Power to the Queendom
written by ShaWanna Renee Rivon
directed by Robert “RUEROB” Jackson
Workshop Performance
When freedom and the power to determine the destiny of the community rest in the hands of four female members of The Black Panther Party...it’s the most powerful ride you’ll ever see. Power to the Queendom is an action-packed journey through the comedy, drama, and immediate need of a 1970s Houston community. Power to the Queendom follows four women and their love for their community, and its people—caught in a room with an HPD Officer held hostage. In this story, inspired by true Houston-American characters and events, these four women of the Houston chapter of The Black Panther Party (The People’s Party II) standoff in negotiations with the Houston Police Department in the hopes to bargain for the life of their leader (Carl Hampton) and for the future of their organization. A clever and driven journey of powerful women, caught in a terminal situation, standing for many of the same community values and societal challenges that would still be recognized today.
CreativeTeam
SHAWANNA RENEE RIVON
Playwright
ROBERT JACKSON
Director
CHRISSY ROY
Stage Manager
The Cast
Rayevin Johnson as Rebbie
Rayevin Johnson- Stages Repertory Theater: You Are Cordially Invited to Sit-In (Charline), Alley Theatre: Oskar’s Not So Simple Comeback (Mom/As Cast), Sam Houston State University: Sonnets For an Old Century (Esther Scott), Once On This Island (Papa Ge), Jump (Fay), Detroit ‘67 (Bunny). BFA: Sam Houston State University. Rayevin is a native Houstonian and currently lives in Huntsville, Tx where she is pursuing her BFA in musical theatre. She would love to thank her family, friends, and professors who have supported and helped her on her journey.
Ja'Yanna Brown as Carolyn
Ja’Yanna Brown, is a 3rd year student at the University of Houston, and a second year acting major working on her B.F.A from the University of Houston’s Katherine McGoverns College of the Arts. During her first semester in the B.F.A Program, she landed her first college role in the debut play “How I Learned to Play Tennis”, written by senior playwright Comfort Katchy. Within that experience she gained and learned so much knowledge by simply being surrounded by well experienced actors. In high school Ja’Yanna was a part of the Duncanville Band where she played flute for 7 years gaining many awards and advancing in many competitions, and was the flute soloist in the 2020 marching band show “Porgy and Bess”. Not only was she a committed flutist, but she was also Vice President of the Drama Club for 2 consecutive years where her passion for the arts continued to grow and develop. As she continues to study at the University of Houston Ja’Yanna hopes to gain the necessary skills and requirements so she can in the near future achieve her dream of being one of the most influential Black actresses of her time.
Estēe Burks as Ada
Bio: Estee Burks is thrilled to be bringing this powerful story to life with such an amazing cast!
Estee was last seen in ACTing Up Studio's Disturbing The Peace.
Theatre credits include: Passing Strange (Edwina/Marianna), For Colored Girls… (Lady in Yellow) with Obsidian Theatre; Murder On The Orient Express (Mary Debenham), Cleo (Hair Dresser/Ensemble) with Alley Theatre; In Darfur (Jan), This is Modern Art (Ensemble), and The Redemption Series (Ensemble) with The Landing Theatre Company; Satchel Paige and the Kansas City Swing (Moira) and Touring Education Program(Actor) with The Ensemble Theatre; The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (Grace), Akeelah and the Bee (Gail) with MainStreet Theatre for Youth. Estee is a proud Houstonian and holds a B.F.A. in Theatre from Sam Houston State University. Estee would like to thank her family and friends for their continued love and support.
Jordan Okeke as Bobby
Sarah Sachi as Dee Jay
Sarah Sachi is a native of Pearland, Texas. She holds a BFA from Sam Houston State University in Acting/Directing. Some productions you may recognize her from include South Pacific, You Are Cordially Invited to Sit-In, and many others. Sachi’s talents have been recognized at KCACTF where she was an Irene Ryan finalist and won the best comedy award 2 years in a row. Now, Sachi is continuing her acting pursuit
Greg Cote as Officer Howard
Greg Cote is honored to be a part of this celebration of Black Power and is a proud citizen of Houston, TX. Greg is the founder of lo-fi puppets + stuff though his official title is "Main Maker of Stuff + Nonsense". lo-fi has made puppets for Mildred's Umbrella, Duchesne Academy, Effin' Rager, and Outspoken Bean all while releasing their own series of crankie boxes entitled "Crankies of Curiosity" on lo-fi's youtube page. Greg attended the 2022 O'neill National Puppetry Conference and was a recipient of the Jim Rose Memorial Scholarship to study marionette construction. As an actor Greg has worked with The Catastrophic Theatre, Horse Head Theatre Co. (RIP), Classical Theatre Company, Houston Shakespeare Festival, Main Street Theatre, Rec Room, Unity Theatre, Cape Rep., The Queens Theatre, The Landing Theatre Co., Wordsmyth Theatre, Sentai Filmworks, and has participated in other various readings, workshops and collaborations in and around Houston.
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Christina Phlegm/Stage Directions
Cor Christina Phlegm, a native Houstonian, has performed many shows around the Houston area including but not limited to Origins of a Jealous Woman (Renee Rivon Productions), Euripides Madea (New Era Theatre), When Men Are Scarce (New Era Theatre), In the Blood (New Era Theatre), Sonny and Blue (New Era Theatre), They Say (Fade to Black) and Beast and Cakes (A.D. Players). Christina is also a fiction writer and currently teaches fourth grade at River Oaks Elementary School. She is currently training under the expertise and direction of Shawanna Renee Rivon. Christina is excited for the opportunityto be a part of this amazing production after being on hiatus due to Covid.