Dr. Asabi is a Professor of Theatre at NC Central University where she serves as Chair. She recently received the Mabel P. Robinson Lifetime Achievement Ace Award and Pioneer Award in Theatre at The Day of Dunham Celebration. She has received numerous Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival directing awards, NCCU College of Liberal Arts Awards in Outstanding Teaching, Scholarship, and Playwriting, and the Board of Director's Excellence in Teaching Award from Bennett College. A graduate of North Carolina A&T State and Wake Forest University, Asabi earned her PhD at Regent University in Communication and Theatre. As a performer, director, playwright and stage manager, Asabi aspires to immerse herself in nearly every aspect of theatre. She has directed many shows including Chicken and Biscuits, The Color Purple, Sarafina, The Bluest Eye, Blood at the Root, The Amen Corner, Romeo & Juliet - The Re-Mix, and for colored girls... and authored several theatrical works including God Spoke My Name: Maya Angelou; Reaching for God with Dirty Hands and Tainted Blood; Slappin' God in the Face; Distorted Beauty; Black Mama Monologues (devised work). Among many stage credits, she has performed in Four Queens No Trumps, Intimate Apparel, and Black Girl Majestic. She co-directed Soul Rhythm; Sistahs' Voices at the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown, South Africa and The Mis-Education of Hip Hop in Florence, Italy. Asabi has co-authored the textbook, The African Diaspora of Theater, with Professor Arthur Reese. She serves as a visiting evaluator for the National Association of the Schools of Theatre. She has served as a contract production manager for NC Black Repertory Company for several years. She is currently the production manager at Evangel Fellowship Church. She is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

is a Louisiana native, is an artist-educator, choreographer, filmmaker, and author whose career has spanned over two decades in higher education. Kristi has created over 40 choreographic works and has received commissions from organizations such as The Ernie Barnes Foundation and the NC Museum of Art. Her acclaimed films, I Want To Ask The Trees and The Communion of White Dresses based on the poetry of the NC Poet Laureate, Jaki Shelton Green, have been presented in such festivals as the San Francisco Dance Film Festival, the San Francisco Arthouse Film Festival, and the Black Truth Film Festival. Kristi Vincent Johnson holds a Master of Fine Arts in Dance from Texas Christian University and a Doctorate of Education in Kinesiology from UNC Greensboro. Currently, she serves as Assistant Professor and Director of Dance at North Carolina Central University, where she is the Founder and Artistic Director of the Repertory Dance Company.

pianist, composer, vocalist, choral director, music educator. Born in Gary, Indiana, earning degrees from Valparaiso and Indiana Universities. She recently retired with over forty years in music education. After relocating to the Triangle, Carolyn served as music director for many area theatres; the Justice, Agape, Li V Mahob and NRArts and Creative theatres and Raleigh Little Theatre. Carolyn also performs with vocal/instrumental duo SmoothIvory2; specializing in a variety musical genres. In 2021, Carolyn was chosen as ‘Artist in Residence’ at the NC Museum of Art and commissioned to compose music inspired by exhibit “The Golden Years of the Netherlands/Shonibare” and to perform the concert series “Uniquely Carolyn.” Carolyn has graced stages all over the world with memorable performances in Bethlehem Square and a Papal Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican. Carolyn is the proud mother of two children and one grandson. Her greatest honor tonight is the opportunity to serve as music director and pianist for NCCU’s production of Fame.

is a native New Yorker, began dancing at Enloe Gifted & Talented Magnet High School in Raleigh, NC and received his Bachelors of Fine Arts degree in Dance Performance and Pedagogy from University of the North Carolina School of the Arts. Willie has toured nationally and internationally with the Rebecca Kelly Dance Company, Jubilations Dance Company, The Philadelphia Dance Company (Philadanco), and Dance Kaleidoscope. He was also a guest dancer with Chuck Davis’ African American Dance Ensemble. In addition to his performance career Willie’s love of teaching allowed him to teach and set choreographic works across the U.S. and abroad at several schools and universities which include, but not limited to, The School at Richmond Ballet, University of Bolivia, North Carolina State University, North Carolina Central University and Hillside High School.

Professor Arthur M. Reese received his Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Virginia. He has set the mood for the past 23 years as Technical Director for the National Black Theater Festival. He has designed for, among others, Dr. Maya Angelou, John Amos, Samuel L. Jackson, and the Negro Ensemble Company. Reese has done technical work for many stars including Sidney Poitier, Debbie Allen, Oprah, Queen Latifah, Malcolm Jamal Warner and Denzel Washington. Reese won the 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 African American Image Makers award for Best Lighting Design at ETA Theatre. Co-Author and director of By a Black Hand, he is currently the Technical Director for NCCU Department of Theatre and has recently completed a textbook, The African Diaspora of Theatre.

