Alex Wells & Yaminah Leggett-Wells

Bio coming soon!

Bio coming soon!

Bio coming soon!

Bio coming soon!

Bio coming soon!

Bio coming soon!

Once a successful lawyer with degrees in math, Japanese, law, and music, Summer Pearson has transitioned to an award-winning singer-songwriter, actress, and music teacher who has the unique ability to connect with diverse audiences. Summer’s inspirational album “Love Letters” debuted in the Top 50 of the Billboard Gospel Charts, with two singles - “Promised (Never Alone)" and "I Need You" - that penetrated radio internationally. Recent performance highlights include featured soloist for the syndicated National Cherry Blossom Parade , featured singer for Howard County Executive Calvin Ball’s reinstallation, and prominent acting roles in the stage plays “Hair” and “The Comedy of Errors.” Summer recently released two original singles on all digital streaming platforms - powerful ballad “It Is Finished,” and melodious praise song “Safe.” Summer’s most treasured ministry is her role as mom to her two amazing teenage sons. You can learn more about Summer at her website. http://www.summersofficialpage.com/

Neal Grace-Burks is a native of Baltimore yet claims the Washington, DC area his home. His interest in theater and acting was ignited at a young age when he watched his brother perform in a high school rendition of The Music Man. This led him to participate in numerous drama and musical productions throughout his grade school and college years. Neal also trained musically during his early years studying piano at the Peabody Conservatiry of Music, and voice and guitar under private instruction. Vocationally, Neal spent his career as a corporate manager and as a Baptist minister. He holds multiple degrees in Finance, Business, and Divinity. However, he returned to pursue his love of acting in 2019 and will graduate from Washington’s Studio Acting Conservatory this Spring. Neal has also trained privately with screen acting instructor, Mark McKinnon, award-winning actress, Naomi Jacobson, and vocal maestro, Samuel Bonds. Neal‘s stage and singing credits include The Riverside Center for the Performing Arts: Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner (John Prentice,Sr.), Silver Spring Stage: Sweat (Brucie), Dominion Stage: Until the Flood (Reuben), and multiple Gilbert & Sullivan ensemble roles with the Young Victorian Theatre Company.

Maya Strickland is excited to be a member of the cast of The Color Purple. You may have seen her in the production Caroline, or Change at the Spinning Tree Theatre in Kansas City as the role Emmie Thibodeaux. Other recent roles include Uzo in Godspell, Mrs. Gibbs in Our Town, and Mazeppa in Gypsy at the University of Central Missouri. She obtained her degree in Musical Theatre at the university in 2020. Maya would like to thank her partner, Daniel, along with family and friends for their endless support.

Nichole Chimere is enjoying her time back in the theatre world in this production of The Color Purple. Nichole studied acting at The Studio Theatre in Washington, DC. She is an accomplished musician that sings and plays several instruments, including the bass guitar and piano. Nichole loves the outdoors, and her happy place is anywhere she can hike to a waterfall. Nichole wishes to thank her mom Carolyn and best friend Toya for always supporting and encouraging her. She looks forward to gaining more experience in theatre and growing as an actor.

Shanice Jones is an accomplished and versatile actress known for her captivating performances, dynamic range, and ability to bring complex characters to life on both stage and screen. With her undeniable talent, commitment to her craft, and magnetic presence, she has become a respected figure in the DMV. Born and raised in Washington, DC, Shanice discovered her passion for acting at a young age and pursued formal training at Salisbury University. Throughout her journey, she has impressed audiences and critics alike with her remarkable talent, delivering unforgettable performances in a range of productions, including classic plays, contemporary dramas, films, and beloved musicals such as the “Dreamgirls" and "The Wiz." She has also been members of performance groups in the area such as JAM the Revue and Chris Reynolds and Faith. Whether belting out show-stopping numbers or embodying complex characters with depth and emotion, Shanice has proven her versatility and undeniable talent in the world of musical theater. With her dedication, versatility, and magnetic stage presence, Shanice Jones continues to captivate audiences and she is very excited to portray Sophia in Color Purple!

