Open Mic Night
Broadway and the Actors Equity Association does not foresee theatre coming back until January at the earliest. At Theatre Raleigh, we hire a handful of union actors for each show, and it is my belief that if full scale productions aren’t deemed safe for union actors, then it is not safe for any actors, musicians or technical staff.
All the best,
Lauren Kennedy Brady
Producing Artistic Director, Theatre Raleigh
Scenic and Props Designer
ELIZABETH NEWTON (Scenic and Props Designer) is excited to be working again with Theatre Raleigh. Elizabeth holds a BA in Theatre from Meredith College and an MFA in Scenic Design from the University of Southern Mississippi. While currently based in Raleigh, Elizabeth has worked as a designer and scenic artist in North Carolina, Virginia, Oklahoma, Mississippi, and New York. In the Triangle, Elizabeth has collaborated with Raleigh Little Theatre, Burning Coal Theatre, Bare Theatre, NRACT, and Meredith College. She has also been the Scenic Designer for Regent University in Virginia Beach since 2017. Favorite recent design credits include Pippin (Raleigh Little Theatre), Little Women (Regent University), Romeo and Juliet (Regent University), King Charles III (Burning Coal), Don’t Dress For Dinner (Raleigh Little Theatre), Peter Pan and Wendy (Burning Coal), Oklahoma (Regent), The Seagull (Regent), Skylight (Burning Coal), and The Glass Menagerie (Raleigh Little Theatre).
Lighting Designer
KAITLIN GILL RIDER (Lighting Designer) is a freelance lighting designer that holds a BFA in Theatrical Design and Production with a concentration in Lighting Design from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro. This is her second show designing with Theatre Raleigh and she is excited to return. Past show credits include, Beehive: The 60’s Musical at Theatre Raleigh, Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder at Raleigh Little Theatre, Peter Pan at Carolina Friends School, Triangle at North Carolina Theatre Conservatory, and The Whipping Man at Raleigh Little Theatre.
Director
MONÉT NOELLE MARSHALL (Director) is an artist, director, playwright, curator, producer & cultural organizer. A 2018 Independent Weekly Arts Award winner, she serves as the Founding Artistic Director of MOJOAA Performing Arts Company. Recent projects include the “Buy It Call It” performance installations, which earned her the 2018 Mary B. Regan Community Artist Fellowship from the NC Arts Council. You can learn more about her upcoming work at MonetNoelleMarshall.com.
Music Director
GREGG GELB (Music Director) is a saxophonist, clarinetist, band leader, arranger, composer and educator. He is director of the Triangle Youth Jazz Ensemble, founder and director of the Heart of Carolina Jazz Orchestra and Jazz Society, and co-founder and player with the North Carolina Jazz Repertory Orchestra. He has many jazz groups that he founded and performs with regularly; his Jazz Trio or Quartet, La Fiesta Latin Jazz Band, the Second Line Stompers, and Gregg Gelb Swing Band. He plays often with the North Carolina Symphony Orchestra. Besides always staying busy performing Gelb has always been a dedicated teacher who has constantly brought jazz and music education to people in NC since arriving here in 1979.
Production Stage Manager
LANEISHA FARRAR (Production Stage Manager) is delighted to be back once again with TR for this charming production of Bud, Not Buddy. Some of her stage management credits include a production at Pure Life Theatre (Loving), Raleigh Little Theatre (Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds), and The Justice Theatre Project (A Soldier’s Play, Porgy and Bess, and Black Nativity). She also has Assistant Stage Manager credits at The Justice Theatre Project (The Color Purple), and Theatre Raleigh (The Scottsboro Boys). LaNeisha is an entrepreneur and co-owner of What’s Poppin’ Gourmet Popcorn. She is grateful to her husband, Jamal, daughters Alexus, Janaya, and Jadyn, and her immediate family for their unwavering support. Much love to the cast and production team!
Sound Designer
ERIC ALEXANDER COLLINS (Sound Designer) is excited to begin his tenth season designing for Theatre Raleigh! Three of his past designs for Theatre Raleigh have been awarded Best Sound Design by BroadwayWorld: The Mystery of Edwin Drood (2016), Smokey Joe’s Cafe (2017), and ONCE (2018). Eric first designed for TR back in 2011, including the shows The Marvelous Wonderettes and Violet. Recent credits include: North Carolina Theatre: Kinky Boots, Mama Mia, A Night With Janis Joplin, and Gypsy. Theatre Raleigh: The Scottsboro Boys, The Bridges of Madison County, Junk, The Secret Garden, Ariana Debose (in Concert), Playmaker’s Rep. Co. (U.N.C.): Ragtime, She Love’s Me, The Crucible, Peter and the Starcatcher. Carolina Ballet: MacBeth (2016 world premier ballet), Lynne Taylor-Corbett’s Dracula and The Little Mermaid (both world premier ballets). North Carolina Symphony: The Music Man, Idina Menzel (in concert), Natalie Merchant (in concert). University Theatre (N.C.S.U.): Our Town, The 39 Steps. Theatre In The Park: Godspell.
Costume Designer
PAMELA A. BOND (Costume Designer) is a native of Durham, North Carolina. She received a B.A. in Theatre, B.S. in Textiles & Apparel and a M.A. in Textiles & Apparel from North Carolina Central University. Mrs. Bond serves as costume designer for the Department of Theatre at North Carolina Central University. Pamela has acted and costumed several productions in the Triangle area. She recently served as Artist In Residence at Hampton University in Hampton VA. Ms. Bond owns Pamela Bond Designs at Golden Belt Artist Studios in Durham, NC.
