AUGUST WILSON'S MA RAINEY'S BLACK BOTTOM

Directed by Lili-Anne Brown
Co-produced with Olney Theatre Center
September 9–October 11, 2026

Set in 1920s Chicago and pulsing with rousing blues music, wry comedy, and poetic insight, August Wilson’s acclaimed play follows trailblazing singer Ma Rainey and her band during a fraught recording session. As conflicts flare over art, power, and control, the struggle between the musicians and studio executives grows to a shattering finale. Don’t miss this explosive and thrilling “genuine American masterpiece” (Chicago Reader) that takes a searing look at the racial exploitation at the heart of the music industry and celebrates the cathartic power of the blues.

Thank you to our sponsors:

Our Golden Anniversary sponsors are Nan Beckley; Mitch and Heidi Dupler; Gil and Rona* Eisner; Jay and Robin Hammer; and Manfred M Hein* and Florence H Hein*.

August Wilson's Ma Rainey's Black Bottom is sponsored by Leo and Judy Zickler.

*in memoriam

CAST

UNDERSTUDIES

Zach Brewster-Geisz

Irvin Understudy

Zach Brewster-Geisz (Irvin Understudy) is excited to make his Round House debut. DC work includes: The Outsider (Helen Hayes nomination: Outstanding Lead Performer) and The Minutes at Keegan Theatre; Indecent and The Chosen at 1st Stage; The Scenarios and If I Forget at Studio Theatre; A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Avant Bard; Annie Jump and the Library of Heaven at Rorschach Theatre; East of Eden and Richard III at NextStop Theatre; and Grand Concourse and The Explorers Club at Prologue Theatre. Television work includes We Own This City (HBO) and Lady in the Lake (Apple TV). He is on the faculty at the National Conservatory of Dramatic Arts. www.ZachBG.com

Angela Faith

Ma Rainey Understudy

Angela Faith (Ma Rainey Understudy) is excited to make her debut at Round House Theatre! She has performed nationwide alongside artists such as Patti LaBelle, Sting, Paul Simon, and Kelly Price. Her work has been featured on Good Morning America, Spotify, NPR, and NBC. Local credits include: A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Chesapeake Shakespeare Company; A Raisin in the Sun at Sterling Playmakers; The Color Purple at St. Mark's Players; School Girls, Or the African Mean Girls Play at NextStop Theatre Company; Save My Black Soul at Laurel Mill Playhouse; and Intimate Apparel at Compass Rose Theater. She has also served as an Assistant Director on Romeo and Juliet at Laurel Mill Playhouse; Tartuffe at Silver Spring Stage; and The Colored Museum at Silver Spring Stage. BA: Berklee College of Music. Instagram: @angelafaithlive.

Dominique Gray

Levee/Sylvester Understudy

Dominique Gray (Levee/Sylvester Understudy) was most recently an understudy at Arena Stage for Fremont Ave. Other credits include The Minutes and Hand to God at Keegan Theatre; Dracula, A Comedy of Terrors (understudy) at Constellation Theatre Company; 10 Seconds and The Last Martyr at Imagination Stage; and DC, I Love You at Folger Theatre. Dominique is a graduate of the National Conservatory of Dramatic Arts.

Brendan Murray

Sturdyvant/Policeman Understudy

Brendan Murray (Sturdyvant/Policeman Understudy) previously understudied for Round House’s production of Caroline or Change, but he really credits his love of acting to Round House’s 1970s precursor, the children’s performance troupe "Street 70." He is currently a company member and teaching artist with Chesapeake Shakespeare Company in Baltimore, where he has performed in Persuasion, It’s the Comedy of Errors Hon, A Christmas Carol, The Merry Wives of Windsor, As You Like It, Henry IV (Parts 1 and 2), and She Stoops to Conquer. Other regional productions include Rabbit Hole (Peter’s Alley), Tangles (New Theater of Medicine), and The Mollusc (Quotidian Theatre Company).

Tre'mon Mills

Slow Drag Understudy

Tre'mon Mills (Slow Drag Understudy) is thrilled to make his Round House Theatre debut. DC-area credits include Look Both Ways at Theatre Alliance/Kennedy Center TYA Tour; The Bluest Eye at Theatre Alliance; Push The Button at Keegan Theatre; 10 Seconds, Aquarium, Wake Up Brother Bear, and P. Nokio at Imagination Stage; Roll On at THEARC; and A Raisin in the Sun, Mamma Mia!, and The Great Society at Lyric Repertory Company. Tre'mon received the Distinguished Chairman's Award from Howard University's Department of Theatre Arts, where he earned his BFA in Acting. Additional training includes the British American Drama Academy's Midsummer in Oxford Program.

August Wilson's MA RAINEY'S BLACK BOTTOM

CAST

UNDERSTUDIES

CREATIVE TEAM

*The Box Office is open Tuesday-Friday 12pm-5pm.