The cast of "Love, Queens who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder" features all female women of color, some queer, and all performing pieces that reflect their personal struggle and growth, living in the confines of the Black community, where violence, abuse, mental health issues and love are the common threads that weave their stories into one. These pieces come together to create a visual of this environment, through their various perspectives, song, and dance.
THE B O S T O N WOMEN:
Rather than touring with the same group of women, Raw Fruit chooses to recruit a new cast in each city that is saturated with gun violence.
This way the experience and expression of the actors is uniquely true to their environments.
This way the experience and expression of the actors is uniquely true to their environments.
Woman in Hot Orange
MARIA HENDRICKS is an artist/activist & feels extremely blessed to be surrounded by her beautiful and talented Love, Queen Sistas at this time in her life! Maria has performed extensively as an actor, singer and voiceover artist on stage and in television throughout New England, New York & Pennsylvania. Her most recent work includes filling in as an understudy with Bello Productions and the Boston Cast of Awesome 80s Prom on Tremont St. and CladdaghBing! on the North Shore as well as originating and developing the roles of Ruby Sales and Loretta respectively in the original play Six Nights in the Black Belt which premiered in NH and has traveled to NYC, PA and hopefully to Selma, Alabama one day soon. Her latest work over the past year in Civil Rights related pieces such as Six Nights in the Black Belt and Left Hand Singing have earned Maria various nominations and awards including best actress and best supporting actress (NHTAS,NAACTS, EMACT...). Maria is thrilled to make her mark and instill change via the arts here in Boston and in other local communities in collaboration with Raw Fruit and as a member of the Up You Mighty Race Company resident theatre ensemble. Much love to her husband Teddy and 2 beautiful children who always support her in pursuing her dreams!
Woman in Black
AKIBA ABAKA is a director, actor, playwright, dramaturg and producer. In 2000 she founded and currently helms the award winning Up You Mighty Race Company, a professional theatre company dedicated to the research, preservation, and advancement of black heritage and culture in residence at the Boston Center for the Arts. As an actor, Ms. Abaka most recently played the title role of Harriet Tubman in the national tour of Are You Ready My Sister for Underground Railway Company. Directing credits include: Dreams of My Ancestors, The Drinking Gourd, Joe Turner's Come and Gone,Patience of Nantucket, 409 Edgecombe Avenue: The House on Sugar Hill and In The Continuum (all at Up You Mighty Race) and a staged reading of The Emperor Jones for Commonwealth Shakespeare Company. Ms. Abaka is the recipient of the 2008 IRNE Award for Best Director for her production of In The Continuum and an Elliot Norton Award nomination for Outstanding Director and Outstanding Production for In the Continuum.
Woman in Black (dancer)
SHEA ZEPHIR (Choreographer of all dance pieces) is a native of Harlem, NYC where she began her training at the Harlem School of the Arts. She has been a member of Renaissance II, Umojia Dance Company, and Passions Dance Project. Shea has had the opportunity to perform works from notable choreographers and instructors Krystal Hall-Glass, Kim Grier, Keith Lewis, Antionette Coward-Gilmore, Robin Williams, Imani Kahn and many others. At age 23 Shea is a diverse talent currently teaching West African dance at Messiah Community Arts School and a member of ESPN's Dancing Dolls of 97.5 FM "The Fanatic".
Woman in Hot Pink
NYTHANIA is a 16 year old talented young girl. She has being doing theater for over 3 years now. She started of as an intern with citi performing center. She's currently a junior High school. Nythania also works for a theater company (Up You mighty Race).
Woman in Purple
ADOBUERE EBIAMA is incredibly honored & excited to be working with Raw Fruit. Adobuere is best known for her work as an actress in Boston, MA. She has performed with The Boston Actor's Theatre, & CompanyOne to name a few. She has a strong background in acting from studying at Boston Arts Academy and Pace University. Adobuere performed in her first professional show at the age of 19 and was nominated for an 'IRNE' Award for Best Actress for her performance. She recently starred in 'Savage/Love' with Continuity Theatre & Dance Company in February and Nollywood film 'Unwanted Guest' directed by Daniel Ademinokan set for summer 2011 release. She has since been involved in Industrial, Film and Commercial work in both Boston and New York. She recently premiered her Theatre Production Company ‘Can’t Wait Productions’ with a successful run of 'Oleanna' by David Mamet in Somerville, Massachusettes. Industrial video credits: IBM & Harvard Medical. Awards: IRNE Award Nom.
Woman in Red
FAITH IMAFIDON is a Boston native and recent MFA graduate from the Institute for Advanced Theater Training at Harvard University. Past productions include I Speak Therefore I Am, Trojan Women: A Love Story (Hecuba), Alice vs. Wonderland (Alice), CodeSwitch 7, and The Colored Museum (Little Girl, Topsy). She is honored to be working with Raw Fruit and would like to thank Heather, Jamila, her cast of fiercely fabulous females, and her family and friends for their love and support.
Woman in Lime Green
SHALAYE CAMILLO is a dynamic writer, recording and performing artist born and raised in Boston MA. She is best known for her work as a lead member in the R&B group "FORTRESS" (also known in Boston as the Camillo Sisters) which is comprised of herself and her 3 sisters. Shalaye performs professionally as a singer, actress, print model and dancer in entertainment productions in Boston and across the country.
She has studied extensively as an actor under such instructors as Phil Valentine in Boston MA, the Professional Actors Studio with Nick Conti and the Celebrity Actors Studio with Gaylord Parsons both in Atlanta GA. She is a certified Video Field Producer which has allowed her put her passion for creativity to work behind the lens. Her endeavors have led her to many opportunities in the entertainment industry including principal roles in television commercials, music videos and films.
Love Queens is Shalaye's theatrical debut in Boston and she is extremely honored to be in the company of such talented and passionate cast members...Queens! She would like to send an enormous thank you to all of the genius Queens from whom this gem of a work was conceived. And to the directors/writers Jamila Capitman and Heather Thomas, your collective vision is profound and something to be admired!! Thank you for this unique opportunity!
Woman in Gold
STEPHANIE RODRIGUEZ-RUIZ is from Boston, MA and began her career in theater at the Boston Arts Academy. Since then she has obtained her paralegal certificate and works for two Law Firms in the Boston area. At age 24, she is a mother of a beautiful 4-year-old boy and will be celebrating her fifth anniversary with her husband, Belai Abraha, in September. In between pursuing her love for theater and being a mother and wife, she also attendsevening classes at Boston University where she plans on receiving her Bachelors Degree inBusiness Management in 2012.