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

Kyra Britt

Jahmai Bruce

Demaya Culp

Zeth Dixon

Anne-Sophie Hill

Hannah Hubbard

Kayla Jordan Jacobs

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 is a first year musical theatre major. He was recently seen in Elon Cares and really enjoys participating in student directed performances. He would like to thank Kayla, Jaylyn, and Cullen for their work on The Moment. He would also like to thank his family for their continued support in everything he does.

Kyra Britt

Kyra Britt is a sophomore Music Theatre major from Ellicott City, Maryland. She is excited to be in The Moment for the first time, and grateful to be performing again with her peers! Special thanks to her family and friends for supporting her in everything she does, and aspires to do.

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_

Zeth Dixon

Zeth Dixon is a second year Music Theatre Major at Elon University. Previous credits at Elon include 42nd Street (Pat Denning/Ensemble), The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin (Gregory, Keith, Daddy, Lucas U/S), and #Silenced (Actor #4). He is happy and proud to share his artistic endeavors and wants to thank all those who have supported him thus far in his life and career.

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!

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!

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 junior musical theatre major at Elon University. She has played in various roles such as Working The Musical, Grand Hotel, Once on This Island, and The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin. Candace is thrilled to be a part of Elon's workshop production of Movin' On. She wants to thank her family, friends, and God for consistently supporting her endeavors.

Renell Taylor

Renell Taylor (Performer) is delighted to be making an appearance in The Moment. Recent/Favorite credits include Lucky in Dames at Sea at the National WWII Museum, Specs in Newsies with Tulane Summer Lyric Theatre, and Ensemble in Catch Me if You Can at Tent Theatre. He is a sophomore at Elon University where he is double majoring with a minor to receive a BFA in Musical Theatre, a BA in Arts Administration, as well as a minor in business administration. Renell would like to give special thanks to his family and friends as well as all of the amazing educators he has had the pleasure to learn from.

Giselle Watts

Giselle is a junior Music Theatre major with a minor in Creative Writing from Richmond, VA who is ecstatic to be here and to be able to grow alongside such amazing people! Last fall semester, she made her Elon Debut as an understudy in Beast Mode Champion. And during j-term 2021, she had the privilege of understudying in the Bubbly Black Girl as well as being the Community Outreach Coordinator for the show. Giselle is thankful for her family and friends and their constant support. And 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!