Discovering Blackness

Mya Brown (Director) is an Associate Professor of Acting and Directing at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where she trains the next generation of theatre artists in truthful storytelling and collaborative creation. As a director, her work centers on community, identity, and the exploration of social and cultural narratives that shape the Black experience. She is a proud member of the Actors’ Equity Association and the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society. 

Her recent production of School Girls; Or, the African Mean Girls Play received national recognition at the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival in Washington, D.C., earning 18 awards for excellence in performance, design, and direction. She also directed The Mountaintop for the professional theatre company WV Public Theatre, a production that inspired new student-written work and community dialogue around art, activism, and legacy.

Brown’s artistic practice emphasizes ensemble-driven storytelling and the integration of emerging artists with seasoned professionals to expand learning and deepen authenticity in performance. Discovering Blackness continues her commitment to theatre as a site of reflection, empowerment, and joy, a space for reclaiming and celebrating the multiplicity of Black identity.

Jakyia Barnes (Claire) is a Senior BFA Acting major at UNCG. She was born and raised in Raleigh,North Carolina. Her previous credits include Selah in the first staged production of Nick and the Prizefighter, Cupid/Neptune in Galatea, Headmistress in School Girls; or the African Mean Girls Play,Nurse/Mrs.Winsleyin Stop Kiss, and Beveryly in Chicken and Biscuits. Jakyia is so thankful to her fellow cast, crew, and professors who brought this show together. She hopes you feel her passion for creating theatre! She feels blessed by this opportunity and is deeply grateful to God, her family, and friends for their unwavering strength and support.

Seania Burnett (Slim) Seania Burnett is 22 years old, and is a current senior BFA acting student. Some of her favorite roles to date include:
Mary; Black Nativity; Barn Dinner Theater
Lady Macbeth; Macbeth; Uncg Student Workshop
Mercy; School Girls or the African mean girls play; Uncg Theatre

Aside from acting she also specializes vocally in Jazz , Gospel, and R&B singing and vocal arrangements.

Lincoln Crosby (Isreal Asantwa): Lincoln is a Sophomore BA Drama major with a minor in music here at UNCG. He comes from right here in Greensboro NC, and he’s beyond excited to bring the character Isreal Asantwa to life. Discovering Blackness will be both Lincoln‘s first UNCG production, as well as his first time in a play, and he thanks you all for coming to support. He wants to especially thank every one of his friends and family who helped support and get him here today, as well as the professors, directors, and teachers who have guided him in his journey as a new actor.

He invites you all to sit back, enjoy the show, and learn something new.

Alexa Fields (Harmony) is a second-year BFA Acting major with a minor in Media Studies who has been involved in theater from a very young age. Her most recent performance being UNCG’s production of Princess Fearless, where she toured to various elementary schools to perform for the kids! She also recently played the role of ‘Gifty’ in UNCG’s School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play. Fun fact, Alexa is an excellent rock climber, and you might even catch her climbing on the rock wall at our Kaplan Center. Hi!!

Alyssa Jones (Destiny) is a second-year BFA Musical Theatre major and Alyssa is thrilled to be a part of the Discovering Blackness cast. Additional credits include Daisy Hilton(SideShow), Simone (Chicken and Biscuits), Anne Boleyn (SIX), Cinderella (Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella), and Pearl (The SpongeBob Musical).

When she’s not performing, Alyssa mentors young actors, encouraging them to believe in themselves and follow their dreams. She is also active in her church and enjoys working with the media ministry. She loves her family and her dog, Max, and her favorite treat is shaved ice.

Alyssa would like to thank her family for never giving up on her and always supporting her dreams. And the amazing support and guidance the DB cast gave her.

Jaden Rogers (James) is a dedicated actor and storyteller currently pursuing a BFA in acting at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. With a passion for character-driven work and collaborative creation, he has performed in a range of productions, from classical texts to contemporary new works. Passionate about telling stories that reflect the complexity of human experience, Jaden is always seeking new challenges that push them to grow both as an artist and as a person.

