EVENTS & TICKETS
PULSE Theatre Chicago presents Dominque Morisseau’s gripping epic, DETROIT ‘67– Previews begin, September 11, 2026. Running through November 1, 2026 in residence at eta Creative Arts Foundation. Directed by Jeff Award Nominee, Aaron Reese Boseman.
FALL MAINSTAGE
DETROIT ‘67
by DOMINIQUE MORISSEAU
SEPTEMBER 11 -
NOVEMBER 1, 2026
Directed by
AARON REESE BOSEMAN
★★★★
“HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. THE CAST IS FIRE!”
–Bonnie Kenaz-Mara, ChiIL Love Shows
“DEEP, WARM, AND ACCESSIBLE”
–Karin McKie, Third Coast Review
★★★★
“OUTSTANDING!”
–Wesley David, Buzz Center Stage
“A GREAT PRODUCTION”
–Christine Malcom, Talkin’ Broadway
★★★☆
“A FORCE!”
–Mike Davis, Chicago Sun-Times/WBEZ
PRICE RANGE : $25-$40 +tax/fees
Mondays at 7:30pm
Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30pm
(Doors open at 6:30pm)
Saturdays and Sundays Matinee at 3:00pm
(Doors open at 2:00pm)
(additional performances TBD)
All performances will be held at mmm eta Creative Arts Foundation
7558 S. South Chicago Avenue Chicago, IL. 60619
Detroit. Summer 1967.
As one of the most pivotal uprisings in American history unfolds outside their door, siblings Chelle and Lank are trying to build a future from the basement of their West Side home. But when a mysterious woman unexpectedly enters their lives, buried secrets, shifting loyalties, and impossible choices begin to surface.
Set against the backdrop of the 1967 Detroit uprising and underscored by the unforgettable sounds of Motown, Detroit ’67 is a powerful story of family, love, resilience, and hope in a city—and a nation—on the brink of change.
IMPORTANT TICKET CONFIRMATION INFORMATION
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Email: pulsetheatrepr@gmail.com
Call or Text: (872) 306-5734
ARTIST BIOS | PRINCIPAL CAST
DAIRYON BOLDEN | SLY is thrilled to join the Pulse Theatre Chicago family. For Dairyon, acting is a vehicle for expression, exploration, and connection, allowing him to examine the complexities of human nature while inspiring audiences through storytelling. His theatre credits include The 4th Wall, Native Son, For Colored Boys, 1800 vs. 2020, When Silence Screams, I Cancer-vive, Topdog/Underdog, Peter Pan, Lord of the Flies, Antony and Cleopatra, and August Wilson’s King Hedley II. Dairyon has worked with CynCity Productions, Lifeline Theatre, Jedlicka Performing Arts Center, Richard Gallion Entertainment, and Blake Martin. He hopes his work continues to move audiences, spark conversation, and inspire creativity.
SHENISE DANYÈL | CHELLE has appeared in numerous productions throughout the Chicagoland area. Her recent credits include Red Twist Theatre’s Deserted, ETA Creative Art, A Lot to Unpack, Red Twist Theatre’s Confederates, Invictus Theatre’s The House that Will Not Stand, and many others. Her performances with MPAACT include Master Comic and Spoken Word,where she earned a Jeff nomination and received both the Black Theater Alliance Award and the African American Arts Alliance Award for her role as Michilla. Shenise believes, “As an actress, it is my personal duty to change the lives of my audience one line at a time.” Follow Shenise on Instagram @Shenise Danyél.
EMMA JEAN EASTLUND | CAROLINE is delighted to be making her Pulse Theatre debut as Caroline in Detroit ’67. Recent credits include Minnie in West Side Story, Bombalurina in Cats (Music Theater Works), Scaramouche (City Lit), and Velma Von Tussle in Hairspray (Uptown Music Theater, Highland Park). Emma Jean holds a BFA in Musical Theatre with a Minor in Dance from Millikin University. Emma Jean believes deeply in the power of storytelling to heal our world and foster empathy one shared experience at a time. This performance is dedicated to her beautifully vibrant Chicago community, whose unwavering pursuit of equality and love continues to inspire her, and to her family and husband, lifelong servants of the arts, without whom she would be utterly lost. Instagram: @emmajeaneast | Website: emmajeaneastlund.com
JIMIECE GILBERT | BUNNY is excited to return to the stage as Bunny in Detroit ’67, working with Pulse Theater. Her previous stage credits include The House That Will Not Standand ’night, Mother with Invictus Theatre. A lover of the performing arts, Jimiece enjoys singing and exploring the many ways creativity can bring people together. She believes storytelling is a powerful medium for connection, expression, and discovery, and is grateful for every opportunity to create and share stories through performance. She extends her heartfelt thanks to her family and friends for their unwavering love, encouragement, and support.
