JOHN EARL JELKS (Citizen Barlow) was recently seen as Citizen in the Mark Taper Forum’s production of Gem of the Ocean in Los Angeles, after performing the role in Chicago at the Goodman Theatre. Additionally, Mr. Jelks has appeared in Pill Hill in the role of Ed at the Chicago Theatre Company and in Diary of a Black Man at the Union Square Theatre in New York and the Shaw Theatre in London. Previously, Mr. Jelks was featured in August Wilson’s Joe Turner’s Come and Gone at Missouri Repertory Theatre in Kansas City directed by Marion McClinton, and at Penumbra Theatre directed by Claude Purdy. He has also appeared in August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson at the Lorraine Hansberry Theatre in San Francisco in the role of Boy Willie. Mr. Jelks’ film credits include Zeinabu Irene Davis’ Sundance nominated Compensation, as well as A Powerful Thang and Dark Exodus. His honors include the 2004 Beverly Hills/Hollywood NAACP Theatre Award for Best Ensemble Equity and the 2003 LA Stage Alliance Ovation Award for Gem of the Ocean. Mr. Jelks dedicates this performance to his children Jamal, Jabari, Jamila, and his late wife Naomi.