WELCOME TO THE WEAVER!

Thank you for supporting our art. We’re so glad to have you here.

TÉA Creative is a group of multidisciplinary artists, social justice activists, global citizens, and avid observers of the spaces we exist in. We are determined to develop authentic and transformative theatrical work that is inclusive, provocative, and insightful. The Weaver is part one of an ongoing artistic initiative dedicated to discovering, exploring, and expressing the dynamics of race in the U.S.

CAST

Chuk Obasi

Kachina McKnight


Marri Wright

Miriam Yisroyel Tabb


Meredith A. Watson


Ephraim Asante


Chuk Obasi (Director/ WILLY) is an actor, writer, director and choreographer. He is currently the Co-Director at TÉA Creative, a Company Member with The Private Theatre, and an Ensemble Member with the People’s Theatre Project. He is also an educator

Chuk Obasi (Director/ WILLY) is an actor, writer, director and choreographer. He is currently the Co-Director at TÉA Creative, a Company Member with The Private Theatre, and an Ensemble Member with the People’s Theatre Project. He is also an educator, having served as a Movement Project Director at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting, a Musical Theatre Adjunct Professor at Drew University, and a frequent guest teacher for LAByrinth Theatre among other engagements. He has recently worked with Intersections International (Artist in Residence) and the National Dance Institute (Teaching Artist). Chuk has performed, written, or directed across disciplines, including theatre, film, television, dance, and poetry performance. A New York native, born in Queens and raised in the Bronx, Obasi currently resides in Manhattan with his family. And if you're Fam, this is dedicated to you.

Ephraim Asante (PRESENCE - he/him) is currently a senior Business Administration and Marketing major at SUNY Geneseo, director Chuk Obasi’s alma mater. Pursuing his hobbies and passion in the arts on the side, he’s been performing in the arts since m

Ephraim Asante (PRESENCE - he/him) is currently a senior Business Administration and Marketing major at SUNY Geneseo, director Chuk Obasi’s alma mater. Pursuing his hobbies and passion in the arts on the side, he’s been performing in the arts since middle school, primarily as a chorus singer and in musical theatre. This will be Ephraim’s first time performing in a TÉA production and he is truly grateful for the opportunity to work with such an amazingly wonderful and beautiful cast, and he feels blessed to learn under Chuk. Also, shout-out Olivia and my African peoples, WE IN THERE!!

Marrí J. Wright (ANNALISA) has a passion for storytelling onstage and off. She is a NYC-based actress/singer/adventurer committed to challenging herself with continuous learning and exploration in all facets of artistry, culture and living. She also

Marrí J. Wright (ANNALISA) has a passion for storytelling onstage and off. She is a NYC-based actress/singer/adventurer committed to challenging herself with continuous learning and exploration in all facets of artistry, culture and living. She also enjoys drawing, writing, and being an enthusiastic member of the BTS ARMY.

Kachina McKnight (SORAYA, they/he/she) is a 22-year-old 2S Afro-Indigenous actor/singer-songwriter. They have over 10 years experience in the arts (music, theatre, dance) and this is their 20th show! Kachina is an avid artist and activist hoping to s

Kachina McKnight (SORAYA, they/he/she) is a 22-year-old 2S Afro-Indigenous actor/singer-songwriter. They have over 10 years experience in the arts (music, theatre, dance) and this is their 20th show! Kachina is an avid artist and activist hoping to spread love, healing, and awareness through art. Bringing the character, Soraya, to life during this performance, they hope to leave a powerful impact on hearts and minds. Pilamayaye, enjoy! 

Miriam Yisroyel Tabb (PRESENCE) has been a spoken word poet, theatre writer, director and actress in NYC. She has collaborated poetically with Stage of Fiends and Bending Threads Cabaret Company. Other off-Broadway performances include her one-woman

Miriam Yisroyel Tabb (PRESENCE) has been a spoken word poet, theatre writer, director and actress in NYC. She has collaborated poetically with Stage of Fiends and Bending Threads Cabaret Company. Other off-Broadway performances include her one-woman show Matriarch at Theater Lab, the role of Venus of Willendorf in Alfred Preisser’s Caligula Maximus and as a puppeteer/ensemble member of Theodora Skipitares’ Medea (both at La MaMa E.T.C.). As a playwright, she wrote and directed broken motherhood museum and Turning Points which premiered at 133rd St Arts Center and Aaron Davis Hall respectively. Miriam Tabb proudly holds a B.A. in Theatre from The City College of New York. It is an honor and literally a dream come true to play Purilla, a loving wife and mother of five played in this very real Brooklyn brownstone. The creative process has been so open, loving and inspiring. I am in love with all of the cast and crew. Thank you Téa for including me!

Olivia Austin (Stage Manager) is incredibly grateful to be stage managing the Weaver. After being involved in 27 community theater shows growing up and eventually studying at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting, Olivia still finds such joy and comfort

Olivia Austin (Stage Manager) is incredibly grateful to be stage managing the Weaver. After being involved in 27 community theater shows growing up and eventually studying at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting, Olivia still finds such joy and comfort in being around theater. She hopes you enjoy The Weaver!

Meredith A Watson (PRESENCE) enjoys creating with other artists and is forever grateful for this opportunity to work with other awesome artists in "The Weaver."  She is a teaching artist ( she loves the children), actor, writer (she won a competition

Meredith A Watson (PRESENCE) enjoys creating with other artists and is forever grateful for this opportunity to work with other awesome artists in "The Weaver."  She is a teaching artist ( she loves the children), actor, writer (she won a competition from a play she wrote), singer (she's sung domestically and internationally in Japan) and an avid baker who donates a few of her baked goods to community fridges in Harlem.  Some of her notable roles have been The Lady in "Blues in the Night" and Tanisha in "My Life:  The Mary J. Blige Musical."  She has written a play about Phyllis Hyman and will produce it soon.

PRODUCTION/CREW

DIRECTOR

Chuk Obasi

PRODUCERS

TÉA Creative

STAGE MANAGER

Olivia Austin

The Weaver is based on material created by: Nehprii Amenii, Kimani Fowlin, Talya Mar Hernandez-Ritter, Tracy Hyter-Suffern, Shonita Joshi, Chuk Obasi, Vieve Radha Price, and Nabil Viñas.

The script was curated by Chuk Obasi.

SPECIAL THANKS

We’d like to thank The Puffin Foundation, The Brooklyn Arts Council and Ma-Yi Theatre for their generous grants, which have allowed us to bring this work to life.