TINASHE KAJESE-BOLDEN (Director) artistic Director Fellow for the Alliance Theater and recent recipient of The Princess Grace Award, Tinashe is grateful for the opportunity to explore stories that help us connect more as a community. As a Director, previous productions include Native Gardens (Virginia Stage Company), Pipeline (Horizon Theater), Nick’s Flamingo Grill (Alliance Theatre), Eclipsed (Synchronicity Theatre, Best Director Suzi Bass Award); Graveyard Shift (finalist for the Kendeda National Graduate Playwriting Competition); Atlanta 24 Hour Play event with Working Title Playwrights; In The Continuum at Clark Atlanta University, and Blood On A Cat’s Neck at Armory Theater. She will next be directing School Girls (Or the African Mean Girls) at Kenny Leon’s True Colors, the Pulitzer Prize winning play Sweat by Lynn Nottage on the new Coca-Cola Stage at the Alliance Theatre, and The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison at Synchronicity Theatre in this upcoming season. As an actor, her Alliance Theatre credits include Hospice + Pointing at the Moon, Shakespeare In Love, Disgraced and Blues For an Alabama Sky. She has worked on and off Broadway, at numerous regional theaters,
as well as TV and Film. Special thanks to teachers and coaches!

WIGASI BRANT (Coach/Ghost’s Father) could not be more grateful to be making his Alliance debut and for the opportunity to connect with young people through this incredible story. Thank you, Jody! Thank you, Tinashe! Wigasi was most recently seen in the role of Columbus Frye in East Texas Hot Links (True Colors). Additional credits: Clybourne Park, Polaroid Stories, Failure: A Love Story, The Bluest Eye, Fences, Othello, Macbeth. Film/TV: The Blind Side, Road Trip, Remember the Titans, “Boston Public,” “The Bold, and The Beautiful,” “Mama Flora’s Family.” Hey Ms. Baskerville... I’m Equity! ’0006

ALDEN BURROUGHS (U/S Lu/Sunny/ Brandon/Classmates) is so delighted to return to the stages of Alliance, having previously been seen in Dinosuar! and Waiting for Balloon. Education: B.F.A. and Education Certification (K-12) from Columbus State University and Georgia Ensemble Theater Apprentice Company. Recent credits include Shenandoah (Serenbe Playhouse), My Fair Lady and Carmen by George Bizet (Glow Theater, S.C.), Jungle Book (Georgia Ensemble Theater), Grease and ACE: The Eugene Ballard Story (Springer Opera House). Alden is truly blessed for this opportunity to bring this amazing story to the young people of Atlanta. Thank you Jody! Thank you Tinashe! Thank you Chris! He would also like to thank God because through him all things are possible, his Family, friends, and fellow TA’s at the Alliance for all their unwavering love and support. Alden dedicates this show to his cousins Sydney and Logan Griffin the true RUNNERS in the Family!

JEREMIAH L. DAVISON (Sunny/Brandon; Assistant Stage Manager) is so excited to make his Alliance debut! Recent understudy credits: East Texas Hot Links (True Colors), Flower Room, Angels in America, Cardboard Piano (Actor’s Express). Education: Actor’s Express Apprentice Company, B.A. from the University of West Georgia, A. A. from Georgia State University-Perimeter. He would like to thank his family, friends, and mentors for their everlasting support.

RICK ESPAILLAT (U/S Mr. Charles/Principal Marshall/Everything Sports Employee/The Starter/Server) is proud to be working on his first show with the Alliance Theatre. He’s performed onstage across the country. Favorite stage roles include Roy Cohn in Angels in America, Dysart in Equus, and Jack Kirby in King Kirby. He’s also appeared in the award-winning films Dallas Buyer’s Club and HBO’s Temple Grandin, and on television in “American Soul,” “The Gifted,” “Being Mary Jane,” “The Originals,” “Grimm,” “Sleepy Hollow,” and many more. He’s a SAG/AFTRA member represented by Privilege Talent. Rick has visited over 30 countries around the world with his husband Gary, who is his constant inspiration.

