Values
| Karamu House
Vision: To be a premiere professional theatre producing socially relevant entertainment, while delivering innovative, culturally responsive arts education programs and experiences for life-long learners.
Mission: To produce professional theatre, provide arts education and present community programs for all people while honoring the Black experience.
Values:
Inclusion: Valuing diversity within and outside Karamu House.
Collaboration: Partnering to achieve winning outcomes.
Integrity: Demonstrating high moral principles.
Joy: Expressing delight and happiness for our work with community, partners, and each other.
Excellence: Achieving the highest quality in all we do.
Impact: Making positive contributions in lives and community.
History |
Karamu House
On June 15, 1915, two Oberlin graduates, Russell and Rowena Jelliffe founded the Playhouse Settlement at the corner of East 38th Street and Central Avenue. With a vision that was revolutionary at the time, the couple set out to create a gathering place where people of different racial, ethnic, religious and socioeconomic backgrounds could meet and bond. The early years of the twentieth century witnessed a large influx of African-Americans from the South. Resisting pressure to exclude their new neighbors, the Jelliffes insisted that all races were welcome at the Playhouse Settlement and they soon discovered that the arts provided the perfect common ground. The institution quickly became a magnet for many of the best African-American artists of the day. Dancers, printmakers, actors and writers all found a place where they could hone their crafts. The first theatrical productions at the Playhouse Settlement were staged in 1917.
In 1920 the Jelliffes sponsored the Dumas Dramatic Club, later renamed the Gilpin Players in 1922 after the noted Black actor Charles Gilpin. A theatre was acquired adjacent to the settlement house in 1927. In the 1930s the Gilpin Players began to collaborate with Karamu alum, Langston Hughes. In 1940 a modern dance troupe trained by Marjorie Witt Johnson, won the praise of Life magazine for its appearance at the New York World’s Fair.
Following a fire which destroyed the theatre in 1939, the entire Playhouse Settlement was renamed Karamu House in 1941. Karamu’s Early Childhood Development Center was built in 1945 at East 89 th Street and Quincy Avenue. In 1949 through the aid of Leonard Hanna, Jr. and the Rockefeller Foundation, Karamu boasted two theatres: the 200-seat Jelliffe Theatre and the 100-seat Arena Theatre at the same location.
About | Karamu
House
Over its 100 year history, Karamu has educated and cultivated generations of aspiring youth in all professions. It has developed a national reputation for nurturing African-American actors, artists and dancers. Among the notable performers who refined their crafts at Karamu and later found success in their fields were visual artists Charles Sallee and Elmer Brown, literary giant Langston Hughes, stage and film actors Robert Guillaume, Bill Cobbs, Ron O’Neal, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Richard Brooks, Debra Byrd, James Pickens Jr., and Imani Hakim to name a few. The great Ruby Dee has also been associated with Karamu House.
Today, Karamu is being reborn as a beating heart for the entire community, regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identification, or age, and retains its historical identity as “a place of joyful gathering.” Core programs include a five-performance, socially-relevant and professional quality, theatre season; arts education in drama, music and dance for all ages; and community programming, such as a lecture series, and spoken word and music performances, that invite participation, engagement, reflection, and a re-commitment to cultural values. Karamu House also enjoys national prominence, being recognized as the oldest Black performing arts institution in the nation and is on the U.S. National Register of historic Places.
WEBSITE: karamuhouse.org
BOX OFFICE: (216) 795-7077
DONATE: karamuhouse.org/donate
Tony F. Sias |
From the President + CEO
Welcome to the closing production of our 24/25 season, Choir Boy. We are excited to bring this show to Karamu’s main stage, as it is well worth the wait! We hope you will find lessons of acceptance and understanding in this poignant coming-of-age tale. These stories deserve to be told and to be shared for greater awareness, empathy, and human connection. Karamu House continues to embrace our collective diversity by creating space for impactful voices, as well as socially and culturally relevant work such as this.
As we bring the season to closure, we are thrilled to celebrate our 110-year anniversary on June 15, 2025, with a yearlong series of programming and engagements to commemorate this milestone achievement. Now more than ever it is essential that we collectively safeguard cultural institutions amid the recent shifts in state and federal arts funding. To that end our focus is on sustaining Black theatre and protecting Karamu’ future. Help us preserve our legacy of excellence by becoming a Karamu Champion. Signup to become a monthly recurring donor today! Click the link below or visit our website: karamuhouse.org for details.
Peace,
Tony F. Sias
KARAMU HOUSE
Bank of America recognizes Karamu for its success in bringing the arts to performers and audiences throughout the community. We commend you on creating an opportunity for all to enjoy and share a cultural experience. Visit us at bankofamerica.com/about.
