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Get on the green train! If you do not need your programs, please recycle at the door as you leave or give them to the ushers. Thanks!

Department of Theatre FACULTY (listed alphabetically)

Asabi (Stephanie Howard), PhD., Associate Professor/ Dept. Chair - Directing Nadia Bodie-Smith, PhD., Asst. Professor/Prop Design/Set Decor - Acting, Voice Toya Chinfloo, M.F.A., Adjunct Instructor - Dance, Theatre Movement Howard L Craft, M.F.A., Adjunct Instructor - Playwriting Kenneth Hinton, M.A., Instructor/Publicity - Theatre History, Dramatic Lit. Kristi V. Johnson, Ed.D., Asst. Professor/Director of Dance - Modern Dance, Education Arthur Reese, M.F.A., Associate Professor/Technical Director – Light Design Nicole Sainworla, M.A., Adjunct Instructor/Theatre Manager – Intro to Theatre Irving Truitt, M.A., Adjunct Instructor – Drama Appreciation

Shrease Brown, M.F.A., Adjunct Instructor – Ballet, Dance Education

STAFF Shayron Saunders Administrative Associate /Box Office/Publicity Pamela Bond, M.S. Arts Production Specialist/Box Office

THEATRE OFFICE HOURS Available Monday - Friday 8:00am – 5:00pm Theatre Office 106 Located in Farrison Newton Communication Building During performances, the box office opens 60 minutes before the show. Main Office: 919-530-6242 Fax: 919-530-5117 For Tickets & More Info: https://our.show/nccutheatre EMAIL - [email protected]

CHECK US OUT ON SOCIAL MEDIA—NCCUTHEATRE 20

Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre NAST since 1997

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2022-2023 Department of Theatre Season

COMING UP

CELEBRATING CULTURAL CONSCIOUSNESS I regard the theatre as the greatest of all art forms, the most immediate way in which a human being can share with another the sense of what it is to be a human being. As we continue to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, we also continue to recover from and fight against racial discrimination whose venom still stings sharply at many aspects of our existence. It is upon this premise that we open the doors to our 72nd season yelling the sentiments of Thornton Wilder and bringing affirmation of the strength, worth, contributions, and beauty of marginalized people. Art is that necessary sustenance for the soul of mankind to become tangible, harmonic, and even loving. Maintaining artistic purpose, we promise to continue our efforts at providing excellence in service to the community and the university; to perpetuate a high level of personal, scholastic, cultural and artistic development of our students; and to expand our positive theatrical impact. Our global community demands that we put forth every effort at increasing theatrical exposure beyond present boundaries. With my absolute commitment coupled with the enlightened and invaluable support of the University Administration, our Dean, and the Friends of the Theatre; Full Time Professors Arthur Reese, Nadia Bodie-Smith, Kristi Johnson, and Kenneth Hinton; Adjunct Professors Irving Truitt, Nicole Sainworla, Toya Chinfloo, Howard Craft, and Shrease Johnson Brown; and Staff Members - Art Production Specialist Pamela Bond and Administrative Associate Shayron Saunders, we will continue to offer unparalleled artistic offerings. NCCU Department of Theatre continuously acknowledges the late Dr. Johnny B. Alston and his contributions to the strength of NCCU Theatre. Because of the firm foundation that he and those before him like Dr. Linda Norfleet, Ms. Karen Dacons -Brock, Ms. Nancy Pinckney, and Baba Chuck established, a legacy of generations of artists keep coming… keep going… keep building… keep creating… keep making the world a better place. As always, we measure our success by the achievements of our former students who have progressed to make theatre a practical and sustaining part of their lives. We humbly thank the young men and women who have allowed us to be of service to them in their quest for a meaningful education. Our theatre majors, both past and present, are the only reasons for our endeavor. We acknowledge them with our highest salute. We believe as Willem Dafoe, "Great theatre is about challenging how we think and encouraging us to fantasize about a world we aspire to” We invite you to join us in the 2022-2023 Season as we are poised to continue our journey of artistic excellence. Peace & Blessings, Stephanie Howard (Asabi), PhD* Chairperson

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IN REHEARSAL

NCCU • College of Arts, Social Sciences & Humanities • Department of Theatre proudly present

