CLEO PARKER ROBINSON DANCE
Currently celebrating its 55th Anniversary Season, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance is an international performing arts and educational institution rooted in African American traditions and the Diaspora, dedicated to excellence in providing crosscultural performances, and enrichment programsempowering all our communities by cultivating healthy mind, body, and spirit development for intergenerational students, artists, and audiences. Viewing dance as a universal language of movement that transcends boundaries of culture, class, and age, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance is committed to honoring all people throughout the global community.
The “Granny” Village
Cleo Parker Robinson
Margarita Taylor
The Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble
Winifred R. Harris | Associate Artistic Director
Michael Battle / Caeli Blake / Tori Carter / Adrian Dominguez
Jasmine Francisco / Corey Jamel / Devrae Jefferson / Gabriela Maduro
Max Nelson-Steinhoff* / Lamar D. Rogers / Lauren Slaughter / Nasira Watson* *Apprentice to the Ensemble
Cleo II
Cedric D. Hall | Co-Director
John Lambert-Roberts | Co-Director
Santos Garcia / Faith E. Johnson / India Johnson / Kayla Massey
Jesús Muñoz / Koura Wright
The Youth Ensemble
Jessica Horton | Director
Corey Jamel | Assistant Director
Amirah Bryd / Marisa Buck / Mission Buckley / Reese Gentry
Ximalma Gonzales-Robinson/ Meneka Hecox / Carlen Holmes / Phoebe Lapham
Jem Michalec / Eloise Peoples/ Constanza Reyes Atencio / Violet Sterling
Nayeli Tarango
The Children’s Ensemble
Jasmine Francisco | Outgoing Director
Koura Wright | Director
Beatrice Acosta O’Brien / Josephine Balakier / Moriah Bass / Solana Brown
Amelie and Mireya Dillon / Diego Fonacier / Rylan Van Garderen
Xareni Gonzales-Robinson / Elizabeth Hyer / Chloe James / Charli Johnson
Amelia Nelson-Steinhoff / Romi Shareef / Zuri Swai / Blake Taylor / Aira Vilums
Leilani and Samara Walker / Eliana Yelpaala
The Granny Band
Mark Caldwell | Musical Director
Evan Ballinger / Yvonne Brown / Felicia Gallegos Pettis / Chris Harris
Ronald Noel / John Olsson / Rex Peoples / Alex Tripp
A Letter From Cleo
Welcome Family and Friends to the 34th Anniversary of Granny Dances to a Holiday Drum!
For all of us who are part of what is often called the “Cleo Village” this is always such an extraordinary time. Granny is now 34 years old – and we’re both joyous and humble that we are here to celebrate with each of you! Those of you who’ve made the magical journey to Granny’s beautiful home during the past 34 years, and those of you experiencing the magical Island of Karamazaam for the very first time - we’re so happy to welcome all of you to this wonderful adventure that we know brings peace and healing to the heart, mind, and spirit!
Each year, the production’s one hundred + cast, musicians, directors, staff, crew, and volunteers share both anticipation and exhilaration - behind the scenes, on stage, with the audience and our extended dance family. An incredible amount of work goes into this show with planning sessions, technical installations, and rehearsals integrating all elements of the magic For over three decades, all that time and effort have brought Granny to the stages of Denver’s most iconic theatres, most recently returning to our own historic theatre in Five Points historic Shorter AME Building where the show was originally created and performed. As many of you know, this is the final year for Granny to be performed on this historic stage before the show moves into our new theatre next door in our beautiful Cleo Parker Robinson Center for the Healing Arts!
Who knows what Karamazaam will look like in the future! As you certainly noticed as you arrived tonight, the work on our 25,000 square foot expansion has been completed! We plan to open the doors to our beautiful new studios, offices, and theatre with the official ribbon cutting taking place on Saturday, January 17 at 10:00 am. What a celebration that will be! Who knows, it may last all year!! Of course, our Capital Campaign remains ongoing, so we invite you to visit our website at www.cleoparkerdance.org to learn more and join us in the vision as we continue to shape this dream into an even greater reality
Granny has always been a work of legacy. My sister-friend, colleague, dancer, and rehearsal director of over thirty-eight years, the incomparable Ms. Marceline “Marcy” Freeman, for whom I created the title role, always connected us with the profound strength of the human heart, right up until her passing. Her final Granny performances, as the Ancestral Spirit in 2010, inspired us as she, even though blind, demonstrated the dignity of a true artist. Veteran actor, Ms. Margarita Taylor, who has now portrayed Granny for 17 seasons, says one of the greatest gifts she’s been given, when she assumed the role, was receiving Marcy’s blessing
Of course, the Angels of the Rainbow are central to Granny’s story. Alumnus CPRD Ensemble member Cedric D. Hall, who portrayed our Junkanoo King for ten seasons, and is now the Co-Director of our Cleo II (along with Co-Director, John Lambert-Roberts) returns for his ninth season as Griot: The Storyteller, following in the honored footsteps of Vincent C. Robinson, who portrayed this memorable character for twenty-five years. Vince’s impact on Granny is timeless, and even though he joined the Ancestors earlier this year, we remain forever grateful for the wisdom, generosity and kindness he brought us, both onstage and off
Chloé-Grant Abel, also an Ensemble alumnus and now Co-Director of the Dance Program at the Denver School of the Arts, celebrates her twelfth season in the role of Cantadora the Dreamweaver First-year Cleo II member, Faith E. Johnson, enters her first season as
Nakia the Granddaughter and CPRD Ensemble member, Corey Jamel, now in his sixth season with the company, enters his first season in the role of TiSean the Grandson
I am honored to portray Shakti (Granny’s Guardian Angel), a role that never ceases to elevate my spirit, even after 34 years! I feel the presence of our most extraordinary Angel on stage with us – my beloved husband and soulmate of 52 years, Tom Robinson, who joined the Ancestors in April of 2022. Tom was always the greatest advocate for the importance of sharing this story, and amidst the many challenges of mounting the production, would always ask the most important question – “Are you having fun yet?”
Our Technical Director, Conor Morford and Assistant Technical Director, Anastazia Coney, oversee the complex technical requirements of the production, having been mentored by Trey Grimes, who filled that role for over 20 years, while Rhetta Shead, Vice President of Theatre Operations, continues to shoulder the enormous responsibilities of Production Director. Mary Hart, Director of Bookings and Touring, has supported script revisions, playbill editing, as well as volunteer and vendor coordination, throughout her nearly 25-year tenure with CPRD. Our entire administrative staff, supported by a mighty team of volunteers, especially our parents, step in to fill the backstage and front-of-house needs of the show, ensuring that our audiences all enjoy a wonderful Granny experience. Twenty-five-year Granny veteran, Musical Director, Mark Caldwell, leads our incomparable Granny Band – and aren’t they just amazing?!!
