Marcus Callender, a Brooklyn native, has been making waves in the entertainment industry with his performances on both the small and big screens. Best known for his portrayal of Raymond “Ray Ray” Jones on the hit series Power and Oliver “Power” Grant in Wu-Tang: An American Saga on Hulu, Callender is building up an impressive resume.
In addition to his onscreen success, Callender is also a playwright. Most recently, he wrote Spades, a play that explores friendship and competition, centered around Black America’s favorite pastime. His diverse career continues to evolve as he explores new creative avenues in both acting and writing.
Callender’s journey into acting wasn’t always clear-cut. Growing up, he was more focused on sports than the arts. He played basketball and baseball in high school, but it wasn’t until his 11th-grade English class with teacher Miss Bauman that he discovered his passion for acting.
“I was kind of a class clown in high school,” Callender recalls during an interview with The Quintessential Gentleman. “I was smart but didn’t really like school. It wasn’t until Miss Bauman, who was into theater, flipped the script and had us read plays like The Crucible.”
In that class, Callender had his first taste of theater, performing a scene in front of his classmates. The unexpected feedback from his peers and Miss Bauman was enough to spark his interest in acting. “She said I was an actor, and I was like, ‘Get the f**k out of here,'” he laughs. “But that was the moment I caught the bug.”
From that point forward, Callender pursued acting, auditioning for his high school play A Raisin in the Sun, landing the lead role.
Callender’s acting career really took off when he landed the role of Raymond “Ray Ray” Jones, a dirty cop with a complicated moral compass, on Power. His portrayal of the character, who plays a pivotal role in the storyline, earned him widespread recognition.
But perhaps one of his most notable roles was as Oliver “Power” Grant in Wu-Tang: An American Saga, a Hulu series that chronicles the formation of the legendary hip-hop group, Wu-Tang Clan. Callender’s portrayal of Grant, one of the co-founders and executive producers of the group, showcased his versatility and ability to dive into complex, real-life figures.
With credits spanning several major TV series such as The Equalizer (CBS), Evil (CBS), New Amsterdam (NBC), and Random Acts of Flyness (HBO), Callender’s star is only continuing to rise.
While Callender’s acting career continues to soar, his passion for storytelling has led him down the path of playwriting. His latest project, Spades, is an immersive theater experience that brings the game of Spades to life. But it’s not just about the game—it’s about the conversations and the relationships that unfold throughout the night.
“Spades is the event,” Callender explains. “It’s what brings these four friends together this Friday night.”
The inspiration for Spades came during Callender’s own experiences with his close friends. “I was learning how to play Spades at my friend’s house…while we’re playing, we’re talking about all kinds of other shit,” he recalls. “I was like, ‘Yo, this would be a dope ass play.'”
Callender wanted to bring the essence of these late-night conversations and the tension of a game of Spades to the stage. The play centers around a group of friends who gather for a Friday night game of Spades. As the night unfolds, secrets are revealed, emotions run high, and relationships are tested.
What sets Spades apart from traditional theater is its immersive nature. Callender envisions the audience as part of the experience, with seating arranged around the stage in a circular fashion, making them feel as if they are in the room with the characters. “I want the audience to feel like they’re right there, sitting at the table with us, reacting to the drama unfolding,” he says.
The immersive aspect isn’t just limited to the stage. Callender plans to continue the experience after the show with a laid-back atmosphere where audience members can play their own games of Spades, talk to the actors, and enjoy music provided by a DJ.
“We want people to feel like they’re at the barbecue, chilling with friends,” Callender explains. “Spades is such a staple in the culture, and I want the audience to feel that connection.”
As Spades prepares to debut this summer in New York, Callender’s vision for the play extends far beyond the stage. He plans to take the show on a nationwide tour, with stops in cities like Atlanta, Washington D.C., and New Orleans—places where the cultural impact of Spades is undeniable.
“New Orleans is one of my favorite cities, and I know they’d eat it up,” Callender says, his eyes lighting up. “It’s all about bringing this experience to as many people as possible.”
And the journey doesn’t stop with theater. Callender is already thinking about the future of Spades beyond the stage, considering how the play could evolve into a TV series that follows the characters in their everyday lives, navigating the challenges of being young Black artists in New York City.
Check out the interview below.
For more information about Spades, check out Callender’s Instagram page for updates and ticket details.
Photo Credit: Efren Landaos/SOPA Images
