The Project
In 1854, Basil Campbell arrived in Yolo County, California as an indentured servant. By the time of his death in 1906, he’d become the wealthiest Black landowner in Superior California. Studio Creatch has commissioned local playwright Anthony D’Juan to craft an original play inspired by the life of Mr. Campbell. The goal of this project is to bring to light a lesser know piece of Yolo County history, and to explore the nuance and complexities of this early story of Black success in the Sacramento region.
Mr. Campbell
Above is the only known image of Mr. Campbell to exist, an illustration of his estate, and a photograph of his resting place in Yolo County, California.
About the Playwright
Anthony D’Juan is a Sacramento based director-playwright who has been active 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.
Project Origins
While conducting research for a project amidst his MFA at the University of California, Davis, Studio Creatch Co-founder, J.R. Wolfe, happened upon mentions of a Mr. Basil Campbell in several local news articles. Intrigued, he decided to dig further and came across more information related to Mr. Campbell in local public records and the Yolo County archives. He knew there was a story worth telling there, and some time later he met the right voice to tell it in local playwright Anthony D’Juan. Studio Creatch decided to pursue grant funding to support Mr. D’Juan’s generation of the piece via the City of Davis Arts and Cultural Affairs Fund and is thrilled to have succeeded. This project has been one that Studio Creatch has been looking forward to getting out into the world for some time now, and we are thrilled to have Mr. D’Juan on board to help bring this piece of early Yolo County history into the light.
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.
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