Katori Hall (Director) Memphis native Katori Hall is a Pulitzer Prize and Olivier Award-winning playwright and television creator/producer. A two-time Tony Award nominee, she won the 2021 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for her play, The Hot Wing King. Her other works include The Mountaintop, Our Lady of Kibeho, Saturday Night/Sunday Morning, The Blood Quilt, Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, and Hurt Village, which is being developed into a feature film. She’s also the executive producer and showrunner of “P-VALLEY,” the critically acclaimed and ground-breaking Starz drama based on her play Pussy Valley. Katori is an alumna of Columbia University, A.R.T. at Harvard University, and Juilliard. Katori has been published in publications such as The Boston Globe, The Guardian, and The New York Times. Katori’s other awards include the American Academy of Arts and Letters Award in Literature, the Susan Smith Blackburn Award, Lark Play Development Center Playwrights of New York (PONY) Fellowship, two Lecompte du Nouy Prizes from Lincoln Center, Fellowship of Southern Writers Bryan Family Award in Drama, NYFA Fellowship, the Columbia University John Jay Award for Distinguished Professional Achievement, National Black Theatre’s August Wilson Playwriting Award, and the Lorraine Hansberry Playwriting Award. She is a proud member of the Ron Brown Scholar Program and the Coca-Cola Scholar Program. 

Nicco Annan (Big Charles) is an immensely talented actor, dancer, and choreographer who, after making his mark in the Off-Broadway and regional theatre communities, has etched his way on the Hollywood scene.

Annan stars on Katori Hall’s critically acclaimed drama series, P-VALLEY, for which he received a 2023 and 2021 NAACP Image Award nomination for “Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series” as well as a 2021 Independent Spirit Award Nomination for "Best Male Performance in a New Scripted Series.”

Also on television, Annan has been featured in recurring and guest-starring roles on series such as SHAMELESS, THIS IS US, SNOWFALL, CLAWS, and HALF SISTERS.

In addition to Annan’s television work as an actor, he and his Motivating Excellence partner, Rhapsody James, choreographed the cotillion piece in the ALL AMERICAN episode titled, “Protect Ya Neck.”

Annan trained under pillars in the American Theatre such as Isreal Hicks, George Faison, and Marilyn McCormick. He trained and earned his BFA from the Conservatory of Acting at Purchase College. Annan made his signature theatre premier in The Hot Wing King by Katori Hall which is a genial play, built around a cooking contest in Memphis. Annan’s other theatre credits include, Katori Hall’s Pussy Valley – World Premiere, Lady Killer's Love Story, Smokey Joe's Café, Five Guys Named Moe, and Storyville.

Bjorn DuPaty (Cordell) [he/him/his] Broadway: Thoughts of a Colored Man (Wisdom/Lust). Off-Broadway: The Public Theater: A Raisin in the Sun (Walter Lee/Bobo), MLIMA’s TALE (Mlima), Two Mile Hollow (Christopher). Regional Theater: Cleveland Playhouse: Fairfield (Daniel/Charles), Pipeline (Xavier). Huntington Theater: The Bluest Eye (Cholly). Studio Theater (D.C): Pipeline (Xavier), The Hot Wing King (Big Charles). People’s Light Theater: Mudrow (Davin). Humana Festival: Do You Feel Anger (Jordan). Pittsburgh Public Theater: Clybourne Park (Albert/Kevin). National tour: The Acting Co.: Julius Caesar (Julius Caesar), The Comedy of Errors. Film: Demolition. TV: “Alpha House,” “Sleepy Hollow,” “The Blacklist,” “Person of Interest,” “Zero Hour,” “All My Children.” MFA from Rutgers’ University, Mason Gross School of the Arts. www.bjorndupaty.com 

Myles Alexander Evans (EJ), best known for his role as Miles Taylor on Netflix's "Teenage Bounty Hunters" and Erasmus the wise and insightful soldier in Apple TV's "Dickinson," is wildly excited to join the cast of The Hot Wing King at Alliance Theatre! As a Metro Atlanta native, Myles is especially honored to be performing at the legendary Alliance Theatre for the very first time, bringing his nearly ten years of Film/Television experience back to live performance where his journey started.   

