Contains some adult language and references to racial violence. Otherwise, suitable for children.
THE BUBBLY BLACK GIRL SHEDS HER CHAMELEON SKIN is presented by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc., New York
THE BUBBLY BLACK GIRL SHEDS HER CHAMELEON SKIN was first presented in New York City by Dixon Place with funds from the Joyce MertzGilmore Foundation. Partially developed during the 1998 National Music Theater Conference at the O’Neill Theater Center. Developed in part at the National Alliance for Musical Theater, Helen Sneed, Executive and Artistic Director, and also at Musical Theater Works. Playwrights Horizons, New York City, in association with Wind Dancer Theatre, produced the World Premiere in 1999–2000. The Gold Medal jingle is used with the permission of General Mills, Inc.
Dramaturgy
This story takes place during the mid to late 20th century, and Viveca grows up being inspired by the world around her! Take a look at the icons and key figures referenced in the show that influenced her coming of age story! Click the button below to head to the Dramaturgy Page!
Research and website were done by Associate Dramaturg, Lake Sims-Winfrey, directed and guided by our amazing professional dramaturg cfrancis blackchild!
Message from Assistant Director
Cast
| Viveca | Christine Wanda |
| Gregory | Sayo Oni |
| Mommy/Yolanda | Jaelyn Alexander |
| Daddy/Policeman | Cullen Zeno |
| Chitty Chatty Pal 1/Secretary/Ballet Teacher/Sophia | Sujaya Sunkara |
| Chitty Chatty Pal 2/Secretary/Modern Dance Teacher/Scarlett | Elsa Oates Keefe |
| Emily/Nilda/Sandra | Candace Rhodes |
| Miss Pain/Secretary/Tallulah/Granny | Kayla Jacobs |
| Larry/Keith | Renell Taylor |
| Jazz Teacher/Dance Captain/Lucas | Zion Middleton |
| Prince/Cosmic/Policeman/Director Bob | Nathan Meyer |
| Viveca U/S | Hannah Hubbard |
| Gregory U/S | Zeth Dixon |
| Mommy/Yolanda U/S | Anne-Sophie Hill |
| Daddy/Policeman U/S | Zeth Dixon |
| Chitty Chatty Pal 1/Secretary/Ballet Teacher/Sophia U/S | Kaylee Hayden / Giselle Watts |
| Chitty Chatty Pal 2/Secretary/Modern Dance Teacher/Scarlett U/S | Kaylee Hayden |
| Emily/Nilda/Harriet Tubman/Sandra U/S | Anne-Sophie Hill |
| Miss Pain/Secretary/Tallulah/Granny U/S | Giselle Watts / Kaylee Hayden |
| Larry/Keith U/s | Zeth Dixon |
| Jazz Teacher/Dance Captain/Lucas U/S | Zeth Dixon |
| Prince/Cosmic/Policeman/Director Bob U/S | Brooks Andrew |
Creative Team
| Director | Julio Matos |
| Asst. Director | Kali Clougherty |
| Choreography | Keshia Wall |
| Asst. Choreographer | Faythe Kelly |
| Asst. Choreographer | Renell Taylor |
| Music Director | Dan Gibson |
| Associate Music Director | Hannah Hubbard |
| Associate Music Director | Jaelyn Alexander |
| Associate Music Director | Taylor Mitchell |
| Rehearsal Accompanist | Haidee Dollak |
| Dramaturg | cfrancis blackchild Ph.D. |
| Associate Dramaturg | Lake Sims-Winfrey |
| Community Outreach Coordinator | Giselle Watts |
| Scenic Designer | Charles Johnson |
| Asst. Scenic Designer | Eric Kanzinger |
| Costume Designer | Heidi Jo Schiemer |
| Sound Designer | Mike Smith |
| Music Editing/Mixing | Haidee Dollak |
| Music Editing/Mixing | Taylor Mitchell |
| Music Editing/Mixing | Dan Gibson |
| Lighting Designer | Bill Webb |
| Asst. Lighting Designer | Hannah Elise Brown |
Production Team
| Technical Director | JP Mullican |
| Asst. Technical Director | Josh Bothwell |
| Stage Manager | Allyson Vogel |
| Asst. Stage Manager | Haley Robles |
| Asst. Stage Manager | Carli Shapiro |
| Production Manager | Bill Webb |
| Props Master | Natalie Taylor Hart |
