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The Royale (Test)

“I don’t want you to lose, Not one bit,
But I am afraid of what happens when you win.”
– Nina


  • Written by Marco Ramirez
  • Directed by Tyrone Phillips

A Black boxer in the Jim Crow era risks it all for his shot at making history

"The music of the sweet science of boxing has seldom been played as resonantly as it is in Marco Ramirez's absorbing drama."
The New York Times 

Synopsis

The Royale

Jay is a really good boxer, so good they call him “The Sport.” He’s won his last seventy-six fights and has his sights set on being crowned the next heavyweight champion. But it’s 1905, and in the Jim Crow era, a Black man doesn’t get to fight a reigning white champion.

When a surprising chance at the title appears, Jay gears up for the fight of his life—where the stakes are staggeringly high inside the ring and out. Inspired by real-world boxer Jack Johnson, this adrenaline rush of a play by Marco Ramirez (Orange is the New Black, Buena Vista Social Club) is a kinetic and poetic portrayal of what it takes and what it costs to make history. 

Cast

La'Tevin Alexander

Jay

WRITER’S THEATRE: Debut. REGIONAL THEATRE: Joe Turner’s Come & Gone as Herald Loomis (Penumbra Theatre); The Piano Lesson as Lymon (Milwaukee Rep & Cincinnati Playhouse In The Park); The Light as Rashad (Portland Center Stage); Paradise Blue as P-Sam (Portland Playhouse); A Christmas Carol as Scrooge (Portland Playhouse); Reggie Hoops as Muncie (Profile Theatre); and Dracula: A Feminist Revenge Fantasy as Jonathan Harker (Portland Center Stage). FILM: Outdoor School (2025); Test Screening (2024); The Paper Tigers (2020); Marry, Fuck, Kill (2024); Dearest Eva (2022). TELEVISION: DELPHI (Prime); CHAD (TBS); The Wonderland Murders (ID); Portlandia (IFC); Grimm (NBC). EDUCATION: BA from Florida A&M University. INSTAGRAM: @latevinalexander.

Scott Aiello

Max

Scott Aiello is thrilled to be returning to Writers Theater, where he previously appeared as Duke Frederick in As You Like It. Other Chicago Theater credits include: Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (Goodman), Hamlet (SS), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (SS), Henry V and Richard III (Chicago Shakespeare), A View From the Bridge (Shattered Globe), Perfect Mendacity (Steppenwolf), Awake and Sing! (Timeline). T.V. and film: American Rust (Showtime, Recurring), Billions (Showtime, Recurring). Joseph Jefferson Awards- Leading Actor in a Play (A View From the Bridge, Shattered Globe, 2024), Supporting Actor in a Play (Broadway Bound, Pegasus Players, 2002) Scott has narrated over 300 audiobooks. Training: The Juilliard School. Visit scottaiello.com.

Ajax Dontavius

Fish

Ajax Dontavius is a Haitian-American actor and is honored to be joining Writer’s Theatre on this powerful and impactful show. Recent credits include: Blues for an Alabama Sky (Seattle Rep & Remy Bumppo Theatre); Last Night and The Night Before (Steppenwolf Theatre); Measure for Measure (Chicago Shakespeare Theater); Fences (American Blues Theater); and Middle Passage (Lifeline Theatre). Television: NCIS: Origins, Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D., 61st Street. Education: B.F.A. Acting – Roosevelt University/Chicago College of Performing Arts. Love and gratitude to God, my wife, and my mom. Jeremiah 29:11.

James Vincent Meredith

Wynton

Writers Theatre: The Dutchess of Malfi, Othello. Broadway: Skin of Our Teeth (LCT), Book Of Mormon (Eugene O’Neill, also National Tour), The Minutes, Superior Donuts (both Music Box). Local credits include work at Chicago Shakespeare, Goodman, Court, Victory Gardens and Steppenwolf (ensemble member since 2007). Recent Television: Fargo (FX), Emperor of Ocean Park (MGM), Your Honor (Showtime), 61st Street (AMC/CW)