Spring Dance Concert Choreographer pher Kristi V. Johnson, Ed.D! ton+ Choreographer pher Melvin Sutton+ bin+

ChoreograWillie HinChoreograTracey Dur-

Choreographer pher Travis ‘Skitz’ Simmons+ Neal+ Choreographer tor Wisdom Hayes<

ChoreograAllyson Technical DirecArthur Reese,

MFA^>

Costume Design sign Pamela Bond, MS* vis#

Light DeMari Da-

The Department of Theatre is proud to present the Dance program’s spring concert. The Department promises to continue our efforts in providing excellence in service to the community and the university; to maintaining the high level of personal, scholastic, cultural and artistic development of our students; and to expanding our positive theatrical impact. It is the hope of our students, staff and faculty, that you enjoy the fruits of our production process. ___________________________________________________________________ *Denotes Alpha Psi Omega National Theatre Honor Society (APO) ^Denotes International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) >Denotes United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT) ! Denotes Dance Repertory Company at NCCU +Denotes Professional Guest Artist/Designer

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PROGRAM ACT I

The Other Side Choreography: Tracey Durbin Composer: Gill Scott-Heron, Luke Howard Dancers: Travyon Lovely, Kayla Johnson, Allyson Neal, Jamiia Owens, Destinee Mackey-Singleton, Sydney Smith (understudy), Makiyah Westbrook Papa Was A Rolling Stone Choreography: Kristi Vincent Johnson Music: Barrett Strong and Norman Whitfield Dancers: Skye Franklin, Jayah Gomez, Kayla Johnson, Allyson Neal, Jamiia Owens, Mackenzie Powell, Jasmine Sims, Sydney Smith, Makiyah Westbrook *This piece is dedicated to the life and memory of Kavin T. Grant. We will forever honor your spirit and creative genius.

Sit Choreography: Willie Hinton Music: Armand Amar Dancers: Aniyah Bobb, Allison Conell, Alexis Evans, Allayne Grant, Travyon Lovely, Sydney Smith, Ta’Niya Stephens A Beautiful Place Choreography: Kristi Vincent Johnson Music: John Williams Dancers: Skye Franklin, Kayla Johnson, Kennedy Lightfoot, Allyson Neal, Jasmine Sims

How Can You Help? Each year your generous support make it possible to provide state of the art equipment, supplies, and quality productions that educate and entertain. It provides travel expenses for theatre students to attend major conferences, competitions and job fairs, as well as assistance for other theatre projects. Your gifts provide scholarships and opportunities to train innovative artists, performers and strong leaders in our community. With your generosity you can transform the way in which our students learn, adapt and grow. We welcome your help. Whether it is in the form of a tax deductible contribution, a product or a service; every gift is greatly appreciated and recognized.

Contribute to the

THE JOHNNY B. ALSTON ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP FUND

at https://www.nccu.edu/institutional-advancement/givingonline

——————————————Become a

FRIEND OF THE THEATRE

Categories of annual, tax deductible donations for membership are: Patron - $100.00 Donor - $150.00 Contributor - $400.00 Benefactor - $600.00

For all contributions, make your check payable to NCCU FOUNDATION and write Theatre Dept. on the memo line. Thank you for your continued support of the NCCU Dept. of Theatre!

TEN MINUTE INTERMISSION

YOU MAY MAIL YOUR TAX DEDUCTABLE DONATION TO: NCCU DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE Post Office Box 19593, Durham NC 27707 To become a part of our mailing list, email

[email protected]

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NCCU Department of Theatre’s 2022-2023 Season North Carolina Central Department of Theatre proudly announces its 2022-2023 season - Celebrating Cultural Consciousness . It's engaging! It's thought-provoking! It's celebratory! NCCU's Department of Theatre hopes the campus as well as the Durham community share its excitement about this enticing season. A seat awaits all of Durham's theatre lovers and supporters! For any additional questions, please contact the theatre office at 919-530-6242 or send an email to [email protected]

