The Project
Studio Creatch proudly announces a new theatrical commission inspired by the life of Basil Campbell, a 19th-century pioneer who rose from enslavement to become the wealthiest Black landowner in Superior California. Written by acclaimed Sacramento-based director-playwright Anthony D’Juan, Superior California is a work of historical fiction inspired by the life of Mr. Campbell, bringing to light a powerful, lesser-known chapter of regional history.
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.
October 2026 Staged Reading
Dates/Times:
October 10th & 11th at 7pm
Admission:
Admission is free to the public. Limited seating is available so early arrival is encouraged.
Content Advisory:
Recommended for ages 16+. This production is set in the 19th century and deals directly with the historical 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/quiet spaces for audience members, should they feel the need to step away amidst the performance.
Location:
Repower Yolo, 909 5th Street, Davis, CA, 95616
Parking & Instructions:
There is limited general and accessible parking available directly next to the venue.
Parking is widely available in a structure on an adjacent block:
Davis 4th and G Street Garage, 835 4th Street Davis, CA 95616
If parking in the garage on 4th and G, you will need to exit the garage, turn left and walk down fourth street, across the railroad tracks to I Street. You will then take a left and walk down I street to 5th Street. Cross the street here and head left. The venue will be on your right. We suggest this route, as there is currently construction on at 5th and G streets blocking the sidewalk on one side of the street.
Click the map below to open the walking map from the parking structure in Google Maps!
About the Playwright
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
Studio Creatch is thrilled to be working with a host of talented performers including Tylre Allen, Teddy Spencer*, Zaara Little, Sevryn Michael, Vernon Lewis, and Megan Wicks*.
*Member of Actors Equity Association.
Click on their images for more information!
Creative Team/Crew
Anthony D’Juan – Playwright & Director
Amani Henry – Stage Manager
Joseph Fletcher – Associate Producer/Production Manager
Jordan Brownlee – Producer/Social Media Manager
J.R. Wolfe – Producer/Dramaturg
Venue
Repower Yolo is located inside a small gallery attached to Indigo Architecture. The entrance to the gallery is adjacent to Indigo Architecture’s courtyard.
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 in Downtown Davis.
We are extremely grateful to the team at the Yolo County Archives for their assistance and giving us access to their records. 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 and dig in!
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.
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.