Fela!

Malachi Alexander (Swing) is glad to be back at OLNEY THEATRE CENTER! Previous Olney Theatre Center credits include: Kinky Boots. REGIONAL: Joesph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, 9 to 5 and Grease. DC AREA: Howard University: Heathers, Pippin and Vivify: Dance Concert; Strathmore: The Bodyguard Concert. FILM: Black Broadway. EDUCATION: BFA in Musical Theatre, Minor in Dance, from Howard University. Instagram: @thechialexander

Bryan Archibald (Ensemble) Is thrilled to be debuting his first performance, FELA! with OLNEY THEATRE CENTER! International; Voices of Virginia, Japan 2009 Tour. Regional; Studio Theatre: Choirboy (Pharus Jonathan Young U/S); Toby’s Dinner Theater: Dreamgirls (Ensemble/ CC U/S); Attucks Theatre: Black Nativity (Lead Vocalist); Virgina Musical Theatre: Holiday Medley; Educational: Ira Aldridge Theatre: Ain’t Misbehavin (Andre DeShields), Bubbly Black Girl (Gregory Robinson), Not About Nightingales (Sailor Jack), The Arch Theatre: BREATHe (Rayford Jones) Bryan Is a Howard University 2017 Theatre Major, Music Minor from Norfolk, Virginia & a Proud member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity inc. Jeremiah 29:11

Terrence J. Bennett (Ensemble) is making his OLNEY THEATRE CENTER debut! NATIONAL TOUR: Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood LIVE! (King Friday/O the Owl). REGIONAL: Virginia Rep: Sister Act and The Wiz (Yellow Brick Road/ Lord High Underling); Virginia Musical Theatre: Catch Me If You Can (Atlanta Doctor), Sister Act and Cinderella; Roxy Regional: Ain't Misbehavin ("Andre"); West Virginia Public Theatre: Peter & the Starcatcher (Ted); Wintergreen Resort: Joseph.... Dreamcoat ( Pharaoh); Encore Theater: A Christmas Story; North Street Playhouse: Kiss Me Kate (Hortensio); MD/DC AREA: Discovery Theater: Bessie & Bill, Black Wings in Flight (Bill Powell); Toby’s Dinner Theater: Dreamgirls; Compass Rose Theater: Cats (Rum Tum Tugger); American Century Theater: Marathon '33 (Al Marciano). Production credits include: The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Musical (Asst.Tour Manager), Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood Live National Tour (Associate Director), Roxy Regional: Dreamgirls (Director). IG: @terrencejbennett

Simone Brown (Ensemble) is excited to make her OLNEY THEATRE CENTER debut. DC AREA: Studio Theatre: Good Bones (Aisha u.s.) [World Premiere], Signature Theatre: Into The Woods (Rapunzel) [Helen Hayes nominated for Best Ensemble] Toby’s Dinner Theatre: Rocky (Linda McKenna), The Bodyguard (Rachel Marron u.s., ensemble); Keegan Theatre: Good People (Kate), Women on Fire Festival; Unexpected Stage Company: Nothing to Lose; Adventure Theatre Center: Snowy Day (Female Player u.s.); Opus Concert Theatre: Carmen (Frasquita); HCC Theatre: Heathers, The Musical (Heather Chandler); Kensington Arts Theatre: Sweeney Todd (Johanna). REGIONAL:Charlottesville Opera: The Sound of Music (Sister Margaretta, Maria u.s.),The Merry Widow (Joujou), La Boheme (Chorus), Opera in The Park, Broadway at Belfield; Chicago Summer Opera: Die Zauberflöte. EDUCATION: Xavier University of Louisiana: BM, Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins: MM. www.simonebrownsoprano.com @simoneami @blackprincessdmv

