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Greetings from Studio Creatch! We’re a new(ish) production company focused on original works of multi-media and live theatre. Our expertise is two-fold: we partner with businesses, agencies, and organizations to amplify their vital messages, and we concurrently develop our own slate of original artistic projects.
We’re thrilled you can join us tonight to hear a developing play aloud for the very first time! The initial spark for this new work came to one of our Co-founders, J.R. Wolfe, while conducting research amidst the pursuit of his MFA at UCD. He came across articles pertaining to a Mr. Basil Campbell in several local new outlets, and was compelled to learn more. Increasingly deeper dives into local archival records revealed an incredible lesser known story in local history. One worth telling.
Years later, Wolfe met Sacramento-based playwright-director Anthony D’Juan. In getting to know Anthony and his work, Wolfe knew he’d found the perfect voice to tell the tale. Studio Creatch pursued a grant from the City of Davis Arts and Cultural Affairs Fund to commission Tony to write the play, and the rest is history. Well, actually…historical fiction.
The spaces between the pages of the historical record revealed an incredible, complex man in an incredibly complex time. Tonight, via the imagination of Anthony D’Juan, we invite you to step into that time, and explore the rich and nuanced tapestry that is our local history.
About the Play
Superior California is inspired by the life of Basil Campbell, a 19th-century pioneer who rose from enslavement to become the wealthiest Black landowner in Northern California. Taking place between the years 1854 -1885, the play explores Mr. Campbell’s arrival in Yolo County, his rise to wealth and notoriety, and the complex challenges faced throughout. Written by acclaimed Sacramento-based director-playwright Anthony D’Juan, Superior California is a powerful work of historical fiction intended to bring to light a powerful, lesser-known chapter of regional history.
Content Advisory
Recommended for ages 16+.
This play is a piece of historical fiction set in the 19th century and deals directly with the realities, and institutional trauma of chattel slavery. In an effort to maintain historical accuracy and dramatic honesty, the script includes some period-accurate racial slurs, offensive terminology, and racially tense dialogue.
We recognize that these themes and language can be distressing. Prior to the performance we will point out designated exits and the venue’s courtyard, should anyone feel the need to step away amidst the performance.
Land Acknowledgment
We honor and recognize that this gathering takes place on the unceded ancestral homelands of the Patwin people, including the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, Kletsel Dehe Wintun Nation, and Cachil Dehe Band of Wintun Indians.
The Patwin people have cherished and stewarded this land across generations. We extend our deep gratitude to their past, present, and future elders, and we honor their enduring relationship with this land.
To learn more about the traditional territories, languages, and treaties of the Indigenous peoples where you reside, please explore the interactive map at Native Land Digital.
Resources
We are extremely grateful to the team at the Yolo County Archives for their assistance and giving us access to their records during our research & development phases. The data has been invaluable to us in our process, and we encourage others who are curious about local history to make use of this valuable public resource. You can get started by comparing our historical fiction to the historical record via their brand new digital exhibit on Basil Campbell below.
About the Playwright
Anthony D’Juan
Anthony D’Juan is a Sacramento based director-playwright who has been active in the local theatre community since 1996. He was assistant and protégé to Ed Claudio, and is currently an Adjunct Professor for the Los Rios Community College District. His playwriting credits include: MEN IN RIFFS, THEORY OF THE DREAM, THE PURVEYORS, SAFE AT HOME: THE JACKIE ROBINSON STORY, 3:BLACK GIRL BLUES, THIS IS HOW IT HAPPENED, DOMESTIC DISTURBANCE, BIRDMOCKING, ANY/PERSON, US & THE REST OF ‘EM, EXIT, THEATER OF LIGHTS, and SUPERIOR CALIFORNIA. His stage directing credits include: SUBURBIA, ENDGAME (best drama 2004), A CLOCKWORK ORANGE (THE MUSICAL), TOPDOG/UNDERDOG (2007), THE MOUNTAINTOP, BOOTYCANDY (nominated best director), SKELTON CREW, PASS OVER, THE ROYALE, DIRECT FROM DEATH ROW: THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS, FATSO (with Logan Heller – 2023 revival), PAPI ME AND CESAR CHAVEZ, CLYDE’S, ROBIN HOOD (world premier), THE GOAT OR WHO IS SYLVIA? (nominated best director), FAIRVIEW (nominated best director), PROOF, FENCES, WATER BY THE SPOONFUL, TWELFTH NIGHT, OUR TOWN (2026), FAT HAM and GLORIA.
Cast & Crew
Tylre Allen, Basil Campbell
Tylre is a Sacramento based actor and musician. He studied at Los Angeles City College Theatre Academy where he received a certificate in Acting. His regional credits include Pipeline (Omari), Living Fat (David Lee), The Scottsboro Boys (Haywood), and A Raisin in the Sun(George) at Celebration Arts, alongside Picnic at Hanging Rock (Mr. Hussey) at LACC. Tylre is thrilled to bring the pioneering history of Yolo County to life in Superior California.
Teddy Spencer*, JD Stephens
Regionally, Teddy has worked with American Conservatory Theater, Marin Theater Company, Aurora Theatre Company, Capital Stage Company, Center REP, Dallas Theater Center, Folger Theatre, Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, New Victory Theater, Pittsburgh Public Theater, TheatreWorks, Jewel Theatre Company, and the Arabian, Marin, Napa Valley, Notre Dame, and Texas Shakespeare festivals. Teddy’s on-camera work includes Steve Jobs (Universal Pictures), Stranger in the Woods (Red Hound Films), and Workaholics (Comedy Central). When not acting, Teddy works as a horticulturist at the Ruth Bancroft Garden in Walnut Creek, CA.
