Passing Strange Bios
Creative Team
Rodney Hicks He/Him
Director
Rodney Hicks (Director) Grateful. Directing: Flame Broiled. or the ugly play (Local Theater Co.), Runaways (Joe’s Pub/The Public Theatre), Ordinary People (St. Thomas Aquinas Players); Playwright: inhale–EXHALE, 1968 (new musical/book), The Flawed Play, Flame Broiled. or the ugly play (Local Theater Co), Just Press Save (Pride Plays Festival–Michael Greif, dir.), Ms. Pearl’s Cabaret (Rhymes & Beats/Zoom); Acting: Original Broadway casts of Come From Away (Bob), The Scottsboro Boys (Clarence Norris), Jesus Christ Superstar (Peter/2000 Revival), RENT (Ensemble); Film/TV: Mr. Nelson Did You Kill People? (Lead/Upcoming feature film), The Slumber Party (Supporting/Disney+), Mighty Oak (Supporting/Apple TV), RENT: Filmed Live on Broadway (Benjamin Coffin III/Apple TV), Leverage (TNT), GRIMM (ABC), Hope & Faith (ABC), Law & Order: CI (NBC), Student Affairs (Pilot/WB), NYPD Blue (ABC); 30 years of Regional theatre work including Jitney (Portland Playhouse), The Mountaintop/Dreamgirls/Oklahoma! (Portland Center Stage), among many other plays, Shakespeare, and musicals across the country. www.rodneyhicks.net @Rodneyhickshere/Instagram
Kennedy Verrett He/Him
Music Director
Kennedy is an innovative, versatile composer and researcher whose imaginative music captures beauty, bursts of melodic and rhythmic energy. Kennedy uses his experience as a film composer to create innovative work that challenges the audience to reexamine their usual mode of appreciation. In addition to his work in contemporary music, Kennedy dedicates his time to research and educating people on the field of ecoacoustics. One of Kennedy’s recent premieres, Soundcheck Earth (in partnership with Lou Harrison House Music, Arts, and Ecology and Joshua Tree National Park), examines the relationship between instruments, nature, and the audience’s temporal experience.
Muffie Delgado Connelly
She/He/They
Choreographer
Muffie is a choreographer, performer, and movement researcher. Her performance work is part of her activist practice, and in both arenas, she is informed by her identity as a Chicago-born xicanx mother. Her work has been presented across the United States at Links Hall (Chicago), Packer Schopf Gallery (Chicago), The Art Institute of Chicago, Movement Research Festival (New York), The Gibney Dance Center (New York), and in Portland with White Bird, at Performance Works Northwest, and the Newmark Theater. She has previously choreographed for Portland Center Stage in Earth Without Borders/Tierra Sin Fronteras, A Midsummer’s Night Dream and tick, tick … BOOM! and HAIR. She is a member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Union and is one of five artistic leaders of FLOCK Dance Center. More at: muffiedelgadoconnelly.com or IG: @muffiedelgadoconnelly
Kimberly Harding She/Her
Stage Manager
Kimberly K. Harding for several years worked professionally as a resident stage manager for Jomandi Productions, and stage managed events for many years with Truu Productions, and the National Black Arts Festival in Atlanta, GA. In New York City, she worked in administrative and production capacities for The Acting Company, Manhattan Theater Club, Negro Ensemble Company, and Crossroads Theatre in New Jersey, and has two Off-Broadway SM credits. Currently, Harding is employed at Florida A&M University where she is an Associate Professor of Theatre, Stage Manager Mentor, Sound Designer, and Director of Ticket Sales and Patron Services.
Kathryn Hasson He/She
Assistant to the Director
& Dramaturg
Kathryn Hasson is a Bay Area-raised, Portland-based performer, writer, and artist. She has been singing and acting professionally since the age of 7 and has studied with the American Conservatory Theater and the Vassar College Drama and Music departments. She received her B.A. in Drama from Vassar College, and is a trained dramaturg, published poet, and experienced improviser. As a proud alum of Til Dawn Acapella, the Vassar Devils, and the Vassar Jazz Ensemble, she has experience as a vocalist in a range of styles including classical, jazz, musical theater, folk, and soul. Theatrical roles include Else Kolemeier (Homefront), Ma Joad (Grapes of Wrath), Angela (Natural Shocks), Feste (Twelfth Night), Emily Webb (Our Town), Dolly (Safe Hands), and the Nurse (Sunday in the Park With George). She is incredibly grateful to be a current Acting Apprentice at Portland Playhouse.
