Blues for an Alabama Sky

Jasper Allen (U/S Leland Cunningham) is a senior BFA musical theatre major and music minor. Some of their favorite Theatre UCF credits include RENT (Tom Collins), Godspell (Light of the World Soloist) and Metamorphoses (Erysichthon and Others). He recently spent the summer in his hometown of Fort Myers, Florida where he music directed two junior productions at Florida Repertory Theatre. Lastly, he wants to remind everyone to prioritize community. Socials: @knowjas

Alexis Bates (Delia U/S) is a freshman in the BFA Acting program. This is her Theatre UCF debut. Her favorite role she has played was Megan in Puff's at Lehigh Senior High School.

Rebekah Brunson (Delia Patterson) is a first-year MFA Acting student from Fayetteville, North Carolina.This is her UCF debut! She earned her BFA in Theatre and Performance from Emerson College. Her professional credits include: The Grove (Shadow, U/S performed), The Kittie Knox Plays (Benzina Reese) and Orpheus in the Overworld (Artemis). @rebekah_florence

Alejandro Cirino (Sam Thomas) is a second-year transfer in the BFA Acting Program. He has also been a part of Theatre UCF production of The River Bride (U/S Duarte) last year. Some other theatre credits include The Foreigner (Froggy LeSueur), Our Lady of 121st Street (Balthazar), and A Spoken Word (Dennis). Feel free to check out his social! Instagram: alejandrocirino_ Gmail: cirinoalejandro210@gmail.com

Jamarr Cole (Guy Jacobs) is a second-year in the BFA Musical Theatre program at UCF, making his UCF Theatre debut in Blues for an Alabama Sky. His UCF credits include Legally Blonde (Swing, U/S Nikos) and Urinetown (Swing, U/S Mr. McQueen). His regional credits include Hairspray (Ensemble, U/S Seaweed J. Stubbs) at the Dr. Phillips Center. Past credits include A Chorus Line (Richie Walters), Something Rotten! (Minstrel), Newsies (Specs), Chaplin (Shopkeeper/Ensemble), Romeo & Juliet (Chorus Ensemble), and All Shook Up! (Dennis). Instagram: @jamarrxcole 

Naje’ Gillespie (U/S Angel Allen) is a third-year transfer in the BFA Acting and B.A. Creative Writing Programs. She was last seen in the Bay Street Player’s production of Rent (Ensemble)! She was also in Romeo & Juliet (Balthasar) at Daytona State College, and in the River Bride (U/S SRA. COSTA), The Bacchae (U/S Ino & Swing *performed*), and Between Shadows And Lightness at Theatre UCF.

Trey Harrell (Leland Cunningham) is a first year student in the MFA Acting program. This is his Theatre UCF debut! His most recent professional credits include Little Shop of Horrors (Audrey II), The Brothers Size (Elegba), Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Drifter), and Five Guys Named Moe (No Moe). Trey__Christian on Instagram.

Chelsey Michelle Lake (Angel Allen) is currently in her senior year at University of Central Florida. Last year she had the privilege of being cast as Brooke Windham u/s in the production of “Legally Blonde” directed by Micheal Jablonski. As well as ensemble in the Fall production of “Urinetown” directed by Micheal Wainstein. This is her first time in an all black play and couldn’t be more thrilled. Chelsey is ecstatic for what this new season and character has in store and the opportunities of growth personally and artistically. @chelseylakee_ 

Jordan Ruiz (U/S Sam Thomas) is excited to be part of this amazing company at Theatre UCF. He has previously worked with Theatre UCF as understudy for Llyod Boetang in their production of "One Man Two Guvnors" earlier this year. Outside of Theatre UCF he has performed for Encore Performing Arts as part of their choir for their production of “Frozen.” He is currently studying acting at the University of Central Florida. He would like to thank his family and friends for their unwavering support! 

Terrance Taylor (U/S Guy Jacobs) is a Second-year transfer in the BFA Musical Theatre Program. This is his second Theatre UCF show. He was previously seen on the Theatre UCF stage in Legally Blonde (Ensemble, U/S Carlos). Other theatre credits include Frozen (Kristoff) and The Rocky Horror Picture Show Shadow Cast (Frank N Furter). Instagram: @itzmsjuicybaby

Roberta Emerson is a Director, Actor, Producer, Cultural Coordinator, and Educator among many other hats she proudly wears. She is a graduate of both the University of Minnesota with a BFA in Acting and Theatre Management and New York University with an MFA in Acting. She has worked as an actor and director in many regional theaters around the country has done extensive voice-over, commercial, and film work, and has been a teaching artists both stateside and in Europe. Roberta is an active voice for the representation of BIPOC artists and as such, serves as the Theatre Relations lead and Executive Organizer with the Central Florida Entertainment Advocacy Organization. She also serves on the Board of the National New Play Network. She is currently the Director of New Play Development at Orlando Shakespeare where she also teaches Directing and Acting at UCF, while also show directing for Disney Live Entertainment.

