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Brothers of the Knight
A Musical for Young People
Directed by Broadway Legend
Debbie Allen
April 3 - April 6, 2008
BRCC Magnolia Performing Arts Pavilion
5310 Florida Boulevard
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
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Brothers of the Knight takes place in a magical time in a village
called Harlem, a part of New York City. Reverend Knight loves
his twelve sons with all his heart. Something mysterious is
happening at Reverend Knight’s home. Every night his sons
go to sleep in their huge bed, with their new shoes lined up
on the floor. But, every morning Reverend Knight finds the
boy’s shoes completely worn out. He asks his newly hired
housekeeper, named Sunday, to take care of his sons and to
find out how the boys ruin their shoes every night. Sunday is
clever. See how she solves the mystery of the torn up shoes!
Debbie Allen is one of the most respected and
versatile talents in the entertainment industry today,
Debbie Allen knows no limits. An accomplished dancer,
singer, choreographer, actor, producer and director,
Ms. Allen received two Emmy Awards and a Golden
Globe for her role on the hit TV Series FAME, two
Tony nominations for her roles in the revivals of Sweet
Charity and West Side Story and received the first Lena
Horne Award for career achievement. Allen, a native of
Houston was recently awarded the Texas Medal of the
Arts for Dance. She is a graduate of Howard University
and trained at the Ballet Nacional de Mexico. Ms. Allen
continues to work extensively in television, film and theatre. She produced the
critically acclaimed film Amistad with Steven Spielberg and Colin Wilson and has
choreographed the Academy Awards for five consecutive years. This year, Ms.
Allen returned to Broadway as the director of a much-anticipated new production
of Tennessee William’s Cat on A Hot Tin Roof, featuring James Earl Jones,
Terrence Howard, Anika Noni Rose and Phylicia Rashad. The production opened
at the Broadhurst Theatre on March 6.
James Ingram is a Multiple “Grammy” award winning artist. He is equally
recognized for his vocal abilities as well as his work as a composer. Ingram
received the Grammy in 1980 for Best R&B Performance for his vocals on “Just
Once” and “Five Hundred Ways, featured on Quincy Jones’s album “The Dude.”
He has worked with other great musical artists such as Ray Charles, Michael
McDonald, Patti Austin, Anita Baker, Nancy Wilson, Natalie Cole and Kenny
Rogers to name only a few. In 1987, he teamed up with Linda Ronstadt and had
a #2 pop hit in “Somewhere Out There,” the theme from the animated feature “An
American Tail.” A multiple “Grammy” award winning artist, James Ingram is equally
recognized for his vocal abilities as well as his work as a composer. Ingram
received the Grammy in 1980 for Best R&B Performance for his vocals on “Just
Once” and “Five Hundred Ways, featured on Quincy Jones’s album “The Dude.”
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Cast List
Role
Cast Member
Role
Reverend Knight
Sunday
Happy
The Brothers
Michael
Theo Snacky
Rauol
Brook
Bobby
Gerald
Jackie
Lazy Leo
Billie
Willie
Jo
Understudy
Stephen Smith
Vivian Nixon
Terry Beeman
Cookie Man
The Puppies
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Nanny One
Nanny Two
The Sisters
Played by:
Allie Adler
Azha Alston
Brooke Brady
Kashonna Conner
Cassa’ Dean
Megan Delatte
Alex Doyle
Alex Gaudin
Whitney Handy
Colleen Jackson
Caitlen Johnson
Payton Johnson
Avery Wilson
Jarvis Langster
Kevin Harris
William Harris
Donnie Carradine
Lecante’ Banks
Dexter Green
Taylor Mitchell
Rhett Peterson
Kendell Washington
Tom Kelly
Johnathon Handy
Sean Viator
Natalie Kirk
Ardean Leonard
Kayla Lejeune
Christine Miranda
Madelyn Paternostrom
Mimi Scardulla
Shayla Taylor
The Church Children
Played by:
Mariah Abraham
Major Burns
Mary Ruth Corwin
Hayden Cresson
Cast Member
Brandon Abraham
Hayden Cresson
Shayla Taylor
Anjane White
Carrington Mcpherson
Mary Ruth Corwin
Rachel Peavy
Paige Pigee
Chelsea Handy
Cassa’ Dean
Kashonna Conner
Micah Davis
DakoTa Gibson
Kristin Graffeo
Chelsea Handy
Kathryn Landry
Michael Landry
Carrington Mcpherson
Taya Milligan
Katelyn Mitchell
Rachel Peavy
Paige Pigee
Ivy Souter
Adrieanna Vessel
Kennedy Walker
Anjane’ White
MUSICAL NUMBERS
“Ole Girls Gotta Go” - The Brothers
“Sunday Sunday” - Vivian Nixon
“Ain’t So Easy Being A Dog” - Terry Beeman
“Hush” - Vivian Nixon, Stephen Smith, Avery Wilson, Donnie Carradine
“Trustin In The Lord” - Stephen Smith, Avery Wilson
“Will You Dance With Me Reprise” - William Harris
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Vivian Nixon made her Broadway debut in a leading role
“Kalimba” in Hot Feet, an original musical based on the
music of the legendary music group Earth Wind and Fire.
