Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit - New Voices: Detroit Playbill

Jeffrey Seller Family Foundation

Burton A. and Sandra D. Zipser Foundation

DIRECTOR’S NOTE

In early July, our New Voices: Detroit composers and playwrights set to work on creating completely original works under the theme “Lost in Time.” About two weeks ago, the performers in our Summer Ambassador Ensemble received their scripts and songs and set to work bringing these new creations to life.

The result you will witness tonight is six brand new funny, moving, exciting, bizarre plays and five fresh new songs that will have you dancing in your seats.

Sharing new work with the world is a really brave and vulnerable thing to do. It can be scary, but it’s also exhilarating and rewarding to see life breathed into one’s own imaginings for the very first time. I hope you’ll join me in celebrating and congratulating our New Voices participants on this debut. I know I’ll be watching their names to witness what they create next.

Although my name follows the director credit, this entire process was collaborative. Co-creating with the young performers and bringing these young writers’ words to the stage is the coolest part of my job

Endless thanks to the Mosaic staff, the Detroit Public Theatre staff, all of our fabulous New Voices Detroit mentors, and the parents, family members, and friends who got our young artists to and from rehearsal this summer. It takes a village to mount a new works festival, and none of this would have happened without you.

AMELIA HEFFERON Director, New Voices: Detroit 2023

WELCOME

SONG l TIME IS UP

By Jaidyn Ray

PLAY l LOST IN TIME

By Priscilla Massey

PLAY l THE LAND LOST IN TIME

By Nahla Knight

SONG l WAIT

By Jadyn North

PLAY l LOST IN ME

By Reagan Stroud

SONG l GIVING YOU ALL OF ME

By Demi Ruffin

PLAY l BROKEN CLOCKS

By Justin Cameron Washington

SONG l LET IT GO

By Nicholas “AZOZ” Smith

PLAY l FINDING PARADISE IN TIME

By Sherida “ReRe Michelle” Henneghan

PLAY l SPLITTING POLES

By Simone Thompson

SONG l READY

By Brianna Couch

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS + SPECIAL THANK YOUS

JAIDYN RAY

Jaidyn Ray is a student at Cass Tech who has a passion for songwriting and writing. Jaidyn wants to explore the possibility of becoming a singer. Jaidyn is also a poet and is currently working on a book.

TIME IS UP

By Jaidyn Ray

Mentor: Nik Huey

Lead Singer: Makiah Quinn

PRISCILLA MASSEY

Priscilla Massey is a writer who is interested in developing confidence and comfortability with the craft. In New Voices, Priscilla hopes to expand beyond writing and work on skills in acting and producing as well. Additionally, Priscilla was recently featured on a podcast and won a city-wide honor.

LOST IN TIME

By Priscilla Massey

Mentor: Edmund Jones

Lizzy: Aubriana Scott

Mat: Jermale Toland II

Aria: Makiah Quinn

NAHLA KNIGHT

Nahla Knight is a student at Fraser High School with an interest in all aspects of theatre (including dance, production, and writing).

Nahla has completed the Silver Award in Girl Scouts and is an award-winning dancer currently working on a self-made routine.

THE LAND LOST IN TIME

By Nahla Knight

Mentor: Edmund Jones

Volana: Joi A.

Vorana and Nomena: Mia A.

Felana: Jayla Bassett

JADYN NORTH

Jadyn North is a student at Cass Tech with hopes to make it to Broadway someday. If not Broadway, Jadyn hopes to apply the skills that were acquired through New Voices to thrive at a career in music production.

WAIT

By Jadyn North

Mentor: Keir Ward

Lead Singer: Jermale Toland II

REAGAN STROUD

Reagan Stroud is a student at Detroit School of Arts with interests in writing, acting, and producing. Reagan has two book projects out titled “Hall of Fame,” and “The Girl Who Shared the World.” Through New Voices, Reagan is hoping to grow as a writer and begin a journey into acting.

LOST IN ME

By Reagan Stroud

Mentor: Edmund Jones

Lex: Nya Mackenzie

Epiphany: Jayla Bassett

Mom: Niah Stevens

Girl: Makiah Quinn

DEMI RUFFIN

Demi Ruffin is an incoming freshman at Howard University with an interest in music composition. Demi aspires to be an Orthopedic Surgeon and played on the 2022 Detroit Public School League championship team in Volleyball for Detroit Renaissance.

GIVING YOU ALL OF ME

By Demi Ruffin

Mentor: Nik Huey

Lead Singer: Lyric Thomas

JUSTIN CAMERON WASHINGTON

Justin Washington is a student at Rochester High School who has won multiple awards for playwriting. Justin’s award-winning play No Prospering Weapons will premiere at The Kennedy Center this fall. Justin was also the winner of the 2022 New Voices Audience Choice Award.

BROKEN CLOCKS

By Justin Cameron Washington

Mentor: Angela G. King

Cornell: Jermale Toland II

Cameron: Judah Smith

Director: Joi A.

NICHOLAS “AZOZ” SMITH

Nicholas Smith is a student at MLK Jr. Senior High School in Detroit who is interested in producing music (and has already released 5 solo projects and 7 collaborative mixtapes). In addition to producing, Nicholas also has a passion for rapping.

