A U G U S T 28TH is a choreopoem following five Black women on a journey of
self-discovery through poetry and movement. We follow the evolution of our past,
present, and future by grappling with how to stay alive.

The actors look through America, family, friendship,
and love within the Black diaspora.

This show asks: how do our bodies hold trauma,
and how do we (Black folk) stop requiring excellence in exchange for joy?

ALINCA HAMILTON* is a New York-born actor, writer, and creator. Select acting credits include To All the Black Girls Who’ve Waited (Ars Nova); Clyde’s (Alabama Shakes and Arkansas Rep); Mud Row (Premiere Stages); Gong Lum’s Legacy (New Federal Theater); and Julius Caesar (CSC). After earning her MFA in Acting from Columbia University, Alinca expanded her artistic pursuits to include writing, much to the supposed delight of her Jamaican immigrant parents. She has been a semi-finalist for the NYSCA/NYSFA Artist Fellowship and the Fresh Voices Competition. alincahamilton.com

FOLAMI WILLIAMS* is an actor and teaching artist based in Brooklyn, New York.  She has an MFA in Acting from Columbia University and holds a BA in Drama from the University of Virginia. Most recently she could be found on stage at Buck County Playhouse, in Noises Off.  Other select theatre includes: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (Broadway), Skeleton Crew (Portland Stage Company), Julius Caesar, Othello (Classic Stage Company). Select TV: "The Blacklist” (NBC), She’s Gotta Have It” (Netflix; dir. Spike Lee).

HOPE WARD* is an actor, writer, director, and academic from Providence, RI. She earned a BA in theater and Black studies from Randolph-Macon College, an MFA in theater from Columbia University, and is pursuing a PhD in Media from VCU. She is an alumnus of "EMERGEnyc," an experimental space for artists and activists. Ward focuses on the roles of Black feminism and universal humanity. Her acting credits include roles in The Mountaintop, Antigone, and Bundle of Sticks, and appearances in “Love My Roomie,” “Hawk’s Ridge,” “Evil,” and “Succession.” Her play To All the Black Girls Who’ve Waited debuted at the New York Theater Festival and Ars Nova’s 2023 ANTFEST. Hope believes performance helps navigate trauma in the Black experience in the U.S.

LORI LAING* is an actor based in New York City. She is known for her role as Grace, Michael Che’s love interest in That Damn Michael Che on HBO Max, as well as her recurring role as Avalon, from Marvel’s Iron Fist. Up next, her feature film debut in The Late Night Creep directed by Jamal Dedeaux. She is also currently producing her first independent short film, Betta Fish. BA, Georgetown University; MFA, Columbia University. 

TIFFANY SMALL* is a New York based actor and director that recently moved back to Atlanta.  As a graduate of Columbia University’s acting MFA program, she has had the great honor of working with many leaders in the entertainment industry such as Andrei Serban, Anne Bogart, Greg Mosher and more.  Tiffany has lent her talents to many theatres such as New York Theatre Workshop, Roundabout Theatre, Classic Stage Company, Ars Nova, and has also performed internationally at the Edinburgh Fringe festival with Squeaky Wheelz Productions of which she is a founding member. Tiffany cannot wait to share this beautifully poignant work with you all.

ACTORS’ EQUITY ASSOCIATION (AEA), founded in 1913, represents more than 50,000 actors and stage managers in the United States. Equity seeks to advance, promote and foster the art of live theatre as an essential component of our society. Equity negotiates wages and working conditions, providing a wide range of benefits, including health and pension plans. AEA is a member of the AFL-CIO, and is affiliated with FIA, an international organization of performing arts unions. The Equity emblem is our mark of excellence. www.ActorsEquity.org

 A U G U S T  28TH was developed with support from The Center at West Park at the 2024 Evolution Festival.
* Actors’ Equity Member appearing with permission of Actor's Equity Association without benefit of an Equity contract in this Off-Off Broadway production.
This presentation is an Actors’ Equity Association-approved showcase.

Cover Photo: “Harlem Tenement in Summer, 1935” from the New York Public Library.