HAMPTON UNIVERSITY REPERTORY THEATRESeason 2026
WELCOME TO 2026: A SEASON OF NEW BEGINNINGS
Dear Friends and Patrons,
Welcome to the 2026 season of the Hampton University Repertory Theatre, proudly located on the great “Home Beside the Seas,” Hampton University. We are delighted to open another year of powerful storytelling, artistic excellence, and culturally significant theatre in the heart of Hampton Roads.
This season promises to be an extraordinary one. We are thrilled to welcome audiences back in February for the return of Home by Samm-Art Williams—a deeply moving and celebrated work that resonated strongly with our community during its previous run. This production stands as a testament to the enduring power of Black theatre to illuminate history, identity, and the human spirit.
Later in the season, we are honored to present Lorraine Hansberry’s American classic, A Raisin in the Sun. This landmark play continues to speak across generations, offering a profound exploration of family, dreams, and resilience that remains as relevant today as when it first premiered.
We invite you to join us throughout the season by purchasing tickets and continuing to support the Hampton University Repertory Theatre and the arts. Your presence in the audience is vital, and your commitment helps sustain a legacy of professional theatrical productions on our historic campus.
We also encourage you to support the arts beyond the stage by visiting our Support the Theatre page and considering a contribution to the Theatre Company. Your generosity directly impacts our ability to nurture artists, engage audiences, and continue bringing high-quality, professional productions to the Hampton Roads area.
Thank you for your ongoing support and belief in the transformative power of theatre. We look forward to welcoming you to our performances and sharing another memorable season with you.
Warm regards,
Hampton University Repertory Theatre
Dr Karen Turner Ward
Artistic Director @ CO-CEO
Hampton University
“Home Beside the Seas”
Special Event View all Shows
Home by Samm-Art Williams
HAMPTON UNIVERSITY REPERTORY THEATREHosted Events
WELCOME TO 2026: A SEASON OF NEW BEGINNINGS
HAMPTON UNIVERSITY REPERTORY THEATRECast Member
HAMPTON UNIVERSITY REPERTORY THEATRE WELCOME STUDENT ACTOR
Isaac Taylor
Isaac Taylor is a graduating senior, Theatre Performance major from Killeen, TX. In the production of ‘Home’ by Samm-Art Williams, Cephus is portrayed as a hard-working farmer from Crossroads, North Carolina. Some of the previous roles Isaac has played at Hampton University include the roles of Ol’ Mister and Preacher in ‘The Color Purple’, Corporal Cobb in ‘A Soldier’s Play’, Tonton Julian in ‘Once on this Island’, Brother Judas in ‘The Church Fight’, as well as John in the play ’Color Struck’. As Isaac gets closer to wrapping up his undergraduate career, he first wants to give glory to God, Jesus Christ, for all He has done and for bringing him to where he is now.
He also wants to acknowledge and thank his family, friends, tribe, professors, directors, every cast and crew member that he’s ever worked with, and everyone who has played a part in his journey. Isaac wants to give a shoutout to Director Jade Banks and Stage Manager Najwa Patterson as he looks forward to a spectacular run of ‘Home’, and can’t wait to share the stage with such amazing people! He takes on every production with an open mind; always looking for opportunities to learn and grow in his craft. After graduating from Hampton University, Isaac plans to attend graduate school to continue pursuing acting.
Lastly, he wants to give a special shoutout to Dr. Iris Goode-Middleton, Dr. Karen T. Ward, Dr. Robin Boisseau, and Dr. Curtis P. Otto for personally constructing and mentoring him not only in theatre and during his time at Hampton, but also in life.
HAMPTON UNIVERSITY REPERTORY THEATRECast Member
HAMPTON UNIVERSITY REPERTORY THEATRE WELCOMES STUDENT ACTRESS
Kai Ture
Kai Ture is a first-year student with a major in theater, a minor in Leadership Studies and Film Studies on the Pre-Law Track from Atlanta Georgia. She will be portraying Woman One/Pattie Mae in the show Home. She is an established actor and creative force whose career began at age seven. Her work includes standout performances in Damned If You Do alongside Kate Siegel, Troop Zero with Viola Davis, The Hate U Give with Amandla Stenberg, Nappily Ever After with Sanaa Lathan, and An Actor Prepares with Jeremy Irons. She earned her breakout role as Tanesha in Tyler Perry’s If Loving You Is Wrong and has since appeared in a range of television series and films, including Vampire Diaries, Good Behavior, Faith Under Fire, and Bad Dad Rehab. In addition to her on-screen work, Kai created, executive-produced, and starred in her web series Hunter. By participation in this production, she hopes to strengthen her acting skills and build her resume on the stage. She is grateful for this opportunity and looking forward to what’s next!
HAMPTON UNIVERSITY REPERTORY THEATRECast Member
HAMPTON UNIVERSITY REPERTORY THEATRE WELCOMES STUDENT ACTRESS
Jayla-Carpenter
Jayla (Jay) Carpenter is a freshman, Theatre Performance Major at Hampton University. Jayla has recently been in The Color Purple and plays at her home church. She started acting in sixth grade, but only took it to the next level in high school once she decided how much she loved the stage. She hopes to become much better at her craft so she can pursue musical theater after graduating from Hampton University. Jayla wants to shout out her family, Mom, Dad, Jonathan, and the Twins, for putting up with her random song outbreaks and constant quotes.
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HAMPTON UNIVERSITY REPERTORY THEATRECast Member
HAMPTON UNIVERSITY REPERTORY THEATRE WELCOMES ACTRESS
Jordan-Moran
Jordan Moran is a third-year Theater Performance major on the Pre-Law track from Punta Gorda, Florida. During her time at Hampton University, she has appeared in Once On This Island, School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play, Home, and The Color Purple. She is grateful for the opportunity to continue growing as an artist and performer
HAMPTON UNIVERSITY REPERTORY THEATRECast Member
HAMPTON UNIVERSITY REPERTORY THEATRE IS HONORED TO WELCOME ACTRESS
Sophia-Harris
Sophia Harris is a first-year Theater major, Criminal Justice minor, originally from Baltimore, Maryland, but raised in Hampton, Virginia. Having been involved in the arts since she was 7 year’s old, Sophia is excited to make her theatrical mark at her dream university! She was an active member of her high school theater troupe, serving in several lead and supporting roles, and became a 3-time award-winning actress in 3 separate short films. All thanks to her family, friends, and God for helping her get to the stage she has long dreamed of!