| Props Master | Jeff Jones |
| Paint Charge | Emily George |
| Master Electrician | Alex Nemfakos |
| Sound Advisor | Rick Earl |
| Carpenter | Eric Kanzinger |
| Carpenter | Jordan Smith |
| Light Board Op | Hannah Elise Brown |
| Follow Spot Op | Brianna Boucher |
| Sound Board Op | Haidee Dollak |
| Front-of-House Supervisor | David McGraw |
| House Manager | Jack Morrill |
| Poster Design | Sydney Dye |
| Videographer | Jermaine Studwell |
| Video Intern | Dion Cummings |
| Video Intern | Yasmeen N. Grandison |
| Video intern | Jasmine Simmons |
| Video Intern | Jordan Young |
Musical Numbers
Welcome to My L.A. ……….Full Company
Chitty Chatty ……….Viveca and Female Ensemble
Smile, Smile ……….Daddy, Viveca, and Male Ensemble
I Am In Dance Class ……….Viveca, Yolanda, Miss Pain, Emily, Gregory
The Skate ……….Viveca and Female Ensemble
Sticks and Stones ……….Full Company
Walk on the Water ……….Full Company
Pass The Flame ……….Mommy, Viveca, Female Ancestors
War Is Not Good ……….Full Company
Brave New World ……….Momm, Viveca, and Ensemble
Give It Up/Belle of the Ball ……….Full Company
Bright Blue Sky ……….Gregory, Viveca
Legacy ……….Gregory, Viveca, Police Officer 1 & 2
Who’s That Bubbly Black Girl ……….Full Company
Secretarial Pool ……….Female Ensemble
Pretty ……….Viveca
Director Bob ……….Director Bob, Dance Captain, Viveca, Female Ensemble
Come With Me ……….Lucas, Viveca, Ensemble
I Don’t Need to Fake ……….Viveca
Granny’s Advice ……….Granny, Viveca, Lucas, Full Ensemble
Listen! ……….Viveca, Full Company
Bubbly Finale ……….Full Company
The Band
Flute: Tika Douthit
Keyboard I: Haidee Dollak
Keyboard II: David Lane
Electric and Upright Bass: Virginia Masius
Drums/Percussion: Steve McHugh
Keyboard Programming: Dan Gibson
Bios
Julio Agustin
Dan Gibson
Rick Earl
JP Mullican
Jaelyn Alexander
Natalie Taylor Hart
Faythe Kelly
Brooks Andrew
Keshia Wall
Kali Clougherty
Hannah Elise Brown
Zeth Dixon
Emily George
Hannah Hubbard
Kayla Jordan Jacobs
Anne-Sophie Hill
Elsa Oates Keefe
Alex Nemfakos
Sayo Oni
Haley Robles
Zion Middleton
Candace Rhodes
Lake Sims-Winfrey
Carli Shapiro
Sujaya Sunkara
Christine Wanda
Renell Taylor
Allyson Vogel
Jordan Young
Giselle Watts
Cullen Zeno
Julio Agustin
Julio Agustin is an associate professor and Director of Music Theatre at Elon University. He has performed in six Broadway shows (Chicago, Fosse, Steel Pier, others). Award nominations include Audelco Award, Best Director (Sweet Charity @ New Haarlem Arts Theatre, NYC); Syracuse Area Live Theatre, Best Choreographer (In the Heights @ Hangar Theatre); and Houston Press, Best Choreographer (Guys and Dolls @ Theatre Under the Stars). He is the author of THE PROFESSIONAL ACTOR'S HANDBOOK: FROM CASTING CALL TO CURTAIN CALL. JulioAgustin.com / @JulioAgustinNYC
Dan Gibson
Dan Gibson is a New York City-based composer and music/vocal director. Currently Assistant Professor of Performing Arts and Music Director for Elon Music Theatre. Dan is thrilled to be home at Elon for a year, where his first full-length musical, I.D., premiered in 2010. Recently a composer in Columbia University's MFA Lyric Writing Lab. In the works: Behind the Front Door with Sam Rosenblatt, Return to Flight with Alex Higgin-Houser. Music/Vocal Director: Royal Caribbean Productions, Enlightened Theatrics, and The Flat Rock Playhouse where Dan has been an actor, vocal coach, music director, or youth educator for almost 20 productions. MFA NYU Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program, BFA Elon Music Theatre, BMI Musical Theatre Workshop, AEA, BroadwayWorld-Portland Award Winner for Best Music Direction. Love and thanks to Bub!
