CREATIVE TEAM BIOGRAPHIES LANGSTON HUGHES Langston Hughes was one of the most important writers and thinkers of the Harlem Renaissance, which was the African American artistic movement in the 1920s that celebrated black life and culture. Hughes' creative genius was influenced by his life in New York City's Harlem, a primarily African-American neighborhood. His literary works helped shape American literature and politics. Hughes, like others active in the Harlem Renaissance, had a strong sense of racial pride. Through his poetry, novels, plays, essays, and children's books, he promoted equality, condemned racism and injustice, and celebrated African American culture, humor, and spirituality. In the 41 years between his first book in 1926 and his death in 1967, he devoted his life to writing and lecturing. He wrote 16 books of poems, two novels, three collections of short stories, four volumes of "editorial" and "documentary" fiction, 20 plays, children's poetry, musicals and operas, three autobiographies, a dozen radio and television scripts and dozens of magazine articles. The long and distinguished list of Hughes' works include Not Without Laughter, The Big Sea, and I Wonder As I Wander. His collections of poetry include: "The Weary Blues," "The Negro Mother and other Dramatic Recitations," "The Dream Keeper," "Shakespeare In Harlem," "Fields of Wonder," "One Way Ticket," "The First Book of Jazz," "Tambourines To Glory," "Selected Poems," and "The Best of Simple." SARAH PETERSON Sarah Peterson directed the "Harry Potter" event for the 2004 Festival of Arts and Ideas. She assisted Stephen Wadsworth on his production of Xerxes at New York City Opera in the Spring 2004 season. As the Director of Humanities and Education at Long Wharf Theatre she directed the productions of Gary Grinkle's Battles with Wrinkles and Other Troubles in Mudgeville, Black Nativity, Race and Dael Orlandersmith's My Red Hand, My Black Hand. Ms. Peterson has most recently appeared in A.R. Gurney's Children at Stamford Theatreworks and Adam Bak's Shaker Chair in the 2005 Humana Festival at Actors' Theatre of Louisville. JONATHAN Q. BERRYMAN Jonathan Q. Berryman teaches music at Betsy Ross Arts Magnet School and serves as Minister of Music at Messiah Baptist Church in Bridgeport. He maintains an active performing schedule as the Founder and Artistic Director of The Heritage Chorale of New Haven, Inc. and Principal Accompanist for The Elm City Vocal Ensemble. Mr. Berryman holds degrees in music from Princeton and Yale University. FRANK J. ALBERINO Mr. Alberino, Long Wharf's Assistant Properties Manager, is pleased to enter his 11th season at the theatre. A Connecticut native, Frank received his BFA from Purchase College in New York and works locally as a scenic designer. His Long Wharf Theatre design credits include Black Nativity, A New War, My Red Hand - My Black Hand, Gary Grinkle's Battles with Wrinkles and Other Troubles in Mudgeville, and Race. Frank works closely with Julian Schlusberg and the students at The Foote School in New Haven. Some of his recent Foote productions include The Secret Garden, Pippin, Pride and Prejudice, Brighton Beach Memoirs, Steel Magnolias, Chess, Barnum and Big River. Frank is the recipient of Outstanding Production in Connecticut & Excellence in Design (Connecticut Drama Association) for his productions of On the Verge or the Geography of Yearning and Summer and Smoke. DAN GOOKIN Dan has worked for Long Wharf Theatre electrics for six seasons, but has been with the theatre for 13 seasons in other roles. This is his second design for Long Wharf Theatre, following the workshop production of Karla. Dan is a graduate of Southern Connecticut State University where he earned his BA in theatre and designed lighting for many productions including, The Tempest, Hair, Three Penny Opera, A Servant of Two Masters, Noises Off and Suburbia. He has also worked with the God Light Theatre Company on designing Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, Theatre and the Film Noir, Escape from Happiness and Poor Superman. Dan's directing credits include Spittin Image and Bondage which was chosen to be performed at the American College Theatre Festival and took him to the Kennedy Center as one of the top student directors of 2001. CORRINE K. LIVINGSTON Corrine Livingston was the Sound Designer for Long Wharf Theatre's The Price, Rocket to the Moon, Underneath the Lintel and Black Nativity. She is also Long Wharf Theatre's resident Audio Supervisor. She has designed many shows at New York Stage and Film, including the world premiere of Christopher Durang's musical Adrift in Macao, The New Americans, Roulette, and Exposed. She has assisted on numerous shows including Aphrodisiac and A New War (Long Wharf Theatre), Largo with Cyndi Lauper, In Case You Forget, and The Betty Show (New York Stage and Film). Ms. Livingston was the sound supervisor at New York Stage and Film for two seasons, and has been working at Long Wharf Theatre for the last five seasons. VALERIE M. WEBSTER Valerie M. Webster is proud to be returning to Long Wharf Theatre for her fourth season as Costume Shop Manager, and is delighted to be designing this production of Black Nativity. She holds an MFA in Production Design from Michigan State University, and a degree in Theatre from California University of Pennsylvania. Her work has received much critical acclaim, including the Kennedy Center Award for Design Excellence in Costuming. Valerie's work has been seen locally at Yale Dramat, Whitney Humanities Center, Connecticut Free Shakespeare Theatre, and Bridgeport Free Shakespeare Theatre; and nationally at renowned theatres including Arkansas Repertory Theatre, Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, Boarshead Theatre, Pittsburgh Public Theatre, Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, and appeared in the film, Solas 9. JIM CLARK A member of the Long Wharf Theatre Education staff since 1999, Mr. Clark holds a degree in Arts and General Studies. He is actively involved with all aspects of educational programming at Long Wharf, from assisting in the implementation of programs to the creation and design of teacher information packets. Jim has been associated with the Williamstown Theatre Festival, Fairfield University, The Foote School, Chancel Opera Company, and the New Haven Ballet, taking on numerous roles including teaching artist, actor, director, and stage manager.
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