Patrick Leonardo Casimir (Ensemble) is happy to have his debut performance at OLNEY THEATRE CENTER. Local Performances – Constellation Theatre: Armand- Dance Captain (Helen Hayes Nominated), Keegan Theatre – Robin – Dance Captain (Helen Hayes Nominated), Keegan Theatre: Memphis Delray U/S, ArtsCentric: Little Shop of Horrors - Orin, Snapshots - Darryl. Black Nativity - Joseph, Aida - Ensemble-Dance Captain, Chicago – Ensemble - Dance Captain), National Tours: VT Dance: "What's Going On" - Company Member, Universal Studios of Orlando - Performing Artist, Regional: Bishop McNamara High - Resident Choreographer, International: Edinburgh Arts Festival - Performing Artist, Education: Master of Business Administration, Bachelor of Arts - Dance, Bachelor of Science - Business Administration Instagram: @leonardo_de_cashmere

Shantel Cribbs (Sandra) is excited to be making her OLNEY THEATRE CENTER debut! Chicago/Regional: The Color Purple (The Muny), Dreamgirls, Rock of Ages (Paramount Theatre), Elf, Beauty and the Beast, The Color Purple, (Drury Lane), Junie B. Jones (Marriott Theatre), Pump Boys & Dinettes, Sophisticated Ladies, Memphis (Porchlight Music Theatre) Little Shop of Horrors (Mercury Theatre), Marie Christine (BoHo Theatre), A Jazz Happening (Ted Shawn Theatre) and SIX (The Ordway) Training: Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit. BFA Musical Theatre Performance, Columbia College Chicago. Philippians 4:13 #TheBaddest;www.shantelcribbs.net @shanydrenee

Jyreika Guest (Ensemble) is an actor, dancer, poet, and intimacy director/coordinator based in Chicago, IL. Chicago credits include: How Blood Go and What to Send Up When It Goes Down (Congo Square); Tragedy of King Christophe (formerly House Theatre of Chicago); Lindiwe U/S (Steppenwolf); Frankenstein (Remy Bumppo); columbinus (The Yard Theatre Company); In the Blood (Red Tape Theatre); Fly Honeys Show (The Inconvenience Project); The Wiz (Kokandy Productions); The Adventures of Robin Hood (Filament Theatre). Intimacy/Fight direction credits: Ain't No Mo' (Woolly Mammoth Theatre-DC); Is God Is (A Red Orchid Theatre); Fun Home, Groundhog Day, Rock of Ages, and Hand to God (Paramount Theatre-Aurora), The Last Pair of Earlies (Raven Theatre); Seagull (Steppenwolf) Intimate Apparel (Northlight Theatre); The Light (Coalescence Theatre); Fire Shut Up in My Bones (Lyric Opera Chicago); Film/TV credits: Starz Force Season 1 &2, Heist 88. She is proudly represented by Shirley Hamilton Talent

Bryan Jeffrey(Ensemble) is a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He has received training from the Girard Academic Music Program (music/voice/theory/theatre), University of the Arts (dance/theatre/voice), Morgan State University(voice/theatre), Pennsylvania Ballet, Point Breeze Performing Arts(piano/hip hop), Alvin Ailey Intensive Program, Kimmel Center of the Arts(voice/dance). Some credits include: Scarecrow (The Wiz), Angel (Rent), Zodzetrick (Treemonisha), Lionel (It’s a Wonderful Life), Little Moe (Five Guys Named Moe), Junior Babcock (Mame) Elijah (Elijah), Smokey Joes Café, Wayne/Lil Albert/Tiny Joe (Dreamgirls), Joesph (Black Nativity), Hairspray, Mary Sunshine (Chicago), James Thundery Early-Dreamgirls (Helen Hayes Award Nominated for Oustanding Supporting Actor in a Musical), Ain’t Misbehavin, and Edward Bloom-Big Fish, Daddy Brubeck-Sweet Charity, Gator-Memphis, Phil Davis-White Christmas, Tuck Everlasting (Man In The Yellow Suit) 2021 Performer of the Decade-Broadway World-Baltimore

