"The Royale" is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com

One of my favorite experiences in theatre is when I was playing the Fairy Godmother in the The Barter Players' production of Cinderella. After every show, we would do a meet and greet with the audience. One morning, a little Black girl came up to me and said, "You look like me!" That moment changed everything for me.

I truly believe if you can't see it, you can't be it. Representation matters. Our protagonist, Jay Jackson, who is loosely based on the real life American boxer, Jack Johnson, doesn't just want to be the best in his community or in his demographic. He wants to be the best in the WORLD. Jay has bravado and is a prize fighter living well beyond the means of most Black Americans in 1905. Why does he want more? Why does he NEED more? But what if what you want will end up hurting others? What if what you want is dangerous? What are we willing to sacrifice to be the best? Who pays the cost of our dreams? For me, this play beautifully and delicately raises those very questions. 

Hopefully that little girl from the meet and greet of Cinderella is being a version of what she saw and, like Jay Jackson, is a Black person bravely fighting for what she believes in. 

 - Patrice Foster, Director

Jay
Jovon Jacobs* 

Wynton
Vince McGill* 

Nina
Rita Cole*

Fish
James Jiggetts

Max
Nick Piper*

*Denotes member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

Director
Patrice Foster

Set Design
Derek Smith

Costume Design
Ashley Campos

Lighting Design
Camille Davis

Sound Design
Matt Green, Terrance Jackson, and Patrice Foster

Movement/Fight Coordinator
Sean Campos

Music Coordinator
Kristy Bissell

Stage Manager 
Cindi A. Raebel*

*Denotes member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.