In this historic 55th Anniversary Season, the mission and vision of Cleo Parker Robinson Dance, through the outstanding leadership of our President and CEO, Malik Robinsonand the perseverance of our Ensembles, Staff, Faculty, Board of Directors, and Advisory Board – grows ever stronger. With the support of generous individuals, businesses, corporations, and civic organizations, we continue to advance our artistic and educational vision into an ever-expanding community of artists, faculty, students and audiences.
Earlier this year, our 30th Annual International Summer Dance Institute (ISDI), the region’s finest summer intensive program, was a great success under the guidance of Victoria Shead Johnston, Senior Academy Manager (who is also our Granny Stage Manager this year) Detailed information for our upcoming ISDI in Summer, 2026 will be posted to our website cleoparkerdance org soon – and you can reserve your space now! Both ISDI and our year-round Academy offer a diverse and intriguing range of classes, with the physical, mental, and emotional health of our students and teachers remaining our highest priority. There’s an incredible variety of classes to abilities! Give yourself or a loved one a special Granny gift - c latest information on our classes, and then experience the po dance for yourself in one of our new state-of-the-art studios young person – or even a not-so-young one - to follow their
Granny has always brought a sense of stability and healing to community – and we’re so glad to bring ALL of the elements to the stage every year! We hope you’ll follow Granny’s wond throughout the year – sing out loud, dance with joy, nurture body, spirit and emotions, explore your culture and traditions your stories…. And let us welcome Peace throughout the Wo the New Year! And remember – Granny Loves You – now and always!
In the Spirit of Shakti)
CLEO PARKER ROBINSON
Shakti: Granny’s Guardian Angel
Founder and artistic director of the 55-year-old Denverbased artistic institution, CLEO PARKER ROBINSON DANCE (CPRD), Ms. Robinson leads a professional Ensemble (CPRDE), Cleo II (her 2nd company), a Youth Ensemble, an Academy of Dance, an International Summer Dance Institute, a 240-seat theatre, and numerous community outreach programs nationally and internationally. CPRD’s current home in the 100-year-old Shorter Building in Denver’s Historic Five Points District will soon expand with an adjacent 25,000 square foot extension, the Cleo Parker Robinson Center for the Healing Arts, scheduled to open in January 2026 with new state-of-the-art studios, theatre, and office facilities
Ms. Robinson has been recognized by corporate, civic, community, and artistic entities worldwide. A master teacher/choreographer and cultural ambassador, she and CPRDE have performed nationwide and throughout Europe, the Caribbean, Asia, and the African continent, with their most recent international tours taking them to Bogota, Colombia in Spring of 2019 and Mexico in 2019 and again in 2024. In early summer of 2025, Ms. Parker Robinson joined an artistic consortium in Bahia, Brazil, for seven weeks as an invited guest of the internationally renowned Sacatar Institute.
Ms. Parker Robinson’s accolades include the Colorado Governor’s Award for Excellence (1974), Denver Mayor’s Award (1979), induction into the Colorado Women's Hall of Fame (1989) and the Blacks in Colorado Hall of Fame (1994). Recognized in Who’s Who in America Colleges and Universities she holds an Honorary Doctorate from Denver University (1991), an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Colorado College (2003), an Honorary Doctorate of Public Service from Regis University in Denver (2008), an Alumni Award from University of Denver (2021), the 2020 Honorary Degree, Doctor of Humane Letters, Honous Causa from CU Boulder, and was named an Honorary Member of the International Association of Dance Medicine and Science (2021).
In 1991, Ms. Robinson served on the task force creating a permanent location for the Denver School of the Arts (DSA), Denver’s first performing arts magnet school, and was subsequently honored In September 2017 at their 7th Annual Fall Gala, in recognition of her long-term commitment to excellence in arts education. She is co-founder of the National Dance Company of the Bahamas, where she recently returned to work with the company and her fellow co-founder Robert Bain. In 2011, she was voted an Honorary Lifetime Trustee of the Denver Performing Arts Complex, in recognition of her longtime commitment and lasting impact. In June 2017, she received the prestigious DanceUSA Honor Award and in September 2017, the Randy Weeks Arts Leadership Award from the Denver School of the Arts. In March 2023, along with the other four founders of the International Association of Blacks in Dance (IABD), she was honored at the White House as the IABD received the 2021 National Medal of the Arts. In 2024, she was named as the Professor for the Rachel B. Noel Distinguished Visiting Founder/ArtisticDirector/Choreographer/Producer
Professorship. In January 2026, she will receive the Association of Arts Professionals (APAP) Award of Merit for Achievement in the Performing Arts.
Ms Robinson has served on NEA panels on Dance, Expansion Arts, Arts America, and Inter-Arts panels for the USIS, and for the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts as well as other national task forces, boards, and committees on the arts In April 1999, she was appointed by then-President William Jefferson Clinton, with Senate confirmation, to serve for four years on the National Council on the Arts, a 14-member panel advising the Chairman of the NEA on agency policy and programs, evaluating and making recommendations on grant applications
Since 2011, Ms. Parker Robinson has returned to her passion as a choreographer, creating and presenting Dreamcatchers: The Untold Stories of the Americas and the world premiere of her Romeo and Juliet, in collaboration with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra. Her work On the Edge… Reaching to Higher Grou d i d i O t b f 2014 in answer to resurging racial and human rights infrac 2017, she re-staged two works, melding classical and jazz passion and beauty of modern dance – Romeo and Juliet an saw the premiere of Copacetic: A Tribute to Jonathon “JP” P In Spring of 2018, she premiered Lark Ascending in collabo Philharmonic. Her Rhapsody in Black, collaboration with CP Director, Winifred R. Harris, premiered at the Newman Ce University of Denver. In January 2019, in collaboration wi choreographed an innovative interpretation of Bernstein’s saw a collaboration with the Colorado Ballet entitled The M de Force series at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, Denver 2019, she traveled to UMKC, Kansas City, to set a work o Gary Abbot, entitled Check Cashing Day in tribute to the ja and Milt Abel. In August 2021, she premiered Standing On commissioned by the Vail Dance Festival. September 2021 Freedom Dance, in collaboration with jazz icon Dianne Ree poet, Schyleen Qualls and in October 2021, she premiered commissioned by the Colorado College Fine Arts Center in newest work, Sacred Spaces? set to an original score by Ad New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, premiered in September 202 Arts Complex. September 2023 saw the reprise of her inn The Firebird, set amidst the pantheon and legacy of Hawai she choreographed and co-produced the production of M collaboration with Dr. Dennis Law.
As part of its mission and vision to preserve the legacy of Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble also proudly holds the works of many of the icons of American dance, includi Dunham, Donald McKayle, Alvin Ailey, and Eleo Pomare.
Cleo Parker Robinson remains dedicated to celebrating th and potential through the Arts and Education. Her life-lon Voices” remains strong and steadfast, expanding to welco people.