PROGRAM ACT II

A Change Is Gonna Come Choreography: Kristi Vincent Johnson Composer: Sam Cooke Costumes: Julie Moore Dancers: Alexis Evans (understudy), Kennedy Lightfoot, Mackenzie Powell, Jasmine Sims F.E.A.R. (Excerpt) Choreography: Melvin Sutton Rehearsal Director: Jasmine Knight Poem: Ronald L. Banks Composer: Karl Jenkins Dancers: Allayne Grant, Jayah Gomez, Kennedy Lightfoot, Jamiia Owens, Mackenzie Powell, Jasmine Sims, Destinee Mackey-Singleton, Makiyah Westbrook “DISTRESS” (Saturday) Choreography: Allyson Neal Composer: Lost Nature Sounds Dancer: Allyson Neal Vibrate Higher (Sunday) Choreography: Wisdom Hayes Composer: Stevie Wonder Dancers: Octavia Pittman, Sadye Poole, My’aysia Williams

SPECIAL THANKS

Afrofuture: Piercing The Veil Choreography: Kristi Vincent Johnson, Travis “Skitz” Simmons, Dancers Composer: Olafur Arnald, Nils Frahm, and Afro-Mystik Costumes: Pamela Bond and Kristi Vincent Johnson Face Jewelry: Jocelyn Chatman Sound Technician: Larry Wall Dancers: Skye Franklin, Jayah Gomez, Kayla Johnson, Allyson Neal, Jamiia Owens, Mackenzie Powell, Travis “Skitz” Simmons, Makiyah Westbrook *This work was commissioned by the NC Museum of Art to honor the body of

Dean Carlton Wilson …..… College of Arts, Social Science & Humanities Company Rehearsal Director ......................................... Jasmine Knight NCCU Repertory President ……………………….………….………. Jamiia Owens Neville Endowment Fund ……………………………….………….. Candace Bailey 16

work of Academy Award winning designer, Ruth E. Carter and her upcoming exhibit, Afrofuturism in Costume Design. The work centers Afrofuturism as a reality beyond African diasporic minds, cultures, and bodily experiences that we are empowered to envision, explore, and manifest.

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MEET THE DANCERS Jamiia Owens (DANCER ) is a Brooklyn native currently residing in Maryland. She is a junior at NCCU majoring in Theatre with a concentration in Dance Education. She has trained in various genres of dance for eight years and has been a member of the NCCU Repertory Dance Company for three years. She is also the current President of the NCCU Dance Company. Destinee Mackey-Singleton (DANCER) is a senior at North Carolina Central University majoring in English and minoring in Dance. Destinee discovered her love for dance at the age of six and has been dancing ever since. Destinee hopes to one day open her own studio where she will teach others how to heal through dance and self expression.

PRODUCTION CREW Technical Director …………….……….……..…............ Arthur Reese^> Master Carpenter ………………………..…………… Murdock Wilson^+ Asst. Tech Director ……………….………………………. Jereme Faison Costume Shop Supervisor ..……...………..…...….…..… Pamela Bond* Light Board Operator ……………..………………………... April Gilmore Sound Board Operator ………………….......…...….... Flo Alba Hiheglo Run Crew ………………………….……….. Ravyn Bias, Nikaiya Cotton, Jada Washington, Mykira MacFarland*

Makiyah Westbrook (DANCER) is from Charlotte, North Carolina. She is a freshman at North Carolina Central University majoring in Psychology. She has been studying dance for the last thirteen years. She is a current member of Repertory Dance Company at NCCU where she is challenged to be a better dancer. When she dances, there is a sense of relief. She enjoys telling a story through her movements and choreography, sharing the passion she has for dance with others.

Theatre Front of House Manager ………………,…..... Nicole Sainworla

Skye Sims (DANCER) is from Queens, New York Skye is a Biology major with a minor in Dance. She started dancing at Genesis Dance School in Rosedale, NY at the age of nine. She is a proud member of the NCCU Dance Repertory Company, Beautiful Soles Dance Company and is the Junior Captain of the NCCU Eagle Flight Basketball Dance Team.