Nixon grew up surrounded by stardom – her mother is
dancer/choreographer/producer/director/actress Debbie Allen
and her aunt is Tony award winning actress Phylicia Rashad.
Nixon began formal dance training at the Kirov Academy of
Ballet in Washington DC and later graduated from the Ailey/
Fordham BFA Program in Dance. She has recently appeared
as “Anita” in the Houston-based Theatre Under The Stars
production of West Side Story and has subsequently toured in the role in Europe,
including an acclaimed run of performances in Paris and Vienna.
Terry Beeman is a master jazz and lyrical dance specialist. He has spent 15
years as a jazz teacher, teaching at Broadway Dance Center in New York City
and at The Edge in Los Angeles. He has also taught master classes in Paris,
Amsterdam, Rome, Zurich, Tokyo, Germany and Australia. Mr. Beeman has
taught thousands of children in Dance Conventions across America. His dance
and choreography credits include Debbie Allen productions “Soul Possessed”,
“Cool Women” and “The Academy Awards”. Other credits include “The Grammy
Awards”, Batman & Robin (1997), Eraser (1996) and Showgirls (1995).
Stephen Smith, a former principal dancer with the acclaimed Alvin Ailey Dance
Company is a native of Baltimore and a graduate of the Baltimore School of
Art. He is the former dean of students at the Debbie Allen Dance Academy in
Culver City, California and has appeared in numerous films including “Introducing
Dorothy Dandridge,” “Dance with Me” and “Sister, Sister.”
Kevin Harris appeared as the lead “Dancin’ Brother” in the 2001 production of
Brothers of the Knght. He has also participated in several other projects written
and directed by Debbie Allen including Alex in Wonderland and Rap-Punzel.
Since 2004 he has been a choreographer/ Instructor at the Debbie Allen Dance
Academy. One of his recent projects includes, Def Comedy Jam 2007 Season,
Everybody Hates Chris, and the Houston Hip Hop Intensive, 2008.
William Harris is a 19 year old native from Nashville,TN. He moved to Los
Angeles in 2007 to study at the Debbie Allen Dance Academy. This is his second
production with Ms. Allen.
Avery D Wilson is a Baton Rouge, LA native and graduate of Southern University.
Avery is the CEO/President of MOKA Cheerleading & Dance (Motivating Our
Kids to Achieve). His dance training includes the Mid-City Dance Project (BTR),
and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (NYC). Wilson has choreographed
several contemporary works, stage plays, and has also danced professionally
with the Lido Champs-Elysees of Paris, France and the Adrienne Celeste Fadjo
Contemporary Dance Company of NYC.
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Jarvis Landon Langster; actor (actor,
model, dancer), 8, began his entertainment
career, at the age of 5, when he appeared
on the cover of a magazine. Shortly
thereafter, he signed with his agent.
Jarvis has been featured in commercials,
billboards, and various advertisements.
He is currently under negotiations with
two agencies to spend the summer in
New York.
He is a member of the senior company at
Tari’s School of Dance, and also studies
ballet at Dancer’s Workshop. Taylor has
performed in Baton Rouge Ballet Theatre’s
Nutcracker, A Tale From the Bayou, and in
BRBT’s Youth Company for the past four
years.
