FROM 145TH TO 98TH STREET
by Nia Akilah Robinson
WORLD PREMIERE
May 30 to June 29, 2025
SYNOPSIS
When Jackie and Cedric moved their family from the heart of Harlem to 98th Street, they did so to create better economic opportunities for their children. But when their son, Jamal, is wrongfully accused of a crime and their daughter, Fatima, doubts her college plans, the Curtly family must either come together in adversity or watch as their clashing quests for success pull them apart.
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A riveting drama that captures the Curtly family’s struggles and triumphs, FROM 145TH TO 98TH STREET chronicles a family’s challenge to reconcile what they each want and what they think is best for each other.
Content Note: This show contains themes that some audience members may want more information on before attending. If this sounds like it could apply to you, you can view the content information by clicking here.
SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR PRODUCERS
Producing Partners
Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation
Executive Producers
Anne & Tony Serdula
Len Goldberg & Maureen Gebhardt
Co-Producers
Carole & Raymond Noveck
Emilie Robinson
Johnson-Singer Arts Education Fund
Lynn Blackledge
Mark Lancaster & Nancy Woodruff
Marlyn & Richard Victor
Associate Producers
Annette Haile
The Caplin Foundation
Georgia Higgins
Jeffrey Hamblin, MD & Mark-Alan
Lewis D & Janet Stern Solomon
Maila & Frank Maggio
Maryl & Bill Levine
Nanette Crist
Ronda & Donald Gallahue
Scott Talbot Lewis & Tony Gibbons
Wendy Jacobs & Dr. Mark Glassman
Meet the Playwright
NIA AKILAH ROBINSON
Nia Akilah Robinson (Playwright) she/her - is a playwright and actor who reps Harlem with all her might. She's had productions at Soho Rep U.S. Off Broadway Premiere (2025 New York Times Critics Pick- Extended Twice!), Theatre503 (London), and The Hearth. Her work has been seen and developed with Steppenwolf Theatre, The Hearth, The New Group, Theatre503 (UK), The Ground Floor: Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Great Plains Theatre Conference, SPACE on Ryder Farm, Ensemble Studio Theatre, Waterwell, and Classical Theatre of Harlem.
She has been a MacDowell Fellow, Travis Bogard Eugene O'Neill Foundation Fellow, and a writer for PEN America and EST/Alfred P. Sloan Foundation (short play). Nia has had residencies at NYSAF and The Pocantico Center through YoungArts. Nia’s work was featured in the 2024 46th Bay Area Playwrights Festival, 2024 The Fire This Time Festival, was featured in the 2023 SPACE JAM @ Roundabout Theatre, and the 48th Samuel French Off-Off-Broadway Short Play Festival. She participated in the National Black Theatre Soul Series and received the 2023 Film & TV Mentorship by Mitzi Miller. She has been awarded 1st Place for the 2023 A is For Playwriting Contest, the Next Wave Initiative Lorraine Hansberry Writing Scholarship, a Miranda Family Fund Commission, and the NYSCA Grant (CCCADI). She is shortlisted for the 2023 Theatre503’s International Playwriting Award.
Nia is proudly represented by Alex Gold at CAA. She is so excited and grateful to Summer, Urbanite, Jerrica, the creative/ administrative team working on this play, as well as her family and friends. Education: Yale (DGSD- MFA Playwriting Candidate) & Juilliard ‘24 (Lila Acheson Wallace American Playwrights Program) https://www.niaakilahrobinson.com
Meet the Director
Jerrica D. White
Jerrica D. White is a Brooklyn-based, Cincinnati-bred director, producer, and writer examining the spectrum of Blackness with a focus on family dynamics, relationships, love, and mental health. She has directed and developed her original work with New York Theatre Workshop, The Public Theater, Atlantic Theater Company, National Black Theatre, Broadway Black, Classical Theatre of Harlem, Primary Stages, Workshop Theater, Urbanite Theatre, Ensemble Theater, and Cincinnati Black Theatre Artist Collective.
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Jerrica believes freedom is won through vulnerability and works to give artists a sense of community and a platform to share their stories. She founded OVRZLOUS, a studio built to produce revues, reading series, and editorial content, provide strategy to creative teams, and foster artistic connection. In 2019, she was on the producing team of the Broadway revival of Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune. Most recently, she was a 2023/24 Writer in Residence with Liberation Theatre Company in Harlem, a Soho House Fellow, and a Boris Sagal Directing Fellow finalist.
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Her work is a defense for living. She desires for her community to feel seen, encouraged, and know they are not alone. Her artistic language is built on cycles of self-love, healing, faith, and joy.
MEET THE CAST
Imani Slates
Playing Jackie
Brian Darnell Coats*
Playing Cedric
Sól Fuller
Playing Fatima
Ibukun Omotowa
Playing Jamal
Ariel Blue
Playing Dawn
*Member of Actors Equity Association
MEET THE CREATIVE TEAM
Production Stage Manager
Assistant Stage Manager
Scenic Designer
Lighting Designer
Sound Designer,
Production/Facilities Manager
Costume Designer
Props Designer
Lead Carpenter
Tori Leonetti-Heikenfeld
Evan Lemole
Frank Chavez
Ethan Vail
Louis Vetter-Torres
Adrienne Pitts
Summer Dawn Wallace
Eugene Alcorn
TICKET INFORMATION
May 30 to June 29, 2025
SHOWTIMES:
WEDNESDAYS AT 7:30pm
THURSDAYS*, FRIDAYS & SATURDAYS AT 7:30pm
SUNDAYS AT 2:00pm
TICKETS:
STANDARD TICKETS: $44
UNDER 40** TICKETS: $30
STUDENT** TICKETS: $5
SPECIAL PERFORMANCES:
THURSDAY, MAY 29th AT 7:30pm
SATURDAY, MAY 31st AT 2:00pm
​*Thursday performances are part of our Talkback Thursday series. Talkbacks are moderated discussions with the cast that take place after the performance, offering audiences an opportunity to ask questions and learn more about the show.
**Must present valid ID.
Content Note: This show contains themes that some audience members may want more information on before attending. If this sounds like it could apply to you, you can view the content information by clicking here.