TAMARUS HARVELL | LANK is a professional actor based in Chicago, Il. He is happy to be working with Pulse Theatre Company for the first time. He has worked with several theatres in Chicago such as Lifeline Theatre, Raven Theatre, and more. He is currently a company member of MPAACT Theatre. He has appeared in several short films that have been selected for Chicago's Black Harvest Film Festival. He thanks his wife and parents for their love and support.
PRODUCTION TEAM | DETROIT ‘67
DOMINIQUE MORISSEAU | PLAYWRIGHT– is the author of The Detroit Project (A 3-Play Cycle), which includes the following plays: Skeleton Crew (Atlantic Theater Company), Paradise Blue (Signature Theatre), and Detroit ’67 (Public Theater, Classical Theatre of Harlem and NBT). Additional plays include: Pipeline (Lincoln Center Theatre), Sunset Baby (LAByrinth Theatre); Blood at the Root (National Black Theatre) and Follow Me To Nellie’s (Premiere Stages). She is also the Tony-nominated book writer on the new Broadway musical Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of the Temptations (Imperial Theatre).
Dominique is alumna of The Public Theater Emerging Writer’s Group, Women’s Project Lab and Lark Playwrights Workshop, and has developed work at Sundance Lab, Williamstown Theatre Festival and Eugene O’Neill Playwrights Conference. She most recently served as Co-Producer on the Showtime series Shameless (3 seasons).
Additional awards include: Spirit of Detroit Award, PoNY Fellowship, Sky-Cooper Prize, TEER Trailblazer Award, Steinberg Playwright Award, Audelco Awards, NBFT August Wilson Playwriting Award, Edward M. Kennedy Prize for Drama, Obie Award (2), Ford Foundation Art of Change Fellowship, Variety’s Women of Impact for 2017-18, and a recent MacArthur Genius Grant Fellow.
AARON REESE BOSEMAN | DIRECTOR/ EXECUTIVE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR– is a graduate of Columbia College Chicago with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Direction. Boseman is co-founder and Executive Artistic Director of PULSE Theatre Chicago. As an American theatre artist, Boseman has been nominated for several Jeff Awards, Black Excellence Awards, and Black Theatre Alliance Awards.
Regional directing credits include Detroit ‘67, Rhyme Deferred, In the Blood, The Colored Museum, Fabulation, or The Re-Education of Undine, and A Streetcar Named Desire (PULSE), Confederates (Redtwist Theatre), The House That Will Not Stand, Topdog/Underdog , The Mountaintop, A Raisin in the Sun (Invictus Theatre), Clyde’s, American Son (Ghostlight Theatre-Benton Harbor) The Music Man (Metropolis Theatre) Fairview (Theatre Cedar Rapids), Detroit ‘67, Fabulation; or The Re-Education of Undine, The Last Days of Judas Iscariot (Columbia College Chicago).
Select Acting Credits: Blue Heaven (Black Ensemble Theatre, Little Shop of Horrors (Theatre Cedar Rapids, Skylight Music Theatre) Ragtime (Metropolis), Ruined (Invictus Theatre), Shrek the Musical (Windy City Performs), Violet (Griffin Theatre and Loyola University Chicago), Big River (Theatre at the Center), HAIR (Metropolis), Cinderella and the Theater of Potatoes (Hypocrites), Balm in Gilead (Griffin Theatre), 25th Annual Putnam Spelling Bee, In The Heights, and Ragtime.