Jasmyn Tilford^ She/Her
Assistant Choreographer
Jasmyn Unique Tilford is a graduate of Howard University’s Department of Theatre where she received her
B.F.A in Theatre Arts. Her credits include: Erzulie (Once on This Island, World Stage Theatre), Daphne (The Gods of Comedy, Clackamas Repertory Theatre), Ensemble/Josephine (I’m Black When I’m Singing, I’m Blue When I Aint, Third Rail Repertory Theatre), Dick Wilkins/Hermione (A Christmas Carol, Portland Playhouse), Simone & Latrice Understudy (Chicken & Biscuits, Portland Playhouse), Mrs. Dinwiddie/Ensemble (Bella: An American Tall Tale, Portland Playhouse).
Gisela Estrada She/Her
Scenic Designer
Gisela is thrilled to be working with Portland Playhouse for this immersive production of Passing Strange. Her recent credits include Chicago (Onstage, El Salvador), The Trans-Atlantic Time Traveling Company (Theater Alliance), Morning After Grace (Anacostia Arts Center), Assoc. Scenic Designer for Look Both Ways (The Kennedy Center – Theater Alliance), Jersey Boys (Forestburgh Playhouse), Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus (Hangar Theater), Haydn’s Opera Orlando Paladino (Fletcher Opera), and Passing Strange (UNCSA). She is the current Scenic Design Kenan Fellow at The Kennedy Center. Gisela holds an MFA from UNC School of The Arts in Scenic Design, and a BS in Architecture from University Dr. José Matías Delgado, El Salvador. @giseestrada7
Wanda Walden She/Her
Costume Designer
Wanda is an award winning Costume Designer for over 35 years. In 1981 Wanda created a new concept “Retro-Spect Productions ” A Theatrical Modeling Company. Stepping back into the past and reminiscing yesteryear through A Potpourri of Fashion, music and Dance. In 1985 Wanda launched an exciting career in Acting and Costuming. The rest is “LA History” Portland Playhouse: Pipeline, Crowns, How I Learned, What I Learned;Profile Theatre: The Oldest Profession, Mother Courage, Ruined, Fires in the Mirror, The Secretaries; ART: Skeleton Crew, We Are Proud to Present, It’s a Wonderful Life, An Octaroon; OCT: The Journal of Ben Uchida, In This Corner, Cassius Clay. Media Rites/Coho: Brothers Paranormal. Vanport Mosaic: Soul’d, Martha Bakes, Left Hook, Cottonwood in the Flood; Passin Art Theatre: Black Nativity, Two Trains Running, The Gospel of Loving Kindness.
Diane Ferry Williams
She/Her
Lighting Designer
Diane Ferry Williams is a freelance lighting designer who has lit well over 300 productions of theatre, dance, dance festivals and opera in the US, Canada, Europe and Asia. She is from the Midwest, but has lit many productions in Portland. It is one of her favorite cities! So many wonderful people are here and all of her experiences have been incredibly good for the soul. Awards include a Jeff Award, an After Dark Award, a Carbonelle Award, six Drammy awards, and six Jeff nominations. Diane has a BA from Ashland University in Ohio with a theatre major and a Master of Fine Arts in Theatrical Design from Northwestern University.
Saibi Khalsa
She/Her
Sound Designer
Saibi is a Portland-based designer and sound engineer and is the co-founder of Saster&Saster Productions. Recent credits include Goodnight Moon (Oregon Childrens Theater, On Clover Road (Santa Fe Playhouse), Gloop (Portland Institute for Contemporary Art) A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder (Santa Fe Playhouse), King John (design assistant) (Oregon Shakespeare Festival), and This African American Life (Oregon Shakespeare Festival Midnight Projects). Saibi grew up in Santa Fe, New Mexico and studied sound at both Sarah Lawrence College and Santa Fe University of Art and Design. She is a proud member of IATSE local 154, and loves every opportunity she gets to work with the wonderful team at the Portland Playhouse.
TBD
Costume Assistant
Tamera Lyn^
She/Her
Video Creation
Tamera Lyn has set her sights on the boundless world of creative art as a young black woman. She has cultivated a passion for creating art through her ever-growing perspective, both in performance and filmmaking. Born and raised in Atlanta, GA, and received her B.A. from Florida A & M University. Tamera has worked with Artists Repertory Theatre, CoHo Theatre, Portland Playhouse, Third Rail Theatre, Shaking the Tree Theatre, Portland Center Stage, Confrontation Theatre, PETE Ensemble, Passin' Art, and other theaters in the PNW. She has also done commercial, tv, and film work, and has worked with NW Documentary, POW Film Fest, Open Signal Labs, Hearts & Sparks Productions, BLVCK Film Collective, and others. She produces her visual work with Sunflower Creations. Watch her bloom at tameralyn.com
peace + blessings.
