ZORA! Cast

Mr. Holder is known for creating, directing and acting in plays which portray the lives of African American legends such as Ethel Waters, Valaida Snow, Zora Neale Hurston, Nelson Mandella, Thelonious Monk, Bud Powell, and Malcolm X. Holder has received reviews from The New York Times, Amsterdam News, Village Voice and more. His plays can be seen at the Nuyorican Theater and New Federal Theater in Manhattan. Laurence admits that writing is a form of therapy and it forces him to open his mind and grow as an individual. As well as being a playwright Mr. Holder is a professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice where he has taught English for the past 25 years. He lives in west Harlem with his wife and daughter, where he has been for over 10 years. Mr. Holder used to play the saxophone but gave it up to spend more time and energy with his family and writing. He has raised two children and is in the process of raising a third. Mr. Holder would one day like to move to his home in Barbados. The calming sound of the ocean and the relaxing view from the house is what continues to draws him to Barbados. For more information on Laurence Holder go to http://www.laurenceholder.com

Antonia Badon is an NY NAACP Award Winning Actress and Radio Personality, a Digital Media Professional, a Teaching Artist and a TV, Theater and Radio Content Creator and Producer. She is a self-described ‘SUPER CULTURE NERD.’ Her work captures and illuminates historical and cultural impact as the keys to the vibrancy and preservation of urban America. The New Orleans native came to the consciousness of the New York populace after her performance of the widely acclaimed one-woman play Zora about the legendary Zora Neale Hurston. Antonia has been featured in: The Daily News, The Amsterdam News, Harlem News, The Philadelphia Tribune and a host of local magazines. Antonia’s has been touring ZORA on the college circuit and museums since its launch in 2007.

Greg Freelon is an educator with national and international credits in education, theatre, television/video, film, music, and large-scale multi-media event staging. Mr. Freelon helped develop the model for Conflict Resolution Through Drama as a faculty member of New York University’s Creative Arts Team. He went on to pioneer best practices models in Youth Leadership Development, creating and facilitating interactive workshops delivered to youth groups and community organizations across the country. During the early 1980s, Freelon's passion for education led him to serve as the artistic director of the Harlem Children's Theatre Company. His commitment extended beyond the stage, as he also served on the Board of the Theatre Row Development Corporation (now Building for the Arts). His directorial work on Joe Louis: The Brown Bomber and Hannibal, while on the faculty of NYU’s Creative Arts Team (CAT), left a lasting impact. As Director of Special Projects for CAT, he produced and directed several ground-breaking educational videos, furthering his mission to inspire and educate. As a playwright, Mr. Freelon has written Jump Back, That Time of Year, and the libretto and story for the jazz opera Perfect Harmony, with music by iconic Finnish composer Heikki Sarmanto. Perfect Harmony had its world premiere at the Savonnlina Opera Festival. Freelon directed the live performance for Finnish National Television. Freelon was featured as Papa Shakespeare in Carlye Brown’s The African Company Presents Richard III, which was staged in New York and London. Over the course of his career, Mr. Freelon has worked with many developing solo performance artists, including seminal works by Danny Hoch, Queen Esther, Letitia Giuillory, and Antonia Badon. He has staged Ms. Badon in the production of ZORA! A play by Laurence Holder in multiple regional venues.

Musical Director , Technical and Production Manager at Black Spectrum Theatre Inc.

Set and Prop Designer Director at Xt Design & Productions, New York Studied Advertising and Communications at Fashion Institute of Technology Graduated in 1981

Waddy started his long-sustained career as an audio and lighting technician with a theatre group at Bengamin Franklin High School back in 1962. He was heavily involved in three major productions: ‘South Pacific’, ‘Mickado’ and ‘Taming of the Shrew’. He tried his hand at acting and found that this was not his forte. He transitioned to tech and production permanently. This is where he found his nitch in the industry. Upon graduating from high school his dream was realized and Waddy stayed on this tech and production road until now and is still traveling on it. After high school, he was solicited by The National Black Theatre. He stayed connected with this organization for several years. Living a dream is always a fortunate event. Waddy worked under the tutorage of actor Melvin Van Peoples who is the founder of The National Black Theatre. He continued to work with anybody who is everybody such as Robert Hooks, Diana Sands, Barbara Ann Teer along with others. After serving in the US Army and after his college days he went back to work as an audio and lighting technician for several NYC dance clubs, theatres, concert halls, and very popular artists such as The Hadley Players, Lemahn College, Harlem School of the Arts, Lincoln Center, Symphony Space. Waddy worked on the production side of concerts with major players in the music industry like Stevie Wonder, Chah Kakan, The Isley Brothers, Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, Tito Puente, just to name a few and continues to present day. At present day he works with the New Heritage Theatre Group full time. We are grateful and fortunate that he took the time out to be with the ZORA team.

Wardrobe, Production Set up

Support Front House framework

As a Communications Major by way of the premier south of the mason Dixon line HBCU, Andrea's ability to collaborate and conceptualize promoting small ideas into marketable press attention, left us dangling seemingly in a class by ourself. What did I need to be for Antonia, an enterprising double major and graduate from a southern premier HBCU, Dilliard University. One who toppled the theatre scene in front and behind the curtains. Where we joined forces, at Inner City Theatre group, where Viacom syndicated the long running It's Showtime at the Apollo, where Antonia's production skills couldn't been more fine tuned as one of the show's talent procurements. Now as an all in one package deal the tour de force continues as off Broadway productions like Zora is on the road again. Coming to the American Theater of Actors in NYC.

PROPERTIES MANAGER Qadir Perez has been a driving force in media production for over a decade. As the long-time producer of the radio show Another Perspective, he has brought unique voices and perspectives to the forefront for more than ten years. His work as a cinematographer is equally impressive, notably through his involvement in the NYC Young Producers Project and the acclaimed short film Brother to Brother. In front of the camera, Qadir has appeared in notable films such as Black Klansman and Gun Hill Road, further demonstrating his versatility in the entertainment industry. As a key member of the production team for the Kwanzaa Film Festival since 2017, Qadir has been instrumental in its growth and success. His organizational skills also extend beyond film, as he has led the logistics for the Brothers in Recovery retreat for an impressive 34 years, supporting a community in need. Qadir is proud to bring his expertise to Zora's production, where he continues to contribute to its ongoing success with immense dedication.

Host Show, prepare house, and ticketing management.

Co-Host Announcer -interviewer with Harlem 411 and Beyond on WHCR 90.3 FM Radio, New York. 2015- present Host of "Thinking Healthy thoughts"; a segment designed to promote health spiritually, physically and mentally. On WHCR 90.3 FM, New York. 2015-Present Host -Volunteer for the New York Harlem Chamber Of Commerce. Including modeling, managerial support and culinary attendant. 2016-Present Educator with two Supervisory Administration Masters; Board of Education; including Art Liaison. 26 years. Student of Egyptology, history and biblical studies. Ongoing.

Graphic Artist, type set and design posters, flyers print media, promotion insignia.