The Studio Theatre - Pipeline Digital Stream

By Dominique Morisseau

Go to school. Get suspended. Get expelled. Go to prison.

Nya, an inner-city public high school teacher, is committed to her students but desperate to give her only son Omari opportunities her pupils will never have. When Omari is involved in a controversial incident at his upstate private school, her hopes for her son clash with an educational system rigged against him. Now, Nya must confront his rage and her own choices as a parent without turning her back on the community that shaped him.

Pipeline by Dominique Morisseau draws its name from the unfortunate social phenomenon of the school-to-prison pipeline that effects young black men. Gwendolyn Brooks’ prophetic poem, “We Real Cool” is the backdrop of this passionate play about educators who see the humanity in their students and a family struggling to outrun social prophecy.

On Sale Now

July 2021

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Cast

OMARI
Rakeem Lawrence
 
REGIONAL: Romeo and Juliet (Shakespeare Theatre Company), Bite Size: Toxoplasmosis, Goodnight Moon (Denver Center), Gloria (Curious Theatre Company), Six Degrees of Separation (The Redhouse); Peter and the Starcatcher (Virginia Stage Company), A Raisin in the Sun, Little Shop of Horrors, (THEATREWORKS Colorado Springs), Angels in America (Western Theatre Company); Kill Move Paradise (Unicorn Theatre); Twelfth Night, Romeo and Juliet (Colorado Shakespeare Festival); Shrek, Sister Act (Little Theatre on the Square); Airness(Benchmark Theatre); Smokey Joe’s Cafe, Lend Me a Tenor (The Legacy Theatre); My Fair Lady (Quintessence Theatre Group); Working, A View from the Bridge, Annie (Hope Summer Rep); Sister Act, Ragtime, Grease (Midtown Arts Center); TV/FILM: Superbook (CBN) Training: MFA, Regent University
NYA
Jade Jones
Jade L. Jones is a singer, actress, and whole hearted performer. With a passion for entertainment, Jade jumped back into community theatre with Cultural Fusion’s production of “Crowns”. From there, she has successfully portrayed Celestina Warbeck in Universal Studio’s Diagon Alley. Jade debuted her first lead role with Athens Theater in Deland as Deloris Van Cartier in Sister Act. This UCF graduate is a native Floridian with a passion for the arts, and seeks to make a positive impact in the entertainment community.
LAURI
Patti McGuire
Patti’s first appearance with Studio Theatre Tierra Del Sol was in A Doll’s House playing the role of Anne-Marie. Patti moved to Orlando when cast as the original Iowa Housewife in Menopause, The Musical. She has appeared in Central Florida productions with Mad Cow, Orlando Repertory Theatre, Winter Park Playhouse, SeaWorld, and Fringe Festival. Before moving to Florida, Patti appeared in many productions in Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, and South Dakota. Patti earned her Master of Fine Arts degree in acting from Minnesota State University, Mankato. She recently retired from teaching and enjoys having more time to act, travel, and ride her Harleys.
JASMINE
TroyElan Richardson
TroyElan is an actress/comedian. Recently relocated to Atlanta from NYC, she is excited to perform with The Studio Theatre in her first regional production. Her recent theatre credits include Cowboy Face (Dixon Place), bloodymessysurprised (The New Ohio), Far Away (Playwrights Downtown), and Ruined (Atlantic Acting School). She is a graduate of New York University Tisch School of the Arts (2019) where she studied at the Atlantic Acting School, The Experimental Theatre Wing, and The International Theatre Workshop in Amsterdam. She gives all of her thanks to God, her family, and friends who support her endlessly.

Website: https://www.troyelan.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/troyelan
Instagram: @the_real_te
Twitter: @the_real_te
XAVIER
Esdras Toussaint
Esdras is a Haitian born, American actor, director, producer, and teacher with a passion for community outreach. He earned his MFA in Theatre from Columbia University. Esdras now works and lives in the Los Angeles area where he continues his work in community engagement. His directing credits include: Timon of Athens, Antony and Cleopatra, Comedy of Errors, Twelfth Night, Clybourne Park, and the internationally renowned play Outspoken by the great Blaire Baron Larsen. Among his most cherished roles on the stage are: Christopher Sly from Taming of the Shrew and George Milton from Of Mice and Men. He is forever grateful to the theatre audience, and his acting coach James Brill of The Neighborhood Playhouse.
DUN
Damany O. Riley
Damany Omar Riley is elated to make his debut at The Studio Theatre Tierra del Sol. Some of his previous theatre credits include; Shakespeare’s Ghostbusters (Hardly Working Productions), Fences, Big River (Mad Cow Theatre) The Life, Once on this Island (Breakthrough Theatre) Much Ado About Nothing (Bridgeport Shakespeare). Recent film credit; Thurgood Marshall in the film Harry T. Moore. Many thanks to you, The Studio Theatre, this great cast and crew and to Mo… like the moon and stars!
U/S JASMINE
Ambria Benjamin
Bio Coming Soon!
U/S LAURIE
Alyson Johnson
Alyson has performed for nearly 20 years in Central Florida regional and community theatres. Some favorites include Neighbors: A Fair Trade Agreement, A Doll’s House, Stop Kiss, Tell Me on a Sunday, and Next to Normal (Studio Theatre); Bonnie & Clyde (Garden Theatre); Young Frankenstein, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Into the Woods, Man of La Mancha (Moonlight Players, Clermont FL); Picasso at the Lapin Agile, Noises Off, Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (Bay Street Players, Eustis FL). Graduate of University of Central Florida, 2001 and 2019. She is thrilled to be returning to The Studio Theatre, and thanks her family for their love, support, and encouragement – and all of you for supporting socially distanced theatre!

