Idris Goodwin (Playwright) is an award-winning storyteller for multiple generations. An accomplished playwright, breakbeat poet, content creator, and arts champion, Goodwin is recognized as a culture bearer who celebrates community values and cultivates histories with care. Idris is the author of over 60 original plays ranging from his Hip Hop inspired breakbeat series to historical dramas to works for young audiences. Titles such as And In This Corner: Cassius Clay, How We Got On, Hype Man: A Break Beat Play, This is Modern Art (co-written with Kevin Coval) and the ground breaking Free Play: open source scripts for an antiracist tomorrow, are widely produced across the country by a diverse mix of professional and academic venues. Driven by a passion for cultural impact and civic engagement, Idris also serves as Artistic Director of Seattle Children’s Theatre. Prior to this he was Executive Director of The Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College, where he also taught as a professor in The Department of Theater and Dance. Previous to this Idris led StageOne Family Theatre in Louisville, Kentucky as Producing Artistic Director. Idris is Board President of Theater For Young Audiences/USA and also serves on the board at Children’s Theater Foundation Association. In addition to Idris’s work in theater he’s created original content for and/or appeared on Nickelodeon, HBO Def Poetry, Sesame Street, NPR, BBC Radio, and the Discovery Channel. Your House is Not Just A House, his first picture book, will be published by Harper Collins in 2024. 

Divinity Roxx (Composer) is a Grammy-nominated American recording artist, composer, and musician, with four solo albums (Ain’t No Other Way, 2003, The Roxx Boxx Experience, 2012, ImPossible, 2016, Ready Set Go!, 2021). In addition to her own work, she is well known for touring and performing with Beyoncé Knowles (2006–2011) as her bassist and Musical Director. Her career as a bass-player skyrocketed after attending a bass camp led by the legendary five time Grammy award winning bass virtuoso Victor Wooten where she was invited to join him on tour. Divinity has appeared on countless television shows including The Grammys, SNL, Good Morning America, The World Music Awards and more, with personal highlights including a special performance at The White House and an appearance on the hit TV show “Soul Man.” Her 2021 Family Music Album release, Ready Set Go! received critical acclaim and Scholastic Inc. published two songs from the album as full-color picture books. Her original compositions can be heard on television shows like “Love and Hip Hop Atlanta,” “Black Monday,” “The Bold Type,” and others. Divinity is currently performing around the world, teaching master classes and writing multiple projects including a new family music album, a solo stage play, and a series of children’s books with accompanying music.  

Eugene H. Russell IV (Composer / Music Director) is an Atlanta native, Tennessee State University alumnus, and proud Girl Dad. An accomplished musician/composer whose single “Brand New Day” can be found on all streaming platforms, Eugene IV wrote the music for the Alliance Theatre’s animated films Sit-In and Curious Cardinal as well as their stage production of Beautiful Blackbird.  He recently composed the music for Turn-Up, a play co-written with his wife for St. Louis Black Rep. As both a vocalist and saxophonist for countless bands, Eugene has opened for the likes of George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic, Boyz II Men, KC & the Sunshine Brand, Brand New Heavies, and Mother’s Finest. His regional theatre acting credits include East Texas Hotlinks (True Colors Theatre Company); Dutchman (Nebraska Repertory Theatre); A Christmas Carol (Alliance Theatre); and Before It Hits Home (St. Louis Black Rep), for which he received the prestigious Woodie King, Jr. Award. Film/TV appearances include Disney’s “Secrets of Sulphur Springs” and Bounce TV’s “Saints & Sinners.” @theeugeneiv www.eugeneiv.com 

Tim Bond (Director) is the Artistic Director of TheatreWorks Silicon Valley. Recent credits include the acclaimed productions of How I Learned What I Learned (Oregon Shakespeare Festival), Gem of the Ocean (TheatreWorks), The Children (Seattle Repertory Theatre), and Pass Over (A Contemporary Theatre). He is an internationally known director and educator with past leadership roles as Producing Artistic Director at Syracuse Stage, Associate Artistic Director at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Artistic Director at Seattle Group Theatre, and full Professor and Head of the Professional Actor Training Program at the University of Washington School of Drama. Tim has directed nationally and internationally at Market Theatre, Baxter Theatre Centre, Guthrie Theater, Seattle Rep, Milwaukee Rep, The Wilma Theater, Arena Stage, GEVA Theatre Center, Cleveland Play House, Indiana Rep, Actors Theatre of Louisville, PCPA, Arizona Theatre Co., Portland Center Stage, Dallas Theater Center, A Contemporary Theatre, Empty Space Theatre, Paul Robeson Theatre, and Seattle Children’s Theatre. He is the recipient of two Backstage West Garland Awards, two Syracuse Area Live Theatre (SALT) Awards, and a Dallas-Fort Worth Critics Forum Award. Tim is thrilled to be back at SCT he directed the show Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry in 1992. 

