Chicago theater has been forced to improvise. When COVID-19 caused Congo Square’s production of Douglas Turner Ward’s classic satire Day of Absence to close early, Charlique Rolle, the new managing director, led the company in exploring how they could adapt to the virtual realm. The result is a new online sketch comedy series, featuring a quartet of actors creating work in ensemble.
For Congo Square ensemble member and HOTB cast member Kelvin Roston Jr., the transition has been a refreshing experience. “I am a dramatic actor. I take my hat off to comedians and comic actors, because this stuff is tough. Before Day of Absence, I had done Oedipus Rex at the Court Theatre, and prior to that, King Hedley II. I am pleased to be able to do this, it’s a departure from what I normally do.” However, don’t be fooled—this isn’t Roston’s first foray into comedy. “After I first moved here from Saint Louis, I was working at Navy Pier for the entertainment department. They had a whole pirate theme. My group was the Buccaneers and we had a fight choreography sketch comedy show that we did about five shows a day.”
Banks’s journey from acting to film had an unexpected catalyst. “I had been a musician [trumpet], but then my younger cousin got murdered. I had a little stage fright before I got into all of this stuff, but after that happened, then I was never afraid. Your time is limited, there’s no reason to be afraid of anything.” For Banks, his connection with Congo Square has been creatively transformative. “I got introduced to August Wilson because of them. Then you have to do your research, and you find out that he’s the greatest writer that ever lived. Flat out. And the greatest writer that ever lived, he only talked about Black stories. When you hear that, that motivates you.”
Through 3/31, available online anytime, congosquaretheatre.org, F.