(*Member of Actors’ Equity Association)
Vernon Lewis, Arthur
Vernon is thrilled to work with such an amazing group. He began his theatre career with City Theatre at Sacramento City College. With shows like “Working” and “Christmas Carol”, he got more and more confident in his talents, and eventually got to be a key stone for many of the company’s British Pantomime’s. He then went on to Big Idea Theatre, and found an ability to teach young students the techniques of theatre with B Street. His last show “American Fast” was so fulfilling because he had reached a theater company (Capital Stage) that he had on his list of places to work with.
Sevryn Michael, Charles
Sevryn is a Sacramento based actor who has been performing for most of his life! Sevryn got his start as a performer dancing in a youth Hip-Hop group, when his instructor approached him to audition for a production of Oliver Twist. This would be Sevryn’s introduction to the magic of theatre. Since then Sevryn Michael has been in over 20 productions. His passion for performing arts knows no bounds. Sevryn is currently a student at Cosumnes River College studying theatre arts, with dreams of performing in New York. In addition to acting Sevryn Michael has written, produced, and starred in his own short films. Sevryn Michael believes that the arts should be a break from everyday life and enjoys entertaining people and putting smiles on faces!
Zaara Little, Rebecca Dalton
Zaara is excited to finally work with Anthony D’Juan after being introduced to his work during her apprenticeship with Capital Stage in 2024. A performer local to Sacramento, she has most recently been seen as Thea Elvstead in Hedda Gabler at Big Idea Theatre. She has also been seen as Georgiana in select performances of Georgiana and Kitty: A Christmas at Pemberley at Capital Stage.
Megan Wicks*, Narrator
Megan is a performer and voiceover artist with a career spanning theatre, film, television, and audio production. She has lived and performed in San Francisco and New York City and currently resides in Sacramento. With an extensive background in acting, she can regularly be found performing in productions at Capital Stage, B Street Theatre, and across the Bay Area, as well as appearing on television and in national commercials. Megan has been featured in video games like Vampire: The Masquerade and has narrated over 60 audiobooks.
(*Member of Actors’ Equity Association)
Amani Henry, Stage Manager
Amani is not shy in the theater world as she has been in and out of productions for as long as she could remember. Her most recent projects include Clue, She Kills Monsters, I Hate Shakespeare, Cinderella, and Our Town. This will be her first production with Studio Creatch and she’s so excited! Whilst in theater, Amani has graduated from Sacramento City College with a degree in psychology and plans to transfer to CSU Long Beach in the spring. When she’s not at school or in theater, she likes to read, discover new boba and coffee places or eat.
Creative/Production Team
Anthony D’Juan – Playwright, Director
J.R. Wolfe – Producer, Dramaturg, Co-Production Manager, Graphic/Web Designer
Joseph Fletcher – Associate Producer, Co-Production Manager
Jordan Brownlee – Producer, Social Media Manager
Support
Funding for this project was generously provided by the City of Davis Arts and Cultural Affairs Fund. We thank them for their continued support of locally based original theater and for their commitment to championing diverse voices in our community.
We thank Repower Yolo for their ongoing support and allowing us to present in their beautiful space here in Downtown Davis.
Studio Creatch and this project are fiscally sponsored by Independent Arts & Media, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to building community through media and the arts. We thank them for their ongoing support of our efforts. For more information about the great work they do, please visit their website: www.artsandmedia.net.
Donate
Want to support the work that Studio Creatch is doing? You can do so by making a one time or reccuring tax deductible donation via the button below.
All donations to Studio Creatch are managed by our fiscal sponsor, Independent Arts & Media, via their partner platform Mazlo. If you have any questions about this, please do not hesitate to ask!
Mailing List
Stay up to date on all of the Studio Creatch shenanigans by singing up for our mailing list. We promise never to share or sell your information and that we’ll only reach out once in a while to let you know what’s up!
Feedback
Tonight, Studio Creatch and the playwright are hearing this play aloud for the first time alongside you. Respecting the creative team’s processing time, we will not be holding a talk back directly after the show. But, we’d love to hear and consider your thoughts. If you were moved by or felt strongly about the piece, we’d love it if you’d take the time to fill out our digital feedback survey.
Though we won’t be holding a formal talk back, we welcome you to stick around after the reading and chat with us individually, or engage with your fellow audience members. Building community is what we’re here for and we’d love to talk with and get to know you!
Special Thanks
A big thank you to the following organizations and individuals who have assisted, supported, and/or offered us their time us during this process:
Rachel Hartsough, Kate Snow, Lucas Frerichs, Alex Potter, Katie Vrame, Betsy Raymond, Patrick O’Reilly, Suzie Owens, Michael French, Betsy Monroe, Lynda Yancher, Cecilia Tsu, Sareena Crawford, The Davis Dirt, The UCD Department of Theater & Dance, Rachel Poutasse, Heather Lanctot.
Start on Your Next Project
We work with a variety of companies to tell stories through our work.
If you have a project in mind, reach out to us! We are a group of creative and innovative professionals who turn ideas into reality. Our clients have brought many projects to us, and they are now masterpieces in their training libraries.