ANJI WHITE | ASSISTANT DIRECTOR – hails from the South Side of Chicago. White gives all praise to God for constantly guiding her throughout her career. She last appeared in Fat Ham (Goodman Theatre). Chicago credits include East Texas Hot Links (Court Theatre, Jeff Award for Best Supporting Actress); For Colored Girls (Jeff Award for Best Ensemble, Court Theatre); Sunset Baby(Black Theatre Alliance Award for Best Actress, TimeLine Theatre) and more. Regional credit: Paradise Blue (Studio Theatre in D.C.). TV credits include: Marvel’s Ironheart, Fargo, 61st Street and more. Matt 6:33
SIERRA J. COACHMAN | DRAMATURG—is delighted to have this powerful play be her first dramaturgy credit. Other acting credits include: Beneath the Willow Tree (Pulse Theatre), The Mountaintop (Beverly Arts Center), Relentless (u/s) (Timeline Theater and The Goodman), The Prodigal Daughter (u/s) (Raven Theatre), Fen (u/s) (Court Theatre), Marys Seacole (u/s) (Griffin Theatre), Shakin’ the Mess Outta Misery (u/s) (Pegasus Theatre Chicago). Sierra is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati’s College Conservatory of Music with a BFA in Acting and a minor in Africana Studies. She is represented by Gray Talent Group.
ASHLEY CONEY | PRODUCTION STAGE MANAGER – hails from Louisville, KY where she graduated from the Youth Performing Arts School (YPAS). Passionate about the arts, Ashley obtained her BA in Theatre with a concentration in Acting from Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA graduating in 2009. Ashley knew CHITOWN was her town so she relocated where she found her first gig as a Summer on the Nile drama teacher at ETA. Ashley has performed in various shows around the city and has discovered a calling for the technical side of things. Ashley would like to thank the cast and production staff for their amazing talent!
TERRI DEVINE | COSTUME DESIGN —is a Jeff-nominated freelance costume designer who works with theatre companies across Chicagoland. She believes in theatre's power to create social change and offer new perspectives, and is motivated by learning new methods and telling stories through costume. She loves designing for musicals and period shows, and especially enjoys creating costumes from thrifted and found items. Recent credits: Memphis (The Drama Group), Something Rotten (UPS for DownS Theatre Co.), The Mountaintop (Pulse Theatre/Beverly Arts Center), The Prom, For Colored Girls, A Christmas Story, Matilda, Dreamgirls (The Drama Group), The House That Will Not Stand (Invictus Theatre). Facebook.com/DevineCostume
RUEBEN D. ECHOLES | HAIR & MAKEUP DESIGN – is an accomplished playwright, director, choreographer, illustrator, costume and wig designer. He has had the pleasure of working with many theater companies across the country and in the Chicagoland area. His most recent projects include: Wig Design – A Bronx Tale at The Rev Theater (NY) Smoke at TTO (Boston), Tartuffe at Cleveland Playhouse, Covenant at Goodman Theater , Ma’ Rainey’s Black Bottom at The Goodman Theatre, Joe Turner’s Come and Gone at Indiana Repertory Theatre, Hello Dolly at Olney Theater Center, Dreamgirls at Paramount Aurora & North Carolina Theatre Company, Sister Act & Women of Soul (Jeff nomination for Artistic Specialization) at Mercury Theater, Fat Ham at Cleveland Playhouse, Stokely, &Lion in Winter at Court Theatre, Costume Design: How I Learned What I Learned at Congo Square Theater , A Lot to Unpack at Eta Creative Arts, Fela at Olney Theater Center, The Color Purple at Pheonix Theater Company, You Cant Fake The Funk Black Ensemble Theater (Jeff award winner Best Costume Design Large) Rueben has also designed costumes for 4 Episodes for WTTW’s Chicago Stories docu- series, two of which (Ida B. Wells and The History of Gospel) have won Emmys for best production. Rueben would like to Thank Christ his Savior for Everything!
ISIS ELIZABETH | ASSOCIATE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR – is a Jeff Award-winning theatre artist and resident playwright with Pulse Theatre Chicago’s New Play Initiative, where her world premiere, Beneath The Willow Tree, was produced. She has performed across the Chicagoland area with theaters such as Paramount Theatre, Mercury Theater Chicago, Porchlight Music Theatre, Emerald City Theatre, and Big Noise Theater, among others. Notably, she was featured as Papa Ge in Pulse Theatre Chicago’s 2024 Jeff Award-winning production of Once on This Island, directed by Artistic Director Aaron Reese Boseman.Her selected credits span stage and screen, including Chicago Fire (NBC), Family Values, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (Goodman Theatre), The House That Will Not Stand, Topdog/Underdog (Invictus Theatre – Assistant Director/Movement), Clyde’s (Ghostlight Theatre), Pipeline (Dunes Theatre), Brighter Futures (Paramount Theatre), Once on This Island (Pulse Theatre Chicago), Chain (Goodman Theatre: Pearl Cleage Fest), Big River (Mercury Theater Chicago), Crystal in Little Shop of Horrors (Citadel Theatre), and Spring Awakening (Porchlight Music Theatre).