Rick Earl
Rick Earl is the Production Manager for Cultural and Special Programs at Elon University. Rick has worked as an audio engineer, production manager, and designer with various acts and clients throughout the US, Canada and Europe. Rick is a full member of the Audio Engineering Society, USITT, and the Event Safety Alliance.
JP Mullican
JP has served as the Performing Arts Technical Director since Fall 2017. Prior to Elon, he worked as a lead craftsperson and project manager on productions such as Paw Patrol Live. Outside of Elon, he continues work as a freelance technical designer on productions such as the Frozen Australian Tour, The Beauty and the Beast in Shanghai, and The Phantom of the Opera World Tour. In his free time, JP builds custom furniture and runs an ever-increasing number of virtual Dungeons & Dragons campaigns. He couldn’t do any of this without the constant support of his amazing partner.
Jaelyn Alexander
Jaelyn is a proud member of the Elon Music Theatre Class of 2022. Some of her recent credits include: Heathers: The Musical, Beast Mode Champion, and The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin. Jaelyn thanks LINK Class 4, the Elon Music Theatre Faculty, and her family for supporting her throughout the years.
Natalie Taylor Hart
Natalie Taylor Hart is a Scenic Designer and the Associate Chair of Performing Arts at Elon University. Selected Scenic Designs: New York: Tech Support (59E59TH, Off-Broadway); Tartuffe (Queens Theatre, Off-Off-Broadway); Slave Shack (Algonquin Theatre); Associate Designer for The Wiz (The Netherlands). Regional: Life in the Fat Lane (Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park); Having Our Say, Our Town {Scenic Consultant}, Fences {Finalist in World Stage Design 2017 Taipei}, White Lightning (Triad Stage). Exhibitions: USITT Design Expo, Prague Quadrennial, World Stage Design Finalist 2017, Lincoln Center Portfolio Review. MFA, Ohio University. Proud member of IATSE USA Local 829. natalietaylorhart.com
Faythe Kelly
Faythe is a senior Music Theatre major and Dance minor and is so excited to be a part of this production! You may have seen her onstage in Grand Night, Elon Cares, Collage, or The Elephant Man. She has also worked behind the table at Elon on The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin (Asst. Choreo) and Into The Woods (Choreographer). Thank you to Elon Music Theatre for making me the artist I am today and to my friends and family for always supporting me through everything. Fail Forward.
Brooks Andrew
Brooks is currently a Senior Music Theatre major at Elon and is looking forward to graduation and moving to NYC. His past favorite roles include Prince Topher (Cinderella, Wagon Wheel Center For The Arts), Robert Kincaid (The Bridges of Madison County, Elon University). Brooks looks forward to returning to Wagon Wheel Center For The Arts this summer to play the role of Prince Eric in Disney's The Little Mermaid. Brooks would like to extend a special thanks to his family, his Music Theatre Class of '23, and his Vizsla puppy "Rugby". Find him on Instagram @brooks_andrew
Keshia Wall
Nekeshia Wall, of Greensboro, NC earned a BA from UNC Greensboro in Dance and African American Studies and an MFA in Dance at Hollins University in collaboration with Kunstlerhavs Mousontvrm and The Frankfurt University of Music and Performing Arts; with support from The Dresden Frankfort Dance Company. She is also the founder of Matriarch Dance Co. LLC.Wall is currently an Assistant Professor of Dance at Elon University and specializes in Traditional West African and Contemporary Dance. Her current research focus seeks to explore how binary dancing forms such as West African Dance, can be engaged as valued and valid epistemological and ontological domains in scholarship.
