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February 1 - 23, 2025 , Allen Theatre

Fat Ham

written by James Ijames
directed by Nathan Henry

Advisory: Mature adult language, sexual and descriptive language, stage haze/fog, flashing light effects, violence, alcohol consumption, drug use, body dysmorphia, homophobic and racial slurs. Recommended for ages 14+.

Presented by

KeyBank Paul M. Angell Foundation

Shakespeare’s Hamlet has been invited to the backyard barbeque! Get your plate ready for a slab of smokin’ hot revenge, served with a hefty scoop of vengeance, and a side of karaoke. Without spilling too much of the sweet tea, a visit from beyond the grave reveals family secrets and scandalous generational trauma. How will “Juicy,” a queer Southern Black mama’s boy, reconcile the truth in service of his own liberation? This Pulitzer Prize-winning play is a delicious, outrageously, heaping hot mess of hilarity!

Previews: Feb 1-6 | Opening Night: Feb 7

Photos & Videos Download Hi Res Photos

Ananias J. Dixon (Juicy) in the 2025 CPH Production of FAT HAM. Photo by Roger Mastroianni.

Shunté Lofton (Opal) and Paul Oakley Stovall (Pap/Rev) in the 2025 CPH production of FAT HAM. Photo by Roger Mastroianni.

Brenden Peifer (Tio) in the 2025 CPH Production of FAT HAM. Photo by Roger Mastroianni.

The cast of the 2025 CPH production of FAT HAM. Photo by Roger Mastroianni.

Brenden Peifer (Tio), Ananias J. Dixon (Juicy), and Mell-Vonti Bowens, Jr. (Larry) in the 2025 CPH production of FAT HAM. Photo by Roger Mastroianni.

The cast of the 2025 CPH production of FAT HAM. Photo by Roger Mastroianni.

Tanesha Gary (Tedra) and Ananias J. Dixon (Juicy) in the 2025 CPH production of FAT HAM. Photo by Roger Mastroianni.

The cast of the 2025 CPH Production of FAT HAM. Photo by Roger Mastroianni.

Ananias J. Dixon (Juicy) in the 2025 CPH Production of FAT HAM. Photo by Roger Mastroianni.

Paul Oakley Stovall (Pap/Rev) and Tanesha Gary (Tedra) in the 2025 CPH production of FAT HAM. Photo by Roger Mastroianni.

Paul Oakley Stovall (Pap/Rev) and Ananias J. Dixon (Juicy) in the 2025 CPH production of FAT HAM. Photo by Roger Mastroianni.

Mell-Vonti Bowens, Jr. (Larry) and Ananias J. Dixon (Juicy) in the 2025 CPH Production of FAT HAM. Photo by Roger Mastroianni.

Ananias J. Dixon (Juicy) and Shunté Lofton (Opal) in the 2025 CPH Production of FAT HAM. Photo by Roger Mastroianni.

Photo by Roger Mastroianni, featuring Mariama Whyte (Rabby) and Tanesha Gary (Tedra) in the 2025 CPH production of FAT HAM.

Photo by Roger Mastroianni, featuring Ananias J. Dixon (Juicy) and Brenden Peifer (Tio) in the 2025 CPH production of FAT HAM.

Fat Ham in 50 Seconds! Click to learn more about FAT HAM at CPH.

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Artists

Mell-Vonti Bowens, Jr.

Mell-Vonti Bowens, Jr.

(Larry) Graduate of Baldwin Wallace Universities BFA Acting Program. Recently appeared as Tham the Brave in North: the Musical in the 12 city West Coast National Tour and in Little Shop of Horrors as Audrey II at The Garden Theatre in Winter Garden, Florida. Mell-Vonti’s Cleveland credits include; Lucas more(Larry) Graduate of Baldwin Wallace Universities BFA Acting Program. Recently appeared as Tham the Brave in North: the Musical in the 12 city West Coast National Tour and in Little Shop of Horrors as Audrey II at The Garden Theatre in Winter Garden, Florida. Mell-Vonti’s Cleveland credits include; Lucas in the Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin at Karamu House, ISA in Kill Move Paradise at Dobama, Soldier in Macbeth at Great Lakes Theatre, Donkey in Shrek the Musical, and David Keaton in the Exonerated at the Beck Center for the Arts. Mell is ecstatic to dive back into the esteemed writing of playwright James ljames after his Cleveland Premier of James’s Kill Move Paradise. All thanks to God for His continued guidance and favor on this artistic journey. (@TheRealSup3rstar)

