Ford’s Theatre has announced the cast and creative team of the world-premiere production of The American Five, penned by playwright Chess Jakobs.
Set against the backdrop of the Civil Rights Movement, The American Five narrates the inspiring true story of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his closest allies: Coretta Scott King, Bayard Rustin, Stanley Levison, and Clarence B. Jones.
Together, these five extraordinary individuals unite to orchestrate the March on Washington and craft Dr. King’s legendary “I Have a Dream” speech, a moment that would forever change the course of American history.
Their collaboration is driven by strategy, sacrifice, and a deep commitment to equality, culminating in a collective call that continues to echo in today’s fight for justice.
The American Five is part of The Ford’s Theatre Legacy Commissions, aimed at unearthing stories about unsung heroes who have significantly impacted civil rights in America.
This premiere is notable as all five actors are making their debut at Ford’s Theatre, bringing fresh energy and new voices to this compelling narrative.
Performances begin on September 19 and will run through October 12, 2025.
Ticket prices range from $26 to $53, with discounts available for groups, seniors, military personnel, and those aged 21-40.
The production is recommended for audiences aged 12 and older.
The 2025-2026 season at Ford’s Theatre is generously sponsored by Chevron, Intuit, and Lockheed Martin, while the Legacy Commissions enjoy support from Lead Sponsor Boeing.
The American Five dives deep into a pivotal moment in history, revealing how Dr. King and his inner circle envisioned a society rooted in equality and justice.
Faced with challenges including surveillance, intimidation, and threats to their lives, these five giants forged a powerful alliance to advance civil rights.
Their efforts were instrumental in planning the March on Washington and in drafting a speech that would galvanize the nation and inspire countless generations to continue striving for justice.
The creative team behind The American Five includes Chess Jakobs, who received the Ford’s Theatre Legacy Commission in 2024.
Jakobs has an impressive body of work spanning Broadway, Off-Broadway, and various regional theaters such as Ford’s Theatre, Olney Theatre, Steppenwolf, Indiana Repertory Theatre, and Alliance Theatre.
The direction of the play is being handled by Aaron Posner, whose previous works at Ford’s include Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf and Born Yesterday.
Posner is also a well-known playwright, with credits including Stupid f-ing Bird, JQA, and My Name Is Asher Lev.
The cast includes Aaron Bliden as Stanley, Ro Boddie as Martin, Renea S. Brown as Coretta, Yao Dogbe as Clarence, and Stephen Conrad Moore as Bayard, all making their first appearances at Ford’s Theatre.
The design team features Andrew R. Cohen as the scenic designer and Cody Von Ruden as the costume designer, both making their debuts at Ford’s.
Max Doolittle, who has previously worked on productions like Sister Act and Little Shop of Horrors, takes on the role of lighting designer.
Kathy Ruvuna is the sound designer for the show, while Mona Kasra contributes as the projection designer.
The hair and makeup design will be handled by Danna Rosedahl, who has also worked on several productions at Ford’s.
Rachel Hirshorn-Johnston serves as the dialects and voice director.
Ford’s Theatre is dedicated to ensuring accessibility for all visitors, providing wheelchair-accessible seating, accessible restrooms, and audio enhancement services.
The theatre will also feature audio-described performances of The American Five on Thursday, October 2 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, October 11 at 2 p.m.
Additionally, an ASL sign-interpreted performance is set for Thursday, October 9 at 7 p.m.
Beginning on September 23, 2025, all performances will be captioned via the GalaPro App, available for download from the App Store or Google Play.
The GalaPro App allows patrons to access real-time captioning via their mobile devices, enhancing the accessibility of the performances for all attendees.
image source from：broadwayworld
