CAST ENSEMBLE (IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE)
Gabrielle Muleba (Blue Fairy/ Nature Chorus) she goes by Gabby and she’s going to share some of my interest. She loves to sing; it is her passion. She really wants to improve her skills so that she can be the best artist that she can be. This is her first year in STEP and is very excited and happy that she chose to do this this summer!
Shaneya Berkeley (Rio/Nature Chorus) is an actress and poet from Cleveland Ohio. She is a sophomore at John F Kennedy high. She is on the track team and cheer squad. One person she would like to think is her mom because she always has been there and without her none of this would’ve been happening. She is ready and excited to get up on stage for the first time and STEP is making her feel comfortable and not so nervous to do that!
Cearia Mango (Oakland/Nature Chorus/Birds Chorus) is an artist, and she loves to sing and draw. She loves to dance and decided, this summer she is trying something new, Acting! She’s so excited to share what her and the ensemble has created this summer. She hopes you enjoy the show!
Nathan Thorpe (Stick/Nochi) is an actor and singer who is thrilled to showcase his skills and talents in the upcoming show, (show name). He will be portraying the character (character name), and he’s eager for you to meet him. Nathan was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, and is currently in 9th grade, soon to be moving up to 10th. He is home-educated and is in his second year in the STEP ensemble at CPT. Nathan particularly enjoys the vocal warm-ups and would like to express his gratitude to his mom for her unwavering support and attendance at all the meetings.
William Willis (Cherry/Hardened Hearts Ensemble) Will is an artist in his free time. For his future, he wants to be a voice actor and animator. He also wants to create his own show. He is very excited to perform for you all this summer! Enjoy the show!
Eva Vergez (Geppetto) (The Midnight Mist- STEP2023, and many CAN sessions at CPT) is a multidisciplinary artist born and raised in Los Angeles California and lived in Miami Florida for a few years before moving to Cleveland Ohio in 2021. She loves to draw, play guitar, and has recently discovered her love for theater. She is excited for her second year of being a part of the step ensemble and is so thrilled to share this work that she, her fellow cast members, and teaching artists have really worked hard on. Enjoy the show!
Arihsay Gonzalez Rivera (Cricket) is an upcoming college first year student at the Ohio State University. She spends her free time doing digital art, painting, crafting, or writing poems. She is excited to evolve her acting and singing skills even planning on having theater as a minor in college.
Anessah Ali (Niko) is very excited for her first performance with Cleveland Public theater. She is a performer from Warrensville Heights. Ohio. Anessah will be a senior at Hawken Upper School where she will be a theater intern, a member of Hawken in player society, and chorus. She is very thankful for being able to share the stage with her fellow STEP members. She’s very proud of this hard-working group. She wants to thank her father for always supporting her passions. She hopes all audience members will enjoy the show.
Lakarrion Neal (Lakarrion/Hardened Hearts) is an actor from Cleveland, OH and he is a sophomore and Garrett Morgan engineering where he is a member of the art club and robotics. This is his first time being a member of the STEP ensemble at CPT. He is excited to share his talent. His favorite part about being in the acting ensemble is the physical warm-ups that happens in the beginning of every session. He would like to thank his mom for supporting his choice to learn about theater and this cast for being so dedicated and creative during this weird time in the world. Let’s go!!
Kionne Allen (Fire Eater, Hardened Hearts Ensemble) is a young writer, and Director who has spent nearly his entire life in Cleveland Ohio. In his kindergarten through eighth school life, he did not have much interest in things like writing. But in the seventh and eighth grade, he decided to give it a try, as he has always had a big imagination and a knack for being creative. After realizing his talent in writing, he was accepted into his dream high school, Cleveland School of the Arts! There he really blossomed. He met many new peers and teachers, who pushed him and his art to grow and evolve. So now he plans on using everything he’s learned to create something great with STEP.
Nico Smith (Frisky, Hardened Hearts Ensemble) is an actor from Cleveland Ohio. He is a rising freshman at Cleveland school of the arts where he majors in drama and is a part of the drama club. This is his first time being an ensemble member of the STEP program. Although he has been working/participating at CPT for a while. He is excited to share his acting with the Cleveland community. His favorite things about acting are the ensemble, rehearsals, and the games. He is excited to be acting this summer!
Aaliyah Wagner (Kiddy/Marionettes) is an actress from Cleveland, Ohio who loves to dance and perform. Aaliyah graduated from St. Thomas, and she will be a freshman next year. She would like to thank her mom for supporting her and always being there. She would like to thank God for also being there when it felt like no one else was.
Jayla Carter (Brenda The Bird, Hardened Hearts Ensemble) is an actress and YouTuber from Cleveland Ohio. She’s in the 10th grade and goes to Cleveland School of the Arts. Jayla has been acting since the second grade she has been in productions like The Little Mermaid, All Shook Up, Neon West benefit, Karamu House and this is her second year of STEP. Jayla wants to thank her mom for encouraging her to be involved in theatre and her cast for being so dedicated and creative to the work.
