About The Play
How does a young black girl become linked to a white woman she had never met or heard of? It's all in the name.
HEADLINE
Since news broke of Harvey Weinstein’s sexual harassment and misconduct of high-profiled actresses in Hollywood, the floodgates have opened wide with women speaking out nationwide with a sense of reckoning.
The #MeToo and Time’s Up revolution have given women a reason to speak up and speak out. It's only fitting that King joins the conversation and shares her story with a new audience, after all, it’s her artistic pursuits that got her out of South Central. She rose from a broken family and a tragic life to become an award-winning writer and director.
Billie King with R.A.W Theatre Group is happy to announce the “Billie: This Ain’t No Billie Jean King Story.” The stage play will return to the stage running at 8 p.m. on Friday, Saturday 7 p.m. and Sunday 3 p.m. November 29th December 1st, 2019 at Theatre West 3333 Cahuenga Blvd W, Los Angeles, Ca, 90068
"Prior to the Me-Too movement and Times-Up initiative, there was a heart wrenching, brilliantly written autobiography called, Billie”.
THE PLAY
This play is an autobiographical account on a young girl through “Chaos” and “Dysfunction” is trying to be the glue that holds her family together. But at what cost?
By the age of ten, lost, misguided and abused Billie is on a verge of a breakdown... But she’s no ordinary girl... She opens a window into her life, a life with a mother who’s become unrecognizable, a father once idolized but now feared and a sister who has dark secretes.
THE PROMISE
Come experience a stage production that will have you on the edge of your seats from the very first scene. Although heavy in nature, it is a pefect example of resilency, community, family and love.
Thank You!
Martin Winfield Executive Producer
Born in Queens, New York and raised in Inglewood, California. He earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting from Howard University and earned his law degree from Pepperdine University. He has been a practicing attorney for almost two decades. He is currently the principal attorney at Winfield Law. He is also the executive producer at Jokavan Productions where he and Jokavan strive to produce projects that are social conscious, thought provoking, inspiring and entertaining.
LEAD
Janice Robinson as BILLIE
Janice Robinson is a stage, screen, and voice actor based in Los Angeles, California. Her most recent projects include a lead role in the short film José (2018) alongside acting veteran Pepe Serna, as well as voicing "Ophelia" the lead character in the time-looping adventure game Elsinore - a spin on Shakespeare’s Hamlet - which was released this summer.
Janice is now reprising her role as "Billie" in Billie: This Ain't No Billie Jean King Story which debuted in the spring of 2016 and was remounted for the first time that summer. This will mark the third time in 2019 alone that she will be undertaking the role, and, as always, she is both honored and excited to have the opportunity to once again step back into such a gripping story.
Voice Of Today
Cecilia McLaren / OLDER BILLIE
Cecilia is an SFSU grad, actress, director and videographer who continues to work on sets around Los Angeles and abroad. She has been busy this year with on-camera work in film in front and bebind the camera. With a new web series on the horizon Cecilia is looking forward to the opportunities ahead.
More Cast Info
Erin Washington / NIA (Sister)
From Inglewood, CA, Erin Washington is honored to bring breath to Nia through Billie’s very relevant and potent storytelling. She is an actress and embodied mindfulness teacher helping people find greater ease, presence and poise in their everyday lives. Long term Erin aims to crystallize a methodology of actor training centered around mutuality, musicality movement, and imagination. Erin holds BFA in Theatre from State University of New York at Purchase and earned her MFA in Acting from Harvard in conjunction with American Repertory Theater. She loves to travel and learn the music and art of different cultures. She’d like to thank the Creator for giving us this gift thanks you for being reflections of this gift.
Rahvaunia / SAILS (Mother)
Rahvaunia was born Rahvaunia L. Johnson and is the oldest of three siblings, one being a fraternal twin. She is a native of Flint Michigan and now resides in Southern California.
