Bios
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Cast
SAHR NGAUJAH
Sahr Ngaujah (Fela Anikulapo-Kuti) Theatre includes: FELA! (Broadway and West End). Nominated for best actor in a musical both at the Tony Awards in New York and the Olivier Awards in London. Television and film includes: Passing Glory, A Lesson Before Dying, The Signal, Stomp the Yard, Blood Done Sign My Name. For 15+ years he has worked as an actor and director between the US and Europe. A graduate of Dasarts Amsterdam. Other artists and directors Sahr has worked with include Freddie Hendricks, Gerrit Timmers, Del Hamilton (7Stages), Faulk Richter, Tim Habeger (Push Push) and Sierra Leone hip hop act, Bajah + The Dry Eye Crew.
ADESOLA OSAKALUMI
Adesola Osakalumi (Fela Anikulapo-Kuti Alternate) Theatre includes: FELA!, Equus(Broadway), Ngwino Ubeho(Sundance Theater Lab), Eyewitness Blues(NYTW), Jam on the Groove(Drama Desk nominee). Films include:Sex and the City 2, Crazy Beats Strong Every Time,The Accidental Husband, Across the Universe, Enchanted, Idlewild. As choreographer: Broadway Bares, ESPN, Old Navy, PBS Kids, Halifax Bank, Advil, the films School of Rock and Marci X. NEA Grant and Bessie Award Recipient. Adesola would like to thank the Creator, the Ancestors, and the Divinities! Special thanks goes to My Family,The Africa I Dance Theatre under the direction of R. Francis, Egbe Omo Nago, The Rhythm Technicians/GhettOriginal Productions Dance Co, Tara Boragine, Lakey Wolff, Jen Krater, Universes, The Rhythmics, and Igi Circus. Thanks to the Producers, our incredible Cast and our Crew for making all of this happen.
MELANIE MARSHALL
Melanie Marshall (Funmilayo)Training: Royal College of Music (Foundation Scholarship for Singing and Piano). Theatre includes: FELA! (National Theatre); Hot Mikado (Watermill Theatre); Simply Heavenly (YoungVic and Trafalgar Studios);The Fat Lady Sings; Elsa Canasta and L’Eveil with the Rambert Dance Company; Carmen Jones,Porgy and Bess, Fame, Ain’t Misbehavin’ and Kiss Me Kate (all West End). Television and film includes: Alice in Wonderland, The Wide Sargasso Sea, Ray, “Songs of Praise,” “The Walker” and “Casualty”. Recordings include: Feel the Spirit, A Christmas Festival, Messiah, Distant Land (All Conducted by John Rutter) and Cocktail. BBC Radio includes: “Friday Night is Music Night,” “In Tune” and Stephen Sondheim’s 75th Birthday Concert. Melanie has also appeared with the Royal Philharmonic, Liverpool, the Halle and all the BBC Orchestras, and has performed in concert at Carnegie Hall and all major UK concert venues.
PAULETTE IVORY
LA based British born Paulette Ivory is one of London”s acclaimed singer/actresses. She created the role of Nala in London”s The Lion King. Went on to play Aida in Elton John/ Disney”s AIDA on the National US tour to critical acclaim securing a Helen Hayes Award nom for best lead actress. Paulette enjoyed a number one single in Japan with the band THINK TWICE on EMI. Theatre: Purlie (NAACP nomination for lead actress), Blues in the Night, Baby It’s You, Smokey Joe’s Cafe, The Hot Mikado, A Woman of No Importance. TV/film credits include: “The Young and the Restless,” “NUMB3RS,” “Girlfriends,” “Strong Medicine,” “Doctors,” “Eastenders,” Lords of Dogtown. Paulette wrote, co-produced and starred in her first short film called In Destiny’s Hands. And most recently FELA! at The National in London playing Sandra Izsadore. http://www.pauletteivory.com
RASAAN-ELIJAH “TALU” GREEN
Rasaan-Elijah “Talu” Green (Djembe) Training: Long Island University. Theatre includes: FELA! (off-Broadway, Broadway and Lagos, Nigeria); Afropop Worldwide Gala, Russell Simmons’ Diamond Empowerment Fund Benefit, Dance Africa, National Black Arts Festival, Bambara Drum & Dance Ensemble, Indoda Entsha Percussion Ensemble, Creative Outlet Dance Theatre of Brooklyn. Talu exhibited his passion for West African percussion music after visiting several African countries where he gained first-hand experience with traditional percussionists.
ISMAEL KOUYATÉ
ISMAEL KOUYATÉ (Ismael) Ismael hails from a family of renowned artists and praise singers in Guinea, West Africa. He performed with Guinea’s national companies, Les Percussions de Guinea and Les Ballets Africains. Currently residing in New York City, he teaches dance and sings with his band, Ismael Kouyaté: Waraba Band.