Rhett Peterson is a senior at Baton
Rouge Magnet High School. He has
been attending BRMHS for 4 years on
academic honor roll. Rhett has been
dancing for 9 years under the training
of Tari Smith, Dianna Jones, and Kris
Cangilosi. He has been chosen to perform
in Los Angeles, New York, and Orlando
with different companies and convention
circuits around the nation, as well as to
dance professionally on a cruise ship out
of Great Britain.
Donnie Dewayne Carradine, Jr. has
been acting, singing, reading, dancing
and entertaining since the age of 3. He is
a 6th grader at Southeast Middle School.
Donnie was born in New Orleans, LA on
July 12, 1996. His parents are Kevin and
Amy Booker. He is the eldest sibling of;
Nyla, Amari and Kevin Booker, II.
LeConte Banks was born May 30, 1994
to Angela Buchanan. LeConte grew up
with just his mom who later was married to
Johnny Lang. LeConte is a mathematics
honor student at Christian Life Academy.
LeConte has danced for 4 years at Tari’s
School of Dance and is on their company
team. He plans to become a professional
dancer in the future.
Kendell Washington, is 16, and attends
Lutcher High School. He is the vice
president of the 4-H club, Kendell is a
student council member, and also plays
other sports besides dancing. (Running,
swimming, tennis, ect.) Dancing is his
passion, life, and first love. He enjoys all
styles of dance; tap, jazz ballet, modern,
lyrical, and contemporary. Kendell dances
at Yvonne’s Directions in Dance; He has
trained there for 3 years, and has also
trained at Dancers Workshop to prepare
for his future in dance.
Dexter M. Green, age 15, began dancing
at 3, studying ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, and
hip-hop while attending Tari’s School of
Dance. He has performed with the Baton
Rouge Ballet Theater Company’s “The
Nutcracker: A Tale From the Bayou”.
Dex received several awards from West
Coast Dance Explosion, LA Dance Magic,
Jump and Tremaine dance conventions.
Currently a freshman at Catholic High
School in Baton Rouge, he participates in
the Louisiana Youth Legislature, Drama
Club, Spanish Club, and is a percussionist
in the school band.
Tom Kelly was born in Moscow, Russia in
1993. He attends 8th grade at Sherwood
Middle Academic Magnet School where
he is a member of the Beta Club and
basketball and track teams. He has taken
dance at Tari’s School of Dance for 4
years. His other interests include fishing,
swimming, and physical fitness classes at
the YMCA
Taylor Mitchell is a sophomore at Christian
Life Academy where he is a member of
the National Honor Society, CLA Marching
Band, and Vice President of the Key Club.
Johnathan Michael Handy began his
dance training in 2001 under the direction
of Renee Chatelain- Mid City Dance
Project. He has participated in numerous
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dance performances including the “InnerCity Nutcracker”, where he performed the
roll of the Nutcracker Prince in 2007. He
attended theater camp at Louisiana State
University in 2007. In June 2008, he will
tour Austria with Young Tanzsommer
Dance Company.
are LaNisa and Sedric. And she has a
younger brother named Anquan. She is
currently a 3rd grade honor roll student
at Victory Christian Academy. When she
was 2 years old she started dancing at
Tori Lynn’s School of Dance in LaPlace,
LA. Anjane is a member of Community
Missionary Baptist Church in Kenner, LA
where she is a member of the youth choir
and also a member of the liturgical dance
team, Expressions of Praise. In 2007,
Anjane became a member of the track
& field team at Delta Playground. In her
spare time, she enjoys swimming, singing,
reading and cheerleading.
Sean Viator, is 15 years old and currently
attends St. Michael’s High School where
he is in the tenth grade. He started dancing
at the age of 8. Sean has won many
scholarships, titles, and high scores over
the years. He plans to pursue a career in
dance when he is older.
Brandon Abraham is a 7 year old 1st
grader of John Curtis Christian School,
where he maintains straight ‘A’ honors.
He plays Christian League Basketball and
Baseball, and is a youth choir member
of Second New Guide, MBC. Brandon’s
hobbies
are
reading,
competitive
cheerleading, and playing his Wii.
Carrington Brooke McPherson is a
2nd grade honor student who attends St.
Jude’s School. She is the daughter of
John and Aimee McPherson. She has
one older sister, Alexis Blair McPherson.