Videographer ……………….……….,………..………… Kenneth Hinton*

Publicity/Box Office ………,,….. Dr. Asabi (Stephanie Howard)* Nicole Sainworla, Shayron Saunders, Arthur Reese^>, Dr. Nadia Bodie-Smith*, Pamela Bond*, Kenneth Hinton* Poster Design …………………………...….. Dr. Kristi Vincent Johnson! Playbill Design/Lobby Display ...………….….…Dr. Nadia Bodie-Smith*

Headshots/Photography …..……,... Cleo Ellyce Cotton, Pamela Bond* Ushers ……….……………………...… Theatre Majors/NCCU Students —————————————————————————————

*Denotes Alpha Psi Omega National Theatre Honor Society (APO) ^Denotes International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) >Denotes United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT) ! Denotes Dance Repertory Company at NCCU +Denotes Professional Guest Artist/Designer #Denotes Student Designer/Stage Manager *(Technical Director/Publicity) Arthur M. Reese received his Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Virginia. He has set the mood for the past 23 years as Technical Director for the National Black Theater Festival. He has designed for, among others, Dr. Maya Angelou, John Amos, Samuel L. Jackson, and the Negro Ensemble Company. Reese has done technical work for many stars including Sidney Poitier, Debbie Allen, Oprah, Queen Latifah, Malcolm Jamal Warner and Denzel Washington. Reese won the 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 African American Image Makers award for Best Lighting Design at ETA Theatre. Co-Author and director of By a Black Hand, he is currently the Technical Director for NCCU Department of Theatre and has recently completed a textbook, The African Diaspora of Theatre.

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MEET THE DANCERS NCCU DANCE ENSEMBLE MEMBERS

Allison Conell, from Atlanta, GA, is a junior majoring in Biomedical Sciences. She has been dancing for over seventeen years. She has performed as a dancer in the NCCU production Ain’t Misbehavin’’. Allison plans to become a physical therapist with a specialty in Dance Medicine. Alexis Evans is a freshman from the DMV. She is a Kinesiology major with a concentration in Sports Medicine and a Dance Minor. She has been dancing for thirteen years. Her favorite part of dancing is that it is very freeing and it allows her to express her emotions. Allayne Grant, from Queens, New York, is a freshman majoring in Psychology with a minor in Dance. She has been dancing for over nine years. She has performed as a dancer with New Wave Dance Company and Benjamin N Cardozo High School. In her junior year, she plans on applying for the Psychology Accelerated Baccalaureate/Master’s (A.B.M.) degree program. Aside from pursuing a career in psychology, she also wishes to remain dancing to someday become a dance teacher. Sydney Smith, a freshman attending NCCU is from Atlanta, GA. She is majoring in Mass Com. with a concentration in Broadcast media and a minor in Dance. She has been dancing for thirteen years with experience in all genres and has performed for artists like Debbie Allen, Alvin Ailey Dance Company and even Beyoncé’s lead background dancer, Ashley Everett. Sydney’s after college plan is to become a commercial dancer while also being a professional photographer. Ta’Niya Stephens, from Danville, VA, is a senior majoring in Theatre with a concentration in K-12 Dance Education. She had been dancing for over eight years. She previously danced as a member of the NCCU Repertory Dance Company in the 2021-2022 season. She has also performed as a dancer and served as dance captain of the NCCU production Kites. She aspires to become a school dance teacher and choreographer.

Aniyah Bobb is a freshman, majoring in Education with a minor in Dance from Queens, NY. She studied dance at Devore Dance Center and New Wave Dance Company and has been dancing for fifteen years. Her favorite part about dancing is that it helps her express herself and makes her feel free. 9