Ananias J. Dixon

Ananias J. Dixon

(Juicy) is an actor, director, coach, arts educator, Education Content Production Coordinator at Playhouse Square and Co-founder and executive Director of DOC Studios. Theater credits include: Sweat, Two trains Running, and Lyon’s Den (Pittsburgh Public Theatre); Kill Move Paradice, Skeleton Crew, Sunset Baby, The Effect, An Octoroon (Dobama Theatre); more(Juicy) is an actor, director, coach, arts educator, Education Content Production Coordinator at Playhouse Square and Co-founder and executive Director of DOC Studios. Theater credits include: Sweat, Two trains Running, and Lyon’s Den (Pittsburgh Public Theatre); Kill Move Paradice, Skeleton Crew, Sunset Baby, The Effect, An Octoroon (Dobama Theatre); Detroit 67, Julius X , The Blacks: A Clown Show (Karamu House); The Claxson Family, How to End Poverty in 90 min, Ratus and Hattie (Cleveland Public Theater); Ali Summit (Actor Theatre of Louisville) Black Angels Over Tuskegee (Actors Temple); John Henry, The royale (Cleveland Play House); The Toilet (New federal theatre). TV/film Includes: Law and Order: SVU, Blue Bloods, Person of Interest, Boardwalk Empire, Upstairs, NYC 22, Antwone Fisher, Home_, and Criminal Activity, Sin Eater, Figure it out, and Standing8. For more information visit: Ananiasjdixon.com or Ananiasjdixon on all platforms.

Tanesha Gary

Tanesha Gary

(Tedra) (she/her) is excited to make her Cleveland Play House debut with this production. She’s a Chicago native that resides in NY. She’s an actor, musician, recording artist and lover of life. Some of her theatre credits are Caroline, or Change at Eugene O’Neill Theatre, La Cage Aux Folles more(Tedra) (she/her) is excited to make her Cleveland Play House debut with this production. She’s a Chicago native that resides in NY. She’s an actor, musician, recording artist and lover of life. Some of her theatre credits are Caroline, or Change at Eugene O’Neill Theatre, La Cage Aux Folles at Barrington Stage, Fat Ham at The Public Theatre and Studio Theatre DC, Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill at Human Race Theatre, Newsies at Maltz Jupiter Theatre and To Kill A Mockingbird at The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis. Tanesha can be seen in television episodes of Law & Order: SVU, Blue Bloods and Bull. She is the voice of Worm's Mom in Bug Diaries. Some of Tanesha’s film credits are Bamboozled, The Cycle and Mr. Wonderful. taneshagary.com On social media at @tanesha_gary (Instagram and Twitter) @taneshagary (Facebook)

Shunté Lofton

Shunté Lofton

(Opal) is very excited to be returning to Cleveland Play House! She is a recent graduate of the CWRU/CPH MFA Acting Program. Her previous Cleveland credits include: Jane Bennet (Pride and Prejudice), Countess Johanna Von Strack (Amadeus), Prospera (The Tempest), Lucrece (The Liar), Death (Everybody), and F (Passage). more(Opal) is very excited to be returning to Cleveland Play House! She is a recent graduate of the CWRU/CPH MFA Acting Program. Her previous Cleveland credits include: Jane Bennet (Pride and Prejudice), Countess Johanna Von Strack (Amadeus), Prospera (The Tempest), Lucrece (The Liar), Death (Everybody), and F (Passage). She also served as the Assistant Director for Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. She’s had the privilege of growing up all over the world and comes to Cleveland from her new home base in New York. She is thankful to God and to her family for their continued support. A lover of the classics, she has performed her way through over half of Shakespeare’s canon. Some of her favorite credits include: Ophelia (Hamlet) and Princess of France (Love’s Labour’s Lost) with the American Shakespeare Center; Lady Macbeth (Macbeth) and Constance (King John) with the Colorado Shakespeare Festival. She is represented by Dani Super Management, Docherty Agency and is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association. Website: shuntelofton.com

