Park’s ‘Underdog’ to showcase at Iphulo Drama Festival in South Africa March 14
By Editor
THE internationally acclaimed production of Topdog/Underdog, written by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Suzan-Lori Parks, has been invited to perform at the prestigious Iphulo Drama Festival at Mandela Bay Theatre in Gqeberha, South Africa from March 14 – 15, 2025. Directed by ‘Niyi Coker, Jr., and produced by Rebecka Jackson and ‘Niyi Coker, Jr., this powerful two-hander stars Abraham Amkpa as Lincoln and Tajh Bellow as Booth. The production brings to life Parks’ searing examination of brotherhood, survival, and the echoes of history that shape identity and destiny.
Speaking about the production, director ‘Niyi Coker, Jr. emphasized its enduring relevance across cultures and continents, calling it a timely and universal narrative,
“Topdog/Underdog is a play that resonates across time, space, and culture. It speaks to the wrecking of the Black family, the weight of parental decisions, and the complexities of sibling rivalry. It is an honour to bring this production to South Africa, where its themes find deep resonance in the national and cultural consciousness.”
This production marks a significant cultural exchange, highlighting the shared experiences of struggle, resilience and identity across the African diaspora. The invitation to the Iphulo Drama Festival underscores the production’s artistic excellence and global relevance.
The stellar cast and creative team include Lincoln – Abraham Amkpa, Booth – Tajh Bellow, Director – ‘Niyi Coker, Jr., with producers being Rebecka Jackson and ‘Niyi Coker, Jr. and scenic and set design being Paloma Rabinov.
Abraham Amkpa is a distinguished actor and filmmaker. He is a lecturer at the School of Theatre, Television, and Film at San Diego State University, alumnus of the NYU Tisch School of the Arts and the New York Film Academy. With a decade of experience in film and television, Amkpa has appeared in acclaimed productions including Law & Order, Fresh Off the Boat, and Boomerang. He also coaches actors for popular TV series such as Roswell, Lovecraft Country, and Silo.
Prof. Niyi Coker, Jr
Best known for his role as Dr. TJ Ashford on ABC’s General Hospital, Tajh Bellow is a Daytime Emmy-nominated actor with an impressive resume spanning film and television. His work includes Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story with Cuba Gooding Jr., NCIS, 9-1-1: Lone Star, Bosch, and Calling for Love. A classically trained actor, Bellow studied at Oxford University’s Magdalen College and holds a Bachelor of Science in Digital Filmmaking from the Los Angeles Film School.
A versatile producer and filmmaker, Rebecka Jackson is the owner of Lornabell Studios and has produced projects for Planned Parenthood, The Getty, PBS, and Google. With an MFA from CalArts, her work spans social justice, multimedia storytelling, and high-profile cultural initiatives.
A Professor at San Diego State University, ‘Niyi Coker, Jr. is a celebrated director and filmmaker. His credits include the award-winning documentary Ota Benga – Human at the Zoo and the musical Miriam Makeba – Mama Africa, which toured internationally. Coker is also the founding director of the “Africa World Documentary Film Festival” (AWDFF), whose films have won Best Film prizes at both the Madrid and London International Film Festivals.
This staging of Topdog/Underdog has been developed with the generous support of the Harriet Tubman Center for Social Justice in Los Angeles, which provided a dedicated rehearsal space for the team to immerse themselves in the text and character development. The production also extends its heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Sesanti Mphiwe, Mr. Monde Ngoyama, and the Mandela Bay Theatre for their gracious invitation to be part of the 2025 Iphulo Drama Festival.
Audiences in Gqeberha will have the rare opportunity to witness this dynamic production as it takes the stage at the Mandela Bay Theatre on March 14 & 15, 2025. The performances promise to be an electrifying and thought-provoking experience that will resonate deeply with South African and international audiences alike.
For media inquiries, interviews, or ticket information, please contact: https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/EventCategories.aspx?itemid=1563530748 and https://mandelabaytheatre.co.za/.
