Playwright, actress, politician, activist – Cat Brooks has made a huge impact in the Oakland community and we’re pleased to have her as our next guest. I had the pleasure of stage managing her one woman show Tasha that played last year at Z Below, and now Bottled Spirits, a film written by her, directed by Elizabeth Carter and starring Margo Hall, will be showing at the New Parkway Theatre (474 24th Street in Oakland) on February 18th. We talk with Cat about Activist Theatre, her upbring and what new plans she has in the future.
You can purchase tickets for Bottled Spirits here: https://www.stellartickets.com/o/black-lives-black-words-international-project/events/films-for-the-people-bottled-spirits/occurrences/0975d3e1-5829-4ef9-b652-2ae5cfebbe34
Cat has her own Wikipedia page – you can view it here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cat_Brooks
You can learn more about Cat from her personal website:
https://www.catbrooks.org
We also want to thank Charles Blades Barbershop for sponsoring The Yay! Charles Blades Barbershop is located at 180 Second Street in downtown Oakland. It’s a very cool, relaxing place where you can get your cuts and they’ll even serve you a complimentary drink. Charles is also selling men’s hair products on his website https://cbbgroominingproducts.myshopify.com
Hair Gels, Pomades, Shampoos and Conditioners. Hop online, give the products a try and support minority businesses like my man Charles Blades. Book an appointment online here: https://www.cbb.hair
Plethos Productions (run by Karin & Jon Richey – Episode 185) has a fundraiser going on to create a new theatre space in downtown Hayward! As part of the fundraising campaign, Plethos is hosting a retreat at Camp Monologa on the weekend of July 26-28. Along with a host of teaching classes by some of the best bay area theatre artists, The Yay will be hosting a live episode taping, plus gourmet kid-camp inspired food by Mad Creationz served at the Mess Hall, a swimming hole, wine and paint night, plus and so much more!
You can find more about the fundraiser and give a donation here: https://givebutter.com/letsplethos
SHOWS:
People Where They Are (San Jose Stage)
Jan 31 – Feb 25
Terrance Smith (Episode 102) is in the show
https://www.thestage.org/people-where-they-are
Aren’t You.. (The Marsh)
Feb 10 – March 2
Fred Pitts (Episode 256) wrote and is acting in his popular one man show
https://themarsh.org/shows_and_events/marshstream/fred-pitts-arent-you/
A Little Night Music (South Bay Musical Theatre)
Jan 27 – Feb 17
Nick Mandracchia (Episode 43) is in the show
https://southbaymt.com/shows/ticket-sales/a-little-night-music/
Legally Blonde (Foothill Musical Theatre)
March 1 – 17
Melissa Momboisse (Episode 140) is in the show
https://foothill.edu/theatre/productions/legally_blonde.html
Not Therapy (Cutting Ball)
Feb 16-18
Radhika Rao is doing the one woman show
https://cuttingball.com
Boss McGreedy (Central Works)
March 2 – 31
Gary Graves (Episodes 24 & 277) has written and directed the show
https://centralworks.org/boss-mcgreedy/
Manhatta (Aurora Theatre)
Feb 9 – March 10
Linda Amayo-Hassan (Episode 83) is in the show
https://www.auroratheatre.org/index.php/shows-events/20232024-season/Manahatta
Big Data (ACT)
Feb 15 – March 10
Norman Gee is an understudy in the show
https://sfsketchfest.com/2024-lineup/
Unpacking in P’Town (New Conservatory Theatre Center)
March 1 – 31
Kimberly Ridgeway (Episodes 155 and 251) is directing the show
https://nctcsf.org
As You Like It (SF Shakes)
Feb – May in various areas
Jen Coogan (Episode 239) is part of the musical creative team for this show
https://sfshakes.org/tour/
Reg Clay (@Reg_Clay)
Norman Gee (@WhosYrHoosier)
