Actors’ Warehouse Brings Notable ‘Hidden Figure’ Front and Center

When it comes to trailblazing women in African American history, the name Anna Mac Clarke doesn’t roll off the tongue with quite the ease of, say, Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, Althea Gibson or Maya Angelou.

However, Clarke’s contributions are still noteworthy in that she broke ground for women of color in the military during World War II. She was the first African American to be in charge of an all-white regiment in the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC).

Clarke’s story comes to life beginning Friday night when the Actors’ Warehouse presents The Colored Door at the Train Depot. There are performances Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights at 8 and Sundays at 3 p.m. through Feb. 17.

The play is the first installment of the AW’s community–engagement project, “The American Black Experience: Then & Now,” a social and cultural criticism of racism in America with an important historical lens. The second production is Dominique Morisseau’s Pipeline, which will be staged March 15-31 at the Actors’ Warehouse, 619 NE 1st St.

“The American Black Experience: Then & Now,” funded by a grant from the Florida Humanities Council, also includes four Community Conversation public round-table events, each addressing different themes. The first such community-engagement event is Feb. 12 from 6:30-9 p.m. at the United Church of Gainesville, 1624 NW 5th Ave.

The Colored Door at the Train Depot, written by Nancy Gall-Clayton, traces the improbable story of Clarke, who was born in rural Kentucky in 1919 and raised by her illiterate grandmother. The play follows Clarke as she defies odds and fights for racial justice in the military.

“She rose rapidly to become a lieutenant and command an all-white WAAC unit,” said Karelisa Hartigan, who is directing The Colored Door at the Train Depot. “She had a college degree in sociology and economics and wanted to prove that African Americans could do the same jobs as whites could do. It’s very obvious racism she had to face.”

Hartigan first became interested in the play two years ago when she attended the Comparative Drama Conference in Orlando. The Colored Door at the Train Depot was chosen for a reading there.

“I saw some scenes from the play and then talked with the playwright,” Hartigan said. “I told her we’d like to do it.”

Based in Indiana, Gall-Clayton has written more than 80 plays with a focus on historic women and events. She is expected to attend Friday’s Opening Night performance with family members.

“I am deeply honored to be sharing the story of Lt. Anna Mac Clarke’s brief life …”
–— playwright Nancy Gall-Clayton

“I am deeply honored to be sharing the story of Lt. Anna Mac Clarke’s brief life, especially in the state where Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune’s legacy is so rich,” Gall-Clayton said.

“Individuals behind the scenes — especially director Karelisa Hartigan, artistic director Steven H. Butler and costumer Loren Smyth — gave their all and much, much more to bring this play to the stage. As a playwright, I couldn’t feel more welcomed here.”

Cristina Palacio, the play’s assistant director, said that Clarke is a new but important figure to introduce to American history.

“It’s great that we are bringing forth a new icon,” she said. “This is a strong woman, someone you don’t know but who played a very important role in advancing African American rights and dignity in the military. She broke barriers working against significant odds.”

Amanda Edwards, who plays the central character in The Colored Door at the Train Depot, said she was not familiar with Anna Mac Clarke until she got the role.

“I read up on her, but there’s not a whole lot out there about her,” Edwards said. “What I know is that she was very brave, smart, very caring, driven and purposeful. She was really about dismantling racial injustice in general. She found her purpose in the military.”

Edwards, who works for the UF Foundation, had the title role in By the Way, Meet Vera Stark at the Gainesville Community Playhouse in 2017. She previously starred at the Actors’ Warehouse in 2016’s Single Black Female and The Mountaintop.

She said playing a historical character such as Anna Mac Clarke is gratifying.

“It’s an honor to play her and to tell her story,” Edwards said. “She’s a hidden figure and it’s always a joy to uncover those and to tell the world about these brave women.”

The ensemble cast for The Colored Door at the Train Depot also includes Tonya Lewis, Rachel Cockrell, Sontoya Johnson, Kara Parham, Cole Kirchen, Lee Wallace and R. Scott Lukacovic.

As a gift to the community, the Actors’ Warehouse is offering free tickets to all Thursday and Friday night performances, including Opening Night. For Saturday and Sunday performances, tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for seniors and students.