Press Room: Ma Rainey's Black Bottom

Maiesha McQueen with members of the company of August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom directed by Timothy Douglas. October 2-24, 2026, Yale Repertory Theatre. Photo © Joan Marcus

Jimmie J. J. Jeter in August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom directed by Timothy Douglas. October 2-24, 2026, Yale Repertory Theatre. Photo © Joan Marcus

Dion Graham and Terrence Archie in August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom directed by Timothy Douglas. October 2–24, 2026, Yale Repertory Theatre. Photo © Joan Marcus

Neal Lerner, Peter Bisgaier, and Jeff Parker in August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom directed by Timothy Douglas. October 2–24, 2026, Yale Repertory Theatre. Photo © Joan Marcus

Dion Graham and Jimmie J. J. Jeter in August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom directed by Timothy Douglas. October 2-24, 2026, Yale Repertory Theatre. Photo © Joan Marcus

Brittany Antoinette Davis, Maiesha McQueen, and Mark Yarde in August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom directed by Timothy Douglas. October 2–24, 2026, Yale Repertory Theatre. Photo © Joan Marcus

Ray Anthony Thomas, Mark Yarde, and Dion Graham in August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom directed by Timothy Douglas. October 2–24, 2026, Yale Repertory Theatre. Photo © Joan Marcus

Jimmie J. J. Jeter in August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom directed by Timothy Douglas. October 2-24, 2026, Yale Repertory Theatre. Photo © Joan Marcus

Brittany Antoinette Davis and Jimmie J. J. Jeter in August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom directed by Timothy Douglas. October 2–24, 2026, Yale Repertory Theatre. Photo © Joan Marcus

Maiesha McQueen in August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom directed by Timothy Douglas. October 2-24, 2026, Yale Repertory Theatre. Photo © Joan Marcus

Maiesha McQueen, Jeff Parker, and Mark Yarde in August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom directed by Timothy Douglas. October 2-24, 2026, Yale Repertory Theatre. Photo © Joan Marcus

Dion Graham and Ray Anthony Thomas in August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom directed by Timothy Douglas. October 2-24, 2026, Yale Repertory Theatre. Photo © Joan Marcus

Jeff Parker and Maiesha McQueen in August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom directed by Timothy Douglas. October 2–24, 2026, Yale Repertory Theatre. Photo © Joan Marcus

Neal Lerner, Ray Anthony Thomas, Jimmie J. J. Jeter, and Dion Graham in August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom directed by Timothy Douglas. October 2-24, 2026, Yale Repertory Theatre. Photo © Joan Marcus

Terrence Archie and Jimmie J. J. Jeter in August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom directed by Timothy Douglas. October 2–24, 2026, Yale Repertory Theatre. Photo © Joan Marcus

Terrence Archie, Ray Anthony Thomas, Jimmie J. J. Jeter, and Dion Graham in August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom directed by Timothy Douglas. October 2–24, 2026, Yale Repertory Theatre. Photo © Joan Marcus

Terrence Archie, Ray Anthony Thomas, Mark Yarde, and Maiesha McQueen in August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom directed by Timothy Douglas. October 2–24, 2026, Yale Repertory Theatre. Photo © Joan Marcus

Ray Anthony Thomas, Neal Lerner, Mark Yarde, Jimmie J. J. Jeter, and Dion Graham in August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom directed by Timothy Douglas. October 2–24, 2026, Yale Repertory Theatre. Photo © Joan Marcus

Maiesha McQueen with members of the company of August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom directed by Timothy Douglas. October 2–24, 2026, Yale Repertory Theatre. Photo © Joan Marcus

Maiesha McQueen and members of the company of August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom directed by Timothy Douglas. October 2–24, 2026, Yale Repertory Theatre. Photo © Joan Marcus

Neal Lerner, Ray Anthony Thomas (background), Jimmie J. J. Jeter, and DIon Graham in August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom directed by Timothy Douglas. October 2–24, 2026, Yale Repertory Theatre. Photo © Joan Marcus

Terence Archie, Ray Anthony Thomas, Jimmie J. J. Jeter, and Dion Graham in August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom directed by Timothy Douglas. October 2–24, 2026, Yale Repertory Theatre. Photo © Joan Marcus