Our newest edition spotlights theatre workers in the Detroit area. If you would like to recommend a theatre artist (from anywhere) for a future Role Call, fill out our open Google Form here.
Andrew Morton (he/him)
Playwright, director, and teaching artist
Hometown: Derby, U.K.
Current home: Detroit
Known for: Morton is renowned for his creative work with young people who have experienced homelessness or housing insecurity, including the Sofa Stories project. The project pairs young people with professional writers to create original monologues performed on sofas in found spaces across Detroit, which are later adapted into short films. The second phase of the project, which focused on the stories of LGBTQ+ youth, was developed as part of the inaugural Detroit Public Theatre Third Ave Garage Residency in 2023. Additional short films adapted from this version of the project will be released in early 2025.
What’s next: Morton is currently working on the second draft of a new play, Blue Star Highway. A queer love story spanning three generations in the coastal town of Saugatuck, Michigan, it was initially developed as part of the Desert Playwrights’ Retreat for LGBTQ playwrights. After the success of Sofa Stories, Morton is also in the early stages of forming a new nonprofit organization, Every Soul Arts, which will continue to produce creative opportunities and programming for young people who have experienced homelessness or housing insecurity.
What makes him special: Ollie Rae, administrative assistant at League of Chicago Theatres, had Morton as their acting teacher at Flint Youth Theatre and has worked on iterations of Morton’s Sofa Stories. Said Rae, “He has taught me how to care for artists and their stories, encourage others to dig deep into their vulnerability, and create community throughout the artistic process.”
Serving the underserved: Morton’s first full-time job in the theatre was as the education officer at the Blue Elephant Theatre, a small fringe theatre in the heart of Camberwell, South London. In that role, he managed the young people’s theatre program and various other educational theatre programs and learned the importance of creating accessible theatre that celebrates the lives and stories of historically marginalized and underserved communities.
Damian Bullis (he/him)
Tech director, prop designer, facilities manager, and bartender
Hometown: Muskegon, Michigan
Current home: Detroit
Known for: Bullis currently works as the technical director and facilities manager for Detroit Repertory Theatre. “I doubt I’m known for much,” Bullis said, “but I’m proud of my willingness to learn new skills and mediums to help see each show’s vision through.”
What’s next: Bullis is helping to get Detroit Rep’s production of August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom off the ground ahead of a Jan. 10-March 2, 2025, run before switching gears for the company’s production of Elenna Stauffer’s Hysterical! (March 14-May 4, 2025), a play about cheerleaders and mass illness, and the “spooky Southern gothic” Covenant, by York Walker (May 16-July 6, 2025). The latter two, Bullis said, “are going to challenge me. Us.”
What makes him special: Lynch Travis, who is the actors’ workshop director at Detroit Rep, called Bullis “one of the most generous humans I know. He’s in theatre because he loves it, and his love shows in his work.” Added Detroit Rep executive artistic director Leah Smith, “Damian is a gift to the Detroit Rep. His formal educational background before coming to the Rep was in philosophy and psychology, with a particular focus on issues of class and equity, so he understands the importance of the mission of our theatre deeply. His passion for the Rep is evident in everything he does for the theatre.”
A love rewarded: “I have been inspired and in love with the DRT since I first experienced it,” Bullis said, citing the company’s mission and working-class mentality. “I volunteered for a decade, but during the pandemic the place was in a tough spot and I became so involved they decided to hire me! That was and is the greatest honor of my life. I am so humbled and lucky to have the opportunity to tell stories to, and for, Detroiters.”
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DeLashea Strawder (she/her)
Arts administrator and music director
Hometown and current home: Detroit
Known for: Strawder is the executive and artistic director for Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit, which has brought worldwide attention to Detroit with their student-driven performances and national and international tours.
What’s next: Strawder is currently creating music with Shavonne Coleman, who is adapting Jamilah Thompsons-Bigelow’s Your Name Is a Song. The exciting new play development process sees Strawder and Mosaic Youth Theatre collaborating with Coleman, Seattle Children’s Theatre, and the Coterie Theater with producing artistic director Khalia Davis.
What makes her special: When thinking about her colleague, Coleman points to Strawder’s “incredibly creative and kind spirit” and her deep care for the young artists of Detroit. “I’ve witnessed her write beautiful songs in less than 24 hours,” Coleman said, “and that passion shines through in her concern for the development of young people, not only as artists, but holistically as humans.”
Stillness and attention, reflection and action: Strawder said she draws inspiration from daily conversations she has with the brilliant young people, elders, and others around her. “I’m constantly being reminded that theatre, music, and other art forms are conduits for healing, connection, release, revival, and revolution,” Strawder said. “It both calls us to stillness/reflection and attention/action. It reminds us of our humanity and our ability to be the heroes we need to bring beauty, to advance progress, to care for one another in meaningful and holistic ways. I’m excited for what artists, culture workers, and storytellers will usher into this season we find ourselves in. Rumble, good folks. Rumble.”
