Iron Age Theatre

The Cast of Coming of the Hurricane

Douglas J. Barnes (Crixus) is a well respected actor that has been in the entertaiment business for many years. He has been well recieved on the stage, screen and television. His rise to success started in commercials. He has many national commercials to his credit. Most notably in the "Cheerios" commercial as the questioning father. His last theatre production on stage was in "Sparkle The Musical" as Satin Strutthers.

Michael Way (Cayman)"Coming of the Hurricane" is Michael's first production with Iron Age Theatre. Michael's largest role in local theatre was the role of Ham in acclaimed playwright Ntzake Shange's stage adaptation of the 70's hit Warner Brothers' film "Sparkle." "Sparkle The Musical" ran at Freedom Repertory Theatre and was directed by Walter Dallas. Michael has also appeared in the lead role in Ekklessia Theatre Company's original stage play "Split Decision" directed by Garfield Randalman.

Tiffany Joyner (Kazarah) is making her debut with Iron Age Theatre. She was last seen as Bloody Mary in "South Pacific" at the Three Little Bakers Dinner Theatre in Deleware. She has performed as Bernice in August Wilson's "The Piano Lesson" at the Wilmington Drama League. Her favorite roles include: MaMa Euralie in "Once on This Island" and the Sassy Stewardess, Ms. Pat, in George C. Wilkes "Colored Museum."

Fabrizio Ruta (The Hurricane)will be performing for the first time with Iron Age Theater and in the Philadelphia Area. He came to Philadelphia from NYC, where his last productions included "Jamie" and "The Hat Dancers", which were produced together. Fabrizio played the leads back to back in each show. The shows were produced by his burgeoning production company: Hand Made Productions. Ruta has performed with Wings Theater and had worked in commercials and film.

Steve McLean (Stolkes) "Coming of the Hurricane" is Steve's third production with Iron Age having previously been in "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" and "Heaven Can Wait." Most recently, he appeared as the twins, John and James, in "Love! Valour! Compassion!" at the 2nd stage at the Adnenne. Steve has written two screenplays and is currently working on a third with a literary management company in Los Angeles.

Nakia Dillard (Bigelow)THIS IS NAKIA DILLARD'S DEBUT AT THE IRON AGE THEATER, HE HAS PERFORMED IN NUMEROUS FILMS AND PHILADELPHIA AREA THEATER AND FILM COMPANIES LIKE TIMELESS BLACK MOVIES, M.E.E PRODUCTIONS, PHILADELPHIA YOUNG PLAYWRITES, CHILDREN'S CLASSIC THEATER AND ALSO THE PRINCE MUSIC THEATER'S ''RAINBOW COMPANY'' . HE ALSO WAS SEEN ON MTV's ''SAY WHAT KARAOKE'' ONE OF IS MOST RECENT APPEARANCES WAS IN THE MUSICAL ADAPTATION OF "SPARKLE '' AT FREEDOMS REPERTORY THEATER DIRECTED BY WALTER DALLAS

Chuck Wilson (Meadows) is returning to the Centre Theater stage after his acclaimed portrayal of Salome in "The Robber Bridegroom" and Archibald in "The Secret Garden." His past experiences with the Centre Theater were Cinderella's Prince/Wolf in "Into the Woods" and choreographer for "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown". Chuck has also worked at the Dramateurs as Riff in "West Side Story", Stine in "City of Angels" and as Mickey in "Blood Brothers" and John Wilkes Booth in "Assassins!."

Robert Anu (Shadow Jack) has been active in Philadelphia area theater for a number of years as an actor, director, playwright, producer, student and teacher. He has appeared with the Arden, Freedom, InterAct, Venture and Wilma theaters, among others. His favorite parts include Sam in "Master Harold"... and the boys", Styles and Buntu in "Sizwe Banzi Is Dead," Papa Shakespeare in "The African Company Presents Richard III", Mbongeni in "Woza Albert!," and the title roles in "Emperor Jones" and "Othello." Robert is scheduled to direct "Jar The Floor" for Allens Lane Theater in the spring of 2002.

Payson Burt (Fight Choreographer) is professional actor and fight director. He is Certified as a Fight Director and Teacher of stage combat through the Society of American Fight Directors (SAFD), where he serves as the regional representative for the Southern California area. Payson has been involved in over 100 productions including theatre, ballet, opera, film and television. He is currently the Fight Director for the Colorado Shakespeare Festival. Payson teaches internationally at Fight Directors Canada’s National Workshop, the Paddy Crean Workshop, the Sword Spectacular Weekend, and the International Stage Combat Workshop. Payson is Vice President of LAAC, Secretary, and a founding member of the Los Angeles Fight Academy.

Chris Hansen (Musical Composer) received a bachelors degree in jazz performance from the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas received a masters degree in trumpet performance from the University of Colorado in Boulder, Colorado - where as a TA - he taught jazz and music technology has written music for a variety of films in the Denver area this will be his first attempt at writing for live theater performs regularly in the Denver area - most recently playing trumpet with the DJ, Static Revenger at Red Rocks' "Night of Electronica" this summer

Keith Glover (Playwright) is from Bessemer, Alabama. He is a recent recipient of a Pew Charitable Fellowship Grant in 1996. His third play, "Thunder Knocking on the Door", a blusical tale of rhythm and the blues, was winner of the Osborne Award and the Stavis Award for Best Play. His fourth play, "In Walks Ed", was the winner of the 1997 Rosenthal New Play Prize and was subsequently nominated for the 1997 Pulitzer Prize.

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