We were born with Two Strikes against us: Being a woman and being Black.
We choose both.
We are the match to ignite the revolution of Black women in theatre.
Two Strikes Theatre Collective is an independent Baltimore theatre company founded in July 2019 to celebrate, promote, and encourage the intersectional voice of Black women and how it can be used for social change through art and community engagement. Two Strikes was created as a direct response to a lack of diversity and representation in theater spaces and propelled forward by the #sayhername movement.
OUR MISSION: To create art that is unapologetically Black femme-centric, to upset the white patriarchal status quo, and to provide creative outlets for Black women in the Baltimore community to express themselves through art.
Board Directors
Aladrian C. Wetzel*
Executive Director & Communications Manager
Aladrian C. Wetzel is a Baltimore-born actress, playwright, producer, and director. She received a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Delaware and a M.S. in Management from the University of Maryland Global Campus. By day she is a mild-mannered Project Manager, by night she is an active patron and cheerleader of the Baltimore theatre community. In addition to her role as Executive Director of TSTC, Aladrian is a staff member at Fells Point Corner Theatre and an advisory member of the hip-hop Shakespeare company Fools and Madmen. Two Strikes Theatre Collective is her contribution to the community--it is her hope that TSTC encourages Black women to be active participants in telling stories that reflect themselves.
Christen Cromwell*
Mistress of Play Development
Christen Cromwell is a theatre artist from Baltimore, MD with 20 years of experience. She earned her B.A. in Film & Media Studies, with a minor in Theatre Arts & Studies from The Johns Hopkins University. After becoming passionate about equity in education, she earned her M.A.T. in Secondary English and Theatre Education. Her resume includes acting, directing, and writing credits in theatre and film, primarily comedy. She currently teaches English and Theater for Baltimore County Public Schools.
Company Members
Rachel Wilson*
Member
Rachel Wilson is an actor in Baltimore. Past credits include performances with the Baltimore Rock Opera Society, Fells Point Corner Theater, Vagabond Players, and Pumpkin Theater. Rachel has a passion for changing what is typically seen from women of color in the arts. It is her mission to help women of color succeed in the arts here in Baltimore.
Dana Woodson*
Member
Dana Woodson is a queer artist and activist in Baltimore City who has been working in theatre for the past 15 years. She is a graduate of Towson University's theatre program and has performed with many companies in the area. Dana is interested in telling stories that reflect the truth of her experience and those of people around her. Recently, she became a member of Fells Point Corner Theatre. She is a feminist with absolutely no sense of humor. If you don't catch her on stage, she's probably at brunch!
Lauren Erica Jackson*
Website Editor & Co. Videographer
Lauren Erica Jackson is an actor, director, songstress, and storyteller based out of Baltimore, MD. She holds a B.F.A in Acting and a B.S. in English from Towson University, where she had the pleasure of working with artist-directors Rosiland Cauthen, Peter Wray, and Stephen Nunns, among others.
In addition to her personal creative pursuits, Lauren is also an ensemble member and occasional teaching artist at Single Carrot Theatre. Her first foray into the Baltimore theatre scene was in SCT's production of Phoebe in Winter, where she played the eponymous character. The performance garnered her the City Paper Best Actor award for 2016. Other past performances include Zoë in The Niceties (Everyman Theatre: Salon Series), and Capulet Servant/Ensemble in Romeo & Juliet (Shakespeare Theatre Company).
Most recently, Lauren was Assistant Director for the world premiere production of Glorious World of Crowns, Kinks, and Curls at Baltimore Center Stage.