Choir Boy
Written by: Tarell Alvin McCraney Directed by: Nathan Henry
April 25 - May 18
The Cleveland Foundation Jelliffe Theatre
The Creative Team
Jailyn Sherell Harris Asst. Director/Dramaturg
Dusten A. Welch Fight Choreographer
Inda Blatch-Geib Costume Designer
Dred Geib Props Manager
Brielle McGrew Wardrobe Coordinator
Shannon McManus Production Manager
Dr. David M. Thomas Music Director
Nina Domingue Intimacy Choreographer
Adam Ditzel Lighting Designer
Tyree J. Franklin Stage Manager
Prophet Seay Technical Director
Vonetta Flowers Director of Production
Aseelah Shareef Choreographer
Val Kozlenko Scenic Designer
Richard B. Ingraham Sound Designer
Roy T. James II Asst. Stage Manager
Vincent Tose Asst. Technical Director
Tony F. Sias Executive Producer
Choir Boy is presented by special arrangement with Broadway Licensing, LLC, servicing the Dramatists Play Service collection. (dramatists.com)
Choir Boy received a world premiere co-production by The English Stage Company and Manhattan Theatre Club (Lynne Meadow, Artistic Director; Barry Grove, Executive Producer) at Royal Court Theatre in the Jerwood Theatre Upstairs on September 4, 2012.
Choir Boy was originally commissioned by Manhattan Theatre Club (Lynne Meadow, Artistic Director, Barry Grove, Executive Producer, Daniel Sullivan, Acting Artistic Director) 2007-08 Season with support from Time Warner Inc.
THE PLAY IS 100 MINUTES WITHOUT AN
INTERMISSION
The videotaping or making of electronic or other audio and/or visual recordings of this production or distributing recordings on any medium, including the internet, is strictly prohibited, a violation of the author’s rights, and actionable under United States copyright law.
Become a Karamu Champion Today!
For almost 110 years, Karamu House has been a cultural beacon —uplifting voices, supporting local artists, and providing arts education for youth. In today’s social and political climate, this work is more vital than ever. Recent shifts in state and federal arts funding highlight the precarious position of the arts in our society. With your support, we will continue to create and amplify Black stories. Your financial investment is paramount to the institution’s sustainability and the preservation of its legacy as a cultural asset.
Become a Karamu Champion today! Your recurring gift: $100 Monthly
• Supports youth arts education programs and community workshops.
• Keeps professional productions thriving on our stages.
• Fuels the creative economy and supports local artists.
• Confirms your commitment to Black art and culture.
A special thank you to our Karamu Champions for your monthly support. Not yet a Karamu Champion? Consider becoming one today!
When you sign up today, you’re helping to protect Karamu’s future!
Abraham McNeil Adams* Pendelton
Isaiah Betts David
Bradford Terrence Eason Ensemble
Christian Hall Pharus
Drew Pope Bobby
Justin Lee-Price AJ
Corin B. Self Headmaster Marrow
Marvis Stevens Ensemble
Kodee Williams Junior
*Member of Actor’s Equity Appearing through an agreement between Karamu House and Actors Equity Association, The Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
Lisa Wiley Light Board Operator
Shamarr Walker Sound Board Operator
Justine Schneider Scenic Painter
Andrew Rowland Head Electrician
Jillian England Gabrielle Oke Louis Semenoro Electricians
Additional Staff Cast Special
Akilah Marshall Balli Thornton Nathaniel Stewart Dressers
Devin Whitehouse - Assistant Stage Manager Sub Louis Semenoro - Light Board Operator Sub
Jasmine Banes Lamont Richmond II Run Crew OUR SPONSORS
Choir Boy
Written by: Tarell Alvin McCraney
Directed by: Nathan Henry
Welcome to Karamu House, a joyful gathering place!
Directors
Note
| Nathan Henry
We have gathered here today to celebrate Black boy joy in this heart-warming story, written by Academy Award winning writer, Tarell Alvin McCraney. Choir Boy is the story of a gifted Black teenager who struggles to find acceptance within his all-boys school but finds solace in gospel music. Our protagonist, Pharus, receives the coveted position of becoming lead of the school choir. To maintain his status within the group –and his favor with the school administration, he must uphold proper decorum and modesty at all times while on campus. This includes hiding his true feelings as he discovers his sexual identity.
Adolescence is a difficult time for young people. There is no easy way to guide our children through it. And even with the many books written about preparing teens for their tough high school years, there is no standardized instruction manual for caregivers and educators to study before having to navigate challenges (and dramatic meltdowns) in real time. With everything that teens must juggle –homework, chores, dating, and unpredictable bodily changes – trying to maintain a positive social status is sometimes at the top of their to-do list.
Pharus is a precocious young man with a rather unorthodox candor. He could care less about fitting in among his peers. But the true battle he faces is staying true to his own values and beliefs. Does he “fight the good fight” or pray for peace, wisdom, knowledge, and understanding?
I hope you find this heartfelt coming of age story as moving as I did when I first read it. And I encourage you to spread the word about the incredible joy taking place on stage at the historic Karamu House.
Enjoy!
Nathan Henry
The Cast
Abraham McNeil Adams* | Pendelton
Is honored to be making his Karamu House stage debut. He is a graduate of the University of Utah and Ohio University having earned a BFA and MFA respectively. For the last 8 years Abraham has been proud to call Cleveland his home. Abraham has been privileged to work with Ensemble Theatre - Cleveland, Dobama Theatre, Cleveland Public Theatre, Seat of the Pants Theatre, None Too Fragile Theatre, and Talespinner Children’s Theatre, among others. He wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to Nathan and the rest of the creative team for their talent, support, and boundless joy during this process.
