Playwright / Cast / Artistic Team

SHAY YOUNGBLOOD -

Georgia born writer Shay Youngblood is author of the novels Black Girl in Paris and Soul Kiss (Riverhead  Books) and a collection of short fiction, The Big Mama Stories (Firebrand Books). Her published plays  Amazing Grace, Shakin' the Mess Outta Misery and Talking Bones, (Dramatic Publishing Company), have been widely produced. Her other plays include Square Blues, Black Power Barbie and Communism Killed My Dog. She is the recipient of numerous grants and awards including a Pushcart Prize for fiction, a Lorraine Hansberry Playwriting Award, an Edward Albee honoree, several NAACP Theater Awards, an Astraea Writers' Award for fiction and a 2004 New York Foundation for the Arts Sustained Achievement Award. Ms. Youngblood received her MFA in Creative Writing from Brown University and has taught Creative Writing to faculty and graduate students at NYU and has been Visiting Writer in Residence at the University of Mississippi and Texas A&M Universities. She was recently awarded a National Endowment for the Arts sponsored Japan/US Creative Artists Fellowship for 2011.

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Cynthia Barker (Maggie / Dee Dee / Rosa) is ecstatic to be making her Horizon Theatre debut. Credits include:  Women + War (Synchronicity Performance Group); Black Nativity (True Colors); For Colored Girls (True Colors); Blues for an Alabama Sky (True Colors); and Hamlet (Springer Opera House). She has been seen on television in Tyler Perry’s House of Payne. Cynthia sends heartfelt thanks to the cast, Tom, Ronnie, Lisa and all who make it happen.  Most importantly, she gives all glory to God: "Father, for your unwavering love, favor and confidence; I thank you.  You never cease to amaze me."

Danielle Deadwyler (Fannie Mae / Ensemble) is ecstatic to be in her first production at Horizon Theatre.  She was born and raised in Atlanta, GA.  Most recently, she was seen in For Colored Girls..., Directed by Jasmine Guy (True Colors Theatre) and A World of Silents (Fly-By Theatre).  After a year of playing, working, and birthing a baby in Vancouver, BC, where she appeared in commercials and short films, she is glad to be back home.  She would like to thank the loves of her life, Reggie and Ezra, for their love, patience and support.

Andrea Frye (Big Mama) was most recently at Horizon as the director of Black Pearl Sings! and A Cool Drink A Water.  She also directed Horizon’s second production of Shakin’ the Mess Outta Misery and starred in The Screened-In Porch here.   Earlier this season, she enjoyed a highly successful run as the Nurse in Romeo and Juliet for St. Louis Black Rep, where she will return in 2011 to appear in the Pulitzer Prize-winning drama Ruined.  She was last seen on Atlanta’s stages in A Song for Coretta at 7Stages (for which she was nominated for a Suzi Award and in which she also appeared at St. Louis Black Rep) and at the Alliance in Intimate Apparel.  Her extensive acting credits include Oo Bla Dee, Pericles, Seven Guitars, Night of the Iguana, Stop Kiss, The Taming of the Shrew, Playboy of the West Indies and her favorite recent role, Martha in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, where she was a company member.  Look for her this fall in the World Premiere of Pearl Cleage’s The Nacirema Society…. at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival and the Alliance Theatre.

Marguerite Hannah (Miss Corrine) is happy to revisit Shakin’ the third time, Horizon’s premiere, Player’s Theatre, OH and back.  Marguerite has worked the regional stages of The Oregon Shakespeare, Arena Stage, DC, Playmakers’ Rep, NC, People’s Light, PA, St. Louis Black Rep, Alliance Theatre, Delaware Theatre Company, Alabama Shakespeare, The Huntington, Boston and Arkansas Rep. Atlanta theatre patrons last saw her in Horizon’s A Cool Drink A Water; True Colors’ Amen Corner; 7 Stages’ A Song for Coretta; and Theatrical Outfit’s Waiting to be Invited. “I dedicate this production to the Big Mamas who raised me on stage and in life, especially “The Marguerite.”