Armand Fields (Isom) [they/them] is beyond excited and thankful to be making their Alliance Theatre debut with The Hot Wing King! Favorite theatre credits include Balm in Gilead, Ragtime, The Legend of Georgia McBride, and Philip Dawkins’ Charm (World and West Coast Premiere). A graduate of The School at Steppenwolf Theatre, where they understudied Domesticated, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime, and Ms. Blakk for President. TV/Film credits include Work in Progress, The L Word: Generation Q, The Chi (Showtime), Queer as Folk (Peacock), Chicago Fire (NBC) and The Thing About Harry (Freeform). They are eternally grateful to God, The Promises, Katori and the AMAZING cast & crew, and their friends and family (origin & chosen)! Find them on social media: @armandbcfactor 

Jay Jones (TJ) is honored to be a part of this powerful theatrical production of The Hot Wing King at the Alliance Theatre. Jay was recently seen onstage as Blue in the Horizon Theater’s Square Blues, written by Shay Youngblood. Favorite credits include Levee Green in Ma Raineys Black Bottom (Penn Ave Theater; Pittsburgh, PA) and Walter Lee in A Raisin In the Sun (Studio Theater; Buffalo, NY). Jay is also an award-winning film and television actor who can be seen on such hit shows as “P-Valley” (STARZ), “Sweet Magnolias” (NETFLIX), and “ATLANTA” (F/X). Jay would like to thank his family and friends, as well as the talented team at the Alliance for their support through this beautiful process. 

Calvin Thompson (Dwayne), a native of South Carolina, is an alum of University of South Carolina-Aiken and AMDA. Recent Credits: The Off-Broadway production of Harlem Hellfighters On A Latin Beat (Pregones PRTT), and FLY (Capitol Rep). Mr. Thompson was also a semi-finalist in the 2019 American Black Film Festival Star Project. Gratitude to God for abundant blessings and to my loved ones for support. Off-Broadway: Couriers & Contrabands, Two Roberts, At Buffalo. NY Theatre: A Soldier's Play, Staged. Regional: The Mountaintop, Esai’s Table, The Bluest Eye, Raisin In The Sun, The Royale, Joe Turner’s Come And Gone, Seven Guitars, The Piano Lesson, Voodoo Macbeth. Film/TV: Ophelia, Ying-Yang, City Of Dreams. IG: @mr.callycal, www.calvinmthompson.com

Jontavious Johnson (u/s Big Charles, Cordell) [he/him] is beyond excited to be back at Alliance Theatre! Some of his favorite theatre credits include: Rover in The Incredible Book Eating Boy (Alliance Theatre), Buddy Bolden in Jelly's Last Jam (National Black Theatre Festival 2019), and Ace in Hoodoo Love (Spelman College). Jontavious is an Atlanta native, starting with the Youth Ensemble of Atlanta and later receiving his Bachelors of Arts from Morehouse College where he studied Theatre and Performance. TV and Film credits include: “Big Door Prize” (Apple TV), “Modern Love” (Amazon Prime), “Outer Banks” (Netflix), National Champion$(2021), and “P-Valley” (STARZ). He thanks his friends and family for their continuous support! To God be the glory! 

VonDerrick Taylor (u/s EJ) is a soulful poet who has known rivers ancient as the world and older than the sound of Jazz in the soul of his city, New Orleans… A Boston University Alumni with a BFA in Acting and a Minor in Arts Leadership, who also trained at London Academy of Music & Dramatic Arts, New Orleans Center for Creative Arts, and Southern Rep Theatre. He is a humble spirit who strives to give a voice to the voiceless through storytelling, listening, learning the world, and bringing joy and peace in every room he is blessed to step in. A participant in the Race Prison Justice Arts Project, VonDerrick works towards shining light on stories from exonerated human beings who have had their voice’s forcefully taken away from them. Every day he works towards bringing Umoja, the Black Belt Way, through every door and the passion of life in every conversation. A family man full of faith and a new resident in the Atlanta area, VonDerrick is blessed to be a part of the Alliance Theatre Family and help change the world we live in for the better one day at a time, one brick at a time, one bridge at time. One Love! 