IBRAHEEM FARMER (Ghost) is ecstatic to make his Alliance debut! Recent credits: Blood At The Root (Next Act Theatre), Ball and Chain (Lights!Camera!Soul!), The Peculiar Distraction of Mr. Lincoln’s Social Media (Milwaukee Chamber Theatre), Posthumus Fame (Bronzeville Arts Ensemble), White Privilege (Marquette University Theatre), My Family Came For This (Arts @ Large), King Lear (Optimist Theatre), I And You (Next Act Theatre). Proud graduate of Grambling State University where favorite credits include The State of Mississippi and Face of Emmett Till, Blues for an Alabama Sky, A Lesson Before Dying, and Bus Stop. All thanks to God and his tribe.

RICHARD GARNER (Mr. Charles/Principal Marshall/Everything Sports Employee/The Starter/Server) is delighted to return to the stages of the Alliance, having previously been seen in Shakespeare in Love, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, and August: Osage County. Other Atlanta acting credits: The Pitmen Painters (Theatrical Outfit), Mauritius, Blue/ Orange (Actors’ Express), and One Man/Two Guvnors, Twelfth Night, King Lear, Much Ado About Nothing (Georgia Shakespeare). TV/Film: “Irresistible,” “Dwight in Shining Armor,” Hallmark’s “Christmas Everlasting,” “Southern Comfort.” A graduate of the American Conservatory Theatre and Berry College and the former co-founder and producing artistic director of Georgia Shakespeare.

KRISTEN JETER (Patina/Monique/ Shamika/Tia) is thrilled to be making her Alliance Theatre debut! National Tour: The Book of Mormon (Swing, u/s Nabulungi). Regional favorites include Hair (Dionne), All Shook Up (Lorraine), Little Shop of Horrors (Crystal), Nuncrackers (Sister Robert Ann). Raised in Smyrna, GA. Attended the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in NYC. “Love and thanks to the Jeters for their never-ending support!”

ROGER PAYANO (U/S Coach/Ghost’s Father) is thrilled to be making his debut as an understudy at Alliance. Recent stage credits: Living on Love (Stage Door Players), La Gringa (Marietta Theater in the Square), Paradise (Canton Theatre), Kings Are Killed (Theatre Emory), The Petrified Forest (Theatre West). TV/Film: “P-Valley,” “Stuber,” “The Lady and the Tramp,” “Celia,” “The Young & The Restless,” “Key & Peele,” “Devil’s Due.” El le gustaría dar su bendición a su madre y a su padre por su continuo apoyo.

ERNEST EMMANUEL PEEPLES (Lu/ Classmates) is humbled to make his debut at the Alliance Theatre. Peeples has been blessed to train and perform in multiple cities domestically and internationally. A few notable projects include the titular role in Hamlet in its historic Helsingør, Denmark; Cassio in Othello (Marietta’s New Theatre in the Square); Alan in God of Carnage (Open Minds Theatre Co). Peeples has also studied with the British American Drama Academy at Magdalen College of Oxford University. Peeples remains eternally grateful to his friends, family, and God for their endless love and support.

TIFFANY PORTER (Terri/Mrs. Hollow/ Student) is grateful to every production she’s worked on and every theatre she’s had the pleasure of working with. Full stop. This performance is dedicated to the victims and survivors of domestic violence and those who have been affected. No matter where you are in your relationship, planning for your emotional and physical safety is extremely important. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 800.799.SAFE or visit thehotline. org. All calls and online chats are completely confidential. With love and gratitude to my family and our phenomenal director, Tinashe!

PARRIS SARTER (U/S Patina/Monique/ Shamika/Tia/Terri/Mrs. Hollow) is thrilled to make her Alliance debut. Recent credits: The Cake (Horizon Theatre), The Revolutionists (7 Stages), An Octoroon, Angels in America (Actor’s Express), and Eclipsed (Synchronicity Theatre). M.A. in performing arts from Savannah College of Arts and Design. Thank you for supporting live theater.

MYLES WRIGHT (U/S Ghost) is an actor and poet who obtained an A.A. from The New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts last year and is excited to be returning to his roots at the Alliance! His most recent stage credits include: Macbeth (Adirondack Arts) and We Have Standards (No Peeking Theatre). Most recent Film/TV credits: “Shattered” (Investigation Discovery), the New York short films: Pendulum & Parallax, Delivered, and Vision of Heaven. He will appear in the horror film Second Chance in October 2020. Myles is grateful for this beautiful opportunity & for the support from his family and friends!