Kali Clougherty
Kali is a senior Music Theatre major and is excited to perform in her final Grand Night. She was previously seen in Elon's productions Into the Woods and Beast Mode Champion. She wants to thank her professors, family, and friends for their support during her 4 years at Elon.
Hannah Elise Brown
Hannah Elise Brown is a senior with majors in Arts Administration and Theatrical Design and Technology, with concentrations in stage management and lighting design and a minor in Business Administration. She is so excited to be able to be the lighting designer for both Concord Floral and Inferior Sex along with the stage manager for Clue! Some of her past credits at Elon include Movin' On (Lighting Designer) and Fall Dance Concert 2021 (Stage Manager/Lighting Designer). She would like to thank her family and friends, as she would not be able to do this without them!
Zeth Dixon
Zeth Dixon is a 3rd year Music Theatre Major here at Elon University. Some of his favorite credits include Eddie in Mamma Mia (Bigfork Summer Playhouse), Crapshooter/Ensemble in Guys & Dolls (Bigfork Summer Playhouse), Pat Denning/Ensemble in 42nd Street (Elon University), and Man #1 in Songs for a New World (Nashville Children’s Theatre). He is a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated and also serves in many leadership positions here on campus.
Emily George
Emily is a senior Theatrical Design and Technology major and is thrilled to be working as the Scenic Charge on the mainstage Spring productions this year! All my love to the TDT department (past & present). You make this worth it. <3
Hannah Hubbard
Hannah is a current senior in the Music Theatre and Arts Administration program here at Elon and she cannot wait to get back on stage, especially in a tap dance show. Hannah's been tapping since she was four years old and has been in various tap shows like Anything Goes and Crazy For You. When not tapping on stage you can find her tapping in the garage with her dad or trying to convince her mom to join in. I hope you enjoy the show!
Kayla Jordan Jacobs
Durham, NC native, Kayla Jordan Jacobs is currently a Senior at Elon University and is working toward a B.F.A in Music Theatre and B.A. in Arts Administration. Her most recent credits include "Stepmother," in Into the Woods and "Granny," in The Bubbly Black Girl. Kayla is grateful and excited to be performing in her very last Grand Night and would like to thank God and her family for getting her through these last four years!
Anne-Sophie Hill
Anne-Sophie is a sophomore Musical Theatre major at Elon University this year. She has performed in various regional performances such as Chicago, Bring it On, Legally Blonde, as well as Elon’s The Moment and The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin. She is beyond excited to continue her journey at Elon!
Elsa Oates Keefe
Elsa is a junior Music Theatre Major from Lowell, MA. Recent credits include; Fun Home (Paramount Theatre Aurora), Sister Act (Geva Theatre Center), Head Over Heels (Elon University), 42nd Street (Elon University), Bubbly Black Girl (Elon University), The Who’s Tommy (Seacoast Rep). She is a proud YoungArts 2020 winner in Theatre. Many thanks to her mentors, friends, and family for their unwavering support. Special shoutout to her voice teacher Kenneth Lee! @elsakeefe
Alex Nemfakos
Alex is a Senior TDT major with a concentration in lighting and stage management. This year she is the lighting designer on Heart of Shrapnel, Sense and Sensibilities, and The Cherry Orchard. Additionally, she is one of several lighting designers on the Fall Dance Concert and an assistant lighting designer on 42nd Street.
Sayo Oni
Sayo Oni is a Junior at Elon University in the Musical Theatre BFA program. Some of his most recent credits are The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin, Beast Mode Champion, and Songs for a New World. Sayo would like to thank his mom, dad, sisters, niece, and extended family and friends for their unlimited support. Sayo would also like to thank the creative team and cast for all of their hard work on this production. He's incredibly grateful for the opportunity to perform and be surrounded by this talented ensemble.
Haley Robles
Haley Robles is a Junior Theatrical Design/Tech and Psychology major. Haley is excited for The Inferior Sex to be her Stage Management debut at Elon University. Over the summer she gained professional experience by working as an Assistant Stage for The Lexington Theatre Company in Chicago and The Little Mermaid. At Elon, she has served as the Assistant Stage Manager for 42nd Street, Into the Woods, and The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin. Haley is incredibly grateful for her experience with this talented cast and team.
