My Dying City, Vol II. Cast

Native New Yorker Che Ayende has spent 35 years as a professional actor with a focus primarily on classical theater as well as pivotal works from the Black Arts Movements. He has performed Shakespeare on and off Broadway alongside Glenda Jackson, John Douglass Thompson, Richard Thomas and Daniel Craig to name a few. Early in his career he spent several summers as an invited artist at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre Center. "Thank God for the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center! That organization made me realize I am more than just an actor. I'm an artist.""Art must be a reflection of the times we are living in. Its like driving a car. If you look into the rear view mirror too long (the past) you will crash. One must remain present in order to continue moving forwards. Art is innately radical. It forces us to look deeper... The entirety of oneself must be invited to the dining table. To be fully present is the greatest feat an artist can aspire to." The year 2001 was a pivotal moment in Ayende's development as an artist; that is the year he began his journey as an artist/activist. He starred in the controversial cult classic movie, "As an Act of Protest." Written and directed by Dennis Leroy Kangalee, it was the beginning of a long artistic relationship. Ayende imbues all he creates with every facet of his being, believing that you can use your creativity for the betterment of society. Ayende co-founded the Kangalee Arts Ensemble in 2022 to help develop and enable Kangalee's ideas and theories and "My Dying City Vol.II" is Ayende's third collaboration with Dennis Leroy Kangalee.

Ward Nixon (Barry): Has a career spanning thirty-seven years as an actor, director, acting teacher, acting coach, playwright, dramaturge, print model and former Artistic Director/Resident Director for Gertrude Jeannette's The Hadley Players Theatre. He has worked extensively on stage and on camera and is a proud member of ctors' Equity Association and SAG/AFTRA. He is thrilled to be working on "My Dying City Vol. 2" with this wonderful cast and crew, and, to experience once again, the brilliance of Dennis Leroy Kangalee. Enjoy the show and continue to support the Arts! [email protected]

He is a multi-disciplined artist with Indo-Caribbean roots. Born in Queens and raised in Tampa, he came back to New York to pursue his passion of the arts. Outside of acting, Brandon choreographs fight sequences in film, directs and produces his own work, paints and plays the guitar religiously. His recent credits include Interlude of Youth (John Cullum Theatre), and Lakshmi Counts Her Arms and Legs (Rising Sun Performance Co.) He is extremely proud to join the cast of My Dying City: Vol. II in one of his most exciting Off-Broadway appearances to date. He wants to remind his friends and family of how much he loves and values them. IG: @brandonlmao

She is thrilled to be working with The Kangalee Arts Ensemble on this powerful play. Melissa is a classically trained actor working in theater, film, and voice over. Theater credits include: Titania (A Midsummer Night's Dream), Queen (Cymbeline), Bonnie Sparks (Fortune's Fools), Columbia/Usherette (The Rocky Horror Show), King of France (All's Well That Ends Well), as well as numerous new works. Film and TV credits include: An American Sports Story, Jessica Jones, Camp Wedding, and Remedy. www.melissaroth.info

She proudly makes her Kangalee Arts Ensemble debut as Hedia with this incredible team. She was most recently seen as Regan in King Lear with Brooklyn’s Theater2020. Regional credits include Bernhardt/Hamlet (Unicorn Theater, Kansas City, MO), Luna Gale (CoHo Productions, Portland, OR), and the world premiere of Pericles Wet (Portland Shakespeare Project, Portland, OR). Shannon also acted in and co-produced The Alien Chicken Remembers Galatea for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Training: MFA Acting, University of Missouri-Kansas City. Thanks to Josh for the big green candle. shannonmastel.com @shantonmastel