The Moment

Thank you for joining us for this production. Our licensing prevents rebroadcast, but we hope to make selections available on this website in the coming weeks.

Director’s Note

Good evening and welcome to The Moment, Elon Department of Performing Arts First All-Black Cabaret. In the last few months, we have been living through what many have been calling “the dual pandemics”. COVID-19 has turned our world upside down as every industry and every person has had to make drastic changes to their way of life. The second pandemic is actually one that has plagued this country since its inception. Systemic and structural racism and it’s even more despicable father, white supremacy. Thousands across the country are finally waking up to what many of us have known for a while, that the promise that “all men are created equal” was a lie that is still perpetuated today. While many see the arts as a safe haven from the flaws of the world, this is misguided. Like all systems, the performing arts are not immune to white supremacy. In fact, as the de facto culture makers of the world, the performing arts is deeply ensnared within the claws of racism. We have to begin doing our part in transforming the field of performing arts. As artists, every time you go into a studio or learn a monologue, we have to question, how is this work transforming, deconstructing, and rebuilding what the arts looks like? The work we do cannot be the continuation of the deeply harmful practices in the arts, our work must be transformational. Tonight, we have begun our contribution to this transformation.  As we work through these dual pandemics, a lot of emotions can flare. Pain, loss, despair, grief, but also in these times of crisis, great beauty and truth can emerge. Tonight, we hope that you’ll bear witness to these truths. Our Black truths, our Black beauty, Black joy, and Black celebration. This evening would not be possible without the contributions of dozens of folks, who you will see in the credits at the end of the evening. Yet there are a few people who I would like to extend the deepest gratitude to. The first being every single Black person in the diaspora. We are dope as hell y’all and despite everything that’s being thrown our way, we still get outta bed and DO IT. Secondly, I would like to thank the Elon Department of Performing Arts and their support of this production, namely department chair Prof. Lauren Kearns and Director of Music Theatre, Prof. Julio Agustin Matos. Additionally, I would like to thank our faculty advisor Dan Gibson as well as Prof. J McMerty and the iMedia majors who literally brought this show to life. There is a 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. 

Acknowledgments

Elon Department of Performing Arts, Prof. Julio Augstin Matos Jr., Prof. Lauren Kearns, Dr. Susanne Shawyer, Prof. David McGraw, Prof. Kim Shively, Prof. Bill Webb, Prof. Natalie Hart, Haidee Dollak, Tyson Hankins, Bryan Baker & School of COM, Dr. Thomas Arcaro, Sujaya Sunkara, Caitlin Strickland

Cast

Jaelyn Alexander

Naiya Banks

Zeth Dixon

Haile Ferrier

Lauryn Harper

Anne-Sophie Hill

Hannah Hubbard

Kayla Jacobs

Kevin Lacey

Zion Middleton

Sayo Oni

Candace Rhodes

Lake Sims-Winfrey

Araya Sykes

Renell Taylor

Christine Wanda

Giselle Watts

Sidney Wilson

Cullen Zeno

Creative Team

Artistic Director	Kamal Lado
Music Supervisor	Kevin Lacey
Assistant Director	Hannah Hubbard
Faculty Advisor	Prof. Dan Gibson
Dramaturg	Lake Sims-Winfrey
Director of Outreach	Zion Middleton
Publicity Director	Jaelyn Alexander
Music Director	Christine Wanda
Director	Naiya Banks
Director	Sidney Wilson

Crew

Director of Production	Prof. Jason McMerty
Videographer and Editor	Jordan Young
Videographer and Editor	Jasmine Simmons
Videographer and Editor	Yasmeen Grandison
Videographer and Editor	Medeleine Horrell
Videographer and Editor	Dion Cummings
Videographer and Editor	Abigail Bekele
Videographer and Editor	Natalie Oldani
Videographer and Editor	JD Grant
Photographer and Editor	Willem Butler
Audio Engineer	Eddie Falshaw

Set List

~Intermission~

Bios

Dan Gibson

J. McMerty

Jaelyn Alexander

Naiya Banks

Dion Cummings

Eddie Falshaw

Haile Ferrier

Zeth Dixon

Yasmeen N. Grandison

JD Grant

Lauryn Harper

Hannah Hubbard

Kayla Jordan Jacobs

Anne-Sophie Hill

Kevin Lacey

Kamal Lado

Sayo Oni

Zion Middleton

Candace Rhodes

Jasmine Simmons

Lake Sims-Winfrey

Araya Sykes

Christine Wanda

Renell Taylor

Sidney Wilson

Jordan Young

Giselle Watts

Cullen Zeno

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!

J. McMerty

J. McMerty Director of Elon in Los Angeles, Assistant Professor Cinema & TV Arts.

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.