Raquel Jennings (Ensemble) is elated to be making her OLNEY THEATRE CENTER debut!  Regional: Ford’s: Shout Sister Shout!, Grace. The Kennedy Center TYA: The Day You Begin. Signature: The Color Purple. Baltimore Center Stage: Dreamgirls. Other: Seacoast Rep:The Last 5 Years, Ragtime; Winnipesauke Playhouse: It Had to Be You; ArtsCentric: Little Shop of Horrors, Aida, Sister Act, Memphis, The Color Purple; Creative Cauldron: Blues in the Night. Training: B.A. and M.A.in Voice, Morgan State University. IG: @raqui_j

Emmanuel Kikoni (Ensemble) [he/him ] is excited to be making his debut at ONLEY THEATRE CENTER in Fela!. REGIONAL: Oregon Shakespeare Festival: Once On This Island (Ensemble/Dance Captain); City Springs Theatre Company: Spamalot! (Ensemble). DC AREA: Signature Theatre: RENT (Swing); The Kennedy Center: Carner & Gregor Concert. DANCE: James Madison University: Dancing with The Stars of the 'Burg. COMMUNITY: Wayne Theatre: Hairspray (Seaweed). EDUCATIONAL: James Madison University: Godspell (Jesus), Side Show, Parade. WEB: Everything Emmanuel: Black Christmas. BA in Musical Theatre from James Madison University. www.emmanuelkikoni.com IG: @emmanuelkikoni TikTok: @everythingemmanuel

Amadou Kouyate (Djembe) Continuing the musical lineage of his father’s heritage, Amadou performs a musical montage on the 21-string kora and rhythmic presentations on djembe and koutiro drums. His repertoire ranges from traditional songs of the 13th century to contemporary original compositions incorporating blues and jazz riffs.In addition to his solo work, Amadou collaborates and performs with artists nationally and internationally, also with his world rock ensemble Proper SKANKS, and with Farafina Kan, WEEDOU Everything! and the Kouyate Family/Memory of African Culture. Selected credits include performances at The Kennedy Center, Smithsonian Institution, Bristol Academy and Isle of White (England), Tim Festival (Brazil), and Baltimore Rhythm Festival. He was an Adjunct Lecturer of African music and ethnomusicology at the University of Maryland as well as Director of the African Drum Ensemble. He has also served as an Artist-in-Residence with both Montgomery College and the renowned Strathmore Music Center and is currently on faculty at American University, UMBC and Goucher College.

Raven Lorraine (Ensemble) is thrilled to be making her OLNEY THEATRE CENTER Debut! Previous Credits include NEW YORK: Little Island Theatre: The Tale of Chef Kale. NATIONAL TOURS: National Theatre for Children, Hampstead Stage Company, Virginia Rep on Tour. REGIONAL: Virginia Repertory Theatre,  TheatreLAB, Quill Theatre. DC AREA: Shakespeare Theatre Company: King Lear, Much Ado About Nothing | Kennedy Center Theatre for Young Audiences: How to Catch a Star; Synetic Theater: Treasure Island, Hansel & Gretel, The Hunchback of Notre Dame; Only Make Believe. FILM & VOICE OVER: Shanidar, Dark City. EDUCATION: Virginia Commonwealth University: BFA in Theatre Performance.  Instagram: @ravenlorraine. For Karen Lorelle.

Vaughn Ryan Midder (Ensemble) is proud to join the Fela! team as his debut production with OLNEY THEATRE CENTER and Round House Theatre. Other credits include: NATIONAL TOUR: Acoustic Rooster’s Barnyard Boogie, Three Little Birds; The Kennedy Center: A Wind in the Door, The Watsons Go to Birmingham; Mosaic Theater: The Till Trilogy, Native Son; Everyman Theatre: Sweat; GALA Hispanic Theater: In the Heights en Español (Helen Hayes Award nomination); Woolly Mammoth Theatre: Black Side of the Moon; Constellation Theatre: Avenue Q (Helen Hayes Award). Vaughn Ryan earned a BA in Theatre from the University of Maryland, College Park.

