Incarceration Plantation: The Musical – Home Brew Series 3.29.2025

Incarceration Plantation: The Musical – A Home Brew Series work in development

March 29, 2025 – 7 PM at 7 Stages – FREE

Incarceration Plantation: The Musical is a sister and brother’s creative journey, despite the walls that keep them apart. They reflect on more than 30 years of dealing with America’s prison system, its impact, and how systemic racism and the disproportionate sentencing of Black people perpetuates a form of modern slavery.

When Dorothy Victoria Bell was 14, her brother Roger Bell II committed a burglary, but was convicted for a murder that occurred after he left the scene. He was sentenced to three life terms after being convinced to take a plea deal. In 2020, he began sharing his poetry with Dorothy, and she helped him through the process of writing a book. Their continued communication and collaboration helped them get through some dark and terrifying times.

Inspired by classic musicals like The Wiz, Oklahoma and Mary Poppins, Dorothy adds a spoonful of sugar to make these stories more accessible. Dorothy explains “I am a singer, composer, musician and empath ready to sing the story out loud so that we can combat the narrative of fear and division through the power of art.” This story is about decades of incarceration, but it shines a light on the possibilities of hope and healing.

This production is part of 7 Stages’ Home Brew Series, a program that provides a platform and resources for works in development. While Home Brews offer support at any stage in the development process, this new production is in the seedling stage. This public sharing will offer audiences select new musical and movement compositions, letters between Dorothy and Roger, original poetry created behind bars and a sneak peak into the overall storyline.

Creator/Director – Dorothy Victoria Bell

Co-creator – Roger B. Bell II

Producer/Director – Heidi S Howard

Stage Manager/Choreographer/Performer – Kai Anwuzia

Creative Doula – Stephanie S. Scott

Holder of Stories/Memories – Michelle Barnard

Musician/Arranger – Khari Cabral Simmons

Audio/Projections – Josef (Wuzii) Anwuzia

Apprentices – Alisha Simmons, Aubrey Salm

Special thanks to Cleveland Jones, Azya Maxton, Ingrid Sibley, Madgie Abson (aka Mommy), Java Lords and Théâtre du Rêve (Theater of the Dream) 

Dorothy Victoria Bell is an Atlanta-based actor, director, singer, songwriter, and teaching artist who earned a degree in English from Clark Atlanta University and an MFA in Theater from Louisville University. Passionate about empowering people through art, Dorothy has taught and performed across the U.S., the Netherlands, and South Africa. As a healing artist, her vision is to inspire people to use art as a way to discover and share their personal stories, with a particular focus on helping those who are often unheard to find, embrace, and express their own voices. Since 2000, she has focused on multicultural and interdisciplinary art, integrating these methods into education as a teaching artist with 7 Stages and around Atlanta. She is thrilled to take on responsibilities as lead performance teacher and program coordinator for the 24-25 season Big Read program in schools and for Youth Creates 2025, summer theatre program for teens. She has taught at Clark Atlanta University, Clarkston Community Center, Midtown High School, The Globe Academy and Dekalb Elementary School of the Arts. Her stage credits include 7 Stages Theatre, Horizon Theatre, Push Push Theatre, and the Grahamstown Arts Festival.

Roger Bernard Bell II was born in Northwest Detroit in 1973 to Min. Roger B. Bell Sr. and Madgie L. Bell. He became a little brother to Laverne and would go on to become a big brother to four more sisters. After a very strict Christian upbringing and a move to Charlotte, North Carolina, Roger went on to grow into a rebellious teenager. He soon would drop out of high school and begin a life of evasion from, but also frequent run-ins, with the local law.

In March of 1992, Roger had accumulated several outstanding warrants for his arrest, and made the decision to go on the run, leaving Charlotte to stay with friends in Gastonia, N.C. However, this respite was short-lived because less than two weeks after he had arrived in Gastonia, Roger initiated a break-in at a home that resulted in the occupant being brutally sexually assaulted and then killed after Roger had left the scene.

