Ford’s Theatre Society announces cast and creatives for world premiere of ‘The American Five’

Chess Jakobs' play was originally commissioned through The Ford's Theatre Legacy Commissions, and now comes to life on stage with a cast making their Ford's debuts directed by Aaron Posner.

Ford’s Theatre Director Paul R. Tetreault has announced the cast and creative team of Chess Jakobs’ world premiere of The American Five. In a time of sweeping change and constant threat, five extraordinary individuals unite to shape a moment that would forever alter the course of American history. The American Five tells the powerful true story of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his closest allies — Coretta Scott King, Bayard Rustin, Stanley Levison and Clarence B. Jones — as they plan the March on Washington and craft the speech that would become a defining anthem of the civil rights movement. Their collaboration — grounded in strategy, sacrifice and an unshakable belief in equality — culminated in Dr. King’s iconic “I Have a Dream” speech and a collective call that continues to resonate today. With urgency and humanity, The American Five brings to life a behind-the-scenes story of how the Civil Rights Movement changed the soul of a nation.

The American Five was commissioned as part of The Ford’s Theatre Legacy Commissions, designed to serve as an artistic incubator for stories about unsung heroes responsible for changing the course of civil rights and equality in American life. All five actors in the production are making their Ford’s Theatre debuts, bringing fresh energy and new voices to this powerful world premiere.

“We are incredibly excited to open our 25/26 season with this world premiere, kicking off our year-long celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. The American Five exemplifies our mission by drawing us into a defining moment in our history — through the voices of those who dared to imagine a more perfect union. This play not only honors Dr. King and his circle, but also reminds us that real change has always come from courageous collaboration and moral clarity. It is a story for our time — and for all time,” said Ford’s Theatre Director Paul R. Tetreault.

The American Five invites us into the room where history was shaped — not by mythic figures, but by real people grappling with impossible choices, risk and hope. As artists, we’re drawn to those moments where private dialogue becomes public legacy,” said director Aaron Posner. “This play gives voice to the strategy, friction and humanity behind one of the most iconic speeches in American history. It’s not just a story about a march — it’s about the minds and hearts that made the march matter.”

Performances of the play begin September 19 and continue through October 12, 2025.

Tickets for performances of The American Five are now on sale and range from $26 to $53. Discounts are available for groups, senior citizens, military personnel and those between the ages of 21 and 40. The production is recommended for ages 12 and older.

About The American Five

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his inner circle imagined a pluralistic society in which equality and justice are guaranteed for all. In the face of surveillance, intimidation, arrests and life threats, five giants form a powerful coalition to advance civil rights and shape a defining moment in American history. Together, Dr. King, Coretta Scott King, Bayard Rustin, Stanley Levison and Clarence B. Jones plan the March on Washington and craft the speech that would galvanize the nation and inspire generations to advance America’s efforts to turn a dream into reality.

Creative Team

Chess Jakobs (Playwright) The American Five, received the Ford’s Theatre Legacy Commission in 2024. Chess’s credits include working on Broadway, Off-Broadway and at regional theaters including Ford’s Theatre, Olney Theatre, Steppenwolf, Indiana Rep., and Alliance Theatre.

Aaron Posner (Director) Ford’s: Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf and Born Yesterday. Playwright: Stupid Fucking BirdLife SucksNo SistersJQADistrict MerchantsWho Am I This Time? & Other Conundrums of LoveThe ChosenMy Name Is Asher Lev, and many more.

The Cast

Aaron Bliden (Stanley); Ro Boddie (Martin); Renea S. Brown (Coretta); Yao Dogbe (Clarence); and Stephen Conrad Moore (Bayard) are all making their Ford’s debut.

The Designers

Andrew R. Cohen (Ford’s debut) is the scenic designer. Cody Von Ruden (Ford’s debut) is the costume designer. Max Doolittle (Ford’s: Sister ActLittle Shop of HorrorsMy Lord, What a Night) is the lighting designer. Kathy Ruvuna (Ford’s debut) is the sound designer. Mona Kasra (Ford’s debut) is the projection designer. Danna Rosedahl (Ford’s: Little Shop of HorrorsSomething MovingThe Trip to BountifulMy Lord, What a NightFences) is the hair and make-up designer. Rachel Hirshorn-Johnston is the dialects and voice director.