Zion Middleton
Zion Middleton is a junior BFA Music Theatre major from McDonough, Ga. His passion for social justice and change in today’s society is what drives his need to perform. Outside of performing he enjoys directing, playing soccer, and working at the Boys and Girl’s Club of Alamance County. Other theatre credits include: Aldolpho in The Drowsy Chaperone, Judas in Godspell. Lucas in Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin, and Fortinbras in Hamlet. Special thanks to his mother, grandmother and brother!
Candace Rhodes
Candace Rhodes is a senior music theatre major at Elon University. She has played various roles such as Working the Musical, Grand Hotel, Once on this Island, The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin, and Elon’s workshop production of Movin' On. Candace is thrilled to be a part of the production of Elon’s Head Over Heels. She wants to thank God, her family, and her closest friends for their consistent support. @candace.roseee
Lake Sims-Winfrey
Lake is a senior Drama & Theatre Studies double major w/ Music in the Liberal Arts! She has been a part of numerous productions in the Performing Arts, such as a student director for senior thesis, Triptych, a performer in The Vagina Monologues, Once on this Island, & The Moment, and a Wardrobe Supervisor for Damn Yankees! This school year she worked as the Assistant Director for Beast Mode Champion as well as the Dramaturg for The Moment and the Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin! Lake is so grateful for the opportunity to serve as the Dramaturg for this production. It was such a collaborative and beautiful process with so many talented people!
Carli Shapiro
Carli Shapiro (they/she) is a Senior Theatrical Design and Technology Major who loves being involved in theatrical productions at every capacity. They had a blast working as a props artisan for Clue. Huge thanks to the entire cast and crew for their trust and support!
Sujaya Sunkara
Sujaya Sunkara is a graduating senior BFA Music Theatre major from Cincinnati, OH and she is so blessed to have Deep Water Ballad be the show to close out her Elon career. She was most recently seen as the Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods here at Elon and Gabrielle in Cinderella at Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre. Sujaya would like to thank her friends, family, her dog Turk, for everything they have given her. Last one!
Christine Wanda
Christine Wanda is a Senior Music Theatre major from Arlington, VA. She recently starred in Elon's winter musical, The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin, as the title character, Viveca Stanton. Other credits include: Ti Moune in Once On this Island, John Merrick in The Elephant Man, and the ensemble of American Idiot. She'd like to thank the entire Elon Performing Arts program for shaping her into the artist she is today. Thank you for a beautiful four years. Website: thechristinewanda.com
Renell Taylor
Renell Taylor is a senior Music Theatre and Arts Administration double major. Renell has been in multiple Elon productions such as Damn Yankees, 42nd Street, The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin, and more. Renell is super excited to be performing some of his original choreography in his final performances at Elon. He would like to thank his family, his friends, and the amazing mentors and professors that have continued to support him.
Allyson Vogel
Allyson Vogel is a senior majoring in Biology and Theatrical Design and Technology with a focus in stage management. She is excited to assistant technical direction and lead the crew for Clue! Her recent shows include Head Over Heels (assistant lighting designer) and 42nd Street (stage manager). She is so proud of all the hard work put into this show, and she looks forward to the rest of her senior year.
Jordan Young
Jordan Young is a junior Cinema and Television Arts major at Elon University. She is currently a show producer for sketch comedy show Elon Tonight and was a member of the Juliet cohort of Elondocs. Some previous projects she worked on have been the short film The Right Black, produced by an iMedia alum, her documentary on representation of HBCUs in media, and Dancing in the Landscape. Jordan is passionate about inclusion and representation in media and is incredibly grateful to be a part of this project, The Moment.
Giselle Watts
Giselle is a senior Music Theatre major and Creative Writing minor from Richmond, VA who couldn’t have been more grateful to perform, learn, and grow alongside such amazing people! As she embarks on her last Grand Night at Elon, she can’t help but thank God for bringing her here and for giving her this gift to share with you all. Giselle is also thankful for her family and friends for their constant support. Sit back and enjoy the show!
Cullen Zeno
Cullen is thrilled to be a part of the legacy that is The Moment. He loved collaborating with his fellow black performers to celebrate our blackness. Lastly, WE DEM FLAMES! Go Phoenix!