Production & Design Team

PRODUCER
Jason Goedken
Jason Goedken is the Producer for The Studio Theatre Tierra del Sol and the Operations Manager of The Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center. While Jason helped open both theatres, manages both staffs, and is mostly behind-the-scenes, he also made a memorable acting debut in The Studio Theatre’s Second Season as the character Harry in Company.
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Whitney Morse
Whitney Morse won Broadway World’s award for Best Supporting Actress for Proof in the Inaugural Season at The Studio Theatre Tierra del Sol. Morse kicked off the first season in Next To Normal, The Last Five Years, Proof, and Songs for a New World. In The Studio Theatre’s second season, Morse starred in Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune as Frankie, and in Company as Amy. Over this past summer at The Studio Theatre, Morse accomplished a once-in-a-lifetime acting experience in White Rabbit Red Rabbit. She also performed a one-woman run of fourteen sold-out performances for Tell Me On a Sunday. Audiences have most recently seen her in the Summer Song Cycle Now. Here. This. as well as last season’s iconic role of Nora Helmer in Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House. Her Central Florida Theatre credits include The Secret Garden, 1776 and Big River (Mad Cow Theatre). Chicago: Next To Normal (Skokie Theatre), Other Desert Cities (Citadel Theatre), The Children’s Hour (Pride Films and Plays), Spike Heels (Brown Paper Box), Down Range (Genesis Theatricals), Trafford Tanzi and I Carry Your Heart (Prologue Theatre Company), Accomplice (Jedlicka Performing Arts Center), The Turn of the Screw, Jeeves at Sea, Unnecessary Farce and The Merchant of Venice (First Folio Theater). Whitney is the Artistic Director of The Sharon and The Studio Theatre. MFA Acting – Columbia University School of the Arts. www.whitneymorse.com
PRODUCTION MANAGER
Danielle Paccione
Danielle Paccione has worn many hats in theatre in the last 20 years – an actress, teacher, stage manager, director and much more. Danielle moved to Orlando a few years ago and quickly joined Mad Cow Theatre as their Assistant Production Manager/AEA Stage Manager. She has lived up and down the East Coast working for production companies such as Minelou Productions, Howard Perloff Productions, Arts Power, Hersheypark Entertainment & Resorts, Matt Davenport Production, and Gary Musik Productions to name a few.
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
Clayton Becker
Clay is thrilled to be joining the production team of The Studio Theatre. Previously he spent five years as the Technical Director at Circa 21 Dinner Playhouse in Rock Island, Illinois. He technical directed more than 55 shows including his favorites Mamma Mia, Elf and Southern Crossroads. Clay earned his BA In Theatre at the University of the Ozarks, in Clarksville Arkansas. Clay would like to thank his girlfriend, friends and family for their support and encouragement.
COMPANY MANAGER/VIDEO
Ryan Loeckel
Ryan is an active musician, actor, vocalist, and collaborative arts producer. Last season he was heard at The Studio Theatre during Assassins and It Shoulda Been You, featured at The Sharon in Bach To Broadway, fiddled as Joe-Bob in Always…Patsy Cline (Victory Productions), and played the role of Righteous Brother Bill Medley in That Lovin’ Feelin’ (Beefhouse Dinner Theatre). Ryan trained as a violist with Marcia Ferritto, and has shared the stage on tour with Josh Groban, Idina Menzel, Barry Manilow, and Trans-Siberian Orchestra among many others. His performances have been heard on syndicated broadcasts, aboard five-star ships, and at venues internationally. www.loeckel.com
IG: loeckelmusik
STAGE MANAGER
Grace Zottig
Grace Zottig, Resident Stage Manager for The Studio Theatre can typically be found in the audio / visual booth in the space. She has been with the team since August 2018, with her first production being Stop Kiss. Some other titles she has staged managed are: Assassins, Neighbors: A Fair Trade Agreement, It Shoulda Been You, and Now. Here. This. She is stoked to switch gears and direct the live stream table read series. Grace’s directing debut, Silent Sky, could be seen at the Fred Stone Theatre, 2017. A special thanks to her friends, family, teammates at The Studio, and Noah. Without y’alls love and support, she wouldn’t be the young professional she would be today.
ASSISTANT PRODUCTION MANAGER
Layna Hoopfer
Bio Coming Soon!
ASSISTANT PRODUCTION MANAGER
Leslie Munson
Leslie is delighted to be performing with The Studio Theatre. Some of her favorite acting credits include The Tin Woman, I Love You Because, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (The Black Box Theater, IL), and Rocky Horror Show (Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse, IL). Leslie has also enjoyed bringing kooky characters to life performing with It’s A Mystery, professional dinner theatre back home in the Midwest. Most recently she can be found behind the scenes with her talented work family at The Sharon L. Morse Performing Art Center in The Villages. Thank you to the Studio Theatre and their wonderful team for the opportunity and for keeping art alive when we need it the most.
ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER
Stephanie Horn
Stephanie is thrilled to be joining The Studio Team for The Story of My Life. She’s a native of TN who’s been both onstage and backstage since her Junior Year of high-school. Some of her favorite productions have been Romeo You Idiot (Science Hill High-School), The Adventures of Robin Hood (Theatre Bristol), The Nutcracker and Alice in Wonderland (Johnson City Youth Ballet).