Accessibility and Special Performances

At Ford’s Theatre, we are committed to ensuring visitors of all abilities can experience the performances, exhibits, history and programs our site has to offer. Ford’s Theatre is accessible to persons with disabilities, offering wheelchair accessible seating in both the rear orchestra and balcony sections, accessible restrooms and audio enhancement. For more, visit the accessibility page on our website.

Audio-described performances of The American Five are Thursday, October 2 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, October 11 at 2 p.m. An ASL sign-interpreted performance is scheduled for Thursday, October 9 at 7 p.m. Accessible seating is available in the rear orchestra.

Beginning Tuesday, September 23, 2025, all performances of The American Five will be captioned via the GalaPro App. GalaPro is available from the App Store or Google Play and allows patrons to access captioning on demand through their phone or tablet device. Patrons can set their phones to airplane mode and connect to the local GalaPro WiFi network before the performance begins. More information at www.fords.org/visit/accessibility/galapro-captioning.

Free First Preview: September 19, 2025, at 7:30 p.m.

Ford’s Theatre partners with TodayTix to give out free tickets for the first performance of each mainstage production in its theatrical season. Tickets are available via the TodayTix app, beginning 9 a.m. ET on September 15 for the September 19 7:30 p.m. performance of The American Five. Visit www.fords.org/whats-happening/discounts/first-free-preview for lottery entry details. Discounts are available for groups, senior citizens, military personnel and young professionals. The lottery will close at 11:59 p.m. on September 17.

Teacher Preview Workshop: September 23, 2025 at 7 p.m.

Student matinees for The American Five are on Friday, October 3, 2025 and Wednesday, October 8, 2025 at 12 p.m. Learn more on the Ford’s Theatre website.

Public Programs

As a companion to the production, Ford’s is offering virtual and in-person programming to delve deeper into the history and theatrical perspectives of this piece.

Cabinet Conversations: The American Five

Live Stream: September 27, 12:30-1:30 p.m.

History often highlights a few names, but lasting change in American democracy is powered by many voices. Explore some of the unsung heroes of the civil rights movement, the challenges of preserving their stories and the enduring inspiration of the “I Have a Dream” speech at the Lincoln Memorial. Join Ford’s for this enlightened conversation with playwright Chess Jakobs and director Aaron Posner from the Ford’s Theatre World Premiere production of The American Five.

Registration for this live stream event will be available in August. Please check back on fords.org for more information.

About Ford’s Theatre Society

One of the most visited sites in the nation’s capital, Ford’s Theatre reopened its doors in 1968, more than a hundred years after the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. Operated through a partnership between Ford’s Theatre Society and the National Park Service, Ford’s Theatre is the premier destination in the nation’s capital to explore and celebrate Abraham Lincoln’s life and legacy.

Ford’s Theatre Society was founded under the guidance of executive producer Frankie Hewitt, who, during her 35-year tenure, established Ford’s as a living, working theatre producing performances that highlighted the diversity of the American experience. Since the arrival of Paul R. Tetreault as Director, critics and the theatergoing public have recognized Ford’s for the superior quality of its artistic programming. With works from the Tony Award-nominated Come From Away and the nationally acclaimed Big River, to the world premieres of Grace, Meet John Doe, The Heavens Are Hung In Black, Liberty Smith, Necessary Sacrifices, The Widow Lincoln and The Guard, Ford’s Theatre is making its mark on the American theater landscape. Under the current leadership of Board of Trustees Chairman Phebe N. Novakovic and through the lens of Lincoln’s leadership and legacy, Ford’s today endeavors to advance Lincoln’s “unfinished work” with programs and performances that cultivate empathy, encourage dialogue and bridge divides in American life.