Dr. Nadia Bodie-Smith* (Prop Designer/Set Décor/Publicity) from Nassau, Bahamas, Dr. Smith is an Assistant Professor in Performance Studies. Last spring, she received a Departmental Award for Excellence in Teaching. Since she joined the department, she has directed Ain’t Misbehavin’, A Long Time Since Yesterday, Present Laughter and Dreamgirls. Her other professional pursuits include her work as editor of the ENCORE Journal for the National Association for Dramatic and Speech Arts (NADSA) and as Production Designer for Sweet Unknown South Studios. She earned her PhD from Texas Tech University with a concentration in Acting/Directing and Arts Administration, an MA in Theatre from Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio and a BA in Music from Florida Memorial University in Miami Florida. She works toward improving actor training with hopes that her instruction inspires collaborative, critical thinkers and artists who laugh a little too loud. Her work as a Production Designer is showcased in the 2022 action film, ‘A Day to Die’, starring Bruce Willis, available on streaming services.

is from Greensboro North Carolina she is an alumnus of North Carolina Central University. She has her BA in theatre with a concentration in Performance. She has recently been seen in bus stop as mahogany, as Lily Livingston in On strivers row and Beverly in chicken and biscuits at North Carolina Central University.

Lydia Henry Houston, (Costumer, Wardrobe). This is her debut with NCCU Drama Dept . She is an avid Sewist with more than 40 years sewing and Costuming experience. Graduating with a Degree in Fashion from Bauder College in 2014, Lydia earned The Craftsmanship Award in the Annual Bauder Black Tie Fashion Show. She has designed and sewn costumes for The African American Dance Ensemble, led by Baba Chuck Davis; Collage Dance Company; Suah African Dance Theatre; and several choreographers. She specializes in creating an awesome fitting garment. Lydia was wardrobe assistant with Cirque du Soliel's "Amaluna" in Atlanta, GA and Miami, FL. She has been a Movie Wardrobe Assistant for a DeVan Clan Production in GA and a True Dreams Production in NC. She currently operates ExtremelyLydia Sewing Company. Her motto is "You Design It, I'll Make

Ms. Sainworla is an Adjunct Professor at NCCU, where she teaches Drama Appreciation. She earned an MA in Art Management from American University, a BFA in Theatre Technology from North Carolina A&T, and an AS in Film Production from Valencia Community College. She has worked on Universal Studio’s lot on movies and videos such as Director for a Razzy Bailey music video and Asst. Director for the Orlando Magic’s public service announcements. She has worked as an Asst. Stage Mgr. at Arena Stage in Washington, DC on Thunder Knocking on the Door which featuring Martha Hicks. She has worked the Spolato Festival in Charleston, SC and the National Black Theater Festival in Winston Salem, NC. She is also the owner of Royal Hair Gallery, Refour’s Boutique, and Royal Tax Gallery LLC, located in Phoenix Crossing, Durham, NC.

is an educator, actor, stage & video director, and playwright.. He directs plays at Shaw University, NCCU and Agape Theatre Project. Mr. Hinton briefly attended North Carolina A&T State University before being drafted into the U.S. Army where he served his country from 1972 to 1974. After completing his tour of duty in the U.S. Army, he continued his education in Southern California where he received an AA at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa, CA, and a BA degree in Radio/TV/Film from California State University, Long Beach. He earned his MA in Dramatic Art from the University of California, Santa Barbara with an emphasis on producing and directing television adaptations of theatrical stage productions. He won three national CASE awards for his documentary television work in 1988, 1989, 1991, from the Ford Motor Company. Some directing credits include: “You Ain’t My Daddy,” by Ken Hinton, Chris Glover and “Homegirls” by Karen K.D. Evans, “Steal Away” by Romano King. Some of his acting credits include: Mr. Roberts in The Watsons go to Birmingham, Durham regional Theatre, and Last of the Line, June 2006 at UNC, Paul Green Theater. He is on the Board of Directors of the Durham Regional Theatre, owner of The Media Group Productions and is Artistic Director of Agape Theatre Project.

is from Houston, Texas majoring in Theatre Education as a sophomore. She played Julie in Julie and Cindy by NCCU Theatre (2023), Luisa in Midnight Theatre by Kalimah Williams (2024). Awards include the 2023-24 University College Dean’s List and 2023-24 All A Honor Roll. I want to give a special thanks to my mother for always supporting me and I want to thank All my NCCU theatre professors for all the opportunities you have given me in the two years I have been here at North Carolina Central University. I also want to thank my friends for being there to support me.

is from Fayetteville North Carolina, and is a sophomore at North Carolina Central majoring in Theatre Arts, with a concentration in performance. Special thank you to my family and friends for believing and pushing me towards my dreams.

is from Kannapolis, North Carolina and is a Sophomore at North Carolina Central University majoring in Theatre, with a concentration in Performance. She played Janine in The Colored Museum (2023) by A.L Brown High School’s International Thespian Society, Jack’s Mother in Into the Woods (2023) by A.L Brown High School. In 2023 I was awarded a Thespy award from the Internation Thespian Society for Superior Performance for Group Acting. I want to give special thanks to God, my mom Charlene, Bonus Dad Chad, Dad Rayco, my twin sister Raevin and baby brother Elias.

is from Allentown Pennsylvania and now resides in Creedmoor NC. She is a Senior Theatre Major with a Concentration in Technical Design at NCCU. She has worked on many productions, including Stage Management for Rock of Ages, Sound Design for A Christmas Carol, Costume Design for Young Frankenstein, with Civic Theatre of Allentown. At NCCU, she enjoyed her work as Set Designer for Murder Most Fouled Up (2024), and Assistant Light Designer for Chicken and Biscuits (2023). This past summer she worked for the International Black Theatre Festival in Winston Salem, NC as a Light Board Operator for four shows. Rebecca is grateful to her family and her mother for taking her to her very first Broadway show, where she decided to study theatre as her passion.