PROGRAM

CAST

N.K. Gutiérrez as Mamie Bradley

From HBO Latino to The Oprah Winfrey Show, classically trained dancer, vocalist, actor and filmmaker NK Gutiérrez has excelled in nearly every facet of entertainment. Most recently booking recurring roles in Showtime’s The Chi, NBC’s Chicago Fire and her 4th run of the hit show, La Gringa, at the Puerto Rican International Theater Festival in San Juan.
Gutiérrez made her filmmaking debut with the short film, The Last New Year, in which she starred, wrote and produced. Latina Magazine called it "A hilarious and relatable story of sexual liberation, self-care and empowerment, with women of color at the center." TLNY is currently being turned into an episodic and set to shoot this Fall. She is also in post production with her documentary, How do You Grind, which explores the various cultural celebrations of coffee and the unifying effect of this little sacred bean!
Gutiérrez currently serves as the Executive Director of Midwest Film Festival, Head of Programming for XL Fest, Council member of the Black Harvest Film Festival at the Gene Siskel Film Center, and Lead of the Film Club at Soho House Chicago.

Darren Jones as Mose Wright

Darren won the 2023 Outstanding Actor Award for his role as Baba in the MPAACT production of EZEKIEL’S WHEEL. Recent Chicago credits include THE TRIAL IN THE DELTA: THE MURDER OF EMMETT TILL (NBC/Collaboraction)-which is a double Emmy Award winning production for 2022 & 2023; AMERICAN SON (Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre); RICHARD III (Promethean Theatre): WELLESLEY GIRL (Compass Theatre); HAMLET (Invictus Theatre); AMERICAN SON (Beverley Arts Center); LABYRINTH (Broken Nose Theatre); KING LEAR (Redtwist Theatre);TAD IN 5TH CITY; EZEKIEL’S WHEEL*, ONE 4 THE ROAD, NEVER THE MILK AND HONEY (MPAACT); CRIME AND PUNISHMENT, THE HEAVENS ARE HUNG IN BLACK (Shattered Globe Theatre Company), where he is an Artistic Associate. Television credits include CHICAGO PD (NBC), CHICAGO FIRE (NBC). Movie credits include HYDE PARK, CHI-RAQ, HOOD, MO' MONEY. He's done commercials for WALGREEN’S, BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD, ANHEUSER BUSCH, STATE FARM, NORTHWESTERN MEDICINE, RIVERS CASINO and METLIFE along with training and industrial films for CAREERBUILDER, ACCENTURE AND SEARS AUTO CENTER. Darren is represented by Lily's Talent Agency.

John Henry Roberts as Gerald Chatham

John Henry Roberts (he/him) is excited to be back with Collaboraction. He’s an emeritus member of Strawdog Theatre Company, where his acting credits include Old Times and Aristocrats, and his writing credits include The Sweeter Option and Masque Macabre. A few other acting credits: The Little Flower of East Orange (Eclipse Theatre), Twelfth Night (Writers Theatre), Neverwhere and Hunger (Lifeline Theatre), and The Hammer Trinity (The House Theatre of Chicago). His next theatre project will be DIVE with The Dark Room District. Film and television: Widows, Chicago Med, and Chicago P.D. He’s represented by DDO Artists Agency.

Richard Alan Baiker as Judge Curtis Swango

Richard is honored to return to the role of Judge Swango in this powerful telling of the Emmett Till case. He began his acting career with various community theater companies on the south side of Chicago and surrounding suburbs. Richard feels his performance as Atticus Finch in “To Kill A Mockingbird” served as a primer for his turn as Judge Swango, giving him some insight into the unjust treatment of African-Americans and people of color in our judicial system. Richard is grateful to the folks at Collaboraction for giving him the opportunity to once again participate in this compelling production.

Mickey Dolan as Charlie Cox (Clerk)

MICKEY DOLAN (He/Him) is grateful to be back working with Collaboraction on this important project. He graduated from New Mexico School for the Arts and continued his studies at CalArts. He is represented by Gray Talent Group. TV: “Monster: The Ed Gein Story” (Netflix), “Daybreak” (Netflix), “Dark Winds” (AMC), “Roswell, NM” (The CW), “Get Shorty” (EPIX). Film: "The Harder They Fall" (Netflix), "Sicario: Day of the Soldado". Coming 2026: "River", "Death of a Brewer", "The Driftless".

