Ile Haggins is a native of Ohio, where she earned her BA in theatre at Otterbein University. Ile began her professional career as a props mistress at The Country Dinner Playhouse and as a director of several children’s theatre productions at Players Theatre of Columbus. After moving to Kansas City in the mid 80’s Ile became frustrated with the limited opportunities for black artist in the professional theatre community; so, she turned to community and avant-garde theatres throughout the city. Over the years Ile has performed in, written, produced and directed (which is where her true passion lies) numerous productions. Ile is excited by the growing diversity in KC’s theatre scene and is delighted to have worked with many talented artists through Whim Productions, KC Fringe Festival, The Barn Players (where she is also on the board of directors) and KC Melting Pot Theatre. Ile also holds a master’s in social work and when not in a theatre she can be found at the UMKC School of Social Work where she is an associate professor. She is grateful to friends and family for a lifetime of love and support. And can’t wait to introduce her adorable, brilliant 4 ½ year old grandson Elijah to the stage!

Laura Burt is a stage manager and actor from Kansas City, Missouri. She has worked with several theatres in Kansas City including: OCTA, City Theatre of Independence, The Barn Players, Buffalo Room, Fringe Festival, Tradewind Arts, Relevance Productions, KC Melting Pot, and Theatre Lawrence. She is a licensed counselor in the Kansas City area who works primarily with women. Thank you to KC Melting Pot, the Supers, her family, and her amazing partner Richard.

Richard J. Burt is a Kansas City-based performing and technical theatre artist. This is his third KCMPT production. He served as technical director for The Buffalo Room from 2016 through 2020, and has designed sets for several regional community theatres. As an actor he has appeared locally with City Theatre of Independence, The Barn Players, KC Melting Pot, OCTA, Stuffed Buffalo Productions, Theatre Lawrence, Tradewind Arts, and Whim Productions. Richard was educated in acting and stagecraft at Northern Arizona University. Love to L & S & SF.

Doug Schroeder is a Kansas native. STEW is his eleventh 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 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.

Dennis Jackson is a Kansas City native. He has learned the craft of live theater, by working with some of the best actors and directors in K.C. He appeared in Harvey Williams’ “2121” (KC Melting Pot Theater), August Wilson’s “King Hedly”, “Two Trains Running”, and “The Piano Lesson” (KC Melting Pot Theater) and Jacqueline Gafford’s “Grape’s Vine” (InPlay Theater Co.), to name a few. Thanks to director Ile Haggins for the opportunity to craft the sound design for this production. Special thanks to Harvey and Linda Williams.

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 her second production with KC Melting Pot.

Melonnie Walker is a theatre historian, educator, and alum of UMKC’s Master of Arts program in Theatre History.  She is the Associate Artistic Director 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.