Deborah Bowman (Shapeshifter 3 / Feedback 4) began her performance career in NYC & is thrilled to debut at Alliance Theatre. Bowman works in TV, Film, Theatre, and Jazz Cabaret Shows. Stage credits include Atlanta Opera's Candide and Cabaret, Regional and NYC: Chicago, 42nd Street, Addams Family, The Little Mermaid, Hairspray, Oliver 1st National Tour, Sweeney Todd, and A Streetcar Named Desire. TV/ Film Credits include Megalopolis, DC Stargirl, Creepshow, Ugly Betty, It’s Complicated, Wall Street 2. Her songwriting can be enjoyed on her 3 jazz albums available on all streaming platforms. Bowman is also an esteemed private voice and acting coach. For more info and to follow her on social media, please visit: www.debbowman.com 

Alexandria Joy (Shapeshifter 1 / Feedback 3) [she/her] is excited to return to the Coca-Cola Stage for The Boy Who Kissed the Sky! Joy, is an ATL native who loves fun trips and mozzarella sticks. Special thanks and undying gratitude to her husband Terrence J. Smith and her amazing mother Siobhan for their unconditional love, inspiration, and support. Regional: Mother of God: A New Musical by Christian Magby and Christian Albright, Heathers: The Musical (Actors Express), Beautiful Blackbird LIVE!, Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Rock Experience (Alliance Theatre), Spring Awakening, HAIR, Ragtime (Serenbe Playhouse), Ella Enchanted (Synchronicity Theatre), Jekyll and Hyde (Atlanta Lyric Theatre). TV/Film: Lovecraft Country. 2018-2019 Apprenticeship Company (Serenbe Playhouse). Education: BFA in Theatre, Emphasis Musical Theatre, Valdosta State University. “Hey Boba! This is the way. SKOL!” IG: @missalliejoy  

Aishé Keita (Donna / Feedback 2) is an award-winning actress, also a griot and healing artist. She has been seen on stage in Familiar (Guthrie Theater), School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play (Arkansas Rep and the Jungle Theatre), Sunset Baby (ArtsWest), I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (Book-It Rep) and Bring Down the House (Seattle Shakespeare Company). Also seen in the 2020 film Language Arts. Currently Aishé is working on creating and remembering stories from the African continent to go on tour and share with the children. This is Aishé’s debut at the Alliance Theater and she is so grateful that it is happening with The Boy Who Kissed the Sky.   

Cedric Lamar (J. Sonic) is an NYC-based actor/ singer-songwriter/composer, and is excited to be making his Alliance debut! As an acting company member of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival for 6 seasons, he performed in many shows including Hamlet, The Wiz, Mother Road, Love’s Labour’s Lost, and Oklahoma!, to name a few. He’s also had the joy of performing at the Guthrie Theatre, Arena Stage, Santa Cruz Shakespeare, Folger Theatre, and San Diego Rep. Cedric has composed music for the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, and you can find his album, “Kingdoms and Tall Grass” on Spotify, iTunes, etc. Cedric is honored to be working on a piece that celebrates the joy and power of music and art! www.cedriclamar.com 

Brandon L. Smith (The Boy) is thrilled to be returning back to the Alliance Theatre! This will be his debut on the Coca-Cola Stage. Regional Credits: Mother of God (Christian Magby Productions), Jukebox Giants (Strand Theatre), Spring Awakening, Narnia, HAIR (Serenbe Playhouse). Film: Beautiful Hair, DAQ. Education: B.I.S. in Theatre Performance, Georgia State University. 2019-2020 Acting Apprenticeship (Serenbe Playhouse). Brandon is grateful to be sharing this stage with these beautiful minds for a second time! (Hopefully not the last!) There is no greater bore than perfection. @_thebrandonsmith 

Mike Spee (Shapeshifter 2 / Feedback 5) is delighted to be returning to this inspiring show and to be making his Alliance Theatre debut. A performer based primarily in the Seattle area, Mike’s favorite regional credits include Newsies, My Fair Lady, Fiddler on the Roof (Village Theatre), Bright Star, Godspell (Taproot Theatre), Goodnight Moon (Young People’s Theatre), and Dick Whittington and his Cat and the world premiere of James and The Giant Peach at Seattle Children’s Theatre. When not at the theatre, Mike can often be found pursuing his other passion: LEGO. Love you, HLS! 