GELAN LAMBERT
(J.K. Tap Dance, Egungun) Originally from Miami, FL, of Haitian descent. He is a graduate of The Juilliard School with a B.F.A. in dance. Began his formative training at Dancexchange Inc. and New World School of the Arts. He also trained at The Ailey School, Broadway Theater Project, The Joffrey Ballet School and School of American Ballet. His professional credits include The Martha Graham Dance Company, Sean Curran Company, Fosse (1st National Tour), A Christmas Carol (Madison Square Garden Theater), Encores Golden Boy, NYC Opera’s Alcina/Turandot, and a featured performer for Jacob’s Pillow Katherine Dunham Tribute conceived and directed by Reginald Yates. He has presented solo concerts at Jacob’s Pillow, Stella Adler Studio (Resident Artist), Florida International Univ. and George Faison Firehouse Theater. His awards and honors are: Martha Hill Prize from The Juilliard School, National Foundation for Advancement of Arts-1st Place, Presidential Scholar for the Arts, National Society of Arts and Letters–1st Place and Jerome Foundation Fellow. A principal artist and assistant to Reginald Yates. He has danced the works of Alvin Ailey, Hinton Battle, Margie Gillis, Jiri Kylian, Jose Limon, Donald McKayle, Mia Michaels, Reginald Yates and others. Ayo!
SHERINNE KAYRA ANDERSON
SHERINNE KAYRA ANDERSON (Ensemble) Training: Northern School of Contemporary Dance. Theatre: Sakoba Dance Theatre and BBC Philharmonic Africa. Television/Film: “Kiss Ident,” “Top of the Pops,” “The X Factor,” “The Brit Awards,” Singh is King, Bhool Bhulaiyaa. Music Videos: Boyfriend (Alphabeat), I’m Not Your Toy (La Roux). Events: Summertime Ball and choreographing for Glastonbury.
JONATHAN ANDRE
JONATHAN ANDRE (Ensemble) Training: Bush Training: Kingston University (winner: AETC Creative Students competition). Theatre includes: FELA!, Sound Like Hackney. Radio includes: From Silk Road to Carnival. Jonathan plays djembe, dunduns, congas and other percussion instruments as part of a percussion ensemble playing traditional West African and Cuban music. He teaches West African djembe drumming, song and dance.
CINDY BELLIOT
CINDY BELLIOT (Ensemble) Training: Dance Academy Lucia Marthas (Netherlands). Theatre includes: The Hurly Burly Show (Garrick Theatre London); FELA! (National Theatre London), Wicked (Apollo Victoria London), Dirty Dancing (Aldwych Theatre London), Bubbling Brown Sugar (Dutch tour), Cats (Dutch tour), The Lion King (Netherlands). TV/Film: Feestje.
NANDI BHEBHE
Nandi Bhebhe (Ensemble) Training: Liverpool Institute of performing Arts. Theatre includes: FELA! (National Theatre, Sadlers Wells Theatre), 5,6,7,8 (Royal Court Theatre, London), Episodes of Blackness (Vocal Dance Company), Frusted (The place, and Paris); Wayne Hemmingway’s Late at the Tate (Tate Liverpool), Points in Synthesis (Movema Dance company), Spice (Biennial Dance Festival, Bangalore), and The Wombats: Live on tour (Echo Area, Liverpool). Music videos include: Gabrielle Cilmi’s “Hearts Don’t Lie.”
CATIA MOTA DA CRUZ
Catia Mota Da Cruz (Ensemble) of Cape Verdian origin. Training: Academie Internationale de la Danse, Paris and Conservatoire de Montreuil (under star dancer Mr. Toma). Theatre includes: FELA! (National Theatre); Gone With the Wind (France) and The Ten Commandments (France and Far East Tour). She has also featured in fashion shows and numerous French TV commercials.
NICOLE CHANTAL DE WEEVER
Nicole Chantal de Weever (Ensemble) St. Maarten N.A, graduate of New York University Tisch School of the Arts, Fairfax Ballet and Motiance. Performed at the Afro Pop Hall of Fame Awards, AUDELCO Awards, Black Film Festival, Dance Africa, West Side Story World Tour and FELA! Off-Broadway. Worked with such choreographers as Katherine Dunham, Bill T. Jones, Joey McKneely, George Faison, Rob Ashford, Maria Torres, Abdel Salaam and Jamel Gaines. Principal on commercials on the Oxygen channel, featured dancer on PBS special Dancing with Life: Katherine Dunham, American Library of Congress Documentary DVD on Katherine Dunham Technique and American Gangster. Performed with such companies as Forces of Nature Dance Theatre, Creative Outlet of Brooklyn, Prophecy Dance Works, Seventh Principles and Ballet Noir. Thanks to my family and friends. NMHRK Ashe. nicoledeweever.com
JACQUI DUBOIS
JACQUI DUBOIS (u/s Fumilayo/Ensemble) Trained London Studio Centre. Credits inc: FELA!, The Harder They Come, Fame, Lion King, Full Monty, RENT, Sophisticated Ladies, Children of Eden, Blues In The Night, All You Need Is Love amounts other roles. She has appeared in TV, Film, and Documentary as a session vocalist for various artists.
POUNDO “SWEET” GOMIS
POUNDO “SWEET” GOMIS (Ensemble) French from Guinea Bissau and Senegal. Training: Conservatoire National de Region de Boulogne (Paris), worked with choreographers such as Bruce Taylor, Georges Momboye, Lionel Hoche, Ebale Zam, Opera de Paris star dancer Marie-Claude Petragalla, Raphaelle Delaunay, film director Anne Fontaine and stage director Jerome Savary. Choreographer with her company, Cie 12 02. Previous on FELA! Europe tour.
WANJIRU KAMUYU
Wanjiru Kamuyu (Dance Captain/Swing) Education: MFA, Temple University. Musical Theater: The Lion King, A la recherche de Josephine, St. Louis Woman. Companies/Choreographers: Urban Bush Women, Molissa Fenely, Nathan Trice, Tania Isaac, Dean Moss etc. TV and Film: Fais Danser la Poussiere (TV France 2) and Homeage a Grace Jones (Louvre Museum, Paris). Founder of the dance company, WKcollective.