WARREN LEVON | SOUND DESIGN —is crazy excited to design this amazing play! His most recent sound design credits include Rhyme and Rythme Reading Series (Pulse Theatre Chicago), Jesus Hopped the “A” Train & Seven Guitars [Jeff win best Play & Best Production] (City Lit Theatre-), Once on This Island and In the Blood (Pulse Theatre Chicago- Jeff win Best Ensemble-Short Run), The Mountaintop, A Raisin in the Sun, and Ruined (Invictus Theatre), Trial in the Delta and Encounter 2020(Collaboraction), and 5 Presidents (American Blues Theater), among numerous additional productions. He would like to thank his wonderful wife and family for their love and support. Also, a big shoutout to Aaron for this opportunity. 1st Corinthians 15:1
LILO | MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT/ PROPS ASSISTANT. – Is elated to join director, Aaron Reese Boseman for their third collaboration. Born March 2024. Pisces/Aries Cusp. Loves sticks and tennis balls, running outside, watching Bluey, and protecting actors during tense scenes with simulated violence. Previous credits: Clyde’s (Ghostlight Theatre-Benton Harbor), The House That Will Not Stand (Invictus Theatre Company). Lilo would like to thank her Dog Mom and Dog Dad for their continuous support and would like to quote her OG.
“Woof. Woof. Bark” – Lassie
CHELS MORGAN | INTIMACY & VIOLENCE – is a Queer, Black and Dominican Intimacy, Movement and Fight Director as well as a Cultural Sensitivity Specialist for stage and screen. Their work lives at the nexus of physical storytelling, mental health and cultural competency, as they recognize that authentic storytelling is only possible when the artists telling the story are cared for. They are also an AASECT Certified Sexuality Educator, an adjunct professor of Intimacy Coordination at DePaul’s School of Cinematic Arts, and the Director of Accessibility and Inclusion at the Intimacy Professionals Education Collective (IPEC). Notable credits include Paranormal Activity (Broadway / North American Tour), How to Defend Yourself (New York Theater Workshop), ICEBOY! (Goodman Theatre), safronia (Lyric Opera of Chicago), Kowalski (Lookingglass) and THE CHI (Showtime). Their intimacy, violence and cultural competency work has also been seen at the Old Globe Theatre, The Lucile Lortel Theater, the American Conservatory Theatre, Indiana Repertory Theater, Milwaukee Rep, Syracuse Stage, and Chicago Shakespeare Theater, among others.
KEVIN M. ROLFS | SCENIC DESIGN – is an award winning queer Chicago based theater designer, builder and painter. A graduate of Columbia College Chicago he's enjoyed many opportunities to work in Chicago's storefront theater scene both as a scenic and props designer as well as technical director and scenic painter. Always ecstatic to be back telling another great story with his Pulse family. Kevin most recently received The Non-Equity Jeff award for Best Scenic Design for his work on Marcus Gardley's The House That Will Not Stand directed by Aaron Reese Boseman. Some favorite Chicago credits include Edward Albees Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? , Beneath the Willow Tree with PULSE Theatre, TOPDOG/UNDERDOG, Angels In America parts 1&2 with Invictus Theater Co and most recently Good People with 4 Chairs Theatre. A freelance designer, Kevin also serves as scene shop supervisor at Columbia College Chicago. Thanks to my amazing family and to Zac for his infinite love and support!
ENJOLI VALENTINE | PROPERTY DESIGN— is a Chicago-based actor, theatre artist, and creative who is delighted to join the production team of Detroit ’67 as Props Designer. Her acting credits include Carina in Eureka Day at Riverside Theatre, Chris in POTUS, Beverly in Fairview, Kate in Good People, and Tituba in The Crucible. Enjoli has also worked in front-of-house and house management with Invictus Theatre Company She is thrilled to bring her eye for detail, storytelling, and period authenticity to this production.
