One MO Christmas Playbill

PLAYBILL

www.ujimatheatre.com

2 ONE “MO” CHRISTMAS

MISSION STATEMENT

U jima Theatre is a community-based art or-ganization that presents quality dramatic stage productions that inspire and preserve the contributions of artistic interest to the

African-American community and the total commu-nity at large. It is an organization that reaches out to the youth of its community using theater and the arts to edu-cate and direct them away from self-destructive behavior and toward self-awareness, self-love, and positive behavior that raises self-esteem. Ujima consists of members of the community who recognize and accept the collective responsi-bility to improve the quality of life for everyone involved. ■

RON PITTS CEO of Ujima, Writer & Director

R on Pitts is founder and Chief Executive Offi-cer of Ujima Theatre. His acting career be-gan somewhat unexpectedly when he stepped in to read for a part in August Wilson’s

Fences, directed by Wilson. Originally from Pittsburgh, Ron made his Columbus acting debut as Martin in Pitts-burgh’s Kuntu Repertoire Theatre’s 1989 production of The Meeting. His other stage credits include: The River Niger, Loraine Hansberry’s To Be Young Gifted and Black, August Wilson’s Jitney, and the original Black

Nativity by Langston Hughes, and Columbus’s own an-nual version of Black Nativity. Ron also has several screen credits, including Dawn of the Dead, Emergency, and television commercials. He is a playwright, having co-authored God What Color is Trouble, which he also directed. Ron has been a school teacher and re-tains an interest in the education and personal development of young people. Since bringing Ujima to Columbus, Pitts has directed Black Nativity, Coming Home, A Long Time Since Yesterday, Good Black Don’t Crack, August Wilson’s Jitney, God What Color Is Trouble in collaboration with Raymond Wise, Love and Street Corner Harmony, The Meeting, and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. Since its origin, Ujima has been dedicated to the principles embodied by its name and each of its founders pledged to keep those ideas and name of their theatre company alive. ■

LEADERSHIP

Ron Pitts

Ujima is an African word that

means collective work

and responsibility


Ebenezer Scrooge Mary

Bob Cratchit Old Man Marley

Choreographer/Homeless Lady Ghost of Christmas Past

Ensemble/Vocalist Christmas Gift Ensemble

Martha Cratchit, Ghost Ensemble Ghost Ensemble Ghost Ensemble

Ghost of Christmas Present Ghost of Christmas Future

Mrs. Cratchit Young Doll Peddler

Young Scrooge, “TT” Cratchit Rene Cratchit

Shirley Cratchit Reverend Byrd

Tenant Spokesperson

CAST

KEITH CARTER CARINA PRATER BRIAN K. JONES DAVID BOYER LYNETTE CASHAW-DAVIS LEON BURROUGHS PRISCILLA WOODSON MERNA THURMAN BRI’ANNA JONES LINNAE ELMORE KENNEDY LEWIS YOLONDA D. LATHON SHELBY HOLDEN TIFFANI CARGLE CARRINGTON CARGLE ANIA KELSO INDIA MARKS KARIA JONES BEN JONES LYNNETE GRACE BURROUGHS

UJIMA THEATRE ENSEMBLE Under the direction of Victor Ross

Chris Brown (Keyboards), Mike Washing-ton (Lead Guitar), Victor Ross (Drums),

Mr. Darnell (Bass Guitar), Dwight Cartier (Bass Guitar)

UJIMA THEATRE PIT SINGERS

Faye Butler, Debra Hughley, Michael Shanks, Brenda Ross, Shanika M. King,

Pam Johnson

WHO’S WHO IN THE CAST

KEITH CARTER

CARINA PRATER

BRIAN K. JONES

SHELBY HOLDEN

DAVID BOYER

2084 S.Hamilton Rd Columbus , Ohio 43232 Phone: 614-864-8844

www.columbusohiosuites.com

SPECIAL RATE FOR UJIMA

GUESTS!

IN ASSOCIATION WITH


CHARLES DAVIS

Set Designer


PRISCILLA WOODSON

LEON BURROUGHS

BEN JONES

BRI’ANNA D. JONES

INDIA MARKS

MERNA THURMAN

YOLANDA D. LATHON

TIFFANY CARGLE

KARIA JONES

ANIA KELSO

LYNETTE BURROUGHS

LINNAE ELMORE

VICTOR ROSS

Music Dept.

