Emmy nominee Carl Clemons-Hopkins and Crystal Dickinson have been cast in Vineyard Theatre's world premiere of Lessons in Survival: 1971 as James Baldwin and Nikki Giovanni, respectively. The show will begin previews May 26 with opening night slated for June 9. It will continue through June 30.
Aside from starring as Marcus in HBO's Hacks, Clemons-Hopkins has stage credits which include the starring as Aaron Burr and George Washington in the Chicago production of Hamilton.
Dickinson has starred on the Broadway stage in Clybourne Park and You Can't Take It With You. Her on-screen experience includes This Is Where I Leave You and The Good Wife.
Directed by Tyler Thomas, the work takes place in 1971 when young poet Nikki Giovanni interviewed James Baldwin on America's first "Black Tonight Show," Soul.
The design team will include You-Shin Chen as scenic designer, Mika Eubanks as costume designer, Amith Chadrashaker as lighting designer, Lee Kinney and Daniel Kluger as sound designers, Kluger as composer, and Matthew Glasner as casting director. The show is co-conceived by Marin Ireland, Peter Mark Kendall, Tyler Thomas, and Reggie D. White, and created with The Commissary.