Yewande Odetoyinbo (Ensemble/US Funmilayo) is a performer/choreographeroriginally from Detroit, MI. She is a proud graduate of Howard University, where she earned a BFA in Musical Theatre and became a member of Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity. She also has an MFA in Musical Theatre Performance from The Boston Conservatory at Berklee where she now teaches musical theater. She has worked with many regional theatres including: Reagle Music Theatre, Speakeasy Stage, Lyric Stage, Front Porch Arts Collective, American Repertory Theatre, Moonbox Productions, Wheelock Family Theatre, Boston Theatre Company, Goodspeed Opera House, New Repertory Theatre, The Barnstormers Theatre, Fiddlehead Theatre, Bridge Repertory Theatre, and American Stage Company. She is an IRNE Award winner and a two-time Elliott Norton Award nominee. It is her lifelong dream not only to perform and teach theater to inner-city youth, but also to open up a performing arts school in Nigeria.

Duain Richmond (Fela) Born in Sierra Leone West Africa and currently living in Los Angeles, CA. Duain started in theatre with the Freddie Hendricks Youth Ensemble of Atlanta (Y.E.A).  Theatre credits include: FELA! (Fela) BROADWAY: FELA!(Fela) BROADWAY NATIONAL TOUR: Superior Donuts (Franco U.S.) West Coast Premier GEFFEN PLAYHOUSE:  Ruined.West Coast Premier GEFFEN PLAYHOUSE: Times. Black. Y.E.A(ATL): PIll Hill. PUSH PUSH THEATRE(ATL): Sweat, MADE IN DA SHADE(Amsterdam): Soweto Soweto A township is calling(South Africa). Film credits include: Drumline A New Beat, Stomp The Yard, Wool Cap, Daddy's Little Girls, Life.Less, Ready.Fire.Aim. AWARD: NBC Universal/ABFF STAR PROJECT Winner 2018.

Jantanies Thomas (Ensemble) is grateful to make her debut at OLNEY THEATRE CENTER. Previous credits: HOWARD UNIVERSITY: Coming Home-A Musical Revue (Soloist/Ensemble), Heathers (Choreographer). EDUCATION: Jantanies will earn her BFA in Musical Theatre Spring 24’ at Thee Illustrious Howard University! IG: @Jantanies_Thomas

Galen J. Williams (Ensemble/US Fela) is so excited to make his OLNEY THEATRE CENTER Debut! BROADWAY: Motown the Musical(Ensemble), Slave Play (u/s Gary), OFF BROADWAY: Three Little Birds (Swing), REGIONAL: Oregon Shakespeare Festival: Once On This Island (Agwe/Storyteller); Mark Taper Forum: Slave Play (u/s Gary), TV: POSE EDUCATION: BFA in Musical Theatre from Howard University, MFA in Acting from University of Southern California; Instagram/TikTok: @theegalenjwilliams

Jalisa Williams (Ensemble)  is happy to make her debut at OLNEY THEATRE CENTER. DC AREA: Ford’s Theatre: Shout Sister Shout (Showgirl/Ens); Signature Theatre: The Color Purple (Jarene)[2022 Helen Hayes nominated] ; Artscentric: The Wiz(Ensemble), Aida(Aida u/s/Ens), Chicago(Hunyak/Ens). FILM: Love Dot Com (Greg’s Assistant). TV: AARP 80’s Dance Commercial. Instagram: @lissae88 TikTok: @lissae88

Kanysha Williams (Ensemble) is so thrilled to be back at OLNEY THEATRE CENTER! Recent credits include: Acoustic Rooster’s Barnyard Boogie, Starring Indigo Blume (The Kennedy Center), The Color Purple (Riverside Center for the Performing Arts), American Prophet: Frederick Douglass in His Own Words (Arena Stage), AD16 (Olney Theatre Center), The Tempest (Round House Theatre), Always...Patsy Cline (Creative Cauldron), and Sister Act (Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre). Kanysha is a graduate of the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington DC and George Mason University in Fairfax, VA. Offstage, Kanysha is a voice and piano instructor, and a recording artist! Check out her music under the name "KANYSHA" on all streaming platforms! To God Be The Glory! 