AnJi White

Nina

AnJi White hails from the South Side of Chicago. White gives all praise to God for constantly guiding her throughout her career. She last appeared in Covenant & Fat Ham (Goodman Theatre). Some Chicago credits include East Texas Hot Links (Court Theatre, Jeff Award for Best Supporting Actress); For Colored Girls (Court Theatre Jeff Award for Best Ensemble); Sunset Baby (Black Theatre Alliance Award for Best Actress, TimeLine Theatre) and more. Regional credit: Paradise Blue (Studio Theatre in D.C., Helen Hayes for Outstanding Supporting Performer). TV credits include: Marvel’s Ironheart, Fargo, 61st Street and more. Matt 6:33

Kristin Ellis

Nina Understudy

Yomade Adefoso

Jay Understudy; Fish Understudy

Yomade Adefeso is a Nigerian actor from Evanston Illinois and a former Division 1 college football player for the University of Missouri and the University of Illinois as a wide receiver. He just finished leading an MMA film titled Street Fighters. His recent screen credits include Chicago Fire, ESPN and a global campaign for Under Armour. A lifelong athlete, Yomade brings physicality, discipline and a competitive spirit to his work onstage and onscreen.

Joel Gelman

Max Understudy

Joel’s incredibly grateful to be a small part of this lovely Chicago theatre community. Chicago credits include: Marriott Theatre: A Little Night Music (Mr. Lindquist), Titanic (Lightoller) & 1776 (John Hancock); Paramount: Frozen (King Agnarr); Drury Lane: Fiddler on the Roof (Lazar Wolf). Selected Regional credits: Ragtime at Flint Rep, Unnecessary Farce at Mason Street Warehouse, Sense and Sensibility at South Coast Repertory, Les Misérables at Hollywood Bowl, Tobacco Road at La Jolla Playhouse. TV credits: The Chi, The Bear, Chicago Med, South Side, Wolf Boy and the Everything Factory, The Mighty Ones, Modern Family, New Girl. MFA: UC San Diego, BA: WMU. Love & gratitude to Melissa.

Frederick Paul Williams

Wynton Understudy

The Book of Grace (Steppenwolf Theater), Jitney (Congo Square Theater), Pipeline (Victory Gardens Theater), NBC’s Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D. and Chicago Med, The Chi on Showtime and Empire on FOX. Also an accomplished voice actor, you may hear his work from time to time. A Chicago native, Frederick Paul Williams is truly grateful for the gift that acting gives… “I find joy in living the character”.

Creative

Marco Ramirez

Playwright

Kenya Hall

Dramaturg

Imani M. Ross*

Stage Manager

Tyrone Phillips

Director

Tyrone Phillips is the founding Artistic Director of Chicago’s Definition Theatre. Recipient of the 2022 Alumni Award for Diversity and Inclusion, he is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and has studied abroad at Shakespeare’s Globe. As a first generation Jamaican-American, Tyrone is passionate about equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility in the fine arts industry and has completed advanced anti-racism training to lead change in our community. Select theater credits: Definition Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare, Goodman, Steppenwolf, Writers, Old Globe, Berkeley Rep, Milwaukee Rep, St. Louis Rep and Stage 42 (off-broadway). Tyrone is currently adjunct faculty at DePaul University and serves on the Board of Directors for the League of Chicago Theaters. He is the recipient of the Inaugural Arts Midwest Peter Capell Award for Midwestern Creativity and Entrepreneurship and proud member of SDC, SAG-AFTRA and the NAACP. 

Lauren M. Nichols

Scenic Designer

At Writers Theatre: Dhaba on Devon Avenue, The Hot Wing King and Tiger Style!