Ayọ̀ Demps is a Central Florida-based Educator, Director, Actor, Teaching Artist, and Activist. She specializes in cultural competency, dramaturgy and consent-based intimacy for stage. Ayọ̀ is also a proud graduate of UCF’s Creative Writing program. She is a fantasy writer, critical essayist, theatre writer, and poet, with an M.F.A in Popular Fiction Writing & Publishing from Emerson College. By day, she is the Education Coordinator for the Orlando Shakes. For her art and her intersectional activism, Ayọ̀ has been featured in American Theatre Magazine, the Orlando Sentinel, Artistry Magazine, Watermark Out News, and Orlando Voyager. Ayọ̀ was also a 2025 recipient of the inaugural cohort of Theatre Communication Group’s Funds For the Dolls grant, elevating Trans women of color in the arts. 

Huaixiang Tan is Professor of Costume and Makeup Design and Technology at Theatre UCF and Costume Designer for Blues for an Alabama Sky. Her professional credits include the Three Rivers Shakespeare Festival, PA and Cornell University, NY. She is the author of Character Costume Figure Drawing and Costume Craftwork on a Budget, and a member of United Scenic Artists, Local USA 829.

Destinee Steele (Wig, Hair, and Makeup Designer) selected credits include Lady Day at Emmerson’s Bar and Grill, Kinky Boots, Cabaret (Orlando Shakes) La Boheme, Treemonisha, Cendrillion, Macbeth, Lucia di Lammermoor, Frida, among others (Opera Orlando) Dreamgirls, A Christmas Story, Addam’s Family (The Walnut Street Theatre) Westside Story, Jersey Boys, The Color Purple, 42nd Street, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolored Dreamcoat, RENT, Music Man, Young Frankenstein, Frozen (Broadway at Music Circus) Death of a Salesman, Bob Fosse’s: Dancin’ (Broadway). She has a Masters of Fine Arts in Wig and Makeup Design from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. She's the founder and CEO of The Beauty Menagerie LLC, and a 2024 recipient of the 1/52 Grant. @The.Beauty.Menagerie

Lissa Ortega, (Assistant Set Designer, Paint Charge) is a third year transfer in the BFA Theatre Design Tech program. She also works in the Theatre UCF Costume Shop, helping with other shows this season.

Ella Amir (Props Manager) is a second-year transfer BFA Stage Manager. Prior credits at Theatre UCF include Eight-Hand Jig (PSM), One Man Two Guvnors (A2) and Urinetown: The Musical (PA, Light Board Operator). She is looking forward to working on UCF Celebrates the Arts (Stage Manager) at the Dr. Phillips Center in the spring. @orlandostagemanagers

Mylka Rosado Ortiz (Props Manager) is a second-year in the BFA Stage Management program. She has been a part of many great shows such as Between Shadows and Lightness (Production Stage Manager), Legally Blonde (Stage Manager), Urinetown (Production Assistant & Spot Operator), The Two Gentlemen of Verona (Production Stage Manager), Hamlet (Production Stage Manager), and Henry VI: War of the Roses (Production Stage Manager). She would like to thank her friends for supporting her through this process, as well as her amazing team! @Mylkaeislen @orlandostagemanagers

Aidan Ward (Assistant Production Electrician) is a 2nd Year in the Theatre B.A. program. Previously, Aidan has worked as a Production Management PA on Legally Blonde, Lighting Board Operator on The Hatmaker's Wife and as an E-Shop Crew Member. He also works as an Entertainment Tech at the Magic Kingdom, and was formally a Show Lighting Intern on Epic Universe with Universal Creative.

Aurora Ulrich (Wardrobe Supervisor) is a third-year BFA Stage Management student. She has been a part of UCF Celebrates the Arts 2026 (Company Manager), Bacchae (Props Manager), Orlando Family Stage's Wizard of Oz Youth Edition (stage manager), Visiting Hours (stage manager), and UCF Celebrates the Arts 2025 (stage manager).

Odalys Lopez (Production Stage Manager) is a fourth-year in the BFA Stage Management program. She has been a part of Theatre UCF’s Production of Imogen Says Nothing (Stage Manager), UCF Celebrates the Arts (Stage Manager), Pegasus PlayLab (Production Management PA), Urinetown (Props Manager), and Bacchae (Stage Manager). She also worked on PlayFest 2025 at the Orlando Shakes (Assistant Stage Manager). 