Isaiah Betts | David
Is elated to be performing for the first time and sharing his fervor with Karamu House! He can’t wait to share this story to some new faces. Isaiah is 25 years old, having graduated from the Chagrin Falls Academy for the Performing Arts. Isaiah has appeared in Cleveland’s theatre scene for years. Recent credits include Dobama Theater’s Something Clean (Joey), Beck Center for the Arts’ The Exonerated (Robert Earl Hayes) and Cleveland Public Theater’s Our Lady of Common Sorrow (Rodney). He can also be seen in Oscar-Winning film “Judas and the Black Messiah” and serial drama “3 Brothers.” When he’s not teaching Drama at the Rainey Institute, he currently performs for such cabarets as The Dinner Detective and serves as a Standardized Patient for Cleveland Clinic. Isaiah would like to thank his friends and family for supporting his creative endeavors. Break all the legs, cast and crew!
Bradford Terrence Eason | Ensemble
Is a native Clevelander whose passion for health and wellness, as well as music and the performing arts began as a youth. Bradford earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Exercise Science and minor in Entrepreneurship from John Carroll University in 2022. He is a dedicated physical education instructor at the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CSMD and a member of Calvary Church of God in Christ and serves as an Ambassador and Community Donation Volunteer. Bradford loves all genres of music and plays the alto saxophone and piano. Bradford’s interest and enthusiasm within the performing arts includes acting, playwriting and fight choreography. Bradford was honored to be casted as Brian and Man in the play Red Summer at the Karamu House. Bradford also joined the cast of Romeo and Juliet at Geauga Center for the Arts as Mercutio. Bradford is the understudy for Shawn in the play King James at The Cleveland Playhouse. He is thrilled to have an opportunity to work with so many talented artists, team members and directors at the Karamu House, as well as other theatres. Bradford is motivated and inspired by a three-word quote: Focus, Achieve, Repeat!
Christian Hall | Pharus
Is very excited to be making his Karamu House debut. Some of his previous credits include Little Women (Mr. Dashwood), Into the Woods (Cinderella’s Prince/Wolf), Rent (Ensemble/ Angel u/s), A Behanding in Spokane (Toby), Beautiful: A Carole King Musical (Drifter/Ensemble), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (2023 & 2024 EncoreJudah). Christian is honored to help share this story with everyone and is grateful for all the support and dedication of the cast and crew. He would like to thank his friends and family for their endless love and support. Instagram: @iam.ceej
Drew Pope | Bobby
Is a 2019 graduate of the B.F.A. Acting and Directing program from Baldwin Wallace University. He is a 2x winner (2023, 2024) of the “Best Performer” award for “Broadwayworld’s Cleveland Region”. He teaches Drama at Dike School of the Arts, and has performed at Karamu House, Ensemble Theatre, Dobama Theater, GLT, and CPT. He’s ecstatic to be back at Karamu House, and thanks Nathan Henry for the opportunity to tell the story. You can see what he’s up to on social media. Instagram: @dta_drew
Justin Lee-Price | AJ
Is a junior Music Theatre major at Baldwin Wallace University. Regional: Guys & Dolls, Beautiful: A Carol King Musical, The Wedding Singer (New London Barn Playhouse). Waitress (Beck Center). Bare: A Pop Opera (Playhouse Square). Ain’t Misbehavin’ (Great Lakes Theatre). Theatre: Pippin (Leading Player), Sweat (Chris), Ordinary Days (Jason), Lippa’s The Wild Party (Black U/S), Lobby Hero (William), Grease (Kenickie), Twelfth Night (Duke Orsino). Justin would like to thank God for everything, the Lee family for the support, Nathan Henry for the chance, the CHOIR BOIZ for the camaraderie, and you for watching this important and melancholic story. Instagram: @jt_leeprice
Corin B. Self | Headmaster Marrow
Is an actor, singer, dancer and educator from Cleveland, Ohio. After studying Theatre at Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland he decided to teach for Baltimore City Public Schools and teach Arts Education for the U.S. Dream Academy, which is an after-school program for the youth in the community. His most recent works have included (Dwayne) in Hot Wing King, Swing in At the Wake of a Dead Drag Queen, (Golden Thunder) in Airness (Errol Philander) in “Statements After An Arrest Under the Immorality Act” at Convergence-Continuum, (Macduff) in Macbeth for Cleveland Shakespeare Festival, and A Member of the Wedding at Beck Center, Julius Caesar: Set in Africa and (Monsignor O’Hara) in Sister Act: The Musical at Karamu House. He also shot a short film in 2006, 2nd Shift (Rahsaan) which was featured on BET Independent Film Channel.
