Cast (left to right): Eliseo Arreloa, Dru Sky Berrian, Terry Burrell, Amari Cheatom, Galen Crawley, Shelli Delgado, Kayla Ibarra, Margo Moorer, Tony Vaughn, and Patrick McColery.

The Alliance Theatre is excited to announce the cast of its upcoming production, Pearl Cleage’s Something Moving: A Meditation on Maynard. Written by renowned Alliance Theatre Distinguished Artist in Residence Pearl Cleage, Something Moving reflects on reflects on the landmark election of Maynard Jackson as Atlanta’s first Black mayor, which took place 50 years ago. Directed by David Koté, this limited engagement will run on the Hertz Stage, August 2 – 11, 2024.   

Set in present-day Atlanta, nine citizens and a witness reflect on what Jackson’s election meant to the city of Atlanta and its citizens. Their reflections are written through the lens of Cleage’s unique vantage point as an insider, having served in the role Jackson’s campaign press secretary and communications director for two years during his term in City Hall.  

“Maynard changed my life,” said Alliance Theatre Distinguished Artist in Residence Pearl Cleage. “Through Maynard I learned to love Atlanta the way he loved Atlanta. He was so in love with this city. It just exuded from every single thing he did. This story is about Maynard and his landmark election, but it’s about more than that. This play is about us – the city of Atlanta – and for us.” 

The creative team of Something Moving includes Director David Koté, Playwright Pearl Cleage, and Lighting Designer Jasmine Williams, Sound Designer Jeremiah Davison, and Projections Designer Sara Keith.  

Something Moving features Eliseo Arreloa, Dru Sky Berrian (SpeakEasy Stage Company: TJ Loves Sally 4 Ever), Terry Burrell (Broadway: The Threepenny Opera, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Swinging on a Star), Amari Cheatom (Geffen Playhouse: Skeleton Crew, Alliance Theatre: The Temple Bombing), Galen Crawley (Alliance Theatre: Shrek, Broke), Shelli Delgado (Alliance Theatre: Into the Burrow, A Christmas Carol, Max Makes a Million!), Kayla Ibarra (TV/Max: Doom Patrol), Patrick McColery (Alliance Theatre: Palefsky Collision Project), Margo Moorer (Film: Forrest Gump), and Tony Vaughn (TV/Film: Meet the Browns, Diary of a Mad Black Woman).  

Additional production support includes Stage Manager Barbara Gantt O’Haley, Stage Management Production Assistant Xiaonan Chloe Liu, and Production Management Lead Haylee Scott.  

“I love to tell stories. I am a storyteller and grateful to be able to do the work I always wanted to do,” added Cleage. “Something Moving is a love letter – my love letter to Atlanta.  A love letter is supposed to not only make you think about the beloved, but also see how that person sees you. My hope is that audiences see how beautiful we are. [As] the Witness says, ‘It’s about you. It’s about me. It’s about us’.” 

Learn more about Pearl Cleage’s Something Moving: A Meditation on Maynard.