Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit - Let the Good Times Roll Playbill

Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit presents

OUR MISSION

Mosaic’s mission is to empower young people to maximize their potential through professional performing arts training and the creation of theatrical and musical art that engages, transforms and inspires.

OUR VALUES

Strive for Excellence

Only the best, nothing less. We are committed to pursuing excellence in our programs, business operations, and partnerships. We are dedicated to investing the time and resources necessary to achieve excellence in all that we do.

Dream Boldly

We hold ourselves accountable to courageously pursuing creativity, resourcefulness, and imagination. We embrace innovative, audacious ideas that work towards accomplishing our mission.

Build Community

The uniqueness of each individual contributes to the strength and beauty of the whole. We are committed to upholding safe spaces that prioritize honesty, trust, respect, and integrity. We honor diverse perspectives, lived experiences, and expertise to enhance the communities we serve and those we are a part of creating.

Embrace Joy

We choose to embrace joy as we pursue our mission and work to spread joy to others as we connect, collaborate, create, and incite positive change in our community.

OUR VISION

We envision Detroit area youth having equity of opportunity in arts and post- secondary education including paid creative sector leadership roles.

We envision a thriving Detroit, enriched by the brilliance and creativity of its youth, culture keepers and community members.

We envision an arts and culture industry that benefits from a strong network of diverse and dynamic next generation creative leaders .

We envision young people transforming the world by activating the power of the arts to motivate, mobilize and make positive change.

Greetings good people,

What makes a moment memorable? I believe experiencing live music and theater with Mosaic offers an interesting case study. Experiencing shows like Let the Good Times Roll offer both the familiar and new. It brings us face-to-face with relevant art from the mouths and minds of nextgeneration leaders in a beautiful historic venue. These moments demand our full attention and hearts.

For decades we’ve partnered with young and veteran artists to co-create arts experiences that engage, transform, and inspire. As we celebrate 30 years of cultivating leaders and life-long learners through transformative arts experiences with you this Black History month, I am deeply grateful. It is profoundly moving to partner with remarkable people who unselfishly share their gifts to create positive change daily.

Like those who came before us, we honor the tradition and power of coming together in song. We acknowledge the love and labor of the practice of storytelling and its place in culture-keeping and culture-bearing. We celebrate the call and wholeheartedly embrace our responsibility and privilege to respond. We are excited to share in this tradition with you.

Whether you attend every Mosaic event or are joining us for the first time, we hope that this experience will leave an imprint on your heart. May we all heed the wisdom in the music and allow ourselves to Let the Good Times Roll even when faced with opposition.

Thank you for joining us to create community, celebrate culture, and make beautiful memories.

DeLashea Strawder Executive & Artistic Director, Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit

Fast Facts for First Timers

A Legacy 30 years in the making

The 2022–2023 Season is a special one for Mosaic. In addition to returning to full ensembles programs including the return of our Backstage Tech ensemble, we’re celebrating 30 years of creating equity for Detroit-area youth through the arts. Thanks to amazing champions for youth and believers in the power of the arts to transform lives both locally and abroad, our work has been illuminated by moving and memorable experiences for three decades. It’s been an honor to be part of and grow with these exceptional creative changemakers, and we can’t wait to see what’s next. Pearls are the traditional gift for a 30-year celebration, so here are a few treasured pieces of Mosaic from us to you.

Making transformative arts experiences accessible is part of our mission. Mosaic strives to ensure that live music and theater can be enjoyed by all Detroit area youth. By offering a variety of programs including, low to no cost arts and leadership training in multiple locations across southeast Michigan. Providing digital resources for youth and allies to engage further in what they’ve experienced beyond the theater or rehearsal space. We also seek to remove financial barriers through ticket discount programs for schools, youth and others to attend performances — just call Mosaic for details.

We’re committed to supporting youth to excel on stage and in life. Mosaic continues to foster youth agency, co-creating safe and brave spaces for youth to build the skills, tenacity and networks they need to thrive through adulthood. Across three decades, 95% of youth ensemble members have graduated high school on time and gone on to college. Alums are successful lawyers, social workers, entrepreneurs, Tony Awardwinners, engineers, playwrights, leaders and creative changemakers.

