CHRISTMAS GIFT! (2012-13)

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"The premiere was, as they say, "all that." ...The music was a gift. ...I was impressed with the originality and creative imagination..." - Audrey Thornton, Metro Theatre Arts

(Click here to read the full performance review.)

CREDITS: Nolan Williams, Jr. (Creator/Director); Raquis Petree (Assistant Director/Choreographer); Jakari Sherman (Choreographer); Reggie Duffie (Visual Artist); Warren Jones (Band Director); Shirley Murdock (Featured Artist); John Stoddart (Featured Artist); Messiah Ramkissoon (Spoken Word Artist); NEWorks Voices of Inspiration (Choir); KonKouran West African Drummers; NEWorks Harambee Dancers & Steppers; Malife Nkruhman (Griot); Lafleur Paysour (Griot); Daron Stewart (Griot); Iyona Blake (Griot); Tyrae Brown (Keyboardist); Steven Evans (Set Percussionist); Dewayne Holton (Percussionist); Tyler Sherman (Bass Guitarist); Steven Walker (Lead Guitarist); Steven Walker(Trombonist); Theljon Allen (Trumpeter); and Clarence Ward II (Tenor Saxophonist).

Directed by Eric Ruffin; Co-Directed and Music Directed by Nolan Williams, Jr.; Choreography by Torens L. Johnson; Lighting Design by Brian Allard; Costume Design by Collin Ranney; Video Direction by Michael DuBose and Kadesh DuBose; Video Design by Sam Edwards; Orchestrations by Richard Bronskill and Nolan Williams, Jr.; Production Stage Management by Damion A. Parran; Assistant Stage Management by Aianna Bakari; Additional choreography by Kadeem Maliek; Dance Captain, Nicole Soquinase; Commissioned original artwork by Reggie Duffie 

Starring Jesse N. Holmes, Caroline Stefanie Clay, Anthony Michael Hobbs, Sideeq Heard, Brittany C. Johnson, Wendell Jordan, Victoria M. Purcell, Duawne Starling and introducing Saran Evelyn Bakari as Zawadi Wise | Featuring Gloria Marie Bland, Francese Brooks, London Edgerton, David G. Powell, Darrick Speller and Joy Swafford along with Shawna Berry, Gloria Renée Bland, Mona Calhoun, Angela Marie Jones, Kadeem Maliek, Michelle Maxwell, Charles E. Miller, Jr., Renee Mitchell Paxton, Phillip J. Proctor, Darnell Rhoulack, Malachi Robinson II, Teresa A. Scott, DeJuana Small, Nicole Soquinase