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The KUUMBA Players, a Washington-based community theater group, seeks to address issues of social conscience through performances by artists from the Washington area. |
2011-2012 Season
Anna Deavere Smith’s House Arrest is an exhilarating, thought-provoking and highly theatrical examination of the current state of democracy in America and the dangers posed by a media that equates trivia with news. Through the use of interviews with people like Bill Clinton and Anita Hill, and original documents of Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and others, Ms. Smith takes us on a kaleidoscopic trip through our nation’s history that shows us how “the promise of democracy can become frail” and that challenges us to “exhaust the facts, imagine a future, and work to make it real!”
Characters (in order of appearance): Studs Terkel, George Stephanopoulos, Cinder Stanton, Penny Kiser, Ken Burns, James Callender, Roger Kennedy, Annette Gordon-Reed, President Thomas Jefferson, Eugene Foster, R.W. Apple, Walter Trohan, Lizzie McDuffie, Bernard Asbell, Michael K. Frisby , Gary Hart, Peggy Noonan, Elizabeth Keckley, President Abraham Lincoln, Brian Palmer, Walt Whitman, Ben Bradlee, Glori Steinem, Governor Ann Richards, Alice Waters, Graydon Carter, Anonymous Man, Judith Butler, Anita Hill, Maggie Williams, Alexis Herman, Ed Bradley, Christopher Hitchens, Walter Shjapiro, David Kendall, Mike Isikoff, Chris Vlanto, President William Jefferson Clinton, President George Herbert Bush, Flip Benham, Cheryl Mills, Paulette Jenkins, and Blese Canty.
The KUUMBA Players’ House Arrest cast includes Jaime Albarracin, Jennifer Ambrose, Jameson Freeman, Giselle Gilpin, Anita Jones, Stephen Landberg, Gregory Mize, E. Allyn Moushey, Alona Sistrunk, Tony Smith, Ruth Taylor, Lisa Troshinsky, and Jillian Villars.
Tickets: $15 / $10 (students with ID). To reserve tickets, e-mail kuumbaplayers@gmail.com. Be sure to include the date of the performance you would like to attend, the number of people in your party, and your name. All reserved tickets that are unclaimed 10 minutes before the show will be released. Due to mature content, House Arrest is recommended for audiences aged 13 and older.
In 2012, to celebrate the KUUMBA Players tenth anniversary, we are reviving one of our biggest hits, Free to Be You and Me. We first produced this musical exploration of childhood identity and inter-generational understanding (written in the 1970s by Marlo Thomas and friends) in 2004. It featured a cast of over 40 adults and children, many of whom are now young adults who will help us tell the story to the next generation.
The KUUMBA Players are a welcoming community theater based at All Souls Church that explores universal themes, including justice, equity, compassion, and truth. Our goals are to
- serve and strengthen the communities of All Souls Church and the DC Metro area by providing opportunities for members and friends to participate in the theatrical experience;
- illuminate the human experience through theater that addresses both contemporary issues and universal themes;
- serve as a welcoming community for people of all walks of life, every race, creed and lifestyle;
- provide an atmosphere of respect and mutual appreciation among artists; and
- create thought-provoking, enriching and high-quality productions.
The KUUMBA Players formed in 2001 to give expression to the social justice concerns of the community through transforming theater. The Players were named after the Swahili word “KUUMBA,” meaning to serve your community through creativity, which exemplifies the mission and goals of the group.
Pulling from both the congregation of All Souls Church and the richly talented local community of DC artists, the KUUMBA Players have produced large scale productions, staged readings, an innovative speech series, playback workshops and more!
KUUMBA Players Steering Committee
Elizabeth Andrews, founder (elizabeth.andrewsdc [@] gmail.com)
Judith Bauer (JBauer2939 [@] aol.com)
Gregory Ford (gregory.j.ford [@] gmail.com)
Anna Hargrave (annaharg [@] gmail.com)
Lenard Starks (starks.lenard [@] dol.gov)
Ben Zitelli (ben.zitelli [@] gmail.com)
Frequently Asked Questions
What does KUUMBA mean?
“KUUMBA” is a Swahili word meaning to serve one’s community through creativity. It is one of the seven principles of Kwanzaa and exemplifies the mission and goals of the group.
How can I become a member of KUUMBA?
Anyone can become a member of the KUUMBA Players. We’re always looking for actors, technical crew, ushers, and the like. And the great thing about Community Theater is that you don’t need any previous experience to participate. Auditions are open to all and production roles are often filled by newbies. If you’d like to participate, come on out to auditions or contact a member of the Steering Committee.
Although you can participate at any time, you will only be considered a true KUUMBA Player when you’ve participated in at least one KUUMBA-sponsored activity per season.
What can I do to help out if I’m not ready to act in a play?
There are many behind the scene roles that are vital to the success of each show. Most productions call for a stage manager, set designer, prop master, costume designer, house manager and many other roles that will put you in the thick of all the action.
If you would like to lend a hand but cannot commit to a regular production schedule, we would still appreciate help with ushering and set construction. Please contact us at kuumbaplayers@gmail.com so that we can discuss opportunities for upcoming productions.
How can I support KUUMBA by financially contributing this season?
We have four levels in our Celestial Circle of sponsorship:
- Footlights – Sponsors of $25 – $49 – Name printed in program
- Key lights – Sponsors of $50 – $99 – Name printed in program, One Free Ticket
- Spotlights – Sponsors of $100 – $249 – Name printed in program, Two Free Tickets
- Heavens – Sponsors of $250 and up – Name Printed in Program, Four Free Tickets, best seats reserved on Opening Night!
You can print out and submit the Celestial Circle form to become a member of the Celestial Circle. Checks can be made out to All Souls Church with “KUUMBA Players” on memo line.
How can I advertise my business in the program of an upcoming KUUMBA production?
Contact Anna Hargrave by sending an email to kuumbaplayers@gmail.com or by calling the KUUMBA Players extension at All Souls Church (202-332-5266 x 142). You can also complete the Advertising form and send it in!
Who decides which plays will be produced?
The KUUMBA steering committee accepts submissions throughout the year and votes on the upcoming season. Once a play is selected, directors and producers are interviewed and the season is announced. Aspiring directors/producers are encouraged apply for a specified role in conjunction with a play submission for the coming year.
How can I become a member of the Steering Committee?
We’re new so, as yet, there are no term limits – but we’re always looking for new leadership. If you have the vision and energy to help KUUMBA succeed, please talk to one of us about becoming a member of the Steering Committee.
How can I receive regular updates about the KUUMBA Players?
Simply send an email to kuumbaplayers@gmail.com to let us know you would like to join our e-mail list.