LEORA MORRIS (Choreographer) For the Alliance: Ride the Cyclone, Winnie-the-Pooh, Crossing Delancey, The Dancing Granny. Other directing credits include Knives in Hens, The Philosopher’s Wife (Toronto); Labour of Love (Olney Theatre Center); Spring Awakening (Connecticut College); Orphans (Coal Mine Theatre, Toronto); He Left Quietly (2014 SummerWorks Best Production Award, Toronto); Amy and the Orphans, Women Beware Women, King John, Riverbank: A Noh Play for Northerly Americans (Yale School of Drama); and The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant, love holds a lamp in this little room (Yale Cabaret). Leora won Toronto’s 2012 Ken MacDougall Award for Emerging Directors, served as co-artistic director for Yale Cabaret’s 48th season, and was co-awarded the Julian Milton Kaufman Prize in Directing upon graduating with her M.F.A. from Yale School of Drama. She was the Alliance’s Yale Directing Fellow in 2016-2017 and is currently their Resident Artist in Education. She was also an O’Neill/NNPN National Directing Fellow. leoramorris.com

SKYLAR BURKS (Stage Manager Nov 4-15) is delighted to continue her work at the Alliance Theatre. Alliance credits include: Ride the Cyclone, Ever After, Knead, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Candide, Sheltered, Crossing Delancey, A Christmas Carol, Native Guard, The Dancing Granny, Slur, and Moby Dick. Atlanta Opera credits: Sweeney Todd, Out of Darkness: Two Remain, and The Abduction from the Seraglio. She has also worked with the Huntington Theatre Company, Bridge Repertory Theater, Theatrical Outfit, and Atlanta Lyric Theatre. Skylar received a B.F.A. in stage management and minor
in sound design from Boston University. She is forever grateful to her friends and family for their continued love and support.

LAURY R. CONLEY (Costume Designer) has been a proud member of the Alliance Theatre costume shop for ten seasons and is elated to return to designing with Ghost.
A few of her favorite past designs include Thoroughly Modern Millie, All My Sons, Lost Highway, School for Wives, and Seussical the Musical for theatres in California, West Virginia, Ohio, and Georgia.

CHRIS LANE (Sound Designer) is a DJ and producer who has transitioned his mixes into the theatrical space. Atlanta credits: The 39 Steps, Footloose (Theatre Buford); The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime, Sweet Water Taste, Pipeline (Horizon Theatre); Paradise Blue, Skeleton Crew, Four Women (True Colors); Jump, An Octoroon (Actor’s Express); Hands of Color (Synchronicity Theatre). Lane’s regional credits include Detroit ’67 (Virginia Stage Company), Skeleton Crew (Westport Country Playhouse),
Too Heavy for Your Pocket (George Street Playhouse), Four Little Girls (Alabama Shakespeare Festival), The Royale (Kitchen Theatre Company/ Geva Theatre Center), and the Kennedy Center’s American College Theater Festival. He is also a proud teaching artist of the Alliance’s Education Department. Check his rhythms and compositions at lanedesign.org

REBECCA M. K. MAKUS (Scenic & Lighting Designer) holds a B.A. from Smith College and an M.F.A. from the California Institute of the Arts. Her lighting and visual design for dance and theatre includes custom designed and built interactive light objects, transforming alternative performance spaces, embedded media design, and site-responsive work as well as designing in traditional venues. Her international portfolio includes work at Lyon Opera Ballet, Sibiu International Theatre Festival, and Tramway in Glasgow. She recently did set and lighting design for Colleen Thomas Dance’s full-length dance piece but the sun came up and we were here, which had its world premiere in Poland and its U.S. premiere in NYC. Rebecca’s Atlanta- based work includes designs for gloATL, Atlanta Ballet, Actor’s Express, and the Alliance Theatre for Young Audiences. She was honored to receive a Suzi Bass Award in 2015 for Best Lighting Design of a Play for Marcus; or the Secret of Sweet at Actor’s Express.

SHELBY NORTH (Stage Manager Sep 20 - Nov 10) is delighted to be making her Alliance Theatre debut! She is a Philadelphia-based stage manager whose previous credits include Antony and Cleopatra, Private Lives (Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival), Bridges of Madison County (Philadelphia Theatre Company), Oliver! (Quintessence Theatre Group), Assassins, Father Comes Home from the Wars (Yale Repertory Theatre), The Petrified Forest, Church and State, Fiorello!, Constellations, and Million Dollar Quartet (Berkshire Theatre Group). Shelby is a graduate of Yale School of Drama with an M.F.A. in stage management. Love and thanks to Matt and her family!