Marvis Stevens | Ensemble
Is a junior BWMT from Maple Grove, Minnesota and is extremely excited to be joining the cast of CHOIR BOY. He has been performing in musicals, showcases, and plays, and more for the past eight years. Recently he’s been featured as Mr. Black (The Wild Party), Audrey 2 (Little Shop Of Horrors), and Jesus (Jesus Christ Superstar).Instagram: @marvisstevens
Was first Introduced to the Arts during high school, cast as the Tin Man in the 18th annual All City musical at Playhouse Square, which got him nominated for The Dazzle Awards for Best Actor (2017). After Graduating from Richmond Heights High school, Kodee has continued his passion for music in several productions for Karamu House (Black Nativity), Weathervane Playhouse (Dreamgirls, Memphis and Aida, but earned his well-known name at Playhouse Square (The Wiz). Kodee would like to thank his Family, Friends, Reggie Kelly, Tony Sias, David Thomas and Richard Morris.
Kodee Williams | Junior
Nathan Henry | Director
The Design Team
Is a multifaceted artist based in Cleveland and has worked as a producer, director, and performer for over 20 years. He recently directed the critically acclaimed production of James Ijames’ Fat Ham at Cleveland Play House. He is thrilled to return to his artistic home, Karamu House, where he directed the award-winning production of Stew’s Passing Strange, which earned him the Cleveland Scene Theatre Award for Best Director. Nathan has served as director and/or producer for many productions at Karamu. His directing credits include Eric Coble’s The Velocity of Autumn; Douglas Turner Ward’s Day of Absence; Pearl Cleage’s Flyin’ West; and Dael Orlandersmith’s Yellowman. He served as line producer at Karamu for the regional premiere of Letters from Zora: In Her Own Words, starring Vanessa Bell Calloway; the regional premiere of Rajiv Joseph’s The Lake Effect, a co-production with Ensemble Theatre; the American premiere of Lisa Codrington’s The Adventures of the Black Girl in her Search for God, which also appeared in the 2019 Borderline Fringe Festival; as well as the regional premieres of the award-winning, box-office Karamu hits, Sassy Mamas and Simply Simone: The Music of Nina Simone. Notable regional credits include Idris Goodwin’s Jacked! At Cleveland Play House; the regional premiere of James Ijames’ Kill Move Paradise at Dobama Theatre; the world premiere of Nina Domingue’s The Absolutely Amazing and True Adventures of Miss Joan Southgate at Cleveland Public Theatre; the touring production of Nina Domingue’s Ya Mama! at Cleveland Public Theatre and Hollywood Fringe Festival; the Cleveland professional premiere of Jonathan Larson’s Rent at Cain Park; Brooklyn the Musical at Near West Theatre; the regional premiere of Dominique Morisseau’s Night Vision with Ensemble Theatre; Stephen Schwartz’s Pippin with Baldwin Wallace Conservatory Music Theatre Program; Lynn Nottage’s Sweat BW Theatre; Dominique Morisseau’s Detroit ’67 BW Theatre; and the world premiere of White Man’s Burden with The Beck Center for the Arts, in partnership with the National Alliance for Music Theatre and the BW Music Theatre program. Member: SSDC, The Drama League, Theatre Communications Group, the ArtEquity BIPOC Leadership Circle in partnership with Yale University. Alma Mater: Baldwin Wallace Conservatory of Music. Nathan dedicates this production to the memory of his beloved mother, Minnie Alice Jeffries Lilly, a Karamu volunteer, who became an ancestor in January 2024. She now watches every performance at Karamu in row L seat 14. Romans 8:28.
Jailyn Sherell Harris
| Assistant Director/Dramaturg
Is a Cleveland-based choreographer, director, and performer with a BA in Theatre and a minor in Dance from Bowling Green State University. She has performed across Northeast Ohio, with credits at Dobama Theatre, Ohio Shakespeare Festival, and Karamu House. Notable performances include the world premiere of Velveteen: A New Musical at Playhouse Square and Heartbreakers in Hell at Rubber City Theatre. Jailyn recently served as Associate Director and Choreographer for Fat Ham at Cleveland Play House and has choreographed productions for Near West Theatre, Dobama Theatre, and Sitar Arts Center in Washington, DC. Her directing credits include Matilda
Jailyn
Sherell Harris - continued
(M.A.D. Factory) and Wishful Thinking (Rubber City Theatre). A 2023 Room in the House Fellow, Jailyn specializes in Jazz, Hip Hop, and Musical Theatre and is an Associate Member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC).
Dr. David M. Thomas | Music Director was born in Youngstown and relocated to Cleveland after touring with Dizzy Gillespie, Albert Ayler, Jean Carne, Major Harris formerly of The Delfonics, and Rose Royce. David was listed in Who’s Who in America and Who’s Who in American Education and received two Jazz Legend awards. David studied at The Dana School of Music at Youngstown State and The Cleveland Institute of Music. He received a bachelor’s and master’s in music education from Case Western Reserve, as well as a Master of Music Composition from Cleveland State. David did post-graduate work at Royal Holloway College (U.K.), Camden University (London), and doctoral of music education at Kent State. His compositions include music for choir and orchestra, entitled “The Creation Sermon”, “Songs of a Journey to Freedom”, for the Cleveland Chamber Symphony Orchestra, the Cleveland Municipal All-City Chorus combined with local church choirs. He has composed for the jazz group “Pieces of a Dream,” and The Silver Burdett Educational Music Series. He has music published by GIA Publications, Inc and co-authored the book “A Child’s First Book of Spirituals”, which received the Coretta Scott King Award. He has music directed Dreamgirls, Rent, Bubbling Brown Sugar, The Wiz, Aida, Blues in the Night, Ain’t Misbehavin’, Memphis, and more.
