Dayna Jarae Dantzler (Celie),is thrilled to embark on her next tour with this company. Recent credits include: Barter Theatre’s Little Shop of Horrors (Ronnette), Frankenstein (Servant), Theatreworks/Two Beans Productions’ James and the Giant Peach (national tour), and the Negro Ensemble Company’s Chronicles of Color (NYC tour). Dayna gives thanks to her mother for her everlasting love and support.
Pam Trotter (Sofia),is originally from St. Louis, MO, now residing in Los Angeles, CA. Pam is extremely thankful for the opportunity to play the role of Sofia, another dream-come-true. Selected TV: “Hawthorne,” “Chuck,” “Dollhouse,” “Everybody Hates Chris,” “My Name is Earl.” Film: Dreamgirls (the movie). Stage: Ain’t Misbehavin’, Smokey Joe’s Café, BigRiver, Blues In The Night and numerous others.
Taprena Augustine (Shug Avery),National tour: The Pajama Game (Mae), Regional: Little Shop of Horrors (Ronnette/Suzi Award nominee), Frankenstein (Midwife), Hairspray (Dynamite), West Side Story (Consuela), Cats (Bombalurina), Swing! (Lead) and Duke Ellington’s Sophisticated Ladies (Swing). She has performed at Carnegie Hall and with the San Jacinta Dance Company at the infamous Congo Square. After attending the New OrleansCenter for the Creative Arts, she toured the country with the I.U. Soul Revue and African American Dance Ensembles and as a background vocalist with various R&B recording artists. She can also be heard on commercials overseas. Each performance is dedicated to her New Orleans family and Ahuacan DeGruy.
Edward C. Smith (Mister),has been a lifelong disciple of the theatre. Favorite roles portrayed include: Coalhouse Walker Jr. in Ragtime, Judas Iscariot in Jesus Christ Superstar, John in Miss Saigon, Capt. Davenport in ASoldier’s Play, Delbert Tibbs in The Exonerated and King Amonosro in Aida, which toured throughout China and North America. He is delighted to be a part of The Color Purple cast.
Lee Edward Colston II (Harpo),is a prison guard turned actor/playwright/author. After leaving the Dept. of Corrections he trained and graduated from the Brind School of Theatre at UArts (B.F.A.). Lee has 25 productions to his credit including Avenue X (Barrymore nomination), Cradle Will Rock (Irene Ryan nomination) and Othello. As a playwright, his play Solitary was a 2009 winner of the Philadelphia Theatre Workshop PlayShop festival. His book of poetry Phenomenal Brotha was released in 2005. Lee thanks God and his amazing family and friends for their continued love and support. (Special thanks to Derby and Adrienne.)
Traci Allen (Nettie),is thrilled to be joining the cast of The Color Purple. It’s a dream come true. Some of her favorite professional credits include Footloose; Once On This Island; Bud, Not Buddy; and Five Fingers of Funk (a world premiere), among others. Traci is a graduate of HowardUniversity. To God be the glory!
Allison Semmes (Squeak),is thrilled to be a part of The Color Purple cast. Chicago native. NYU grad. Credits: Bubbling Brown Sugar (Ella) at Stage Door Theatre, Dreamgirls (Lorrell) at Cohoes Music Hall, Town Hall Presents: Broadway’s Rising Stars and NYU productions: Violet (Lula/Landlady), Tim Rice and Alan Menken’s 10th anniversary King David (Wife) and Candide (Sheep). Much love to Semmes/Davis/Banks families, Phillipians 4:4–13.
Deaun Parker (Church Lady Jarene),is so honored to be part of such a great production. DeAun received her B.A. from CentralStateUniversity in Music Education. Upon graduation she taught music in the Columbus and Los Angeles public school systems. Her credits include Kwamina, The Wiz, Talkin Bout the Church and Black Resurrection.
