HENRY BOX BROWN
THE STORY OF A SLAVE WHO MAILED HIMSELF FROM VIRGINIA TO PHILADELPHIA.
Starring hiphop legend Karl “Dice Raw” Jenkins and directed by Phill Brown, Henry Box Brown: A Hip Hop Musical uses theater as a tool for education and re-education. Henry Box Brown was a slave who read and wrote poetry, practiced magic, sang in a church choir and was a hypnotist. He performed all around the world once freed, and publicly expressed his political views.
Cast & Creative
-
KARL “DICE RAW” JENKINS
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, NEW RAW MEDIA
Karl “ Dice Raw” Jenkins is a mainstay of the Philadelphia Hip-Hop Scene, and most commonly associated over the years as a principal songwriter/collaborator /producer for The Roots.
In 2014, Dice Raw had taken on the cause of Black male incarceration in America with his magnum opus, “Jimmy’s Back”. The highly acclaimed concept album inspired by New York Times bestselling book “The New Jim Crow” is a lyrical odyssey through the plight of the prison system, told musically by Dice Raw and a cadre of excellent MC ex-felons. Most recently, the album debuted as the stage play “The Last Jimmy” at Philadelphia’s coveted Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. He also has plans to release a book in the near future, and was an instrumental contributor to The Roots’ 2014 album, “And Then You Shoot Your Cousin”, released in May 2014.
-
PHILLIP S. BROWN
NARRATIVE WRITER & DIRECTOR
Phillip Sean Brown is currently the Director of Theater at the prestigious Shipley School in Bryn Mawr PA. Before starting his acting studio, The Ambler Actors Studio, just outside Philadelphia, he was the dialogue coach and punch up writer on the hit Original Series Disney shows “That’s so Raven” and “Cory in the House”. He worked for Disney for over four years on two of there highest rated shows ever. Meticulously gleaning the scripts and finding the beats and punching up jokes for both the cast and guest star actors are his daily functions.
Prior to working for Disney, Phillip has led a rich and diverse artistic career including writing, acting, directing and film production. He has worked professionally in the TV, Film and Theater industry throughout the United States. He was co-creator and head writer for a live Inter-active Entertainment News/Video show for the Black Entertainment Network (BET) entitled AM@BET in 2000 which was BET’s first full live hour TV show.
-
MINISTER JAMIE KNIGHT
CAST. NANCY, WIFE OF HENRY
Music comes naturally to Jamie. She has been captivating audiences since the age of five. Hailing from Philadelphia, she began her career on the prestigious precursor to “American Idol,” Ed McMahon’s “Star Search,” where she won the“ Junior Vocalist of the Year” award. This would only be the beginning of many more accomplishments.
At eight years old, Jamie had released her first CD entitled, “Spotlight,” honoring the legendary ladies of Jazz and had appeared on multiple regional and national television shows, including ABC’s “Good Morning America.” By ten years old, she was performing on stage at the world famous Apollo Theater, being named youth Ambassador of the United States and becoming the youngest artist to ever play at Carnegie Hall. It was no wonder that she was included in a feature in Philadelphia Magazine’s “30 Greatest Under 30 Years Old”.
-
GINA ZO
CAST. ABOLITIONIST
Gina Zo is a West Chester born artist signed to Rawlife Records and working on her 3rd release on the label slated for 2018. She’s a sophomore in college attending James Madison university and is a natural talent.
-
DJ EXPO
CAST – ABOLITIONIST. DJ
Resident DJ/Producer Justin “Expo” Schliep mirrors the moniker with a vision to imitate and inspire life through music. Heavily influenced by his father, a proficient pianist and performing artist, Expo was no stranger to stages and recording studios as a child. By age12, this budding beat-smith learned how to chop, loop, and edit samples under mentor Engineer/Producer Rich Hartline. Inspired by how turntables were being used as percussive instruments through scratching and mixing Expo saved up and invested in his first set of tables and a mixer. Shortly after he found himself with a voracious appetite for vinyl, diggin everything from dusty classics cuts to break beats. DJing various local events and promoting shows helped Expo gain traction as a respected artist locally.
