Cast Biographies (In Alphabetical Order)

ELISHA BLACK (Agwe)

This is Elisha’s first show with Charleston Stage. He has had a passion for performing ever since he was a child. He began performing in high school productions such as Shrek the Musical playing the role of Donkey which led to him performing in shows around the city during his junior and senior year. He gives many thanks to Charleston Youth Company and West Ashley High School Drama Studio for nurturing his love of the arts. He’d like to thank his family, friends, and current and past coworkers for always encouraging him to reach for the stars. And lastly, he thanks his new Charleston Stage family.

MICHELLE BURGESS (Storyteller/US Mama Euralie)

Michelle is a native of Columbia, South Carolina and currently a Teaching Artist at Meeting Street School@Brentwood. She received a B.A. in Music from Morris College in Sumter, South Carolina and Vocal Arts Certificates from North Carolina School of the Arts WinstonSalem, North Carolina and Artist Diploma from Peabody Conservatory Baltimore, Maryland. Through an educational outreach Opera young artist program, she discovered a love and passion for teaching. Michelle has 23 years of teaching experience in public and private schools. She taught elementary music education, early childhood music and movement in Orange County Public Schools in Orlando Florida and applied voice, piano, and k-12 instruction and curriculum at the Maitland Conservatory in Huntsville, Alabama. Michelle has performed throughout the Southeast with Odom Opera Porgy and Bess, (Serena,Maria) Orlando Lyric Opera (chorus) and Disney (Festival of the Lion King) Arena Entertainment, (Lead Vocalist) RED Mountain Theatre Porgy and Bess (chorus, understudy Maria) in Birmingham, Alabama, Independent Musical Productions, Ragtime, (Harlem) Shrek the Musical (Dragon), Annie (Miss Hannigan) and Fantasy Childrens Playhouse Akeelah and the Bee (Miss Willie), HCCA Seussical the Musical (Sour Kangaroo) in Huntsville, Alabama. She is excited to join the Once on This Island family in her debut performance with Charleston Stage.

BARON L. CLAY, JR. (Pape Ge)

Baron is so excited to be in his first production with Charleston Stage. Baron was last seen in his cabaret show with Charleston Playhouse and 80's Cabaret, Hair, and Spelling Bee with Footlight Players. Outside of the theater he is a floral wrangler at Roadside Blooms, Photographer, and has a loving husband and two children. He thanks them all for being so supportive and understanding.

JAH'MAR COAKLEY (Storyteller)

Jah'Mar is a Charleston native, graduating from the College of Charleston with a degree in Business Administration and a minor in Arts Management. His first show with Charleston Stage was in 2018 as a member of the ensemble for Mamma Mia! He has since then been seen in Disney's Beauty and the Beast, Footloose, Bright Star, and many more! Outside of performing with Charleston Stage, Jah'Mar's artistic background includes choreographing and directing for children's theater productions throughout the Charleston Area.

K'NIQUE EICHELBERGER (Daniel)

K’nique is originally from Columbia, South Carolina but moved to Brevard, North Carolina where he earned a B.A. in Music and Theatre. He is so excited to be returning to the company for a second year. He had his choreography debut over the summer with James and the Giant Peach He also choreographed A Christmas Carol. His recent credits include: Charlotte's Web (Wilbur), JFK and Inga Binga (Freddy), A Christmas Carol (Young Ebenezer Scrooge/The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come), The Play That Goes Wrong (Perkins), Kinky Boots (Lola), The Last Five Years (Jamie), Little Shop of Horrors (Audrey II), Into The Woods (Jack), A Streetcar Named Desire (Stanley) and more. He is very thankful for his friends and family who have supported him throughout the years. K’nique is so excited to change lives through creating art at Charleston Stage! Stay tuned on Instagram @nique_tg3

GIANNA GAVINS (Little Ti Moune)

Gianna "Gigi" is a wonderful 10-year-old who is full of talent and imagination! She attends South Carolina Connections Academy and is in the 4th grade gifted and talented class. Gianna has been a member of the Charleston Stage since 2021, and previously debuted in her first Dock Street Theatre performance as Emma Hopkins in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. Born in Charleston, she has been showcasing her love for entertainment and has been dancing, singing, and acting from a very young age. Her light shines when she enters the room and her natural ability to entertain automatically is recognized. She has been singing in a small group for the last two years and recently began singing solos to a multi-generational and diverse audience to their delight. Gianna loves and enjoys all of these amazing gifts and is excited about her future in many more venues and working with many great entertainers of all ages.

BRIETTA GOODMAN (Asaka)

Brietta (she/her/hers) is ecstatic to be a part of this beautiful show with such talented artists. She is beyond thrilled to share and tell such a moving and wonderful story! She was last seen as Charlotte in Charlotte’s Web, The Ghost of Xmas Present/Mrs. Tabor in A Christmas Carol, and the Flapper Ancestor in The Addams Family! Originally from Horn Lake, Mississippi, she received a A.A. in Theatre from Northwest Mississippi Community College and graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi with a B.A. in Theatre with credits including: Cathy Haitt in The Last Five Years, Bunny in Detroit '67, and Lucy Grant in Bright Star. She is so grateful for this process and this wonderful cast! Stay Connected: https://briettagoodman99.wixsite.com/actor-performer