Aseelah Shareef | Choreographer
MA, SHRM-CP is the Vice President + COO at Karamu House. In addition to her role as an arts administrator, she is a dancer, teaching artist, and choreographer. Her previous experience includes touring nationally and internationally with Step Afrika!, the world’s leading authority and professional dance company dedicated to the art of stepping (body percussion), former Dance Director of Cleveland School of the Arts, Project Manager for Cleveland Metropolitan School District’s Department of Arts Education, Adjunct Professor of Dance at Cuyahoga Community College, and dance master-teaching artist for the Center for Arts-Inspired Learning. She is a 2023 YWCA of Greater Cleveland Woman of Achievement and was a member of the inaugural 2019 Arts and Culture Leaders of Color Fellowship cohort sponsored by Americans for the Arts, The Joyce Foundation and American Express. Her community involvement includes membership in Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., International Association of Blacks in Dance (Board Member), Ohio Advisory Group of the National Museum of Women in the Arts (Board Member), Ohio Dance (Board Member), 10K Movement (Board Member), and the Greater Cleveland Urban Film Foundation (Board Member). Aseelah holds an MA in Arts Administration and BS in Exercise Science from The Florida State University.
Dusten A. Welch | Fight Choreographer
Is an award-winning fight choreographer and director. He teaches Stage Combat for both the CWRU’s MFA in Acting program and at Baldwin Wallace University. As a fight choreographer, Dusten has more than 80 credits to his name, with work seen at Great Lakes Theater, Idaho Shakespeare Festival,
Cleveland Play House, Beck Center for the Arts, Cleveland Public Theatre, Dobama Theater, Ensemble Theatre CLE among others. He served as the Artistic Director for Cleveland Shakespeare Festival from 2019-2024. Recent directing credits include works at Cleveland Shakespeare Festival, Beck Center for the Arts, Baldwin Wallace University, and the Academy for the Performing Arts. He is a multi-recipient of the Kennedy Center Foundation’s ACTF Achievement Award for Fight Direction (2007 and again in 2016). Currently Dusten is the Art Director for the Fight Master Magazine, Creative Director for Creative Sidekick Studios, and freelances as a fight choreographer and graphic designer. He is a member and Certified Teacher with the Society of American Fight Directors and holds a BA in Theatre and Performance from Ashland University.
Nina Domingue | Intimacy Choreographer
Is a Black Woman, Griot, Actor, Playwright, Director, Cultural Memory Worker, #NOLAGirl4Life, Teaching Artist, and Intimacy Advocate pursuing Choreographic certification, ever-becoming. She writes in the tradition of those women who explore the interior lives of Black women with love, curiosity, and wonder. Kilroy’s List 2020 “The Lost Plays”, Cleveland Public Theatre, Premier Fellow 2021, CPT Catapult Fellow 2019, Nord Family Foundation Playwriting Fellow 2019, Twelve Literary Arts Barbara Smith Fellow, 2019. She last performed in POTUS at Dobama, and had her intimacy Choreography featured in Fat Ham directed by Nathan Henry at the Cleveland Play House.
Val Kozlenko | Scenic Designer
Is a Cleveland-based designer, performer, creator. He is excited for the opportunity to design for Karamu and has been fortunate to have his work presented both locally, nationally, and abroad. Many thanks to all of his collaborators and supporters.
Inda Blatch-Geib | Costume Designer
Has been a costume and production designer for over 1,000 projects spanning 37 years, across 4 continents. Commercial design for Krylon, Bryant & Stratton, Footlocker, The West Virginia Lottery’s national campaigns, Ohio Lottery, Microsoft, Under Armor, McDonalds, TroyBuilt, Meijer, and The Original Mattress Factory, Cleveland Cavaliers’ 1970-80’s themed videos, national spots, and design for half-time shows including mascot shield design and pyrotechnic sword. Concert and festival design include Machine Gun Kelly’s US/European Tours, ESTFEST and Wolstein Arena productions. Specialty microphone stand designs for MGK and Bear. Set styling for Harper’s Bazaar UK Scarlett Johansson cover and spread, catalogue set styling for Foundations and Kilgore Trout. Her designs have been showcased in exhibits at The Smithsonian, with film projects including Ohio Art Direction of The Signal starring Laurence Fishburne and The Con. Theatrical Design includes the special off- Broadway Production of Kris Kringle: The Musical, Cleveland Play House’s production of Native Gardens, and multiple productions for the Colombian National Opera. Music Video Design for MGK’s Alpha Omega and Let You Go releases. Inda has been the Resident Designer for Karamu, Cleveland Public Theatre, Magical Theatre, and Cleveland Institute of Music. Inda Blatch-Geib Designs offers Costume & Production Design including, Prop, Set, and Costume rental and custom fabrication.
