Rico Bruce Wade: A name to remember

Lately, for people who follow Riverwalk Theatre, it has been hard not to know Rico Bruce Wade.

On Oct. 30, he acted in Janet Colson’s Riverwalk Zoom presentation of her original play, “EA: Eater’s Anonymous.” On Nov. 2, Wade directed “Nothing Rhymes With Juneteenth” and on Nov. 9, he directs “Black Flag” — both Riverwalk virtual plays that are part of their special, Monday night plays in November.

“Wait, I’m known?” Wade said. “In the last couple of years, people have asked me most about my role in Kenneth Nelson Jr.’s film, ‘Sincerely Brenda.’”

The full-length, 2018 movie won several awards. In it, Wade plays a recovering alcoholic trying to reconnect with his adult sons. “Sincerely Brenda” was shot in Lansing and Detroit and featured an all-black cast.

Wade got involved in the “EA” play because, “Janet Colson and I have been circling one another for quite some time,” Wade said. “She writes smart and funny and I’m always honored to be included in her projects.”

Colson replied that she absolutely loves working with Wade. “I would work with him any day of the week,” she said. Colson called him “an incredibly talented theater artist.” She had Wade in mind when she wrote the part he played in “EA.”

“I play God,” Wade joked. “It was typecasting.”

Because he “fails at multitasking,” Wade finished capturing the performances for “Juneteenth” and “Flag” before he got involved in the live “EA” show.

Idris Goodwin wrote “Juneteenth” and “Flag.” They are part of a quintet of short plays he is offering for free. Riverwalk will present the other three, “Act Free,” “Water Gun Song” and “#MATTER” on the remaining Mondays in November.

Goodwin sees the arts as a way to wrestle with our beliefs and a way to cultivate personal reflection and conversation. “Systematic racism must end now and forever,” Goodwin said. “These five plays are meant to serve as sparks for communication.”

Wade directed Goodwin’s plays hoping to accomplish that. “I hope that these works spark uncomfortable and very necessary conversations,” he said.

“Black Flag” can be disturbing. It is about two females who start their college freshman year sharing a dorm room. One is black and the other is a white from Georgia who wants to display her “Southern Pride.”

Michelle Clark and Amanda Victory play the roommates in Wade’s “Black Flag” production. Conner Kelly, who also was in “EA,” plays a boyfriend. “I wanted to find actors who were willing to take risks and lean into the subject matter,” Wade said. “I was fortunate to find players who authentically presented the circumstances of the play.”

Wade is originally from southern Ohio. He also lived in Chicago. Wade moved to Lansing in 1991 “when I got married,” he said.

Wade was involved in Detroit’s “Second City” comedy troupe. “I was an actor, writer, director, and ultimately, producer,” he said. “It was an incubator of creativity unlike any other I’ve been associated with.”

He currently works with the Detroit Creativity Project, Wayne State University and Montage Online. “I reach improvisation, improvisation for business, acting and stand-up comedy,” Wade said.  

Because of recent protests against systematic racism, he is hopeful for the future. “I am optimistic that there is a generation of badasses who will fight for change,” Wade said.

He has been involved in Black Lives Matter demonstrations “as well as efforts for my allies,” Wade said. “The challenge will be sustaining momentum and forcing change,” he said. “Evil shows up any kind of way and never takes a day off.”

Riverwalk Theatre November Lineup:

"Short Plays for an Anti-Racist Tomorrow"

Each is broadcasted live at 7 p.m. and will be hosted indefinitely on Riverwalk's Facebook Page.

Nov. 9: "Black Flag," directed by Rico Bruce Wade

Nov. 16: "Act Free" directed by Julian Van Dyke

Nov. 23: "Water Gun Song," directed by Janell Hall

Nov. 30: "#MATTER," directed by Rose Jangmi Cooper