Virlinda Stanton (Church Lady Darlene),from Tyler, Texas to Johannesburg South Africa, this song bird has blessed the microphone and crowds with the best. Behind every good voice, there is that Gospel Soul that is undeniable. Credits: The Lion King, Hercules The Muse-ical, Blues In The Night, Tarzan, Once On This Island, Black Nativity. CBS pilot “Under One Roof,” TBN “Praise The Lord” and “National Anthem” Vocalist.
Nesha Ward (Church Lady Doris),Regional: Maxwell: A New Musical (Ensemble), Nunsense (Sr. Mary Hubert), Nunsense II (Sr. Mary Hubert). NYC: Til The Day I Die (Major), Under Milkwood (Polly Garter), NYMF Broadway Idol 2008 Finalist, MetroStar Talent Challenge 2008 (second runner-up). Love and thanks to all her family and friends.
Phillip Brandon (Ol Mister/Preacher),a native of Los Angeles, was brought up in a very close and loving family. Since graduating from historic MorehouseCollege, he has had the opportunity to perform in works such as Porgy and Bess, as well as work with artists including Take 6, The Trans-Siberian Orchestra and many others. He is very excited to be a part of this cast. “The greatest failure is never having tried at all.”
Keith Adams (Ensemble/Grady),is excited to join The Color Purple. “I can remember when my mother took me to see it, I was blown away!” Other performances include: Jesus Christ Superstar (Simon/Jesus u/s) at the Tony Award-winning Alliance Theatre in Atlanta. He has sung the National Anthem for the Atlanta Thrashers and Atlanta Hawks for more than ten years and performs with an outstanding band, Bigswing and the Ballroom Blasters. Performances are dedicated to his wonderful family and friends. Peace and love.
Kadejah One (Church Soloist),a native of New Orleans, has been showcased in many off-Broadway productions, such as Ain’t Misbehavin’, Dreamgirls and The Wiz. She starred in the African Continuum Theater Company’s adaptation of Zora Neale Hurston’s Spunk, for which she won the Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Residential Musical. She attributes her success to God, her mother, family and friends.
Clotile Bonet (Ensemble),recently graduated from BYU with her B.F.A. and is thrilled to be on her first national tour. Her previous roles include Aida, Sarah in Ragtime, Titania in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Lovely Lady in Les Misérable. Special thanks to beautiful parents Harry and Debra, and seven siblings. Nolong, Yunga, Mauli, Yahosh, Conlon, Oyoyo and Oba, I love you!
Julius C. Carter (Ensemble),is thrilled to be joining the cast of The Color Purple. He graduated with honors from the University of Iowa where he pursued dance, history and pre-law. National tours: Movin’ Out (Ensemble, u/s Tony and Drill Sergeant). Regional: The Full Monty (Keno). Dance Companies: The Seldoms Dance Company, SPDW Dance Company, Duarte Dance Works, Deanna Carter Dancers. Film: Public Enemies (Train porter). Love to Mum-G and Dad-R.
Allyson Kaye Daniel (Ensemble),is thrilled to be a part of this production. Hailing from Washington, D.C., she is a recent graduate of The Pennsylvania State University where she received a B.F.A. in Musical Theatre, 2008. Recent credits: Disney Cruise Line, Peterborough Players, For The Glory—NETworks production. Big thanks to family, friends and teachers.
Tracie Franklin (Ensemble),is thrilled to be part of The Color Purple. International tours: Hairspray (Dynamite), Disney Live! (Storyteller Tracie). Off-Broadway: The Deciders. Regional: Ain’t Misbehavin’ (Charlaine), Sweet Charity (Helene), Into The Woods (Little Red), Little Shop of Horrors, Ragtime and All Night Strut. She shared the stage with Ben Vereen, Debbie Allen, Tony Bennett and Bill Cosby. Thank you family and friends. www.TracieFranklin.com.