Adam Washington (Mel / Feedback 1) is thrilled to return to the Alliance’s Coca-Cola Stage! Past credits include: Sunday in the Park with George (Jennie T. Anderson Theatre), The Color Purple (Actors Express), and Pancakes Pancakes! (Alliance Theatre). Many thanks to my family for their undying support, my friends for always pushing me to be better, and to you for supporting the arts. Blessings. 

Allison Dixon (u/s Shapeshifter 3 / Feedback 4) is overjoyed to be back in Atlanta making her Alliance Theatre debut! She is a L.A. native (that’s Lower Alabama) and a New York City based actor. She is a proud alumnus of Western Carolina University BFA Musical Theatre, and NYC Stella Adler School of Acting. Her favorite regional credits include: Les Misérables (Connecticut Repertory Theatre), The Secret Garden (City Circle Theatre Company), Beehive, Dreamgirls (Atlanta Lyric Theatre), Mr. Popper’s Penguins (Synchronicity Theatre), The Yellow Wallpaper (Atlanta Musical Theatre Festival), SUDS! (Highlands Playhouse), Della’s Diner National Tour, A Chorus Line (Springer Opera House). You can catch her next in Honk! The Musical and Sunset Boulevard at Revival Theatre in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She sends endless love and gratitude to Monté, Mama, Henry, J.R., Lori, and Brown. “In here, life is beautiful.” For more, follow on IG: @allisonpdixon 

Jason Hamlet (u/s Shapeshifter 2 / Feedback 5) [he/him] is ecstatic to join this cast and incredible story. His previous Atlanta credits include Friar Lawrence and Benvolio in Romeo and Juliet, and Orlando and Corin in As You Like It, both at Rolecall Theatre. Other previous credits include Prince Topher in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, and a production of The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged)[revised]. Jason holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Western Washington University, and currently sings with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus and Chamber Chorus. He sends his gratitude and love to his wife Charlotte for her unending support. insta: @jason_hamlet 

Brandin Jay (u/s Mel / Feedback 1) is excited to be in his first production at the Alliance Theatre! Most recently seen in Mufaros Beautiful Daughters at Synchronicity Theatre. Brandin studied at Berklee College of Music and is an accomplished singer-songwriter who was featured on the NBC songwriting reality series Songland. He has made a name for himself in theatre, TV, and film. Currently, he’s the creative director for his family’s performing arts school and entertainment company, AGI Entertainment. Film credits: Disney Channel Original Let It Shine, Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk, Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins, Dirty Laundry. TV credits: Meet the Browns on TBS, Reed Between The Lines, The QUAD on BET, BRING IT on Lifetime. Regional theatre credits include: Chasin Dem Blues (Milwaukee Rep); The Wiz (Kenny Leon Dir); The Color Purple (Actors Express); Five Guys Named Moe (Theatrical Outfit); Black Nativity (Dominion Entertainment); Mother Of God (SWAC). Follow Brandin @brandin.ja 

Cameron Smith (u/s The Boy) [he/him] is OVERJOYED to be working in his first production with the Alliance Theatre! Some of his favorite credits are G. Petto in P. Nokio: A HipHop Musical (Aurora Theatre), The D’Ysquith Family in A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder (Festival 56), and Nutty the Squirrel in The Littlest Christmas Tree (Stone Mountain Park). Cameron earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre from Reinhardt University and beyond undergrad, he has studied with Chandra Johnson at The Company Acting Studio, Catherine Dyer and Jason MacDonald at Drama Inc., and Dwayne Boyd’s Premier Actors’ Network. Cameron is eternally thankful for his family for their love in every beneficial form, Eugene Russell for his great mentorship, his teachers for inspiring his work ethic, and generally everyone in his life for their comfort and motivation. 

Adam Washington (u/s J. Sonic) is thrilled to return to the Alliance’s Coca-Cola Stage! Past credits include: Sunday in the Park with George (Jennie T. Anderson Theatre), The Color Purple (Actors Express), and Pancakes Pancakes! (Alliance Theatre). Many thanks to my family for their undying support, my friends for always pushing me to be better, and to you for supporting the arts. Blessings. 

