'Fannie Lou' Musical

Meet the DC Cast Members!

MEET THE DYNAMIC ACTORS AND SINGERS IN THE DC
PERFORMANCE OF 'SCENES AND SONGS FROM FANNIE LOU'

The performers for the Washington, DC, cast of "Scenes and Songs from Fannie Lou" are outstanding! Below are bios of our talented cast members. We appreciate those of you who were there on July 21 for this special performance of "Scenes and Songs from Fannie Lou" in Washington DC, the nation's capital -- where the Voting Rights Act was signed into law 50 years ago. Thank you for being there to see this excellent cast bring to life, onstage,
the story of Fannie Lou Hamer's struggle for voting rights.

 

SISI WRIGHT (Narrator) A graduate of Sweet Briar College's theatre program, Sisi is thrilled to perform in "Scenes and Songs from  Fannie Lou"!  Sisi previously appeared as Esse in Pathway to Freedom (Snow Camp Outdoor Theatre), Rose in The Secret Garden (Sweet Briar College) and Dr. Eve Bolinger in Sordid Lives (Renaissance Theatre).  She is looking forward to working in the next new staged musical or any production featuring Viola Davis!

NICOLE SPENCE (Fannie Lou) A classically trained vocalist, Nicole's stage credits include "A" My Name is Alice, A Christmas Carol and Celestial Voices. She has performed in a number of choirs, including the Washington International Choir, the Bennett College Choir and the Georgia Mass Choir, and has toured through several states. The numerous events in which she has participated as a vocalist include functions for such luminaries as President Bill Clinton, poet Maya Angelou, social activist Coretta Scott King, commentator Tavis Smiley and actress/director Phylicia Rashad. Nicole also has served as a print and runway model. She is a graduate of Bennett College for Women, where she earned a bachelor's degree in business administration and was lauded for her participation in and leadership of the Bennet College Choir. She also earned a master's degree in business administration from Strayer University. 



RAVENN MCDOWELL (Laura) -- Ravenn is thrilled to be playing the role of Laura in "Scenes and Songs from Fannie Lou." She has been blessed to perform in many theatres in Virginia and North Carolina. Her credits include To Kill a Mockingbird with the Mill Mountain Theatre, Chicago with the James York Playhouse, Macbeth with the Generic Theatre, For Colored Girls with the Generic Theatre, and many others.  She has a bachelor’s degree in theatre from Old Dominion University and has also trained with the Lakewood Dance and Music Center.  When she is not onstage, Ravenn can be found spending time with her family and friends or coaching and mentoring young people in sports and various art forms.  For updates on Ravenn, feel free to follow her on Twitter and Instagram @rae_theactress.  Enjoy the show!  

Jeremiah 1:5

MIKE THOMAS (Rev. Hill) -- An experienced singer and performer, Mike brings years of entertaining audiences to this production of “Scenes and Songs from Fannie Lou.” From the first time he stepped in front of a mic, Mike was hooked on singing in front of audiences. After spending his formative years listening to diverse forms of music in New York, Venezuela, London, and Trinidad and Tobago, he finally settled in Maryland were he got his real introduction to singing and performing as a teen. Mike has experience performing with DC-area rock cover bands, most recently with Strangely Inappropriate and with Fistful of Cats. A lover of all things rock, his eclectic taste in music makes him a perfect fit for the expanded worldview of the band The Vandelays, for which he contributes vocals and rhythm guitar. The high-energy modern rock cover band brings great musicianship, showmanship, and an all-around great time to each and every one of their performances. When not onstage, Mike works as a DC-area attorney.

AMANDA CAMPBELL (Pamela/Ensemble) -- Amanda is a recent graduate of Bennington College in Vermont where she received her BA in theatre and literature. While at Bennington, Amanda enjoyed performing in a wide variety of plays ranging from the work of Shakespeare to Sarah Ruhl. Locally she has had the pleasure of performing with Single Carrot Theatre in Baltimore MD, as well as with Small Claims Court in NYC. Amanda is absolutely thrilled to be playing the role of Pamela.