Directors
CLEO PARKER ROBINSON Founder & Artistic Director (see page 5)
WINIFRED R. HARRIS Associate Artistic Director
Ms. Harris currently serves as Associate Artist Director for Cleo Parker Robinson Dance, honoring both the company’s new and historical repertoire. She is co-creator of Dance for Schools, a codified curriculum for public education that is currently being taught in different high school programs throughout the United States
It has been written Harris is “a visionary who creates art as conversation, viewing it as connective tissue to the world A means to see beyond what we think of as limits” Her choreography is storytelling with a balance of technical prowess and expression
She founded Winifred R. Harris Between Lines, a contemporary modern dance company that performed both nationally and internationally and was also a part of the Music Center on Tour. Inclusive of educational and performance components, the significance of the company’s name is grounded both in movement and life perspectives. She also founded Your Souls Movement Performing Arts, in Denver. A life-long student of mind-body spirit, Harris is a certified Yoga instructor as well as a Life Mastery Consultant.
As a dance artist, she had the opportunity to perform long before she began her formal training, as part of To My Father’s House, choreographed by her first dance teacher Cleo Parker Robinson. Through that work she learned to love dance and advanced her training at such a rapid rate that she became a company member at a young age. She is grateful for the long list of dance luminaries with whom she has trained or performed their works, including the incredible faculty at California Institute of the Arts.
Harris was also a member of Dallas Black Dance Theater, where she headed the professional dance division. Subsequently, she traveled to New York, working with an array of companies. She later returned to California where she performed with different companies and music artists, and for industry events and film projects Her passion for choreography and her connection to the wonders and concerns of our society helped birth the artist she is continually becoming.
Her teaching career spans residencies with the California University system: Long Beach, Northridge, and Los Angeles, the Orange County Performing Arts High School, the Los Angeles Music Center teaching division, Reykjavík Iceland, and London England. She continued choreographing for her company, as well as musicals, stage plays, fashion shows and other dance companies. Motivated by engagement and purpose in the choreographic space that engages the heart and mind, Harris spent time teaching within shelters for women and children, engaging them in the art of dance, helping strengthen their voice in the world She was also part of The Heart Project, a special engagement for youth in a critical place within their lives, either being released or on their way to lockup facilities. This purpose-driven work was awarded with the Mayor’s Award for Community Engagement.
Along with a nomination for the Lester Horton Award. Harris is grateful to be a Legends of Dance award winner. Through her love of teaching and dance making, Ms. Harris is elated that she is able to train, and endeavors to inspire generations of dance artists to come.
CEDRIC D. HALL
Cleo II Co-Director (see featured artists)
JOHN E. LAMBERT-ROBERTS
Cloe II Co-Director
A native of St Louis, MO, Mr Roberts has been dancing from early childhood, training in jazz, modern, ballet, hip-hop, contemporary, musical theatre, and tap. During his eleven years training at COCA, the Center of Creative Arts in St Louis he worked with significant professionals of the dance world including Antonio Douthit-Boyd, Alicia Graf-Mack, and Kirven Douthit-Boyd of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, Christopher Page-Sanders of the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble and
Co- Artistic Director of Nu-World Contemporary Danse Theatre, Rolando Yaines, Artistic Director of the Milwaukee Ballet, Jessica Taylor, Founder and Director of DAMAGED Dance Company, River North Dance Chicago, Alonzo King, Artistic Director of the LINES Ballet Company, Gary Abbott Co- Artistic Director and Founder of Deeply Rooted Dance Theater, and DanceWORKS Chicago. He performed with Ballet Eclectica, a contemporary and classical ballet company and COCADance, a contemporary, jazz, and modern company He has danced in various musical theater productions at COCA through the FOX Charitable Foundation including Legally Blonde, AIDA, In the Heights, Suessical, and Ragtime. His commercial work includes Quixotic and an AD campaign for LG TV, and The Kansas City PLAZA Lighting Ceremony, broadcasted to over 1 million people. Holding a Missouri State Cosmetology CA License, he is also a graduate of the Class of 2017 Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts (BFA) in Dance Program at the University of Missouri Kansas-City (UMKC) Conservatory with an emphasis in Dance Performance and Choreography He participated in countless faculty concerts at the Conservatory along with other performance opportunities including performing Memoria, a ballet performed by the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts in the fall of 2014 Following his graduation in 2017, Mr Lambert-Roberts joined the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble for six seasons before leaving the Ensemble in 2022 to become a freelance artist, choreographing, teaching and dancing world-wide. He has now returned to Cleo Parker Robinson Dance as a Co-Director of the Cleo II (Second Company).
JESSICA HORTON
Youth Ensemble Director
A native of Tuscaloosa, AL, Ms. Horton trained at the Alabama School of Fine Arts and received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from Wright State University. Over a period of six years, she was a member of Cleo II, an apprentice, and ultimately a member of the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble. This is her 13th season as part of the Granny production, and her 9th year as Youth Ensemble Director. While at CPRD she taught numerous residences at various Denver Public Schools and served as an instructor in the Academy Ms Horton is also a gymnastics coach and choreographer
Youth Ensemble Assistant Director (see featured artists) COREY JAMEL
KOURA WRIGHT
Junior Youth Ensemble Director
Born in Ithaca, NY, Ms Wright and her family later relocated to Knoxville, TN where she began her dance training with Amy Morton Vaughan, and later with Austin-East Magnet High School, studying Graham, Horton, and Humphrey techniques, as well as West African dance. While attending the University of Vermont she performed on the dance team and became a company member with the Ithaca Ballet. After attending the Ailey School, she became a guest artist, and later a soloist, with the
Ballet Company. In 2020, she graduated with a B.S. in Dance Performance and Choreography from Middle Tennessee State University. Moving to Las Vegas to dance with Contemporary West Dance Theater, under the direction of Bernard Gaddis, she became the director of the Youth Training Division for the school. Favorite roles include Alvin Ailey’s Night Creature, Ulysses Dove’s Vespers, and Jeneane Huggins’s Uninvited. She subsequently became director of the youth program for Live Arts, with Avree Walker, and performed in a Tina Turner Tribute show This is her first season as a member of Cleo II, and as Director of the Junior Youth Ensemble
