THE MOVEMENT
AN A CAPPELLA MUSICAL
by Kathy D. Harrison
WHO'S WHO
KATHY D. HARRISON
A multi-disciplined performing artist, songwriter and a playwright. She is a native of Detroit, Michigan and earned a BA degree in Communications and Theatre from Adrian College. She most enjoys creating new musical theater works which highlight the experiences of African Americans and underrepresented voices. Ms. Harrison is the Founder/Artistic Director of Diversity Youth Theater and Founder of Performing Artists United. She is an Arts Educator/Teaching Artist and has piloted and managed innovative arts programs in NY/NJ.
In May 2015, Kathy was awarded the Jubilation Foundation Artist Fellowship Grant, funded by Tide Foundation. She is the recipient of two (2) City of Newark Proclamations, as presented by Cory Booker.
On Stage Performance Credits: The Paper Bag Players (Ensemble member of Obie Award Winning Children’s Theatre Troupe since 2006), Talented Tenth (Rowena), Ain’t Mishavin’ (Charlene), Sweet Charity(Helene), Leader Of The Pack (Darlene Love), Dream Girls (Michelle/Ensemble), Playwright Credits (wrote Book/Music & Lyrics): Imagine! A Holiday Musical, Southern Boys, Junk in the Trunk, Wish List, One Rhythm, She Gave Life. Music Credits: The Amazing Meet Project Band (backing/featured vocalist), Bahamas National Tourism Commercial Jingle (songwriter/vocalist), When a man loves a woman Musical (Composer/Lyricist), Hope Lives Here Musical (Composer/Lyricist/Director). Currently, Kathy is seeking a literary agent and is focused on getting her original works to a broader market. Her greatest joy is being a mother to her son, Nigel- who is was the youngest cast member in The Movement.
PLAYWRIGHT, DIRECTOR, ACTOR
LAWRENCE DANDRIDGE
SONGWRITER, FREEMAN, JAMES BEVEL
I'm a paragraph. Click here to add your own text and edit me. I’m a great place for you to tell a story Lawrence is a former musical theater major at New Jersey City University. Most recently, he has concluded the 2nd National US tour of Sister Act-The musical (TJ). Previous credits: Cabaret (Emcee), West Side Story (Bernardo), Hairspray (Gilbert), Urinetown (Hot Blades Harry), Once on This Island (Storyteller), Into The Woods (Wolf/Steward), and Carrie (Freddie). New Musicals: Imagine! A Holiday Musical (Chauncey/Terrance), Wish List (Jeremy), Southern Boys (Johnny), and The Movement (Tobias/Freeman/James Bevel). In 2012, he was cast in the world premiere production of A Night in New Orleans (Happy) based on the popular children's book series, The Magic Treehouse.
As a songwriter and playwright, Lawrence has a long list of works including the original musical, Something Like A Fairytale that debuted in 2010. He is thrilled to be a part of the National Black Theater Festival in Kathy D. Harrison's, The Movement, before returning to Sister Act for the Asian tour
DONNELL BANKS-LUCAS
JJEROME
Donnell is a graduate of Seton Hall University with a Bachelor’s degree in Theatre. Theatre Credits: Radium Girls (Mr. Lee/Judge) New Musical Theatre Projects: Southern Boys (Titus), Imagine! A Holiday Musical (DJ), Wish List (Turner), Beautiful Ugly (Daniel), One Rhythm (featured ensemble). Film: Peace be with me (Extra), Clipped Wings, They Do Fly (cameo), produced by Prestige Media Productions. Donnell Banks-Lucas is currently writing his first play.
MARCUS BECKETT
TOBIAS (ASPIRING SINGER)
Marcus was a young child actor who developed professional credits by the time he was the age of four. His first TV appearance came on Blue's Clues and from there; Marcus appeared in numerous magazines and commercials such as Kids Fashion Market Magazine and Chuck E. Cheese. He even appeared in an Usher music video. Mr. Beckett is a graduate of Cicely Tyson School of the Performing Arts and a former student of Mason Gross University. Musical theater credits include Dreamgirls, Seussical and numerous New Musical Theatre projects with Diversity Youth Theater. Marcus leads a positive life both in and outside of the arts.
CHELSEA DELINE
MARY HARDY
Chelsea hails from Jersey City, New Jersey. Chelsea fell in love with theatre when she was accepted into the Jersey City Performing Arts High School. She attended the Rutgers Summer Acting Conservatory under the direction of Marshall Jones. To further her training she attended Rider University where she majored in Theatre. Chelsea is a Public Relations Major and Theatre Minor at Kean University. Chelsea is currently a member of Diversity Youth Theater/ Performing Artist United under the direction of Kathy D. Harrison. Theatre Credits: Ruined (Salima) at Kean University and Junk In The Trunk (Hattie McDaniel). Chelsea enjoys giving back to her community through public service and is an advocate for human rights. She is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. and currently works in the Human Rights Institute of Kean University as a docent.
NA'JEE TARIQ ESMOND
JAMES (FOOTBALL PLAYER), DJ SHELLEY, DANCE CAPTAIN
Na'Jee is currently a Senior pursuing a bachelor’s degree from the Music, Dance, and Theater department at New Jersey City University. Stage credits include: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Mitch Mahoney/ Dan dad/Olive Father), Urinetown (Ol Man strong/ Ensemble), Cabaret (Victor), Rent (Benny), The Movement (James Orange.) Hairspray (Ensemble). Na’jee will play the role of Cain in New Jersey City University’s upcoming fall production of Children of Eden. As an Alumni of Diversity Youth Theater, Na’Jee is pleased to perform Kathy D. Harrison’s The Movement at the National Black Theater Festival.
KEYONNA N. HILL
WINNIE (CHEERLEADER)
Keyonna is an Actor, Dancer, Choreographer, Host and Voice-Over Artist who was born and raised in Newark, NJ. Hill studied with Marie Thomas Foster, where she was a member of The Peppermint Players. Hill also trained with John Robert Powers (Parsipanny, NJ) and Jinergy Dance Studio (Newark, NJ). Off Broadway Credits: Livin’ (Charlotte). New Musicals: Imagine - A Holiday Musical (Justine), Wish List (Selma), Junk in the trunk (Mary, Sha Rock) TV Pilot: Livin’ (Treya). She is an original cast member of The Movement, portraying the role of the cheerleader since 2009.
JANAE WALKER
JANISE (YOUNGER SISTER)
Janae has been a member of the Diversity Youth Theater Ensemble and a cast member of The Movement since she was 7 years old. She attends a magnet school for Performing Arts in Montclair, NJ, where she studies dance with Mrs. Kitts. Janae enjoys cheerleading with the Montclair Cobras, is a member of the community track and soccer teams. Janae plans to have a career in Fashion and is currently taking sewing and knitting classes. Performing The Movement for The National Black Theatre Festival is the highlight of Janae's summer.
NIGEL ENWANG-EKPE WILLIAMS
GLENN (Young Foot Soldier)
Nigel is the youngest cast member of The Movement. He has a natural comfort with the performance world, since music, theater and dance have been the backdrop of his upbringing. He excels academically and recently won 1st place for his grade level in First in Math, achieving the highest score for the year round on-line math competition. He aspires to become an inventor that improves the conditions of the world. Nigel is passionate about basketball and soccer, and plays on Intramural teams. Theatre Credits: Wish List (young cancer patient), Mary & Joseph (Wise Man), Think For Yourself (finale singer). Music Credits: Wish List Cast Album Recording (featured vocalist on song titled, I Choose).
CLIFFORD 'CJ' HOLMES
CLIFFORD (YOUNG FOOT SOLDIER)