MALCOM STOKES (Junior/Ensemble) -- Malcom’s stage credits include regional productions of Once Upon a Mattress, I’m Not Rappaport, One

Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, The Boyfriend, Fame, Hair and Rocky Horror Show, among others. One of his favorite roles is the title character in Invisible Man. Of playing the role of the troubled Junior in “Scenes and Songs from Fannie Lou,” Malcom says: “I understand his anger. He’s doubtful of the changes coming. Being a young African American male, I can understand that.” In addition to being an outstanding actor and singer, Malcom is also a cellist. He decided while in high school to pursue a career in the arts. A native of El Paso, Texas, Malcom attended New Mexico State University, where he majored in performance arts. He relocated to the DC area a year ago to explore career opportunities. “I’m excited to be furthering my career here, to see where this journey takes me,” he says. 



JACOB BERGER (Reporter/Sheriff Bedford) -- Jacob has enjoyed continued success as an actor since he entered the business in 2011. A versatile and hard-working character actor, he has dedicated his life to the arts. Some of his more recent accomplishments include having the lead role in a short film that won first prize for the Showtime show Shameless, lead role in a pilot executive produced by Ice-T, and a national commercial for Beats by Dre. He has trained at many of the top acting institutions such as William Esper, Stella Adler, CNC Studios and UCB. You can learn much more about Jacob and view his previous work at www.JacobBergerActor.com.

* ROSS BLACK (Clarence) Ross began acting in high school in Winston-Salem, NC. He was an original member of The DC Black Rep founded by Robert Hooks. He has appeared in many stage productions by Serenity Players, Univ. of DC, Ji-Tu Productions; HBO features, The Wire, The Corner. Fannie Lou Musical is honored that Ross is temporarily coming out of retirement to play the role of Clarence for the DC production of "Scenes and Songs from Fannie Lou."

ANNETTE MOONEY WASNO (Mrs. Richards)
-- After graduating from Loyola, Baltimore (BA’83/MBA’84) Annette worked locally on stage and TV for a decade.  Her main gigs for the next 20 years were as Wife, Mom and Perpetual Volunteer. In 2013 she resumed acting full-time playing Madame Thénardier in Les Misérables (Theatre Lab).  Recent roles include Britomart Undershaft in Major Barbara (Pallas Theatre Collective), Jessie in ‘Night, Mother (Rockville Little Theatre), Isabella Bird/Louise in Top Girls (Fells Point Corner Theatre), Hesione in Triumph of Love (Red Branch Theatre), Clara in Under the Poplar Trees (FPCT/Baltimore Playwrights Festival) and a different Clara in The Nutcracker (The Puppet Co.)  And in July Annette will be playing four different mothers in Molotov Theatre’s Neighborhood 3:Requisition of Doom.  In 2014 she appeared in the Kennedy Center Page-to-Stage Festival, the Capital Fringe Festival, the Baltimore Playwrights Festival, and the Hope Operas.  She is honored to be a part of Fannie Lou’s history. Annette recently became a member of the Pallas Theatre Collective and was seen in their June 13-14 TableRead of a new musical, Emma.

ZOIA WISEMAN (Mrs. Bedford) -- Zoia has performed as principle, ensemble and background talent in a variety of stage and film productions including: The Children’s Hour, Two and a Half Days in Vegas, Iolanthe, Rhetorical Jazz, Mr. Fables, and B Copy.  She has also frequently been a soloist for Rosman Entertainments. In addition, Zoia is an accomplished lighting designer and stage manager. Zoia received her BFA in theater arts from Stephens College and a Diploma of Graduate Studies in drama and performance studies from Queens University Belfast. The role of Mrs. Bedford was created for Zoia for this DC production of “Scenes and Songs from Fannie Lou.”