THIERRY PICAUT
Thierry Picaut (Ensemble, Swing, U/S Ismael) Training: Academie Internationale de la Danse, Paris. Musical Theater includes: HAIR (Principal role, Hud); The Lion King (Lead singer and principal cover roles, Simba and Banzai); Fame, Swingin Life, Angels in America. Dance Company: George Momboye Dance Company (France). TV: “Chante” (a French sitcom). Catwalk model.
ONEIKA PHILLIPS
Oneika Phillips (Sandra U/S, Ensemble) From Grenada, West Indies, Oneika holds dual degrees in Dance Performance and Business Management from Shenandoah University, Virginia. Formerly a featured member of Abdel Salaama’s Forces of Nature Dance Theatre, Oneika’s theatre credits include the workshop, FELA! A New Musical, “Anita” in the 50th Anniversary International Tour of Jerome Robbins’s West Side Story, directed by Joey McKneely and nominated for The West End’s Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival, winning the Theatergoer’s Choice Award in the same category. Oneika is thrilled to return home to the shrine with the FELA! family for her Broadway debut.
JERMAINE ROWE
Jermaine Rowe (Ensemble) Theatre credit: Fela! (National Theatre and European tour): Positive, Un Chant D’Amor and The Lion King. He has worked with Dance theatre of Harlem, The Ailey School and National Dance Theatre Company of Jamaica. He is also a trained and seasoned Television Broadcaster and holds a BA in Journalism and Education from UWI, Mona.
DANIEL SOTO
Daniel Soto (Ensemble, Assistant Dance Captain), born in Brooklyn NY and from a large family, has blossomed to become a respected artist and communal developer. At the age of sixteen, Soto was introduced to the professional world of dance, becoming a company member of Creative Outlet Dance Theater of Brooklyn and later attending SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Dance. Soto toured internationally and nationally with various dance companies. He feels honored to share the language of art with others and feels blessed with the guidance of great artistic pioneers (Shirley Black Brown Coward, Jamel Gaines, Lakai Worreal, George Fasion) that have molded his career today. Mostly giving thanks to the creator, Soto feels extremely honored to be part of FELA!
ADÉ CHIKÉ TORBERT
Adé Chiké Torbert (Ensemble) Theatre credit: Fela! (National Theatre and European tour): Positive, Un Chant D’Amor and The Lion King. He has worked with Dance theatre of Harlem, The Ailey School and National Dance Theatre Company of Jamaica. He is also a trained and seasoned Television Broadcaster and holds a BA in Journalism and Education from UWI, Mona.
JILL VALLERY
JILL VALLERY (Swing, Dance Captain) is exceedingly beholden to all those who have contributed to her journey. Trained at the Alvin Ailey School, became a national teaching artist for Ailey Arts in Education & Community. Off-Broadway: FELA! Film: Lifted. Dance: Balance Dance Company, Opus Dance Theatre, Prophecy Dance, ADTC. She is grateful to Bill T. Jones, all artists and creators of FELA! and her family. jillmvallery.com
IRIS WILSON
Iris Wilson (Ensemble): dance educator at P.S./I.S. 268Q, co-founder of It’s Dance, dance school, author of children’s book Boys Dance Too. (www.authorhouse.com). Iris performed nationally and internationally with various dance companies: Opus Dance Theater, Bosou African Dance Company, Dinizulu African Dancers and Drummers, Speak, Haiti Dansco and KaNu. Short Film credits: Earl’s Post Prison Playdate (OGB Productions), Love Train and Coco’s Way (Oreh Productions). A part of the third FELA! workshop and the Off-Broadway run, Iris is happy to return to the cast as it makes its journey to Broadway. This is her Broadway debut. Iris thanks her family and friends for all their love and support. All praises to God. Ase.
AIMEE GRAHAM WODOBODE
Aimee Graham Wodobode (Ensemble) Enthusiastic Broadway Debut! Aimee was part of the original cast of FELA! Off-Broadway. She received her dance training from choreographers Laura Scozzi, Stefanie Session and Christian Bourigault while attending University of Paris XII. When she moved to New York in 2001 Aimee started to study African dance with Abdel Salaam. She has been touring the country with Forces Of Nature Dance Theater for the last four years. In France Aimee has toured nationally with Steffie Session for Reebok and with Opinioni in Movimiento Dance Theater on such renowned stages as L’Opera de Paris Garnier, Le Ballet du Nord, the Theatre of Bakou, Le Theatre de Suresnes Jean Vilar and Le Theatre de Paris. Aimee thanks her Ancestors for guiding her way from Bangui to Broadway. www.aimeegrahamdance.com
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Band
Yoshi Takemasa
Yoshi Takemasa (percussion) hails from Kobe, Japan and is based in NYC. In addition to Fela!, Takemasa has appeared on several national TV programs including The 2010 Tony Awards, The View, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, and The Colbert Report. Takemasa has also worked extensively as a freelance musician in the New York music scene since 1998. He has worked with such renowned artists as Patti LaBelle, Beyoncé Knowles, TV on the Radio, Lauryn Hill, Angelique Kidjo, The Roots, JadaKiss, Seun Kuti, Vampire Weekend, Lee Fields, DJ Logic, and Julian Velard.
