The world’s most influential name in comedy and improv, The Second City, brings their hilarious new show, Dance Like There’s Black People Watching: A Black Excellence Revue, to Woolly Mammoth from November 6 to December 22, 2024. Curated exclusively for Woolly Mammoth audiences and directed by Rob Wilson, the razor-sharp witty production features the work of emerging comedic writers and performers. Audiences of ages 12 and up can expect 90 minutes of improv, songs, and sketches – a perfect relief for the post-election season. For accessible pricing, including Under 30, Pay, What You Will, and special performances, please visit here. Woolly’s relationship with The Second City goes back over 15 years, with hits including Black Side of the Moon, She the People, She the People: The Resistance Continues!, Let Them Eat Chaos, America All Better!!, Spoiler Alert: Everybody Dies, A Girl’s Guide to Washington Politics, Barack Stars, and Barack Stars: The Wrath of Rahm. The Second City’s ‘Dance Like There’s Black People Watching’ show art courtesy of Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company. The all-Black ensemble includes Breon Arzell, who returns to Woolly Mammoth after roles in Ain’t No Mo and Incendiary last season; Tamieka Chavis; Jillian Ebanks; Arlieta Hall; Max Thomas; and Howard University Theatre student Julius Shanks II. The creative team includes Jeremy Smith (Producer), who returns to DC in collaboration with Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company; Devonte E. Washington (Stage Manager); Tony Belsito (Sound Design); and Chelsey Carter-Sanders (Wardrobe Stylist). “Woolly is committed to staging cutting-edge work that challenges us to think critically about the world around us. And laughter is one of the most powerful ways to engage and inspire an audience,” says Maria Manuela Goyanes, Woolly Mammoth’s Artistic Director. “Dance Like There’s Black People Watching is a show created specifically for Woolly and Washington DC in this moment, knowing that whatever happens this election cycle, we will all need to come together and laugh. It’s fantastic to welcome The Second City back to Woolly, where after nearly two decades of collaboration, we can create the most incisive, muscular, and uproarious comedy in DC.” SPECIAL PERFORMANCES Herd Happy Hour Prior to a selected set of Thursday evening performances of Dance Like There’s Black People Watching, Woolly Mammoth will host happy hour events for free with admission to the theatrical comedy production. Herd Happy Hours are a Connectivity event for all ages to connect with the themes and layers of each production. For Dance Like There’s Black People Watching, Woolly Mammoth teams up with The Second City and special guests from Washington Improv Theatre. Exact programming will be announced on the Woolly Mammoth website and via email soon, but rich conversations, laughs abound, and happy hour specials are guaranteed! This fall, Woolly Mammoth and Connectivity Core Partner Miss Chief Rocka with Hip-Hop legend Rokafella present Behind the Groove—DC Edition. This popular NYC dance party event will debut in DC on November 23rd, 2024, and invites street and club-style dancers to freestyle and share in an exchange of moves. This electric evening includes a 7 to Smoke Dance Battle and a Fresh Fit Clothing Swap. Visitors of all ages can also expect the return of the popular monthly Spit Dat residency—the longest running open mic in the DMV at 22  years and counting! Spit Dat Academy also returns, bringing poetry, spoken word and creative writing to Youth Services Center (YSC), DC’s detention center for male and female youth, through a residency with Maya Angelou Academy. ACCESS PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE • Saturday November 16th, 3pm Audio Described • Thursday December 5th, 8pm Open Caption • Saturday December 14th, 8pm ASL • Sunday December 15th, 2pm Mask Required Assistive listening devices are available for all performances. Transmitters and accompanying headsets and ear speakers are available at the Box Office. For more information on Access Performances, please visit the production’s website. TICKET INFORMATION • Pay What You Will: Wednesday November 6th, and Thursday November 7th at 8p • Under30 tickets: can be purchased online using code UNDER30TIX – ID will be required at pick up. • The Golden Ticket is Woolly’s Wonka-inspired all-access, all-season pass! ($375 Up to 65% off!) Golden Ticket holders have access to nearly every project through June 2025 (and at least two more full productions and plenty of performances yet to be announced). • A guaranteed seat to nearly any project at Woolly: on any date, in any seat, as many times as you want (subject to availability). Golden Ticket holders need only log into their Woollymammoth.net account to access complimentary tickets to all performances. • Unlimited 20% off companion tickets to bring along friends and loved ones. • Secure your seats early with premiere booking access and enjoy no-cost exchanges up to 48 hours before your scheduled performance. • Concierge email [email protected] to answer your questions. • Special access and invitations to events all year long. Early Look and sQuads Subscription Packages also available online. ABOUT THE DIRECTOR ROB WILSON (Director, Associate Artistic Director Second City, he/him/his) a native of the DMV, has made the most of his time in Chicago, recently directing the 112th Mainstage Revue, The Second City Touring Company, SuperAfroWavyDrippy-ExtraBrillantDopeShow, Black