When not at The Studio she can be found running around The Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center. She would like to thank her parents and grandmother for their support and her work family at The Sharon for allowing her to explore the theatre realm to its fullest.
LITERARY MANAGER
Rachel Whittington
Rachel is thrilled to be performing at The Studio Theatre! The Studio credits: Clown/Technician in Neighbors… Kathy in Company; Callie/Sarah Understudy in Stop Kiss; Daphna/Melody Understudy in Bad Jews; and several Virtual Play Readings. Favorite Central Florida Credits: Gypsy, Guys and Dolls, A Christmas Carol (Athens Theatre); James Joyce’s The Dead, The All-Female 1776 (Mad Cow Theatre); Sweeney Todd (Insomniac Theatre), Into the Woods (CFCArts), Equus (Dir. Jeremy Seghers). Other Credits: A Little Night Music, The Music Man, Gianni Schicchi, Ben Folds and the Raleigh Symphony Orchestra. TV: The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. BA-Music: Elon University. Rachel would like to thank her husband, family, friends, and everyone who chooses live theatre for making her dream job a reality! www.rachelewhit.com
STUDIO HOUSE MANAGER
Grace Petty
Bio Coming Soon!
SHARON HOUSE MANAGER
Heather Ard
Heather Ard has held many positions throughout her career in entertainment: singer, performer, stage manager, choreographer, and director. She has performed in professional productions throughout the country; favorite rolls including Maria: The Sound of Music, Belle: Beauty and the Beast, and The Narrator: Joseph…. Around The Villages Heather can be seen singing at Katie Bell’s, St. Timothy’s Catholic Church and various other venues in the area. Heather moved to The Villages from Orlando in 2014 with her husband, Paul, and their 3 beautiful children. Her involvement with The Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center began as Properties Manager with the opening team and she has been a part of the family ever since. Heather is currently the Assistant House Manager for the Sharon. Although Heather’s title has changed throughout her career, her goal has always remained the same: “To utilize my passion for entertainment to bring joy to others.” Enjoy the show!
DIRECTOR
Roberta Emerson
Roberta Emerson is a graduate of both the University of Minnesota with BFA in Acting and Theatre Management and New York University with an MFA in Acting. She has worked as and actor and director in many regional theaters around the country, has done extensive voice over and film work, and has been a teaching artist both state side and in Europe. She is currently the Director of Theatre for Montverde Academy’s Theatre Conservatory. It is a dream come true to finally be working with such an incredible theater company and this immensely talented cast and crew.
CULTURAL COORDINATOR
Tavia Rivée Jefferson
Bio Coming Soon!
SET DESIGNER
Kenneth Constant
Kenneth Constant is a Houston, Texas native. He studied scenic design at The North Carolina School of The Arts. Prior to graduation he worked for a number of different theaters including The Hangar Theatre in upstate New York, The Baystreet Theatre in the Hamptons, and even Oklahoma State University where he designed, painted, and built a production of “Little Shop of Horrors.” After his education, he worked as the resident designer and technical director for The California Theatre Center in Sunnyvale, CA. He was also the production manager for their beginning, intermediate, and advanced conservatories. While in California he designed, built, and painted over eighty sets earning him numerous awards including Best Scenic Design for A Summer Repertory and Best Show for A Children’s Musical as awarded by the Southbay Theatre Awards. Other awards include SETC, and USITT Top Design for his production of “The Seagull” in 2007. After returning to Houston in 2010, he moved from being an assistant teaching artist at The Alley Theatre to being their Technical Director of Education, a position that had not existed prior. In addition to this, he worked as a carpenter and scenic artist in their scene shop. While in Houston he also worked as a technical director, paint charge, and scenic designer for dozens of productions earning him awards for his designs of “High Hat Hattie”, Bye, Bye Birdie” and others. In 2012 he was hired as an Adjunct Professor of Scenic Art for The University of Houston. The following year he accepted a position as Technical Director and Educator for The John Cooper School in The Woodlands, Texas. Kenneth worked as the technical director for The Aspen Theatre and Opera Center during the Summers of 2013 – 2014 before becoming a member of The Villages family in October of 2014. He is now the technical director of The Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center, as well as the resident designer for The Studio at Tierra del Sol.
COSTUMER DESIGNER
Annie Trombo