Bryan Vargas
New York-born guitarist Bryan Vargas was a founding member of Antibalas. In addition to performing with the FELA! band, he’s done time with pianist Arturo O’Farrill, Felix Sanabria & Los Afortunados, jazz saxophonist Melvin Butler, drummer Robb DiPietro, songwriters Christopher North & Katie Elevitch, singer/poet Mayra Vega, Kokolo Afrobeat Orchestra, Amayo’s Fu Arkestra, Heavy Merge, Trio Noir, acid-jazzer Topaz, alt rockers Baby Gopal, and more.
Aaron Johnson
Trombonist Aaron Johnson also does double-duty as the Musical Director of FELA! Born in Iowa City and raised on Long Island, Aaron Johnson began studying music at the Mannes Prep program in New York, and continued at The New School, where he now teaches. He has become an in-demand trombonist, arranger, and composer in the New York music scene, and has recorded and performed with such artists as Paul Simon, Medeski, Martin, and Wood, TV on the Radio, The Roots, Wu-Tang-Clan, Angelique Kidjo and Femi Kuti. He joined Antibalas in 2000, and began conducting the band in 2001. He lives in Brooklyn with his wife and sons.
Alex Harding
Saxophonist Alex Harding hails from Detroit, where he studied music in his early years with Yusef Lateef, Beans Bows and Herbie Williams, and played with Wynton Marsalis and Donald Byrd while still in high school. Alex went on to win music scholarships to the University of Massachusetts and the Aspen School of Music. Alex’s first European engagement in 1990 was in Porgy and Bess. A year later, he went to Mexico to the Arts and Music Festival with percussionist Francisco Mora. He has played with Sun Ra Arkestra, The Mingus Big Band, and Aretha Franklin, to name a few.
Greg Gonzales
Beauty, sensitivity and force radiate through the drumming of Greg Gonzalez. For nearly twenty years Greg has been one of New York City’s most versatile and sought after musicians. His resume includes performance and recording credits with top artists in virtually every genre of music including: Beyonce, Patti LaBelle, Teddy Geiger, Jazz Mandolin Project, Cecil Taylor, Sonya Kitchell, Danielia Cotton, Antibalas, Femi Kuti, Bernie Worell, Don Braden, and many more.
Jeff Pierce
New York freelance trumpet player. Recent performances with Lee Fields and the Expressions, Charles Bradley and the Menahan Street Band, Julian Velard, Chin Chin, Afroskull, Akoya Afrobeat, Fela! Broadway, Fela! Nigeria, Fela! US Tour.
Jeremy Wilms
FELA! Bassist/keyboardist Jeremy Wilms did a six month stint as guitarist in jazz legend Chico Hamilton’s band, multiple performances with Butch Morris’ Orchestra, and performed and recorded with rapper/producer EL-P. He’s played on tracks with Bebel Gilberto, TV on the Radio, Christina Rosenvinge, and members of Sonic Youth. Jeremy has been an alternate member of Antibalas for over 6 years. He is also a founding member of the bands Chin Chin and Big Mono. Soundtrack credits include Iconoclasts series music, CNN documentary “Far From Home”, 2004 Nike Lab website sound design (winner of Flash Forward and Cannes Awards).
Ricky Quinoes
Ricardo Quiñones began playing guitar at the age of ten on a three-string Brooklyn garage sale find, thus beginning a lifelong love affair with the instrument and it’s possibilities. This fascination with the guitar eventually found him playing, writing and collaborating with a wide range of musically kindred spirits including Alicia Keys, India Arie, Sade, Luther Vandross, Brooklyn-based Afro-beat band Antibalas, and others. Ricky has been playing with the production of the musical FELA! since it opened on Broadway, November 2009.
Dylan Fusillo
Percussionist Dylan Fusillo cut his teeth performing in Atlanta with artists like Michelle Malone and the Atlanta Rhythm Section. While studying classical music during college, he performed with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Gloria Estefan. He briefly moved to Nashville, where he worked as a staff musician at Opryland, backing up dozens of established and up and coming artists, from George Jones to Boots Randolph. In 1996, he moved to New York City to study jazz. He soon found himself sharing the stage with the likes of Joe Lovano and Al Jarreau. Developing his interest in world music, Fusillo went on to become a founding member of the seminal afrobeat band Antibalas. He backed Femi and Seun Kuti, as well as Baaba Maal. Recent years have found him broadening his horizons further, working with pop artists such as Beyoncé, Patti Labelle, and Babyface. He continues to perform and record with artists such as Meshell N’Degeocello, The Roots, Roy Hargrove, Art Neville, Taj Mahal, Charlie Hunter, Sharon Jones, The Stills, Michael Franti, Prozaak, and Bill T Jones.
Morgan Price
Morgan Price hails from Rockville, Maryland. He attended Indiana University, where he studied under NEA Jazz Master David Baker and saxophone professor Tom Walsh, and received his Bachelor of Music diploma in 2007, along with being awarded a Performers Certificate. Moving to New York City shortly thereafter, Morgan began his big city career by playing in the subway with NYC tourist band favorite, The Drumadics. Morgan is also the baritone saxophonist for the Duke Ellington Orchestra. He has performed all around the world with them, including concerts with the Utah and Pacific Symphony Orchestras, for the King of Thailand, for the bicentennial celebration of Mexican independence, a tour of China, and many other engagements worldwide. He’s also performed or recorded with Beyonce Knowles, Jean Grae, James “12″ Andrews, Seun and Femi Kuti, Brian McKnight, Mulgrew Miller, and many others. He also co-leads Ikebe Shakedown.
