Cast
Letta Neely
Letta Neely (Co-Creator, Writer, Performer)
Letta Neely, a versatile individual from Indianapolis, Indiana, is a beacon of creativity and activism. As a Black lesbian playwright, performer, poet, mother, teacher, and community activist, she has dedicated her adult life to progressive, anti-racist, and queer liberation movements. Letta's artistic pursuits explore the powerful connections and intersections of queerness, Blackness, and consciousness.
In 2002, Letta made her mark with the debut of her play, "Hamartia Blues," produced by The Theater Offensive at the Boston Center for the Arts. The production garnered significant recognition, earning two nominations for the IRNE (Independent Reviewers of New England) awards. Her subsequent plays, such as "Last Rites" and "Shackles & Sugar," and a musical, “99% Stone,” captivated audiences in Boston, Philly, and Los Angeles. Letta's literary talent extended to poetry, with two acclaimed books, "Juba" and "Here," published by Wildheart Press. Both works received esteemed finalist positions in the Lambda Literary Awards. Her written contributions have graced numerous anthologies, literary journals, and magazines, including "Through the Cracks," "Sinister Wisdom," "Common Lives, Lesbian Lives," "Rag Shock," "African Voices," "Rap Pages," "Catch the Fire," "Does Your Mama Know," and "Roll Calla Generational Anthology of Social and Political Black Literature & Art." Collaborating with Deen Rawlins-Harris as a Traces/Remain Ensemble member, Letta played an instrumental role in developing the Seed to Harvest Book Project during Toshi Reagon's Emerson College residency: Parable Path Boston.
Letta's impact on the arts community expands further as the co-artistic director for Fort Point Theatre Channel. She lent her editing and scriptwriting talents to Ife Franklin's "The Slave Narratives of Willie Mae" in book and film adaptations. Letta's passion for uplifting fellow artists led her to host the monthly "FireWater Poetics," a hybrid open mic event featuring exceptional performers at Emerson College. Notably, she directed Renita Martin's play, "Unmasked," for Revolution of Values, produced by Greg Allen. Her artistic contributions have garnered recognition, including a NEFA (New England Foundation for the Arts) grant, which supported initiatives such as Collective Imagination for Spatial Justice and Public Art for Spatial
Justice. Adding to her diverse portfolio, Letta took on the role of Makayla in Lyralyn Kaye's acclaimed web series, "AFAB (Assigned Female at Birth)."
In addition to her artistic endeavors, Letta exemplifies her commitment to empowering and nurturing young minds as the Executive Director of Apprentice Learning. Leading this well established organization, she collaborates directly with schools and employers to provide real world work experiences and career exploration opportunities to 8th graders in the Boston Public School system. Letta, alongside her dedicated staff, imparts valuable skills, ignites purpose, and fosters dreams, fostering personal growth and development in the students they serve. Her role at Apprentice Learning highlights her unwavering dedication to the betterment of young individuals.
Letta Neely's exceptional talents, unwavering commitment to activism, and profound contributions to artistic expression make her a remarkable and influential figure within the community.
Greg Allen (Co-Creator, Director)
Greg Allen is an educator, freelance stage director, and producer concentrating on new work. He is currently an Assistant Teaching Professor at Northeastern University, where he contributes to the theater program as teaching faculty and stage director. Greg has directed various college, university, and professional productions, including Letta Neely's "Pulling It All Into The Current," which has been performed in Boston, at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and the United Solo Theatre Festival (‘Best Drama’ and ‘Best Direction’ awards) , and is now touring the U.S. He has also directed "Mommy Are We Poor?" by Richard Ravosa at the Mosesian Center for the Arts, produced by Six Corners Entertainment/David Bertolino Productions, and "Polaroid Stories" by Naomi Iizuka at Northeastern University. Additionally, Greg created and directed "Thunder - A Musical Memoir," a one-person show featuring Broadway tap dancer Jimmy Tate, which won the Outstanding Choreography award at the New York International Fringe Festival. His work has been featured at venues such as Theatre Row, the Francis Anne Cannon Workshop Theater, Ensemble Studio Theater, and Bleeker Street Theater in New York City, as well as Boston's Strand Theater, Mosesian Center forthe Arts, Boston Center for the Arts, and the Garde Arts Center in Connecticut. He holds a theater degree from Sarah Lawrence College, an M.F.A. in Theater Directing from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and an M.Ed. from Cambridge College. Greg has also taught in the Boston Public Schools, at UMass Amherst, and at Mass Bay Community College. Currently, he is Co-Artistic Director of ‘A Revolution of Values Theatre Project’ with Letta Neely and a co-Artistic Director at Fort Point Theatre Channel in Boston.