We’re focused on the future. Our 30-year milestone certainly has us reflecting on the past, while having our sights firmly set on what’s next. Together with a supportive community of creative minds, we’ve built a strong foundation. We’ll continue to walk alongside youth and lead with our mission, vision and core values while striving to reflect and celebrate the uniqueness of Detroit in the work we do on and off the stage. Whether you’ve joined us for years or this is your first visit, we’re so glad you’re here. Here’s to you, and the next 30 years!

Interested in digging a little deeper into the music and themes of today’s show. Scan the QR code below.

Mosaic CompanySingers

Joi Arrington

Mia Arrington

Jayla Bassett

Marvion Brown

Kennedi Flaniken

Sydnie Flaniken

M’Kaegen Hall

MaLeah Hall

Dexter James III

Derrick Jefferson-Mobley

Nadia Johnson

Jamesa Malone

Claudia Mitchell

Makayla Mott

Jadyn North

Zora Nunley

Makiah Quinn

DaShawn Shorter

Judah Smith

Jarai Strawder

Jermale Toland II

Ryan Townsend

Devin White

Allure Williams

Mosaic CompanyActors

Kelsea Adams

Peyton Adams

Carley Brooks

Shelby Dyer

Robert Franklin

Redic Grant

Briana Haynes

Brandon Holmon Jr.

Niah Howard-Stevens

Celia Hughes

Aaron Johns

Lance Johnson

Nahla Knight

Priscilla Massey

Iyana Mitchell

Zariyah Muhammad

TraVon Palmer

Nicholas Rice

Shayla Thomas

Gabrielle Thompson

Marcelis Warner

Justin Washington

Lauren Washington

Zariyah Webb

Nya Williams

Sageius Williams

Madison Young

Mosaic TechniciansYouth

Adrian Coleman

Charisma Holly

Livia Houston

Emerald Rashid

Asher Williams

Creative Team

Music Director: DeLashea Strawder

Assistant Music Director: Jack Williams III

Choreographer(s):

Jamiliah Minter

Carollette Phillips

Javon Jones

Alanna Phillips

Band Leader | Keys: Jonathon Dixon

Drums: Kyle Wright

Guitar: Trey Priest

Bass: Edward Croft Jr.

Sax: Rafael Statin

Trumpet: Russ Macklem

Stage Manager: Jasmine Rose

Production Manager: Nick Yocum

Scenic Design: BK Kessler

Costume Design: Vince Kelley

Lighting Design: Zach Schneider

Sound Design & Engineering: Lumumba Reynolds

Sound Board Engineer:

Amari Harris

Props Design: Michelle LeRoy

Costume Assistant: Sandy Glover

Special Thanks

Transformative arts experiences are more than just performances and programs. It takes the intentional collective commitment of the individuals that make up a community to create affirming, relevant and wholistic experiences that engage, transform and inspire.

THANK YOU to all the young and guest artists, creative team, administrators, staff, Board members, alumni and community partners for investing in youth and a thriving Detroit.

MOSAIC YOUTH THEATRE OF DETROIT FORD FUND IS PROUD TO SUPPORT

As the company’s philanthropic arm, Ford Motor Company Fund partners with nonprofit organizations across the Ford network in the U.S. and around the world to provide resources and opportunities that advance equity and empower people to reach their highest potential.

After Snark

March 24 - 26, 2023

Fri. 7pm; Sat. 7pm; Sun. 4pm Mosaic Black Box Theater

Based on Lewis Carroll’s nonsense poem, The Hunting of the Snark (An Agony in 8 Fits). Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit’s After Snark follows an unlikely crew on an adventurous quest in search of a mythical Snark. Filled with original music and a ton of twists and turns, After Snark is a nonsensical good time for the young and young at heart.

Alice and the New Wonderful

By Idris Goodwin with music by Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit

May 12-14 and 19-21

Fri. 10am (School Matinee); Fri. & Sat. 7pm; Sun. 4pm

After unforgettable adventures in Wonderland, Alice, a 12-year-old Black girl, struggles to reintegrate into the real world. After feeling alienated by her family and friends, she sets off to find a new Wonderland in her city.

TOGETHER WE... create

confident, creative thinkers through comprehensive pre-professional arts training and leadership development. connect youth to professional artists/mentors and development opportunities, equipping them with the skills and resources they need to thrive through adulthood.

young artists for college & career pathways within the creative industry and other industries requiring soft skills and a professional presence.

the voices of young people to empower them as the next generation of leaders, artists, ambassadors, and advocates for a thriving Detroit and a greater world.

