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.

Dr. Nadia Bodie-Smith, from Nassau, Bahamas, 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.

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.

Toya J. Chinfloo, from New Jersy, is the founder of DPS Destination Dance and has served as Lead Dance Educator for Durham Public Schools. She currently serves on the faculty of Hillside High School and as adjunct professor at NCCU. Ms. Chinfloo’s extensive professional touring history, from Hong Kong to South Africa, Ms. Chinfloo achieved the level of principal dance artist with one of the oldest premier African American Dance Company in the United States - The Chuck Davis’ African American Dance Ensemble - having performed with the company for over 30 years. Connecting collaboration and activism is an important component of Ms. Chinfloo’s dance career. Some of Chinfloo’s choreographic works and collaborations include: African American Cultural Festival’s televised 2020 Annual Kwanzaa Celebration; 2020-21 Justice Theater Project‘s Black Nativity; American Dance Festival’s 2020 Creative Parade; Hillside High School’s The Color Purple with Valencia Lipscomb; “My Body” music video with community activist/ music producer /recording artist Pierce Freelon and Rissi Palmer; and True Dream Productions and Walltown Children’s Theater’s, Durham Nutcracker.Palmer; and True Dream Productions and Walltown Children’s Theater’s, Durham Nutcracker. In 2020, Toya Chinfloo launched the Chinfloo Cultural Arts Dance Ensemble which is devoted to continuing arts edutainment and fostering the development of young artists.

Lydia Henry Houston, (Costumer, Wardrobe). This show adds to Ms. Houston NCCU credits including Home, Fame, Livin' Fat, Chicken & Biscuits.. 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.

from Warrenton, NC, is a Senior Theatre Major in Performance. She was last seen in Home and Fame. She played multiple roles in The Producers (2024) and was last seen as her first principal role on the University Stage. She is grateful for the support from her family and friends.

from Charlotte, NC, is Junior Theatre Major in Performance. Marlie has graced the stage in Home, Fame, Livin' Fat, Murder Must Fouled Up and The Producers. She received the Department's Best Performance as Big Mama in 2024, Thespian Award Winner 2023 Most recent performances Mabel Washington in Fame, Big Mama in Livin Fat, Ms. Mead in Murder Most Fouled up Would like to thank God, my Mother Charlene, my Bonus Dad Chad, My father Ray, My twin Sister Raevin, Baby Brother Elias, and all of my family for supporting me and my dreams.

from Charleston, NC is a Junior Theatre Major in Performance. He was last seen in The Producers.