Music from the Movement

To celebrate Black History Month, we are happy to bring together some of our favorite musicians to celebrate the rich, soul-stirring music from the Civil Rights Movement. These “marching songs,” as they were often called, played a pivotal role in keeping thousands of oppressed people inspired and marching forward in the face of brutal attacks. Through this performance, we hope to remind our fellow Atlantans how far we’ve come and to inspire them to keep marching onward, as we have yet to reach MLK’s “mountaintop.”

When: Thursday, February 15th, 4:00 – 5:00PM
Where: West End Station (680 Lee St. SW, Atlanta, GA 30310)

The performance area is on the concourse level inside the fare gates. To enjoy the show, all you’ll need is your MARTA pass to enter the gates!

MARTA Performance: Music from the Movement

Our Performers:

Music from the Movement

Warren Lankford

FB: @lankfordmusic
IG: @lankfordmusic
Website: lankfordmusic.com

Warren Lankford is happy to have the opportunity to work on another True Colors/MARTA program, having been musical director for the June 2022 presentation “Words Of Power’. He has worked as musical director for a number of theatrical productions in Atlanta over the last 40 years – productions done by both professional companies and the award winning Visual and Performing Arts Magnet Program at Tri-Cities High School in East Point, Georgia. His services go from teaching music and conducting rehearsals all the way to leading the orchestra in the show’s performances. He also provides expert musicianship in orchestras for theatrical productions.

Warren served as an assistant instructor at the Tri-Cities High School Visual and Performing Arts Magnet Program and musical director for all of Tri-Cities’ musical theater productions during his tenure there from 1996-2015. He was nominated for the 2012 Shuler Hensley Award for Musical Direction when Tri-Cities became the first high school in the world to present “The Color Purple” in March of that year and won the Shuler Hensley Award for Musical Direction in 2014 for his work with “Dreamgirls”. This magnet program has produced many success stories, with the most recent being Saycon Sengbloh from ABCs “The Wonder Years” and 2022 Tony Award winner Joaquina Kalukango.

Warren Lankford
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Music from the Movement

Amitria Fanae’

IG: @amitriafanae

Amitria Fanae’ is thrilled to be back with True Colors Theatre Company Performing in conjunction with Marta Artbound!!! There’s nothing like catching tune before you hope the A Train. Right?!! Amitria was last seen at True Colors Theatre in Marie & Rosetta where she was nominated in 2022 for Suzzie Bass Award for Outstanding Principal Performer for her portrayal of Rosetta Tharpe. You may have also seen her on stage this past Summer 2023 as Lorell in Dream Girls. In 2018 she was Awarded Best Actress in a Musical from Broadway World for Celie in The Color Purple at Theatre West End. Other credits include Ain’t Misbehavin, Godspell, Smokey Joe’s Café, Hair, Little Shop of Horrors, and Shrek. Special thanks to Mom, Muhammad, Family, & Friends for the love & support. “Seldom do well behaved women make history.”

Amitria Fanae’
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Music from the Movement

Marcus Hopkins-Turner

Social: @blackactordad
Website: www.blackactordad.com

Marcus Hopkins-Turner is an Atlanta native, a proud father of two and Morehouse College graduate. Regional Credits: Prince of Egypt (Tuacahn), Fences (Springer Opera House), and Porgy and Bess (Red Mountain Theatre)

Atlanta Credits: Hands Up and A Christmas Carol (Alliance Theatre), Julius Caesar (The Shakespeare Tavern), Support Group for Men (Horizon Theater), Tarzan the Musical (Atlanta Lyric Theatre), Once on this Island (GET), Home I’m Darling (Synchronicity Theatre), I’m Not Rappaport and Mary Poppins (Aurora Theatre), Father Comes Home and Intimate Apparel (Actors Express), Black Nativity (Dominion Ent.), and 1776 the Musical (The Legacy Theatre).

TV/Film: Young Dylan (Nickolodeon), 61st Street(AMC)

Marcus Hopkins-Turner
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Music from the Movement

Jimmie Howell, Jr.

Jimmie Howell, Jr. has been involved in the music community of the Atlanta area and abroad for over 30 years now. Some of the groups he has performed with include The Atlanta Alliance of the Arts, The Ballethnic Dance Company, various local artists and ministries, musicals and concerts with The Children’s School and Y.E.A. (Youth Ensemble of Atlanta), several music festivals including The Atlanta Jazz Festival. He has been in 2 movies, Greenland and The Color Purple (2023). He currently teaches full-time in The Clayton County Public School District as an Elementary General Music Teacher.

Jimmie Howell, Jr.
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Music from the Movement

Jasmine Renee Ellis

FB: @jasminereneeellis
IG: @jasminereneeellis
Tiktok: @jasminereneeellis

Jasmine Renee Ellis is a Jackson, Mississippi native who currently resides in Atlanta, Georgia. Upon graduating from Clark Atlanta University, she completed the Professional Acting Apprenticeship Company Class of 2016 at the Aurora Theatre in Lawrenceville, Georgia. She graces many Atlanta metro stages like Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theatre, for which she received a Suzi Bass Award Nomination for her role as Marie Knight in Marie and Rosetta; Actor’s Express, where she was nationally recognized by the American Theatre Magazine for her role as Lizzie Borden, in Lizzie The Musical; Synchronicity Theatre, Georgia Ensemble Theatre, the Atlanta Shakespeare Company, where she has performed in 8 productions, and more! In May of 2024, you can see Jasmine as Deloris Van Cartier in Sister Act The Musical on the Lawrenceville Art Center Grand Stage. Jasmine also has TV credits with Disney, Bet+, and Netflix. Jasmine has directing and writing credits with the Aurora Theatre, BUICEnntinal Productions, and SheATL Arts Festival. She now serves as Director of Education at the Aurora Theatre where she develops and oversees all educational programming. She feels blessed to be able to share her gifts and talents to bring communities and businesses together. Follow Jasmine on her creative journey on all social media @Jasminereneeellis.

Jasmine Renee Ellis
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