MICHAEL P. WASHINGTON

Bass Guitar

NADINE LEWIS

Stage Manager

MICHAEL WEBSTER Stage Crew

DEREK PAYNE Website/Media

MICHELLE SCOTT-REED

Ticketing

BETTY ROSS Pit Singer



KEITH CARTER (Ebenezer Scrooge) is a multi-talented artist and producer, As a per-former he has acted in over 50 stage and commercial productions. His work in film and video ranges from Directing and Cine-matography to Rigging and Production Man-agement. His goal in life is to transform the world around him. His most recent project: themightytechboys.com. ■ CARINA PRATER (Mary) is currently a student at the Ohio State University major-ing in theater. She is no stranger to the thea-tre and is an active individual within the theatre community. Her most recent per-formance with Ujima was “Gem of the Ocean.” Her goal is to obtain a position in the arts and entertainment field. Carina is excited about One Mo Christmas and thanks her family and friends for their support. ■ BRIAN K. JONES (Bob Cratchit) is hon-ored to be among the array of talent that’s come through Ujima. Along with perform-ing, his credits with Ujima include Directing and Artistic Director. “He who does not cultivate his field, will die of hunger.” Find your field; work it, and live! ■ SHELBY HOLDEN (Christmas Future) is elated to bring the whimsy of the Christmas season to all! Among her stage credits, she also does costume design and directing for Ujima. Special thanks goes out to Kumari, Michaela and Dee’Dee. "Carpe Diem." ■

DAVID BOYER (Old Man Marley) is a born performer, David’s had a love for mu-sic ever since he could remember. Whether it was singing, playing drums, or just beatin’ on the doors of the stairwell between classes, he’s been captivated by the art. Now a member of New Birth Christian Minis-tries, David is director of the Teen Choir. ■ PRISCILLA WOODSON - A native of Miami, Florida, a singer, song writer, com-poser, recording artist, mother and wife. Priscilla is the lead singer of TP Project, a Gospel Jazz recording artist. Priscilla serves as the Jazz psalmist for New Song Commu-nity Church and New Birth Christian Min-istries, Evangelistic Outreach. Her Ujima performances include, “Love and Street Corner Harmony”, What Color is Trouble and ”One Mo Christmas”. She is an on-fire, disciplined, talented young woman, and is hopeful about the opportunity that stage performances will lend to taking her career to new heights. ■ LEON BURROUGHS (Christmas Past) performances include “Black Nativity 2006 and 2007,” “The Wiz 2007” and “One Mo Christmas 2008.” ”He also sings with the “Youth Chorale” at Capital University . He made his television debut on WTTE Fox 28 Good Day Columbus as well as a talk show on Radio One. He enjoys acting, singing, pantomime, playing the flute, bike riding martial arts drawing and making people laugh. ■

LYNETTE CASHAW-

DAVIS

CARRINGTON CARGLE

THERESA A. YOUNG

Fundraising

KENNEDY LEWIS

BRITTANY REED

Support Team


BEN JONES (Rev. Byrd) is a father of five, and retired Executive Chef where he catered two U.S. Presidents, Governors, Judges, the Football Hall of Fame, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He has appeared in church plays “The Lord's Supper Pageant” for nine years and the most recent play “Everybody's Got A Butt.” Ben feels most blessed to be in this production with his son and two granddaughters. He is a member of New Covenant Believers Church, where he is an Usher, Greeter, and Hospitality Minis-try. ■ BRI’ANNA JONES (Martha Cratchit) is a freshman at Fort Hayes. A third generation actor, she made her Ujima debut as young Janeen in, “Long Time Since Yesterday.” “One MO Christmas” is her third Ujima production, and she can’t wait to include “Love and Street Corner Harmony” to that list. ■ INDIA MARKS (Renee Crachit) is excited to have another shot at One MO' Christmas! She is a 7th grade student that totally enjoys the arts and whatever it brings! ■ MERNA D. THURMON (Christmas Gift Ensemble) is a former native of Dallas, Texas and has been in Columbus, Ohio area for several months. “One Mo’ Christmas” is her first acting experience. She is a forty five year old mother of two daughters and one son and also has two grandchildren. She would like to make theatre a part of her ca-reer and is glad to be part of Ujima Theatre Company. ■

YOLANDA D. LATHON (Yo'le) (Christmas Present) is a native of Colum-bus, Ohio. Only having experience in run-way modeling and also being a stranger to the stage, Yo'le was casted for one of the five leading roles in Ujima's “A Long Time Since Yesterday.” She believes that all things are possible through God, and admits it took her a long time to see that. Now it's time for her to explode and inspire! ■

TIFFANI CARGLE (Mrs. Cratchit) is an educator for Columbus City Schools, and a proud mother of three. She’s always held a love and passion for acting and is determined to learn all that she can to take her acting career to the next level. ■