As an actor, Rahvaunia has appeared on all media platforms. She has played on Stage, TV, in Films and Web Series. (Most notably: Criminal Minds, Mistresses, Sexless and School of Hard Knocks) Rahvaunia has a recurring role (Theresa Wood) on the Shonda land 1hr Legal Drama "For the People" on ABC
Rahvaunia has written, produced and performs a one-woman show called “tHis Is Very IMPORTANT”. The show opened in Jan 2018 for a 12 show run. Later that year the show was accepted and performed in the BFF (Binge Fringe Festival) at the Santa Monica Playhouse. Rahvaunia and team “tHis Is Very IMPORTANT” will be going to South Africa to perform in the National Arts Festival Fringe 2019.
thisisveryimportantshow.com
William Johnson / WILL (Father)
Will Johnson n American actor and musician who has held starring and prominent roles in many theatrically released projects, including Blue Hill Avenue, Motives 1, Motives 2, Mannsfield 12, Crossover, Doing Hard Time and Tears of a Clown.
Johnson has also acted in several independent short films and features. He also performed in Showtime's A Spider's Web with Stephen Baldwin and Carrie Weir.
As a musician, Johnson has released an album under the persona of "Brotha Bill" called "BrothaBill- Underground Funky Street Soul Brotha". The music falls under the Neo soul, R&B and funk categories.
Soon after graduation from Emerson Visual and Performing Arts High School, he formed a group "Black to Black", supported by manager Jimmy Newton. In 1999, Johnson and producer/engineer Booker T. Jones conceived "BaldHeadDread", which garnered significant exposure when they scored the movie soundtrack for Ragdoll.
Brook England / CAROL (Neighbor)
Brook England is a Miami native and fulltime artist.
She’s known for her outgoing and fearless personality. After graduating from Florida A&M University, she decided to move to NYC to pursue her dreams.
Brook’s professional career began in the big apple at Creative Control TV (CCTV) with legendary mogul Dame Dash and super director duo Coodie & Chike, who are most known for directing Kanye West’s “Through the Wire” video. At CCTV she created content featuring Mos Def, Erykah Badu, Jay Electronica, Ski Beatz, and The Black Keys.
Diontae Simpson / TERRY (Billie's Boyfriend)
Born and raised in Souther California, grew up loving basketball and football, yet always dreamed about being an actor. He studied acting at Long Beach City College where he earned an Irene Ryan Nomination, a National Award for "Distinguished Performance by an Actor" in a Play from the Kennedy Center, and a Scholarship to CSU summer arts in Fresno. Diontae is happy to be moving forward, doing the things he loves most, which he does for his Family and his young Son.
David Boykins / CROSS (Father's Friend)
A native of Alexandria, Louisiana, David began his acting career in Washington DC at the Source Theatre where immersed himself in every aspect of theatre from stage-managing to assisting with light and sound design. He also got his first chance to act in a few small productions at the theater before landing a role as a heroin addict on the television show Homicide: Life on the Street., The Shield, ER and Arrest and Trail. He’s also starred in several independent films and in numerous plays.
David Wendell Boykins graduated from the Los Angeles Film School where he studied directing, cinematography and producing.
Melvin Ward / SAM
Melvin is an actor/model who was born and raised in Oakland, Ca. Melvin premiered his writing and directorial debut of his play "The Messenger" (2011) at the Acme Theatre. Melvin was recently known for his role as Andre in the play "One Way Ticket to Oregon" (2017), Vinnie in the play "Odd Couple" (2017), Eugene and Young Man in the play "Periphery" (2017) which he performed at the Hudson Theater, Aaron in DPL Productions "Couplets" (2016), Shabaka in the stage play "Lost Kingdom" (2014), Reggie Pryor on the film "No Weapon Formed Against Us" (2013) and J.D. Carter in the web-series "What Men Want" (2014-2016). Melvin also played the role of Ronnie Dublin in Court TV's "America's Court with Judge Ross" (2014). Melvin received his BA Degree in Theatre Arts from the University of La Verne. He continued his studies at Joanne Baron/D.W. Brown acting studio
Mignon Farmani / AUNTIE
Mignon Farmani Persian/Black born a Twin in Compton California started her Acting Marathon over 16 years ago. Mignon is known for portraying unique and complex roles in Theatre, Film, Television and Commercials. Learn more about her at www.mignonfarmani.com Follow her journey on Instagram @iammignonfarmani
Natalie Byrdsong / COUSIN
"I'm more focused on giving solutions & inspiration more than anything."
- Nipsey Hussel
The Marathon Continues
Successful Past Shows at Barnsdall Gallery Theater
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