Paul Oakley Stovall

Paul Oakley Stovall

(Pap/Rev) is making his Cleveland Play House debut. Broadway: A Strange Loop (co-producer; Tony award). Tours: Hamilton (1st National; George Washington), Rent, Once on this Island. Regional: Twelfth Night (Chicago Shakespeare Theatre; Malvolio; Je nomination), Angels in America I and II (KC Rep; Belize; dir. David Cromer), Goodman, Steppenwolf, more(Pap/Rev) is making his Cleveland Play House debut. Broadway: A Strange Loop (co-producer; Tony award). Tours: Hamilton (1st National; George Washington), Rent, Once on this Island. Regional: Twelfth Night (Chicago Shakespeare Theatre; Malvolio; Je nomination), Angels in America I and II (KC Rep; Belize; dir. David Cromer), Goodman, Steppenwolf, Court, Berkeley Rep, La Jolla, Huntington, etc. Playwright: Immediate Family (dir. Phylicia Rashad - Goodman, Mark Taper), Written by Phillis (Quintessence Theatre Group); Alkebulan: A New Musical (workshop- Irish Institute of Music and Song, Porchlight Music Theatre). Directing: Gods And Monsters (Je nomination), Giovanni’s Room (upcoming spring 2025/also co-adapter - QUINTESSENCE). Film/TV: Buffalo (producer, writer, winner Best Actor- Diversity in Cannes Showcase), Columbus, Charlotte, Chicago (producer/writer/actor); sci-web series Tulsa available on Amazon Prime. Shameless, Chicago PD, Empire, John Cameron Mitchell’s Shortbus, Robert Altman’s The Company. Former Advance Associate/Media Logistics Coordinator for First Lady Michelle Obama, domestic and international. @tallpowerpaul

Brenden Peifer

Brenden Peifer

(Tio) is thrilled to make his Cleveland Play House debut in this production of Fat Ham. He has been a regular on Pittsburgh regional stages, and most recently appeared in Skeleton Crew (Dez) and American Buffalo (Bobby) at barebones productions. At the Pittsburgh Public Theatre, credits include A more(Tio) is thrilled to make his Cleveland Play House debut in this production of Fat Ham. He has been a regular on Pittsburgh regional stages, and most recently appeared in Skeleton Crew (Dez) and American Buffalo (Bobby) at barebones productions. At the Pittsburgh Public Theatre, credits include A Midsummer Night’s Dream in Harlem (Demetrius), A Raisin in the Sun (George Murchison), and August Wilson’s Two Trains Running (Sterling). Other Pittsburgh credits include Hamlet (Laertes) for Quantum Theatre, One Night in Miami (Jamaal) at City Theatre Company, and many more shows for the New Hazlett’s CSA Series, Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre Company, Bricolage Production Company, New Horizon Theatre, FolkLab, and PPT’s PlayTime series. He is based in Pittsburgh, PA and proudly serves as the Outreach and Engagement Coordinator for the August Wilson Archive at the University of Pittsburgh Library System. Instagram: @brendenpeifer

Mariama Whyte

Mariama Whyte

(Rabby) is very excited to return to Cleveland Play House in?Fat Ham. A multi-hyphenate artist, Mariama’s CPH credits include appearances in Light it Up!, The Amen Corner, The Price of the Ticket, The Nolan Williams Project, In The Groove and Over The Top, and Inspiring Resolutions. She has performed more(Rabby) is very excited to return to Cleveland Play House in?Fat Ham. A multi-hyphenate artist, Mariama’s CPH credits include appearances in Light it Up!, The Amen Corner, The Price of the Ticket, The Nolan Williams Project, In The Groove and Over The Top, and Inspiring Resolutions. She has performed in the Broadway National Tours of The Lion King and?The Color Purple?and throughout the Cleveland area at Karamu House, Dobama Theatre, and Cleveland Public Theatre. As a vocalist, Mariama has headlined various shows throughout Northeast Ohio and has shared the stage with world renowned performers and musicians, including David Foster, John Legend, and Michelle Williams. She has released several music projects as an independent recording artist, including Beyond, What If I Fall In Love Witchu, and Find Your Light.?As a screen actor, Mariama has appeared in American Rust with Jeff Daniels, several regional commercials, and various independent film projects. A TEDx and keynote speaker as well, Mariama enjoys sharing her insight through story and song to inspire and entertain her audiences. Awards: Room in the House Artist Residency (Karamu House 2020), Verge Fellowship (Cleveland Arts Prize 2019). Mariama Whyte is a member of Actor’s Equity Association and SAG/AFTRA.?www.mariamawhyte.com?

