Cast
Tracy: Shelby Johnson
Stella: Linda Morton
Sudy: Violet “Dee Dee” Mitchell
Jade: Paris “Michelle” White
Renita (Redd): Cheryl Leath
Bluiah (Blu): Quatisha McMurty
Francis: E. Carolyn Harris
Production Staff
Director: Robin T. Rich-McGhie
Stage Manager: Shaliah Haith
ASM/Props: Sakile' Haith-Ince
Sound Engineers: Karlos King & Cross Hairston
Light Design: Tom Murphy
Set Builder: Collin McGhie
Costumes: Felicia Vestal
Producer: Donna Compton
Cast Bios
E Carolyn Harris is a native of Burlington, North Carolina. After surviving in the corporate world, she moved back home. She is delighted to be on the Board of Gallery Players. E Carolyn graduated with a degree in Mass Communications and Theatre Arts from North Carolina A&T State University. She also holds advanced degrees as a Chaplain, Spiritual Counselor and Grief Share Counselor. Her love for the theatre has led to productions in: To Kill a Mockingbird, Crowns, Sister Act, Christmas Belles, A Raisin in the Sun, and Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner. She has also produced several plays. E Carolyn would like to thank you for your support.
Shelby Marie Johnson is beyond thrilled to be portraying the role of TracyAda Kyzer. This is her second show with TGRC and she is grateful to be performing with this company again. Shelby loves theatre and hopes to continue to pursue it all the days of her life. She would like to thank her family and friends for their boundless love and support, as well as the magnificent cast and crew for their hard work and commitment.
Cheryl Cameron Leath is a native of Burlington, NC and has been active in the theater since high school where she was cast as Sonia in Godspell. She attended East Carolina University where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mass Communications and minored in Theater Arts. She was a pit singer for the play, “For the Sake of Love”, Carolina Theater, Greensboro, NC. She was most recently cast as Wanda in Crowns and as a member of the Ensemble for The Color Purple, both at the Paramount Theater in Burlington. She performed as a singer for A Raisin in the Sun at TGRC and now as Renita (Redd) in this production of Steal Away. She loves to sing and act on various platforms and is ecstatic about having the opportunity to share in this production. She is a Senior Project Specialist for Biscuitville and is married with 4 children and 3 grands.
Quatisha Neal McMurtry, a wife and mom, is a native of Eden, NC. She discovered her love for theater during high school through performances in "The Wiz" and singing Motown in chorus. She has continued to nurture her passion for spreading joy through music and acting, especially thru local church performances. Currently, she is thrilled to embody the character Beulah "Blu" Daniels in "Steal Away," aspiring to bring warmth and laughter to everyone she encounters.
Violet Dee Dee Mitchell – (Sudy Atkinson) Dee Dee is grateful to God for the opportunity to perform with this talented cast under the creative direction of Robin Rich-McGee. This is her first appearance with TGRC. Dee Dee thanks her family, NLMBC family and friends for their love, prayers and support
Linda Morton (Mrs. Stella Margaret Kyzer) – Linda is excited to make her stage debut with the Theatre Guild of Rockingham County. Linda gives God all the glory for blessing her with the opportunity to work with such a talented cast and Director. Linda thanks her family and friends for their love and support.
Paris Michelle White is a native of High Point, NC and has been performing in theater for over 25 years. She has been afforded the opportunity to play some very diverse and epic roles including: WIZARD OF OZ (Auntie Em / Glenda), FENCES (Rose), A RAISIN IN THE SUN (Ruth), FOR COLORED GIRLS Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf (Lady in Red), STEAL AWAY (Jade), COLORED MUSEUM (Aunt Ethel & Lawanda) & HEAVENLY BLUES AND JUMPING JAZZ (Ella Fitzgerald) and supporting roles in a few films. While it may be the expectation of the audience to be entertained with each show, it is her hope and prayer that as a thespian, she is able to deliver a performance that leaves each audience member with a sense of empowerment, appreciation, and an understanding that in life there is NOTHING that you can’t overcome!