Emily Clark (she/her)
Administrator in development/fundraising
Hometown: Born in Nyack, N.Y., and raised in South Lyon, Michigan
Current home: Dearborn, Michigan
Known for: Clark is the development associate at Detroit Public Theatre, working most closely with individual donors. Clark also does some acting on the side, including taking the stage for Planet Ant Theatre.
What’s next: In January, Clark will be in Planet Ant’s production of Slurptopia by August Dorien, a sketch comedy show taking place in the exaggerated, fantastical parody world of its title. Clark also said she’s getting serious about standup comedy, a pursuit she’s been doing quite a bit for the last five months, and something she said she feels like she’s starting to find her footing with.
What makes her special: Detroit Public Theatre associate director of development Kyle Stefek said that, when Clark joined their theatre a little over a year ago, she completely changed the way they work. “She exists at that crucial intersection in arts administration where the empathetic, collaborative artist meets the innovative, efficient problem-solver,” Stefek said. “She focuses so deeply in her work with us on finding ways to elevate and celebrate the work of our artists, our donors, and her colleagues.”
A world of opportunity: Clark has had a variety of odd jobs in theatre over the years, including working with children at East Lansing’s All-of-us Express Children’s Theatre and the Wharton Center for Performing Arts. “When I was a kid, it felt like acting was the only job that existed in theatre,” Clark said, “but working on teams that provided theatre experiences to kids opened my eyes to the massive amount of roles and opportunities that theatre has for people from all kinds of backgrounds and skill sets.”
Jesse Boyd-Williams (he/him)
Actor, director, playwright, and vocalist
Hometown and current home: Detroit
Known for: At the start of 2024, Boyd-Williams was seen onstage at Detroit Public Theatre as Leland in Pearl Cleage’s Blues for an Alabama Sky. He was also seen as Emanuel Whethers in Plowshares Theatre Company’s production of Hastings Street, a world premiere original musical about Detroit’s Black Bottom community that welcomed Plowshares back to the stage after a pandemic closure. For his directorial debut over the summer, Boyd-Williams led Blood at the Root by Dominique Morisseau at Wayne State University. Boyd-Williams is also the summer program coordinator at the Detroit Opera House and serves as the undergraduate liaison on the executive board of the Black Theatre Network, a national organization of artists, educators, scholars, students, and theatre enthusiasts committed to exploring and preserving the theatrical traditions of the African Diaspora.
What’s next: Boyd-Williams is the assistant director for Wayne State’s production of Ntozake Shange’s for colored girls who have considered suicide / when the rainbow is enuf, which runs through Dec. 8. Boyd-Williams will also be working on Detroit Repertory Theatre’s production of York Walker’s Covenant (May 16-July 6, 2025).
What makes him special: “Jesse’s infectious creativity and dedication shone through as he connected youth across Detroit to our New Voices: Detroit paid mentorship program,” said DeLashea Strawder (see above), executive and artistic director at Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit, where Boyd-Williams interned. “Jesse is the type of persistent, collaborative leader who can harness the power of theatre to bring people together in meaningful ways. Keep an eye on this one—his star is only beginning to rise.”
Inspirational teachings: In addition to citing inspiring playwrights like August Wilson, Lynn Nottage, Dominique Morisseau, Tarell Alvin McCraney, Douglas Lyons, and Suzan-Lori Parks, Boyd-Williams commends mentor and college professor Billicia Charnelle Hines for her impact on his artistic journey. “She has introduced me to a wide range of theatrical practices and has profoundly shaped my approach to creating art,” said Boyd-Williams. “Moreover, Professor Hines instills a standard of excellence in all her students, teaching the critical importance of research and dramaturgy—essential tools in character development and storytelling. I am incredibly grateful to have worked with such an inspiring artist and for the invaluable lessons she has imparted within me.”
Kymberli Skye (she/her)
Box office supervisor, director, and stage manager
Hometown: San Diego, California
Current home: Detroit
Known for: Skye works as the assistant box office manager and front of house manager for theatre and dance at Wayne State University. Earlier this year, Skye directed Linda Ramsay-Detherage’s Mrs. Fifty Bakes a Pie at Planet Ant Theatre. Planet Ant was also the home of the Skye-directed production of True West, which closed in late November.
What’s next: After closing True West, Skye is settling into her role at Wayne State, ensuring smooth ticketing and front-of-house operations, while searching for her next directing opportunity. She’s also looking forward to helping to shape the future of the university’s College of Fine, Performing, and Communication Arts, including leading a transfer of the programs ticketing systems and beginning to prepare the 2025-26 season.
What makes her special: Fellow Detroit theatremaker Parker Hammon marvels at the skill set Skye brings to the table as a stage manager and designer. “Kym immediately upped the technical level and expectations for shows at several theatres around town,” said Hammon, who has worked on Planet Ant productions with Skye. “She’s a true lover of the onstage arts, and it always shows in her extensive practical knowledge.”
Gateway to theatre: At Hillberry Gateway, Wayne State’s performance home for the department of theatre and dance, Skye said they’re working to embrace change in order to empower the next generation of theatremakers. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to pass on my positive experiences to students, fostering a collaborative environment,” Skye said. “Everyone is welcome here, and it’s always a pleasure to introduce new patrons to the theatre.”