Brianna Miller

Brianna Miller

(U/S Opal) graduated from Earlham College with a Bachelor's in Theatre Arts in 2021. Since then she has made appearances on several regional stages. Some of her favorite roles include Gwendolyn in The Importance of Being Earnest (Santa Cruz Shakespeare), Camae in The Mountaintop (Uptown Performing Arts Center), Millie more(U/S Opal) graduated from Earlham College with a Bachelor's in Theatre Arts in 2021. Since then she has made appearances on several regional stages. Some of her favorite roles include Gwendolyn in The Importance of Being Earnest (Santa Cruz Shakespeare), Camae in The Mountaintop (Uptown Performing Arts Center), Millie Davis in Trouble In Mind (Cincinnati Shakespeare Company), and Lady Macbeth in Macbeth (Cincinnati Shakespeare Company's Free Shakespeare in The Park).

Mary-Francis R.  Miller

Mary-Francis R. Miller

(U/S Tedra and Rabby) is an actor, vocalist, musician, and proud Cleveland native. Mary-Francis was a member of the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus and Chamber Chorus. Performance credits include the Karamu House production of Elton John and Tim Rice’s Aida, the Cleveland Public Theatre productions of Fire on the Water more(U/S Tedra and Rabby) is an actor, vocalist, musician, and proud Cleveland native. Mary-Francis was a member of the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus and Chamber Chorus. Performance credits include the Karamu House production of Elton John and Tim Rice’s Aida, the Cleveland Public Theatre productions of Fire on the Water and Panther Women as actor and music director, the Ohio premiere of Sunset Baby at Dobama Theatre, the Karamu House productions of Passing Strange, Simply Simone and the American premiere of The Adventures of the Black Girl in Her Search for God. Mary-Francis also starred in an educational web series in collaboration with PNC and The Cleveland Orchestra entitled Music Explorers. Film credits include The Emancipation of Miss Millie, Black Hiding Place, and Figure It Out.

Geoff Short

Geoff Short

(U/S Pap/Rev) Geoff is thrilled to be working with the Fat Ham team, his first show at CPH since coming back home to Cleveland after directing and performing in South Florida for the past 10 years. He last appeared as Mitch Mahoney in Cain Park’s 2024 production of The more(U/S Pap/Rev) Geoff is thrilled to be working with the Fat Ham team, his first show at CPH since coming back home to Cleveland after directing and performing in South Florida for the past 10 years. He last appeared as Mitch Mahoney in Cain Park’s 2024 production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and as Streetsinger in the Near West Theatre Production of Brooklyn. He will be making his Seat of the Pants Productions debut in March as Gerald in Amerikin. Other recent credits: Once on This Island (Ton Ton), Jesus Christ Superstar (Judas), Driving Miss Daisy (Hoke), Jekyll & Hyde (Utterson). Recent Directing credits: Evita, Something Rotten, Wedding Singer, West Side Story, Jesus Christ Superstar, In the Heights. Geoff thanks Cindy for her love and support, and all of his family and everyone at CPH for this opportunity. It’s great to be home! www.GeoffreyBShort.com

Marvis Stevens

Marvis Stevens

(U/S Juicy, Larry) (he/they) is a junior BWMT from Maple Grove, Minnesota, and is extremely excited to be joining the cast of Fat Ham. He has been performing in musicals, showcases, plays, and more for the past six years. Recently, he’s been featured as Mr. Black (The Wild Party), more(U/S Juicy, Larry) (he/they) is a junior BWMT from Maple Grove, Minnesota, and is extremely excited to be joining the cast of Fat Ham. He has been performing in musicals, showcases, plays, and more for the past six years. Recently, he’s been featured as Mr. Black (The Wild Party), Audrey 2 (Little Shop of Horrors), and Jesus (Jesus Christ Superstar). Marvis is passionate about storytelling that amplifies underrepresented voices and fosters connection through the arts. He would like to thank his family and mentors for their continued support and inspiration.INSTAGRAM: @marvisstevens

