatre Company, Theatre Unbound, Theatre in the Round and Chameleon Theatre Circle to name a few. As a company member of Sheep Theater, Tara was a recipient of City Pages’ 2018 “Best Theater Troupe,” and has participated in many Fringe Festival productions including Michael Rogers’ Developers (2022) and Chorus (2019) & Sheep Theater’s Kaboom! (2018). Prior to Nimbus Presents: A Count Up to Christmas in December 2022, Tara was most recently seen in The Abortion Chronicles at The Haus Of Loring in October-November of 2022. You can catch her next in Kin with Special When Lit at the 2023 Twin Cities Horror Festival.

Quintin Michael (he/him) originally hails from Saint Paul. His acting credits in theatre span 15 plus years with previous roles in productions at the Fridley Community Theatre, the Bloomington Civic Theatre (now Artistry), Old Log Theatre, Penumbra Theatre, and most recently the 2022 Minnesota Fringe production of Black Wall Street: Dreamland Theatre. Quintin has also been blessed to lend his talents to voice-over work and a “Tele-Prompt” commercial promoting educational study tools. When Quintin isn’t sharing his gift for storytelling, he harbors an affinity for singing and creative writing. The Burning of Greenwood is Quintin’s first performance with nimbus and he is grateful to reprise his role as O.W Gurley. Quintin wants to thank the wonderful cast and production team for this experience as well as his beyond wonderful Spouse Delora and son Bryson for their unwavering support. It truly takes a village.

Jenny Moeller (she/her) is a props and lighting designer, theater artist, and writer working in the Twin Cities who is excited to be returning to nimbus! She is currently Technical Director of the Twin Cities Horror Festival, serves on the board for Arts Nest, and is the former Artistic Director of Raw Sugar. She has worked as technical director, designer, and builder for many theaters, including the Minnesota Opera, Southern Theater, Off Lease Art Box, Theatre Pro Rata, Theatre Unbound, and Six Points Theater.

Jeremie Niyonkuru Jr. (he/him) has been acting for two years. He starred in the film Nana’s Porch and is making his nimbus debut in The Burning of Greenwood. He was born in Bujumbura, Burundi, but moved to America with his family in 2010 at the age of 4. He plans to further his education with a degree in performing arts after high school.

Atlese Robinson (she/her) is a writer, performer, director, producer, and the founding artistic director of Ambiance Theatre Company. Hailing from Saint Paul, MN by way of Chicago, IL, Atlese grew up to become a storyteller because of the stories of her elders. Atlese's most recent works include Queen Mother (Red Eye Theater), Conflicted Hearts (Theatre 45), and Black Wall Street: The Burning of Dreamland Theater (MN Fringe). Upcoming works include Withered Clovers (Gumbo Media) and The Burning of Greenwood (nimbus). Atlese will soon complete her master's in Strategic Marketing at the University of Sussex in Brighton, UK.

Kira K. Spears (she/her) is a Minneapolis native and has had a passion for the arts, working with youth and real estate since a young age. She has been a cast member for All Things Possible Theatrical and Arts Group since 2014 performing in the plays: Samson; The Fall of A Mighty Man, Moses; A Leader of God’s People, and In His Will; The Story of Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. She also recently finished the group’s first film Growing Up Hard; A Prodigal Child Story. Kira is thrilled to be in this production and would like to thank God, her family, and friends for their continued encouragement, wisdom, and support.

Dameun Strange (he/him) is a sound artist, multi-instrumentalist, and award-winning composer of conceptual electronic and improvised electro-acoustic works focusing on the African diaspora's stories and themes, often exploring surrealist and afro-futurist ideas with unique impressionism. He believes that theater is a modality that can connect to people of any age, any background. Theater is a place for wild imaginings and untold stories to thrive. He is a 2018 recipient of the ACF | Create Award and 2019 Jerome Hill Fellowship. Dameun lives in Saint Paul, MN with his wife, Corina, and their 4 yo, Ezra. Like any good nerd, he enjoys a good sci-fi story and has a soft spot for anything related to cosmology.