Dede Ayite (Costume Designer) is a two-time Tony award nominated costume designer working in theater, opera and film. Her most recent Broadway credits include Topdog Underdog, Ohio State Murders, American Buffalo, How I Learned to Drive, A Soldier’s Play, Slave Play, Chicken & Biscuits, American Son, and Children of a Lesser God. Her select Off-Broadway credits include Merry Wives (The Public Theater); Seven Deadly Sins (Tectonic); Secret Life of Bees, Marie and Rosetta, (Atlantic); By The Way, Meet Vera Stark (Signature); Nollywood Dreams, BLKS, School Girls… (MCC); Bella: An American Tall Tale (Playwrights Horizons); Toni Stone (Roundabout). Regionally, Ayite’s work has appeared at Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Steppenwolf, Arena Stage and more.  She has worked in television with Netflix, Comedy Central, and FOX Shortcoms. Ayite earned her MFA at the Yale School of Drama and has received a TDF/Kitty Leech Young Master Award, Obie, Drama Desk, Henry Hewes, Lucille Lortel, Helen Hayes, Theatre Bay Area, and Jeff Awards.   

Michael Carnahan (Set Designer) Recent – Broadway: Skeleton Crew (Tony nomination), Lackawanna Blues, Off-Broadway: The Hot Wing King (Signature Theatre, Pulitzer Prize for Drama), Skeleton Crew (Atlantic Theater Company), I and You (59E59), The Happiest Song Plays Last (Second Stage), The Piano Lesson, The First Breeze of Summer (Signature Theatre). International: Charlie & The Chocolate Factory, Billy Elliot the Musical: Atelier de Cultura, Sao Paulo, Brazil; Tours: Cheers, Live On Stage, A Christmas Story The Musical. Regional: Apollo Theater, Arena Stage, American Conservatory Theater, The Kennedy Center, The Mark Taper Forum, The Geffen Playhouse, McCarter Theatre, Goodspeed Musicals, Williamstown Theatre Festival, Baltimore Center Stage, Cleveland Playhouse, Actors Theatre of Louisville, Pasadena Playhouse, Two River Theater. michaelcarnahandesign.com IG: Carnypics Twitter: @mike_carnahan 

Rocio Mendez (Fight and Intimacy Director) [they/she] Member of Unkle Dave’s Fight-House and proud New Yorker committed to building confidence in brown and black girls through storytelling. Credits include: Broadway: POTUS, or behind every great dumbass is seven women trying to keep him alive, AIN’T NO MO. The Metropolitan Opera: Fire Shut Up In My Bones, Eurydice, Rigoletto, Rodelinda, Lucia. New York/Regional Theater: The Bandaged Place (Roundabout),Your Own Personal Exegesis (LCT3), Merry Wives, Romeo y Julieta (Public Theater), On Sugarland (NYTW), This Bitter Earth (TheaterWorks), Black No More (The New Group), Vietgone, The Royale (Geva Theater Center), The Wolves (Actors Theater of Louisville), Secret Life of Bees (Atlantic Theater Company). Rocio is also an award-winning actor. www.rociomendez.com 

Connor Wang (Sound Designer) [he/him] is an Asian American theatre artist originally from Des Moines, Iowa. Recent credits include Kim’s Convenience (Theatre Squared), Disney Princess The Concert (US tour), and the world premier of How to Dance in Ohio (Syracuse Stage). Associate/Assistant designs include Hamilton (US touring companies), Hadestown (Broadway, Korea, US Tour), and Tina: The Tina Turner Musical (US tour). Connor holds a BFA in Sound Design from The Theatre School at DePaul University. 

Mike Wood (Lighting Designer) An accomplished designer, educator, and technician, Mike’s work has been seen on countless stages, screens, and in classrooms throughout the United States. Mike has served on the design and technology facilities of Marymount Manhattan College, The Collegiate School NYC, Hillsborough Community College, and Howard W. Blake School of the Arts. MFA: University of Memphis; BA: University of South Florida. He currently works as the Director of Production and Resident Lighting Designer at City Springs Theatre in Atlanta, GA. Mike is a proud member of United Scenic Artists Local USA829. www.mikewoodld.com // @mikewoodld