Nathan Henry

(Director) has worked as a professional director, producer, and actor for over 20 years. Notable director credits include?the regional premiere of James Ijames’?Kill Move Paradise?at Dobama Theatre;?the world premiere of Nina Domingue’s?The Absolutely Amazing and True Adventures of Miss Joan Southgate?at Cleveland Public Theatre; the Cleveland professional premiere of more(Director) has worked as a professional director, producer, and actor for over 20 years. Notable director credits include?the regional premiere of James Ijames’?Kill Move Paradise?at Dobama Theatre;?the world premiere of Nina Domingue’s?The Absolutely Amazing and True Adventures of Miss Joan Southgate?at Cleveland Public Theatre; the Cleveland professional premiere of Jonathan Larson’s Rent?at Cain Park;?Eric Coble’s?The Velocity of Autumn?at Karamu House;?Brooklyn the Musical?at Near West Theatre; the regional premier of Dominique Morisseau’s Night Vision at Ensemble Theatre; Idris Goodwin’s?Jacked!?at Cleveland Play House; the world premiere of White Man’s Burden at Beck Center for the Arts (in partnership with the National Alliance for Music Theatre and the BW Music Theatre program); Stephen Schwartz’s Pippin?for the BW Music Theatre Program; Lynn Nottage's?Sweat?at BW Theatre;?Dominique Morisseau’s Detroit ’67 at BW Theatre; the touring production of Ya Mama!?at Cleveland Public Theatre and Hollywood Fringe Festival; Douglas Turner Ward’s Day of Absence at Karamu House; the world premiere of Nina Domingue’s The Web of Anansi at Near West Theatre; August Wilson’s Seven Guitars at Cleveland School of the Arts; and?the critically-acclaimed production of Stew’s Passing Strange?at Karamu House; which earned him the?Cleveland Scene?Theatre Award for Best Director. Nathan has served Cleveland Play House for over 20 seasons in various roles and capacities. He is currently CPH’s Director of Artistic Engagement and Inclusivity, following six seasons?as CPH’s Director of Marketing. Member: SSDC, The Drama League, Theatre Communications Group, the ArtEquity BIPOC Leadership Circle in partnership with Yale University. Alma Mater: Baldwin-Wallace Conservatory of Music. Nathan dedicates this production to the memory of his beloved mother, Minnie Alice Jeffries Lilly, a who became an ancestor in January 2024. Romans 8:28.

Shaun Motley

(Scenic Designer) Shaun is very excited to work at Cleveland Play House and work with director, Nathan Lilly on Fat Ham. Some of his theater credits include The Jonah People world premiere at Nashville Symphony; Nina Simone: Four Women (KC Rep and Milwaukee Rep); Seven Guitars (Milwaukee Rep and more(Scenic Designer) Shaun is very excited to work at Cleveland Play House and work with director, Nathan Lilly on Fat Ham. Some of his theater credits include The Jonah People world premiere at Nashville Symphony; Nina Simone: Four Women (KC Rep and Milwaukee Rep); Seven Guitars (Milwaukee Rep and Cincinnati Playhouse); Reclamation of Madison Hemings (Indiana Repertory Theatre); King Lear, Romeo & Juliet, The Rivals, and Fences (American Players Theater); Alice’s Wonderland, Red Riding Hood, Jitney, Top Dog Under Dog, and Fences (South Coast Repertory); Blues In The Night, Pipeline (Alabama Shakespeare Festival); Three Sisters (Lower Depth Theatre); Po Boy Tango (East West Players); Home, Zooman, and The Sign (Signature Theatre); Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill and Cuttin’ Up (Arena Stage). Some of his TV/Film productions include The Wall, College Bowl, Little Big Shots (NBC); Card Sharks, Press Your Luck, Family Food Fight, and Weakest Link (ABC); Spin The Wheel (FOX); Love Is Blind, and Pressure Cooker (Netflix); Real Husbands of Hollywood (BET); and After Midnight, Let’s Make A Deal, and Superfan (CBS); Are You Smarter Than A Celebrity and Wishlist Games (MGM/Amazon Prime).

Yvonne L. Miranda

(Costume Designer) is excited to make her debut at Cleveland Play House. A United States Marine Corps war veteran who hales from the state of Texas & now resides in Chicago, IL. She is a nominee of the 2022 Helen Hayes Award for Best Costume Design for her work more(Costume Designer) is excited to make her debut at Cleveland Play House. A United States Marine Corps war veteran who hales from the state of Texas & now resides in Chicago, IL. She is a nominee of the 2022 Helen Hayes Award for Best Costume Design for her work on Woolly Mammoth Theatre & Baltimore Center Stage’s co-production of Ain’t No Mo and has been named American Theatre’s Role Call People to Watch. Chicago:?World Premiere Leroy & Lucy (Steppenwolf Theatre Company); Primary Trust?(Goodman Theatre);?Flood?(Shattered Globe Theatre); Somewhere Over the Border (Teatro Vista Theatre).?Regional: Once on this Island (Oregon Shakespeare Festival); Our Town, Public Works Dallas-The Odyssey & Into the Woods (Dallas Theare Center).?Off Broadway: The Knight of the Burning Pestle?(Red Bull Theatre + Fiasco Theatre).? www.yvonnemirandadesigns.com

