Dreamgirls Cast & Creative Team

JOS N. BANKS (CC) A true renaissance man... Jos N. Banks is a Visual/Performing Arts Artist, CostumeDesigner & Teaching Artist from Chicago, IL. Tours: International (US, Canada, China & Singapore) Kinky Boots (Lola), Hair (Hud), The Color Purple (Harpo). Regional: Ms. Blakk for President - Joan Jett Blakk & Choir Boy - Pharus (Steppenwolf), The Color Purple (The Muny), Songs For A New World (Farmers Alley Theatre), What To Send Up (Congo Square), Jesus Christ Superstar (Paramount Theatre). Film: Ocean in Showtime’s The Chi, Dr. Greg Martinson in Showtime’s Work in Progress. Representation: Paonessa Talent Agency. www.FearlessJos.com // FollowMe: @JosNBanks

TREJAH BOSTIC (Effie) is an NYC-based actress, elated to be sharing her art with Goodspeed, especially alongside such an amazing cast. She’s added some pretty exciting credits recently, including RESPECT: An Aretha Franklin Tribute (National Tour) and The Leading Lady Club, her off-Broadway debut which also went to the 2023 Edinburgh Fringe Festival! And now she has the honor of serving this iconic story in which she is extremely grateful. “Thank you God” IG: @Trejahhh

ROBERT CORNELIUS (Marty) is making his Goodspeed debut. He is a Chicago-based actor, singer and educator, who was most recently seen in Boston in Chicken and Biscuits at the Front Porch Arts Collective, and as Bynum Walker in Joe Turner’s Come and Gone at the Huntington Theatre. Prior to that, Robert could be seen in the world premieres of Her Honor, Jane Byrne at Lookingglass Theatre and Lottery Day at The Goodman Theatre in Chicago.

SHANTEL CRIBBS (Michelle, Ensemble) is excited to be making her Goodspeed debut! Chicago/Regional: Fela! (Olney Theatre), 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

KEIRSTEN HODGENS (Lorrell) is beyond excited to make her debut at the Goodspeed in Dreamgirls! Broadway: SIX. National Tours: Jesus Christ Superstar. Regional: Master Class (Timeline Theater), Ragtime (Marriott Theater), Smokey Joe's Café (Drury Lane). Many thanks to her family and friends because without her tribe, life wouldn't be possible. Thank you Rich and Tyler, better managers don't exist! Always remember -"All of the rules are fake. Do you." @shespeaksmusic @wholeartistmanagement

MYKAL KILGORE (James) is an award-winning actor and is a Grammy and NAACP Image Award nominated singer/songwriter thanks to his debut album “A Man Born Black” streaming everywhere! As a solo artist, Mykal has performed the world over from London’s O2 to The Met Gala! Broadway: Motown the Musical, Hair. Tour: Book of Mormon (1st National). Other Theatre: The Witch in Into the Woods (BSC), The Who’s Tommy (Kennedy Center), Songs For A New World (City Center), TV/Film: NBC’s Jesus Christ Superstar and The Wiz Live and Collateral Beauty. #blacklivesmatter #translivesmatter #loveoneanother [@mykalkilgore] MYKALKILGORE.COM

EVAN TYRONE MARTIN (Curtis) is thrilled to return to Goodspeed Musicals after bringing his show An Unforgettable Nat King Cole Christmas here in 2019. Recent credits: Collins in RENT at the MUNY in St. Louis, and Grease (Teen Angel) at Drury Lane. Other credits: Into the Woods (Baker) at Intermountain Opera Bozeman, Queer Eye: The Musical Parody (Karamo) at The Second City Chicago, The Color Purple (Mister) at the MUNY, The Black Clown (Ensemble) at A.R.T./Lincoln Center's 2019 MMF, Jesus Christ Superstar (Jesus, BTAA Nomination) at Paramount, Next to Normal (Dan) at GVT, Blues In The Night (Man in Saloon, BTAA Winner) at Porchlight Music Theatre. Thanks to friends, Mom! and Paonessa Talent. Instagram: @3vanMart1n.