NILES FINKLEA (Ensemble/Clarence Understudy) -- Niles is an emerging young Professional Actor from Silver Spring, MD. He has trained at Yale University, Studio Theater, Goucher College, and is currently being coached by the legendary Denise Diggs. A few of his Acting credits include: Dutchman (Stage), Story of Anansi Told (Stage), Much Ado about Nothing (Stage), and Black & Decker (Commercial). Some of Niles’ upcoming projects include: Open Source Warfare (Documentary) and No Rights Reserved (Web Series). You can also catch Niles on his Youtube Channel @nilesthetalented, so please subscribe!



YEWANDE ODETOYINBO (Ensemble) -- Yewande returns to "Scenes and Songs from Fannie Lou" after appearing in the Carnegie Hall production in New York City last October. She has enjoyed roles  in regional theater productions of works that include Rent, Carmen Jones, and Arsenic and Old Lace. Ensemble memberships include The Washington Revels Heritage/Jubilee Voice, the musical theater ensemble Standing Room Only, and the sketch comedy troupe The Team. She's also a member of Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity for Women. A performer with Spirit of Washington Cruise, Yewande has been a docent at the Motown Historical Museum in Detroit. She earned a bachelor of fine arts degree in theater arts with a concentration in musical theater from Howard University.    

* JANICE PRICE (Ensemble) -- Janice Price is “The Jazz Singer” who is truly “Priceless.” Her 30 years professional journey has led her to work with so many great talents, including Keter Bettes, who toured as Ella Fitzgerald’s bassist for over 21 years.  Janice has opened for musical artists Ray Charles, Grover Washington Jr., Will Downing, Gerald Albright, Oleta Adams and many others.  Janice has received a number of awards and accolades for her work with community youth.  She has performed in many notable nightclubs across the country, such as The Vault, The Stevens Center, and the Rain Cellar in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Fourteen years in Washington, DC gained her respect and admiration at many popular and hot jazz spots such as Mr. Henry’s in Adams Morgan, Blues Ally, The John F. Kennedy Center, and Constitution Hall, along with many State and Government parties and social events.

 EMILY H. GILSON (Esemble) --  Emily is a DC native who returned to the city after her graduation from the Conservatory of Theatre Arts at SUNY Purchase with a double BA in Drama Studies and Medieval History. She recently was seen as Franz Kafka’s sister Valli in Ambassador Theater’s US premier of Tadeusz Rozewicz’s The Trap, playing in partnership with the George Washington University. Her previous DC area credits include Tyger (banished? productions workshop, 2014); Dark House (Capital Fringe); a 2011 workshop reading of Ari Roth’s Born Guilty Cycle, under the helm of Mr. Roth and the Theatre Lab; and Iolanthe (Washington Savoyards). She was also recently seen in Blind Pug Arts Collective’s Shakespeare in Brookland, an evening of short plays by local playwrights presented as part of opening events for DC’s new Brookland Arts Walk in October 2014. Children’s theatre: Alice in Wonderland (Pandemonium Theatrical Productions); Maryland, My Maryland (Children’s Theatre Association, local tour).  TV: Evil Twins; Southern Fried Homicide (Investigation Discovery). Emily is also a company member and Victorian Christmas caroler with 42^nd St Singers, a costumed a capella caroling group comprised of local musical theatre and opera talent. Upon her return to DC, she began study with the Studio Theatre Acting Conservatory, and is a 2012 alumna of Signature Theatre’s 2-week Overtures musical theatre intensive in Arlington, VA. More information including a demo reel and links to additional and upcoming work can be found online at www.emilygilsonactor.com.