Erica Lauren Maholmes

(Lighting Designer) (she/her) is a Kansas City-based USA829 lighting designer. She recently designed Pride and Prejudice and was a Lighting Apprentice at CPH for the 2019/2020 Season (Into The Breeches, Pipeline, Clue, Merchant of Venice, Getting Near To Baby, Every Brilliant Thing, A Christmas Story). She made her Broadway more(Lighting Designer) (she/her) is a Kansas City-based USA829 lighting designer. She recently designed Pride and Prejudice and was a Lighting Apprentice at CPH for the 2019/2020 Season (Into The Breeches, Pipeline, Clue, Merchant of Venice, Getting Near To Baby, Every Brilliant Thing, A Christmas Story). She made her Broadway debut as the Assistant Lighting Designer of The Notebook: The Musical and Associate Lighting Designer of Mary Jane (Manhattan Theatre Club).Erica has designed at theaters across the country including: Great Lakes Theater, Idaho Shakespeare Festival, A Red Orchid Theatre, Trinity Rep, First Stage Children’s Theatre, Cape Fear Regional Theatre, Alley Theatre, etc. Erica is an alumna of Stagecraft Institute of Las Vegas (2016 & 2021), West Chester University (BA), and Illinois State University (MFA). She is a proud member of Black Theatre Network, Design Action, and is an Artistic Board member of Cat’s Cradle Theatre.

Derek A. Graham

(Sound Designer) (he/him) is a sound designer, audio engineer, and composer based in Raleigh, NC. Recent CPH credits include What the Constitution Means to Me (Sound Designer) and Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (Composer); Recent regional designs include TYT 5 (Sacred Fools Theater Company); Fat Ham; They Do Not Know Harlem more(Sound Designer) (he/him) is a sound designer, audio engineer, and composer based in Raleigh, NC. Recent CPH credits include What the Constitution Means to Me (Sound Designer) and Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (Composer); Recent regional designs include TYT 5 (Sacred Fools Theater Company); Fat Ham; They Do Not Know Harlem (PlayMakers Repertory Company); What We Look Like; Kill Move Paradise; Skeleton Crew; Wakey, Wakey; An Octaroon (Dobama Theatre); I Shall Not Be Moved/Your Negro Tour Guide (Ensemble Theatre Cincinatti). Recent regional compositions: Incident at Our Lady of Perpetual Help (Asolo Repertory Theatre); In Every Generation (TheatreWorks Silicon Valley); The Chinese Lady (Artists Repertory Theatre); Redwood (World Premiere, Portland Center Stage at the Armory. He holds an MFA in Sound Design from Ohio University and a BA in Music with an emphasis in Sound Recording Technology from Elizabeth City State University.

Rueben D. Echoles

(Wig Designer) (he/him) Rueben is an accomplished playwright, director, choreographer, illustrator, costume and wig designer. He has had the pleasure of working with many theater companies across the country and in the Chicagoland area such as ETA, Black Ensemble, Mmpact, Congo Square, Refuge, Porchlight Music Theater, Drury Lane Oakbrook, more(Wig Designer) (he/him) Rueben is an accomplished playwright, director, choreographer, illustrator, costume and wig designer. He has had the pleasure of working with many theater companies across the country and in the Chicagoland area such as ETA, Black Ensemble, Mmpact, Congo Square, Refuge, Porchlight Music Theater, Drury Lane Oakbrook, Skylight Milwaukee, Writers Theater, Theo Ubique, Invictus, The Goodman Theater, Phoenix Theater Company and Studio One Dance Theater, just to name a few. His most recent projects include Wig Design for Lion in Winter at Court Theatre, Costume and Wig design for Fela at Olney, Wig design for Rent at The Muny, Wig Design for Dreamgirls at Paramount Aurora and North Carolina Theatre Company as well as Costume Design for You Can’t Fake the Funk which was featured at The National Black Theater Festival and earned Rueben A Joseph Jefferson award for best costume design in a Large Theater. Rueben has also designed costumes for 4 Episodes for WTTW’s Chicago Stories docu- series, two of which (Ida B. Wells and The History of Gospel) have won Emmys for best production. Rueben would like to Thank Christ his Savior for Everything!