Paris Weeden (u/s Donna / Feedback 2) [she/her] is excited to join the cast of The Boy Who Kissed the Sky at the Alliance Theatre! Credits include: Off Broadway (Stomp); The Fire This Time Festival Season 11 (The Kraine Theater), 125th and Freedom (National Black Theatre), Funnyhouse of a Negro (Lenfest Center for the Arts), The Death of the Last Black Man in the Whole Entire World (LFCA). Training: Howard University, Stella Adler Studio of Acting, BADA. She would like to thank her family, friends and Sorors (Oo-oop!) for their constant love and support! Instagram: @paristothestage 

Ja'siah C. Young (u/s Shapeshifter 1 / Feedback 3) [she/her] is thrilled to join the cast of The Boy Who Kissed The Sky! A few of her favorite theatre credits include Manyara in Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters, Nansi in Three Little Birds, and Alice in Wonderland(Synchronicity Theatre). She is a proud alumni of Alliance Theatre's Palefsky Collision Project and Tri-Cities High School VPA magnet program. When she is not performing, she's writing, directing, teaching, and creating. She is very grateful for God and her supportive friends and family. IG: Jasiah.young 

Sonia Dawkins (Choreographer) has a BFA from University of the Arts, and an MFA from SUNY Brockport, and is founder and artistic director of SD/Prism Dance Theatre. Her selected choreography/directorial work includes Seattle Repertory Theatre, Dance This, Paramount Theater, Village Theatre, Seattle Children’s Theatre, Goodman Theatre, Pacific Northwest Ballet, and most recently Pieces of My Heart, based on August Wilson’s unpublished poetry, at the Des Moines Performing Arts Center. The first African American female faculty member at Pacific Northwest Ballet, Dawkins has either presented workshops or choreographed in Spain, France, Bulgaria, and Mexico. She is a two time of the Gypsy Rose Lee Award and currently teaches at the Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre School/Fordham University, and is a member of Stage Directors, Choreographers Society and the Dance/Film Association Board.  

Joyce Degenfelder (Wig Designer) With great pleasure Joyce Degenfelder returns to SCT, to be working with amazing artists and directors to reach and engage young people. Joyce arrived in Seattle to work at Seattle Repertory Theatre, soon also with A Contemporary Theatre, Intiman, and The Bathhouse. Wig and Makeup Designer at Seattle Opera. Wigs for Pacific Northwest Ballet, Book-It Repertory, Seattle Shakespeare, Taproot Theatre, Arizona Theatre Company, and Gulfshore Playhouse, FL. Joyce taught wig making at University of Washington, Western Washington University, and DePaul University. Joyce is honored to be the recipient of the Gregory A. Falls Sustained Achievement Award.  

Chris Lane (Sound Designer) is an Atlanta-based sound designer, DJ, composer, mixing engineer, and entrepreneur. His previous regional credits include: DATA, Ghost, A Very Terry Christmas, Sounds of the West End, Knock Knock, In My Granny’s Garden (Alliance Theatre, GA); Fannie, Four Women, Skeleton Crew, Paradise Blue (Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theatre Company, GA); Shutter Sisters (The Old Globe, CA); Skeleton Crew (Westport Country Playhouse, CT); Too Heavy for Your Pocket (George Street Playhouse, NJ); Four Little Girls, Ruby (Alabama Shakespeare Festival, AL); The Royale (Geva Theatre Center, NY); The Children, SHAPE, A Boy and His Soul (The Kitchen Theatre Company, NY); Detroit 67’ (Virginia Stage Company, VA), Incendiary (The Kennedy Center, DC). He is also a Co-Founder and Executive Director at Multiband Studios. Check out the growing creative collective at www.multibandstudios.com.  

Miko Simmons (Projections Designer) is an international, award-winning Multimedia Artist & Projection Designer who has been innovating in the convergence of Film/Animation and Theatrical Production for more than 20 years. Theater Productions include: Seattle Children’s Theatre; The Watsons go to Birmingham - 1963, Guthrie Theater; Valor, Fast Company, Macondo, Caviar on Credit, Postcards from Earth, Confluence, Bring Love to my Doorstep. Penumbra Theatre; Ashe Lab. The History Theatre, Gloria, Dirty Business. Old Log Theatre; Ghost Musical, Jack & Beanstalk. Park Square Theater, Snow Queen. Mixed Blood Theater, House of the Spirits. At Minnesota Opera: Salome, MotherKing Opera. TU Dance, Threads Dance, Uncertain Realties, Earth, Wind, and Fire International tour. MLK Sculpter Inauguration Ceremony on National Mall in D.C. Rock Opera Musicals: Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Minnesota Ordway Theater. In Korea: Count of Monte Cristo, Wizard of Oz, Elisabeth Musical, Rudolf Musical. 