Roger was arrested three days later, and after a 3 year stay in an old decrepit county jail, he bore witness to, and began living, a horrific nightmare of a life of incarceration in the State Prison system in North Carolina. Ignorant to the machinations of the criminal justice system in America, in March of 1995, Roger began to become educated on his place in this new environment, but he also started to recognize the devious philosophy of those who have built these warehouses that have been destroying families by trapping brothers, fathers, mothers, and sisters away for centuries.

To this date, Roger has served a total of 33 years,and eleven days. He has obtained certification in Industrial Sewing, Commercial Cleaning, Dental Technology I, II ,III, gained his GED, and over 50 supplemental continuing education course certificates through the Edovo and Hope University Education Programs. He wrote “Something I Felt Led to Say”, a memoir and poetic reflection of serving time in America’s Incarceration Plantation.

Roger’s case is currently being reviewed for parole consideration for the third time. He spends most of his time daily endeavoring to work to continue positive growth while preparing for a successful and joyful re-entry to freedom after his release.

Heidi S Howard is the Artistic Director at 7 Stages, and previously served as the Education Director and Production Manager for over a decade. She loves creating devised performances, directing new and classic plays, teaching arts-based curriculum, and collaborating with international, national, and local artists. By aligning education programs with all programming, she strives to create a brave space to connect everyday life to the creative process. Directing highlights include Beckett’s Waiting for Godot, Lee Nowell’s True North, Secretaries by the Five Lesbian Brothers, FML: How Carson McCullers Saved My Life by Sarah Gubbins, Lauren Gunderson’s The Revolutionists, Suehyla El Attar’s Doctor Devil & My Dad, and Michael Molina’s Mass Transit Muse. She has toured throughout the USA as well as to The Netherlands, Serbia, Israel and China.

Kai “Melody” Anwuzia is a multifaceted performance artist with specialties in dance/theatre/voice, educator and Youth Creates & Bootcamp Alum from Atlanta, GA. Growing up she spent the majority of her time dancing and traveling with Moving in the Spirit and 7 Stages for many years. She is a graduate of Columbia College Chicago majoring in music with a concentration in vocal performance she primarily sings R&B, Neo-Soul, Hip-Hop, and Gospel. Throughout her vocal career she has been privileged enough to study under some of the best in the industry including vocalist/voice over actor/vocal producer Jeff Morrow, gospel artist Jonathan McReynolds, vocalist/musician Cassandra O’Neal, and supporting vocalists/vocal producers/vocal coaches RAII & Whitney. She has performed in venues such as The Rialto Theater in Atlanta, Fox Theater in Atlanta, Metro Chicago, House of Blues Chicago, and Lincoln Hall in Chicago; while as an official member of Maverick City Music’s Gospel Choir was apart of a several tour dates during their “Kingdom” and “Kingdom Arena” tours in collaboration with Kirk Franklin. She is honored to be working with Atlanta royalty on this groundbreaking up and coming musical.

Stephanie S. Scott is the founder of The Ninakula Collective, an arts incubator created to assist artists in the development of projects that facilitate crisis-ending arts action. Over Stephanie’s 35+ year career in the arts, she has worked as a stage manager, production manager, and festival manager for numerous organizations including the Pan African Film Festival, Laurence Fishburne’s LOA Productions, Jomandi Productions, the National Black Arts Festival, 7 Stages, Theatrical Outfit, the Atlanta Jazz Festival and the Youth Ensemble of Atlanta. Stephanie also worked in film and television casting on projects including Malcolm X, HBO’s ROC, ABC’s Where I Live, What’s Love Got To Do With It, Cool Runnings, and The Inkwell. Stephanie holds a B.A. in English and drama from Spelman College, a M.Div. from the Interdenominational Theological Center, and an M.L.I.S. from Long Island University.

Michelle Barnard is a mom of a beautiful six and three year old and proud owner of Balloon Blossoms LLC! a company that creates memorable balloon art for every occasion. She is a personal trainer and yoga instructor with a focus on communal healing through movement. Dorothy’s best friend since 7th grade who, as a witness to Dorothy’s young life became the holder of her memories and a treasured support system.

