News from the TJ Crowley Audio Drama!

FROM: May Wuthrich and Grant Overstake, Producers and Co-Authors

RE: We’re excited to share the latest updates with you!

Distribution by Blackstone Audio! 

We're delighted to announce the release date of Tuesday, June 11th, 2024 by Blackstone Audio, one of the world's largest independent audiobook publishers. Pre-orders are open across the world wide web!

New Cover Art!
The striking new cover for our audio drama project was a collaboration by book designer Barbara Cohen Aronica-Buck and graphic artist Milan Jovanovic to create something truly special.

Milan created images of TJ Crowley and Dr. Washington, basketball players, and the turbulent times in which the story is set.

The Story’s New Sub-Title: ‘Coming of Age on the Redline’

We've added a subtitle to our project: 'Coming of Age on the Redline'. This connection links TJ Crowley's personal journey to the wider historical and social context, such as the impact of desegregation, and the effects of redlining across the nation.

World Premier Listening Event Set for June 9th in Wichita!

The Kansas African American Museum, ARISE Ensemble Incorporated, and the Wichita Arts Council will co-host the world premiere listening event for TJ Crowley on Sunday afternoon June 9th at Holy Savior Academy, 3000 W. 13th Street N. in Wichita. It starts at 1:30 and we hope you all can join us!

TJ Crowley Star Dion Graham Wins Big at Audie Awards!

Golden Voice Actor Dion Graham was nominated three times in the top category of Nonfiction Narrator of the Year at this year’s Audie Awards. And then, his name was called again when the envelope was torn, winning the award for his stellar performance of “King: A Life” by Jonathan Eig.

Dion brings his enormous talent to the roles of Dr. Robert Washington and Leon Bowman in our audio drama. Also, Dion visited Wichita a few months ago! (See article below).

Other 2024 Audie Award finalists from our all-star cast include Kirby Heyborne (Eric Armstrong) and Shayna Small (Ivy Washington). Congrats!

Integration into Academia: WSU's Criminal Justice Program

Michael L. Birzer, Ph.D., Professor of Criminal Justice at Wichita State University, has incorporated TJ Crowley's story as required reading in his advanced Racial Profiling course for future police officers and social workers. Sample audio chapters are being beta tested in the class, creating meaningful discussions. Dr. Birzer's curriculum will be integrated into the 'Bridges Over Fences' racial literacy program, for which we've received funding.

Sheila Brown Kinnard at John Marshall Media in New York City

Sheila and fellow members of the Board of the Music Theatre of Wichita, were visiting New York City to scout Broadway shows when Sheila popped into JMM studios near Times Square. She worked with May to record new scenes for her character, Mrs. Washington - one that's inspired by her own mother. At the end of their recording session, Sheila expressed her thoughts about the project in this short video:

Discovering the Story’s Roots: Dion Graham's Wichita Tour

Dion, a Golden Voice Award-winner known for countless performances, including in the hit TV show, The Wire, portrays the key role of Dr. Robert Washington. He recently made a surprise visit to Wichita, where he toured some of the places that served as inspiration for Grant’s historical novel.

Dion was hosted by Grant, his wife, Claire, Sheila Brown Kinnard and ARISE Ensemble President, Gerald Norwood. The highlight was a visit to the family home of the late Dr. Val Brown, Sr. There Dion was welcomed by “Mama Jo” Brown who was in top form at age 94! Dion saw family pictures, award plaques, and antique tools used by enslaved people. He also listened to recordings of the ARISE Ensemble selected for the drama. It was an unforgettable evening, which enhanced Dion's understanding of his character and the story’s historic backdrop.

Progress Report: Production Insights from May Wuthrich

Dear Friends,

First of all I want to acknowledge the JMM production team and our cast of 15 phenomenal actors, whose dedication to this complex, long-term project, has fueled my own passion and commitment to see it through to completion. I can't wait until mid March when we will have the opportunity to hear the whole program put together with sound effects added!

So far, I've been in the studio at JMM or directing via zoom with about half of our cast, many of whom perfected the art of recording from their home studios during COVID.

We started at JMM with Dani Martineck, whose portrait of TJ is simply flawless. I'm aware that it's a bold statement, but that's the feeling I had recently as we worked our way through so many emotionally complex scenes, and the range of feelings that shape his inner journey.