Adam Ditzel | Lighting Designer
Is a Cleveland based designer who is designing his second show at Karma House after last seasons It Happened In Atlanta. Recent theatre credits include designs for Cleveland Playhouse/Case Western Reserve University, Short North Stage, Dobama Theatre, Cain Park, Beck Center, Magical Theatre Company, Near West Theatre, Lakeland Civic Theatre, and Heidelberg University. Recent dance designs include works for Ohio Contemporary Ballet, Ballet Theatre of Ohio, Cleveland Ballet, and Inlet Dance Theatre. He also works as lighting director for the instrumental progressive metal trio, Animals As Leaders. He holds a degree in Lighting Design from the University of Cincinnati CollegeConservatory of Music (CCM).
Richard B. Ingraham | Sound Designer
Richard is a freelance Sound Designer and AV Systems Designer for About The Stage. Previous designs at Karamu include: Black Nativity, Mountaintop and Paradise Blue. Richard has worked at numerous theatres, schools and attractions in the Cleveland area and throughout the US including: Ashland University, Beck Center for the Arts, Baldwin–Wallace University, Cain Park, Carnegie-Mellon University, Chagrin Falls Performing Arts Academy, The Cleveland Play House, The Cleveland Public Theatre, Cleveland State University, Dobama Theatre, The University of Evansville, Great Lakes Theater, Hope Summer Repertory Theatre, Idaho Shakespeare Festival, Oberlin College, Playhouse Square Center, and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. He has also worked as a consultant to award winning software companies that create products for live event production including Stage Research and Richmond Sound Design.
Dred Geib | Props Manager
Is a production designer for IBG Designs and specializes in properties, costumes, and sets. He lives and Works in the Northeast Ohio area and focuses mainly on theater, film and art installation.
Tyree J. Franklin | Stage Manager
Is a Cleveland based stage manager and Artist with his BFA in Stage Management from Wright State University. His recent stage management credits includes Velveteen Rabbit: A New Musical at Playhouse Square, Legally Blonde, BKLYN at Nearwest Theatre, The Bubbly Black Girl who Sheds her Chameleon Skin (Karamu House) The Cherry Orchard, The Tempest, The Liar, Everybody, and Passage (Cleveland Playhouse), Langston Hughes’ Black Nativity (Karamu House) Tyree is a new playwright. His play “Tales of a Fat Man” was recently produced at Cleveland Public Theatre’s 2024 Test Flight Series. He would like to thank his family and friends for their continued love and support!
Roy T. James II | Assistant Stage Manager
is an Ohio native and studied theatre at the Cleveland School of the Arts where he performed in shows such as The Colored Museum, Cyrano de Bergerac, and Hamlet. He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University. He began working as a Karamu House teaching artist in 2019 and
performed as the narrator for Karamu’s 2022 production of Langston Hughes’ Black Nativity. He is currently a fourth-year medical student at the Northeast Ohio Medical University.
Brielle McGrew | Wardrobe Coordinator
Is a Cleveland Native who has worked in wardrobe since 2012. She is a proud alumnus of the CMSD All City Art’s program and is now the wardrobe supervisor for the program. Brielle is the resident Costume Shop Manager/ Wig Artisan for Karamu. She is also the wardrobe assistant for Cleveland Public Theater. Brielle has worked entertainment costuming at Walt Disney World as the costumer for the Star Wars franchise. She has also done wardrobe for the Cleveland Institute of Opera, Dobama Theatre, Apollo’s Fire, Cleveland Play House, Playhouse Square and many more. She has wig designed for Karamu House’s Greenwood: An American Dream Destroyed and The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin. She was the wig tech for Cleveland Play House’s American Mariachi. In addition, Brielle has costume designed for the short film Ancestors, Cleveland Public Theatre’s premiere of Can I Touch It and Karamu’s Arts Education programs.
Donor List
$1 Million+
Bank of America*
$500,000-$999,999
City of Cleveland, Department of Economic Development*
State of Ohio, Ohio Facilities
Construction Commission*
$250,000-$499,999
The Cleveland Foundation*
The George Gund Foundation*
Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District*
$100,000-$249,999
Paul M. Angell Family Foundation
Cuyahoga Arts & Culture
Cuyahoga County*
The George W. Codrington Charitable Foundation
Leonard C. Hanna Trust
Collette and Daryl Laisure
Ohio Arts Council
Dr. Deborah L. Plummer*
The Richard and Emily Smucker Family Foundation*
$50,000-$99,999
City of Cleveland, Mayor’s Office of Youth Prevention
Louise H. and David S. Ingalls Foundation*
The National Trust for Historic Preservation, African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund*
$25,000-$49,999
Growth Opps
Kulas Foundation
Pickens Family Trust
PNC Foundation
The Reinberger Foundation
The Shubert Foundation
Whiting-Smith Family Fund
July 1, 2024 – March 31, 2025
$10,000-$24,999
Birthing Beautiful Communities
Cross Country Mortgage
Frances Cudjoe Waters & James Waters
Destination Cleveland
The Char & Chuck Fowler Family Foundation
Freeman Foundation
Gurreri Family Fund
Michael and Areli Jeans
Kendal at Oberlin
KeyBank
The McGregor Foundation*
Meijer Fairfax Market
John P. Murphy Foundation
PNC Charitable Trusts/Robert H. Reakirt Foundation
Richard Pogue
Saint Luke’s Foundation
Theater League of Kansas City/Theatre Communications Group (TCG)
Thrive! Uplifting Theatres of Color
Dale Vernon
$5,000-$9,999
Cleveland Clinic
Cleveland State University
Cuyahoga Community College
Finch Company
Marcia J. Fudge
Huntington National Bank
The John Huntington Benevolent Fund
LINKS Cleveland Chapter
Susan and Jeff Lucier
Medical Mutual
Parker Foundation
PNC
Darlene Patterson Spencer
Albert B. & Audrey G. Ratner Family Foundation
RPM International Inc.
