Clark E. Nesbitt will make his Proud Mary Theatre directing debut with Choir Boy by Tarell Alvin McCraney, Tony-nominee and Oscar®-winning screenwriter of Moonlight.
Choir Boy is scheduled for December 2020, but will likely be postponed to 2021 with Nesbitt at the helm, and hopefully the A-List actors attached to the project.
Choir Boy is set at the Charles R. Drew Prep School for Boys has been dedicated to the education of strong, ethical black men. One talented student has been waiting for years to take his rightful place as the leader of the legendary gospel choir. But can he make his way through the hallowed halls of this institution if he sings in his own key?
“I am excited about directing Choir Boy because of the complexities of the subject matter. A subject matter that tackles bigotry, faith, ethics, loyalty; particularly with black men and within the Black Church,: said Nesbitt.
” I love the infusion of traditional spirituals, hymns and dance used to underscore the story as a part of black culture and heritage. It is a story of bigotry, faith, ethics, hinging on the debate between morality and righteousness. I feel deeply that this is a piece of theatre that continues to challenge us a people in achieving equality for all.”
His other directing credits include: “A Raisin In The Sun”, Greenwood Community Theatre. “Young Negress Stepping Out of the River at Dawn” marked Clark’s directing debut at Centre Stage. He also directed and performed in “Through the Night” and “Memories of The Game” at Centre Stage. Directed “God’s Trombones”, excerpts from “Porgy and Bess”, “I Too, Am America”, “I’ve Known Rivers” at Anderson University. Director and choreographer for “God’s Trombones”, “If Anybody Ask You Who I Am”, “The Story of Christmas”, “A Christmas of Compassion” at Maple Creek Baptist Church, Greer, SC and “God’s Trombones” The Pilgrim Baptist Church, Newark, Delaware. Clark is also the Director and Choreographer for the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sororities “Fashionetta” in Anderson and Greer, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority’s “Jabberwock” in Anderson and The Jack and Jill “Beautillion”, Greenville. Clark has also developed and performed his one man show “I Too Am America”.
Some of his past theatrical roles include “Driving Miss Daisy” (Hoke) at Walhalla Civic Center Theatre, “Driving Miss Daisy” (Hoke) at Centre Stage, One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest (Aide Turkle), To Kill A Mocking Bird (Reverend Sykes) The Mill Town Players, “Driving Miss Daisy” (Hoke), Greenwood Community Theatre, “Memories of The Game” (Kenneth McIntosh), “Jekyll and Hyde” (Sir Danvers Carew) “Through the Night” (Mr. Rogers): “A Time To Kill” (Ozzie Walls), “Sleeping Indoors” (Dwain), “A Few Good Men” (CAPT. Julius Randolph), “Guided Tour” (Joe Bell), “Driving Miss Daisy” (Hoke) at Centre Stage. Other Theatres: “Have We Lost The Feeling” (Devil), “Southside” (Rufus Jones), “Metamorphosis II”; BONT Cultural Theatre. “Let The People Rejoice” (Dr. King); Florida Mass Choir Tour. “A Lesson Before Dying” (Rev. Moses Ambrose) Warehouse Theatre. Clark also appeared as Julius Caesar in the Upstate Shakespeare Festival Production of “Julius Caesar”.
Clark received his BA in English from Benedict College, Columbia, SC where he studied acting under Grace Palmer, John Grace and Elizabeth J. Hart. In addition, Clark studied voice under Lucille Smith and Leonard Mansfield Johnson.
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