Eliza Jane Schneider
She/Her
Dialect Coach
Eliza Jane Schneider has a deep-seated passion for sound, music, and dialects and has put in 30 years and well over 10,000 hours of research. She founded Eliza Doolittle Dialects in 1992 and has been coaching celebrities and developing actors in accents and dialects since. She is the founder of the Character Acting Academy, and was invited to present her uniquely effective Looping Method at the Voice and Speech Teachers Association (VASTA) conference in Singapore. Her award-winning documentary solo plays, Freedom of Speech, Sounds of Silence, and Displaced, Detained, Discovered, feature under-represented voices from around the world, exploring issues of inclusion, representation, and diversity, as well as poverty, sexism, racism, houselessness, climate change, and social justice. Her many voices can be heard around the world on TV shows, films, and games, including South Park, Beakman’s World, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Curious George, Assassin’s Creed, Final Fantasy, and World of Warcraft. Her clients include celebrities, developing talent, Paramount, Fox, Universal, Dreamworks, Pixar, and AAA game companies like Ubisoft and 2K.
Keela Johnson She/Her
Cultural Competency Consultant
Keela works as a Cultural Competency Consultant for Portland Playhouse. She began her work in this role during the 21/22 production season and is continuing in her role for the 22/23 season. Keela also works as a private consultant for non-profit and other organizations, as well as an educator at Portland State University. She specializes in institutional, structural, and inter/intrapersonal oppressive ideologies, frameworks, policies, and narratives with an emphasis on healing spaces for all. Her work over the past 7 years with Portland Playhouse has consisted of providing workshops and other facilitations for staff, critical dialogic spaces for the greater community and critical dialogic spaces for affinity groups. She is moving into her second production year in this role and is so happy, honored and humbled to be on this wonderful journey.
Thyra Hartshorn She/Her
Director of Production
Thyra is a production manager, stage manager and technical director. Her training includes an MFA in production and design with a concentration in stage management from the University of California, Irvine, as well as almost two decades in ballet production. Thyra has toured and worked with companies around the world including San Francisco Ballet, American Ballet Theatre and the Bolshoi Ballet. Locally she’s also worked with Oregon Ballet Theatre, Profile Theatre, White Bird, Portland Taiko and Northwest Dance Project. Thyra has taught high school stagecraft as well as college-level stage management locally.
Ryann St Julien They/Them
Head Carpenter
Ryann is a theatre technician based in Portland, Oregon. They recently received a B.A. in theater from Lewis and Clark College, where their credits include props master for The Secretaries, (Lewis and Clark College); and Medea (Lewis and Clark College). They were a member of the scene shop crew for Lewis and Clark productions of Medea, Passion Play, The Secretaries, Cabaret, The Christians, Stupid Fucking Bird, and Sweeney Todd. They have worked around Portland on productions such as King of the Yees (Profile Theater), The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity (Profile Theater), Chicken and Biscuits (Portland Playhouse), and Home/Land (Hand2Mouth). Check out their website at https://www.ryannstjulien.com/
Allison Blaine They/He
Head Electrician
Allison is a lighting designer around the Portland area, in theatre, dance, and performance art. Recent designs include The Winter's Tale with the Portland Shakespeare Project, Camelot with the Lakewood Center for the Arts, and Open Space Dance's first company performance, Sheen. In addition to design work, Allison is Playhouse's lead electrician, and this fall was the lighting lead for the 2022 Time Based Art Festival at the Portland Institute for Contemporary Art.
Zach Barbour
He/Him
Asst. Head Electrician
Dylan Nebeker+ They/Them
Properties Coordinator & Design Apprentice
Dylan Nebeker is a current design/production apprentice here at Portland Playhouse. They graduated in June with their M.A. in Theater Arts from UC Santa Cruz, where they wrote their thesis about immersive theater and its application in Transgender Storytelling. They are a Portland based scenic and props designer/carpenter. They are the Props Coordinator for this production of Passing Strange and are excited for you all to see and experience Youth's turbulent journey through life and self discovery. You can follow more of their work @dylannebekerdesign on Instagram.