Featured Artists
CLEO PARKER ROBINSON
Founder/ArtisticDirector/Choreographer/Producer|Shakti:Granny’sGuardianAngel(seepage5)
MARGARITA TAYLOR Granny
Ms. Taylor began dancing in her birthplace, Port-of-Spain Trinidad, under the direction of the late Astor Johnson. Upon moving to New York, she studied with Leni Wylliams, Rom Pratt, Lyn Simmonson, Phil Black, John Hatchett of The Broadway Dance Center, as well as the Joffrey Ballet, and the Jeannett Neil Dance School of Boston. She danced with the Mafata Dance Company of New York, the Impulse Dance Company of Boston, and ensemble roles in Cinderella, Romeo and Juliet, and The Wizard of Oz with the Wheelock Family Theatre. She graduated from Wheelock with a Bachelor of Fine Arts, and while there directed Ntozake Shange’s For Colored Girls who have considered suicide when the Rainbow is Enuf and
Robert Harling’s Steel Magnolias Her roles with a myriad of companies include the village woman in Derek Walcott’s Steel, and the Denver Brass production of Jump in da Line She has been a dance teacher for Children’s Creative Movement, and Adult Modern classes at Cleo Parker Robinson Dance. She served as Children’s Rehearsal Director for Granny Dances to a Holiday Drum in 2004, 2005, and 2006. Ms. Taylor is recently retired from her position as a kindergarten teacher with Denver Public Schools. In January 2020, she had the pleasure of performing with Nu-World Contemporary Danse Theatre. This is Ms. Taylor’s twenty-first season with Granny and her seventeenth season in the title role, fulfilling a long-time dream with the blessing of Ms. Marceline Freeman, the production’s original Granny. Ms. Taylor dedicates her performance to her son, Rommel Quincy Taylor
CHLOE-GRANT ABEL Cantadora the Dreamweaver
A Kansas City native, Ms. Abel trained for twelve years under full scholarship at the Kansas City Ballet School. She studied in New York at the Ailey School as a Fellowship recipient, and received her BFA in Dance, Magna Cum Laude, from the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music and Dance. Her professional career includes performances with Quixotic Performance Fusion, the Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey, the Owen/Cox Dance Group, Wylliams/Henry Contemporary Dance Company and as an Apprentice with the
Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey, the Owen/Cox Dance Group, Wylliams/Henry Contemporary Dance Company and as an Apprentice with the Kansas City Ballet. Following twelve seasons as a member of the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble (also as Ensemble Rehearsal Director from 2017 - 2023), Ms. Abel served as Senior Ensemble Manager before becoming the Co-Director of the Dance Program at the Denver School of The Arts This is her twelfth season as Cantadora the Dreamweaver
CEDRIC D. HALL
Griot the Storyteller / Preacher / Cleo II Co-Director
Cedric D. Hall is a dynamic force as a performer, choreographer, and educator. Beginning his journey with the Cleveland Contemporary Dance Theatre’s Concert Youth Dance Training and Development Program, his passion for dance ignited, laying the foundation for a lifelong dedication to the art form. He eventually became a full company member, developing his voice through a variety of styles and performances. His early artistic expression extended beyond the concert stage as he appeared in several high school musicals, including The Wiz, West Side Story, and Footloose, honing his theatrical presence. His training spans a broad spectrum, through which he channels raw
emotion, precision, and rhythm. In 2007, he relocated to Denver, Colorado, joining the internationally acclaimed Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble. Over 12 seasons with the ensemble, he performed and toured, growing under the direction of Cleo Parker Robinson, collaborating with renowned choreographers and teachers including Michael Medcalf, Terrence Greene, Gary Abbott, Christopher Huggins, Diane McIntyre, Donald McKayle, Millicent Johnnie, Milton Myers, Winifred R. Harris, and Rodger Jeffries. Along with fellow Co-Director John Lambert-Roberts, Cedric is now Co-Director for Cleo II, CPRD’s second company He is also a vital educator within the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Academy For a ninth season, audiences will delight in seeing him portray the beloved character of “Griot, the Preacher” in Cleo Parker Robinson’s cherished production of Granny Dances to a Holiday Drum. With an infectious energy and deep commitment to storytelling through dance, Cedric continues to inspire, educate, and elevate through every step he takes.
FAITH E. JOHNSON
Nakia the Granddaughter
Cleo II Member Ms Johnson is from Upper Marlboro, Maryland, where she began her formal training at the Divine Dance Institute under the direction of Amanda Standard, studying multiple dance disciplines. She later attended the Baltimore School for the Arts, focusing on classical ballet. She earned her BFA in Dance from the California Institute of the Arts, where she had the opportunity to perform works by Donald Byrd, Mike Tyus, Luca Renzi, and Yvonne Rainer. She has attended summer programs with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Dallas Black Dance Theatre, and Alonzo King LINES Ballet In May 2025, Ms Johnson graduated from the Alonzo King LINES Ballet Training Program in May 2025 where she learned repertory by Alonzo King and had the opportunity to work with choreographers Gregory Dawson, David Harvey, Sidra Bell, and Chuck Wilt. Ms. Johnson is now in her first season with Cleo II and her first season in the role of Nakia the Granddaughter.
COREY JAMEL
TiSean the Grandson
Ensemble Member / CPRD Youth Ensemble Assistant Director and New York, performed overseas with NorwegianCreative Studios and toured with Anita Baker during her Songstress tour. After one season as an apprentice, Mr. Jamel is now in his sixth season as a Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble member, his first season as Youth Ensemble Assistant Director, and his first season in the role of TiSean, the Grandson in Granny.
Born in Chicago, IL and growing up in Hammond IN, Mr. Jamel trained in multiple dance techniques at the Hammond Academy for the Performing Arts. An alum of Indiana University, he performed there in notable works including Kyle Abrahams Radio Show, Jose Limon’s Psalm, Andrea Millers Spill, Jerome Robbins Fanfare, and the original restaging of Twyla Tharp’s Deuce Coupe and Rennie Harris’ Home He has also toured professionally with Elizabeth Shea Dance in Philadelphia
B a n d
MARK CALDWELL Musical Director / Composer / Arranger / Guitar
Mr Caldwell has been part of the Granny production for twenty-five years, nineteen of which as the Musical Director As composer for the show, Mr Caldwell has written most of the production’s music including Butterfly in memory of Marceline Freeman and the musical tour de force Granny Boom Boom. When not working with Cleo Parker Robinson Dance, Mr. Caldwell performs in other productions and with several local bands. He is very active, teaching guitar, mandolin, banjo, ukulele and general music.
EVAN BALLINGER Keyboards
Mr. Ballinger has been the keyboardist for the Granny Band since 2016. He enjoys performing and collaborating with many different groups around Denver, and occasionally teaches piano, drums, and music theory to students of all ages. Mr. Ballinger studied computer science at MSU Denver.
