An Exciting Young Voice Leads an Experienced Ensemble Cast at Tipping Point Theatre
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
Updated: 21 hours ago
This past weekend Tipping Point Theatre opened their production of BROKE-OLOGY by Nathan Louis Jackson – a powerful play about two brothers trying to balance their aspirations with the responsibilities of caring for an aging parent. Leading this production is Jesse Boyd Williams, a young Metro Detroit native who is not only making his directorial debut at the professional theatre scene, but is the youngest director in Tipping Point Theatre’s nearly 20-year history.
Written by award-winning playwright Nathan Louis Jackson, BROKE-OLOGY takes place during the Great Recession in Kansas City, KS. The play examines the dynamics of the King family – a family which has weathered life’s hardships. The father, William, lost his wife, Sonia, and is facing health issues due to MS; The older son, Ennis, struggles to come to terms with adulthood and managing the responsibilities of starting his own family while working a dead-end job; the youngest son, Malcolm, is offered a way out through a job opportunity in Connecticut. When Malcolm is visiting home for the summer, he faces the reality of the crossroads he’s at. He can stay and take care of his ailing father or leave his struggles and his family behind. What emerges is a love story between father and sons and the memories that keep us going.
The cast of BROKE-OLOGY includes some of Metro-Detroit's most experienced actors. (Jimmie Commer III, Henri Franklin, Antione McKay, and Janai Lashon). Leading this group of veterans, is Jesse Boyd Williams -- a Detroit native and burgeoning voice in this city's artistic community.
A 2017 graduate of the Detroit School of Arts, Williams first studied theatre before pivoting to vocal music performance. Despite this, his passion for theatre always remained with him as he pursued opportunities as a writer, actor, and director. In 2019, Williams won an audition to play Ennis King in a Detroit community theatre’s production of BROKE-OLOGY. The content of the play and its relevance to the experiences that Williams witnessed within his own family stuck with him, and he knew that one day, he would like to share this production with his community yet again.
Avid theatre goers have probably noticed Williams making his presence known in recent years. In addition to being a recent Wayne State Graduate (2025) he has performed on stage with Plowshares Theatre Company (Hastings Street the Musical and The Magnolia Ballet) and served as Assistant Director for the educational tour for Detroit Public Theatre’s Detroit ‘67 by acclaimed playwright Dominique Morisseau.
In the summer of 2024, he made his amateur directing debut with The Underground Theatre Company’s production of Blood at the Root (also by Morisseau), and in 2025, he graduated from Wayne State -- looking to secure his first professional directing position.
Fresh out of college and reminiscing once again on his experience acting in BROKE-OLOGY, Williams pitched the play to Tipping Point Theatre’s Artistic Director, Julia Glander. Having recognized his vision for the play and passion for directing, Glander agreed to program BROKE-OLOGY on Tipping Point Theatre’s upcoming 2025-26 season, with Williams as the director.
“For the longest time, I really didn’t think anybody would take a chance on me, with me just coming out of college... This is very special to me and I’m very grateful for Julia and everyone that is a part of this production.” -- Jesse Boyd Williams
As for what Williams is looking forward to bringing out of the production’s actors and creative team, he stated, “I want everyone to have fun and be creative at all times. This should be a cathartic experience for them as well. Right now in the world, we’re all going through our own rollercoaster of the struggles that life brings. I want the actors and designers to take those experiences and relate them to the characters in BROKE-OLOGY.”
Carving a path as a young director is never an easy task, but Williams seems to be leveraging his education and experience to his benefit. "Working with Jesse has been an incredible pleasure." says Antoine McKay (AEA) who plays the father, William King. " He is kind, understanding, and able to clearly show what his vision for the characters and the show are. He is wise beyond his years. What a blessing!"
Detroit has long been a market that supports new work and young artist development. From the days of Concept-East and Woodie King, to the numerous Broadway musicals to hold debuts at The Fisher Theatre -- Michigan has a history of developing new work and supporting young voices. And, while recent history might seem to indicate otherwise, this market still has the capacity to create a platform for new voices. Whether or not companies choose to do so, however, depends on their capacity to weigh comfort against success. It's understandable, in this fundraising environment, for companies to value making the safe choice and not the courageous one -- to center an established voice over one that is new and exciting, though seemingly untested.
But, in this instance, one thing is clear: Tipping Point has joined Plowshares Theatre Company and Detroit Public Theatre, in recognizing the importance of ushering in a new energy into Detroit's theatrical landscape. They are all inviting us to come, sit, and listen to the new Detroit voice that is Mr. Jesse Boyd Williams.
Tickets for BROKE-OLOGY are available for purchase online, over the phone, or in-person by visiting www.tippingpointtheatre.com, calling the Ticket Office at 248.347.0003, or visiting the Ticket Office window located inside Tipping Point Theatre at 361 E. Cady St, Northville, MI 48167. Ticket prices range from $25 to $47. Tickets are subject to processing and facility fees. Discounts for seniors (62 and over), military, and students, are also available at time of purchase.