Shawna Williams (Swing) received her formal training at the Russell School of Ballet and holds a BFA in Dance and Choreography from VCU. She is a former member of Revision Modern Dance Company and staff of the Washington School of Ballet. She has taught in various settings throughout the DMV and is director of dance for CAAPA. Most recently, she performed in, The Ghiz, choreographed movement for InSeries' Ceiling/Sky and The Ordering of Moses while dancing as the burning bush. She performed, choreographed, and was movement director for Spirit Moves, community Opera and What Sweeter Music, Christmas Contata. She choreographed, A Snowy Nite at the Dew Drop Inn, and played Mary in Black Nativity, both done at Anacostia Playhouse. Currently, Shawna is an instructor candidate for Katherine Dunham Modern dance technique. She's excited to be a part of the Fela! cast. This is her first appearance at the OLNEY THEATRE CENTER. 

Breon Arzell (Choreographer) is returning to OLNEY THEATRE CENTER after choreographing 2019’s Miss You Like Hell. A dedicated teaching artist from Detroit, specializing in hip-hop, jazz, contemporary, lyrical and body percussion, he also serves as mentor to several universities, studios and theaters. REGIONAL: Incendiary (Woolly Mammoth), The Color Purple (MUNY), Once on This Island (Oregon Shakespeare Festival), Acoustic Rooster (Kennedy Center), Miss You Like Hell (Olney Theatre). TV: South Side, The 4400. CHICAGO: Kill Move Paradise (2020 Equity Jeff Award, TimeLine Theatre), The Color Purple (Drury Lane), The Wiz and Head Over Heels (Jeff Award, Kokandy Productions), The Total Bent (Jeff Award, Haven Theatre), The House That Will Not Stand (Victory Gardens), Marie Christine, The Scottsboro Boys, Little Shop of Horrors and more. Listed among the ‘50 Players for Chicago’ (2018, 2020, 2023), he’s toured the US and internationally. Along with developing original works, he is restoring and reviving a historical black musical. Visit @breonarzell or breonarzell.com for more!

Jamie Berry (Production Stage Manager) is a Mother, Doula, Community Advocate, and Stage Manager. Her professional theatre career spans more than 15 years with a wide variety of roles and productions. Her most recent work includes New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, artEquity's 2023 Alumni Gathering, and the New Orleans Opera's production of Charlie Parker's Yardbird. She is inspired by the life and music of Fela Kuti and thrilled to be part of this production. “I must identify myself with Africa. Then I will have an identity.” -Fela Kuti

Kim James Bey (Dialect Coach) Kim is happy to be joining OLNEY THEATRE CENTER for this production of Fela! Select credits (Washington D.C.) include at Arena Stage: Turn Me Loose, Ruined, The Piano Lesson, et. al. For Mosaic Theatre: Queens Girl in Africa, Blood Knot. Shakespeare Theatre: Red Velvet, The Amen Corner. At Everyman: Queens Girl in the World, and Queens Girl in Africa. Signature Theater: Detroit 67, The Scottsboro Boys. Additional dialect work credits at Studio Theatre, Woolly Mammoth, and Clackamas Theatre (Washington). Kim is a Certified Associate Teacher of Fitzmaurice Voicework. She is Professor of Theatre Arts at Howard University and on faculty at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts.