Naiya Banks

This is Naiya's junior year in the BFA program and she is so happy to add Medea to her list of productions here at Elon! She'd like to thank her amazing family, the wonderful production team, and every one of her friends that have pushed her to be the best. Instagram: @naiya.alexis

Dion Cummings

Dion Cummings is an Elon native and a current Elon graduate student within the Interactive Media program. Passionate about digital storytelling and black representation in creative spaces, Dion aims to own his own film studio and direct his own movies in the future.

Eddie Falshaw

Eddie Falshaw is a Senior BFA Music Theatre major here at Elon University. Elon credits include: Sweeney Todd (Tobias Ragg), Songs for a New World (Man 2), Spring Awakening (Melchior Gabor), and the upcoming spring production of Fugitive Songs (DB). With the hiatus of theatre during the pandemic, Eddie has been lucky enough to transition in the TV/Film industries working with production companies like C&W Productions and Entertainment GOES, shooting his first TV pilot (Arena) and his first professional short film (Flora's Spell). Shoutout to Julio Matos, Deb Leamy, Landrum Arts LA, & DGRW for all the love, learning, and opportunities this year. And as always, all my love & gratitude to Mom, Dad, Maggie, W+J.

Haile Ferrier

Haile Ferrier is a Senior BFA Music Theatre Major and is so excited to be prioritizing her personal growth and preparation as a transitioning professional. She will be participating in The Growing Studio's Link Program/Intensive in January and looks forward to the doors the experience will open. She thanks her parents for their emotional (and financial) support as well as Professor Matos for all he has already brought to the music theatre program.

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.

Yasmeen N. Grandison

Yasmeen N. Grandison is a candidate for a M.A. in Interactive Media at Elon University, as part of the class of 2021 . During her undergrad years at Elon, she was Cinema and Television major with a double minor in French and International Studies. Yasmeen loves writing scripts, reading, video editing, and watching movies. Upon graduating, Yasmeen aspires to work in the film production industry.

JD Grant

JD is a sophomore student from Harding, NJ double majoring in Cinema & TV Arts and Economics. He loves telling stories and working with others, and so he was extremely honored and happy to edit "On the Deck of a Spanish Ship".

Lauryn Harper

My name is Lauryn Harper. I am a senior Cinema and Television Arts major with a minor in Theatre Arts. I've spent most of my career behind the camera making short films. The Moment is the first production show I have been apart of during my time at Elon where I can perform. I am and thankful for the opportunity to be apart of this cabaret. The Moment is a show by black bodies showcasing black excellence and its time to hear our voices.

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!

Kevin Lacey

Kevin Lacey is a senior BFA Music Theatre program major, originally from Atlanta, GA. Some previous credits include Joseph and the… Dreamcoat (Judah) and the ensembles of Elon’s productions of American Idiot and Once on this Island. He wants to extend a huge shout-out to his friends, family, and teachers for constantly supporting him and continuously encouraging him to grow. Romans 8:18. Kevin-lacey.com

Kamal Lado

Kamal Lado (they/them) is from St. Louis, MO, and a senior at Elon University. They were last seen on the university stage in We Will Rock You. Regionally, Kamal has performed at The Muny, Music Theatre Wichita, and is a member of Actors' Equity Association. Through performing in venues around the country, Kamal began to clearly see the disparities and injustices in a community they had long found solace in. Over the past 4 years, Kamal has developed a passion for advocacy work and activism specifically for Black and queer folx in the theatre. BLACK LIVES MATTER. kamallado.com

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.

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

Jasmine Simmons

Jasmine Simmons is a native of Winston-Salem,  North Carolina. She obtained her Bachelors's degree in Mass Communications in Journalism, with a focus in Mass Media production from North Carolina A&T. Currently, she is enrolled in the Interactive Media program and will graduate in spring 2021 at Elon University. Jasmine looks forward to learning new techniques in videography and production. Her aspirations in life is to become an academy award-winning producer. Participation in this film: Shot and edited.

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!

Araya Sykes

Araya is a senior double majoring in Drama and Theatre Studies, and Cinema and Television Arts. Upon graduating Elon, she wants to go more into the field of directing. While at Elon, she has helped create several short films, both individually and as part of Cinelon, Elon’s student film production organization. Within the performing arts department, some of her achievements include working as a props masters on the productions of Cats and You Can’t Take it with You; Assistant Stage Managing the Spring Dance Concert 2019, and Assistant Directing Clown Bar. The Moment will be the first official production at Elon that she has had a performing role in. She is excited about this work and has enjoyed all the time spent with everyone involved in this project. It is truly a work for us and by us and she can’t wait for the world to see it!

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 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!

Sidney Wilson

Sidney Wilson is a Senior Music Theatre major at Elon University. Most recently seen in Elon’s production of Damn Yankees as Meg, she has also performed at the 2019 National Black Theatre Festival in Jelly's Last Jam as a Hunnie. She is ecstatic to be a part of The Moment and would like to thank her friends and family for their endless love and support!

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 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!