Director’s Note

I fell in love with the musical Black Nativity the very first time I saw it more than 25 years ago. It is a soulful gospel musical written by one of my favorite writers, Langston Hughes. In Act I, the musical takes the audience on a journey with Mary and Joseph seeking a place for their baby to be born. Act II takes the audience from the past to the present and celebrates the life of Jesus, and powerful messages of joy, hope, and love.

This spirited production of Black Nativity features an amazing enthusiastic volunteer cast from the St. Cloud community, outstanding and talented music director, Marion Robinson IV, and choreographer Desiree Clark. 

Black Nativity is a testament to the power of gospel music. It touches a special chord in the hearts of all at a very special time of the year. Let us all continue to know the reason for the Christmas season, and through our words and actions show love to all mankind.

Danielle Daniel
Director of Black Nativity

 

Langston Hughes’ Black Nativity

A Gospel Song Play
by Langston Hughes
Produced by special arrangement with THE DRAMATIC PUBLISHING COMPANY of Woodstock, Illinois

Cast List

Sitarah Gjerme
Jazz Haynes
Moneesha Henley
Tatanisha Henley
Dove Holmes
Isabelle Howard
Jalynn Jackson
Denzel Kazeze
Buddy King
Debra Leigh
Martrice Robinson
Rayvon Sams
Tajuana Smith
Al Smith
Falisha Tims
Nathan Voegeli

Crew

Tim Vedder
Rebekah Phifer
Sandra Smith

 

Cast Photos & Bios

Sitarah Gjerme

Sitarah Gjerme

Volunteer Actor

Sitarah Gjerme is a writer and author. When she’s not spending time with her family, she is usually writing, behind a camera, or cooking up a storm for her family and friends. Sitarah grew up singing some of the musical numbers in Langston Hughes’ Black Nativity, and she was overjoyed when she saw that GREAT is producing the show!

Jazz Haynes

Jazz Haynes

Volunteer Actor

Jazz Haynes (Marley) works at Torrid LLC as a sales associate. She’s been in shows like Syringa Tree, Spamalot, and GREAT’s recent production of Black Nativity. Jazz is an aspiring YouTuber with a focus on style, fashion, and health. In her free time, she loves to spend time with family, write, draw, and read.

Moneesha Henley

Moneesha Henley

Volunteer Actor

Moneesha Henley is a Call Representative at Aria Communications. Moneesha enjoys being with her friends and family, and learning new things.

Tatanisha Henley

Tatanisha Henley

Volunteer Actor

Tatanisha Henley is the owner of TETEFYED STYLEZ & WE3DA ENT. She enjoys doing hair, choir, praise dance, and TikTok dances! Tatanisha has always loved making people laugh, and has a goal of performing onstage. She is making her stage debut in this production!

Dove Holmes

Dove Holmes

Volunteer Actor

Dove Holmes works at Blessed Hands Painting and Drywall. He loves singing, art, and praising God. This is Dove’s first production, and he is excited to perform and praise!

Isabelle Howard

Isabelle Howard

Volunteer Actor

Isabelle Howard is in 5th grade at Mississippi Heights Elementary School. She enjoys writing, reading, acting, and baking. She has appeared in GREAT Summer Camps, and performed as a solo vocalist in Sauk Rapids’ Star of the Storms. Isabelle loves musicals, and she’s excited to be part of this production!

Jalynn Jackson

Jalynn Jackson

Volunteer Actor

Jalynn Jackson is a Paraprofessional at Riverview Intermediate School. She enjoys playing piano, longboarding, writing music, acting, and performing. She has been part of GREAT productions of Beauty and the Beast and Alice in Wonderland. Jalynn loves exploring new opportunities and challenges, and is excited to take part in this production!

Denzel Kazeze

Denzel Kazeze

Volunteer Actor

Denzel Kazeze (Jamal) is finishing his first year of online college courses. Denzel took the stage with GREAT last season for Black Nativity and Legally Blonde, and is excited to return and develop his theatrical skills even more with Jimmy Buffett’s Escape to Margaritaville. When he has free time, Denzel might be honing his singing or dancing skills or working out.

Buddy King

Buddy King

Volunteer Actor

Buddy King is an Executive at Higher Works Collaborative, a local non-profit in St. Cloud. He is also a Community and Outreach Pastor at Jubilee Worship Center. He enjoys producing music, writing plays, and spending time with family and friends. He has appeared in GREAT productions of Akeelah and the Bee, and his original play titled A Christmas to Believe In. Buddy loves theatre and storytelling, and he hopes that these stories inspire hope in the community.

