Dance Like There’s Black People Watching

Arlieta Hall 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 an 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.

Breon Arzell {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’. @breonarzell // breonarzell.com

Jillian Ebanks, originally from New Jersey, is now a Chicago based comedian, actor, writer, and producer. She is thrilled to be back performing in D.C.! 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. She is currently repped by Grossman & Jack Talent.

Tamieka Chavis (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 theatre 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. Follow her on social media @tamiekachavis | tamiekachavis.com

Julius Shanks II is a twenty one year-old senior acting major, 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 “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 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. Follow Max on all socials @thatsmaxthomas