Aanya Holsinger (Stage Manager) is a junior in the BFA Stage Management program. Her past Theatre UCF credits include Legally Blonde (Props Manager), The Drolls (Production Stage Manager) and Fiddler on the Roof (Production Assistant). She also worked on The Wizard of Oz (Youth Edition) (Assistant Stage Manager) at Orlando Family Stage.

Freddy Cycholl (Stage Manager) is a junior in the BFA Stage Management program. Her past Theatre UCF credits include One Man, Two Guvnors (Stage Manager), River Bride (Production Management PA), Visiting Hours (Production Stage Manager), The Drolls (Wardrobe Supervisor), and Imogen Says Nothing (Production Assistant/Automation Operator). She is so grateful to everyone who has supported her throughout her journey and for this amazing team! @freddycycholl @orlandostagemanagers

Vivian Riffe (Stage Manager) is a second year in the BFA Stage Management program. Her past Theater UCF credits include The Hatmaker’s Wife (Props Manager), Raccoon Play (Wardrobe Crew), Eight-Hand Jig (Stage Manager), and The Bacchae (Production Assistant). She is excited to work as a stage manager for UCF Celebrates the Arts in the spring. 

Zoe Cole (Production Assistant) is a First Year Transfer in the BFA Stage Management program. This is her first Theatre UCF show.

Kerrie Bevan (Run Crew, Blues for an Alabama Sky) is a Freshman in the BFA Design and Technology program. This production marks her Theatre UCF debut. She specializes in theatrical props and design with plans to pursue set dressing professionally after graduation.

Ella Hill (Wardrobe Crew) is a first-year transfer student in the BFA Design and Technology program. This is her UCF debut. She plans to pursue a career in costume design after graduation. 

Claudia Lynch (Stage Managers’ Advisor/ Show Crew Assignment Supervisor) Claudia is an Associate Professor and the Area Coordinator of the BFA in Stage Management. Claudia is the Interim Co-Undergraduate Coordinator, and the Theatre UCF Internship Coordinator. She is also the Program/Academic Advisor for the BA in Administration and Directing. Claudia supervises the Theatre UCF Audition Office, and she is the Faculty Liaison for the Theatre UCF Professional Advisory Board. Credits include Broadway:  Rock of Ages, A Catered Affair, Company, Little Shop of Horrors; and The Light in the Piazza, The Rivals, Dinner at Eight, Contact at Lincoln Center Theater. Offbroadway:  Passion (at Classic Stage Company), Rock of Ages (New World Stages). NY City Center Encores! Series: Tik Tik Boom, Pump Boys and Dinettes, A New Brain, The Wild Party, Jeanine Tesori’s Jamboree!, Runaways, The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin, A Bed and a Chair,  and Irma la Douce. Regional:  Death of a Salesman at the Alley Theatre, A Catered Affair Tryout at The Old Globe Theatre, Little Shop of Horrors Tryout at Actors’ Theatre on the Miracle Mile, House Arrest: First Edition at Arena Stage, and a full season at The Cleveland Playhouse, and summers at The National Playwrights Conference at the Eugene O’Neil Center, and The Contemporary American Theatre Festival, and Porthouse Theatre Company. Claudia received a BA in Theatre from SUNY Geneseo. She is a proud Member of Actors’ Equity Association. Claudia is also a USITT Commissioner for the Management Commission, an Actors’ Equity Outreach Presenter, the KCACTF Region 3 Stage Management Intensive Coordinator, and the Coordinator for the Connection Convention: College Edition; which helps students interested in studying Stage Management meet with Educators and programs around the country.  Claudia has served as the SM Coordinator for KCACTF Region 4, on the Board of The Stage Managers Association.  @OrlandoStageManagers

Pearl Cleage’s Blues for an Alabama Sky is set in 1930s Harlem, a Harlem that has many reasons to sing the blues. With the Great Depression ravaging the economy and Black Southerners flooding the American North by tens of thousands, Harlem’s renaissance is in decline. Leland, Angel, Guy, Sam, and Delia navigate the Harlem blues to pursue their individual ideals of freedom. Some set their sights across the sea to other hopeful utopias for freedom; some find hope in fighting for a better Harlem; others pine for the Alabama sky. Cleage’s community of characters, while striving against odds that seem insurmountable, are beacons of life, love, and laughter. Blues for an Alabama Sky invites audiences to both sing the weary blues with its characters and to find the bravery to construct one’s own dance, song, and cry for liberation.

— Jada Kamau, Dramaturg