Visit www.MosaicDetroit.org to make a donation that will help increase access to the arts.

WAYS TO PARTNER

Bring The Mosaic Experience To You School Residency

We look forward to partnering with your school community to engage youth and young adults in arts experiences that supports and equips them to be leaders and lifelong learners.

For more information visit www.mosaicdetroit.org/school-residency-program or call 313-872-6910 ext. 4024

Book a Mosaic performance or workshop

For 30 years, Mosaic has illuminated youth excellence on stage and in life. Want to elevate the impact of your events? Whether corporate, private, or virtual, engaging Mosaic for a performance or workshop provides a transformative experience that your guests will cherish. Mosaic is available to help you bring your vision to life through:

. Customized workshops and partnerships

. Mosaic Mobile micro-camps for private or public events

. Live performances

. Music Videos or Film Theatrical experiences

. Audio recordings for commercial use

* Opportunities are based on availability Visit www.mosaicdetroit.org/bookmosaic/request-form/ to book a performance today! Call 313-872-6910 ext. 4007 for workshop, micro-camp and custom opportunities.

MEET #TEAMMOSAIC

*DELASHEA STRAWDER l Executive & Artistic Director

ALFREDA LILES l School & Community Partnerships Coordinator

*ALEESA SEARCY l College & Career Pathways Specialist

AMELIA HEFFERON l Teaching Artist

*ANDAIYE SPENCER | Programs Manager

ARIEL POMPEY l Guest Teaching Artist

ASHLEY PATTERSON | Program Administrator

*ASIA MARK l Teaching Artist

CHARLENE MCNARY l Finance & Operations Manager

CIERRA TOLIVER | College & Career Pathways Coordinator

*JACK WILLIAMS III l Teaching Artist

JASMINE ROSE l Resident Stage Manager/Program Coordinator

JOE BAILEY l Executive Assistant / HR Generalist

JUDY TIPTON l Director of Development

KEIR WARD l Teaching Artist

NICK YOCUM l Program Specialist, Tech Theater

TAYLOR GAWLIK l Fund Development Manager

*YAISANI TURNER | Finance Intern

* Denotes Mosaic alum

MEET Mosaic’s Board of Directors

BEVERLY MADDOX | Board Chair

TERRY W. BONNETTE | Vice Chair

WISAM FAKHOURY | Treasurer

DIANE BORGUS GREEN, M.A., N.C.C. | Secretary

SJONNE BADGEROW

CORNELL BATIE

ROXANNE BROWN

MARIETTA CLEVELAND

MELISSA MCCLARY DAVIS

MARK DENIS

ANTWAN PRICE

ROY SEXTON

KELLI VAN BUREN

TERREL WHITE

BRITTANY WILLIAMS

Thank you to our Donors

We gratefully acknowledge the generosity of our amazing donors and philanthropic partners whose annual support enables Mosaic to remain consistent in bringing youth only the best, nothing less in arts and leadership programs. To join this group in ensuring Mosaic continues to thrive, contact the Development Team at 313.872.6910 ext. 4004

Allee Willis Estate Foundation

Edsel B. Ford II Fund

Manoogian Foundation

Marshall Matthers Foundation

Oliver Dewey Marcks Foundation

Zipser Foundation

A Note From Beverly Maddox, Board Chair and Terry W. Bonnette, Vice Chair

Inspiring and empowering the next generation through the arts has always been at the center of Mosaic. Throughout our 30-year history, we’ve created many programs to ensure young people have access to life-changing arts experiences. There’s no better way to think about what this access means for youth and communities than within the context of this season’s concert and spring production. From Let the Good Times Roll’s pointed message of self-discovery to the wonder and whimsy of Alice and the New Wonderful, these stories for all audiences offer wonderful opportunities to dream, reflect and come together. On behalf of the board, thank you for your unwavering support of the young artists and this critical work as we strive to inspire young artists of both today and tomorrow.

Thank you to our Philanthropic Partners

Vital support from our corporate, foundation and government partners enable community members of all ages to access affirming arts experiences that inspire them to dream boldly and create positive change. Grants from state and federal agencies and local and national foundations provide crucial operating support as well as key funding for new and ongoing programs. To learn more, contact the Development Team at 313.872.6910 ext. 4004. For information about sponsorship opportunities and corporate benefits, contact us at development@mosaicdetroit.org