-
SETH “DIGITAL CRATES” BARMASH
MUSIC ARRANGER & COMPOSER
Seth is an accomplished producer nominated twice for Producer Of The Year in the Philadelphia hiphop awards and the backbone of Rawlife Records song production.
-
INDIA ‘INGINE’ HYMAN
DANCER
Born and raised in New Jersey, currently residing in Philadelphia. India has been a dancer from the heart all her life. She’s trained with acclaimed all-around dancers such as Marcus Tucker and Andrew Ramsey Founder of Face Da Phlave Dance Education and Theatre, and Clyde Evans Jr founder of Chosen Dance Company. As a seasoned performer, choreographer, and instructor India has extensive knowledge in the foundation of all five styles of Hip Hop as well as its dance terminology. India’s high-intensity energy level and down-to-earth personality inspires her many students to learn more. Her variety of love for dance allows her to respect not only Hip Hop but all styles of dance culture and its art. India currently owns Really Philly Collective a community based organization focusing on many aspects of art. India would like to thank Marcus, Andrew, and Clyde for sharing their experience that inspires her to go after her dreams.
-
ERIKA GARRISON
DANCER
Ericka Garrison is a versatile all styles dancer from the city of brotherly love. She was immersed into the hip hop culture since she was in high school and continued to grow in all styles of dance throughout her artistic journey. She is a member and a choreographer in the company D2D: Dare to Dance. She also enjoys teaching children and sharing her art with the world.
-
LEE HARRIS
DANCER
Lee Harris is an entertainer from West Philly. Growing up with a passion to perform. He started performing in schools in the Philadelphia school district. This lead him to bigger stages and great exposure. Lee is a versatile entertainer with experience in singing, dancing, and acting. His ultimate goal is simply to be a great entertainer. His hope is to create an all around production that people would love and be entertained by.
-
JAYLEN GATES
DANCER
In the City of Brotherly Love Jaylen T Gates was born to perform. His training and work ethic while growing up have landed him many great opportunities in dance and music. His love for the arts have made him driven to follow his dreams. Jaylen is known for his unique style of Hop hop called Animation. With great creativeness Jaylen has been inspired to use his surroundings and different elements to express his dance movement. You may see Jaylen at many local events in Philadelphia ready to give you a great show.
-
SIHEED WOODS
DANCER
Siheed Woods from the greater Philadelphia area has talent from all angels. Siheed aka Sheed has danced with “Jazzy Ent” throughout his teenage years. He was also a performer on many collage tours with Dj Diamond Kutz and Dj Ant Liva. Siheed started dancing with “Illstyle and Peace Productions” which landed him to continue traveling to different schools in the country. He enjoys performing, traveling, teaching, acting, and inspiring the youth. Sheed is currently involved with the community as a member of ReallyPhilly Collective. He continues to be committed and dedicated to building his city.
-
FRANCIS BELL
DANCER
Francis Antonio Bell (Tony) is a entertainer/dancer from city of brotherly love. He started off his journey as a Michael Jackson impersonator at the age of 18 and also as a YouTube sensation “Franchesca” from Asia Star. He later got in the hip hop community and later discovered lite feet. He is now the CEO of Lite Feet Nation Philly as well as a member of Really Philly collective. He’s continuing to grow and learn more throughout his artistic journey.
“WE BELIEVE THE STORY OF HENRY BOX BROWN IS VERY IMPORTANT WHEN TEACHING THE SLAVE NARRATIVE IN AMERICA BECAUSE IT SHOWS A WIDE RANGE OF HUMAN EMOTIONS AND EXPERIENCES WHICH THE AFRICAN AMERICAN SLAVE IS ROBBED OF IN THE WAY IT’S CURRENTLY BEING TAUGHT.”
— KARL “DICE RAW” JENKINS