Doc Woods (he/him) has been an actor for more than 15 years with experience on stage and film. His passion is telling meaningful stories and building lasting relationships. His latest work includes The Girl on The Train (Lyric Arts Main Street Stage, 2023), the 2022 Minnesota Fringe Festival summer hit Black Wall Street: Dreamland Theatre. Doc is excited to be making his directorial debut in collaboration with nimbus with The Burning of Greenwood. He would like to thank God and his family and friends for their continued support.

Emmanuel L. Woods (he/him) is excited for his debut with nimbus and happy to be reprising his role as O.B Mann. When he was just 13 years old he performed for the first time. Previous roles include The Seussification of Romeo and Juliet, CODE YOU (Exposed Brick Theatre), Ragtime The Musical (Morris Park Players), To Kill a Mockingbird (Guthrie Theatre), Christmas of Swing (History Theatre), The League (Sparkle Theatricals), and The Incarceration Play Project (Wonderlust Productions), Christmas With the Campbells (Smartmouth Comedy). He previously played the role of O.B. Mann in the MN Fringe Festival production Dreamland: Black Wall Street. He also finished an upcoming film The Passenger. He is inspired by his mother, who always tells him to "never stop doing what you love and give it your all...100%"

From the Playwright

I first want to thank you for patronizing nimbus and supporting the cast, crew, designers, staff, and myself
by choosing to be in community with us through this play, The Burning of Greenwood. This play represents who I aim to be as a playwright: someone who protects our stories, legacy, and truth. While Greenwood is one of the most famous examples of the destruction of Black wealth in America, it is not the only one. We saw it with the construction of Central Park, destroying what was once Seneca Village in New York, we saw it in Florida with Rosewood, we saw it in East Saint Louis, MO, and we saw it in Saint Paul, MN with the Rondo Community. Folklorist and culture preservationist Zora Neal Hurston said: "If you're silent about your pain, they'll kill you and say you enjoyed it." While many may assume that African Americans, that Black America, are simply not doing enough to be vibrant and prosperous, let it be remembered that white supremacy is dependent on our subjugation. And in spite of every attempt to blot us out of history and the future, we are still here. Rebuilding, re-energizing, healing, loving, and prospering because it is the enduring spirit of the previously enslaved African that strengthens us to overcome.

I encourage you to take up the torch of protecting sacred histories, not just of African Americans, but the whole of the African Diaspora, the Asian Diaspora, the Latinx Diaspora, and undoubtedly the Indigenous nations that stewarded this land for thousands of years prior to colonization. We will only heal the past if we understand it. I thank you for being committed to healing.

The Playwright,
Atlese Robinson

Special thanks

Ernest Briggs, Andrea Gross, Brian Hesser

About nimbus

nim-bus, n.

1. a : A bright cloud, or cloudlike splendor, imagined as investing deities when they appeared on earth.
b : a cloud or atmosphere about a person or thing

2 : A bright or golden disk surrounding the head of a drawn or sculptured divinity, saint, or sovereign

3 : a rain cloud

nimbus has been creating original theater in the Twin Cities since 2001. Their unique process for the creation of playwright-led collaborative work combined with their passion for creating bold, eclectic theater has been dazzling audiences for over 20 years. A company founded and led by playwrights and run by the artists themselves, we are dedicated to creating theatre that crosses boundaries, promotes imagination, and ignites new conversations.

nimbus Company members

Josh Cragun – Artistic Director
Liz Neerland – Artistic Director
Mitchell Frazier – Artistic Director
Andrea Gross – Company Manager
Brian Hesser – Technical Director
Monique Lindquist - Production Manager
Alyssa Thompson - Company Stage Manager
Alex Meyer - Volunteer Coordinator

nimbus Board of Directors

Jill Hoeft G.W. Gant Luxton Heidi Berg

Thank you to all of our 2022-2023 financial contributors:

As of June 10, 2023:

Anonymous
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