LET IT GO

By Nicholas “AZOZ” Smith

Mentor: Keir Ward

Lead Singer: Judah Smith

SHERIDA HENNEGHAN

Sherida “ReRe Michelle” Henneghan is a prolific writer with an entrepreneurial spirit. As a student at Denby High School, Sherida has written three plays and more than 60 poems. Through New Voices, Sherida will work on skills in writing and acting, with a career goal of becoming the next Tyler Perry!

FINDING PARADISE IN TIME

By Sherida “ReRe Michelle” Henneghan

Mentor: Angela G. King

Noah: Devin White

Faith: Niah Stevens

Paradise: Dosya Williams

SIMONE THOMPSON

Simone Thompson is a playwright, poet, spoken word artist, and actor. Simone joined New Voices Detroit to continue developing as a writer. Simone was in the 2023 Narrative Monologue Competition and recently wrote a play, Tilted the Musical.

SPLITTING POLES

By Simone Thompson

Mentor: Angela G. King

Past: Charity McQueen

Present: Nya Mackenzie

Future: Aubriana Scott

BRIANNA COUCH

Brianna Couch aka BRIIENICOLE is an award-winning songwriter from the Detroit School of Arts. Brianna was accepted into Berklee College of Music’s “Black, Brown, and Bound” program and is working on a premiere EP titled Emotional Intelligence. Brianna has released two singles that are available on all streaming platforms.

READY

By Brianna Couch

Mentor: Nik Huey

Lead Singer: Mia A.

is made possible in part by:

Pitney Bowes

Jeffrey Seller Family Foundation

Burton A. & Sandra D. Zipser Foundation

TO OUR PARTNERS & LEADERSHIP DONORS A SPECIAL THANK YOU

Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit is grateful for the generous support of all of our partners and to everyone who contributes time, talent, and financial gifts to ensure youth have a safe space to connect, create and grow.

CORPORATE PARTNERS

FOUNDATION PARTNERS

Oliver Dewey Marcks Foundation

Zipser Foundation

The Jeffrey Seller Foundation

Richard & Jane Manoogian Foundation

GOVERNMENT PARTNERS

PARTNERS IN POSSIBILITY

($1,000+ with 5 year pledge)

DeLashea & Daniel Strawder

Carol Goss

Dr. Glenda Price

Russ & Susan Ives

Deborah Hansen

Cheryl P. Johnson

Donald Middleton

Delphia Simmons

Frank Taylor

Brittany Williams

LEADERSHIP DONORS

($1,000+)

Terry Bonnette

Shirley Brice Heath

Edsel B. Ford II Fund

Diane Green

Timothy Higgins

Diarra Kilpatrick

Leeann Konrad

Beverly Maddox

Ben & Barb Maibach Fund

Marshall Mathers Foundation

Wisam Qasem-Fakhoury Fund

Robert & Sandy Riney

A. Paul & Carol C. Schaap

Linda and Norm Schuessler

William H. & Patricia M. Smith Fund

The Estate of Allee Willis

Dorinda VanKempen

Shannon Wallis

Anonymous Anonymous

PLAYBILL PARTNERS

($500-999)

Blossoms Blossoms

Henry Bowers

Tyrone Davenport

Mark Denis

Janisse Green

Liana Iacobelli

Bridget Kennedy

Michigan First Foundation

Brenda Shufelt

Marty & Andrea Singer

Shirley Stancato

Edward Storer

Aeryn Williams

TO OUR NEW VOICES: DETROIT 2023 TEAM A SPECIAL THANK YOU

DIRECTOR l Amelia Hefferon

COORDINATOR AND LEAD TEACHING ARTIST l Edmund Alyn Jones

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR AND MASTER CARPENTER l Sageius Williams

TECHNICAL TEACHING ARTIST l Nick Yocum

PROPS DESIGNER l Sydni Jackson

SOUND ENGINEER AND TEACHING ARTIST l Amari Harris

COMPOSER TEACHING ARTIST l Nik Huey

COSTUME DESIGNER AND SCENIC DESIGNER l Dosya Williams

ASSISTANT COSTUME DESIGNER l Derrick Jefferson-Mobley

STAGE MANAGER AND SOUND DESIGNER l Kayla Cross

STAGE MANAGEMENT TEACHING ARTIST l Jasmine Rose

CHOREOGRAPHER l Irelyn Ellis

A SPECIAL THANK YOU

TO OUR MENTORS

Angela G. King

Edmund Jones

Kier Ward

Nik Huey

A SPECIAL THANK YOU

TO OUR MOSAIC STAFF

*DELASHEA STRAWDER l Executive & Artistic Director

ALFREDA LILES l School & Community Partnerships Coordinator

*ALEESA SEARCY l GDYT Coordinator

AMELIA HEFFERON l Teaching Artist

*ANDAIYE SPENCER | Programs Manager

CHARLENE MCNARY l Finance & Operations Manager

*JACK WILLIAMS III l Teaching Artist

JASMINE ROSE l Resident Stage Manager/Program Coordinator

JOE BAILEY l Executive Assistant / HR Generalist

JULIA CALLIS l Accounting and Grants Associate

KEIR WARD l Teaching Artist

NICK YOCUM l Program Specialist, Tech Theater

*NIKOLAS HUEY | Teaching Artist

*YAISANI TURNER | Finance Intern

* Denotes Mosaic alum

To all our viewers and supporters who help us continue our mission we say, THANK YOU!

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. prepare 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.