Debra Leigh

Debra Leigh

Volunteer Actor

Debra Leigh is the Vice President of Cultural Fluency, Equity, and Inclusion at St. Cloud Technical and Community College. She loves dancing, singing, music, dominos, and being with her grandkids. She has been involved with many GREAT productions as an actor, choreographer, and director! Debra loves the challenge of performing while life is happening, and she loves working behind the scenes too!

Martrice Robinson

Martrice Robinson

Volunteer Actor

Martrice Robinson has appeared in GREAT productions of The Wiz and Ragtime. Her love of musicals led her to audition for Langston Hughes’ Black Nativity. She loves watching horror and thriller movies and singing!

Rayvon Sams

Rayvon Sams

Volunteer Actor

Rayvon Sams is an independent contractor specializing in hairstyling, cleaning, and minor house maintenance. She enjoys comedy shows and movies, karaoke, bowling, fishing, and anything to do with nature. Rayvon is originally from Chicago, but moved here from Indianapolis.

Tajuana Smith

Tajuana Smith

Volunteer Actor

Tajuana Smith is an Assembly Tech at New Flyer. She loves a little bit of everything, from helping others to cooking! She has appeared in productions of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves and Pinnochio. Tajuana thinks its important to be active in the community, and she has been doing just that since she was very young.

Al Smith

Al Smith

Volunteer Actor

Al Smith is a self employed plumber. He enjoys playing pool, bowling, and the card game Bidwiz. Al has appeared in Wizard of Oz, In the Darkness, and Motherless. He enjoys the music, title, and comradery in Langston Hughes’ Black Nativity.

Falisha Tims

Falisha Tims

Volunteer Actor

Falisha Tims is a YMCA Group Fitness Instructor. She loves Zumba and Broadway! Falisha studied music during college, and she enjoys spending time with her family.

Nathan Voegeli

Nathan Voegeli

Volunteer Actor

Nathan Voegeli is in 7th grade at Sartell Middle School. He enjoys reading, playing video games, and dirt trail racing. He has been in GREAT Summer Camps, and he takes part in Sartell Middle School’s Comedy Club!

THIS GOSPEL RETELLING OF THE NATIVITY USES DIALOGUE, NARRATION, GOSPEL SONGS, AND FOLK SPIRITUALS TO CELEBRATE CULTURAL TRADITIONS.

 

Acclaimed poet Langston Hughes creates a unique theatrical experience by using dialogue, narration, gospel songs, and folk spirituals to celebrate cultural traditions and the birth of the Christ Child. Originally premiering in 1961, it was one of the first plays Off-Broadway written by an African American and has been presented around the world over the last 60 years. Honor the season with this joyous holiday celebration.

This production is approximately an hour and a half long with a fifteen minute intermission.

Production Team

Danielle Daniel – Director
Marion Robinson IV – Music Director
Desiree Clark – Choreographer
Ross Harris – Scenic Designer & Assistant Technical Director
Colin Jarrell – Technical Director
Anthony Schrock – Scenic Carpenter
Luke Reber – Scenic Carpenter
Mark Hennigs – Scenic Carpenter
Bonnie Bologna – Props Master, Scenic Painter
Jasmyn Linn – Scenic Painter
Edith G. Moreno – Costume Designer
Jessica Mancini – Assistant Costume Designer
Dana Svensson – Assistant Costume Designer
Jeff Brown – Lighting Designer
Sandi Kroll – Stage Manager
Stephanie Drymalski – ASL Interpreter
Terryanne Nash – ASL Interpreter

ACT 1

“Joy to the World”
“My Way is Cloudy”
“No Room at the Inn”
“Most Done Traveling”
“Jerusalem in Morning”
“What you Gonna Name your Baby”
“Wasn’t that a Mighty Day”
“O’ Holy Night”
“Christ is Born”
“Silent Night”
“Go Tell it on the Mountain”
“Shepherd of my Soul”
“What Month was Jesus Born”
“Sweet Little Jesus Boy”
“O’ Come all ye Faithful”

ACT 2

“Jesus what a Wonderful Child”
“Oh Happy Days”
“Joyful, Joyful”
“Can’t Stop Praising His Name”
“Blessings on Blessings”
“Jesus is the Reason”
“Someday at Christmas”
“Amen”

THANK YOU!

In addition to our corporate sponsors, donors, and volunteers, we wish to extend a special thank you to Higher Works Collaborative!
We also wish to extend a special thank you to United Way for their support!


This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Central MN Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.


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