Carrington has been dancing since she
was 2 years old. She takes dancing from
Tari’s Schoold of Dance in Baton Rouge,
LA. She is a member of Taris Dance
Company. Carrington loves to read, ride
her new razor and swim. Her favorite thing
to do is to go to Cancun each summer and
relax on the beach.
Hayden Creson, 8, is a 3rd at St. Aloysius
School in Baton Rouge where she is a
member of the Children’s Choir. Hayden
studies dance at Powell-Moise School of
Dance and is a member of Powell- Moise’s
competitive dance team. In 2007, Hayden
performed and “The Nutcracker” with
Baton Rouge Ballet Theater in Mid-City
Dance Project’s “Inner City Nutcracker.”
Hayden also loves drama, art and
swimming for Tiger Aquatics.
Mary Ruth Corwin has enjoyed various
dance classes at Tari’s School of Dance
since age 6. She has been a company
member for 2 years and competed at
Jump, LA Dance Magic, Tremaine and
West Coast Dance Explosion. Mary Ruth
attends Parkview Baptist School and is
the Student Council Historian.
Shayla Taylor is a second year company
member with Tari’s School of Dance.
Shayla has competed both locally and
nationally and has won many scholarships
and awards including Jump, Tremain, LA
Dance, and West Coast. She has been
trained in the following dance genres:
Jazz, ballet, tap, hip hop, lyrical, and
liturgical.
Rachel Peavy has been dancing for 4
years. She dances through Tari’s School of
Dance and Dancer’s Workshop. This is her
first year of competition dancing. She has
competed in LA Dance Magic, JUMP, and
Tremaine. She attends Parkview Baptist
School and enjoys softball, basketball, art
and riding her scooter.
Anjane Monique White was born October
21, 1998 at East Jefferson General
Hospital in Metairie, LA. Her parents
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Paige Raquesl Pigee was born in
Arkansas to Mr. Manuel Pigee III and
Mrs. Paquel Pigee. She is a ten year old
4th grader at Reserve Christian School,
where she is an honor student. Paige’s
activities include the following: Church
Choir, Tori Lynn’s School of Dance, 4-H,
Girl Scouts of America, Church Usher,
and Stomp Team. Paige’s motto in life is
“Soar like and eagle as you follow Christ.”
Miss Dean would like to thank her family,
in particular her son, Marcus, for their
support and a special thanks to Mrs. Lynn
Lewis for the opportunity.
KaShonna Conner, 23, has been
performing all of her life in the world of
ballet. “I never though that it would get this
serious,” says KaShonna. Credits of the
young starlet range from performances
with professional dance companies, to
choreography for dance squads, to shows
with R&B and Blues greats. “I love every
minute of it!”
Chelsea Alyssia Handy began her dance
training in 2001 under the direction of
Renee Chatelain- Mid City Dance Project.
She has participated in numerous dance
performances including the “Inner-City
Nutcracker”, where she performed the
lead roll of Clara in 2006. She attended
theater camp at Louisiana State University
in 2007. In June 2008, she will tour
Austria with Young Tanzsommer Dance
Company.
Allie Adler is a 4th grader at St. Jude
School. She started dancing at Tari’s
School of Dance when she was three
joined the Company at age seven. She
competed at Tremaine, Jump and La
Dance Magic where she was a semifinalist
and West Coast Dance Explosion where
she was a finalist.
Cassa’ (Cassie) Dean is a native of New
Orleans with a Bachelors of Dance from
the University of Alabama and has studied
under the direction of Edie Barnes,
Cornelius Carter, Hilary Hodgens Howard,
and Rita Snyder. She recently appeared
in Walt Disney World’s “Mickey’s Twas
the Night Before Christmas”. Miss Dean
trained at the Benjamins School of Dance
under the direction of Jean, Velda, and
Velma Benjamin, Chase Ziblich, and
Ferdnand Jackson, the New Orleans
Center for Ceative Arts under the direction
of Lula Elzy, Denise Oustalet, and Alton
Geno, Giacobbe Academy of Dance
under the directions of Joseph and
Richard Giacobbe, and Schramel Dance
Conservatory under the direction of
Gregory and Marjore Hardwick Schamel.