Cast
Jasonica Moore She/They
Stew
Jasonica Moore is an actor, writer, and creative from Texas. This will be her first professional show post graduating university. Jasonica’s passion lies in daydreaming and world building. With an emphasis on coloring outside the lines, her work is inspired by the different worlds she comes into contact with everyday, whether that be the ones we live in, or the ones in her head. Shoutout to her mom and dad for always supporting her, to Portland Playhouse for seeing her, and to the Steele family for opening their home and hearts to her.
Charles Grant*^ He/Him
Youth
Charles is so excited to be a part of this dream show with an awe-inspiring group of artists (gratitude and love to you all!). He is an actor and director who sometimes wears other hats, and he is currently in the role of Producing Director at Portland Playhouse. He’s worked with various theatre companies over the years including Portland Center Stage, Many Hats Collaboration, Third Rail, Broadway Rose, Fuse Theatre Ensemble, P.E.T.E., and Confrontation Theatre. Portland Playhouse performance credits include: Titus Andronicus, A Christmas Carol (2016 & 2017). Charles would like to dedicate this performance to his late mentor Shirley Jo Finney. May we continue to share our stories on our terms. Say hi on Instagram @thecharlesgrant or at www.thecharlesgrant.com
LaRhonda Steele She/Her
Mother
LaRhonda Steele, a blues and gospel singer and songwriter, is recognized as one the region's best rhythm and blues vocalists. She has been dubbed “The First Lady of Portland Blues”—a title of leadership that she lives up to as she shares songs that carry forth directly from her soul and spiritual life-force. LaRhonda enjoys performing with her band at local festivals, theaters, private parties and clubs. Working as a Vocal Coach, she enjoys helping others find their voice.
Her Discography includes: Artistic Differences (2009), My Souls Song (2010), Yes Please (2015), Rock me Baby (2016), Spirit of Freedom (2018).
Jelani Kee*
He/Him
Terry, Reverend Jones, & others
Jelani Kee is excited to making his Portland Playhouse debut telling this amazing story. Last seen in Portland in Life In Art’s production of Of Mice and Men as Crooks, he’s always glad to be in Portland. A graduate of Central Washington University, Jelani has a BFA in Musical Theater and minors in dance and dance performance. Although hailing from Vancouver, WA, Jelani got his theater career started in the Seattle area working at theaters like Artswest, Village Theater, and 5th Avenue Theater. Some of his favorite past performances include Hair (Hud), In The Heights, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown (Snoopy), Dreamgirls, and The Wiz.
Lauren Steele*
She/Her
Sherry, Desi, & others
Lauren Steele is a multidisciplinary artist from Portland, Oregon with a BFA in Theatre from Southern Methodist University. Some of her favorite roles to date include: Susan in Tick…Tick…Boom! and Jeannie in Hair at Portland Center Stage, #13 in The Wolves at Dallas Theatre Center, Ann in What I Learned in Paris with Penumbra Theatre and Portland Playhouse, and Letitia in Clyde’s at Syracuse Stage, soon to come to Portland Center Stage. Also an accomplished vocalist and songwriter Lauren recently released her first full-length album Happy Girl under her musical stage name Lo Steele. Check out Lo’s music, available on all platforms. Lauren is grateful for the team at Portland Playhouse for curating such an amazing and supportive space for storytelling. @Losteele
Delphon "DJ" Curtis Jr.*^
Any pronouns
Mr. Franklin, Mr. Venus, & others
DJ is thrilled to return to Portland Playhouse for this soul-stirring and rousing piece. Having last been seen as Bob Cratchit in A Christmas Carol here at the Playhouse, they have been fortunate to portray the roles of Collins in RENT at Portland Center Stage, David in Choir Boy, Man Understudy and Pit Ensemble for Crowns here at the Playhouse, and Lead in the Quartet for Always…Patsy Cline with Sally Struthers and Carter Calvert. They graduated from William Peace University with a BFA in Musical Theatre then completed the apprentice program here at Portland Playhouse.
Andrea Vernae*^ She/Her
Edwina, Marianna, & others
Andrea Vernae is ecstatic to return home to the Portland Playhouse! She is grateful to Rodney, the creative team, and this incredible cast for their creativity and generosity. Her favorite credits include Clyde’s, The Wolves, Redwood, and Pen/Man/Ship. You can see her next at Portland Center Stage in Clyde’s, June 1-30!