Lili-Anne Brown (Director) a Chicago South Side native, works as a director, actor and educator, and has performed in, directed and produced many award-winning shows in Chicago and nationally. Recent directing credits include: Joe Turner's Come and Gone (Huntington Theatre), School Girls, or The African Mean Girls Play and the world premieres of Ike Holter’s I Hate It Here and Lottery Day (Goodman Theatre); Ain’t No Mo’ (Woolly Mammoth and Baltimore CenterStage), The Color Purple (The Muny), Once on This Island (Oregon Shakespeare Festival), Acoustic Rooster...(Kennedy Center), Put Your House in Order (La Jolla Playhouse), Cullud Wattah (Victory Gardens). She is the former Artistic Director of Bailiwick Chicago, where she focused programming on Chicago-premiere musicals and new play development with resident playwrights. She is a member of SDC, AEA, and SAG-AFTRA, and represented by William Morris Endeavor. {www.lilbrownchicago.com.}

S. Renee Clark (Music Director/Conductor) is happy to join the OLNEY THEATRE CENTER family. Music Director credits include: Denver Center for the Performing Arts: The Color Purple; The 5th Avenue Theatre: The Wiz; Oregon Shakespeare Festival: Once On This Island; The Alliance Theatre: Cinderella and Fella (Composer), Jesus Christ Superstar Gospel, Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and. Living in Paris. Other favorites; Big River, Ave Q, Sunday In The Park with George, Ain’t Misbehavin (Suzi Award Winner for best Director of a Musical), Big Fish, Toxic Avenger, Five Guys Named Moe, Chicago, Every Tongue Confess (composer), I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, 9 to 5 The Musical, Bullets Over Broadway.

Kelly Colburn (Projections Designer) OLNEY THEATRE CENTER: The Thanksgiving Play, The Royale, National Players Tour 69, The Diary of Anne Frank. OFF-BROADWAY: New York Theatre Workshop, american (tele)visions. DC: Roundhouse: Nollywood Dreams; Gala Hispanic: La Casa en la Laguna, Mosaic: Dear Mapel. REGIONAL: Everyman: The Sound Inside. Artistic Lead of Theatre at Flying V. Digital Producer at Theater Alliance. AWARDS: 2020 Helen Hayes Recipient - Lighting/Media Design - Blood At The Root, 2022 Helen Hayes Award Nominee, 2022 Lucille Lortel Awards Nominee, 2018 Jim Henson Puppetry Grant, 2017 NextLOOK Resident. EDUCATION: BFA NYU Tisch ’11 | MFA UMD ’18.

Rueben D. Echoles (Costume Designer) is proud to be making his OLNEY debut with this production of Fela! Rueben is an accomplished playwright, director, choreographer, illustrator, costume and wig designer. He has had the pleasure of working with many theater companies across the country and in the Chicagoland area such as ETA, Black Ensemble, Mmpact, Congo Square, Refuge, Porchlight Music Theater, Drury Lane Oakbrook, Skylight Milwaukee, Writers Theater, Paramount Aurora, Theo Ubique, Invictus, The Goodman Theater, Phoenix Theater Company and Studio One Dance Theater, just to name a few. His most recent projects include Wig Design for Dreamgirls at Paramount Aurora and North Carolina Theatre Company as well as Costume Design for You Can’t Fake the Funk which was featured at The National Black Theater Festival and earned Rueben A Joseph Jefferson award for best costume design in a Large Theater. Rueben has also designed costumes for 4 Episodes for WTTW’s Chicago Stories docu- series, two of which (Ida B. Wells and The History of Gospel) have won Emmys for best production. Rueben would like to Thank Christ his Savior for Everything! 

Sherrice Mojgani (Lighting Design) recently designed Tiny Beautiful Things, The Folks at Home and The Garden (Baltimore Center Stage), The High Ground, The Heiress and Two Trains Running (Arena Stage), Spunk, Ain’t Misbehavin’ and The Scottsboro Boys (Signature Theatre Company), A Raisin in the Sun, Murder on the Orient Express, A Few Good Men and Sweat (Pittsburgh Public Theatre), Trouble in Mind, What You Are and Skeleton Crew (The Old Globe). Sherrice is an Assistant Professor at George Mason University in northern Virginia. She holds a B.A. in Theater Arts from UC Santa Cruz and an M.F.A. in Lighting Design from UC San Diego. 