Robert P. Madison International, Inc.
Darlene Patterson Spencer
Third Space Action Lab
$2,500-$4,999
Lewis and Ruth Affelder Fund
Teresa Metcalf Beasley
Michael and Sherri Beedles
Enbridge Gas Ohio
Vickie Johnson
Anonymous
Singleton Partners
Specialized Construction, Inc.
United Black Fund
YWCA of Cleveland
$1,000-$2,499
The Joann and Thomas Adler Family Foundation, a supporting foundation of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Alpha Omega Chapter and Alpha Omega Foundation, Inc.
Mr. and Mrs. Scott Garson
Alison Graves-Calhoun
Sherall Hardy
Jennifer Hurd
Amy Jelliffe
Jeremy Johnson
Ursula Korneitchouk
Eric Logan
Sandra Madison
Music and Drama Club
Melvin Pye
Marjorie and Richard Roth
John Sedor and Geralyn Presti
Melody Stewart
Kelli P. Washington
Johnny & Chariss Williams
Linda Wilson
Gina and Gerard Winstanley
Sheila Wright
$500-$999
James Anderson & David Wittkowski
Mark Anderson
Adam Banks
Eileen Burkhart
Janet Burney
Steven Caple, Jr.
Tanika Carter^^
Carolyn Cleveland
Gregory Clifford
James Collins & Patricia Brownell
Tom and Anita Cook
Marcella Boyd Cox
Hugo Cubias^^
Brian Hall and Jackie Dalton-Hall
Janet Dodrill
Diane Downing
Jacquelin Fields
Faye Ford
Thomas and LaCresia Smith Gaines
Carolyn E. Gordon Ph.D.
Marina Grant
Kerri Jefferson
Claude Kennard
Marie Kittredge
Corey Lee
Laura and Richard Little
Anthony Long^
Agnes Lucas
Andrea Lyons
Gwendolyn Malone
Kevin Martin
Richard and Margo Metcalf
David Mitchell
Richard Morris, Sr.
Daniel Morrison
Kimberli Nelson
Tamera Norris
Katie Owens
PayPal Giving Fund
Jeff and Marci Pearl
Maccada Peoples+
Betty T. Pinkney
Elaine Price
Dorothy Rambo
Elizabeth Rothenberg
Dr. Daniel Sanders
Melodie Sanders
Edwina Simmons
Jacqueline Taylor-Wimbley^
Anne Marie Warren
Michael Watson
Khalilah Worley-Billy^
$250-$499
Actors’ Equity Foundation
The Church of the Covenant
Jim and Berni Cockey
Morris Devezin, Sr.
LaToya Everett^^^
Robin Griggs
$250-$499 (continued)
Marvin Hayes
Diane and Gary Klein
Janice Lewis**
Terrance Little
Nicole Lynch
Charles Miller
Susannah Muskovitz and Steven Izen
Charlene Nichols
Valentina Randle
Randy Ruttenberg
Deborah Sandlain-Evans
Deborah Straniero
Thompson Hine
Ida and Wayne Walker
Cyntha Waytt
Clifflora Wright
Larry Young
$100-$249
Dolores Adler
Laurie Albright
Curtis Arrington
Eugenia C. Atkinson
Kristina Bailey
Alenka Banco
Kimberly Bell
Eleanor Blackman
Patrice Blakemore
Cheryl Bobo
Ramona Bobo
Elaine Bonner-Martin
Mary Anne Bromelmeier
Bennett Brown
Cynthia Bumbrey****
Cynthia Bumbrey~~~~
Cornell Calhoun III
Jeffrey and Evelyn Callahan~
Dana Capers
Janine Carter
Richard Chester
Mr. and Mrs. Stuart Crampton
Michele Crawford
Deborah Cummings
Ronda Curtis
CWRU Footlighters
Margot Damaser
Bill and Diane Dozier
Donovan Duncan
Alfred Edwards
Gayle Edwards
Tashna Felix^^
Andrea Freeman
Marc Freimuth~~
Cathy Gaw
Deborah Glosserman
Darrell Gray
Loretta Gray
Lynda Green
Mary Frances Haerr and Kal Zucker
Marcia Haire-Ellis
Yvonka Hall
Marchyco Harrell
David Hart
Suzanne Hartford
Kariem Hasan
Kirk Hitchens
Paulette Holliday***
David Holmes
Yvette Ittu
Carolyn James
Janice O. Jones^^^
Mittie Davis Jones
Theresa Lancaster
Lisa Leszynski++
Elaine Mason
Donna Mazzola
Medalie Family Fund
Cathy J. McCall
Victor McDowell, Sr.