Staff Bios
Robin T. Rich-McGhie – (Director) She is a native of Newark, NJ who attended New Jersey Institute of Technology. She is an Acting Instructor at The POINTE! Studio of Dance. She received her artistic training at The Newark Community Center of the Arts and she trained as a dancer with Garden State Ballet, Alfred Gallman (Gallman Newark Dance Theatre), Phil Black Dance Studio and City Arts African Dance. However, acting and the stage is her first love. Performing since age 7, she is an accomplished Singer, Actress, Director and Producer.
She has directed several stage productions in the Triad at The Gallery Players, Open Space Café Theatre, Stained Glass Playhouse, Kernersville Little Theatre, City Arts and with her company Elise Jonell Performance Ensemble and this is her 2nd show with TGRC. She has directed A Raisin in the Sun, The Colored Museum, 12 Angry Men, Black Mama Monologues, Fences, The Meeting, The Dinah Washington Musical, Mahalia, Crowns, Miss Ever’s Boys, HONK!, Guys & Dolls, Steal Away, For Colored Girls, The Wiz, West Side Story, Black Girl and created several theatrical ballets in conjunction with Gina Tate. She was also a Program Coordinator of We Are One Artistic Collective at Caldcleugh Multicultural Arts Center/City Arts in Greensboro NC and the Talent Coordinator and Executive Director of The Busta Brown Television Show and Segment Producer of “Talent Tuesday” for Busta Brown’s Afternoon “Thang” on WQMG-97.1.
Robin was Music Supervisor on a local Civil Rights Documentary “Wall That Bleed” produced by Canvas Studios and a Managing Partner with T.K.R. Entertainment Group where she was the Director of Operations & Artist Services. She was also the Executive Director & Artistic Director for Inner Village Arts–South and
served for 4 years on the Board of Directors of Open Space Café
Theatre as Vice President of Production. While working as a board member, she also served as the Volunteer and Arts Education Coordinator. Robin is the CEO & Artistic Director of Elise Jonell Management, Talent Agency and Performance Ensemble.
Shaliah Haith (Stage Manager)
I am Nicole “Shaliah” Haith-Ince", more commonly known in the thespian community as "Liah", “Ms. Liah" or "Mama Liah". I have been dancing since 1974 & exposed to a variety of dance styles.
In 1998, I discovered that my true passion was teaching & it wasn't until 2013 that I was introduced to the world of community theater.
In my recent years, I have attempted to expand my knowledge by assisting wherever & whenever possible. Technical, Stage Managing, Assistant SM, Prop Making, Ushering, Ticket Sales, etc.
I truly enjoy being involved in theater in any way imaginable. Whether it be on stage as a performer or behind the scenes helping others. I am very fortunate and blessed to be a part of this production.
Sakile' Haith-Ince (Assistant Stage Manager/ Props Master)
Being born into a cultural family, she was surrounded by the arts. Continuing to find her voice, she explored different art forums: visual, musical, and performing. It wasn't until 2012 that she was introduced to community theater, presenting a new outlet that has extended her creative, communicative, and organizational skills. She was involved in shows as an Usher, Actor, Costumer, Backstage Crew Volunteer, Set Painter, Assistant Stage Manager and Stage Manager.
As she continues to explore more of the thespian community, she wishes to maintain the magic that people share, engulfed into a story.
She wants to thank her family, cast, and crew for their support, wisdom, and encouragement.
Cross Hairston is an English Education major at the University of North Carolina Greensboro. Cross possesses years of technical and performing experience from his time at Reidsville High School, and is passionate about the art of theater!
Collin McGhie has recently worked with TGRC on A Raisin in the Sun, The Gallery Players, Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, CROWNS, and Gallery's 2017 production of A Raisin in the Sun. He has been building and designing sets for over 20 years getting his start under the tutelage of Joe Nierle with Open Space Cafe Theatre and perfected his craft working with Elise Jonell Performance Ensemble, City Arts and THE POINTE!
Tom Murphy is a Reidsville native, RHS theatre teacher, TGRC warehouse manager, and most importantly father to Harper and husband to Claire who hopes you enjoy the show.