IVA JEAN AMBUSH (Ensemble) -- Iva returned to her love of acting when she moved to the DC Metropolitan Area 10 years ago.   She is known for her supporting role as Lena Younger in The Kitchen, the film adaptation of a scene from A Raisin in the Sun.  In her latest role as grief counselor Maria in Goodbye Charm City, she comforts the audience as she helps women deal with the loss of loved ones in this true story about a mother’s journey as she prepares her final impact statement on sentencing day to the man who murdered her son.  Also, she is performing the part of Zeke’s mom in the production of No Rights Reserved, a web series that examines the relationship between the widespread use of social and sporadic violence.  Throughout the episodes, several individuals seek viral fame while coming to terms with the consequences of not only their actions, but the intentions of organizations looking to control the masses.  “Buzz” - A group of young adults looking to gain viral fame partake in a Twitter-generated trend called “Smack Out.”  After one of the participants regrets his action, he teams up with the victim to hack SmackOut’s social media account only to uncover a far deeper plot to profit off of the chaos. Ms. Ambush is ecstatic about her part in the musical “Scenes and Songs from Fannie Lou.”  Her love of the art of theater is evident in every scene.  Lastly, you can see Iva Jean not only on the screen but behind the scenes where she produces student films and small projects all over the area; and, performing as a jazz singer all over the country.

Find out more about the fictional characters portrayed in "Scenes and Songs from Fannie Lou" here. And  for ticket information, please visit here.

* Our thoughts and prayers go out to Ross Black and his
devoted wife Janice Price during this difficult time for them.
We wish Ross all the best for a speedy recovery.



-------------------------------------

 MEMBERS OF OUR DC CREATIVE TEAM



Cindy Adkins (Pianist) Born and raised in southern West Virginia, Cindy  has spent most of her life in the northern VA/DC area teaching music and playing the piano and organ professionally.  She has played in many churches, and  played for musicals such as Godspell, Crazy For You and many Broadway Desserts productions in Fairfax County schools. She also plays for weddings, receptions and parties. Probably the highlight of her piano playing career was accompanying a 150-voice choir of professionals in commemoration of the 10th anniversary of 9/11, on Sept 11, 2011, in front of an audience of 1,700 people! Her passion being kids/people and music, she is honored to be a part of our Fannie Lou production!!

Colin Dieck (Lighting Design) Colin is a theatrical designer and inveterate traveler based in DC. Locally he has worked with many companies, including Keegan Theatre, Spooky Action Theater, 1st Stage, and Signature Theatre. Most recently he designed WSC Avant-Bard's Othello and Nu Sass's A Bright Room Called Day, as well as several productions in the 2015 Capital Fringe Festival. Further afield, Colin is a designer and stage manager with Beau Jest Moving Theatre of Boston and has been lighting designer and international production manager for Cho-In Theatre of South Korea.

Felicia Hunter (Director/Composer/Lyricist/Librettist)
A life-long learner, Felicia began her formal music training at age 9. She’s studied viola, piano and cello, played glockenspiel for her high school marching band and also had a brief encounter with the bassoon during her high school years. In her senior year she was principal violist for her state’s All-State High School Orchestra. She’s toured Europe and performed in cities along the East Coast as part of national, regional and state youth orchestras. She is a graduate of Syracuse (Honors curriculum, cum laude) and Yale universities. Felicia has performed for film, television and the theater, including Jack Eric Williams’ Mrs. Farmer’s Daughter, her professional stage debut. Other acting credits include regional productions of The Wiz (Dorothy) and Ain't Misbehavin'. She has performed as a backup vocalist for such music-industry luminaries as Michael Bolton and Ben E. King. A journalist, Felicia has been a staff or freelance reporter and/or editor for a number of daily, weekly and monthly publications. She is a former Connecticut Post newspaper bureau chief, and in that capacity helmed a staff of reporters who covered the state's lower Naugatuck Valley region. With her sister, Cheri, Felicia produced and performed on the critically acclaimed single "To the Rescue," which she also wrote. The song was featured on the soundtrack of the independent film "And Then Came Love" starring Vanessa Williams, Ben Vereen and Eartha Kitt. Cheri, a graduate of DC's Howard University Law School, was an integral part of the development of Fannie Lou and was enthusiastically looking forward to its progression, even as she valiantly battled illness before passing away last year. Fannie Lou musical would not have been possible without Cheri's tenacious dedication and unwavering support. A 2014 performance of "Scenes and Songs from Fannie Lou" at New York City's Carnegie Hall was dedicated to Cheri's memory and legacy. (Photo by Harold Shapiro)