Adult Bud / Lefty Lewis
JUAN WOOD II (Adult Bud/Lefty Lewis) is happy to be performing in his Theatre Raleigh debut! Theatre credits: Dog Sees God, The Whipping Man. IG: @Juanwood2nd.
Momma
AYA WALLACE (Momma) is excited to perform on Theatre Raleigh’s stage once again. Her first performance with TR was ”The Lady” in Scottsboro Boys! Just some of her other roles include Felicia, Memphis (Raleigh Little Theatre); Celie, The Color Purple (Justice Theatre Project); and Mildred Loving, Loving (Pure Life Theatre). She received her B.S in Kinesiology at Temple University and MA in Dance Education from NYU. She is forever grateful to family and friends who support her, especially her son. Jarius, remember that before I knew I was pregnant with you, God woke me up at 4am and told me to get up and write down, “What’s inside of you will be great!” When I thought God was talking about my talents, God was talking about you! You are already great and will surpass what any of us could ever imagine!
Deza’s Dad / Mr. Jimmy
TYRONE KIAKU (Deza’s Dad/Mr. Jimmy) is ecstatic to return to Theatre Raleigh in Bud, Not Buddy. Tyrone was recently seen in Ragtime – Harlem Ensemble/Coalhouse Understudy (Playmakers Repertory Company), The Scottsboro Boys – Olen Montgomery (Theatre Raleigh), and Kinky Boots – Referee Angel (Hangar Theatre). Tyrone would like to thank his mom, siblings, family, and friends for their continued support and encouragement to follow his dreams! Follow Tyrone on Instagram/Twitter @TyroneKiaku or at TyroneKiaku.com.
Herman Calloway
QUASHEEM D. HERRING (Herman Calloway) I am an 8-year Air Force Veteran that has always had a passion for acting. I truly feel that acting is one of the quickest routes to reach the masses with any message that I pride myself on delivering. By being versatile believing in execution and consistency. I have worked on multiple films such as Suicide Squad 2 directed by James Gunn, Tomorrow War directed by Chris McKay, and Negative Exposure directed by Toni Tite and TV shows such as ATL Homicide, Fatal Attraction and The Walking Dead.
Bugs / “Doo-Doo Bug”
SAI GRAHAM (Bugs/”Doo-Doo Bug”) is happy to be back on the Theatre Raleigh stage! Regional Credits: In The Heights (NCT), West Side Story (NCT), Mamma Mia! (NCT), The Scottsboro Boys (Willie Roberson, Theatre Raleigh), A Motown Christmas (Li V Mahob Productions). Other favorite credits: The Wild Party (Mr. Black, WPU), Kiss Me, Kate (Paul, WPU), Noises Off (Selsdon, WPU). Upcoming: Mamma Mia! as Pepper at Temple Theatre and Peace of Clay at Theatre Raleigh. IG: @sai_scraper.
Deza Malone / Jerry / Young Momma
SHIA RAINE EDWARDS (Deza Malone/Jerry/Young Momma) is excited to be making her Theatre Raleigh debut in the Family Series show Bud, Not Buddy. Her love for dancing, singing, acting dates back to the age of three. She currently trains with North Carolina Dance Institute, LA Dance and Five Fifteen’s Dance. Shia’s previous performances include the dwarf Shy in the Lythgoe Family’s Panto presentation of Snow White Christmas. Performing is not her only love, when Shia is not on stage she can be found researching science projects and activities and spending time with her siblings. Shia attends Brier Creek Elementary School and is proudly represented by KUTalent Agency.
“Doug the Thug”
JAJUAN COFIELD (“Doug the Thug”) is a native of Tarboro, North Carolina. A life-long performer, this will be his second theatrical performance with Theatre Raleigh. Most recently, he was a part of Theatre Raleigh’s presentation of The Scottsboro Boys, and after that Pure Life Theatre’s presentations of A Motown Christmas and Loving. When he’s not performing, JaJuan is also a sound designer for multiple local theaters. He is grateful to be surrounded by such amazing talent and honored to join the cast of Bud, Not Buddy.
Todd / “Steady Eddie”
TREVON CARR (Todd/”Steady Eddie”) is excited to be making his Theatre Raleigh debut. Trevon most recently played the “Know it all “ kid on The Polar Express in Florida, and is also in Oliver! at Temple Theater! He is excited to continue his theatre career!
Mrs. Thomas / Deza’s Mom / Mrs. Amos
MARIA BARBER (Mrs. Thomas/Deza’s Mom/Mrs. Amos) This is Maria’s 1st show at Theatre Raleigh, but she has performed in numerous theater productions. She portrayed Sofia in Color Purple with the Justice Theater Project. Additional favorite past credits include Black Nativity, Porgy & Bess, Bob Marley’s 3 Little Birds and A Motown Christmas.
When she is not performing on stage, Maria enjoys being an admin for the NC Women’s Flag Football League and volunteering as a House Manager at Raleigh Little Theater and Pure Life Theatre.
Special thanks and immeasurable love to the village that supports her theater chick shenanigans. She promises to leave space in the limo just for them!
Jake / “Dirty Deed”
BEN APPLE (Jake/”Dirty Deed”) With Triad Stage- Brother Wolf, Snow Queen, A Christmas Carol. With Theatre Raleigh- The Adventures of Peter Rabbit and his Friends. With Burning Coal- A Number, Far Away, King Charles III, Peter Pan and Wendy, The Greeks. Other- Bad Jews (Big Wig Productions), Recent Tragic Events (Interrobang Theater Chicago), The Actor and the Assassin (HART). Education-BFA Acting, UNC-Greensboro 2014.
Young Bud