Lois McGuire
Antoinette Miller
Ann Miner
Laurie Murphy
Patrick Murray
Doretha Pendleton
Vera Perkins-Hughes
James Poole
Monyka Price
Jan Ridgeway
Gloria Ritter
Shawn Rodgers
Joy Roller
Leah Ross
Tony Sias
Benjamin Sperry
Michael Star
Jacqueline Wild Stimpert
William Stultz
Christina Tamburro
Joseph and June Taylor
Michael Taylor
$100-$249 (continued)
Sherrie Tolliver
Sandra Truett
Roberta Uhrich^^
Galo Verdesoto^^
Barbara Vickers~~~
Yvonne Williamson
Hanna and Ben Yilma^^
Legend
^Name-a-Seat
We thank all who gave in the previous year!
~In honor of Char and Chuck Fowler
+In honor of Pamela Morton
**In honor of Bonita Jenkins
^^In honor of Cheryl Goggans and the Goggans Family
~~In honor of Peter Lawson Jones’ induction to Karamu Hall of Fame
++In honor of Ron Johnson
***In memory of Richard L. Holliday
^^^In memory of Evelyn Nevel
~~~In honor of Thelma Williams
****In memory of Benjamin James Bumbry Jr.
~~~~In memory of Donald Sias
^^^^In honor of Harold Wayne Nelson
Karamu Board of Directors
Michael Jeans Chair
Sheila Wright 1st Vice Chair
Dr. Edward M. Barksdale 2nd Vice Chair
Karen Howse Treasurer
Michael W. Bowen
Frances Cudjoe Waters
Jade Davis
Diane M. Downing
Council President Blaine A. Griffin
Tamara Horne
Jennifer Hurd
Colette M. Jones
Howard L. Lewis
David M. Reynolds
Marques H. Richeson
Autumn R. Russell
Roshonda B. Smith
Tiffani Sutton-Taylor
Karamu House Leadership
Leadership
TONY F. SIAS, President + CEO
ASEELAH SHAREEF, Vice President + COO
MIKE OWENS, Chief Financial Officer
VONETTA FLOWERS, Director of Production
ROCKELL CHURBY LLANOS, Associate Director of Patron + Donor Engagement
Staff
SHANNON MCMANUS, Production Manager
MAYA NICHOLSON, Arts Education Manager
PROPHET SEAY, Technical Director
VINCE TOSE, Assistant Technical Director
BRIELLE MCGREW, Costume Shop Manager/Wardrobe Coordinator
RAMONA GIVNER, Accountant/Bookkeeper
NORRIS BROWN SR., Venues II
BARBARA COOPER, House Manager + Volunteer Coordinator
ANNETTE BAILEY, Archivist
CRAIG TAYLOR, Marketing and Graphic Design
LISA STOFAN, Grants Management
Front of House Team
Carla Hodge
Major Hudson
Linda Martin
PATRON INFORMATION
2355 E. 89TH Street Cleveland, OH 44106
216.795.7070 Main Office 216.795.7077 Ticket Office www.karamuhouse.org
ADMINISTRATION OFFICES HOURS OF OPERATION
Monday through Friday 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
GROUP SALES + RENTALS
Karamu welcomes your organization or group to attend one of our performances, or perhaps use one of our spaces for your next event. To explore options for your next meeting, fundraiser, or party, please call 216.795.7077.
CURTAIN TIMES
Performances are on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 PM + Saturdays at 2PM, and Sundays at 3PM.
LATECOMERS
To avoid interruption of the performance, latecomers will be seated at a suitable breakduring the performance. Latecomers may be placed in alternate seating or in standing room areas until intermission.
CAMERA + VIDEO RECORDING
Law prohibits the use of visual and audio recording devices during performances. Violators may be subject to removal from the space and/or liable for any damages.
CELL PHONES + ELECTRONICS
Please silence all electronic devices before the performance begins.
SMOKING IS NOT PERMITTED INSIDE OF KARAMU HOUSE.
CHILDREN
Children under five (5) years of age are not permitted in the theatres.
COAT CHECK
The coat room is only available in the main lobby of the Jelliffe Theatre.
CONCESSIONS
Refreshments are available 45 minutes before curtain and during intermission. Individuals under the age of twenty-one will not be served alcoholic beverages.
CURTAIN CALL
For your safety, we ask that you please remain in your seats until the performance has entirely ended and the houselights have been turned on.
RESTROOMS
Restrooms are located in the main lobby.
LOST & FOUND
Lost or misplaced items can be retrieved at or submitted to the Box Office.
EMERGENCY EXITS
Please observe all emergency exits located in the front and rear of the theatre.