Silas Holloway is humbled, and excited, to once again be under the direction of Kelly Chauncey, in his second BlackRock Center for the Arts production. Aside from working with Chauncey, as Harpo, in this production…he was also cast as James “Thunder” Early in last spring’s production of Dreamgirls. Holloway has also been cast as Dr. LeVay (Stickfly), John “Silas” Tubman (Change Gon’ Come), Ramla/Shepherd Man (Black Nativity), C.C White/Curtis Taylor (Dreamgirls), directed by Kelly Chauncey. As well as Holloway (Two Trains Running), Brucie/Evan u/s (Sweat), directed at the Audrey Herman Spotlighters Theatre, in Baltimore MD. Spotlighters also cast Silas as Titania, Queen of the Fairies, in a gender-fluid take on Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Unfortunately, due to the beginning of Covid, the theatre had to seize production before ever beginning. “I am soo excited to, once again, be doing something that i absolutely love! Theatre is my life, my safe space. It has brought me through some of my darkest times, and has given me some of my greatest joy. To be able to tap into another world and learn someone else’s struggles, victories, triggers, lessons is truly an intimate experience. I am soo honored to have been allowed a gift as precious as that. Thank you to Kelly, for continuing to see that there is more in me awaiting its moment to shine. Thank you to GiGi, our choreographer, for igniting the confidence in my body to be able to tell the story that words can not. Thank you to Julian, our Musical Director, for pushing me outside of my comfort zone…for teaching me that the acting doesn’t stop just because music has been added to the equation. Most importantly, thank you to BlackRock Center for the Arts for having a space for creatives to be who they truly are, and for givus opportunities to show the world why The Arts is soo important!” -Silas Holloway

Reva Ryann Thompson is a classically trained lyric coloratura soprano and independent recording artist, under the artist name Tonty. She received her Masters in Voice at James Madison University in 2019 but has loved singing and the stage her entire life. Her favorite past roles include Effie White (DreamGirls) at BlackRock and Torrey (Freaky Friday) in Annapolis. In addition to a passion for the arts, Miss Thompson is an activist for human and animal rights and the environment, a voice teacher and BlackRock's Education Manager. She currently resides in Bowie with her father and a Sphynx cat named Romeo named after her late mother Romelita. In addition to her amazing family and friends, who she calls Heartbeats, she is so grateful to her BlackRock family (the staff and board), the incredible cast and crew of The Color Purple. "I'm so proud of ya'll, family!"

Ameenah Muhammad is thrilled to make her debut at BlackRock Center for the Arts. Supporting in the Church Ladies and Ensemble roles, she is excited to bring a personal touch to this iconic production. She most recently played Dorothy in a production of “The Wiz” at Second Baptist Worship Center in Coatesville, PA. She studied Vocal Performance at Lincoln University, teaches music at West Nottingham Academy, and is a member of Tau Beta Sigma National Honorary Band Sorority Inc. Ameenah is grateful for this opportunity and would like to thank any family and friends that have helped support her musical journey!

Bio coming soon!

Bio coming soon!

Bio coming soon!

Myiah is thrilled to be part of BlackRock’s production of The Color Purple. She embarked on her acting journey at the age of eleven, participating in middle school shows and summer classes at Duke Ellington School of the Arts. Her passion for acting persisted through high school and various community theaters until she secured the role of Lorrell Robinson in BlackRock’s Dreamgirls at the age of seventeen. Outside of acting, Myiah is currently choreographing for Mamma Mia at Seneca Valley HS and teaches dance to young artists. Myiah expresses gratitude for the artistic family formed during this incredible journey. Collaborating with such talented and motivated artists is a true blessing in the pursuit of creating meaningful art.

Brielle Bertrand is a college student majoring in Theatre Art with a concentration in Acting and Directing. She has nine years of theatre experience and has the ability to hold a note or two. She also has community experience with theatre and film. She is so grateful for this amazing opportunity to show off her skills, hard work, and dedication to the show and her craft. She dreams of doing it all; Broadway, TV, Movies, etc in the near future and is willing to do whatever it takes to get there. No matter Lead or ensemble she will always find a way to shine and make everyone remember her. Some Credits: Policing Joy (Tracey Renee Productions) Daughters of God (IAMAMANPRODUCTIONS) Lorrell Robinson in Dreamgirls (Bowie State University) Sophie Washington in Flyin West (Bowie State University) Buy Black (Bowie State University) The Alpha Wolf (Leon ajay-Porter Productions) Blood At The Root (Bowie State University).

