The Awakening Cast

Dionysius Akeem (Jason) is thrilled to work with Golden Pyramid on their first ever stage production “The Awakening”. Dionysius studied acting at CCAC South campus and has since worked professionally on stage, film and TV. "Joe Turner's come and gone", "Jitney" & "The Double V" with PPTCo. YPF festival (City Theatre) “12 Desperate hours” (Lifetime), “Gone” (NBC), “An American Pickle” (WB) “American Rust” (Showtime). In 2016 Dionysius worked personally alongside Denzel Washington, Viola Davis and the cast of “Fences” as an understudy to Russell Hornsby during rehearsal for the film. He continues working with Docherty talent agency furthering his career as a performer. The Awakening is an emotional journey of a young man fighting his past and present for a chance at a better future, we hope you enjoy the show!

Destiny Nwafor is thrilled to welcome her journey back to theater with The Awakening. By trade, she is a software engineer with a background in computer science and dance. She has a passion for performing, the arts, and social equity. She’s excited for you to see the show!

Leslie "Ezra" Smith is a professional spoken word artist, actor, director, event coordinator and host. Ezra has performed for various theater companies such as Kuntu Repertory Theater, New Horizon Theater, and Pittsburgh Playwrights Theater Company. In 2008, he won the best lead actor award by The African American Council of the Arts for his performance in New Horizon Theater's production of "Freeman". His first full length solo show, "The Book of Ezra" was produced at The Pittsburgh Playwrights Theater Company as the opening show for it's 2014-2015 season. In 2016, he portrayed “Red Carter" as a part of the historic production of August Wilson’s “Seven Guitars”, which was produced at the late playwright’s childhood home. He was awarded the Poet of the Year award in 2010 by the Pgh. Hip Hop Awards. Mr. Smith was a member of the 2003 Pittsburgh Steel City Slam Team and competed in the National Poetry Slam. He has been a popular open mic host and coordinator of several events. Some of the venues include The August Wilson Center for African American Culture, The Kelly-Strayhorn Theater, and The Shadow Lounge. In 2010, Meeting of the Minds Publications published his first book of poetry entitled, "Journey of a Teardrop".

Willa Catherine Cotten, affectionately called “Katy”, is a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. From 2003 to 2008/2015 she was cast in several small roles in the Langston Hughes play entitled Black Nativity, directed by Oronde Sharif, and in 2006 was nominated by the AACTA (African American Council for The Arts) Onyx Awards as best supporting actress in a musical or revue. As a part of the Kuntu Repertory Theatre under the direction of Dr. Vernell Lillie, Katy was cast as Sarah Vaughn in a Rob Penny production entitled Clean Drums, 2009 and was also cast as the wife of the great Negro Baseball League pitcher Satchel Paige in Among the Best, 2009. Katy was cast in several roles in Raisin, the musical based on Lorraine Hansberry's “A Raisin in the Sun”, 2010; her roles included an understudy for Beneatha, Althea the bar proprietor, and several dance numbers. She was cast as an ex-wife in the play entitled I Gotcha, The Story of Joe Tex and the Soul Clan, 2010, a New Horizon Theatre Production. Katy also experienced her first Pittsburgh Playwrights Black and White festival in a lead role in 2014. In 2018, as a part of the Washington Community Theater production Hairspray, she was cast as Motormouth Maybelle. Katy is delighted to be a part of this Lorenzo Boone production!

James Perry is a 25 year old artist from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He’s portraying the role of Rick in tonight production. Over the years he’s participated in productions like Chicago, Passing Strange and The Wiz all held locally; and is apart of Alumni Theater Company here in Pittsburgh. The young man was blessed to put on his own written stage play with principal music in 2018 titled ‘End The End There Will Be Tears’ thanks to the advancing black arts grant. In addition to his acting he is also a singer, songwriter who graduated from Pittsburgh CAPA as a vocal major in 2017. He would like to thank everyone who has supported him in his journey so far and plans not to disappoint.