Carey Wong (Scenic Designer) has designed 36 shows for Seattle Children's Theatre.  Theatre credits include Seattle Rep, Berkeley Rep, Portland Center Stage, ACT Theatre, 5th Avenue, Arizona Theatre Company, Baltimore Center Stage, and Syracuse Stage.  He has been Resident Designer for Portland Opera, Opera Memphis, and Wildwood Park for the Arts, and has designed for Seattle Opera, Pittsburgh Opera, Spoleto Festival USA, and Macao and Beijing Music Festivals. Carey is an Artistic Advisor/Designer for the Portland Chinatown Museum, received his B.A. from Yale University, and thereafter attended Yale School of Drama. 

Alan Yeong (Costume Designer – United Scenic Artist Local 829) is excited to be making his West Coast design debut with this project and especially with the amazing team at Seattle Children’s Theatre. Regional: Seattle Children’s Theatre/Alliance Theatre: The Boy Who Kissed The Sky; Atlanta: Actor’s Express: Lizzie: The Musical, Falsettos, End of The Rainbow; Atlanta: GET: Pretty Pants Bandit, Romeo and Juliet, The Great Gatsby; Aurora Theatre: over 20 productions including Cinderella, On Your Feet, The Children of Eden (2019 Suzi Bass Nominee), Christmas Canteen, Newsies, Mamma Mia, The Hunchback of Notre Dame (2018 Suzi Bass Award for Outstanding Musical Costume Design), Les Misérables (2013 Suzi Bass nominee); Theatrical Outfit: An Iliad, Indecent, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Savannah Disputation; Synchronicity Theatre: The Bluest Eye; Theater Emory: The Nether (2019 Suzi Bass Nominee), The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity, Ravished, Marisol, Macbeth, Peer Gynt; Others: Professor of Costume Design/Head of Design at the University of West Georgia Theatre program with over 20 years of design credits. Education: MFA in Design (University of Kansas), MFA in Costume Design (Wayne State University), and BA in Theatre (Bemidji State University). www.alanyeong.com  

Connie Yun (Lighting Designer) [she/her] is pleased to return to Seattle Children’s Theatre where she previously designed Red Riding Hood, Snow White, Black Beauty, and The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane. Other recent designs include The 39 Steps (Merrimack Rep), L’Orfeo and The Fall of The House of Usher (OrpheusPDX), Midsummer Night’s Dream (Des Moines Metro Opera), The Marriage of Figaro (Seattle Opera), The Thin Place (ACT) and Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (5th Avenue Theatre). Upcoming designs include A Christmas Carol and Wolf Play (ACT), Samson and Delilah (Seattle Opera), Trouble in Tahiti and Seven Deadly Sins (Madison Opera), La Cenerentola (Kentucky Opera), Madame Butterfly (New Orleans Opera), and The Love for Three Oranges (DMMO). www.connieyun.com  

Samantha Honeycutt (Stage Management Production Assistant) studied Stage Management at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro before beginning her career working across the country. Her credits include: Year of the Rooster, When January Feels like Summer, and Five Times in One Night (Ensemble Studio Theater). Legally Blonde, Hello! Dolly, My Fair Lady, and Music Man (Cape Playhouse). Frankenstein, Hairspray, Penny Candy, American Mariachi, Supreme Leader (Dallas Theater Center). Angry, Raucous and Shamelessly Gorgeous (Hartford Stage), and Trading Places, Everybody, A Gift of Love with Adam L. McKnight, and The Hot Wing King (Alliance Theatre). 

Kacie Pimentel (Assistant Stage Manager) is excited to join the Alliance Theatre this season as the BIPOC SM Fellow. She most recently worked on Everybody, A Christmas Carol, and The Hot Wing King at the Alliance Theatre. Previous credits include The Hot Wing King, John Proctor Is the Villain, and White Noise at Studio Theatre. She has also worked in Stage Management at Casa Mañana Theatre, Chautauqua Theatre Company, and Sea World San Antonio. Kacie received her BFA in Theatre — Stage Management at the University of Houston. 

R. Lamar Williams (Stage Manager) is an Atlanta native who studied theatre at Florida A&M University’s Essential Theatre. His 20 year tenure at the Alliance has included stage managing Hospice/Pointing at the Moon, The Temple Bombing, Choir Boy, Bike America, The Fairytale Lives of Russian Girls, 18 years of The Palefsky Collision Project, and assistant stage managing a slew of great shows. Rodney is opening a new frontier in his career with Dramaturgy and Directing. For Sensei, JDawn, Chelsea & Solari and all humanity — “changing the world 1 play @ a time!”