She has performed leading roles in ballets
such as Don Quixote (lady of the Dryads,
Kitri, and Cupid), Sleeping Beauty (Aurora
and the lilac fairy), Paquita (soloist), the
Nutcracker (Rat King and Arabian), and
she has been a part of a performance in
the Philadanco Modern Repertoire that
was choreographed by Tally Beautty.
Azha Mone’ Alston was born on January
24, 1999 at Women’s Hospital in Baton
Rouge, LA. She is a 9 year old third grader
at Forest Heights Academy of Excellence
in Baton Rouge, LA. Azha loves to sing,
dance, act and draw. she started dancing
at the age of 3 at the Tori Lynn’s School
of Dance in LaPlace, LA. Her future plans
are to attend Westdale Middle School,
Baton Rouge HighSchool and Southern
University in Baton Rouge. She wants
to major in Mathematics to become a
kindergarten teacher and retire at the age
of 30. Then she will travel the world for her
singing, dancing and acting career.
Brooke Brady is 13 years old and is
currently in the 8th grade at LSU Lab
School. She has been dancing for 11
years and takes classes at Tari’s School
of Dance four days a week. She has also
been in Tari’s Company for 8 years.
Meagan Elizabeth Delatte is currently an
8th grader at St. Aloysius Catholic School
and will attend high school at St. Joseph’s
7
Academy in Baton Rouge. She has been
instructed in dance since the age of 3 and
a company member for 7 years. She is
presently a Teen I Company member at
Tari’s School of Dance.
has recently been a part of the MidCity
Dance Project’s Nutcracker, Giraffes
Can’t Dance, and Fading Line. She is
a member of Episcopal’s select dance
ensemble and teaches ballet for MCDP’s
Junior Company.
Alexandra Doyle is an 8th grader at St.
George Catholic School and has been
a member of Tari’s School of Dance
Company since 2004. Alex has won
numerous awards at regional dance
conventions and performed at national
dance conventions in New York and Las
Vegas including Jump, West Coast Dance
Explosion, and New York City Dance
Alliance. In 2006 Alex was awarded a
Tremaine Scholarship at the Los Angeles
Center for Performing Arts. She has
appeared in Baton Rouge and Moscow
Ballet’s production of the Nutcracker.
Caitlin Johnson trains under Dianna
Jones at Jean Leigh Academy of Dance
and on Scholarships to prestigious schools
across the country. An award-winning
dancer and budding choreographer, she
is currently an LADM Company member.
The university High Junior honor student
plans to attend college while pursuing a
dance career following graduation next
year.
Payton Johnson, LSU Lab School third
grader, trains at Jean Leigh Academy of
Dance under Dianna Jones and Tamu
Wilson. An award-winning dancer, she
will train at ABY New York this summer,
and can be seen as a ballet dancer in the
2008 feature film, The Curious Case of
Benjamin Button.
Alexandra Gaudin attends OLOM where
she is an eighth grade honor student and
All Star cheerleader. Awarded for both
academics and dance, she trains under
Dianna Jones and Tamu Wilson at Jean
Leigh Academy and will attend The Rock
School in Pennsylvania this summer for
intensive ballet study.
Natalie Kirk is a sixth grade honor student
at Parkview Baptist School. She has
studied dance for nine years, including
ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, and lyrical. She is
a member of Revolution Dance Company,
directed by Carrie Nunez. Natalie is a
2008 West Coast Dance Explosion elite
dancer and Junior Miss Showbiz.
Whitney Breon Handy began her dance
training in 2001 under the direction of
Renee Chatelain- Mid City Dance Project.
She has participated in numerous dance
performances including the “Inner-City
Nutcracker”, where she performed the
lead roll of Clara in 2005. She attended
theater camp at Louisiana State University
in 2007. In June 2008, she will tour
Austria with Young Tanzsommer Dance
Company.
Ardean Leonard is sixteen years oldn
and has been dancing for fourteen years.
Currently enrolled at Tari’s School of
Dance, She has danced as a Company
member for 4 years receiving many dance
scholarships. She recently received the
honor of performing in the 2008 FedEx
Orance Bowl in Miami, Florida
Colleen Jackson is a 17-year-old senior
at Episcopal High School and has been
dancing for the past five years. She has
studied dance at the Dance Center,
Giacobbes, the Joffrey Texas, and at
EHS under primarily Tamu Wilson, Renne
Chatelain, and Christine Negulescu. She
Kayla LeJeune is a senior at Parkview
Baptist School. She has been dancing
for 15 years. She currently dances at
Tari’s School of Dance where she also is
an assistant teacher. She has won many
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different awards from many different
dance conventions. At Tremaine dance
convention, she won a single scholarship.
