North Hollywood, CA – June 12, 2024 — Syllble partnered with Stonehaven Studios to host its first ceremony for the book and audio series launch of Blacktopia: The Royal House Cat, a fictional world created by Bairton Brown and Kyle Hinton last year. The ceremony was held last week on June 7th, 2024 at the Lankershim Arts Center, an arts facility in the heart of North Hollywood’s NoHo Arts District, run by the City of Los Angeles’ Department of Cultural Affairs.
You can listen to the Afrofuturistic audio series pilot episode here.
Syllble Founder Fabrice Guerrier Interviews Debut Author Bairton Brown On The Significance of Blacktopia
The first episode of the audio series premiered through Stonehaven Studios on June 7th, featuring a cast of talented actors:
In Order Of Appearance of Pilot Cast:
Bairton Brown (Narrator)
Bair Brown (he/they) is a multiracial filmmaker and theater practitioner. While earning their B.F.A. from DePaul, Bair’s first short, FROM YOUR FORMER LOVER, premiered at the New York Independent Cinema Awards. Bair directed the web series NAOMI & LEVI TAKE ON THE WORLD (2021) – written by BLACKTOPIA series co-creator Kyle Hinton – which was selected for distribution on Open Television | OTV.
While earning their Master’s in Arts & Public Policy from NYU, Bair directed the sold-out world premiere of HOW DARE YOU by Kendra Augustin at Affirmation Theatre, and FINAL GOODBYE by Shaneisha Dodson at Soundscape Theatre. In 2023, Bair completed the Next-Up Playwriting Fellowship at Congo Square Theatre. Brown’s second full-length play, MEMENTO VIVERE, received staged readings at Congo Square Theatre in Chicago, Denver Fringe, & Hollywood Fringe Festival. Bairton returns to Chicago annually as a writer and director for Congo Square Theatre’s web series, BLACKSIDE. In Los Angeles, Bair supports Interact as an AD/SM and Dramaturg for Interact’s Pulitzer Prize Winners’ Series. Bair’s Virtual Playwriting course, DEFINING MOMENTS, will launch in Autumn 2024 through their LLC, Stonehaven Studios. Bair’s fist book, BLACKTOPIA, was published by Syllble Studios on June 3, 2024. They are also the writer/director of this audio series. @BairtonBrown
Justen Ross (Destin)
Justen Ross is a dynamic black queer multihyphenate based in Atlanta, Georgia, with a diverse range of talents as an actor, poet, and musician. A 2021 graduate of The Theatre School at DePaul University’s BFA program and a recipient of the prestigious 2021 Princess Grace Award, Justen’s creative pursuits showcase his ambition and passion for storytelling.
Currently serving as a 23/24 Round 9 Reiser Lab Artist at The Alliance Theatre, he is captivating audiences with his original work, “Rome & Juice,” which has gained widespread acclaim in the digital realm. With a strong online presence and a dedicated following of over 180,000 across various social media platforms, Justen is a rising star who amplifies the voices and experiences of black queer artists, contributing to the ever-evolving landscape of creative expression and liberation work.
Xavier Irons (Dante)
Xavier Irons is an up and coming actor known for SATURDAYS (2023). They served as an apprentice for Season 4 of “BLACKSiDE,” a sketch comedy series produced by Congo Square Theatre Company. Beyond Blacktopia, Xavier recently performed at Lookingglass Theatre Company in downtown Chicago.
Tyra Grove (Celena)
Tyra Grove is a director, writer, and actress based in Chicago, IL. She graduated with a BFA in Acting from DePaul University in 2021 and is represented by Stewart Talent Agency. Although most of her resume consists of acting credits, Tyra has always had a deep passion for visual storytelling. In March of 2022, Tyra directed the pilot episode for a web series titled Black Boy Joy created by Bairton Warburton Brown (Naomi & Levi Take on the World, picked up by OTV).
Whether in front of or behind the camera, she is dedicated to visual storytelling as a means to inspire and transform. She believes deeply in the message of My Name is Tyra and knows it will shine a valuable light on invisible illness and chronic pain, not only changing her life, but that of anyone who sees the story unfold.
Jazzy Rush (Epiphany)
Jazzy Rush is an actor, mover, writer, and director based in Chicago, IL. Her creative work centers black bodies, evocative expression, and fearless vulnerability. As an actor her credits include: King Lear, School Girls; Or the African Mean Girls Play, STEW, Twelfth Night, Our Lady of Kibeho, and currently, As You Like It. She is also a seasonal performer with The Exodus Ensemble in Santa Fe, New Mexico where new-age, groundbreaking theater is being created. Jazzy is gearing up to premiere her film directorial debut of a short feature titled “A Yellow Circus”. She is represented by Gray Talent Group, and can be found on all social media platforms as @jazzycheri.
Keimon Shook (Trip)
Keimon Shook is a Queer Blasian Actor ,Writer, and Director from Jacksonville, Florida. He graduated with his BFA in Acting in 2021 From The Theatre School at DePaul University. Since graduating he’s spent his time auditioning, writing , and working to produce short films and web series that highlight and give more representation to Queer POC Communities. Keimon comes from a big family that has shaped him into the artist he is today. Most recently for theater he performed in the World Premiere of Ricardo Gamboa’s play “ Las Wavys “ as “Sean”.
Keimon also directed his First and Second projects in 2023. A staged Reading of “ The Bottoming Process” by Nicholas Pilapil and “Up and Out” a 10 minute play as part of NWAC’s 24 hour play festival. As far as TV/ Film go Keimon just produced, wrote , starred in, and directed a pilot episode for a series called “ Let’s Never Talk About This”! The pilot is currently in post production and he hopes to submit it to festivals and grants in hopes of getting it picked up by a company/streaming service or interest from literary agents and managers. He is grateful and excited to once again work with these Black Artists of Today.
Follow the release of each episode of Blacktopia: The Royal House Cat Audio series adaptation for this summer 2024 here on Spotify through Stonehaven Studios. You can purchase the novella published by Syllble Books here.