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Crew
BILL T. JONES
Bill T. Jones (Director & Choreographer) is a 2007 and 2010 Tony Award® winner and the recipient of the 2007 Obie Award and 2006 Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation CALLAWAY Award for his choreography for Spring Awakening, the recipient of the 2007 USA Eileen Harris Norton Fellowship, the 2006 Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Choreography for The Seven, the 2005 Samuel H. Scripps American Dance Festival Award for Lifetime Achievement, the prestigious 2005 Wexner Prize, and the Aaron Davis Hall Harlem Renaissance Award. He is also a MacArthur “Genius” Award recipient in 1994, named one of America’s Irreplaceable Dance Treasures by the Dance Heritage Coalition in 2000, and was awarded The 2003 Dorothy and Lillian Gish Prize for which recipients are considered trailblazers who have redefined their art and reshaped the cultural landscape. He began his dance training at the State University of New York at Binghamton (SUNY), where he studied classical ballet and modern dance. After living in Amsterdam, Mr. Jones returned to SUNY, where he became co-founder of the American Dance Asylum in 1973. Before forming Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company in 1982, Mr. Jones choreographed and performed nationally and internationally as a soloist and duet company with his late partner, Arnie Zane.
In addition to creating more than 100 works for his own company, Mr. Jones has received many commissions to create dances for modern and ballet companies including Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Axis Dance Company, Boston Ballet, Lyon Opera Ballet, Berkshire Ballet, Berlin Opera Ballet and Diversions Dance Company, and Dayton Contemporary Dance Company’ The Flight Project. He has also received numerous commissions to create new works for his own company, including premieres for the American Dance Festival, the Next Wave Festival at the Brooklyn Academy of Music and for St. Luke’s Chamber Orchestra. In 1995, Mr. Jones directed and performed in a collaborative work with Toni Morrison and Max Roach, Degga, commissioned by Lincoln Center’s Serious Fun Festival and with Jessye Norman, How! Do! We! Do! which premiered at New York’s City Center in 1999 as part of Lincoln Center’s Great Performers New Visions series. The Breathing Show, Mr. Jones’s evening-long solo, toured for three years, and his second solo show, As I Was Saying…, toured for more than two. He has directed and choreographed for theatre and opera, most recently choreographing Off-Broadway for the New York Theatre Workshop’s production of The Seven for which he was awarded the 2006 Lucille Lortel Award for Best Choreography and for the Broadway musical Spring Awakening, for which he received the Tony Award® for Outstanding Choreography.
Mr. Jones has received honorary doctorates from the Art Institute of Chicago, Bard College, Columbia College, the Juilliard School, Swarthmore College, Yale University, as well as the SUNY Binghamton Distinguished Alumni Award.
JIM LEWIS
Jim Lewis (Conceiver/Book Writer/Additional Lyrics) In 2008, Jim received a Lucille Lortell Award for “Outstanding Musical” for FELA! and two Drama Desk nominations for “Best Book” for both FELA! and This Beautiful City (w/ The Civilians). Selected works. B’WAY: Chronicle of a Death Foretold (TONY, Drama Desk nominations), and Dangerous Games (both w/ Graciela Daniele). OFF B’WAY/REGIONAL: Tango Apaisionado, Ionesco’s The Chairs, Ibsen’s Lady from the Sea. OPERA/DANCE: Paul Dresher’s The Tyrant, Ballet Hispanico’s Nightclub; Philip Glass’s Les Enfants Terribles, PastFORWARD (w/ Mikhail Baryshnikov). DRAMATURG: House Arrest (Anna Deavere Smith), Drawn to Death (Art Spiegelman),; Cymbeline and Waste (w/ Bartlett Sher), Lincoln Center’s WOZA AFRIKA Festival. Previously w/ Bill T. Jones: Dream On Monkey Mountain, Chapel/Chapter and Still/Here (20th Anniversary Season).
ANTIBALAS
Antibalas (Arrangements/Musicians) Credited with introducing Afrobeat to a new generation, this Brooklyn-based collective has released four critically-acclaimed albums since forming in 1998, and can been heard on numerous Afrobeat compilations. Antibalas has performed more than 700 concerts around the world including appearances at the Coachella, Newport and the Montreux Festivals.
JORDAN MCLEAN
Jordan McLean (Assistant Musical Director) has been active as a composer, band leader, trumpeter and music educator for over 15 years. He has brought his unique performance style to stages and recording studios throughout the US and twenty countries, having collaborated with a multitude of musicians, ensembles and arts organizations. As a charter member of Antibalas he has performed in hundreds of clubs and dozens of the world’s major music festivals. He currently leads his “play anywhere chamber ensemble” Piano Music & Song Trio, and is a founding partner of Sound Chemistry Records. Jordan graduated summa cum laude in composition from SUNY Purchase.
NIEGEL SMITH
Niegel Smith (Associate Director) is the Artistic Leadership Associate at The Public Theater and a founding member of 425D, a directorÂ’s lab. As PERMISO with Co-Artistic Director Todd Shalom, Niegel has co-conceived and staged so you’re one of them now?, this was the only place i knew to go, December 31, Procession and Fallout, mass rituals in public settings. New York directing credits include We Declare You a Terrorist, Rainy Days & Mondays, Maude The Madness, One For The Road and LIMBS: A Pageant. Niegel has received grants and fellowships from Theater Communications Group, the Van Lier Fund, the Tucker Foundation and Dartmouth College. He grew up in the North Carolina Piedmont, fishing with his dad, shopping with his mom and inventing tall-tale fantasies with his two younger brothers.
