Red for Revolution

Red for Revolution is nominated for two WEBBY AWARDS — and we’re still riding high from our Ambie win. To celebrate, we’re sharing unreleased audio from our conversation with the incomparable Debbie Allen, in conversation with cast members Jordan Hull, Renée Wilson, Caro Guzmán, and creator, writer, director Jana Naomi Smith.
Vote Red for Revolution for Best Scripted Fiction Podcast
Vote for Red for Revolution Best Original Music Score and Sound Design 
In May 2025, Red for Revolution joined Play Hard by Winter Dunn and Sext by Kierstyn Stevens for “Writing HERstory,” a powerful gathering centered on reclaiming narrative, honoring lived experience, and reflecting on the challenges and triumphs that shape our work. The event was hosted by The Debbie Allen Dance Academy, The Rhimes Performing Arts Center, and The Brett Fonfa Foundation.
We’re thrilled to bring this conversation back into the world. Enjoy! 
Red for Revolution is created, written, and directed by Jana Naomi Smith with Musical Direction by Tammy L. Hall and Sound Design by Collin Gerald Thomas. Original Music by Tammy L.  Hall and Jana Naomi Smith and performed by Renée Wilson, Loretta Devine, and Jordan Hull featuring the Red for Revolution band, Tammy L. Hall on piano, Kofy Brown on electric Bass, Ruth Davies on acoustic Bass, Ruthie Price on drums, Kristen Strom on saxophone and flute, and Vicki Randle on percussion. Cover art by Shefon N. Taylor. The series is executive produced by Renée Wilson, Jana Naomi Smith, and Meta Mana Media with associate producers Jordan Hull, Adrian Snegg, and Vanessa E. Williams. All episodes produced by Liz McBee.
For Radiotopia Presents, Yooree Losordo is the Managing Producer. Audrey Mardavich is the Executive Producer. Red for Revolution is part of Radiotopia Presents, a podcast feed that debuts limited-run, artist-owned series from new and original voices. The Red for Revolution team would like to thank each person who helped bring this project to life. Please visit redforrevolution.com for the complete credit and gratitude list, additional resources, and to sign up for our newsletter.
This audio drama was recorded under the SAG-AFTRA 2020 New Media Principal Performer Contract.
This episode featured performances by
Jordan Hull as Jazmine 
S. Epatha Merkerson as Ella Ali (present day)
Rutina Wesley as Ella Ali (1970s)
Renée Wilson as Lorraine Giovanni (1970s)
Caro Guzmán as Adrienne and Kathy
adrienne maree brown as Series Sonic Guide

To celebrate the anniversary of Red for Revolution’s Radiotopia debut, we’re dropping a special bonus episode.  Join members of the cast and creative team as they revisit the story's earliest seeds, its unexpected turns, and the beautiful collaboration. 
You’ll also hear exclusive, unreleased audio scenes from the cutting‑room floor. Part reflection, part celebration, and part revelation, this episode invites listeners into the room where the revolution truly began.
Red for Revolution is created, written, and directed by Jana Naomi Smith with Musical Direction by Tammy L. Hall and Sound Design by Collin Gerald Thomas. Original Music by Tammy L.  Hall and Jana Naomi Smith and performed by Renée Wilson, Loretta Devine, and Jordan Hull featuring the Red for Revolution band, Tammy L. Hall on piano, Kofy Brown on electric Bass, Ruth Davies on acoustic Bass, Ruthie Price on drums, Kristen Strom on saxophone and flute, and Vicki Randle on percussion. Cover art by Shefon N. Taylor. The series is executive produced by Renée Wilson, Jana Naomi Smith, and Meta Mana Media with associate producers Jordan Hull, Adrian Snegg, and Vanessa E. Williams. All episodes produced by Liz McBee.
The Red for Revolution team would like to thank each person who helped bring this project to life. Please visit redforrevolution.com for the complete credit and gratitude list. For additional resources and to sign up for our newsletter, visit redforrevolution.com.
This audio drama was recorded under the SAG-AFTRA 2020 New Media Principal Performer Contract.
This episode includes interviews with 
Jana Naomi Smith 
Jordan Hull
Tammy L. Hall 
Liz McBee
Renée Wilson
Alimi Ballard
And features performances by:
adrienne maree brown as series sonic guide
Ashley J. Hobbs as additional narrations 
Renée Wilson as Lorraine Giovanni (1970s)
Rutina Wesley as Ella Ali (1970s)
Alimi Ballard as LeRoy (1970s)
Will Kachi (Volunteer 1970s)
Music Featured:
“Revolution”
Written by Jana Naomi Smith
Original Composition by Tammy L. Hall 
Performed by Renée Wilson and the Red For Revolution Band
Tammy Hall, pianist & music director
Kofy Brown, electric Bassist
Ruth Davies, acoustic Bassist
Ruthie Price, drummer
Vicki Randle, percussionist
Kristen Strom, saxophonist/flautist 
For Radiotopia Presents, Yooree Losordo is the Managing Producer. Audrey Mardavich is the Executive Producer. Red for Revolution is part of Radiotopia Presents, a podcast feed that debuts limited-run, artist-owned series from new and original voices.

On May 24, 2025 in LA, Red for Revolution's creator/writer/director Jana Naomi Smith joined The Frogs for a rollicking live taping of their podcast, to talk career, inspiration, the origins of R4R, and for a live performance featuring Caro Guzmán.
To listen to the full episode, head over to the The Frogs — where theater, culture, and vibe collide. Co-hosted by Alex Ubokudom and Tobie Windham, the podcast dives deep with groundbreaking artists, thinkers, and storytellers who are shaping the future of performance and cultural expression.
From unforgettable interviews to live events and creative activations, The Frogs is more than a podcast, it’s a movement. It’s community. Whether you’re in the industry or simply love a good story, The Frogs invites you to tap in.