Lauren is a Jeff-nominated freelance designer and model-maker native to Chicago. Writers credits include: The Hot Wing King and Tiger Style. Other credits include designs for Paramount Aurora, Steppenwolf for Young Adults, Marriott, Remy Bumppo, UIC, U Chicago, Rivendell, Lifeline, Steep, Jackalope, Harper College, Shattered Globe, Renaissance Theatreworks, Village Theatre in Seattle, Metropolis, The Gift Theatre, Firebrand, Teatro Vista, Raven, and BoHo. As an associate, she has worked on dozens of productions all over the country. She is currently finishing her 4th year as an adjunct professor at The Theatre School-DePaul University. MFA Northwestern. Member USA829. laurenangeldesigns.com

[Bio as of June 2025]

Rasell Holt

Choreographer & Movement Director

Mr. Holt is excited to be joining this production of The Royale. Credits include Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, American Shakespeare Center, KCRep, Geva Theatre Center, Hangar Theatre, American Stage Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare Theater and six seasons with American Players Theatre. Film/Television credits include Chicago PD on NBC, Drive Slow by Terrence Thompson and his first self written project, Main Event, directed by Derrick Moore. He is proudly represented by Stewart Talent. As always, for Jim Butchart and Emma Jean Raper. RasellHolt.com [BE HELPFUL. DON'T BE A DETRIMENT.]

Gregory Graham

Costume Designer

Gregory Graham- He/His - Coronation (Refracted Theatre); The Prodigal Daughter, Private Lives (Raven Theatre); Short Shakespeare! Romeo and Juliet (Chicago Shakespeare Theatre); Mothers (Gift Theater); The Writer (Steep Theatre); Blues for an Alabama Sky, Anna in the Tropics, Routes (Remy Bumppo Theatre); The Porch on Windyhill, Garbologist, Fireflies (Northlight Theatre); Once (Writers Theatre); Is God Is (A Red Orchid Theatre); 1919 (Steppenwolf Theatre); Ernest Shackleton Loves Me, RENT (Porchlight Music Theatre); Stokely: The Unfinished Revolution, The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice (Court Theatre). Education: BA in Theatre Design, University of Illinois at Chicago . www.gregorygrahamdesign.com

Jason Lynch

Lighting Designer

Jason Lynch returns to Writers Theatre, where he previously designed TWO SISTERS AND A PIANO (2026), EVERY BRILLIANT THING (2024-2025) and THE HOT WING KING (2024). Additional Chicago credits: Chicago Opera Theater, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Court Theatre, Drury Lane Theatre, Goodman Theatre, Northlight Theatre, Steppenwolf Theatre Company and TimeLine Theatre Company. Recent regional credits include work with Alley Theatre, Alliance Theatre, American Players Theatre, Arena Stage, Baltimore Center Stage, Barrington Stage Company, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, City Theatre Company, Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Detroit Opera, Geva Theatre Center, Guthrie Theater, Huntington Theatre Company, Indiana Repertory Theatre, Kansas City Repertory Theatre, Long Wharf Theatre, Milwaukee Repertory Theater, The Old Globe, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Seattle Repertory Theatre, Signature Theatre, Syracuse Stage and Washington National Opera. Jason is represented by The Gersh Agency. Visit jasondlynch.com. Instagram: @jasonlynch.design.


Stephanie Farina

Sound Designer

Stephanie Farina is a Chicago based sound designer, musical mixer and educator. This is Stephanie’s Writers Theatre debut. Other regional credits include Brokeback Mountain (Chicago Shakespeare Theatre); Nunsense, Sister Act, Beautiful and Ain’t Misbehavin’ (Drury Lane Theatre), Safronia (Lyric Opera); Highways and Valley (Michigan Opera Theatre); Annie and West Side Story (Musical Theatre Works); Titanique (Porchlight Music Theatre); Falsetto’s (Court Theatre); Dreamgirls (McCarter Theatre); Dreamgirls (McCarter Theatre); Revolution(s), The Color Purple, Naicrema Society, New Stages ’22-‘24 (Goodman Theatre); 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and Fannie (Indiana Rep). Stephanie’s mixing credits include: Blue, Twilight: Gods (Michigan Opera Theatre); Proximity, Factotum, Fiddler on the Roof, Twilight: Gods, West Side Story, Light in the Piazza, Jesus Christ Superstar (Lyric Opera of Chicago) and 10 years at the Goodman Theatre. Stephanie is the Head of Sound Design at The Theatre School at DePaul University, as well as a Journeymen in the IATSE Local 2 of Chicago.

Crew

See the Full Company

  • Assistant Stage Manager: Zoe Jennings
  • Crew Cover: Liesl Hoeldtke
  • Artist: Nikko Washington