‘Zooman and the Sign’ delivers powerful performances in FTC’s intimate Studio Theatre

By Clarissa Biener

The Theatre Arts Department at Five Towns College opened its first show of the Spring semester, Zooman and the Sign, by Charles Fuller, on February 19th.

Zooman and the Sign, directed by Kaelem Von Camper, follows a Black family in Philadelphia as they process the death of their daughter, Jinny, who is inadvertently killed during a gun violence altercation. When their neighbors remain silent, the family struggles to find those responsible for Jinny’s death. The play, written in 1980, is still relevant in today’s society, as discussed in the director’s note.  “We live in a world saturated with information, outrage, and commentary,” reads Camper’s note, “yet when real accountability is required, when truth demands risk, we often retreat.”

The play also follows the titular character, Zooman, a gang member who shot Jinny while aiming for a different person. “The production leans into the idea that Zooman is not just one person,” Camper’s note continues, “but a symbol of unchecked power, of violence left unchallenged, of what grows when a community is taught that speaking up costs too much.”

The play double cast the roles of Zooman and Jinny’s parents, Rachel and Rueben. The West Philly Cast features Jeremy Thomas, Zarai Rosa, and Jamil Denard Jr., and the North Philly cast features Jeremiah Watts, Mya Danae, and Charles Houser.

Five Town College’s Studio Theatre creates an intimate space. “It just makes it so that we can connect to the audience in a way that’s very hard to do with a big space,” said Camper. Rachel’s grief is palpable as she stares down the audience, bringing them in and making them hold their breath. Rueben’s determination to find his daughter’s murderer confronts the audience with the question of what defines a community. Zooman, Jinny’s murderer, develops a unique relationship with the audience, as most of his scenes are him talking directly to the audience.

David Whitehead, who plays Jinny’s brother Victor, shines as he delivers a heartbreaking monologue remembering his sister. The monologue is enhanced by the lighting design team of students Asher Zive and Sydney Riley, as pink light falls on Jinny’s bloody teddy bear, her memory alive through Victor’s love.

Characters like Emmett (Demetrius Reveil), Ash (Nataliyah Arencibia), and Grace (Jodi Jordan) balance the heavy themes with comedic levity, and actors Omar Sealey (Russell) and Karim Carpenter (Donald) round out the cast.

The play is fleshed out with popular music like “Gangsta’s Paradise” (Coolio ft. L.V.) and the cast’s acapella rendition of “I Want Jesus to Walk with Me.” Stage manager Kat Dice hits the sound cues and light cues perfectly. Costume designer Zarai Rosa and hair and makeup designer Symone Hammond contribute to the play’s realism, elevating the characters into tangible people the audience could recognize in their own lives. Joe Kenny’s set design maximizes the limited space of the Studio Theatre and creates what feels like an entire neighborhood in just one room.

After many laughs, cheers, and tears from the audience, the cast received a standing ovation during the bows. Audience members raved about the performance. “I did not know at all what it was about [before seeing the play],” said Musical Theatre major Jason Torres. “I went in there, and I laughed, I cried, it was emotional, and it was just, it was really good.”

Back in the lobby, the cast was once again embraced by audience members, family, and friends after a successful opening night performance. The cast rode the wave of excitement and adrenaline, their first performance of a four-show run. “I am more than relieved. I’m happy,” said Acting major David Whitehead. “Yeah, my energy is just, I don’t even know what’s happening.”

Fellow cast member and Acting major Demetrius Reveil echoed the sentiment. “We came a long way from beginning to now,” said Reveil. “To show this thing in front of people, especially on this month, I’m very, very happy how far we’ve come. I’m very proud of the cast.”

Zooman and the Sign is a deeply moving show, with each piece of the puzzle coming together to deliver performances that allow audiences to create a personal connection. “I was very blessed to do [Zooman and the Sign] because it’s something that means a lot to me, you know, being a Philly kid and losing people to gun violence,” said Camper.

FTC’s Theatre Arts Department presents two more shows this semester: NINE, The Musical, March 5th through March 8th, and Angels in America, Part One: Millennium Approaches, April 9th through April 12th.