Amber Iman (Daughter) is delighted to make her Horizon Theatre debut. Recent credits include Stick Fly (Arena Stage/Huntington Theatre Company); Goodnight Moon (Alliance Theatre); Once On this Island (Aurora Theatre); and Black Nativity (True Colors). Amber would be remiss if she didn't thank Tom Jones for the opportunity, RL for his patience(!), Oscar for the laughs, and these seven amazing women (especially her mommy!) for this incredible journey!!! Amber attended Howard University (B.F.A.) and is a member of Sigma Alpha Iota, International Music Fraternity for Women and D.I.V.A., Inc.  *Love & Light*

Tonia Jackson (Miss Mary / Miss Tom / Miss Shine) is grateful to be back at Horizon Theatre. Credits include: Gem of the Ocean and Radio Golf (Alliance); The Sty of the Blind Pig (True Colors); and And Her Hair Went With Her (Horizon);The Piano Lesson, Joe Turner’s Come and Gone, King Headley II, Shakin’ the Mess outta Misery, Flyin’ West, Seven Guitars, For Colored Girls, and Unfinished Women (Penumbra Theatre); Darker Face of the Earth and Intimate Apparel (Guthrie); Relativity (Magic Theatre); King Headley II (Lorraine Hansberry Theatre); Illusion Theatre: From the Mississippi Delta and Jazz (Illusion Theatre); Grapes of Wrath (Steppenwolf); Daughters of Africa and Point of Revue (Mixed Blood Theatre); Combination Skin and Gimmick (Pilsbury House); and Woody Harrelson’s Furthest from the Sun (Theatre de la Jeune Lune). Film and TV credits include Zero Street, A Chance of Snow, and Tyler Perry’s Meetthe Browns. “I cando all things through Christ who strengthens me.”  Tonia would like to dedicate her performance to her children Isaiah and Alexis.

Naomi Lavette (Miss Lamama) is thrilled to make her Horizon Theatre debut. Ms. Lavette is a two time Suzi Bass nominee. Favorite stage credits include: Yale School of Drama Cabaret: The Donny Hataway Story; Seven Stages: Angela's Mixed Tape; The Aurora Theatre Once on This Island; The Alliance Theatre: Jesus Christ Superstar; and True Colors: Amen Corner. She has several commercial, television and film credits including Solving Charlie and The House of Payne. She is co-producing a series of faith-based films along with Nina Holiday and Purpose Pictures. She is grateful to her husband David, her family, and friends for their constant support. BIG thanks to Lisa and Jeff Adler and the entire Horizon family. To my Cast sisters; it has been an honor creating magic with you. You’re in my heart forever! R.L. Campbell you are the greatest! Tom Jones you are the TRUTH!! :)

Margo Moorer (Aunt Mae) Déjà vu all over again!  Same theatre; different character; 22 years later and with my daughter Amber on stage! A real treat to be back with an original cast member of Shakin’ the Mess Outta Misery, Margurerite Hannah!  Currently recurring on Drop Dead Diva, Margo most recently appeared in True Colors’s The Sty of the Blind Pig. Regional credits include: Gee’s Bend (Alabama Shakespeare Festival); OO-BLA-DEE (Goodman Theatre – 1999 BTA Best Actress Award); Once on this Island and Crumbs from the Table of Joy (Alliance); Jar the Floor (Jomandi & Alliance); The Amen Corner (Alliance & True Colors); and Tambourines to Glory (True Colors – 2004 Helen Hayes Award Nomination).  Television credits include Not Like Everyone Else, Odd Girl Out, Sheena, Tyler Perry’s House of Payne, The Wedding, Selma, Lord Selma, Keenan & Kel, American Gothic, In The Heat of the Night, and I’ll Fly Away.  Film credits include ATL, Runaway Jury, Forrest Gump, That Darn Cat, Fled, and Personal Problems.  Clay’s wife and Amber’s mom, Margo gives God the glory and special thanks to Lisa, Jeff, and Sophie, Shay Youngblood, Tom Jones II, RL Campbell, Cascade UMC, Patrons, and the cast and crew.  Matthew 5:16

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*RL Campbell (Stage Manager) has collaborated with Horizon Theatre several times having Staged Managed for Black Pearl Sings, A Cool Drink a Water, And her hair Went With Her, Hallelujah Street Blues, The Clean House, Three Sistahs, The Perfect Prayer, Permanent Collection, Bad Dates, The Syringa Tree, and The Big Bang. Local credits include Avenue X, Jesus Christ Superstar GOSPEL, Eurydice, Duke Ellington’s Sophisticated Ladies, Sleuth, Cuttin’ Up, SISTER ACT: The musical, A Christmas Carol, and Mrs. Warren’s Profession at the Alliance Theatre. RL has also worked ; Utah Festival Opera: Showboat, Musica Magnifica; FHYEA: Soweto…, Jekonni’s Song, Times, Colors of Love.  RL is the Co-Founder and former Production Manager for ACT-N-UP! Theatre, INC. in Lithonia, GA. CEO/Founder of The Campbell Entertainment Organization; www.campbell-entertainment.com.  Ronnie dedicates this and all performances in loving memory of his mother DGBC.

