Melonnie Walker is a theatre historian, educator, and alum of UMKC’s Master of Arts program in Theatre History.  She is the Director of Education and Community Outreach for KC Melting Pot Theatre and has served as the resident research and production dramaturg for four seasons so far.  She is an advisory board member of the August Wilson Society and Regional VP for the Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of the Americas. Melonnie is grateful for her theatre family here at KCMPT and she is inspired to do the work that preserves and uplifts black theatre history for future generations.

Lynn is one of the original members of the KC Melting Pot Collective, appearing in their first-ever production of Old School Ghetto Gospel, in 2013. Lynn was last seen in KCMPT’s production of Dying to Party. She has been busy working in other capacities with KCMPT. They provided Lynn with her directorial debut in 2019 and she was privileged to be one of the all-female directors in the 2022-23 season with the staging of FAIRVIEW by Jackie Sibblies Drury. Lynn is blessed to continue to do what she loves. Special thanks to Linda, Harvey, Nicole, and Dennis.

Ebonee was born and raised in KCMO and earned her BA in Theatre from University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. She has appeared in Secrets & Lies (KCMPT), Pass Over (OCTA), 2121 (KCMPT), and the stage readings of Pass Over, Flo, and The Journey (WCA). When not performing, Ebonee works on crew for shows with her last being the Stage Manager for Dying to Party (KCMPT). She joined the family in 2015 and still works as the Administrative Assistant for KCMPT and Just Off Broadway Theatre which she’s held since 2017. ebonee.carrd.co

Doug Schroeder is a Kansas native. The Piano Lesson is his ninth design for KCMPT. Schroeder received a B.F.A. in technical theater from Emporia State University. In addition to working as the technical director for KCMPT, Doug also is the production manager for the Kansas City Women’s Chorus. He would like to thank his partner Chris Palmer for his assistance with set construction and Linda, Harvey, Nicole, and Lewis for the opportunity to work on this new play.

Warren has directed or designed the lighting or sets for over 200 productions. Kansas City directing credits include Bernice At Bay/The Butterfly Effect, Gidion’s Knot and Any Questions? (KC Fringe Festival), Waiting To Be Invited, The Taste Test and The Ironing Man (KC Melting Pot Theatre). He is an assistant house manager for Kansas City Repertory Theatre and the technical director for Just Off Broadway Theatre.

Daniella Toscano is a costume designer originally from Las Vegas, NV. She received her MFA in Costume Design from the University of California, San Diego. In addition to being a theatrical costume designer, she also has experience in multimedia design, working with graphics and video as another method of storytelling. She most recently designed Lori Laitman's The Three Feathers (Steamboat Opera), Branden Jacob Jenkins Everybody (UCSD Theater), and the new play premiere of Elephant (Benchmark Theatre). She loves the feeling of being swept away into different worlds, experiencing the full gamut of human emotion through the characters on stage, and strives to have this effect on others through her work. This is Daniella's KCMPT debut.