Sammantha Gallo (Noe) is an actress from Clevland, OH. She is a Senior at Garret Morgan High School. this is her Third year at STEP. Her favorite part of STEP is meeting new people and connecting with them to make a new show. She would like to thank her dad for being her biggest supporter. She is super excited for this year’s show!
Javion Battle (Lampwick…….) is a basketball player and actor who loves to showcase his skill on stage. He’s excited to meet y’all and hopes you are too. Javion was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, and Is currently in 9th grade and going into 10th, Javion is school educated and is a first-year ensemble member to step! Javion has enjoyed what STEP can give to the community. Javion loves, appreciates, and has gratitude for his mom’s support.
Takiya Long (Conductor #2/ Hardened Hearts Ensemble/Bird Chorus) is an up-and-coming actress. She is a new member of the STEP ensemble. She is fluent in both Spanish, English and ASL. She’s a rising junior at Lincoln West! One of Takiya’s dreams is to be on the big screen one day!
Chantel Roberts (Hardened Hearts Ensemble/Marionettes/Birds Chorus) is a student actress from Cleveland Ohio and is an upcoming sophomore at Lincoln West High School of Global Studies where she is hoping for the opportunity to have a marching band back at her school. This is her first time being a member of the STEP ensemble at CPT and she is so excited to show off her acting skills with the Cleveland community. Her favorite part about being an ensemble are the vocal warmups that they do every rehearsal. She would like to thank her teacher for the auditioning opportunity as Chantelle will do her best and make new friends.
August Sumlin (Assistant Director) is a singer and actor from Cleveland Hights, Ohio. She is a rising sophomore at Laurel School where she is a member of the International Thespian Society. This is her first time working with STEP, and She is so excited for the community to see their work! She would like to thank her family for allowing her this opportunity, this cast for working together for this magical story, and to all who helped. Thank you. Let’s get it!!!
Monica Guardado (Assistant Director) is a rising Senior, passionate about Direction and Creative writing. She is thrilled to join the STEP ensemble of 2024 as her first major creative project. Egar to channel her creativity into these years play, she is excited to bring fresh ideas and dynamic energy to the production while collaborating with her peers and learning from experienced mentors.
PRODUCTION TEAM
Melissa Crum (She/Her) (Program Manager) is a Cleveland-based Director, Writer, Performer and Teaching Artist. Most recently Crum was awarded Best Director through the Cleveland Critics Circle for her direction of Little Women at Dobama Theatre, which also won best non-musical production. Melissa received the 2016/2017 Nord Family Foundation Playwright Fellowship through Cleveland Public Theatre (CPT), where she and co-writer & composer Caitlin Lewins developed Everything is Okay {and other helpful lies}, a dark musical comedy. Everything is Okay (and other helpful lies) received a reading at the New York Musical Festival (NYMF) in the summer of 2019. Melissa completed the 2013/2014 Joan Yellen Horvitz Director Fellowship at Cleveland Public Theatre, where she directed critically acclaimed, The Drowning Girls. Melissa currently holds the position of Artistic & Education Associate at Cleveland Public Theatre. She has served as a Staff Teaching Artist with Playhouse Square, worked as an Actor-Teacher with Great Lakes Theater, and has been a Teaching Artist with The Cleveland Playhouse, The Musical Theater Project, Dobama Theatre, and is a member of the National Teaching Artist Guild. Melissa holds a BA in Theatre Arts from Cleveland State University.
Avery LaMar Pope (Teaching Artist)
Avery LaMar Pope is a storyteller, arts educator, and author from Cleveland, OH. Avery tells stories through theater, literature, and music. Acting credits include: Cleveland Play House, Playhouse Square, Great Lakes Theatre, Karamu House, Dobama Theatre, Cleveland Public Theatre, Idaho Shakespeare Festival, and Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe. Playwriting credits include: Horizon Theatre Company, Dobama Theatre, and First Look Buffalo Theatre Company. As a poet he has performed on local and national stages, is a founding member of the Sparrow’s Fortune Poetry Collective, and self-published his collection “A Dozen Roses ( … and other flowers too)” in 2023. He’s a 2024 Karamu House Room in the House Performing Arts Fellow, a 2024 Cleveland Arts Prize Verge Fellowship Finalist, and a 2022 Nord Family Foundation Playwright Fellowship Finalist. He graduated Cum Laude with a BFA in Performance from Ohio University and gives all the glory to God for his current and prayerfully continued success.