Bio Coming Soon!

LIGHTING DESIGNER
David Krupla

Bio Coming Soon!

MASTER ELECTRICIAN
Lindsey Young
Lindsey Young is a 2018 Theatrical Design and Technology graduate from the University of North Carolina Wilmington. Her most recent credits with The Studio include, Assistant Lighting Designer for A Dolls House, It Shoulda Been You and Stop Kiss. Lindsey’s other recent credits include: Master Electrician for The Lost Colony 2018, Lighting Designer for the North American premiere of The Hunting of the Snark (Roanoke Islands Waterside Theatre), Festival Production Electrician for The National Black Theatre Festival. Her UNCW credits include: Lighting Designer for Hedda Gabler, Tribes, Small Engine Repair, co-lighting designer for Dr. Faustus and assistant lighting designer for Good Kids, Billy Witch, The Children’s Hour and Boeing Boeing. Lindsey is thankful to work with such a wonderful staff and for two great theatres. To stalk her please visit: lindseyslights.com.
SOUND/AV DESIGNER
Nick Erickson
Nick spent two years freelancing in Portland OR, where he worked with companies such as Profile, Third Rail, Anon it Moves, Action Adventure Theatre, and Hand2Mouth. Nick has performed as part of Sound Kitchen at World Stage Design in Taiwan (2017), and Prague Quadrennial (2015). Nick is freshly graduated from Carnegie Mellon University with an MFA in sound design for theatre.
PROPS DESIGNER/MASTER
Tara Kromer
Tara is thrilled to be directing her first production for The Studio Theatre. Recent credits include: My Pal Bette (Orlando Fringe), The Giver, Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical (Orlando Repertory Theatre), Driving Miss Daisy (Theatre at St. Lukes), Little Shop of Horrors, Greater Tuna, Wait Until Dark (Athens Theatre), and Ring of Fire (Potsdam Music Theatre, NY). She has worked in various disciplines at the Hippodrome Theatre, Seaside Music Theatre, Orlando Rep, Orlando Fringe (Florida), Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Chicago Shakes, and Congo Square Theatre (Chicago), Hangar Theatre, & New York Stage and Film (New York). Tara holds an MFA in Theatre from the University of Central Florida. She is a member of AEA and an Associate Member of SDC. www.tarakromer.webs.com
MASTER CARPENTER
Preston Speaker
Preston is a Graduate of University of North Carolina School of the Arts, with a BFA in Technical Direction. While enrolled at UNCSA he worked all over the Eastern Seaboard building scenery at various summer seasonal theatre companies. After graduation he joined IATSE, the stage hands union, and continued to work in North Carolina and the surrounding areas as a stage hand, fly man, and rigger. During the summers after school, Preston got a seasonal job working on the Jam Band Music Festival Circuit. He travelled all over the country and to Costa Rica building and working festivals. Once he decided he was done living on the road, he was called to replace an employee at the Aspen Music Festival and School, where he spent 3 summers building and rigging scenery for their Aspen Opera Theatre Company. In early 2016, he was hired to work for The Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center and The Studio Theatre Tierra del Sol in The Villages. Moving to Florida from northern Ohio; he is enjoying the weather and the exceptional team he works with.
ADDITIONAL CARPENTRY
Tony Fairchild
Bio Coming Soon!
ADDITIONAL CARPENTRY
David Bost
Bio Coming Soon!
ADDITIONAL CARPENTRY
Luke Bezio
Bio Coming Soon!