Upcoming
〰️
Upcoming 〰️
The Great Lover
Written by Alexandre Dumas
at The International Black Theatre Festival
WHO: North Carolina Black Repertory Company a NC Black Rep Experience
WHAT: International Black Theatre Festival presents The Great Lover by Alexandre Dumas
WHEN: Friday, July 31, 2:00pm & 8:00pm
Saturday, August 1, 2:00pm & 8:00pm
WHERE: Winston-Salem Theatre Alliance
650 West 6th Street, Winston-Salem, NC
TICKETS CLICK LINK BELOW:
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Become part of our journey! Your donation will help send the cast and creative team of The Great Lover to the prestigious International Black Theatre Festival, where Robey is honored to represent Los Angeles and celebrate the excellence of Black theatre on an international stage.
MEET THE PLAYWRIGHT ALEXANDRE DUMAS
Alexandre Dumas was one of the most celebrated and prolific writers of the 19th century, whose works continue to captivate audiences worldwide.
Born on July 24, 1802, in Villers-Cotterêts, France, Dumas was the son of Thomas-Alexandre Dumas.
His father was a distinguished general in Revolutionary France and the first man of AFRICAN descent to achieve such rank in the French army. His heritage and upbringing instilled in him both a love of adventure and a sensitivity to questions of justice and honor that would echo throughout his writings.
Although Dumas is best known today as the novelist behind The Three Musketeers, The Count of Monte Cristo, and The Man in the Iron Mask, he first achieved fame as a playwright. In the 1820s and 1830s, he wrote a series of highly successful plays that brought him acclaim in the vibrant world of Parisian theatre. His dramatic works, known for their fast pace, memorable characters, and mix of romance and political intrigue, made him one of the most popular dramatists of his era.
Dumas was a pioneer of French Romanticism, alongside contemporaries such as Victor Hugo. His plays combined wit, spectacle, and an unerring sense of human drama. He was celebrated as the “uncrowned king of Parisian theatre.” The Great Lover, one of his early successes, demonstrates his talent for weaving together themes of passion, mischief, and social satire with a flair that delighted audiences for generations.
Over the course of his career, Dumas produced more than 100 plays and novels, and countless short stories. His works have been translated into more than 100 languages, making him one of the most widely read French authors in history. He passed away on December 5, 1870, leaving behind a literary legacy of swashbuckling adventure, romance, and timeless characters.
Today, Alexandre Dumas stands as a towering figure in world literature, remembered for his ability to transport audiences into worlds of daring, intrigue, and unforgettable drama.
Meet the Cast of The Great Lover
Tiffany Coty-Goines - Marquiese De Prie
Tiffany Coty-Goines is a SAG-AFTRA actor and longtime Robey Theatre Company member. Her performance as the Marquise de Prie in The Great Lover earned her the 2026 NAACP Theatre Award for Best Lead Actress. She appears in BMF, Johnson, and Tyler Perry's Sistas.
Jenny Cadena - Mariette her maid
Jenny Cadena (SAG-AFTRA) is an actor, Associate Producer of The Robey Theatre Company, and Board Member of the Los Angeles Women's Theatre Festival. The 2026 NAACP Theatre Award nominee for Best Supporting Actress, she is honored to join the International Black Theatre Festival.
Dan Gbrayes - A servant
Dane Gbrayes reprises the role of the Servant in The Great Lover. A graduate of California State University, Los Angeles, he joined Robey through the Advanced Scene Study Workshop and proudly contributed the French pronunciations used throughout the production.
Julio Hanson - Duke de Richelieu
Julio Hanson is an Afro-Panamanian actor, playwright, singer, teaching artist, and Robey Theatre Company board member. His performance as the Duke de Richelieu in The Great Lover earned a 2026 NAACP Theatre Award nomination for Best Lead Actor.
CJ Obilom - Gabrielle De Belle-Isle
CJ Obilom is a Nigerian American SAG-AFTRA actor and University of Texas graduate. Her performance as Gabrielle de Belle-Isle in The Great Lover earned a 2026 NAACP Theatre Award nomination for Best Lead Actress. Film and television credits include Grand Crew and The Black Hamptons.
Kermit C. Burns - Count D’Aumont
Kermit C. Burns is an actor and photographer whose credits include Green Book, Queen Sugar, The Pitt, and Colored People's Time. He is delighted to reprise the role of Count D'Amount in The Great Lover at the International Black Theatre Festival.
Josh Bruce - Chevalier Chamblay
Joshua Bruce is a Los Angeles-based actor, producer, and co-founder of 50 Miles East Productions. His performance as Baron de Manicamp in The Great Lover earned the 2026 NAACP Theatre Award for Best Supporting Actor. His feature film Caiman streams on Amazon Prime.
Jason Mimms - Lieutenant Sevran
Jason Mimms is a Chicago-born actor, writer, and mentor. A 2026 NAACP Theatre Award nominee for Best Lead Actor in The Great Lover, his credits include Cherish the Day, Boy Bye, Stuck With You, and mentoring foster youth through Kids in the Spotlight.
Talmadge Talib - Chamillac
Talmadge Talib is an actor, entrepreneur, and Studio IV Acting Conservatory graduate. A Robey Theatre Company alumnus and Aubrey Award nominee, he is committed to creating meaningful work that challenges stereotypes and uplifts communities through the performing arts.
PLAYWRIGHTS LAB
✍🏾 Playwrights Lab
Facilitated by Resident Dramaturg Reginald Edmund
📅 Saturdays via zoom 10 am to 1 pm (PT).
Spots are limited — submit today:
ADVANCED SCENE STUDY WORKSHOP
✨ Advanced Scene Study Workshop (ASSW)
Led by Ben Guillory
📅 Meets Monday from 7pm to 10 pm
💵 $500
Space is Limited. Submit today.