YVONNE BROWN Vocals
G r a n n y
Ms. Brown is a versatile music maker, thriving as a singer, songwriter, vocal coach, and keyboardist. Her work includes collaborations with artists across a broad range of musical genres, reflecting her talent as both performer and producer. Though deeply grateful for performance opportunities she reaps greater joy from encouraging and supporting others in discovering and nurturing their own creative aspirations
FELICIA GALLEGOS PETTIS Vocals
A third generation Coloradoan, Ms. Gallegos Pettis has been performing professionally for over 30 years. She is a Denver-based creative with collaborations that tap into her vocal, acting, and writing talents Ms Gallegos Pettis is also the lead singer of the Song of Pueblo Ensemble which tells the history of Pueblo, Colorado as an oratorio; written by Daniel Valdez
RONNY NOEL Percussion
Ronny Noel is a distinguished Djembe drummer from Trinidad & Tobago, with expertise recognized across the West Indies. He serves as the lead vocalist and founder of The Irie Still Band, a prominent Reggae/World Beat ensemble based in Denver, Colorado. In addition, as the principal Djembe drummer for Cleo Parker Robinson’s Granny Band, Ronny is profoundly spiritual and actively promotes messages of peace, harmony, and unity through his musical engagements. His recent 2025 drumming tour in Cap Skirring, Casamance, Senegal, further reflects his international impact and dedication to sharing his craft globally.
JOHN OLSSON Drum Set
A drummer for over 30 years, Mr. Olsson joins the Granny Band for his eleventh season. Having been a Cleo Parker Robinson Dance (CPRD) academy accompanist since 2009, he has also instructed drumming classes and performed in numerous CPRD productions, including Ms. Parker Robinson’s Madiba’s River. Holding a professional music degree in jazz performance / production / music business from Boston’s Berklee College of Music, he has traveled often to West Africa for in-depth studies and has worked with the Koffi Togo Cultural Center Foundation since 2010. Mr. Olsson performs in numerous pit orchestras including the Denver Center for Performing Arts and is a band member at various Denver area churches. He also plays with numerous local and national bands, as well as teaching both privately and at area schools
REX PEOPLES Vocals
Mr. Peoples has been praised as “one of the sweetest voices in Colorado”. In 2014, he was awarded “Best Blues Singer” by the Colorado Blues Society. He has been singing since age two and professionally for over thirty-five years as a singer, songwriter, educator, and nationally renowned recording artist. In addition to teaching at The Music Lesson Place, he also teaches at Golden Music Center, and has been a member of the Colorado Blues Society and Blues in the Schools educator for over 13 years
ALEX TRIPP Drum Set (Dec
13, 2pm and 7pm)
A professional drummer and educator from Denver, Colorado, Mr. Tripp began playing at age 13, having been influenced by his dad who was a piano player, as well as other musicians and drum teachers in the area. He was in the All-CityJazz Band at CEC his senior year of high school. While playing in the Adams State College big band, he won an Outstanding Soloist award when the band went to the UNTJazz Festival. He later studied at Berklee College of Music, graduating with a Performance Degree in 2013. During his time at Berklee, he studied a variety of styles with some of the industry’s best, even traveling to Ghana to studyAfrican drumming. While living in NewYork, he taught and played in various groups before moving back to Denver in 2014 to establish his career as a musician. Subsequently, he has taught music clinics in Mexico and is currently teaching private lessons. He also records and performs as a freelance musician and with his own group
The Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble
MICHAEL BATTLE
Ensemble Member + Wardrobe Supervisor
A native of Detroit, MI, Mr. Battle began his dance training at Detroit School of the Arts at the age of 14. In 2009, he joined the Lula Washington Dance Theatre as a company member, and in 2019, joined Ronald K Brown/ Evidence, A Dance Company as a company member. Mr. Battle has traveled to China, Russia, Haiti, Mexico, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Spain, and Italyperforming works by nationally and internationally acclaimed choreographers worldwide. He has performed with Grammy Award Winning and Nominated artists Kamasi Washington, Meshell Ndegeocello, Terence Blanchard, Aurturo O’Farrill, and Jody Watley. After guesting with the Ensemble in 2022, he is now in his fourth season as an Ensemble member with Cleo Parker Robinson Dance.
CAELI BLAKE
Ensemble Member + Wardrobe Supervisor
From Washington, DC, Ms. Blake began her formal training at BalletNova Center for Dance in Arlington, VA. She attended Duke Ellington School of the Arts under the tutelage of Charles Augins, Sandra Fortune-Greene, & Katherine Smith. Ms. Blake has also studied with various company institutions such as Deeply Rooted Dance Theater, Dance Theater of Harlem at the Strathmore, and Joffrey Ballet Summer Intensive. Blake graduated from Southern Methodist University, with a BFA in Dance Performance and BS in Education & Human Development. While being a full-time student at SMU, she joined B.Moore Dance. She has performed in choreographic works by Katherine Dunham, Alvin Ailey, Donald McKayle, Robert Battle, Christopher Huggins, Kevin Iega Jeff, Silas Farley, Nicole Clarke-Springer, and many more Ms. Blake joined the Ensemble in 2022. Now in her fourth season, Ms. Blake has performed at Jacob’s Pillow & Vail Dance Festival with the CPRD Ensemble.
TORI CARTER
Ensemble Member
A Dallas, TX native, Ms Carter began training at Dallas Black Dance Academy and Ozsoy’s School of Ballet. She graduated Valedictorian from Grand Prairie Fine Arts Academy and earned her BFA in Dance Arts with a minor in AfroAmerican Studies from Howard University. In 2022, she showcased her choreography set on Company | E at the Richmond Dance Festival. Upon graduation, she performed for two seasons with Dallas Black Dance Theatre’s DBDT: Encore! under the direction of Nycole Ray. She’s had the privilege of performing works by Kevin Iega Jeff, Ronald K. Brown, Dwight Rhoden, Tommie-Waheed Evans, and more. Ms. Carter now joins the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble for her first season.
ADRIAN DOMINGUEZ
Ensemble Member
A native of Denver, CO, Mr. Dominguez graduated from Anderson University with a B.A. in Dance Performance and has since made significant strides in his dance career. Most recently, he performed with Dance Kaleidoscope under the direction of Joshua Blake Carter, and previously under the guidance of David Hochoy He has also had the privilege of dancing with Gregory Hancock Dance Theater, where he further developed his artistry. He has had the pleasure of performing works by renowned choreographers including David Hochoy, Joshua Blake Carter, Earl Mosley, Nicole Springer, Eddy Ocampo, Sidra Bell, Christal Brown, Alexander Diaz, Vincent Hardy, and Matthew Rushing. Additionally, he spent his summers training at Earl Mosley's Institute of the Arts, enhancing his skills and artistic expression. Having been a guest artist with Cleo II, and an Apprentice to the Ensemble for one year, he is now in his first season as an Ensemble member
THECLEOPARKERROBINSON
JASMINE FRANCISCO
EnsembleMember+EnsembleRehearsalCoordinator
Originally from Houston, TX, Ms. Francisco began her training at the Fine Arts Magnet School and graduated from The High School of Performing and Visual Arts as a dance major under the directions of Luanne Carter and Janie Carothers in 2012. She continued her education and received her Bachelors of Fine Arts 2016 from Point Park University while having an esteemed repertoire from Jessica Lang, Terrance Marling, Troy Powell, Bennyroyce Royon, Garfield Lemonius and MADBOOTS In her sophomore year of 2010, her student choreography project Tales of Courage was chosen to be featured at ACDA for the University. Six months after graduating from Point Park, she joined the Lula Washington Dance Theater in Los Angeles, CA for two seasons performing works by Kyle Abraham, Donald Bryd, Rennie Harris, Christopher Huggins and David Roussève. Ms. Francisco moved to Denver, CO to begin her journey with the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble. She is now in her seventh season as an Ensemble member and also serves as the Ensemble Rehearsal Coordinator.
