Next Narratives: Sustaining Platforms that Give Voice
When: Tuesday, April 16th
7:00-8:30pm
Where: The Gathering Spot
384 Northyards Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
RSVP TO ATTEND HERE
Stream: Also, streaming live from our homepage. No registration required to access the live stream.
In celebration of the 3rd year of our signature national program, Next Narrative Monologue Competition, we are very proud to present the rising voices of tomorrow in partnership with our friends at The Gathering Spot! This special True Talk will feature Atlanta regional competition finalists, key program advocates, and artists as they discuss the value of such competitions and the ways that Atlanta organizations can improve access and opportunities for local, emerging performers.
Our Panelists:
True Talks: Sustaining Platforms that Give Voice
Justen Ross
Justen Ross is a black queer multi hyphenate performing and teaching artist from Atlanta, Georgia. Actor, playwright, and musician are few of many roles this ambitious soul takes on. He is the 2016 1st place winner of True Colors Theatre’s August Wilson Monologue Competition, a 2021 graduate of The Theatre School at DePaul University’s BFA program, a 2021 Princess Grace Award recipient, and a Round 9 Reiser Lab Artist at The Alliance Theatre. The young talent also creates a variety of online content for a following of over 180,000+ and is known to create stories surrounding black queer resilience and ingenuity!
Justen Ross (Moderator)
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True Talks: Sustaining Platforms that Give Voice
Jamil Jude
Artistic Director, True Colors Theatre Company
Jamil is a highly accomplished director, producer, playwright and dramaturg focusing on bringing socially relevant art to the community. Jamil is the Co-Founder of The New Griots Festival, which is dedicated to celebrating, advocating, and advancing the careers of emerging Black artists in the greater Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area in Minnesota. Prior to joining the staff at True Colors, Jamil served as the Artistic Programming Associate at Park Square Theatre in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Jamil was a participant in the Mellon Foundation funded Leadership U, One-on-One theatre residency program and previously served as the National New Play Network (NNPN) Producer in Residence at Minneapolis’ Mixed Blood Theatre Company for three seasons. He remains an Affiliated Artist with NNPN. Before joining the staff at Mixed Blood, Jamil served as a New Play Producing Fellow at Arena Stage in Washington, DC and co-founded a culturally relevant theatre company, Colored People’s Theatre.
Mr. Jude has lead productions for Olney and Forum Theatre in Washington D.C.; Curious Theatre in Denver, Colorado; Park Square Theatre, History Theatre, Freshwater, Theatre in the Round, Stages Theatre Company, Daleko Arts and Lakeshore Players in the Minneapolis-St. Paul Metro. Jamil has also taught and directed at Augsburg College and the University of Minnesota.
As a playwright, Jamil was the 2013/14 Jerome Many Voices Mentee at The Playwrights’ Center, where he continues the role of affiliated writer. He has been commissioned and produced by CLIMB Theatre and D.C. Black Theatre Festival.
The Recipient of the Leadership U Andrew W. Mellon/TCG (2015), Management Fellowship Nautilus Music Theater (2014/15), SDCF Observership Member (2014/15), SPARK Leadership Program Finalist (2014), Jerome Foundation Many Voices Mentorship (2013/14), National New Play Network Producer Residency (2011/12; 2012/13). Allen Lee Hughes Fellowship at Arena Stage (2009/10; 2010/11). Jamil received his Bachelors of Arts from Colgate University.