Pierce Pearson, a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ and senior at Centennial High School, is a talented individual with a strong passion for music. Since his youth, he has participated in advanced extracurricular ensembles such as the Maryland Jr. All State Chorus, the Howard County GT Choir, and the 2023 American Choral Directors Association National Honor Choir as a soloist and choir member. He has also been presented with impressive solo opportunities, performing at the U.S. Capital for the 2021 National Tree Lighting Ceremony and at the Palace Theater during the 2022 Hawaii Performing Arts Festival (HPAF). Pierce has actively participated in the realm of opera, giving recital performances via the Charlotte Schlosberg Scholarship for the last five years and performing numerous solos—rehearsed and improvised—on Kennedy Center and Washington National Opera stages during the 2023 Washington National Opera Institute. Pierce has trained under renowned vocal instructors such as Dr. Carl DuPont, baritone, Prof. Detra Battle, soprano, and Prof. Millicent Scarlett, soprano, and he recently dual-enrolled at Howard Community College, studying voice under Dr. Liangjun Shi, tenor. He also has experience in the theater realm, which includes participating in a singing and acting workshop through Columbia University, serving as the understudy to Pippin in Centennial’s rendition of Pippin, playing Martin, one of six protagonists, in the pop musical Emma, and playing and acting as Evan from Dear Evan Hansen and Jesus from Godspell at HPAF. Above all, Pierce is dedicated to ministry through music, and he has performed at The Strathmore, The Kennedy Center, and the U.S. Capitol among other venues with the Washington Performing Arts Children of the Gospel as an ensemble member and soloist, and he currently serves on the praise team at Celebration Church in Columbia and a worship leader at Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church. He loves people, hopes that you enjoy his music-making, and prays that the living God will bless all who encounter him!

Ever since he was 13 years old, Raymond Ingram has been performing on stage. He’s been leading productions such as Mary Poppins, Cabaret, Sister Act, Into The Woods, and even Dreamgirls twice as Jimmy Early & Curtis Taylor Jr. He is very thankful for another opportunity to perform at the Blackrock Theatre. He also is a young playwright and just made his debut with his original full length play called “Buy Black!” At Bowie State University. He hopes to one day perform on Broadway and be in various Tv roles and films in the foreseeable future. He is currently a junior at Bowie State University majoring in Theatre Arts with a concentration in acting & directing. He knows you will enjoy this show and assures you that by the end you’ll be begging for more.

(Henry Broadnax/Ensemble) is an actor/ comedian from Gaithersburg Maryland. He's a graduate from Magruder High School where he was in the theater program for 2 years. He has gained traction from doing comedy on social media where he has been seen on worldstar, moco show, shaderoom, etc(instagram= _bruthaluv/TikTok= bruthaluv96. On the acting flipside 2023 was a huge year for him doing 3 theatre productions being Marty in BlackRock’s production of Dreamgirls, dancing chef in warners brothers production of Polar express at B&O museum in Baltimore, Maryland, and getting his first lead as Torvald Helmer in Michael Fowle’s adaptation of A DOLLS HOUSE PART 2. Also being apart of 4 short/feature films as well. This production of Color Purple is his his second performance at Black Rock Theatre. Everything he has done he gives all praises to God and is a man of faith.

Bio coming soon!

Michelle Seaward is a professional actress born and raised in Washington DC she has a Bachelors in Arts and Humanities Vocal Music Performance & Theater Arts from Bethune Cookman University in Daytona Beach Florida. With years of experience she started her career in elementary school and became more serious during her teenage years. Traveling with gospel choirs throughout high school and college. She has done many auditions and performances around the United States. Michelle has an impeccable ability on and off stage to bring characters to life! She takes pride in creating and personalizing many plays, movies, music videos, and theater performances. While working with many production and theater companies it has helped to expand her strengths beyond anything she could ever imagine. Michelle is known for her big personality and incredible ability to choreograph and act. Directors and Play writers rave about her energy on stage and camera! All while maintaining a very professional atmosphere. Michelle’s goal is to reach audiences of all ages and help bring entertainment and excitement to their lives. Michelle's motto is “Life is like a stage you are always performing”