Baltimore Center Stage Announces Cast for the World Premiere of Bocking, Presented by Lena Waithe

BALTIMORE, MD—Baltimore Center Stage (BCS) proudly announces the award-winning cast and creative team for the world premiere of Bocking, running August 14–September 6, 2026, with opening night on August 22. Following the February premiere of trinity at BCS, which marked her playwriting and theatrical acting debut, Lena Waithe returns to Baltimore as the production's presenting producer.

“Lena's return to Baltimore Center Stage speaks to the creative partnership we've built and our shared commitment to championing bold, boundary-pushing work," said BCS Artistic Director Stevie Walker-Webb. “We’re thrilled to welcome Lena back after the incredible response to trinity and to build on the momentum of that collaboration. Her continued support of BCS reflects a shared commitment to amplifying artists and creating space for ambitious new stories to reach audiences in Baltimore and beyond.”

Bocking’s story begins when two children innocently repeat something overheard at home, landing their very embarrassed parents in the principal’s office. What follows is a chaotic chain of events involving a preacher, a so-called gay exorcism and a mysterious chicken named Danalana Parmesana. As the situation escalates, long-buried secrets, personal quirks and social taboos surface in a fast-paced comedy that refuses to behave.

The production is written by playwright, actor and musician Preston Crowder, whose work has been recognized by the National Black Theatre’s Soul Series, the Obsidian Theatre Festival and the Del Shores Foundation Writers Search. His plays center on Black and queer characters, often using humor to explore absurd and unexpected situations. His writing credits include Black to Save the Day, My Dead Boyfriend Is a Robot and Don’t Look Back, among others.

Bocking is directed by Tony Award-nominated, Obie Award-winning director, playwright and BCS Artistic Director Stevie Walker-Webb, whose work has been produced on and off Broadway and includes Oh Happy Day!, trinity and Ain’t No Mo’, among others.

The cast includes award-winning actor, producer, singer and television personality Kalen Allen as Erikson; Marchant Davis as Javon Wing; Sis Thee Doll as Rita Day; Rebecca Hargrove as Tianna Wing; Adrienne C. Moore as Stacey; Christopher Sears as Peer Day; and Lance Coadie Williams as Reverend White.

“Preston writes comedy that feels like the stuff I grew up on,” said Walker-Webb. “It’s got In Living Color in its DNA, but somehow also feels like it could only have been written today. It’s gloriously unhinged, completely unapologetic and impossible to play safe. The only way to do it justice was to find a cast that’s just as funny and just as willing to go for broke. We found them.”

Allen has reached millions worldwide through his social media and digital content. He was discovered by Ellen DeGeneres in 2018 and rose to prominence with his “Kalen Reacts” video series. During his time on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, he appeared at major entertainment events including the Billboard Music Awards and the MTV Video Music Awards.

In 2022, Allen co-hosted the Lemonada Media podcast “Raised by Ricki” with former talk show host Ricki Lake. He made his feature film acting debut in Seth Rogen’s HBO Max film An American Pickle. He made his Broadway debut in November 2024 as the store manager in Elf the Musical. He also covered the 2024 Democratic National Convention and served as a correspondent for CBS News during the 2024 election cycle.

Davis is a Brooklyn-based actor who appeared in two Broadway productions during the same season: Ain’t No Mo’ and Good Night, Oscar, starring Sean Hayes. He recently starred opposite Sydney Sweeney in Tina Satter’s HBO Max film Reality and in Love Language, directed by Joey Powers, which premiered at the 2026 SXSW Film & TV Festival.

Sis Thee Doll is an actor, performer and creative from Houston whose work spans stage, screen and live performance. Her theater credits include starring as Ado Annie in the national tour of Oklahoma!, appearing as a special guest in Jonas Brothers on Broadway and creating original live productions, including her annual holiday show, SISMAS, in New York City. She is also co-founder of Thee Open House Project, an initiative that expands access to live theater for marginalized and low-income communities while creating more accessible pathways to arts engagement.

Hargrove is returning to BCS, where she previously appeared as Mrs. Webb in Our Town, also directed by Stevie Walker-Webb. She is a two-time Grammy Award winner for Best Opera Album for the Metropolitan Opera’s Porgy and Bes” and Fire Shut Up in My Bones. Her stage credits include productions with Opera Philadelphia, the National Black Theatre and the Berkshire Theatre Group. On screen, Hargrove appeared in Hulu’s 2026 premiere of They Fight and has also appeared in FBI: Most Wanted and Law & Order.

Moore’s New York theater credits include Black Odyssey, directed by Stevie Walker-Webb, making Bocking the second production in which she has collaborated with Webb. She is also known for her role as Black Cindy in Netflix’s Orange Is the New Black, which earned three Screen Actors Guild Awards for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series. For her performance in the series, Moore won the 2017 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. She also shared Screen Actors Guild Awards for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series in 2014, 2015 and 2016.

Making his return to BCS, Sears has built a career on Broadway, Off-Broadway and regional stage productions, with a focus on new works and contemporary dramas. He most recently portrayed Johnny Dahl in the Broadway production of Cult of Love and joined the ensemble of the 2026 Broadway production of Dog Day Afternoon. On screen, Sears has appeared in HBO Max’s High Maintenance, New Amsterdam and Manifest. He is also developing a musical adaptation of What’s Eating Gilbert Grape with Bandits on the Run and author Peter Hedges.

Also returning to BCS, Williams is a Baltimore native and graduate of Baltimore School for the Arts. His Broadway credits include the Pulitzer Prize-winning play Sweat and Kiss Me, Kate. He has also appeared in productions at the Lincoln Center Theater, Wilma Theater and Everyman Theatre, among others. On screen, Williams has appeared in CBS’ The Good Fight, HBO Max’s High Maintenance and The Wire.

Full cast and creative team bios, and headshots can be found HERE.

This production launches BCS’ 2026–2027 10-show season, curated by Producing Director Ken-Matt Martin and Walker-Webb. The season features an ambitious lineup of world premieres, musical celebrations, family adventures and beloved American classics, reinforcing BCS’ renewed commitment to serving as both a national incubator for new theatrical works and a vital cultural destination for Baltimore audiences. To view the full season, visit https://www.centerstage.org.

Editor's Note:
This production contains explicit language and adult content. Parental discretion is advised.

Ticketing Information:
Tickets are available at www.centerstage.org/events/bocking/ by calling the BCS Box Office at 410-332-0033, or in person at the Box Office located at 700 North Calvert Street, Baltimore, MD 21202.

Media Information:
Members of the press are invited to the opening night performance at 7:30 PM on Saturday, August 22, or any performance thereafter. Please contact bcspr@profilespr.com to reserve tickets.

ABOUT BALTIMORE CENTER STAGE
Designated the State Theater of Maryland in 1978, Baltimore Center Stage provides the highest quality theater and programming for all members of our communities, including youth and families, under the leadership of Artistic Director Stevie Walker-Webb and Producing Director Ken-Matt Martin.

Baltimore Center Stage ignites conversations and imaginations by producing an eclectic season of professional productions across two mainstages, through engaging community programs, and with inspiring education programs. Everything we do at Baltimore Center Stage is led by our core values—chief among them being Access For All.

Our mission is heavily rooted in providing active and open accessibility for everyone, regardless of any and all barriers, to our Mainstage performances, education initiatives, and community programming. For more information, visit www.centerstage.org.

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