Rae Davis
He/They
U/S Stew, U/S Mother
Rae’s passion for storytelling through his art comes from his innate desire to nurture human connection and foster curiosity about and compassion for one another at any and every age. Participating in tangible forms of artistic expression offers Rae a feasible tool to help ground him in reality. Contrarily, with a BFA in Acting, Rae’s most prominent artistic expression is submerging himself into imaginary scenarios, performing in stage productions, to investigate the human psyche. His choice of other expressive mediums, at this point in time, are scenic design, painting and installation-piece fabrication. The intricate road of intersectionalities that Rae walks (having disabilities, being trans, mixed, autistic & more!) is paved with artistic endeavors and propelled by formidable inquisition. FREE PALESTINE.
Anthony Michael Shepard^
He/Him
U/S Youth
U/S Terry, Reverend Jones, Mr. Franklin, Mr. Venus, & others
Anthony Michael Shepard is happy to be back on the Playhouse stage once again. A St. Louis native, a graduate of The Dobbins Conservatory of Theatre, and BTU Rise Mentee. Since moving to Portland, he has completed an Apprenticeship with the Portland Playhouse and appeared in Fucking A/Blood Wedding at Shaking the Tree, American Fast at Artists Repertory Theater, Great Wide Open/A Christmas Carol(x2) at Portland Playhouse. Anthony is exploring how his advocacy fits into the art that he makes/desires to make by learning about prison abolition, labor movements, environmental justice (shout out to his golden retriever boyfriend), and socialism. He dreams of a world in which theatre is accessible to all and new work is abundant in every city, town, and village. He is the co-host of Genesis: A Subsequent Elevation with his creative companion; GG Generally. Anthony plans to move to NYC (get him while he’s here!!), release music, write, direct, and act everywhere he can (not necessarily in that order). He thanks his family, blood and chosen, for their continual support, counsel, and love.
Jasmyn Tilford^ She/Her
U/S Sherry, Desi, Edwina, Marianna, & others"
Jasmyn Unique Tilford is a graduate of Howard University’s Department of Theatre where she received her
B.F.A in Theatre Arts. Her credits include: Erzulie (Once on This Island, World Stage Theatre), Daphne (The Gods of Comedy, Clackamas Repertory Theatre), Ensemble/Josephine (I’m Black When I’m Singing, I’m Blue When I Aint, Third Rail Repertory Theatre), Dick Wilkins/Hermione (A Christmas Carol, Portland Playhouse), Simone & Latrice Understudy (Chicken & Biscuits, Portland Playhouse), Mrs. Dinwiddie/Ensemble (Bella: An American Tall Tale, Portland Playhouse).
Musicians
Kennedy Verrett He/Him
Heidi, Keyboard & Conductor
Kennedy is an innovative, versatile composer and researcher whose imaginative music captures beauty, bursts of melodic and rhythmic energy. Kennedy uses his experience as a film composer to create innovative work that challenges the audience to reexamine their usual mode of appreciation. In addition to his work in contemporary music, Kennedy dedicates his time to research and educating people on the field of ecoacoustics. One of Kennedy’s recent premieres, Soundcheck Earth (in partnership with Lou Harrison House Music, Arts, and Ecology and Joshua Tree National Park), examines the relationship between instruments, nature, and the audience’s temporal experience.
Pierre Carbuccia Abbott
He/Him
Bass & Vocals
Zanny Geffel They/Them
Percussion
Zanny Geffel has a B.A. in classical percussion from Biola University. Along with their band, The Cabin Project, they have performed and recorded in various other bands, musical projects and theater companies throughout Portland. Musical theater is a passion for them and in 2018 Zanny received the Portland Area Music Theater Award for Outstanding Pit Musician. Some favorite shows they have performed in have been West Side Story, Rent, and Hedwig and the Angry Inch.
Daysmel (AKA Dice) Muniz
He/Him
Guitar
Daysmel Muniz is an experimental musician who uses the guitar to create vast sonic landscapes. His approach welcomes exploration and the acceptance of all sound – the pleasant as well as the harsh.
With over 15 years of performance experience as a performer and band leader, Daysmel (also known as Dice) has been a musician and soundscape designer for a diverse variety of stage projects such as: What King Kong Dreamt, LOLPERA, Threepenny Opera, Hedwig and The Angry Inch.
As a versatile multi-instrumentalist, he values adaptability and being in the moment. He has played guitar, bass, banjo, drums, percussion, electronics and any sound-making tool he can get his hands on.
Dice’s passion is to educate and support others in tapping into their own creative self-expression. He mentors musicians in navigating improvisation, experimentation and discovering their unique voice. He enjoys listening to music, drawing and being close to the ocean.