Jamil Jude
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True Talks: Sustaining Platforms that Give Voice
Z’Rena Williams
Social: @zrenamikhal
My name is Z’Rena Mikhal Williams, and I am an actor, singer, and dancer. I have spent the last eight years of my life perfecting my craft and putting in the work to reach my goals. Over the years, I have had to realize that success isn’t comparing myself to others. Success is loving the art in myself, instead of myself in the art. With amazing training and influence, I have managed to grow out of my shell exponentially. The acting experience that I have received in my journey has been more than helpful to me as not just an actor, but as a person. I have already had experience in many programs such as Dominion Arts, Summer Stage intensive camp, Thespian Society on the Columbus University campus, and lastly, The Next Narrative Monologue Competition of the years 2023 and 2024. Not only do I have experience in front of the camera or on stage, but also behind it. I take pride in utilizing the opportunity to help out with lighting and sound cues for my school plays and musicals. I also help orchestrate costumes and quick changes along with set design. Photography and videography are interests of mine as well. I have also had the chance to dabble in playwriting. I have even gone as far as to write my own short play titled, “The girl from Arkansas.” Any chance I get I take the opportunity to expand my knowledge on the roles of a Director and Executive Producer. For the future, I plan on potentially attending Howard University, The New York Conversation for Dramatic Arts, Yale, or University of South California. My mission is to gain as many opportunities for myself as possible to get my name out there. Acting has always been my first love and it will continue to stay like that.
Z’Rena Williams
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True Talks: Sustaining Platforms that Give Voice
Jomar Crawford
IG: @iamjomarcrawford
Social: @jomar_crawford
Jomar Crawford is an actor, model, and social media content creator based in Atlanta, GA, and the 2023 Atlanta State winner of the True Colors Theatre monologue competition where he went on to compete nationally in New York. He can be seen in theatre, TV, and film projects such as The Rerooting (Impact Theater), black white colored, and Before It Hits Home (True Colors Theatre). His film credits include: American Leopard (Jasmine Guy) Life Span of a Dog, the Netflix series First Kill, the NBA 75th anniversary commercial, and The Cut (Commercial). You can also catch him in season 3 of the STARZ crime drama BMF. Jomar is extremely excited to be brought to true colors theater as a panelist for the “Next Narratives” True Talk!
Jomar Crawford
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True Talks: Sustaining Platforms that Give Voice
Ashley Cleveland
Fine Arts Magnet Director, New Manchester High School
Ashley Cleveland is an actress, writer, and director with a passion to educate and inspire others through the arts. Ashley is a proud alumna of Spelman College where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Drama. While at Spelman, Ashley was afforded the opportunity to study abroad at the British American Dramatic Academy (BADA) in Oxford, England. Ashley went on to earn a Masters of Fine Arts in Acting from UCLA. Ashley’s community involvement includes teaching theatre to youth and teens at the Southwest Arts Center, working with the National Black Arts Festival, and mentoring students at Spelman College. She currently serves as Magnet Director of New Manchester High School’s Fine Arts Magnet Education (FAME) Program. Most recently, Ashley was selected as one of the 2023 Douglas County’s 40 Under 40 Rising Stars. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated and WIFTA Atlanta.
Ashley Cleveland
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True Talks: Sustaining Platforms that Give Voice
Maiesha McQueen
Guest Artist
Maiesha McQueen is an award-winning, multi-faceted artist with proud Atlanta roots. She was most recently seen in Lambert-Smith Media’s successful run of FELA!, portraying the iconic Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti in her home town. Previously, she moved audiences in her Henry Award-winning portrayal of Celie in THE COLOR PURPLE at Denver Theatre Center, and performed in a sold-out run of COME FROM AWAY in Gander, Newfoundland.
Maiesha originated the role of Nurse Norma on the first national tour of WAITRESS the musical, and was honored to perform alongside stars such as Sara Bareilles and Jennifer Nettles in the Broadway revival production. Other notable productions include FANNIE, CLYDE’S, HIS EYE IS ON THE SPARROW, UNTIL THE FLOOD, CHASIN’ DEM BLUES, EAST TEXAS HOT LINKS, MAHALIA! (Suzie Award for Best Lead Actress in a Musical), and AINT’ MISBHAVIN’, which was selected as a “New York Times Critics’ Pick” in 2022.
Maiesha founded and currently serves as Creative Director for the arts education program, A Bite Out of Broadway. She is also the executive director of The Lucy Project, a production company that seeks to create opportunities for Black women to develop new works.
Website: www.maieshamcqueen.com
IG: maieshamcqueen
Maiesha McQueen (Guest Artist)
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