Melanie L. Gaskins (Ensemble),graduated with a B.F.A. in Dance from TempleUniversity. She has performed as a member of the N.J. Nets NBA Dance Team, Danco II and Dance Theatre X. Favorite roles/features include the national tour of Joseph… (Mrs. Potiphar), The Wedding Singer (Crystal/Tina Turner), All Shook Up (Lorraine), A Chorus Line (Sheila), Show Choir! The Musical—2007 NY Fringe Festival (Sabrina Turner), Black Nativity (Mary), Evita (Tango Dancer) and Dreamgirls (Steppe Sister). Melanie thanks friends and family for their continual support.
Mark Hall (Ensemble/Pa),a native of San Antonio, Texas has appeared in Porgy and Bess, Riverdance, Insurrection: Holding History, Jelly’s Last Jam, Smokey Joe’s Café, Isis in Nubia, Le Griffon, Dreamgirls, Show Boat, A Raisin in the Sun, A Soldier’s Play, Once On This Island, The Ebony Game and Ragtime. TV/film credits: “General Hospital,” “Cedric the Entertainer Presents,” “Wanda at Large,” “The Parkers,” “All About the Andersons,” “Stories from the ER,” “The West Wing,” “Judging Amy,” “Crossing Jordan,” “Fast Lane,” “Dragnet,” “Presidio Med,” “Just Shoot Me” and “Getting Played.” Mark is thankful to God for grace, love and purpose.
Donald Jones Jr. (Ensemble),a New Orleans native, is a graduate of NorthwesternStateUniversity in Louisiana. Some of his regional credits include Rent (Benny), A Chorus Line (Richie) and Smokey Joe’s Cafe (Ken). This is Donald’s first national tour, and he is thrilled to make his debut with The Color Purple. Thanks to my loving family and friends for their endless support.
Melana L. Lloyd (Ensemble),is honored to be a part of this extraordinary production. A native of Lafayette, Louisiana by way of NYC, she has earned a B.S. in Education and an M.F.A. from NYUTischSchool of the Arts. Credits: Hairspray national/Asia tour. She thanks God for the dream and all those who have nourished a dream come true.
Christa Oliver (Ensemble),began dancing at age 12 with Archangel Dance Theatre in Youngstown, Ohio. She obtained her M.A. in Dance Performance at the age of 21 from the LabanCenter in London, where she danced with Transitions Dance Company. Company work: Principle dancer with Lula Washington Dance Theatre 2007–2010. Films: dancer in James Cameron’s Avatar and Tim Allen’s Crazy on the Outside. Thanks God, her family, pastor and mentors. I am blessed to be part of The Color Purple.
Keyon Powers (Bobby/Ensemble),originally hails from Rahway, N.J. and is a former student of the Boston Conservatory. He began his career in the NewarkBoysChorusSchool touring nationally and internationally. Favorite shows include Pippin, Aint Misbehavin’ and Dessa Rose. Heartfelt thank you’s go to God, Mom, Dad, Nana, Aunt Vikki, Lawrence, Anich, Joey, Matt and anyone who’s ever been a part of me. I’ve got nothing but love. His path to this juncture has been mapped out beautifully by God.
Christopher Sams (Buster/Ensemble),After a five year hiatus, Christopher is thrilled to join this production of The Color Purple. This is Mr. Sams’ third outing on the road, preceded by featured roles in the national tours of Smokey Joe’s Cafe and The Will Rogers Follies. Christopher is blessed to have received his M.A. in Speech Communication in 2010, and to have the inexorable love and support of the Lowery-Hart family.
Ashley Ware (Ensemble),is a native of WashingtonD.C. She studied voice under Samuel L.E. Bonds at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts, received a Bachelor’s of Science in Sociology from Shenandoah University, has studied at the Studio Theatre Acting Conservatory and privately with Vera J. Katz. Ashley has been a featured artist at the KennedyCenter sharing the stage with various well known artists. Professional credits: Bubblin’ Brown Sugar; Junkanoo; Breath, Boom!; Women’s Peace; For Colored Girls Who’ve Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf; F*ing A; and Aida.