LYNETTE GRACE-BURROUGHS (Angry Tenant) is a wife and mother of three talented kids. I feel blessed and privileged to be a part of this wonderful production. I am honored to share the stage with my son Leon again this year. My hope for the future is to be a published writer of my work in progress, "The DoorKeeper." ■ KARIA JONES (Shirley Cratchit) is a fourth grade student at 5th Ave. Elementary School for International Studies and is learn-ing to speak Chinese, Japanese, and Spanish. In her second Ujima production, she is elated to share the stage with her family and friends one “MO” time.■ ANIA KELSO (Young Scrooge, “TT” Cratchit) is a fun loving energetic 9 year old. She is a 4th grade student at Xenos Christian School. This is her first time on stage and she is enjoying this opportunity working with Ujima. She attends Footsteps Dance Company learning ballet. ■ LINNAE ELMORE (Ghost Ensemble) is a Detroit native who spent her college days on the stage. Her favorite roles include Ysen-grin the wolf in “Reynard the Fox” and Claire in “Rumors.” She is happy to be back on the stage. ■ BRENDA ROSS (Pit Singer) is a native of Northeastern Ohio and is a five year veteran with Ujima Theatre Company. As one of its alto background singers, Brenda has traveled with Ujima to several venues in Ohio and Pennsylvania. She has participated in “What Color is Trouble,” “Love & Street Corner Harmony” and “One Mo’ Christmas.” ■



CARRINGTON CARGLE (Young Doll Peddler) is a 3rd grader at Jefferson Elemen-tary in Gahanna. She is new to Ujima this year although she isn’t new to the stage having performed twice in The Chocolate Nutcracker. She’s following in Mom’s foot-steps! ■

VICTOR ROSS (Music Department Mgr./Percussionist) is an accomplished musician. His talents have taken him to Broadway and all around the country. He has performed in a number of musicals, including: Sing Hal-lelujah, Dust Yourself Off and Try Again and Preacherman. Victor has also been a percussionist for such noted gospels as Dr. Marvin Sapp, Donald Lawrence, Timothy Wright and Rodney Posey, to name a few. Currently, Victor is a staff musician at Triedstone Baptist Church. He is always ready and willing to use his gift to enhance any worship experience and to uplift and magnify the name of the Lord. ■ L Y N E T T E C A S H A W - D A V I S(Choreographer) has been dancing and act-ing since the age of 4. She has performed at the college, community and professional levels for dance and theatre companies in Columbus, Dayton, and Atlanta. Her previ-ous work as a choreographer includes Ujima’s “God, What Color is Trouble,” Center Stage Theatre’s “Hot Chocolate” and “Don’t Bother Me, I Can’t Cope,” and Spotlight Dinner Theatre’s “Godspell”. She has taught dance for the City of Atlanta, the King Arts Complex and Dino Anderson Jazz Dance Columbus. Lynette intends to use her positive energy, spiritual re-awakening and passion for the arts to help heal the planet. ■

KENNEDY LEWIS (Ghost Ensemble) has performed in the “Chocolate Nutcracker” and the world premier of the “Adventures of Pan.” She's a member of Cee’s Kidz Pro-ductions and participated in the Columbus Children's Mass Choir. A member of Hosack Baptist Church, she's active in the choir, mime, and drama ministries. ■

MICHAEL WASHINGTON (Lead Guitar) graduated from Yellow Springs High School and went to Central State University & Ohio State University. During his time at Central State, Michael played with The CSU Natu-rals, that later became known as The Differ-ent Shades Of Brown, and signed with Mo-town in 1972. Michael attended The Re-cording Workshop in Chillicothe, Ohio, to become a certified recording engineer. Mi-chael now runs a home based recording studio & is the guitarist for the band Cover-Charge. ■ DWIGHT CARTIER (Bass Guitar) began taking lessons on the string bass in the 9th grade. He has played at All Nations Church for 13 years and has accompanied Marvin Sapp, Keith Staten, Marshall Jones, Israel Houghton & Ben Tankard during his ca-reer. Dwight recorded with Capsoul Studios & other recording artists and currently plays with the jazz group Aftermath & recording artist T P Project. FAYE BUTLER (Pit Singer) is a Colum-bus, Ohio native. Faye started with Ujima’s Black Nativity as a pit singer and make up artist. She was also a pit singer for “God What Color is Trouble” and "Love & Street Corner Harmony,” Linda Turner's "You Don't Know What the Lord Told Me” and Sandra Rolland’s "You Don't Know My Story.” In November, 2006 Faye made her acting debut for Ujima as Ma Rainey in “Ma Rainey's Black Bottom.” ■ CHARLES DAVIS (Set Design) is a native of Columbus, Ohio. Chuck was introduced to the Ujima Theatre by Ron Pitts who was directing a play for a local Christian Coali-tion Ministry where Chuck played the lead role in “Dinner at Tiffany's, Who Stole The Bling Bling.” Chuck is an active member of the Refuge Temple Church of Christ and a strong supporter of the Performing Arts. ■


UJIMA THEATRE NEEDS YOU!

V olunteers are a driving force in all the programs of the Ujima Theatre Company. Unique volunteer opportunities await

you. Volunteer at Ujima productions or help facilitate workshops and creative activities within the community. Volun-teering through community theatre connects people of all ages and diverse

communities for the purpose of learning and

growing together! Register at our performance OR o n l i n e a t :

Playbill designed by D. Payne of DPI Graphic Design

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Company!

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To learn more about membership and what it has to offer, visit the

website and click on the membership link!

www.ujimatheatre.com

Documents

One MO Christmas Playbill