She also went to Jump dance convention
and won an in-class jazz scholarship. She
has performed in “Annie Get Your Gun”
and “The Miracle Worker” which was put
on by her school. She feels very privileged
to be given this great opportunity to dance
in the show.
is also a youth choir member of Second
New Guide MBC. Mariah is in her 7th year
of dance at Tori Lynn’s School of Dance.
Major Burns was born on May 22, 2002
in Gulfport, MS. Major is a kindergarten
student at Wildwood Elementary and is
known as “The Politician” because of his
outgoing personality and vibrant social
skills. Major enjoys playing baseball,
basketball, football, and tap dancing. Major
is a lively kid with a lot of enthusiasm.
Christine Miranda is in 7th grade at St.
Alphonsus Catholic School. She became
interested in dance at the age of 4 and
this is her 8th year as an aspiring dancer.
She attends the Jean Leigh Academy
of Dance and is part of the Livingston
Parish Dance Company. Christine has
enjoyed taking classes by Jason Samuel
Smith, JT Horesten, Jason Parson, and
Paula Morgan and looks forward to the
opportunities of going to a performing arts
academy.
Dakota Gibson was born on December
14, 1998 in Gulfport, MS. Dakota moved
to Baton Rouge in August 2003. Dakota
currently attends Wildwood Elementary
and is a 3rd grade honor student. He has
several academic achievements under his
belt including April Student of the Month
2007 and February Student of the Month
2008. Dakota enjoys baseball, football,
and listening to music.
Micah Davis is an energetic, determined
7-year-old boy from Prairieville Louisiana.
Micah is in the 1st grade and has been
homeschooled since he was 3 years old.
He started playing the drums at 9 months
of age and has been under the tutelage
of his father, professional Jazz drummer
Troy Davis. Though the drums are Micah’s
love and God given talent, he has many
other interests including but not limited to
piano, guitar and karate! As a fun loving 7
yr old, Micah loves to perform and puts a
smile on the face of all who will give him
the chance to do so.
Madelyn Paternosto is in fifth grade at
Live Oak Elementary where she has a
4.0 GPA and is in the gifted art program.
She has studied dance for 8 years and is
a member of Revolution Dance Company.
She is an award-winning soloist and has
been awarded scholarships with numerous
dance organizations.
Mimi Scardulla is an eighth grader at
Holy Ghost Catholic School in Hammond,
LA. She is also a student at NOCCA
Riverfront in New Orleans, LA Mimi has
enjoyed working in several productions
with HGS Drama Club, SLU Summer
Theatre, Frank Levy Children’s Theatre
and Missoula Children’s Theatre. She is a
student at Jean Leigh Academy of Dance.
Mimi is thrilled to be a member of the cast
of Brothers of the Knight
Kristin LaSchae Graffeo is 7 years old
and is a 2nd grade student at Our Lady of
Mercy Catholic School. She is a fifth-year
student at Tari’s School of Dance where
she studies jazz, tap, ballet, and hip-hop.
This past year, Kristen also added piano
studies to her extracurricular activities.
Mariah Ellisha Marie Abraham, an 8
year old, 3rd grade honor roll student of
John Curtis Christian School, where she
is a member of Brownie Troop 715. Mariah
Kathryn Landry is a 10 year old from
Baton Rouge, She has trained as a dancer
for four years at Tari’s School of Dance
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under the direction of noted teachers: Tari
Smith, Leea Reese, Nichole Cavaratta,
Alisha Andrepont, and Tamara Coleman,
Her training includes tap, ballet, jazz and
hip hop.
Michael Landry is a 6 year old from
Baton Rouge. He has trained as a dancer
for eleven months at Tari’s School of
Dance under the direction of talented local
teacher Tari Smith. He has been training in
ballet, tap, and jazz. Michael also aspires
to become a company member.
grandparents are Truly and Evelyn Vessel
of Gonzales, LA and the late Earl and
Geraldine Young of Plaquemine, LA. She
has five devoted aunts all from Gonzales.