COREYJAMEL
(see featured artists)Ensemble Member + Youth Ensemble Asst. Director
DEVRAE JEFFERSON
Ensemble Member
A native of Atlanta, GA., Devrae “DJ” Jefferson began his training in the Magnet Program for Visual and Performing arts at Tri-Cities HS where he focused on all genres of dance. With a special affinity for ballet, he attended summer programs including Metropolitan Ballet Theater and Lines Contemporary Ballet. Having furthered his training, he subsequently received a BFA from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts in WinstonSalem NC. Mr. Jefferson has performed with BallethnicDance Company and Dallas Black Dance Theater Encore. With extensive experience in coaching gymnastics and teaching a variety of dance techniques, he first joined Cleo Parker Robinson Dance as a guest artist for the holiday production Granny Dances to a Holiday Drum before becoming an Apprentice to the Ensemble He is now in his second season as an Ensemble member.
GABRIELA MADURO
Ensemble Member + Props Supervisor
Originally from Fremont CA, Ms. Maduro began her dance training at Yoko’s Dance and Performing Arts Academy and Nor Cal Dance Arts. She has attended Summer Intensives with the Ailey School, the Martha Graham School, and the San Francisco Conservatory of Dance She is a graduate of the University of California, Irvine where she graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Dance Performance. While at UCI, she was honored to perform as part of the distinguished Donald McKayle’s Etude Ensemble She has performed works by Donald McKayle, Martha Graham, Darshan Singh Bhuller among others. Upon graduation, Ms. Maduro joined Cleo II. After one season with the second company, she joined the Ensemble, where she is now in her sixth season.
MAX NELSON-STEINHOFF
Apprentice to the Ensemble
Originally from Denver, Max Nelson-Steinhoff began his dance training at the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Academy in 2009. He is a graduate of the University of Missouri–Kansas City Conservatory, where he earned his BFA in Dance Performance and Choreography, with an emphasis in Ballet and Modern. Mr. Steinhoff has trained on full scholarship at the Ailey School and the Kansas City Ballet, furthering his training at The School at Jacob’s Pillow under the direction of Milton Myers. During his time at UMKC, Mr. Steinhoff performed with companies such as Wylliams/Henry Contemporary Dance Company, the Kansas City Lyric Opera, and Owen/Cox Dance Group. He is honored to have performed works by José Limón, Gary Abbott, Jennifer Archibald, Omar Román De Jesús, and Jae Man Joo This is his first season as an Apprentice with the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble
DANCE ENSEMBLE MEMBERS
LAMAR D. ROGERS
Ensemble Member
Mr. Rogers is a performer and choreographer hailing from Philadelphia, PA. Having graduated from The Philadelphia High School for the Creative and Performing Arts, he later earned a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Dance Performance from The University of the Arts under the direction of Donna Faye Burchfield. During his college career, he toured and performed with Eleone Dance Theatre under the direction and mentorship of Shawn-Lamere Williams. He has trained at various institutions throughout the Philadelphia area as a scholarship student attending Koresh School of Dance, DCNS Summer Dance Intensive and the Rock School for Dance Education. Following graduation, he joined the Philadelphia Dance Company (PHILADANCO!) as a full-time company artist He has performed works by Sidra Bell, Kyle & Dinita Clark, Merce Cunningham, Ulysses Dove, Tommie-Waheed Evans, Helen Simoneau, Rennie Harris and other acclaimed choreographers. He is now in his third season with the Ensemble.
LAUREN SLAUGHTER
Ensemble Member
Lauren Slaughter, a Colorado native, began her dance training at Miller’s Dance Studio where her love for dance grew through ballets, showcases, and competitions Lauren is a 2020 graduate of Washington University in St Louis where she earned a B.A. in Biology and a Minor in Dance. At the University, she danced with the Washington University Dance Collective and performed works by choreographers such as Ting-Ting Chang, Diadie Bathily, Kirven Douthit-Boyd, and Dana Tai Soon Burgess. Following graduation, Lauren returned to Colorado where she began her professional dance career with Cleo Parker Robinson Dance. With the company, she has performed works by Donald McKayle, Christopher Huggins, Milton Myers, and Gary Abbott among several others, as well as toured at the Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival Lauren first joined the company as a Cleo II member, and after a season as an Apprentice, is now in her second season as an Ensemble member.
NASIRA WATSON
Apprentice to the Ensemble
Ms. Watson is a dance artist born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. She began her formal dance training at Cleveland School of the Arts where she studied ballet, modern, jazz, and contemporary styles for nine years. She subsequently continued her training at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, with a focus in contemporary dance. She then went on to study at the Ailey School in New York City. Ms. Watson has trained, studied and worked with numerous world- renowned dance artists and choreographers including Robert Battle, Christopher Huggins, Troy Powell, Darrell Moultrie, Ronald Alexander and Caridad Martinez, among others. After a season with Cleo II, she now joins the Ensemble for her first season as an Apprentice
CLEO II
Dancers: Santos Garcia, Faith E. Johnson, India Johnson, Kayla Massey, Jésus Muñoz, Koura Wright
How Granny Dances to a Holiday Drum came to be....
The original Granny Dances to a Holiday Drum was conceived, co-directed and cowritten by Cleo Parker Robinson based on stories from Opalanga Pugh’s audio tape Festivals of Light, an odyssey of stories and songs about holiday celebrations worldwide. The original concept evolved through the creative energies of former Ensemble member and choreographer Gary Abbott, actors Marta Barnard and Jaime Lujan, directors Buddy Butler and Michael R. Durn, musical directors Paul Conly, Carlton Bacon, and Reverend Hayward Hobbs, percussionist Bataki Cambrelen, costume designer Lara Kirksey, and technical director / lighting designer Keith W. Rice. In subsequent years, a myriad of diverse artists has contributed time and talent to the production, offering audiences new incarnations of Granny’s memories.
The journey of Granny started over thirty years ago while Cleo Parker Robinson was visiting two former company members in Washington, D.C. The young couple had a children’s book in their nursery titled The Dancing Granny, retold and illustrated by Ashley Bryan. The book was, in essence, a story of the special and unique gifts we are given throughout the year, the wonderful blessing of family and friends. Cleo began to reminisce about her own family and the stories her gra wh Cle the “I w tog
Honoring Our Original Griot Vincent C. Robinson
In the age-old traditions of Africa and the Diaspora, it is the Griot who carries the stories of the people for present and future generations through song, music, and spoken word. For those of us here at Cleo Parker Robinson Dance, it was Vincent C. Robinson who was our honored storyteller for over 24 years from 1991 to 2016, as he portrayed not only the Griot but also the Preacher in our annual holiday production Granny Dances to a Holiday Drum Those familiar with the traditions of the Black church in America can well understand how the role of the Preacher is in fact another incarnation of the Griot.
