Meet the Cast: The Mountaintop

The Utah Shakespeare Festival excitedly announces the cast of The Mountaintop, directed by Cameron Knight. Knight is returning to direct at the Festival, having directed The Tempest and Richard III in the past.

Following Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., audience members watch as he confronts both his mortality and the future of his work.

“It puts a human touch and human connection on the legend that is Martin Luther King Jr. and brings him back down to the people,” Knight said.

Although fictional, the play shows themes of being a figurehead versus a private human.

“I love how bold the play is, and how bold Katori Hall was willing to tell some truths about Dr. King and race and race relations in this country,” Knight said. “I promise you’ll enjoy it.”

The cast is as follows:

Abdul-Khaliq Murtadha is debuting at the Festival as Martin Luther King Jr. in The Mountaintop and Peter Shaw in Silent Sky. He has performed at LaJolla Playhouse, Seattle Rep, and Asolo Rep, and many others. Television credits include Days of Our Lives, NCIS-LA, All My Children, and more. Film credits include Shirley (starring Regina King) and 8989 Redstone. Murtadha is a founding member of Africana Repertory Theatre of IU Indianapolis, an ensemble member of the Fonseca Theatre Company, and on the artistic board of Crescent City Stage in New Orleans. Awards include Best Actor at the New Orleans Short Film Festival and the NAACP Award for Best Ensemble at The Matrix Theatre in Los Angeles. He is an Assistant Professor in the BFA Acting program and Co-Artistic Director of The Mosaic Theatre Company at Auburn University. Murtadha received a Bachelor of Arts from Indiana University and Master of Fine Arts from University of California, San Diego. He is a member of Actors’ Equity Association.

Alia Shakira is debuting at the Festival as Camae in The Mountaintop and Annie Cannon in Silent Sky. Other credits include The House That Will Not Stand at Horizon Theater, A Lady and A Woman at Impact Theater, numerous plays at New Federal Theatre, and more. Television credits include The First Lady, The Come Up, Woke, and the film The Color Purple. Shakira received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting from Howard University and is thrilled to be making her Festival debut.

Produced in the intimate Eileen and Allen Anes Studio Theatre, The Mountaintop opens July 13 and runs until October 5. Visit bard.org to purchase tickets and to read the content advisory for the play.