By Popular Demand, and the first production of Dance Like There’s Black People Watching. When he is not directing he performs as well, most recently playing JD in the Feature Film “Penitentia” and Joel on the first season of FOX’s “The Big Leap.” He has also appeared on FOX’s “Empire,” SHOWTIME’s “Shameless,” NBC’s “Chicago Med” and “Chicago Fire” and MAX’s “Southside.” Rob has toured the nation with both The Second City’s Touring Company and The Westside Theater’s Mission Improvable. Not one to be idle, Rob created and executive produced the digital series LIL MONSTERS, MIDNIGHT SHOWING, and THE BASEMENT. ABOUT THE CAST Breon Arzell (Ensemble, Choreographer) {he}, Detroit native, is an actor, choreographer, writer, and teaching artist. While choregraphing for regional and local theaters and universities, acting credits include: Incendiary & Ain’t No Mo (Woolly Mammoth Theatre, DC); Hot Wing King (Writers Theatre), Blues for an Alabama Sky (Remy Bumppo Theatre); The Comedy of Errors, DREAM (Chicago Shakespeare Theatre); Little Shop of Horrors, Baskerville (Metropolis PAC); The Total Bent (Haven w/ About Face); A Christmas Carol, Objects in the Mirror (Goodman Theatre) and more. TOURS: Theater Unspeakable, USA; White Horse Theatre, Germany; ACLE Theatrino, Italy. In the world of television, he is a recurring character on South Side (HBO Max), and choregraphed for The 4400 (CW). The recipient of 7 Joseph Jefferson Awards and 2 Black Theatre Alliance Awards, he has also been recognized as one of New City Magazine’s 50 Players of Chicago in 2018, 2020 and 2023. Along with other original works (both theater and screenplays), he is the co-creator and playwright of the revival and resurrection of the historical Black musical, In Dahomey. Tamieka Chavis (Ensemble) (she/her) is an actor, teaching artist, and producer. She is beyond excited to be joining the ensemble in The Second City’s Dance Like There’s Black People Watching, following her debut as an understudy in The Revolution Will Be Improvised at the Kennedy Center! Tamieka is a graduate of the British American Drama Academy MIO (UK) and the National Conservatory of Dramatic Arts (DC). She is a company member of the Chesapeake Shakespeare Company and the Black Classical Acting Ensemble in Baltimore, MD. Her recent theatre credits include Chesapeake Shakespeare Company: Romeo and Juliet, A Raisin in the Sun, Macbeth (BroadwayWorld Best Actress in Play), Henry IV Parts 1 & 2, The Tempest; Mosaic Theatre: Confederates, Charm, Inherit the Windbag; 1st Stage: The Rainmaker (Helen Hayes Nominated Outstanding Lead Performer), The Mamalogues; Imagination Stage: The Hula Hoopin’ Queen; BADA: Measure for Measure, Hedda Gabler. TELEVISION: Anacostia (Daytime Emmy nominated and recipient of the Indie Series Award for Best Lead Actress), The Wire, Psychic Detectives. FILM: A Family Matters Christmas, Raven, Liam White, Torn. As a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association, Tamieka’s commitment to her craft is evident in every role she takes on, and her passion for storytelling shines through her work. When not performing, you can usually find Tamieka teaching Shakespeare to middle and high schoolers with Chesapeake Shakespeare Company, teaching theater and film acting as a faculty member at the National Conservatory of Dramatic Arts, baking different kinds of focaccia bread, or hiking with her dog Bluey. Jillian Ebanks (Ensemble) originally from New Jersey, is now a Chicago based comedian, actor, writer, and producer. She is thrilled to be back performing in DC! Past performances include America; It’s Complicated! at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and The Second City National Touring Company. #BloodCo. She is the co-creator and co-producer of the variety show @BapsComedy. As a standup comedian, she’s performed at top comedy clubs and showcases in Chicago. With a degree in sociology she refuses to use, she hopes all her hard work pays off one day, and Ben & Jerry’s asks her to create her very own ice cream flavor. She’d like to thank her family and friends for all their support. Arlieta Hall (Ensemble) is a host, actress, improviser, stand-up comedian, writer, Certified Dementia Communication specialist, and a first-time filmmaker from Chicago. Arlieta also co-starred as Sadie on Showtime’s The CHI episodic. She is also a co-producer of the popular comedy variety show My Best Friend is Black. Arlieta was a caregiver for her father who died from Alzheimer’s disease. She took the power of “Yes, and…” to communicate with him and used their story to make her first feature documentary “Finding Your Laughter.” Prior to caregiving for her father Arlieta was a Human Services Caseworker for the State Of Illinois Department of Human Services. She also obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Communications and has over a decade of experience in the educational and social services field. She recently wrote and performed in The Second City’s sold-out 2023 & 2024 Black Excellence Revue and is now a 2023-24 Sisters in Cinema Documentary Fellow. She is currently performing comedy all around while she continues to work on the completion of “Finding Your Laughter” and other projects. Julius Shanks II (Ensemble) is a 21-year-old senior acting major and film production minor at Howard University. He has a passion for uplifting and putting a smile on the faces around him through his acting. He has been in several acting clubs, student councils, and mentoring programs. His