Vince, as we all called him, was a highly respected actor in the Denver theatre community. He was a veteran of over one-hundred comic, musical, and dramatic productions including Bourbon at the Border, Day of Absence, The American Theater Company presents Richard the III, Street Corner Symphony, Little Tommy Parker’s Celebrated Colored Minstrel Show, and Two Trains Running. An original member of Shadow Theatre Company, Vince performed with that company for more than twelve seasons in numerous productions including Soul Survivor, written and directed by Ted Lange.
Vince’s work in Granny was timeless – filled with wisdom, joy, incredible energy, and a level of professionalism that set the standard for the entire cast, including the multitude of children and young adults in the show He exhibited respect and compassion to everyone in the production and brought the warmth of his spirit to his fellow actors, dancers, musicians, and technicians. He even served as Santa for the entire production – ensuring that everyone received a gift chosen specifically for them at the closing night cast party.
Vince demonstrated the highest tradition of both theatre and the Griot legacy when, after his 24 years with the production, he passed on the role to Cedric D. Hall, not only sharing his insight into the role, but offering as an African Griot would do with the person cho of the village to share with future generations.
ot only my valued colleague in Denv but also a dearly treasured friend wh r his guidance and support, showing Parker Robinson Dance. I will miss h is spirit will be with us for all time. W we take the stage, we will feel his h our shoulders and will hear his voi guiding us to excellence. Axe’ Axe dear Griot as you journey to the Ancestors.”
Cleo Parker Ro
CLEO PARKER ROBINSON DANCE PRESENTS
GRANNYDANCES HOLIDAYDRUM to a toa
Granny | Margarita Taylor
Angel Shakti | Cleo Parker Robinson
Angel Cantadora | Chloé-Grant Abel / Lauren Slaughter 12/13
Angel Griot, Preacher | Cedric D. Hall
Nakia, the Granddaughter | Faith E. Johnson
TiSean, the Grandson | Corey Jamel
ACT I SCENE I THE MAGICAL JOURNEY TO KARAMAZAM
Butterfly | Original music and lyrics by Mark Caldwell
Spirit of the Drum | Original music and lyrics by Mark Caldwell
Co-arranged with Djordie Vasovic
Granny | Margarita Taylor
Yemanja, the Water Goddess | Caeli Blake
Agwe, the Water God | Devrae Jefferson
Dancers | Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble
Invocation | The Granny Village
Little Granny | Jasmine Francisco
ACT
I SCENE II STORYTIME
Dreamtime | Original music by Mark Caldwell | Co-arranged with Djordie Vasovic
Coyote | Meneka Hecox / Marisa Buck
Deer | Eloise Peoples (Rylan van Garderen)
ACT 1 SCENE III SALANGO Ancestor’s Message of Love and Joy
Granny’s Lament | Original music and lyrics by Mark Caldwell
Co-arranged with Djordie Vasovic
Fanga West African Traditional Welcoming Dance
Griot | Cedric D. Hall
Dancers | Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble, and The Granny Village
Sankofa Honoring our future as we honor our past
Co-Authors | Olga Vianey Gonzalez, Nezahualcoyotl “Nez” Gonzales
Slaves | Little Granny, Nakia, TiSean, Michael Battle, Gabriela Maduro
Native Woman | Ximalma Gonzalez-Robinson
Native Maidens | Nayeli Tarango, Koura Wright
Village Children | Children’s Ensemble
Slave Parents | Nasira Watson, Lamar D. Rogers
Slave Children | Chloe James / Eliana Yepaala, Blake Taylor
ACT I SCENE IV NATIVE AMERICAN WINTER SOLSTICE
The Four Winds
The Four Winds | Youth Ensemble and Children’s Ensemble
Eagle | Tori Carter
Bear | Adrian Dominguez / Jesús Muñoz
Coyote | Meneka Hecox / Marisa Buck
Deer | Eloise Peoples (Rylan van Garderen)
Grandmother Spider's Story
Grandmother Spider | Caeli Blake (Max Nelson-Steinhoff)
ACT I SCENE VYULE TIME
Lament of the Moon | Original music and lyrics by Mark Caldwell
Co-arranged with Djordie Vasovic
Sun and Moon Jig | Original music by Mark Caldwell
Co-arranged with Djordie Vasovic
The Moon | Gabriela Maduro
The Sun | Devrae Jefferson
African Slaves | Nasira Watson, Lamar D. Rogers
Irish Servants | Reese Gentry, Eloise Peoples
Neighborhood Kids | Amelie Dillon, Mireya Dillon, Amelia Nelson-Steinhoff, Rylan van Garderen
Cotton Club | Nakia, TiSean, Tori Carter, Jasmine Francisco, Santos Garcia India Johnson, Max Nelson-Steinhoff, Marisa Buck Ximamla Gonzales-Robinson
ACT I SCENE VI LA SENDAA BELEN
Mexican Nativity Processional
Our Lady of Guadalupe | Lauren Slaughter / Gabriela Maduro 12/13
Dancers | Cleo II, Youth Ensemble and Children’s Ensemble
Children With Flowers | Josephine Balakier, Solana Brown, Mireya Dillon Romi Shareef
Boot Children | Josephine Balakier / Romi Shareef, Blake Taylor
Invitaados de Navidad
Dancers | Nakia, TiSean Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble and The Granny Village
ACT I SCENE VII THE CHURCH
The Preacher | Griot
Mary and Joseph | Nakia and TiSean
The Innkeeper | Devrae Jefferson
The Choir and Congregation | Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble, Cleo II
Sunday School Classes | Eloise Peoples, Phoebe Lapham, Children’s Ensemble
ACT II SCENE l KWANZAA Seven-Day African American Celebration
The Storyteller | Angel Shakti
Dancers | Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble
The African Family
Family Trio | Original music by Mark Caldwell
African Parents | Nasira Watson, Lamar D. Rogers
African Child | Chloe James / Eliana Yepaala
The Kwanzaa Family
Kwanzaa Parents | Jasmine Francisco, Devrae Jefferson
Kwanzaa Child | Eliana Yepaala / Chloe James
ACT II SCENE II HANUKKAH Festival of Lights
Women's Trio | Caeli Blake, Tori Carter, Gabriela Maduro
Men’s Dance
Antiochus | Devrae Jefferson
The Syrian Soldiers | Adrian Dominguez, Max Nelson-Steinhoff
The Maccabee | TiSean, Michael Battle
Dreydl Children’s Game
Dancers | Women’s Trio and Children’s Ensemble
ACT II SCENE III DIWALI East Indian Festival of Light
Renunciation
Dancers | Shakti, Nakia, Granny
Meneka Hecox, Ximalma Gonzalez-Robinson
Bhangra
Dancers | Nakia and TiSean
Gabriela Maduro and Adiran Dominguez
Jasmine Francisco and Lamar D. Rogers
Tori Carter, Kayla Massey
ACT II SCENE IV CHRISTMAS RAP
Christmas Rap | Original music by Mark Caldwell
Choreographers | Cedric D. Hall, Melvin Sutton
Dancers | Griot, Youth Ensemble, Children’s Ensemble
ACT II SCENE VJAPANESE NEW YEAR
Shishimai Dance | Original music by Mark Caldwell
Storyteller | Angel Cantadora
Dancers | Granny, TiSean, Nakia, Youth Ensemble, Children’s Ensemble
ACT II SCENE VI BRAZILIAN CANDOMBLÉ
Dancers | Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble
Peacock | Xareni Gonzalez-Robinson
Jelly Fish | Beatrice Acosta O’Brien, Rylan van Garderen
Ocean Waves | Aira Vilums, Samara Walker
ACT II SCENE VII CHINESE NEW YEAR
Dragon Dance | Original music by Mark Caldwell
Dreaming | Original music by Mark Caldwell Co-arranged with Djordie Vasovic
Acrobats | Josephine Balakier / Romi Shareef, Amelie Dillon Mireya Dillon
Lelani Walker
Dragonettes | India Johnson, Kayla Massey, Koura Wright
Dragon | Youth Ensemble
ACT II SCENE VIII JUNKANOO
The Caribbean Celebration of Christmas
Granny Boom Boom | Original music and lyrics by Mark Caldwell Co-arranged with Djoride Vasovic
The Junkanoo King | Lamar D. Rogers
Dancers | Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble and The Granny Village
Always…. Granny Loves You!!