MAIJA GARCIA
Maija Garcia (Associate Choreographer) Since 2006 Garcia worked alongside Bill T. Jones to develop FELA! Off and on Broadway, at the Royal National Theatre in London, Afrika Shrine/EKO in Lagos, Nigeria and for the international tour premiering in 2011. Stage direction/choreography credits: Neighbors at The Public Theater; Not Wanted on the Voyage at Northwestern. Film credits: Music videos for Seun Kuti (“RISE”); Angelique Kidjo (“Move on Up”) and PBS special. Performing artist with Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company 2004-09. She currently teaches at NYU graduate acting and offers contemporary dance theater workshops in the United States, Europe and Africa. Founding director of Organic Magnetics, Garcia binds theater arts to create urban folklore for the future. www.organicmagnetics.com
MARINA DRAGHICI
Marina Draghici (Scenic/Costume Design) Marina was born in Bucharest, Romania. She emigrated to the United States where she graduated from the Yale School of Drama in 1988. Prior to FELA! Marina has collaborated with Bill T. Jones on Dream on a Monkey Mountain (Guthrie Theatre) and 24 Images Secondes (Lyons Opera). Her work has been seen at the Paris National Opera, Zurich Opera, Grand Theatre de Bordeaux, Opera de Nice, NYCO, Edinburgh Festival, Glimmerglass Opera, National Theatre of Prague, Public Theatre, Manhattan Theatre Club and Lincoln Center among many other venues in the US and abroad. Awards: Lucille Lortel, Obie and numerous nominations. Film/TV: The Grey Zone, Heights, Dexter, Twelve and Holding, S.O.P., Rage, The Cake Eaters, Precious: based on Sapphire’s novel Push.
ROBERT WIERZEL
Robert Wierzel (Lighting Design) has collaborated with Bill T. Jones and the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company for more than 23 years including work at the Lyon Opera Ballet; Berlin Opera Ballet and The Louvre Museum (Walking the Line). Broadway: David Copperfield’s Dreams and Nightmares.
Off-Broadway: New York Shakespeare Festival/Public Theater, Signature Theatre, Roundabout Theatre Company, Playwrights Horizons. Regional: Chicago Shakespeare, Hartford Stage, Long Wharf,Goodman Theatre, Guthrie Theater, MarkTaper Forum. He has collaborated with Grace Jones (Hurricane Tour), the composer Philip Glass and with opera companies of Paris (Garnier), Tokyo, San Francisco,Seattle, Houston, Washington, Chicago and New York. He is the recipient of numerous awards including several Bessie-Dance and Performance Awards for his collaborations with Bill T. Jones.
ROBERT KAPLOWITZ
Robert Kaplowitz (Sound Design) Current projects include a collaboration between Pilobolus Dance Company and Art Spiegelman entitled Still Moving, music and sound for the Chloe Moss play This Wide Night, directed by Anne Kauffman for Naked Angels, and It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane, It’s Superman at Dallas Theater Center. Other sound design and/or music credits include: John Beluso’s The Poor Itch, Tracy Scott Wilson’s The Story, Lemon Anderson’s County of Kings, plus a handful of others at the Joseph Papp Public Theater; David Adjmi’s Stunning (Lincoln Center 3); Kia Corthron’s Light, Raise the Roof (NYTW); Abbey Spallin’s Pumpgirl (MTC); Adam Bock’s The Thugs (SoHo Rep); and Eric Jackson’s drag adaptation of Carrie (PS122), as well as designs for LAByrinth, 2nd Stage, Primary Stages, The Vineyard, MCC, the Arden, the O’Neill Playwrights Conference, Sundance, PlayPENN. and others. He received an OBIE award for Sustained Excellence in Sound Design Off-Broadway (’06/’07), and an Audelco award for the Off Broadway production of FELA! As much as he loves his work, he loves Kittson and Niall even more.
PETER NIGRINI
Peter Nigrini (Projection Design) has designed projection on Broadway for 9 to 5: The Musical and Say Goodnight Gracie. Other designs include the Grace Jones Hurricane Tour, Haroun and the Sea of Stories (City Opera), Blind Date (Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance), The Orphan of Zhao (Lincoln Center Festival), Notes from Underground (Yale Rep), Angels in America (Fort Worth Opera), Sweet Bird of Youth (Williamstown), Dido and Aeneas (Handel Haydn Society), Biro (the Public Theater). For Nature Theater of Oklahoma: No Dice (2008 Obie Award), Romeo and Juliet (Salzburger Festspiele) and Life and Times (Burgtheater, Vienna). Selected fine art projects include Local Currencies: Diogenes/Barnum, (ICA London/SF MoMA) and Cosmicomics, (Sequitur Ensemble).
RICHARD KORNBERG & ASSOCIATES
Richard Kornberg & Associates (Press Representative) represents Hairspray, Rent, Spiegelworld, New York Theatre Workshop, CanadaÂ’s Stratford Shakespeare Festival, Performance Space 122, Intar, Les Freres Corbusier, dance companies produced by The Joyce Theater, Aspen Santa Fe Ballet and MOMIX. Past productions include The Little Dog Laughed, I Am My Own Wife, Death of a Salesman, Fences, American Buffalo.