most recent work includes the Kennedy Center’s production of The Revolution will be Improvised by Second City Theatre, August Wilson’s Seven Guitars at Howard University, as well as the stage reading of both In the Blood and Brown Girl BrownStone at Shakespeare Theatre Company. While at Howard University, Julius served as the President of the Howard University Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts for the 2023-2024 school year. At the age of fifteen, Julius became ordained as a minister. Now every week he splits his time between teaching and concentrating on theater. His dream is to not only act but also write, direct, and produce films that will give encouragement and inspire the youth in a positive light. Max Thomas (Ensemble) is a multi-disciplinary artist & community organizer born & raised on the Southside of Chicago. Chicago Theater: 1919 (The Steppenwolf Theatre) Othello (Chicago Shakespeare Theater); In The Blood (Red Tape Theater); Jitney (Congo Square Theater); Dutchmasters (Jackalope Theater). Comedy: Comedy Central Featuring, Kenan Thompson Presents The Ultimate Comedy Experience; NBC Break Out Comedy Festival 2017-2019. Max also is a proud Second City Touring Company member. Television: Chicago P.D, Hot Date. Education: British American Drama Academy (B.A.D.A.), The School at Steppenwolf Theatre, The Second City Chicago Conservatory Grad. When he is not acting he is performing stand-up across the country. He thanks family, friends, & James Baldwin for reminding him he is not alone. ABOUT THE CREATIVE TEAM Jeremy Smith (Producer) is thrilled to be working with this amazing cast and crew on his sixth show in collaboration with Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company! Jeremy is currently the AGM & Managing Producer of The Second City Chicago and has produced a multitude of Second City collaborations such as The Second City Does Cincinnati: Pride and Porkopolis (Cincinnati Playhouse); The Almost Accurate Guide to America (Kennedy Center), The Art of Falling (Hubbard Street Dance Chicago); The Good, The Bad, and The I-5 (La Jolla Playhouse); Chicago Live! (Chicago Tribune) and Rod Blagojevich Superstar! (Chicago Shakespeare Theater). He has also served as Producer for numerous revues at The Second City as well as countless other productions both locally and nationally. Devonte E. Washington (Stage Manager) is excited to work on this show. He started his time with Second City on this black excellence show in 2023. He comes from a theater background and learned all that he knows from trial and error and many guiding hands along the way. His talents have been used with many events, venues and shows throughout the United States. He wants to continue to get better at what he does while continuously learning more and more. Enjoy the show. Chelsey Carter-Sanders (Wardrobe Stylist) is the founder and CEO of Alex Carter brand. After graduating from The Art Institute – Chicago, she launched the Alex Carter brand in  2015. Where she caters to customers who are risk-taking but appreciate edgy classics. Sanders has been featured in Vogue Italia, Elle, Chicago SunTimes, Modern Luxury, Covergirl of SPLASH and the Chicago Tribune. She was also a contestant on Bravo’s Season 18 of Project Runway. In addition to these press opportunities, Chelsey has also partnered with brands such as Lexus RX, Lululemon, Converse and HBO Max; to name a few. Chelsey is set on building a legacy of Classic American designs that stand the test of time and hopes to encourage all aspiring designers to do the same. Today, the Alex Carter brand is known for creating everyday clothes for not so everyday people—bridging the gap between simplicity and edge. ABOUT WOOLLY MAMMOTH THEATRE COMPANY The Tony Award-winning Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company creates badass theater that highlights the stunning, challenging, and tremendous complexity of our world. For over 40 years, Woolly has maintained a high standard of artistic rigor while simultaneously daring to take risks, innovate, and push beyond perceived boundaries. One of the few remaining theaters in the country to maintain a company of artists, Woolly serves an essential research and development role within the American theatre. Plays premiered here have gone on to productions at hundreds of theaters all over the world and have had lasting impacts on the field. Currently co-led by Artistic Director Maria Manuela Goyanes and Managing Director Kimberly E. Douglas, Woolly is located in Washington, DC, equidistant from the Capitol and the White House. This unique location influences Woolly’s investment in actively working towards an equitable, participatory, and creative democracy. Woolly Mammoth stands upon occupied, unceded territory: the ancestral homeland of the Nacotchtank whose descendants belong to the Piscataway peoples. Furthermore, the foundation of this city, and most of the original buildings in Washington, DC, were funded by the sale of enslaved people of African descent and built by their hands. ABOUT THE SECOND CITY The Second City opened its doors in 1959 as a small comedy cabaret and has since grown to become the world’s most influential name in improvisation and comedy. It celebrated its 64th year in business on December 16th, 2023. The Second City’s stages, Touring Companies, and Training Centers across North America have proudly been the launch pad and artistic home for many of the funniest performers, writers, directors, and comedic minds on the planet.