A happily married mother of two college graduates, Tracy earned her master’s degree in Leadership & Business Ethics from Duquesne University. Over the course of her career, Tracy was employed for 30 years at H.J. Heinz and was awarded the Women of Excellence Award during her stint with the company. She also worked as the CFO for the dance company, Full of Grace as well as for an entertainment company in production management and as a liaison to guest artists. Tracy currently juggles two jobs as a part-time HR Compliance Officer for a home-health agency and a full-time administrative assistant within the Pittsburgh Public School district. Within Pittsburgh Public, Tracy is often seen lending an ear or a smile to a student in need. Tracy has been cast in four local plays prior to her role in The Awakening. With no formal training in acting, Tracy has found a home in the theater and plans to pursue more acting in the future. In her spare time, she enjoys family time, reading, cooking, skating, and working with kids within her school and in the community.

Amon Jamaal (Amon Youngblood) is a 26 year old rapper, singer/songwriter, musician and actor from the east side of Pittsburgh by way of Braddock. He attended Winchester Thurston School and graduated from Woodland Hills High School where he was a star athlete. Going on to later attend Slippery Rock University and major in abusiness marketing on a scholarship. Amon is no stranger to the stage and bright lights. Although he is a former highly touted athlete, Amon has been acting since the age of 5. First gracing the stage as the “Little Giant” in a musical for Winchester Thurston. Throughout middle/high school he joined the locally renowned Alumni Theatre Company where he has been a huge part of the ensemble as well as having some lead roles. Performing in both Aida and Rent, Amon went on to compete in the August Wilson Monologue Competition and performed those monologues around the city with ATC. As of late, he was recently in productions of ‘Stick Fly’ and ‘Descendants’ both performed by the Alumni Theatre Company. Amon is extremely excited for his new role as “Chico” in Lorenzo Boone’s ‘The Awakening’. And cannot wait to give the audience a night to remember!

Les is an accomplished actor, beginning his acting career many years ago as a member of the former and prestigious D.C. Black Repertory Company, founded by actor Robert Hooks, in Washington, D.C. Les has had many fine performances, here in Pittsburgh, for such theaters as Pittsburgh Playwrights Theater Co., New Horizon Theater, Gargaro Productions and the former Kuntu Repertory Theater. Les may be best remembered, previously, as “Turnbo” in PPTCO’s past highly successful productions of August Wilson’s “Jitney” and as “The Great Father” in Pittsburgh Festival Opera’s critically acclaimed, and award-winning production of, “A Gathering of Sons”, all directed by Mark Clayton Southers. Les also produced and hosted his own local public access variety television show entitled, "The Howard Entertainment Showcase". Les is also an accomplished jazz singer and can be seen performing at many of the jazz venues here in Pittsburgh. Les is thrilled to be working and collaborating with the brilliant mind of Lorenzo Boone!

This will be Day’s introduction to the stage. Day has previously worked on such TV and film projects as “Mindhunters”, “Mayor of Kingstown”, “American Rust”and “Reformed.” Day is proud to be a part of this production of “The Awakening!

A native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Denise received her Bachelor of Science degree from Duquesne University in Vocal Music, under the tutelage of the late Julia May and Mija Novich. In March of 2018, Denise portrayed the roles of Mama/Grandmother Baxter in the Prime Stage Theatre production of “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” by Maya Angelou. Denise has been an active member of the Pittsburgh Opera Company since 1982 and has performed various roles with the company, as well as with Civic Light Opera, City Theatre at Hartwood Acres and Pittsburgh Festival Opera. Competitively, she is a recipient of the Leontyne Price Vocal Arts Award and the Pittsburgh District Metropolitan Opera Award. She has been a featured vocalist with the Pittsburgh and Canton Symphony Orchestras. Denise’s style is not simply classical, pop, jazz, or gospel, but rather a mixture of moods that will fit the distinct taste of a universal audience.

Seth has over 15 years of multimedia experience, serving as a writer, engineer, audio engineer, videographer, and marketing expert.