Kadijah Wingo (Teaching Artist)
Kadijah Wingo or “Kwingo” is an actor, comic, writer, and improviser from Cleveland Ohio. Frequents stages such as; Snowflake Comedy, Sundaze(Dunlaps), Don’t Tell Comdey, & Con Tu to name a few. Recently was a featured comic at the annual Detroit Women of Comedy Festival. As well as simultaneously producing, writing, & performing in an original improv and sketch show, Intrusive Thoughts. Although she wears many hats, she always makes room for the loving pursuit of new opportunities to collaborate & grow as an artist.
Quenisha Moss (Teaching Artist)
Quenisha is a rising senior at New York University studying Acting. She is trained in acting techniques including Stanislavsky, Meisner, and Chekhov; movement techniques including Laban and Mary Overlie’s Viewpoints; and voice and speech work based on the teachings of Cicely Berry. Moss is also a STEP alum (2017 & 2018 seasons) and is very excited to reconnect with STEP as a Teaching Artist. She can’t wait to collaborate with and learn from everyone-and hopes you can learn something from her too!
Fiona Finneran (Teaching Artists/Stage Manager)
Fiona Finneran (They/Them) is thrilled to join CPT to create some awesome art with the youth of Cleveland. Recently graduated from Wright State University with a BFA in Acting, Fiona also has strong skills and experience in Tech and Stage Management in theatre. They are a storyteller who share stories through Theatre, drawing and poetry. A few recent credits include, Technical Director of the Jubilee Directing Lab, Light designer/Board Operator for Little Women at Wright State University as well as depicting Dr. Rank in Wright State’s production of Ibsen’s A Doll House
Graham Callahan (Technical Lead)
Graham Callahan is a multidisciplinary technical artist from Northeast Ohio. He graduated from Kent State University in 2023 with a BFA in Theatre Design, Technology and Production, concentrating his studies in prop fabrication and minoring in LGBTO+ Studies. After graduation, he spent time studying abroad in Prague, Czech Republic to attend the Prague Quadrennial, an international theatre festival. He then worked with Cedar Point for their 2023 Haunt season as a propartisan. Graham has a special passion for puppetry and horror special effects.
TYREE J. FRANKLIN (Technical Assistant)
Tyree (He/Him) is a Cleveland based stage manager and Artist with his BFA in Stage Management from Wright State University. His recent stage management credits includes Velveteen Rabbit: A New Musical at Playhouse Square, BKLYN at Nearwest Theatre, The Bubbly Black Girl who Sheds her Chameleon Skin (Karamu House) The Tempest, The Liar, Everybody, and Passage (Cleveland Playhouse), Langston Hughes’ Black Nativity (Karamu House) Tyree is a new playwright. His play “Tales of a Fat Man” was recently produced at Cleveland Public Theatre’s 2024 Test Flight Series. He would like to thank his family and friends for their continued love and support!
Inda Blatch-Geib (Costume Designer)
Inda Blatch-Geib work as a costume and production designer for over 1,000 theatrical, commercial, and film releases has spanned 37 years and crossed 4 continents. Production and Costume Design has included commercials for Krylon, Bryant & Stratton, Footlocker, The West Virginia Lottery’s national award-winning campaigns, The Ohio Lottery, Microsoft, Under Armor, McDonalds, TroyBuilt, Meijer, and The Original Mattress Factory as well as the Cleveland Cavaliers’ 1970’s and 1980’s themed videos, national spots for the team, and design for on court half-time shows including their mascot shield design and pyrotechnic sword. Live performance and festival design include Machine Gun Kelly’s US and European Tours as well as ESTFEST and Wolstein Arena productions. Specialty projects include microphone stand designs for MGK and Bear. Print designs have included set styling for Harper’s Bazaar UK Scarlett Johansson cover and spread as well as catalogue set styling for Foundations and Kilgore Trout. Additionally, Ms. Blatch-Geib’s designs have been showcased in exhibits at The Smithsonian Institute with film projects including Ohio Art Direction of The Signal staring Laurence Fishburne and Production and Costume Design of the s The Con. Theatrical Design includes Production & Costume Design for the special off- Broadway Production of Kris Kringle, The Musical, Costume Design for the Cleveland Play House production of Native Gardens, as well as multiple productions for the Colombian National Opera. Music Video Production and Costume Design includes Machine Gun Kelly’s Alpha Omega and Let You Go releases. Locally, Inda has been the Resident Designer for Karamu House, Cleveland Public Theatre, Magical Theatre Company, and Cleveland Institute of Music. Her company, Inda Blatch-Geib Designs, offers Costume & Production Design services as well as Prop, Set, and Costume rental and custom fabrication.