Loren Lazerine as George Smith

Loren Lazerine’s Chicago theater credits include The Iceman Cometh at the Goodman Theater , Awake and Sing - Northlight Theater, The Front Page - Timeline Theater, A Streetcar Named Desire - Writers Theater, The Heart is a Lonely Hunter - Steppenwolf Theater, The Minutes and Linda Vista also at Steppenwolf (US) Loren also appeared in the original MainStage production of the Long running Show Hellcab with subsequent runs of the show in Los Angeles, Dublin, Edinburgh ( fringe 1st award ) and Tel Aviv. Film and television credits include: Power Force on Starz in a recurring role, the Original CSI, Frasier, Chicago Fire, Criminal minds, Boss, Navy NCIS, According to Jim, Fast and Furious 4, Just like a woman, Chasing Gold, The Big Tease . He most recently appeared in Monster - The Ed Gein story on Netflix . Loren attended the Theater School at Depaul University.

Robert “Blue” Bellue as Peter Hackus

Robert “Blue” Belue (He/Him) - Robert is very excited to work with Collaboration and to be a part of “Trial on the Delta.” Robert began his stage life performing in Pittsburgh’s longest running show “Friday Night Improv”. He continued to practice comedy at The Arcade Comedy Theater where he was a member of the short form improv team “8-bit”. Robert’s interest in dramatic theater began with the Pittsburgh New Works Festival where he was able to work with up and coming playwrights. Eventually he found his way to Chicago where he studied at the conservatory at The Second City.

Tyler Burke as Roy Bryant

Tyler (He/Him) is honored to be returning to the role of Roy Bryant. He is a passionate actor known for his roles in Film - “He’s Watching You”, “Father Stu” and “Wolf Hound”- and TV - “Chicago PD” and “Homicide Hunters”. Tyler has a BA in Theatre from Arizona State University with a concentration in Film Acting. He is thrilled to have been able to be a part of this special project for the last four years. He wants to thank the cast and crew at Collaboraction as well as all his friends and family for the continued support.

Matt Miles as J.W. Milam

Fresh from the recent sold-out run of Amadeus at Steppenwolf Theatre Company this Winter, Matt is honored to return to Trial in the Delta to help welcome audiences to Collaboraction’s new home and spread the power message of Emmet Til’s story again. THEATRE: Steppenwolf Theatre Company; Chicago Shakespeare Theatre; Paramount Theatre; Mercury Theatre Chicago; Porchlight Music Theatre; Breckenridge Backstage Theatre; TUTA Theatre. FILM/TV: Chicago Fire, Chicago Med (NBC); Chicago Rot (Dakini Productions), The Onion News Network. Matt is proudly represented by Big Mouth Talent. Much love to Agnes, his cohort Tyler and Mom/Dad.

Jamie Vann as H.C. Strider

Jamie Vann (he/him) is happy to return to Collaboraction for the fourth time, having previously appeared in The Life and Times of Tulsa Lovechild, The Joy of Going Somewhere Definite, and The Cosmonaut's Last Message... over two decades ago. Jamie has been a longtime ensemble member at Strawdog Theatre, and has been seen around Chicago at several theatres over the years including TimeLine, Goodman, Court, Writer's Theatre, House Theatre, Shattered Globe, Griffin, Live Bait, Raven, and many other long gone storefronts.

Ernest G. Perry (Understudy)

Ernest George Perry is so grateful and excited to be making his Chicago and Collaboraction Theatre debut with this piece and amazing cast/team! Thank you to his family, friends and his agents at Stewart Talent for the constant love and support. @EGeorgePerry for other projects and more! Entertain. Educate. Enlighten. Ernest George Perry is so grateful and excited to be making his Chicago and Collaboraction Theatre debut with this piece and amazing cast/team! Credits include: Sketch comedy shows with American Candy (WNYC/The Greene Space). Improv shows at The Second City and iO. TV: Law & Order SVU. Chicago Fire. Thank you to his family, friends and his agents at Stewart Talent for the constant love and support. @EGeorgePerry for other projects and more! Entertain. Educate. Enlighten.

Lena Janes (Understudy)

Lena Janes (she/her) is honored to make her Collaboraction debut with such an important story. A Chicago-transplant originally from Frederick, MD, she holds a BFA in Physical Theatre from Coastal Carolina University. Recent credits include: Camp Rock (Beautiful City Project), Joann Fabrics (OCP), The Jester (Apple TV), Filthy Gorgeous fashion show (performer/creative director), A Christmas Carol (Maryland Ensemble Theatre), and the world premiere of Sherlock! the Musical (featured on the Spotify original cast recording). Lena is repped by Big Mouth Talent. Insta: @lena_janes13 / www.lenajanes.com