Adrieana started her dance career at the
age of 4, at All About Dance studio, under
the direction of Raylyn Melancon (owner).
She also attends gymnastics at Athletes
in Motion, which started t the age of 2.
Adieana started competitive gymnastics
at the age 6, under the direction of Shelly
Wells.
Taya Milligan is the 8-year-old daughter
of Mark and Tara Milligan. She has been
dancing since the age of two. She has
attended dance classes and intensives
at Tari’s School of Dance. Through Tari’s
she has participated at half time shows
for the New Orleans Saints and LSU
Men’s Basketball Team. She has attended
various dance clinics and conferences
along the way.
Kennedy Walker is a 7-year-old second
grader attending St. Luke’s Episcopal Day
School in Baton Rouge, LA. Her dance
experience includes fives years of ballet
and tap and one year of jazz in Tari’s School
of Dance. She has also taken one year of
gymnastics at Elite Gymnastics. Kennedy
has participated in cheerleading as well
as musical productions while attending St.
Luke’s Episcopal Day School.
Shannon Hebert is the office manager for
a breast cancer treatment center and nonprofit breast cancer research foundation
here in Baton Rouge. She also works
downtown for the Manship Theatre. In the
past, she has stage managed shows for
Baker Little Theatre, Baton Rouge Little
Theatre, Playmakers, and Jaime Wax.
Katelyn Mitchell, the daughter of Kyle and
Tara Mitchell of Baton Rouge, LA. She is a
first grade honor student at Baton Rouge
Center for Visual and Performing Arts.
Katelyn is a member of Mid City Dance
Project and has attended Tari’s School
of Dance. At New Gideon B.C. she is a
member of the liturgical dance and youth
usher ministries. During her free time, she
enjoys family gatherings, her brothers,
Kyle Jr. and Kaleb, and BRATZ dolls.
Elisabeth Cawns has spent many years in
professional theatre and opera, including
Opera Theatre of St. Louis, Cincinnati
Opera, the Rep in St. Louis and Studio
Arena Theatre. She has participated in
productions including Arms and the Man
and Tennessee Williams in Three Quearter
Time. She worked as costumer with Nobel
Laureate Wole Soyinka on the premiere of
his poem “Samarkand.” Ms. Cawns is a
member of Actors Equity Association and
will receive her PhD in Theatre from LSU
in May of this year.
Ivy K. Souter is 9 years of age and has
been dancing since the age of 3 with
“Miss Donna” Blanchard at Powell-Moise
School of Dance. Currently she is on
the 9&10 year old competition team at
the studio and has a passion for dance.
Previously, she participated in Of Moving
Colors’ “Peacock Blue”.
Adrieana Alise Vessel was born on July
10, 2000 in Baton Rouge, LA. Adrieana is
the daughter of Lisa Vessel and Eric Young
She has two sisters and one brother. Her
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Production STAFF
Rehearsal Director: Vivian Nixon
Co-Rehearsal Director: Kevin Harris
Stage Manager: Shannon Hebert
Production Coordinator: Elizabeth Cawns
Lighting Designer: David Sedevie
Production Manager/Technical Director: David Sedevie
Sound Engineer: Mark Branch
Asst. Production Manager/Wardrobe: Lisa Catanese
Asst. Technical Director/Spot Operator: Levi Lemoine
Master Electrician: Brandon Gallagher
Lead Deck Hand: Cody Blanchard
Deck Hand: Ryan Altazin
Deck Hand: Alison Breeden
Deck Hand: Kalandra Evans
Deck Hand: Robert Kamerman
Deck Hand: Emma Upton
Deck Hand: Corey Viator
Special thanks to Dr. Myrtle Dorsey, Chancellor of BRCC;
Steven Mitchell, Director of the
BRCC Magnolia Performing Arts Pavilion and his staff
Special thanks to the LSU Department of Theater costume shop.
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225.344.8558
www.artsbr.org
Produced by the Arts Council of
Greater Baton Rouge
in association with the
Baton Rouge Community College
Additional support is provided
through contributors to the
Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge
and
The Community Fund for The Arts.
Special Thanks to Sponsors
Office of the
Mayor-president
Community Partners include The Baton Rouge Community College, Mid City Dance
Project, Tari’s Dance Center, Baton Rouge Ballet Theatre and Episcopal High School.
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