PRODUCTION TEAM Dr. Stephanie Howard (Asabi)* (Dept. Chair/Producer) was recently nominated as Best Director by the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival for her direction of Best of Enemies, Dr. Asabi is an Associate Professor of Theatre and Chair at NCCU, She has received Kennedy Center American Theatre Festival directing awards (2014 & 2016) and NCCU College of Liberal Arts Awards in Outstanding Teaching, Scholarship, and Playwriting. A graduate of North Carolina A&T State and Wake Forest University, Asabi earned her PhD at Regent University in Communication and Theatre. As a performer, director, playwright and stage manager, Asabi aspires to immerse herself in nearly every aspect of theatre. She has directed many shows, and authored God Spoke My Name: Maya Angelou; Reaching for God with Dirty Hands and Tainted Blood and Distorted Beauty. Among many stage credits, she has performed in Four Queens No Trumps and Intimate Apparel. She codirected Soul Rhythm; Sistahs Voices at the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown, South Africa and The Mis-Education of Hip Hop in Florence, Italy. She is a production manager with the NC Black Repertory Company, and is directing Black Nativity this December for the Justice Theatre Project. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Dr. Kristi Johnson (Director of Dance/Choreographer) a Louisiana native, is a performer, educator, choreographer, filmmaker, and scholar. She holds an MFA in Modern Dance from Texas Christian University and a Doctorate of Education in Kinesiology from UNC Greensboro. Her creative work for both stage and film has been featured in national and international festivals such as the NC Dance Festival, the San Francisco Dance Film Festival, the Longleaf Film Festival and Black Truth Film Festival. With a career in higher education spanning over two decades, she has received numerous awards for outstanding teaching and service including National Dance Association’s College/University Dance Educator of the Year and NC Campus Compact Engaged Faculty Scholar. Currently, Kristi is an Assistant Professor and the Director of Dance at NC Central University where she also serves as the Artistic Director for the Repertory Dance Company and the NCCU Flight Dance Team. Willie Hinton+ (Choreographer) a native New Yorker, began dancing at Enloe Gifted & Talented Magnet High School in Raleigh, NC and received his Bachelors of Fine Arts degree in Dance Performance and Pedagogy from University of the North Carolina School of the Arts. Willie has toured nationally and internationally with the Rebecca Kelly Dance Company, Jubilations Dance Company, The Philadelphia Dance Company (Philadanco), and Dance Kaleidoscope. He was also a guest dancer with Chuck Davis’ African American Dance Ensemble. In addition to his performance career Willie’s love of teaching allowed him to teach and set choreographic works across the U.S. and abroad at several schools and universities which include, but not limited to, The School at Richmond Ballet, University of Bolivia, North Carolina State University, North Carolina Central University and Hillside High School. 10

PRODUCTION TEAM Tracey Durbin+ (Choreographer) Tracey trained under Eugene Louis Faccuito "Luigi" one of the most famous international jazz teachers of his generation. The Luigi technique and philosophy became the foundation of her teaching. A robust choreographed warm-up guides dancers to explore expression, community, movement flow, and individuality. Tracey has choreographed and taught for Northwest Dance Project, Body Vox Dance, Oregon Ballet Theatre and Reed College. She was one of four choreographers chosen for the Northwest Dance Project "Chopin Project" with acclaimed pianist Yekwon Sunwoo and is also a featured artist in the book 'Beauty is Experience: Dancing 50 and Beyond! She currently teaches and choreographs at NC State, NCCU, Ninth St Dance, Raleigh Ballet, ADF, and continues with her zoom classes. Melvin Sutton+ (Choreographer) born in Raleigh North Carolina found dance at an early age. From the age of four he has been a mover and lover of music. It was during his middle school years that dance began to become a serious pursuit. Under the direction of Lisa Wilder at Southeast Raleigh Magnet High School he began his pre-professional career in dance where he studied intensely in Modern and Jazz techniques. He is an alumnus of Winston-Salem State University with a Bachelor degree in Rehabilitation Studies and Human Services, class of 2016. He has had the privilege to work with Debbie Allen in the 2015 Special Olympic World Games, dancing with artists such as Stevie Wonder, Becky G, J’Balvin and Siedah Garret. He has worked with Duane Cyrus in collaboration with Theatre of Movement Dance company touring within the Caribbean Islands and the east coast. In 2019 He was admitted into the MFA in dance program at the University of the Arts working with world class faculty such as Tommie Waheed Evans, Kim Bears-Bailey, Thomas Defranz, Donna Faye Burchfield and many more. He graduated with honors in 2021. He also holds the title of one of the first men to ever dance with the Carolina Panthers Cheerleaders “Top Cats” for the 2021-2022 season. He continues to use all of the knowledge he has obtained over the years to teach with love and compassion. He currently dances with the internationally renowned choreographer and director Cleo Parker Robinson in Denver Colorado where he performs in the apprentice company. He not only uses dance to educate himself and those around him but to help bring communities together. He is a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity incorporated where he was initiated in fall of 2016.

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