Next were Sheila Brown Kinnard (Mrs. Washington) and Michael Crouch (TJ’s older brother a soldier in Vietnam). It was exciting to get back to work with them and bring to life newly written scenes for their characters. Joining the cast for the first time was Thérèse Plummer, who plays the pivotal role of TJ’s best friend’s mother. We all loved the ebullience expressed in her audition, and working together in our session, we were able to bring out nuances of character that can only be expressed through the human voice.

So how has the resumption of production worked? Led by me and JMM’s producer Cameron Potts, we provide the actors with all the prep they need, including highlighted scripts of the chapters in which each of their characters appear and, in order to get an exact match for each character voice, sound clips of spoken dialogue.

Even after all the books I've done and years of directing audiobooks, I confess to still being in awe of the versatility, resilience, and patience these actors show as we continue the process of making an artful, meaningful piece of work.

Looking ahead, we’ll finish recording in February, then the program will be put together, sound effects added, and the gorgeous ARISE Ensemble songs placed. Then Grant and I will review the program, give our notes, and corrections will be made. Quality control is an important part of the process and once completed, the Master Recording will be delivered to Blackstone for an on-schedule publishing date!

Meet the Cast

Our ensemble is led by Dani Martineck as TJ Crowley, Dion Graham as Dr. Robert Washington, Tavia Gilbert as Kate Crowley, and Sheila Brown Kinnard, performing Mrs. Lorraine Washington, the role inspired by her mother, Josephine Brown. Rounding out the cast are: Michael Crouch as Ronnie Crowley, Kevin R. Free as Andy Campfield, Kirby Heyborne as Eric Armstrong, Ari Fliakos as Detective Harris, Graham Halstead as Coach Gordon, Peter Berkrot as Mr. Scott, Thérèse Plummer as Mrs. Armstrong, Brittany Pressley as Mrs. Herndon, and John Wright as the radio announcer.

ARISE Ensemble Featured in TJ Crowley Audio Drama

The beautiful sounds of the ARISE Ensemble will be the featured music in our project, capturing the essence of the rich musical heritage of Negro Spirituals and enhancing an already captivating listening experience.

ARISE Ensemble Inc., (African Americans Renewing Interest in Spirituals Ensemble) is a multigenerational, multiracial choir founded in Wichita, Kansas, by Josephine Pace Brown over 35 years ago and is dedicated to preserving the transformative power of Negro Spirituals. “Mama Jo” serves as the inspiration for Mrs. Washington in the story, and Dr. Washington’s love for the music is passed on to TJ Crowley, building a bridge between them.

More than ten years ago, Grant and Claire Overstake received an invitation from the founder herself to join the choir. The music inspired TJ Crowley's story, and their friendships have supported them throughout the lengthy creative journey.

We are grateful to ARISE, Inc. President Gerald Norwood, Director Shawn Chastain, and Accompanist June Faucette Huff for their support and expertise as we selected these traditional historic songs; as well as the featured soloists, including Sheila Brown Kinnard, and the late Ed Vinson, whose voice lives on in this audio drama. We are eager for this music to work its magic on our listening audience!

A Salute to Our Patrons

We want to express our gratitude to the Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission, The National Endowment for the Arts, the United Way of the Plains, Shocker Studios, Wichita Arts Council, and everyone whose support has been essential to our project. Very special thanks goes to Justin Rorabaugh at Shocker Studios, and Marquis Murphy at the Youth Educational Empowerment Program for making this journey possible for all of us. We look forward to bringing this story to the world.

Shocker Studios Hosted a TJ Crowley Listening Event

Thanks to funding from the United Way’s “Promise on the Plains” program, the Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission and others, the TJ Crowley Audio Drama will be shared in public discussions and classrooms across the country, including the "Bridges Over Fences" racial literacy program. Early chapters of the drama were featured in a Listening Event at Wichita State University's Shocker Studios. Professors Michael Birzer and Gretchen Eick acknowledged the significance of our work as a teaching tool and historical resource. Mr. Marquis Murphy, CEO of the project's fiscal sponsor, Youth Educational Empowerment Program, expressed excitement about the drama's potential to bridge cultural divides.

Author Channels TJ Crowley at Senior Games

Grant brought TJ Crowley “to life” in the shot put ring at the Kansas Senior Games with a winning throw that ranked him among the top masters throwers in the nation and the world in his age group in the 2023 outdoor season.

And, That’s a Wrap!

Thanks for your enduring support for our project!

Stay tuned for updates as we approach our publication date.

With Deepest Gratitude,

Grant Overstake & May Wuthrich

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