Matt Rowe (Sound Designer) is proud to be back at OLNEY THEATRE CENTER. Olney Theatre Center: The World Goes ‘Round, Kinky Boots,The Music Man, Headwig and the Angry Inch, A.D 16, Beauty & the Beast, Miss You Like Hell, Cabaret, Once, In The Heights, My Fair Lady, Sweeney Todd, A Chorus Line; Kennedy Center: Orphie and the Book Of Heroes, First You Dream, Snow White, Rose Red (and Fred!), Nobody’s Perfect. MetroStage: The Last Five Years; Signature Theatre: No Place to Go, Miss Saigon, Company, The Last Five Years, Shakespeare’s R&J, Dreamgirls, Dying City, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Xanadu, God of Carnage, Brother Russia, Really Really, Hairspray (Helen Hayes nomination), A Second Chance, Sweet Tea: Black Gay Men of the South, The Boy Detective Fails, The Hollow, Side by Side by Sondheim, Art, And the Curtain Rises, Sunset Boulevard, Walter Cronkite is Dead, A Fox on the Fairway, Chess, Sycamore Trees, [title of show], Sweeney Todd, Show Boat, First You Dream: The Music of Kander & Ebb, Dirty Blonde, Giant, The Little Dog Laughed, Les Miserables, Anyone Can Whistle in Concert, The Visit, The Happy Time, Kiss of the Spider Woman, Glory Days, Merrily We Roll Along, The Witches of Eastwick. Norwegian Cruise Lines: Million Dollar Quartet, Rock Of Ages

Arnel Sancianco (Scenic Designer) Arnel is an award-winning set designer and lecturer at UC Berkeley. He is a graduate of Northwestern University where he received his MFA in stage design. Arnel has designed all around the United States. Credits include Joe Turner's Come and Gone (The Huntington) Rent, Once on This Island (Oregon Shakespeare Festival), The Color Purple (The Muny), The Lifespan of a Fact (Repertory Theatre of St. Louis), The Mortification of Fovea Munson, Acoustic Rooster's Barnyard Boogie (Kennedy Center), Ain’t No Mo (Woolly Mammoth), Put Your House in Order (La Jolla Playhouse), Lottery Day (Goodman Theatre), Choir Boy, I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter, We Are Proud to Present, (Steppenwolf), Athena, A Doll’s House (Writers Theatre), Nina Simone: Four Women (Arizona Theatre Company), The Mousetrap, Photograph 51, The Belle of Amherst (Court Theatre), Twelfth Night (American Players Theatre), The Nerd, The All Night Strut! (Milwaukee Rep). ArnelDesigns.com Instagram: @ArnelDesigns

David Singleton (Associate Choreographer) is a Montgomery College alumn and Maryland based performer, choreographer, and teaching artist, and is thrilled to be returning to OLNEY THEATRE CENTER (this time behind the table!) with this production of Fela!. Through his career he has had the pleasure of working throughout the DMV with a wide array of phenomenal artists. Some of his favorite onstage credits include Angel in RENT, Newsies, and Kinky Boots. Previous choreography credits include; Imagination Stage: P.Nokio (AST. Choreographer). Monumental Theatre Company: Tick Tick Boom (Choreographer) (Helen Hayes Award Nomination Best Choreography) Songs For A New World (Choreographer). Toby’s Dinner Theatre: Spongebob the Musical ( Choreographer)(Helen Hayes Award Nomination Best Choreography). Kinky Boots (Co Choreographer). Artscentric: La Cage Aux Folles (Choreographer). American University: Bat Boy (Choreographer).