LEVI J. WILKINS | LIGHTING DESIGN – is a 7-time Jeff Nominated theatre artist. Recent design credits include BUST (Goodman Theatre), Once on This Island, Beneath The Willow Tree, Ritual & Rhythm Series ( For Colored Girls (eta Creative Arts Foundation/ The Drama Group), The House That Will Not Stand, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf (Invictus Theatre), Giovanni’s Room, Is God Is (A Red Orchid Theatre), Stew (Shattered Globe)
UNDERSTUDIES | BIOS
JEN AGATHER | U/S CAROLINE– is delighted to be working with Pulse Theatre and its talented creative team. Jen is an actor/dancer originally from North Carolina. Her credits include The Winter’s Tale (Invictus Theatre) as well as Strange Cargo: Doom of the Demeter (City Lit). Graduated from Chicago College of Performing Arts with BFA in Musical Theatre with a Dance Emphasis, Jen is currently signed with You Talent Agency. Jen would like to thank her parents and Griffin for all of their love and support.
MICHAEL ASHFORD | U/S SLY– is thrilled to be making his Pulse theatre debut with Detroit 67. Past chicago credits include: Angels in America (Invictus Theatre), The Complete Works of William Shakespeare Abridged, Ripcord (Oil Lamp Theatre), Once Upon A Mattress (Theo Ubique), Passing Strange (Porchlight Music Theatre Revisits Series), Anything Goes, Legally Blonde (Metropolis Performing Arts Center). Michael also performs TYA in the mornings, and is a proud company member of Chicago Kids Company and Great Works Touring Company.
DESTIN PATTON-WARNER | U/S LANK —is a Chicago-based actor and performer. His credits include productions with Black Ensemble Theater and ETA Creative Arts Foundation. He is thrilled to make his Pulse Theatre debut in Detroit ’67 and grateful to the cast, creative team, and supporters who continue to champion his artistic journey.
Y’VONNE ROSE SMITH | U/S BUNNY – has recently earned her MFA in theatre performance at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She is an actor, model, educator, and an inspiring playwright. Some of her performance credits include A Devil Comes To Town (Trap Door Theatre), Much Ado About Nothing, School For Husbands, and Shakespeare’s Will (Monmounth Theatre). Also including, The Realness: A Break Beat Play, and Witch (Illinois Theatre). You might’ve even seen her in a few satire pieces with The Onion: Newspaper. She is a revolutionary artist who leads with the stories of her ancestors. Stories that represent life, resilience, struggle, perseverance, power, love and most importantly joy. She is a collaborative artist that promotes and advocates for an inclusive environment where community and creativity can soar. With her talent, she will continue to tell stories that are meant to be heard. Look out for her!
MARLISSA STALLING | U/S CHELLE – is a proud South Side Chicago native, actress, filmmaker, director, educator, talk show host, and community advocate. Her theatre credits include Sci-Fi Night, Asleep and Awake, A Christmas Carol, The Red House, Shattered But Not Broken II, Family Slam, and Lady Sings the Blues. In 2024, she joined the national tour of Living All Alone: Phyllis Hyman. Her screen credits include national commercials for Cricut, the films McKenzie McCoy and Camp Night, and NBC’s Chicago P.D. Marlissa is also the creator of Only In The Chi (OITC), a platform dedicated to celebrating and uplifting Chicago’s people and stories. An educator and servant-leader, she is passionate about creating spaces where young people can flourish, create, and show up authentically.
CITY OF WATER
CLOSED JULY 12, 2026
a new play by Isis Elizabeth
Directed by Lo Williams
RHYME DEFERRED
CLOSED JULY 19, 2026
by Kamilah Forbes
with Chadwick Boseman
Directed by
Aaron Reese Boseman
Lyrics by Chadwick Boseman
Additional Lyrics by
Oberon K.A. Adjepong & Jabari Exum
FEATURED FUNDRAISER EVENTS | RITUAL & RHYTHM : An Immersive Reading Series
About Ritual & Rhythm | Rhythm and ritual are the foundation of this festival’s form and function. We are interested in how repetition, music, movement, and language create containers for memory, grief, joy, and release. Rhythm lives in breath, in heartbeat, in the cadence of speech; ritual lives in what we return to; habits, traditions, survival practices, and acts of care. These readings are not static presentations, but living environments. Audience and performer share space in a way that blurs observation and participation. Through heightened language, hip-hop aesthetics, and embodied storytelling, we investigate how ritual can hold pain without spectacle and how rhythm can guide both rupture and healing