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Producers
RIKKI STEIN
Consultant to the Production since its inception and Executive Producer of Fela! Back to Africa, Rikki was friend and co-manager of Fela Anikulapo Kuti for some 15 years. For more than three decades, he has been associated with, or directly responsible for, the realisation of a significant number of projects relating to the presentation of mainly African music, dance and drama, in the context of major open-air events and international festivals. He has been involved with the personal and business management of a number of distinguished performing artists, initiating and organising tours of concert halls and theatres throughout the world. These include The Master Musicians of Joujouka, Les Ballets Africains, National Dance Company of the Republic of Guinea, L’Ensemble Symphonique Traditionnel, Rachid Taha, The Pan African Orchestra, Andy Summers, Keziah Jones, Les Nubians and many others.
SHAWN “JAY-Z” CARTER
Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter (Producer) Since 1995, multiple Grammy Award winner Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter has dominated the rap industry and set trends for a generation. Now in 2009 he personifies the American Dream. Founder and chariman of Rocawear, he is also co-owner of the NJ Nets, 40/40 sports clubs, Translation Advertising and Carol’s Daughter skin line, as well as a partnership with Iconix Brand Group. After three successful years as president and CEO of Def Jam recordings, where he fostered the careers of international stars, Rihanna, Ne-Yo and Kanye West, Jay-Z entered into a partnership with Live Nation to form Roc Nation. Through Roc Nation, Jay-Z released The Blueprint 3, his eleventh #1 album, putting him ahead of Elvis for most #1 albums by a solo artist. He continues his philanthropic work through his Water for Life initiative and the Shawn Carter Scholarship Foundation.
WILL SMITH
Will Smith (Producer) A two-time Academy Award nominee, Will Smith has enjoyed unprecedented success in a career encompassing films, television and multi-platinum records. For his memorable portrayal of Muhammad Ali in Michael Mann’s Ali, he received his first Academy Award nomination, which was followed by his second nomination for the true-life drama, The Pursit of Happyness. Films in which Smith has acted include I Am Legend, Hancock, I, Robot, Independence Day, Men in Black and Men in Black II. Films in which Smith has acted and has also produced along with partner James Lassiter at Overbrook Entertainment include Hitch, ATL, The Pursuit of Happyness, Seven Pounds and The Human Contract.
JADA PINKETT SMITH
Jada Pinkett Smith (Producer) stars as Christina Hawthrone in TNT’s newest medical drama HawthoRNe. The show, which Jada executive produces through her production company 100% Womon, garnered critical acclaim for its first searson. The second season will air in the summer of 2010. Recent films in which Jada has acted inclue Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa (as the voice of Gloria), The Women, Reign Over Me, Matrix Reloaded and Matrix Revoutions. Jada wrote and directed The Human Contract and served as executive producer of The Secret Life of Bees. Additionally, Jada’s 2005 children’s book Girls Hold Up This World was a New York Times bestseller.
RUTH AND STEPHEN HENDEL
Ruth and Stephen Hendel (Co-Conceiver/Producer) Upcoming on Broadway: A View from the Bridge. Previous Broadway credits include: Hamlet, Mary Stuart, 33 Variations, In The Heights (Assoc.), Passing Strange, Legally Blonde, Kiki & Herb Alive on Broadway, High Fidelity, The Lieutenant of Inishmore, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Caroline, Or Change, A Raisin in the Sun, Golda’s Balcony, Frozen, Night Mother, Steel Magnolias, Barefoot in the Park, Metamorphoses. Off-Broadway: Altar Boyz, Our Lady of 121st Street, The Exonerated, Red Light Winter, tick tickÂ…Boom!. Los Angeles: As Much As You Can. Ruth Hendel is on the boards of the LAByrinth Theater, The Play Company and the Yale School of Drama Leadership Council. She is vice-chair, and Stephen is treasurer of the Eugene OÂ’Neill Theater in Waterford, CT. Stephen also serves on the boards of The New Group, The Culture Project, Bill T. Jones / Arnie Zane Dance Company and on the Board of Visitors of the Yale School of Music. Ruth and Stephen have a wonderful family and love them very much.
ROY GABAY
Roy Gabay/Roy Gabay Productions (Producer/General Manager) Credits include FELA!, The 39 Steps, The Marvelous Wonderettes, The Little Dog Laughed, Metamorphoses, Frozen, A View From The Bridge (Tony Award), How I Learned To Drive (Pulitzer Prize), Wit (Pulitzer Prize), Three Tall Women (Pulitzer Prize).
EDWARD TYLER NAHEM
Edward Tyler Nahem (Producer): Edward Tyler Nahem has been a prominent international art dealer for over 25 years, dealing in Modern, Post-War and Contemporary master works from his New York gallery. He sits on the board of the Museum For African Art, as well as the board of Bomb Magazine. He is Executive Producer on the highly acclaimed, award-winning feature documentary “Youssou N’Dour: I Bring What I Love” about the Senegalese singer and activist. For more than twenty-five years Nahem has had a keen magnetism toward West African music, including the sounds of Fela Kuti. He was “stupefied and mesmerized” upon seeing the Off-Broadway production of FELA!. Attracted to the electrifying power of the show and its ability to empower, he was magically beckoned to step outside the gallery walls and join the talented FELA! team as producer. No matter where the show tours – be it London, Lagos, Los Angeles – you are likely to find Nahem dancing and whooping it up. It is difficult keeping him out of the theater or in his seat for this exciting production.
