Mark is the 2013 recipient of the San Diego Critic’s Circle Craig Noel Award for Outstanding Actor Of The Year. He received the award for his work in Moxie Theatre’s A Raisin In The Sun and ION Theatre’s Production of TopDog/UnderDog, both of which were helmed by his favorite director Delicia Turner- Sonnenberg. Mark’s other regional theater work includes Moxie Theatre’s world premiere of Gibson Girl: The Piano Lesson, Fences (Cygnet Theatre): Since Africa (Mo`olelo Performing Arts Company): Nuevo California, A Christmas Carole, Love Janice, and The Merchant of Venice(San Diego Rep): Midsummer Night’s Dream(La Jolla Playhouse): Cotton Patch Gospel(Lambs’ Players Theater). Also, Antony and Cleopatra,Life Is A Dream, 10 November, Minamata(Time Magazine Critics Choice), and The Black Horror Show(L.A.T.C.): Glasshouse (NAACP IMAGE AWARD), South Of Where We Live, What A Good Black Man Needs, Patience: Or Bunthorne’s Bride(Ebony Showcase Theater): and Ripped Van Winkle with the world famous San Francisco Mime Troupe. On television Mark is a recurring character on Glee and spent the past five years as a series regular on Chuck (NBC) and has recently guest-starred on Disney’s Lab Rats and Good Luck Charlie, Heroes, Weeds, My Name Is Earl, Crossing Jordan, Reba, American Dreams, and the Disney TV movie Life Is Ruff. Recent big screen appearances include The Pursuit Of Happyness (starring Will Smith), The Island, Christmas With The Kranks, and Garfield. For a more comprehensive listing of Mark’s credits please visit: www.markchristopherlawrence.com or just Google him..
antonio 'tj' johnson AS PAUL ROBESON
He has been an actor, teacher, singer, songwriter, director, and producer for over 30 years in San Diego. A Chicago transplant, Antonio has appeared in major roles at The Old Globe, Moonlight Amphitheatre, Black Ensemble Theatre, San Diego Repertory Theatre, Common Ground Theatre, and Lamb’s Player’s, Cygnet Theatre and Intrepid Shakespeare Company. Antonio has also directed shows for Diversionary Theatre, Scripps Ranch Theatre, and was founder and Artistic Director for The Ocean Beach Company Wild Parrot Players. Antonio’s numerous awards include a Dramalogue Award in 1991 in the Black Friars production of “Stories about the Old Days,” Playbill award in the NCRT production of “Buried Child,” and the 2008 Critic Circle Award and Patte Award for Best Lead actor in The Cygnet Production of “FENCES.” Antonio was the project director of the highly successful August Wilson Century Cycle in 2005/2006.He has produced, directed and acted in over 30 August Wilson plays and readings. 2013 Resident Artist at UCSD”s Thurgood Marshall College. Antonio is working on a series of One person shows about Famous African American pioneers called “Walking in the Shadows” as part of this series he has performed “A Tribute to THURGOOD MARSHALL” for the 40th anniversary of UCSD’s THIRD College. In February 2013 he performed as Bill Traylor (1854? - 1959) an African American slave who became an artist at the age of 83 for The Mingei International Museums’ exhibition of one of the worlds most famous self-taught artist. “Over the years Ocean Beach has been my spiritual home giving me the freedom to grow and become the artist I will now share with the world. I will always consider OB the Birthplace of my Vagabond spirit and keep a special part of my heart only for the San Diego Theatre community and the folks of OB” TAKE THE J OUT OF JOB AND YOU”LL FIND OB!
JOHN ROSEN AS BRANCH RICKEY
John Rosen's theatrical credits include: REGIONALTHEATRE: A Catered Affair and The Constant Wife for The Old Globe; Accomplice for La Jolla Playhouse
LOCAL THEATRE: Lamb’s Players Theatre: Around the World in 80 Days; Joe vs the Volcano; Guys & Dolls; The Music Man; Harvey; The Fantasticks; Room Service; The Winslow Boy; American Rhythm; Charley’s Aunt. Ella in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum for San Diego Rep; Musical Comedy Murders of 1940 and To Forgive Divine for North Coast Rep; Bunbury, The Long Christmas Ride Home, and Looking for Normal for Diversionary; and other shows in the distant past for Sledgehammer, Bowery, and Gaslamp Quarter Theatres.
KEITH JEFFERSON as Bill 'Bojangles' Robinson
Keith Jefferson, originally from Houston Tx, now resides in LA and holds a BFA in musical theatre and an MFA in acting. He is a professional actor, singer, dancer, musician, and voice-over artist and is currently appearing in FEDERAL JAZZ PROJECT at the San Diego Rep dir. By Sam Woodhouse written and conceived by Richard Montoya and musical score by Gilbert Castellanos. Some of his favorite regional, toured, and local credits include SUPERIOR DONUTS, OTHELLO, SAINT JOAN, BOYS NEXT DOOR, PIANO LESSON, BIG RIVER, and ONCE ON THIS ISLAND. Favorite film and tv credits include THE JAMIE FOXX SHOW (recurring), THE SHIELD (co-star), BUFFALO SOLDIERS (co-star and also has two songs on the film's soundtrack), VH-1 Illustrated (co-star) and The Last Freeman (co-star) and recently in the critically acclaimed hit and oscar winning DJANGO UNCHAINED (co-star) dir. by Quentin Terantino. He is a proud member of Actors Equity and Screen Actors Guild of America. Keith is proud to be working again with Vagabond Theatre Project where he last performed the August Wilson Play Cycle.
GERARD JOSEPH AS JACKE ROBINSON
Anyone who meets G Anthony Joseph for the first time all have the same thing to say. He loves life with a passion and approaches everything he does with a true sense of commitment and energy that is overwhelming to the observer. His presence raises the spirit of everyone in a room. Above all he is honest, ethical, sticks by his word and commitments, and is very, very disciplined.
Having studied under the tutelage and direction of Caribbean acting legend Sonya Moze, G Anthony headed out to LA and has not stopped working as an actor since. Three years after arriving in L.A. he graduated number 1 in his class from the Van Mar Academy of Motion Picture and Television Acting under Mr. Ivan Markota, and accumulated numerous credits encompassing independent films, television, and student and industrial films. With his enthusiasm it was only a matter of time before he started producing his own films. His favorite saying?: "I can do that".
VIMEL SEPHUS AS CLANCY HOPE
Vimelis a San Diego native. He began entertaining as a vocalist and dancer in the United States Air Force while touring with Tops in Blue, the Air Force's premier entertainment showcase during their, 2008 Deja Blue World Tour. After discharging from the military a year later he released his first independent album April of 2010 (Euphoric, available on iTunes/Amazon). Later that year an appearance in, Storyville at the San Diego Rep created the path opened the doors to the Theater. Since then he has continued passionately working various creative ventures in Performing Arts including Theater, Film, Recording, and regular shows with his band, E-klectik Soul.