Jailyn Sherrell Harris

(Associate Director and Choreographer) is a Cleveland native, graduated from Bowling Green State University with a BA in Theatre and a minor in Dance. She has performed in film, festivals, arenas, and theaters across Northeast Ohio, with credits at Dobama Theatre, Ohio Shakespeare Festival, and Karamu House. Notably, she more(Associate Director and Choreographer) is a Cleveland native, graduated from Bowling Green State University with a BA in Theatre and a minor in Dance. She has performed in film, festivals, arenas, and theaters across Northeast Ohio, with credits at Dobama Theatre, Ohio Shakespeare Festival, and Karamu House. Notably, she participated in the world premiere of Velveteen: A New Musical at Playhouse Square and Heartbreakers in Hell by Joey Contreras at Rubber City Theatre. Jailyn has also choreographed productions for Near West Theatre and Dobama Theatre, among others. Her directing credits include Matilda (M.A.D Factory) and a staged reading of Wishful Thinking (Rubber City Theatre). In 2023, she was named a Room in the House Fellow. With a strong background in Jazz, Hip Hop, and Musical Theatre, Jailyn is an Associate Member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC) and has choreographed for various organizations, including Sitar Arts Center in Washington, DC.

Nina Domingue

Nina Domingue

(Production Dramaturg & Intimacy Coordinator) is a Black Woman, Griot, Actor, Playwright, Director, Cultural Memory Worker, #NOLAGirl4Life, Teaching Artist, and Intimacy Advocate pursuing Choreographic certification, ever-becoming. She writes in the tradition of those women who explore the interior lives of Black women with love, curiosity, and wonder. Nina has more(Production Dramaturg & Intimacy Coordinator) is a Black Woman, Griot, Actor, Playwright, Director, Cultural Memory Worker, #NOLAGirl4Life, Teaching Artist, and Intimacy Advocate pursuing Choreographic certification, ever-becoming. She writes in the tradition of those women who explore the interior lives of Black women with love, curiosity, and wonder. Nina has choreographed intimacy for the following productions: Cleveland School of the Arts New Play Festival 2023, RENT at Cain Park, The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds her Chameleon Skin, Clyde's, It Happened In Atlanta & Purlie Victorious at Karamu House, and Cabaret at CWRU. Nina's work was featured on the Kilroy’s List 2020 “The Lost Plays”, and she was a Cleveland Public Theater, Premier Fellow 2021, CPT Catapult Fellow 2019, Nord Family Foundation Playwriting Fellow 2019, Twelve Literary Arts Barabara Smith Fellow, 2019. She currently serves as the Associate Artistic Director of Karamu House, the Oldest Black Producing Theatre in the country.

Colleen Longshaw Jackson

Colleen Longshaw Jackson

(Musical Director) is no stranger to Cleveland Play House and is excited to be working on another show for the Allen Stage with an amazing group of artists. Colleen is currently the Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer for the City of Shaker Heights. While doing this important work more(Musical Director) is no stranger to Cleveland Play House and is excited to be working on another show for the Allen Stage with an amazing group of artists. Colleen is currently the Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer for the City of Shaker Heights. While doing this important work she performs and directs as often as she is able.National Tour: Kiss Me Kate. New York: The Groove Factory. Regional: Hairspray (Northshore Music Theatre), The Full Monty (Northshore Music Theatre). Cleveland: Ain't Misbehavin (Great Lakes Theatre). Ghost (Beck Center for the Arts), Caroline Or Change (Tantrum Theatre, Karamu/Dobama, Mercury Theatre), Blackademics (Cleveland Play House), Pipeline (Cleveland Play House), The Piano Lesson, (Cleveland Play House), A Christmas Carol (Great Lakes Theatre), The Color Purple, (Karamu House), Sister Act (Karamu House, Porthouse Theatre), Hurricane Diane (Dobama Theatre), Twelfth Night (Ohio Shakespeare Theatre), Dreamgirls, (Cain Park), and Aida (Beck Center). For Dorothy. IG: itscolleen_13

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