Black in Thyme

Dear Audience.

Thank you for joining us for Black In Thyme. This production would not have been possible without the incredible dedication of our cast and crew, and the generous support of the Purchase Faculty. I’ve always been drawn to this story because it’s not just a story of Black history. It’s a story that anyone can apply to their own story, history, and ancestor perseverance. In our rehearsals, we explored what it means to know who you are in this world, and how you can make it a better place because of it, and this talented group of artists brought fresh life to it in ways I never expected. My hope is that you leave the theater thinking about your own history, or at the very least, feeling a little more confident in the value you bring to this world because of it. Enjoy the show!
Warmly,

Maley - Director

A note from the playwright:

Dear Audience,

I would like to thank you all for coming to see Black In Thyme. I started to write this script last year when my director Maley came to me with a proposal to do a joint Senior Project. I can not have imagined it would have blossomed into the full production it is now. I hope you all enjoy the original story and are each able to take away something from this production. I’d like to also thank the cast and crew because without them none of this would have been possible. Enjoy the show!

Best,

CHRISTIAN

Maley Naj (Director/Co-writer /Langston Regnald Price) has performed on stage, in film, and voice-over in and out of university. Naj decided to make their stage-directing debut with the beautiful student-original-script they will be performing! “All I can say is, I hope you enjoy the rollercoaster known as Black In Thyme!”

Christian Elijah Smikle (co-playwright/co-director/ Uncle Chris (very on the nose, he knows). This play means a lot to him. It’s the culmination of everything he’s learned during histime at Purchase. Thanks for coming to see Black In Thyme!

Evan Dufresne (He/ Him) (Mark)-  Junior Screenwriting major at Purchase. He believes this play gives him a chance to be a part of a meaningful, unique story and improve his acting skills. He believes that playing as the lead is an honor and being a part of this crew is a pleasure.

Jada, the lovingly Jazmin/Keisha for Black In Thyme! They are a freshman THP major who loves anime, all things animation and don’t forget musicals . Their favorite show right now is Ninjago. And some words of advice they wish to share are “If you can’t eat dreams then I don’t want to eat”

Issys Wiggins is playing the role of Tasha for Black in Thyme! She is a freshman pursuing a Theater and Performance major. She’s been a part of various productions during her high-school career such as: She Kills Monsters, Dracula: A feminist revenge fantasy, The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical, and so on. As well as three off-broadway productions which include: Grooves, Until Tomorrow Comes, and Breakfast Served All Day. She’s thrilled for you all to see Black in Thyme and hopes you enjoy the show her peers have worked so hard to put on!!

Nathan Collazo, pronouns: He/him/his, acting experience: two years of high school acting and four years of voice acting, Year: Junior, and it will be the last year.

Jessica De Peiza Archili is a junior Theatre Performance major at SUNY Purchase. Last semester, she performed in Everybody at SUNY Purchase and showcased her talents as a dancer in both the Dance Block Festival and the Hoboken Dance Festival. In addition to performing, Jessica has a strong passion for design. She has contributed as both a set and costume designer for A Midsummer Night’s Dream. An all around artist, Jessica is thrilled to be a part of black in Tyme and grateful for the opportunity to continue growing as an artist.

 Ben Koeberle (he/him) (Officer Johnson and Officer Randy) Before Purchase, he had a co-lead role in an independent short film called RANCID OR, NO YELLING IN THE LIBRARY that is available to watch on Vimeo. He appeared in stage productions of THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST and PRIDE AND PREJUDICE at Finger Lakes Community College (FLCC). At Purchase, he has acted in stage productions of TWELFTH NIGHT (2024-2025), MACBETH (2025), PHAEDRA’S LOVE (2025), and THE STATION (2025). You can also see him this semester in the Moliere play THE BOURGEOIS GENTLEMAN as part of the Acting the Classics class here at the college, playing the role of Covielle. He has also done background work and worked as an extra on the Academy Award-nominated films NIGHTMARE ALLEY (2021) and MARTY SUPREME (2025) along with the upcoming limited series CRYSTAL LAKE. Aside from acting, he is also a budding playwright. For his senior project, he is involved in a reading for a play that he wrote called CLAYTON SHERMAN 1953. He feels grateful and honored to be working with a highly talented cast and crew in his last semester here at Purchase. Thanks everyone!

Jade Tallie (she/her) (Angela/Officer Gabrielle), a senior here at SUNY Purchase College as a Theater and Performance Major. Her first acting experience at Purchase,  was Phaedra’s Love, where she played one of the ensemble. She also has experience staging at Dutchess Community College where she was in charge of props. She is grateful to have this opportunity to work on this play with an amazing cast and crew, who helped her to break out of her shell since it’s her last year here, and she wants to use the skills of creativity and confidence to pursue acting in the Future.

 R.J. Christiano (Duke and Issac) Theater and Performance Major here at SUNY Purchase College, as a senior. RJ believes it is a great honor as an actor and collaborator to be part of a phenomenal show with a great story ahead. His acting experience here at Purchase includes: a Knight in the Old Republic of Alexanderia (2022), a zombie in a short film (2023), and Deadweight (film) (2024) in the production of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night as Malvolio (2025). Forever, he is grateful not only as an actor and collaborator, but also to be an artist who made a long journey to become who he isas an artist, and hopes to become more articulate and craft his skills to become a great actor for the future.

Ykim Aye (Tyrell/Police Chief), a last-year literature major who’s spent most of his time buried in books and overanalyzing everything he reads. “I’m not funny at all—like, genuinely—but I make up for it with thoughtful insight and a love for storytelling. I tend to be more reflective than outgoing, and I care a lot about meaning and depth. As I get closer to graduating, I’m focused on finding my voice and what I want to do with it.”

Izaiah Cardona, playing as the cool “Johnny” and the badass “Barlow” in the greatest show “Black In Thyme”! He has been in a couple of plays like “Willy Wonka Jr.” in middle school, and “Spanish Little Black Girl” and “Twelfth Night” during his time at college. He may be goofy and weird, but he at least doesn’t bite, from what I know of. He loves anime, DC, and Marvel flicks or TV shows. He is soo stoked to join and help his friends produce this one of a kind masterpiece and hopes that everyone enjoys it.