Created in collaboration with Outside In Theatre.

As tensions escalate and hearts are both shattered and healed, our season one love story reaches its climax in the City of Love. Jazmine’s family surprises her with a graduation trip to Paris, but little do they know, she has a surprise of her own in store.
Red for Revolution is created, written, and directed by Jana Naomi Smith with Musical Direction by Tammy L. Hall and Sound Design by Collin Gerald Thomas. Original Music by Tammy L.  Hall and Jana Naomi Smith and performed by Renée Wilson, Loretta Devine, and Jordan Hull featuring the Red for Revolution band, Tammy L. Hall on piano, Kofy Brown on electric Bass, Ruth Davies on acoustic Bass, Ruthie Price on drums, Kristen Strom on saxophone and flute, and Vicki Randle on percussion. Cover art by Shefon N. Taylor. The series is executive produced by Renée Wilson, Jana Naomi Smith, and Meta Mana Media with associate producers Jordan Hull, Adrian Snegg, and Vanessa E. Williams. All episodes produced by Liz McBee.
The Red for Revolution team would like to thank each person who helped bring this project to life. Please visit redforrevolution.com for the complete credit and gratitude list. For additional resources and to sign up for our newsletter visit redforrevolution.com.
This audio drama was recorded under the SAG-AFTRA 2020 New Media Principal Performer Contract. 
Episode Six Cast:
Jordan Hull a s Jazmine James
S. Epatha Merkerson as Ella Ali (Present Day)
Loretta Devine as Lorraine Giovanni (Present Day)
Renée Wilson as Lorraine Giovanni (1970s)
Rutina Wesley as Ella Ali (1970s)
Alimi Ballard as LeRoy
Jennifer Beals as Suzanne Sands  
Mal'akiy Rhoden as Miles James
Ashley J. Hobbs as Airline Announcer
Mathew Quitney as Stage Manager
Christine Angelique as Paris Music Festival Announcer 
Caro Guzmán as Adrienne
Music Featured:
“I Don’t Want To Know”
Written by Jana Naomi Smith
Original Composition by Tammy L. Hall 
Performed by Jordan Hull 
“I Love Paris”
Written by Cole Porter
Performed by Loretta Devine and the Red for Revolution Band
Courtesy of WARNER CHAPPELL MUSIC INC.
“Dare To Love”
Written by Jana Naomi Smith
Original Composition by Tammy L. Hall 
Performed by Loretta Devine and the Red For Revolution Band
For Radiotopia Presents, Yooree Losordo is the Managing Producer. Audrey Mardavich is the Executive Producer. Red for Revolution is part of Radiotopia Presents, a podcast feed that debuts limited-run, artist-owned series from new and original voices.

As tensions between Jazmine and her mother boil over, Grandma Ella steps in, guiding the three women to confront the painful reality of intergenerational homophobia. Meanwhile, back in the 1970s, the stakes soar for Ella and Lorraine’s relationship as young Ella is falsely accused of a crime. 
Red for Revolution is created, written, and directed by Jana Naomi Smith with Musical Direction by Tammy L. Hall and Sound Design by Collin Gerald Thomas. Original Music by Tammy L.  Hall and Jana Naomi Smith and performed by Renée Wilson, Loretta Devine, and Jordan Hull featuring the Red for Revolution band, Tammy L. Hall on piano, Kofy Brown on electric Bass, Ruth Davies on acoustic Bass, Ruthie Price on drums, Kristen Strom on saxophone and flute, and Vicki Randle on percussion. Cover art by Shefon N. Taylor. The series is executive produced by Renée Wilson, Jana Naomi Smith, and Meta Mana Media with associate producers Jordan Hull, Adrian Snegg, and Vanessa E. Williams. All episodes produced by Liz McBee.
The Red for Revolution team would like to thank each person who helped bring this project to life. Please visit redforrevolution.com for the complete credit and gratitude list. For additional resources and to sign up for our newsletter visit redforrevolution.com.
This audio drama was recorded under the SAG-AFTRA 2020 New Media Principal Performer Contract. 
Episode 5 Cast:
Jordan Hull a s Jazmine James
S. Epatha Merkerson as Ella Ali (Present Day)
Loretta Devine as Lorraine Giovanni (Present Day)
Renée Wilson as Lorraine Giovanni (1970s)
Rutina Wesley as Ella Ali (1970s)
Don Daniels as Sean 
Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor as Delores Ali
Danny Glover as Howard Ali
Jennifer Beals as Suzanne Sands  
Vanessa E. Williams as Barbra Graves
JoNell Kennedy as News Reporter
Mark Thompson as William Davis
Caro Guzmán as Kathy
Miles Agee as Vincent and Preacher
Xavier Miles Temple as Nightclub Runner
Music Featured:
“His Eye is on the Sparrow”
Written by Civilla Durfee Martin and Charles Hutchinson Gabriel
Performed by Renée Wilson
“Send In The Clowns”
Written by Stephen Sondheim
Performed by Renée Wilson and Jordan Hull and the Red for Revolution Band
Courtesy of WARNER CHAPPELL MUSIC INC.
For Radiotopia Presents, Yooree Losordo is the Managing Producer. Audrey Mardavich is the Executive Producer. Red for Revolution is part of Radiotopia Presents, a podcast feed that debuts limited-run, artist-owned series from new and original voices.