Black Space S2E7: Marshall Jones III on MUD ROW

JCTC’S TALK SERIES “BLACK SPACE” WITH ASHLEY NICOLE BAPTISTE CONTINUES SEASON TWO WITH MARSHALL JONES III, DIRECTOR OF MUD ROW AT PREMIERE STAGES. ASHLEY  WILL HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH MARSHALL ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF DOMINIQUE MORISSEAU'S PLAY, MUD ROW. THIS CONVERSATION IS TAKING PLACE ON TUESDAY, JULY 19 @ 5:00 PM EST. STREAMING ON FB LIVE, ZOOM WEBINAR, and YOUTUBE

Ashley Nicole Baptiste, Jersey City Theater Center’s (JCTC) associate artistic director, will join Kean University’s Premiere Stages professional theatre company in the New Jersey debut of “Mud Row,” a Tony Award-nominated play penned by Dominique Morisseau. Shw is playing the role of Elsie. The production, which was initially staged for a live audience in 2019, will run from July 14-31, 2022 at the Bauer Boucher Theatre Center at Kean University. In response to the controversial themes of race, class, and gender that are tackled within the play, Baptiste will host a special installment of “Black Space,” her online talk series sponsored by JCTC, featuring the show’s perennial stage director, Marshall Jones, III. The candid conversation with Jones– who is also the current president of the New Jersey Theatre Alliance’s Board of Trustees and former producing artistic director of the Tony Award-winning Crossroads Theatre Company– will take place on Tuesday, July 19, 2022 at 5:00 pm (ET).

An accomplished actor, teaching artist, and MFA graduate of Rutgers University’s prestigious Mason Gross School of the Arts, Baptiste is honored to share the stage with fellow actors Lakethia Dalcoe, Alinca Hamilton, Malik Reed, Stacey Sherrell, and Landon Woodson. “I’m overjoyed to collaborate with Premiere Stages in such a timely, inspiring production exploring complex dynamics among Black women, family members, and class differences,” said Baptiste. "I cannot begin to express my appreciation for being part of a cast committed to working together in bringing such overlooked and undervalued images to life on stage.”  

About the Show

The play delves into the relationships among two generations of sisters while they navigate racial and familial challenges on “Mud Row,” a region in West Chester, Pennsylvania. The character Elsie hopes to advance her social stature by marrying into “The Talented Tenth,” while her sister Frances is passionate about joining The Civil Rights Movement. Decades later, estranged sisters Toshi and Regine are forced to grapple with each other, and their lineage, once Regine inherits her grandmother Elsie’s home. 

“I hope that Jersey residents and theater lovers come out and support the show. Not everyday do we have the opportunity to witness a period in our nation’s history play out in living color before our eyes, so I’m hoping that we can provide an invaluable education through our performances,” said Baptiste. 

“Mud Row” is presented in conjunction with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. Additional details regarding the partnership can be found at www.concordtheatriccals.com. Tickets for the production can be purchased in person from the Kean University Box Office, online at www.premierestagesatkean.com, or by calling (908) 737-7469. 

MARSHALL JONES III

Marshall is excited to return to Premiere Stages once more.  He last worked with this enterprising theater company in October 2020 with a live, in-person critically acclaimed show about civil rights icon Fannie Lou Hamer starring veteran Broadway actress Rema Webb.

On faculty in the Theater dept at his alma mater since 2002, Professor Jones is transitioning to an administrative role as the Associate Dean of Equity for the Mason Gross School of the Arts. 

For 13 years (2007-2019), he was the Producing Artistic Director for the Tony® Award-winning Crossroads Theatre Company where he directed several shows including the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center’s inaugural production – Paul Robeson.  Selected other directing credits include the world premiere of Walter Mosley’s Lift, which later played Off Broadway; and Nikkole Salter’s Repairing a Nation, which was recorded for TV broadcast on WNET’s Theater Close-Up Series.  

In the spring of 2018, Marshall served as the Creative Consultant (replacement director) for the Off Broadway production of Little Rock, about the famed Little Rock Nine of 1957, which received NY Times Critic Pick.  

Marshall enjoys serving the community and the field as he proudly serves as the president of the NJ Theatre Alliance.  Marshall is a proud 2020 Inductee in the Rutgers University African-American Hall of Fame.

Much love to the four ladies in my life – my Ma, my daughters and my brilliant bride.

The conversation is taking place on Tuesday, July 19 @ 5:00PM EST; FB Live,  Zoom webinar, and YouTube Live. 

Webinar Link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83749855440?pwd=b0MxWGp5Z1hFUkRhSTJMTHFNZi9KUT09

Meeting ID:  837 4985 5440  | Passcode:  361140

“As our city gentrifies while retaining its diversity, and indeed as the world is changing in fundamental ways, being right in the middle of these conversations is essential,” says JCTC’s artistic director, Olga Levina. “For us as a theatre company dedicated to sparking conversations that lead to deeper respect and understanding, we know we need to create a safe place to listen and learn and collaborate.”