Thom Jenkins (Sound Designer) is a composer, musician, sound designer and educator based in Atlanta.  He is delighted to be back working with his friends at Horizon Theatre. Recent work includes: True Love Lies, Black Pearl Sings, Third, The Santaland Diaries and Madeline's Christmas here at Horizon; Don Quixote (composer) at The Center for Puppetry Arts; Twelfth Night (composer) at Georgia Shakespeare Festival; Shiloh Rules (sound designer) and To Kill a Mockingbird (sound designer/composer) at Theatrical Outfit; All the King's Men (sound designer) and The Persians (sound designer/composer) at Theatre In The Square in Marietta; and The Little Baby Snoogle-Fleejer and The Stinky Cheese Man (composer/sound designer) at The Alliance Theatre.

Thomas W. Jones II (Director) has directed, written and performed in more than 150 plays worldwide.  Shakin’ the Mess Outta Misery marks his eighth Horizon production, having previously written and acted in A Cool Drink A Water, written and directed the musical hits Three Sistahs and Two Queens, One Castle, and directed And Her Hair Went With Her,  The Bluest Eye, Hallelujah Street Blues and Blue. Tom is co-founder of Jomandi Productions in Atlanta, where for over 20 years as Co-Artistic Director and later Producing Director, he saw Jomandi soar to become the third largest African-American theatre company in the U.S.  In 2000, Tom left Jomandi to create VIA International Artists, Inc.  His work as writer, director and actor has been acclaimed nationally and internationally. He received 42 Washington, DC Helen Hayes Award nominations (winning 12 awards, including Best Director), 3 New York Audelco Award nominations, the Dramalogue Award, and the San Diego Critics Award, among others.  He works regularly at Mixed Blood Theatre in Minneapolis (The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Diety in 2010) and Metro Stage in DC (Pearl Bailey…By Request 2010).  Tom’s new musical Cool Papa’s Party was workshopped at Horizon, premiered at Metro Stage and is currently optioned for Broadway.    Upcoming projects include directing a national tour of Hairspray in 2011 and writing Sheddin’, a play commissioned by Horizon and the National New Play Network.

Nyrobi Moss (Costume Designer) has been a professional costume/clothing designer for more than seventeen years. With her start in theater costuming and construction, she has since evolved into a noted fashion designer, with a host of artist and celebrity clientele. Her previous design credits include, but are not limited to: Acton Acts Out, Vampire Lesbians Of Sodom, Member Of The Wedding, Free To Be You And Me, Last Night Of Ballyhoo, Tartuffe, Medea, The Big Bang, Permanent Collection, The Wiz And Wizzer Pizzer. Blessed Be.

Maclare “MC” Park (Props Designer) has most recently designed at Horizon Theatre on Madeline’s Christmas. She has also designed props for Third and the original production of Madeline’s Christmas. She is Resident Propmaster at Theatrical Outfit and at Georgia Ensemble Theatre. Her most recent set design was for Driving Miss Daisy (Theatrical Outfit).

Mary Parker (Lighting Designer) is thrilled to be working on this powerful play. Over the 6 years that Mary has called Atlanta home, she has had the pleasure of designing for almost every professional theatre company in town, as well as several regional theatres through the Southeast. Recent favorites include: True Love Lies, Black Pearl Sings and A Cool Drink A Water at Horizon Theatre Company; Who Wants to Become A Pirate at South Carolina’s Children’s Theatre; Sty of the Blind Pig at True Colors Theatre Company; Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story and What I did Last Summer at Georgia Ensemble Theatre; Tradin’ Paint and Eye Of the Sparrow at Theatre in the Square; and The Man of La Mancha at Flat Rock Playhouse. Enjoy the show!

Jeffrey Weber (Scenic Designer) is originally from New York. Jeff completed a BA in Fine Arts from the State University of New York, Cortland and an MFA in Scenic Design from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. This is his third season designing for Horizon Theatre Company, having designed Third, A Cool Drink A Water and Hallelujah Street Blues. He is currently the resident scenic designer for RSL Theatrical in Columbus, GA. He has designed for such companies as the Springer Opera House, Nebraska Shakespeare Festival and Chattahoochee Shakespeare Company.

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