STILL is a musical memoir written and composed by Marcia Gomes in 2023. This work in development is the first musical composed and written by Marcia Gomes, an accomplished vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, composer, actor, and graduate of Berklee College of Music. The play is directed by Roberta Uno, founder of New WORLD Theater at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and former director of Arts in a Changing America based at the CA Institute of the Arts. Sheryl Stoodley, Artistic Director of Serious Play Theatre Ensemble, is the production advisor. The play is made possible with support from A.P.E. Ltd, the Scarlet Sock Foundation and the Mass Cultural Council. Three sold-out performed, staged readings of STILL with a cast of five women of color, were presented in 2024 and 2025. A fully staged production and a CD of the songs from the musical memoir are being planned next. We welcome support and donations for this phase of STILL.

“It depicts the healing journey from trauma of several generations of Black women in my family. When I was nine years old, my three younger sisters and I were taken from our mother when my father and stepmother obtained full custody. While in their care, my sisters and I suffered terrible abuse.  STILL is my way of breaking the silence imposed on us by this horrible secret. By speaking my truth, I heal my trauma. I hope that by telling my story, I can also help break the cycle of trauma in my family and let others with trauma histories know that healing is possible. I want to help remove the isolation and stigma that trauma causes and replace it with connection and loving community. Although some scenes in the play are heartbreaking, I have incorporated the wisdom and loving voices of my ancestors along with moving and uplifting original music and dance to create healing, hope, resilience, and joy.”

The talented cast includes Michelle Dowd, IRNE award winner for best actress; Evelyn Harris, Grammy-nominated vocalist; and Angelica Canlas Castro, Hala Lord, and Kenna Harrison, formally  trained actors. Members of the live band are Ruth Mendelson, award winning Berklee College of Music professor in film scoring; Elenna Canlas, Berklee College graduate and former music director and keyboardist for Grammy Award-winning artist, Allison Russell, JoBeth Umali, Berklee College of Music graduate, and Andrew Wilcox, rising jazz pianist, composer, and arranger. Olivia Ilano Davis, founder of Spectrum in Motion dance company in Hartford, CT, and Tiffany Joseph, choreographer, educator, and health and wellness practitioner, provide choreography.

 “The music was stunning, and the acting was poignant and evocative. Never have I seen the portrayal of human strength, resilience, and recovery so beautifully rendered.” - Audience Member.