Symoné Spencer (Kerry) is a Senior BFA Musical Theatre student, is thrilled to be a part of another UNCG production. Some of her UNCG repertoire includes, Into the Woods, Blood at the Root, Percy Jackson, School Girls or the African Mean Girls Play, and more. She is excited to be able to showcase her love for the stage in the role of Kerry AKA K.Pop. She sends a special shoutout to her family, friends, and the UNCG professors for their endless support.

Satiya Williamson (Peter) is a sophomore BFA Acting major here at UNC Greensboro. She most recently appeared in Everybody (Death) at UNCG, but other credits include Top Girls (Angie) and Hamlet (Ophelia). Satiya is honored and excited to help bring this extremely meaningful, eye-opening story to life alongside her peers. She extends heartfelt gratitude to the cast, crew, director, and assistant director for their inspiring collaboration, and to her family and friends for their endless love and support.

Ari Craig (Lighting Programmer/Electrician) is a freshman Drama Design and Technical Production major with a focus in lighting and sound. Previously they have been Assistant Stage Manager for Bright Precious Things last fall. They are excited for Everybody and hope you enjoy the show!

Sophie Ellenberger (Wardrobe Supervisor) is a third-year BA Drama major with a minor in Media Studies. Sophie’s previous credits include work on Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical, Carrie, The New Play Festival and most recently, she was the assistant director on Rough Magic. Sophie is thrilled to be able to work on this wonderful production! Sophie would like to thank the incredible cast, her outstanding wardrobe crew, and her parents for all their support.

Langston Hopper (Assistant Director) is a junior pursuing a BFA in Acting here at UNC Greensboro.  Langston serves as the Assistant Director for Discovering Blackness, where he continues to explore storytelling, identity, and community through the arts.  

Patricia McCall (Scenic Designer) is very excited for you to see Discovering Blackness. This is her first time working as a Scenic Designer, she has previously worked as a makeup artist on Sideshow and an untitled film project, a carpenter on Much Ado About Nothing, paint and props artisan on Tartuffe, wardrobe crew on The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical, and stage crew on Into the Woods. She hopes you enjoy the show!

Aaron Parelli (Lighting Designer) Aaron is a first-year graduate student working towards his Masters in lighting design. He received his BFA in Theater with a concentration in Lighting and technology from Texas State University in 2019. Since then, he has done numerous shows around the country before choosing to pursue his masters. Before choosing to join us, he spent two and half years as the Master Electrician for the Maltz Jupiter Theatre in Jupiter, Florida. You may recognize his name from our run of Sweeney Todd earlier this semester. This is his second production and first design here at UNCG and he is excited to be starting this new chapter here.

N’shama Pledger-Levine (Assistant Stage Manager) is a first-year BFA Design and Technical Production major who is thrilled to be working on her first UNCG production as an Assistant Stage Manager. Before coming to UNCG, she gained experience at the Children’s Theatre of Charlotte, where she assistant stage managed several productions, including Guys and Dolls, Bye Bye Birdie, and Children of Eden. And stage-managed summer camp shows like Hamlet and Zombies and Camp Rock.

Nicole Wylie (Stage Manager) is a third year BFA Design and Technical Production major and they are taking on the reins for the first time. This experience has been full of learning, about how to do their job, yes, but also about a beautiful culture and how to respect it. They are very grateful to have been a part of this process and help administer a space for black joy to be celebrated. Nicole would like to thank Mary Elysse Santa for guiding them into theatre and stage management. Some other notable credits are Carrie as an ASM and The Lightning Thief as an ASM.

Grace Yocum (Assistant Stage Manager) is a senior Arts Administration major and Drama Minor. She has an extensive history in theatre, music and dance. She has done many productions through out her life both as an actor and on the production team. Recently she has been in two productions, Peter Pan and 8 Minutes Left, with the UNCG Theatrics. She is also a member of the theatre fraternity Alpha Psi Omega. Less recently she has played the part of Lucy in Bright Star, Angie in the Wedding Singer and has been the student director for Ghost the Musical, a black box musical review, and The Odd Couple.