Dred Geib (Assistant Designer/Crafts Person)
Dred Geib is a Lead Production Designer at IBG Designs. An Akron native, Dred has been working in Northeast Ohio theater for over a decade. He has provided an abundant amount of work in commercials, film productions and live events. Most recently Dred designed the set for Legally Blonde: The Musical and Evil Dead: The Musical at The Millennial Theatre Project and designed props for The Marvelous Wonderettes and The Language Archives at Clague Playhouse, It Happened in Atlanta, Breakfast at the Bookstore, and Clyde’s at Karamu House, and Die Fledermaus for the Cleveland Institute of Music’s Opera program. Some of his career highlights are working with Machine Gun Kelly, The Cleveland Cavaliers, and prop design for Kris Kringle on Broadway.
Nicole Sumlin (Production Producer)
Nicole Sumlin is an actor, singer, director, writer, producer, and educator. She served as Vocal Music Director for choral ensembles, Musical Director and Assistant Director for theatre productions, and ELA educator for thirteen years in Wheaton, IL, Mansfield, Ohio, and South Euclid, Ohio. In 2014, she was named Educator of the Year by the Ohio PTA Board’s 11th District. In 2016, she shifted her focus to performing arts instruction and clinician work with area choruses and theatre ensembles (including the Dazzle Awards at Playhouse Square, Cleveland Metropolitan School District’s All-City Musical, and Shining Star CLE) while continuing to perform in Cleveland and New York City. She recently served as Academy and Curriculum Manager at Cleveland Playhouse, where her responsibilities included managing its Theatre Academy and Summer Academy, as well as crafting and implementing professional development and audience engagement programs
Eugene Sumlin (Choreographer)
Eugene Sumlin is an actor, director, and choreographer in the Cleveland area. For 7 years, he served as a teaching artist at Cleveland Playhouse, helping to create and implement the CARE (Compassionate Arts Remaking Education) program. In Eugene’s last year at CPH, he served as the Associate Director of CARE. He is currently the Middle/Upper School Performing Arts teacher at Laurel. He is also a resident director at Heights Youth Theatre and a teaching artist for the Dazzle Workshops at Playhouse Square. Eugene is honored to be working with these young artists of the STEP program.
TECH ENSEMBLE
Kelsey Arnold (Technical Artist)
Kelsey Arnold is an artist working with the CPT tech team. She is going into her freshman year! This is her first year working with CPT and she’s extremely excited and is proud to show off what she and the rest of the tech team has created.
Le’lani Aikens (Technical Artist)
Le’lani Aikens is an incredible, 15-year-old painter. She got accepted to the high school of her dreams and is going into freshman year! Le’lani is hard working, kind and very helpful. She loves to write and create art. Enjoy the show!
Samantha Aikens (Technical Artist)
Samantha Aikens is a 2023 High School graduate who plans on transferring to the New York Institute of Technology. She is an avid lover of theater and performed frequently in her high school drama club. This is her first time being a part of the STEP ensemble. She joined the tech ensemble to learn more about what happens behind the scenes of acting. Her other interests and hobbies include ceramics, music, gaming, dancing, and fashion. Her favorite part of tech is creating the pieces needed for the three major puppets. She’d like to thank her family and friends for coming out to the production and the entire install ensemble of step for making this a great time! Enjoy the show!
Rhionnan Ford (Technical Artist)
Rhionnan Ford is an artist from Cleveland OH. She is a rising sophomore at the Cleveland School of the Arts where she is a part of the student council, drama club and cosmetology. This is her first time being a member of the STEP ensemble and she is excited to share her work on the Fire Eater. She loved being a part of the tech team, making friends and working on her paintings and sculpting skills. She is also your future president.
Cortas Carson (Technical Artist)
Cortas Carson is a 14-year-old, 9th grade freshman. He played football for six years and currently plays baseball. This is his first time working on a tech team, but this is not his first time working on an art project. He hopes you enjoy the show!
Nate Griffith (Technical Artist)
Nate Griffith is a 16-year-old rising sophomore. He likes to draw and learn about history. This is his second year at STEP. He hopes you enjoy the show!
Maison Franklin (Technical Artist)
Maison Franklin is a 13-year-old who loves mac and cheese. Maison also loves riding his bike. Maison enjoys visiting new places and learning new things. His dream is to be an entrepreneur.
Xaviar Aikens (Technical Artist)
Xaviar Aikens is a rising high school freshman. He enjoys spending time outdoors and connecting with nature. He hopes you sit back, relax, and enjoy the show!
Jerez LaVette (Technical Artist)
Jerez LaVette is a 16-year-old who loves physical activity like dance or sports, his jersey number is 19! He is also a performer and loves to sing. He is so excited for you all to see all the STEP ensembles hard work. Enjoy the show!
Arland Jackson (Technical Artist)
Arland Jackson aka AJ, is a proud member of the tech team. He is so excited to be apart of STEP this summer and has enjoyed all the skills and friends he’s made. He hopes youre able to relax, have fun and enjoy the show!