A One-Night Special Event by Lawrence Theatre Company
THREE OG'S
A New Play Written and Directed By Derrell Lawrence
January 22, 2021 at 8pm
Journey down memory lane on a hot summer day with the Three OG’s as they reminisce about their 60-plus years of friendship: childhood, the Vietnam War, the fight against racial discrimination, and each of their unique life’s journeys. Three OG’s looks at the highs and lows of being an African American man in 20th century America. Enjoy the Three OG’s as they sit outside their South Philly apartment wrapping you in their lives. This is the newest show by Lawrence Theatre Company, which aims to bring opportunities and voice to the Philadelphia African American community.
All proceeds support Lawrence Theatre Company
$25 Suggested Donation
Registration is required.
Cast:
John Canada Terrell*
Damien J. Wallace*
Brian Anthony Wilson*
We wish to express our gratitude to the Performers’ Unions:
ACTORS’ EQUITY ASSOCIATION
AMERICAN GUILD OF MUSICAL ARTISTS
AMERICAN GUILD OF VARIETY ARTISTS
SAG-AFTRA
through Theatre Authority, Inc. for their cooperation in permitting the Artists to appear on this program.
John Canada Terrell's prolific acting career on stage dates back nearly 30 years and laid the groundwork for his activities as a producer of feature films. After appearing in more than 40 films, in 2004 John produced the award-winning comedy White Men Can’t Rap. He also appears in the role of "Fleet" in White Men. John was featured
as "Berry Gordy" in My Brother, Marvin, a hit stage play that toured the United States in 2007 that tells the tale of Marvin Gaye.
John launched his film career as "Greer Childs" in Spike Lee’s She’s Gotta Have It. Subsequently he has appeared in several major motion pictures, including Spike Lee’s Mo’ Better Blues, Robert Townsend’s The Five Heartbeats, and Reggie Hudlin’s Boomerang.
The NY theatrical community embraced John and he became an active member of: the Afro-American Theater Company, Hadley Players, the Frank Silvera’s Writer’s Workshop, Roundabout Theater Conservatory, the Actor’s Studio Film Workshop, and the Billie Holiday Theater Ensemble.
Damien J. Wallace is EgoPo's Artist-in-Residence this season, most recently seen in the multi-platform interactive adaptation of Dostoyevsky's Underground. He performed with EgoPo in both last season's production of Buried Child and in the 2018-2019 seasons production of Master Harold and the Boys.
Damien is also the Artistic Director of Lawrence Theatre Company, with which EgoPo has partnered this season.
Damien was formally trained under the tutelage of Lee Strasburg disciples, Ty Collins and Vernon Blackman, and holds a BFA Distinguished Honors degree in Theatre from Arcadia University. Damien is most known for his extensive work in the August Wilson century cycle. He was also in both the Philadelphia Theatre Company and People’s Light productions of Lynn Notage’s Sweat. Additionally, Damien appeared in the Arden Theatre Company’s productions of The Bluest Eye and The Legend of Georgia McBride.
Brian Anthony Wilson is a film and television actor whose career began with the 1997 film, The Postman. He is a native Philadelphian and has performed locally with the Arden Theatre Company in the Barrymore Award-winning production of August Wilson's Gem of the Ocean, and most recently paired with Jennifer Childs to create Patsy's Block Party for 1812 Productions digital programming.
Recent Theatre: Patsy's Block Party (1812 Productions), Looking Over The President's Shoulder (Act II Playhouse), Gem Of The Ocean (Arden * Barrymore Award for 'Outstanding Supporting Performance In A Play') & Thurgood (Olney Theatre Center). Film/TV selected credits : Glass, Oceans 8, Creed, Room 9, Limitless, The Arrangement, The Postman / FBI's: Most Wanted, Mare Of Easttown, Dispatches From Elsewhere, Wu-Tang: An American Saga, Siren, Bloodline, Gotham, Blue Bloods,The Sopranos & The Wire.
About Lawrence Theatre Company
Derrell Lawrence is an American actor, playwright, filmmaker, writer, director, executive producer, and upcoming author. He is best known for his feature film debut, “Life Isn’t Fair”(2007) as well as his work with the independent feature film “Happy Holidaze” (premiered in Philadelphia and Arkansas, 2008). He founded Lawrence Theatre Company in 2018 in order to produce year-round productions to entertain, inspire, educate and develop community interest in dramatic arts. Lawrence's' work also focuses on social issues such as drugs, sexual, physical and mental abuse, and domestic violence as a means of channeling healing through artistic expression. They aim to provide instruction in the area of the arts in urban communities; to provide facilities, equipment, and training for participants to engage in various forms of performance arts; to provide opportunities for participants to engage in performing arts while addressing social issues that impact the community; and to sponsor, host and participate in events and activities that promote performing arts in Philadelphia and other areas. Plays produced by Lawrence include Three OG's, The Funeral, Custody, and more.
Derrell and Lawrence have been recognized for their work in and out of Philadelphia: Derrell received the Highest Achievement for New Filmmaker at the Jokara-Micheaux Film Festival, the Silver Award and The People’s Choice Award from the Philadelphia International Film Festival and Market, a citation from the City of Philadelphia (presented by City Councilman Kenyatta Johnson), and Derrell was a 2019 Inductee into the South Philadelphia Cultural Hall of Fame. He has worked with The Orpheum Theatre, the Merriam Theater, the Walnut Street, the August Wilson Center, and the Symphony Space in NYC.
To learn more, please visit their website at www.lawrencetheatrecompany.org/.
