February 5-22, 2026
Written by August Wilson
Directed by Jemal McNeil
“A luminous, soul-stirring journey into ancestry, memory, and redemption.”
Soul Rep Theatre Company is honored to present August Wilson’s Gem of the Ocean, the second production in The Parrish Charitable Foundation August Wilson Play Series, proudly sponsored by the Parrish Foundation. This poetic and profound drama serves as the spiritual foundation of Wilson’s American Century Cycle. Set in 1904, the play explores the enduring power of ancestry and the search for belonging at the dawn of the 20th century.
At the heart of the story is Aunt Ester, a 285-year-old spiritual guide who carries the collective memory of the African American experience. When Citizen Barlow arrives at her Pittsburgh home seeking absolution for a grave mistake, he is invited on a transformative journey aboard the mythical ship Gem of the Ocean—a voyage that reckons with history, responsibility, and the possibility of healing.
Blending mysticism with historical realism, Gem of the Ocean examines freedom not as a destination, but as a process—one that demands remembrance, accountability, and courage. With moments of lyric beauty, quiet humor, and piercing truth, the play connects the spiritual past to the lived present, reminding us that the road forward is paved by those who came before.
August Wilson, a two-time Pulitzer Prize–winning playwright, is one of the most influential voices in American theatre. His ten-play American Century Cycle chronicles African American life across each decade of the 20th century, offering an unparalleled dramatic record of struggle, resilience, and triumph. Gem of the Ocean, written last but set first, stands as a powerful invocation of Wilson’s enduring vision.
APRIL 3- April 19
, 2026
Written by diannetucker
Soul Rep Theatre Company is proud to present MADAM QUEEN, a fully staged world-premiere production of the final work by the late, beloved Dallas playwright diannetucker. This historical drama—developed with support from a TACA New Works grant—marks the culmination of a year-long creative journey and honors the enduring legacy of a visionary artist whose influence helped shape Soul Rep from its earliest days.
Inspired by the life of Stephanie St. Clair, Harlem’s legendary “Queen of the Numbers” and one of the nation’s first Black female millionaires, Madam Queen brings to the stage a powerful portrait of ambition, resilience, and survival in 1920s Harlem. Through a bold and richly layered narrative, the play explores race, power, identity, and the cost of claiming space in a world determined to deny it.
Presented as a fully staged production, Madam Queen reflects diannetucker’s expansive storytelling style—blending history, spectacle, and emotional depth. The production stands as both a celebration of Black women’s leadership and an artistic tribute to a playwright whose voice continues to resonate.
diannetucker was a prolific North Texas writer, playwright, lyricist, and storyteller who served as an early champion of Soul Rep Theatre Company and a mentor to its co-founders. In 1985, she founded Dallas Drama Company, a nonprofit theatre that operated for a decade and served as a formative training ground for two of Soul Rep’s founding members. Her commitment to cultivating Black artists and stories left an indelible mark on the Dallas arts community.
Born in Marshall, Texas, diannetucker earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of North Texas and Southern Methodist University. Her creative life extended beyond the stage; in 2009, she co-founded Tucker’s Blues in Deep Ellum, a beloved venue dedicated to celebrating local blues musicians and Black cultural expression.
diannetucker passed away in 2022 following a battle with cancer. Madam Queen stands as her final artistic offering—an extraordinary work that ensures her voice, vision, and legacy live on.
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June 5-21, 2026
Soul Rep Theatre Company proudly presents its biennial TED SHINE NEW PLAY FESTIVAL, a cornerstone of the company’s commitment to nurturing Black playwrights and advancing new work. Presented in honor of the legendary playwright Ted Shine, who called Dallas home and served as a mentor and college professor to several Soul Rep company members, the festival is both a tribute and a call forward.
As part of Soul Rep’s 30th Anniversary Season, this year’s festival embraces the theme of “Sankofa”—a word from the Akan language of Ghana meaning “to go back and get it.” Sankofa reflects Soul Rep’s journey forward by reclaiming, honoring, and learning from its rich artistic past while uplifting the next generation of storytellers.
The festival will showcase a curated selection of favorite original short plays previously produced by Soul Rep, alongside two to three new works by emerging young playwrights attending a Historically Black College or University. Together, these works reflect a vibrant continuum of Black theatrical expression—bridging legacy, innovation, and lived experience.
Rooted in mentorship, education, and artistic risk-taking, the TED SHINE NEW PLAY FESTIVAL embodies Soul Rep’s mission to protect and progress the Black Theatre experience. It is a space where bold ideas are tested, new voices are amplified, and the future of Black storytelling is shaped—by remembering where we’ve been and imagining where we’re going.
October 9-22, 2025
Written by August Wilson
Directed by Jemal McNeil
“A gripping, emotionally charged portrait of hope, rage, and survival.”
Soul Rep Theatre Company is proud to present August Wilson’s King Hedley II, the first production in The Parrish Charitable Foundation August Wilson Play Series, proudly sponsored by the Parrish Foundation. Set in 1985 Pittsburgh, this searing drama confronts the legacy of broken promises and the enduring struggle for dignity in Black America.
At the center of the story is King Hedley II, a young man recently released from prison and determined to rebuild his life in a world that offers few second chances. Surrounded by family, friends, and forces beyond his control, King fights for love, redemption, and a future that often feels just out of reach. With Wilson’s signature poetry and unflinching honesty, King Hedley II examines masculinity, inheritance, and the cost of dreams deferred.
Both intimate and explosive, the play is among August Wilson’s most urgent works—layered with humor, heartbreak, and moments of profound truth. King Hedley II asks timeless questions about what we owe one another, how the past shapes the present, and what it means to persevere when hope itself feels fragile.
August Wilson is widely regarded as one of the most important playwrights in American history. A two-time Pulitzer Prize winner, his ten-play American Century Cycle chronicles African American life across each decade of the 20th century. Through this landmark body of work, Wilson created an enduring theatrical legacy that continues to challenge, inspire, and move audiences.