DARYL ROTH
Daryl Roth (Producer) is proud to hold the singular distinction of producing six Pulitzer Prize-winning plays: August: Osage County; Proof,; Wit, How I Learned to Drive, Anna in the Tropics and Three Tall Women. Currently, Love, Loss and What I Wore; Vigil, in addition to numerous other award-winning productions. Love to Steven, my family, Leo and Lucy.
SUSAN DIETZ
Susan Dietz (Producer) is currently the producing director of L.A.’s Reprise Theatre Company. Broadway: Mail, The Lonesome West, Topdog/Underdog, the revivals of Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and Steel Magnolias, Deuce and The Little Dog Laughed. Off-Broadway: The Baby Dance, Adrift in Macao (at Primary Stages), Some Men (at Second Stage).
MORT SWINSKY
Mort Swinsky (Producer) Morton’s contributions to Broadway have been honored with twelve Tony Awards®. He has embraced New York and international theatre through his particiipation in more than 80 plays and musicals, including everything from pure entertainment (Spamalot) to through-provoking (Spring Awakening). He has been the recipient of numerous awards for his film and television projects, including Boys Don’t Cry and the concert version of Sweeney Todd. Morton is delighted to be associated with Joe Dietch on The Addams Family and David Mamet’s Race, as well as the eventful FELA!
JOSEPH DEITCH
Joseph Deitch (Producer) While Joe is relatively new to Broadway (Blithe Spirit, The Addams Family, Race and A View From the Bridge), he is well versed in delighting his audience. As the founder of Commonwealth Financial Network and a partner in Southworth Golf Development, Joe is devoted to promoting quality and community. He is honored to be part of FELA!
SLAVA SMOLOKOWSKI
Slava Smolokowski (Producer) From music to music! Slava was educated as a musician and went on to form a successful rock band. He then went into business, co-founding Mercuria Energy Group, of which he remains a shareholder. He is now returning to his initial passion for music and the arts and supports and sponsors many music projects in Europe. He is very happy and honored to be part of the FELA! story.
DOUGLAS SMITH
Douglas Smith (Producer) founded Match Point Entertainment, won a 2009 Tony for The Norman Conquests, Boeing-Boeing (Tony, 2008), also Rock ‘n’ Roll on Broadway and Dealer’s Choice in London. Exeutive producer of the films Ira & Abby, (Best Picture, L.A. Film Fesitval and HBO’s Comedy Film Festival) and Kicking It (Sundance). Mr. Smith founded and ran Omnipoint Corp., an innovator in digitial wireless cellular. After a three-way merger, OC became part of VoiceStream, which was sold to T-Mobile, in the second largest international transaction in history.
STEVE SEMLITZ/CATHY GLASER
Steve Semlitz/Cathy Glaser (Producer) Semlitz and Glaser finally make it to Broadway (with Sam’s help)! Off-Broadway: tick, tick…BOOM! They are also founding directors of the Migraine Research Foundation, a nonprofit that supports scientific research into migraine’s causes and better treatments. We are thirlled to be a part of this amazing production.
SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT
Sony Pictures Entertainment (Producer) Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America (SCA), a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE’s global operations encompass motion picture production and distribution; television production and distribution; digital content creation and distribution; worldwide channel investments; home entertainment acquisition and distribution, operation of studio facilities; development of new entertainment products, services and technologies; and distribution of filmed entertainment in more than 130 countries. Sony Pictures can be found on the World Wide Web at sonypictures.com
MUNGIOLI THEATRICALS
Mungioli Theatricals, Inc. (Casting) Currently: Francesca Zambello’s Little House on the Prairie starring Melissa Gilbert (National Tour); Recent tv/film: Nickelodeon; The Entertainer (E!); Broadway/Nat’l Tour: Ragtime, Fosse, Show Boat, Candide, Sunset Boulevard, Kiss of the Spiderwoman, Joseph… with Donny Osmond; Off-Broadway: Jewtopia, Evil Dead The Musical; Marko The Prince, Richard Maltby’s Sixties Project; Disney: High School Musical, Lion King, Aladdin, When You Wish; Regionally: Trinity Rep, Actors Theatre of Louisville; Cleveland Playhouse; Pittsburgh CLO; North Shore Music Theatre; Casting Director Arnold J. Mungioli is a Member of the Casting Society of America, and has been honored with two Artios Awards and the CSA Media Access Award. www.mungiolitheatricals.com
TRUE LOVE PRODUCTIONS/JEANNE DONOVAN FISHER AND LAURIE GILMORE
True Love Productions/Jeanne Donovan Fisher and Laurie Gilmore (Producer) Broadway: The Norman Conquests, 33 Variations, 13, A Catered Affair, Well, Medea, The Retreat From Moscow. Off-Broadway: True Love, Vienna: Lushaus (Revisited), bobraushenbergamerica, The Tricky Part, Shockheaded Peter, Suitcase, Everything Will be Different, Paradise Park, Coraline. Regional: Rocket to the Moon, Hotel Cassiopeia.
KNITTING FACTORY ENTERTAINMENT
Knitting Factory Entertainment (Producer) is a producer, manager and distributor of universal music content, owning and operating music venues across the country. The company encompasses Knitting Factory Presents, Partisan Records, High Adventure Management and Knitting Factory Records, proudly partnering with Kalakuta Sunrise on the current release and distribution of the Fela Kuti music catalogue.
