3051 Central in Penn Valley Park  •   P.O. Box 411653, Kansas City, MO 64141




816-784-5020

“What the people want is very simple.  They want an America as good as its promise."
- Barbara Jordan

About the Play

Journey With Barbara Jordan, co-authored by Jacqueline L. Gafford and Gene Mackey, explores the life of what was once, one of America's most promising African-American politicians.  The play chronicles her life, spanning the years of her childhood; her young adulthood in Houston's 5th ward; her election as the first Black Congresswoman from Texas; her role in the decision to impeach Richard Nixon; and finally, her introduction of Jimmy Carter at the 1976 Democratic Convention.   The play concludes with a recreation of her triumphant speech.

Journey With Barbara Jordan plays November 9 through November 17. Directed by Fran Farah, this InPlay production is produced in conjunction with the Just Off Broadway Theatre Association.   

About the Cast

Jacqueline L. Gafford (Barbara Jordan) is a playwright, director, actor, Just Off Broadway Theatre Association Board Member, and InPlay's Artistic Director.  Her most recent play was Nothing Comes To Sleepers, which was set on the East Side in a Kansas City beauty shop on the day the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated.  Jacqee directed the play as well, for which Robert Eisele of the Kansas City Star wrote, "the gifted cast provides keen insights into these specific people at this particular moment in history, and they do so without preachiness or polemics."  Her play Harlem Knights imagined a party during the Harlem Renaissance.  This play, Journey With Barbara Jordan, is her second playwriting collaboration with Gene Mackey; their first was the Theatre for Young America production of Africa's Daughters.  As an actress or director, she is known by the name Jacqee Gafford.  She has directed for InPlay, the Unicorn, and Theatre for Young America, among others.  Directing credits include Crowns, Betrayal Of The Black Jesus, Harlem Knights, Nothing Comes to Sleepers, My Monkey Don't Drink Hot Chocolate, A Raisin In The Sun, Donny's House, and In The Footsteps Of Freedom With Harriet Tubman. As an actress, Jacqee has appeared in the film, The Painting, and in plays such as Having Our Say, The Old Settler, Flyin' West, In The Sunlight of Athens, In A Greek World, and most recently in the Unicorn's production of Intimate Apparel.  Theaters she has appeared at include Theatre for Young America, the Unicorn, New Directions Theatre, and InPlay.       


Dana Thompson (Young Barbara) is a native of the Kansas City area.   She earned her BFA in Theatre Performance from Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri.  Since returning home from college, she has performing in several shows at Theatre for Young America, worked with the Coterie Theatre, The Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre, and the Kansas City Repertory Theatre.  When not rehearsing, Dana likes to give back to the community.  She substitute teaches for the Grandview School District (for a small fee of course).  She is very excited to be portraying such an influential black woman and an American hero.   


Dennis Jackson (John Ed Patten, Barbara's grandfather; Ben Jordan, her father; and all other male characters) tackles the challenge of portraying all the influential men in Barbara Jordan's life.  Dennis has performed for InPlay in Nothing Comes to Sleepers, My Monkey Don't Drink Hot Chocolate, Harlem Knights, and A Raisin in the Sun.  Dennis also has a passion for singing.  He has been performing the national anthem and the Lord's Prayer for the KC Regional Golden Gloves, 20 years to date, as designated vocalist.  Dennis is a lead vocalist for "Soul Focus," a corporate band, sponsored by American Century Investments.  Soul Focus was awarded 1st place in the 2007 Battle of the Corporate Bands national competition, held in Cleveland, Oh, at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, in October 2007.  Soul Focus was, also, voted best band in the Fan's Choice category.   


Jillian M. Gee (Stage Manager/Understudy) has graced the stage of several Kansas City theatre companies including: Gorilla Theatre, Potluck Productions, and InPlay. She is a graduate of Paseo Academy for the Performing Arts, where she studied theatre and acting.  At Paseo, she appeared in several productions, including August Wilson's The Piano Lesson and Fences.  She also served as director and assistant director for several productions.  Jill studied acting under the tutelage of John Wilson at Central Missouri State University, where she appeared in Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin In The Sun. Jillian performed last year for InPlay in Judi-Ann Mason's, Daughters of the Mock.

Jacqee Gafford (BARBARA JORDAN)

Dana Thompson (YOUNG BARBARA)

Dennis Jackson (JOHN ED PATTEN, BARBARA'S GRANDFATHER; BEN JORDAN, HER FATHER; AND ALL OTHER MALE CHARACTERS)

Jillian M. Gee (STAGE MANAGER / UNDERSTUDY)

Fran Farah (DIRECTOR)

Gene Mackey and Jacqueline L. Gafford (PLAYWRIGHTS)

For substantial savings, patrons may purchase advance tickets through the Central Ticket Office, located in the Performing Arts Center on the UMKC Campus, 4949 Cherry, or by calling (816) 235-6222.   All tickets at the door are priced at $20.00.

Performance Dates

Friday, November 9th - 8pm (Opening night)
Saturday, November 10th - 8pm
Sunday, November 11th - 3pm
Monday, November 12th - 8pm
Thursday, November 15th - 8pm
Friday, November 16th - 8pm
Saturday, November 17th - 8pm (Closing date)

Journey with Barbara Jordan
November 9 - 17, 2007
Presented by inPlay, Inc.