Audio and/or Video recording of any kind, on any device, is not permitted without prior written permission from Cleo Parker Robinson Dance. Failure to comply may result in confiscation of both the recording and the device.
Artistic and Production Team
Cleo Parker Robinson | Founder / Artistic Director / Producer / Director / Choreographer
Winifred R Harris | Associate Artistic Director
ations / Production Director
sical Director
II Co-Director
Cleo II Co-Director
Rehearsal Coordinator
Ensemble Director
le Assistant Director
h Ensemble Director
Manager / Costume Design
Costume Design
ume Design
stume Design
Set Design
robe Supervisor
be Supervisor
ops Supervisor
ctor / Digital Audio Design
sign / Board Operations
n and Operations
nt Stage Manager
Deck Crew
hoff | Deck Crew
Deck Crew
Design / Graphic Design
oordinator / Vendor Coordinator
nator / Box Office Manager
val Videographer
Photographer
Tom Robinson
Jonathon “JP” Parker, Martha Parker, James Wallace
Marceline Freeman, Vincent C. Robinson, Robertta Freeman, Carl Bourgeois
Purnell Steen, Abuelita Olga Gonzalez, Tyveze Littlejohn
Charles Burrell, Raymond Roundtree
CPRD Beh
Admini
Cleo ParkerRobinso
Malik Robinso
Rhetta Shead | Vice Pr
HillaryHarding | Vice President
ShelbyJarosz | Vice Pre
IsaacTa
MaryHart | Direc
Derrick Hinton | A
Hanna Ghades
Micah Bursh | Marketi
Colleen Curran |
Mimi PatelTame
Victoria SheadJohnst
Kylie Straub | AcademyMan
AmandineAube
IndiaJohnson
Gabriela Madu
Theresa Peopl
JasmineValen
Amelia Dietz-R
TreyGrime
ConorMorfo
Anastazia Con
EmilyHarkless (Summit
Arti
Winifred R. Harris
Cedric D. Ha
John E. Lambert-R
Jasmine Francisco | En
Jessica Horton | Youth Ensemble Director
CoreyJamel | Youth EnsembleAssistant Director
Koura Wright | JuniorYouth Ensemble Director
Board of Directors
Gwen Brewer | Chair
Cleo ParkerRobinson* | Founder /Artistic Director
Malik Robinson | President and CEO
Tyrone Gant |Treasurer - Shale Wong |Vice-Chair
Lisa LevinAppel -Toni Baruti - Darryl Collier -Tim Davis - Zelda DeBoyes
Nicole Dorsey- Demesha Hill - Lisa Hogan - Eric Itambo - Kelli Kelly- Robert Kenney
RobertThompson -J. MattThornton -Alfred Walker -Jacob Welch
Advisory Board
Cleo Parker Robinson
Gwen Brewer,Tim Davis,Andrea Fulton,Jim Kaiser
Hal Logan, ShelleyThompson,Tina Walls
Emeritus Board of Directors
Judge Raymond DeanJonesJD* | Chairman Emeritus
Les Franklin - Helen Franzgrote - Marceline Freeman - HenryLowenstein - NancyMcClosky
Dawn Nakamura-Kessler - Edmond “Buddy” Noel - Schyleen Qualls Brown * Tom Robinson* - LesterWard - Faye & Reggie Washington
*Founding Members of the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Board of Directors
Special thanks...
totheEnsembles,BoardofDirectors,Sponsors, Donors&Foundations,EducationPartners,Administrative, Artistic&TechnicalStaff,YouthEnsembles,Musicians,GuestArtists, Faculty,Students,Parents,Volunteers,andMarketplaceVendorsof CLEOPARKERROBINSONDANCEandTHEGRANNYVILLAGE.
Wealsothankthefollowingfortheirextraordinarysupport:
DavidAndrews
PatBrooks
DenverBalletGuild
FiestaColorado(JeanetteTrujillo)
KristenNelson-Steinhoff
StanandChrisObert
SusanaOrtiz
PacificMercantile(JolieNoguchi)
ReinaParkerandFamily
MalikandVianeyRobinson
TheParkerandRobinsonFamilies
TheresaPeoples
ScientificandCulturalFacilitiesDistrict(SCFD)
TheSheadFamily
TheStreamTeam(AndrewLawrence)
LeslieSueParkerWallace
LetitiaWilliams
JUNE 22-JULY 10, 2025 | AGES 3-13
CHOOSE ONE, TWO OR ALL THREE WEEKS! | NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED
FRIDAY,JANUARY16+ SUNDAYJANUARY18
Twoexcitingfilms: Titlesandspecialgueststo beannouncedsoon.
SATURDAY,JANUARY17
7:30PM|LimitedTickets
Thefirstpublicperformance: RaisetheRoof
SATURDAY,JANUARY17
Open to the public: 10:00am-2:00pm Ribbon Cutting Celebrations Opening Remarks