The Moment 2021

Director’s Note

Hi, Hello, Good evening, and welcome to The Moment 2021, the second annual production of Elon Department of Performing Arts First All-Black Cabaret. My name is Kayla Jordan Jacobs and I have had the honor of serving as this year’s artistic director. The Moment was conceived by Elon Music Theatre alumni, Kamal Lado along with several other members of MT 21 who we all miss very dearly. This one-of-a-kind cabaret was created as a response to what has been referred to as “the dual pandemics”. While we are just now beginning to see a faint light at the end of a very dark tunnel, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are still very present in all of our lives. In addition to this, we cannot ignore the systemic and structural racism that this country was practically founded on. While many see the arts as a sweet escape from the many flaws of the world, this is simply not the case. Like all systems, the performing arts are not immune to white supremacy. We must take it upon ourselves to transform the field of performing arts to honor diversity, equity, and inclusion in every way shape, and form. The work we choose to do must be transformational. Tonight, we have decided our contribution to this transformation would be a celebration of black artists from across Elon’s campus. A celebration of Black beauty, Black joy, and the abundance of Black talent that is to be found on this campus. This evening would not be possible without the contributions of dozens of people, who will be recognized during the credits at the end of the evening. I would first like to thank the Elon Department of Performing Arts for their support of this production. Additionally, I would like to thank our faculty advisor Prof. Alexandra Warren as well as Jermaine Studwell and his team who have brought this show to life. Lastly, I would like to thank Prof. David McGraw and his team for all of his help with this project’s promotion. Kamal Lado chose to end last year’s curtain speech with a beautiful quote from James Baldwin that speaks to our celebration this evening. He writes, “There is never a time in the future in which we will work out our salvation. The challenge is in the moment, the time is always now.” Thank you again for joining us. Please enjoy The Moment.

Set List

Bios

Jaelyn Alexander

Kameron Askew

Jahmai Bruce

Demaya Culp

Kyra Britt

Zeth Dixon

Hannah Hubbard

Kayla Jordan Jacobs

Anne-Sophie Hill

Zion Middleton

Candace Rhodes

Renell Taylor

Giselle Watts

Cullen Zeno

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.

Kameron Askew

Kameron Askew is so glad to be performing in his second Collage performance at Elon University. Last semester he performed in Renegade's production of the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee directed by Jaron Cole. He will also be performing in the MainStage musical Head Over Heels this fall in the dance ensemble. He is so thankful for the artist he gets to work with in this department and looks forward to a wonderful year!

Jahmai Bruce

Demaya Culp

DeMya Culp is a sophomore at Elon University who is majoring in Arts Administration and Drama and Theatre studies. She is no stranger to the stage, and has been in productions such as Willy Wonka, Seussical, Aladdin and Elon Cares. She has also sung in élan jazz ensemble and has sung the music of Billy Joel and Stevie Wonder. She would like to thank Elon Performing Arts and her family as they enjoy The Moment. @broadway20_

Kyra Britt

Kyra Britt is a junior Music Theatre major and is excited to perform in Collage for the second time! She was previously a swing in Movin' On, a new work that was performed last spring. Kyra would like to thank her peers, professors, and family for encouraging her. Kyra is especially grateful for her mom, and all she has done for her as an artist, and as a human.

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.

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!

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

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 the Black History Month Dance Concert during his last semester. He would like to thank Keshia Wall, his family, and all of his other educators!

Giselle Watts

Giselle is a senior Music Theatre major with a minor in Creative Writing from Richmond, VA! In her sophomore fall, she made her Elon Debut as an understudy in Beast Mode Champion. That same school year, she understudied in the Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin and participated as the Community Outreach Coordinator for the show. You may have recently seen her last J-Term as Snow White/Little Red U/S in Into the Woods. Giselle is thankful for her family and friends and their constant support. This being Giselle's last Collage, she hopes that you will 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!