In the 90’s, Atlanta was a melting pot for burgeoning soul music, house music DJ’s and an underground jazz scene. Khari Cabral Simmons stood at the point where all of these met, as an upcoming bassist and bandleader. It was in this creatively fertile environment that Khari made his start in music. He started playing bass for many of the artists in the scene, such as Bilal Sunni Ali (Sun Ra), Donnie (The Colored Section), Gaelle (Naked Music)and India.Arie. He also started to do recording sessions, playing on house music recordings, including a remix for KD Lang. After a few years of recording dance and soul music, Khari started looking to make his own vehicle for upbeat soulful music. It was then that he created Jiva. Jiva would go on to play all over the Atlanta area, performing alongside artists like Roy Ayers and Incognito.

While Khari Cabral & JIVA were making noise throughout the globe, Khari’s dear friend India Arie got signed to Motown Records. She asked Khari to become her touring bassist, and he accommodated the request. He spent years touring the world with India. Together, they performed on The Tonight Show, The Late Show, The Today Show, Good Morning America, The Grammys, Saturday Night Live and many more. They also spent 3 months touring with Sade. After his success as a Grammy Award winning bassist, Khari was courted by NYC tastemakers, Giant Step Records. JIVA would go on to release 3 singles, an EP and a full length album,”Sun & Moon”, with Giant Step.

The era of Covid found Khari taking a break from playing live shows. That time also found Khari reflecting on the roots of his band. Watching the rise of D-Nice, the DJ that brought the nation together by playing upbeat soul music DJ-sets on Instagram, inspired Khari. After seeing so many people brought together through the music at the center of his soul, Khari began to write the next JIVA album. The result is the new Khari Cabral & JIVA album, “5”. Khari let his dear friend and leader of Incognito, Bluey, hear his first recorded songs. After hearing three songs, Bluey got Khari a recording deal with his label, Splash Blue Music. Holding down the main vocals for this album are Atlanta vocalists Cleveland Jones and Brenda Nicole Moorer. Joining them as guests singers are Lizz Wright, Artia Lockett and Lindsey Webster. Along with his all star rhythm section, Khari lays down the funk with the intent to bring us together again as one nation under a groove!

Josef “Wuzii” Anwuzia is a Nigerian-American saxophonist, music producer, and photographer with a deep passion for sound and a commitment to artistic integrity. Hailing from Chicago and having lived in Maryland, Wuzii brings a unique perspective to every creative endeavor. A graduate of Columbia College Chicago, Wuzii has spent the past nine years establishing a reputation as a skilled music producer and recording engineer in the Chicago scene. Known for a meticulous approach to crafting soundscapes, Wuzii holds both the art and the artist to the highest standard, believing in the power of authentic and meaningful creation. Beyond music, Wuzii is a dedicated photographer and has experience in videography, using these visual arts to further explore and express the world through a different lens. Whether capturing a perfect frame or composing a soulful track, Wuzii seeks to leave a lasting impression by honoring the art form in every project.

Alisha Simmons is a Caribbean-American theatremaker, arts administrator, and educator from Atlanta, Georgia. Their work prioritizes Black queer imagination as praxis and the power of community-based devised performance. Alisha received a B.A in Theater and Feminist, Gender, & Sexuality Studies from Wesleyan University. Recent credits include 7 Stages, The Tank NYC, The Public Theater, Oddfellows Playhouse, Olin Memorial Library, and the Wesleyan University Center for the Arts.

Aubrey Salm is a Tennessee native who recently moved to Georgia to pursue the arts. Adopted by two women, the concept of identity, culture, and humanity has always affected her as an African-American woman raised in a white family. Growing up exposed to movies from the Golden Age of Hollywood and the oldies radio station, she is inspired by the classics in her works as a visual artist. She earned her B.A. in video and film production from Middle Tennessee State University and is enthusiastic to continue to delve into the Atlanta theater scene!