TA-TYNISA WILSON (Deena) is very excited to make her Goodspeed Opera House debut. Ta-Tynisa recently worked as the Schuyler Sister standby in Hamilton: An American Musical, making that her Broadway debut. Millions have caught a glimpse of her on American Idol Season 10 as one of the top 24 finalists. She has traveled the world performing on cruise ships, which has allowed her to share her talents across the globe. Ta-Tynisa is grateful for the constant love and support from her family and friends. Shout out to her amazing agents at CTG. Don’t let anyone dim your light! tatynisa.com IG: @ta_tynisa

CHUCKIE BENSON (Ensemble) Favorite Credits: Regional: Rent, Once on This Island, The Three Musketeers (Oregon Shakespeare Festival), The Color Purple (Drury Lane), The Wiz (Kokandy), Sophisticated Ladies (Porchlight Theatre), Heartbreak Hotel (Broadway Playhouse), Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story (American Blues Theatre), Hair (Mercury Theatre), Rent (Theo Ubique), Ragtime (Wagon Wheel), Sister Act (Wagon Wheel), Big River (Timber Lake Playhouse), Hairspray (Timber Lake Playhouse). Tour: Spamilton (1^st National Tour). Love you Mom and Dad. IG: @chuckie.benson

ARNOLD HARPER II (Ensemble) is elated to be making his Goodspeed debut. Most notably known for playing Ken in Ain’t Misbehavin’ at Barrington Stages which received the New York Times Critic’s Pick. Other credits: Full Monty, The Color Purple, Elf, Smokey Joe’s Café, Kinky Boots, Little Shop of Horrors. He sends love to his supportive family, friends, agents, and casting. IG: @arnoldharperii

ALIA HODGE (Ensemble) is thrilled to be making her Goodspeed debut! National Tours: First National of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, 20th Anniversary Tour of RENT. Regional credits include: Beautiful (The MUNY), Jenna in Waitress (Barnstormers), Dreamgirls (North Shore), Little Shop of Horrors (Berkshire Theatre Festival). Television: Saturday Night Live, America’s Got Talent. BFA in Musical Theatre from The Boston Conservatory. Much love to my family, friends, and agents at Hudson Artists! @blackiesnackie

ALFRED E. JACKSON (Ensemble) Actor, Singer, Songwriter, Director, Producer, NAACP Award Recipient. Alfred, a Los Angeles native, is thrilled to be a part of the Dream­girls cast! Theatre: Book of Mor­mon (Australia), Rent, Hollywood Choir, Glee, Solid Gold Motown, Michael Jackson’s Man in the Mirror, Dirty Dancing, Recorded in Hollywood, Take On Me the Musical. FILM/TV: Remember Me ‘The Mahalia Jackson Story’, Issa Rae’s The Choir, General Hospital.Check out Alfred’s latest project U.G.L.Y (Ur-Great­est-Legacy’s-You) available on all digital streaming platforms!

DIVA LAMARR (Ensemble) [they/them] reminds everyone that BLACK LIVES and TRANS LIVES matter every single day. May this be the year we find the change we need; may this be the year we open ourselves to conversations we couldn’t have before. Goodspeed debut. Select credits: Jersey Boys National Tour; Penelope (World Premiere) at The York Theatre; SOUL The Stax Musical directed by Kwame Kwei-Armah; the list goes on. Follow on Instagram: @divalamarr —“I love you, Darnell White!”

MELANIE LOREN (Ensemble) is pleased make her Goodspeed debut! Other regional theater credits include: The Color Purple, Sister Act (The Muny), Joe Turner’s Come and Gone (Huntington Theatre Company), Little Shop of Horrors (Drury Lane), Raisin (Skylight Music Theatre), The First Deep Breath (Victory Gardens Theater), Pump Boys & Dinettes (Porchlight Music Theatre). Film/ TV: Undercover Brother 2, Sprung, ChicagoMed, APB, and The Chi. Instagram: @iammellodrama

KWAME M. REMY (Ensemble) Goodspeed debut. Off-Broadway: Members of the Choir (Derrick), Baby Fat Act1 @La MaMa (Baby Fat). Regional credits: Kinky Boots (Lola), Ain’t Misbehavin’, Priscil­la..., Dreamgirls, Smokey Joe’s Café. Tours: Smokey Joe’s Café, Jesus Christ Superstar, Five Guys Named Moe, and Solid Gold Soul UK. TV: AGT Season 16 and 60th Annual Grammy Awards. Kwame is a proud member of the Tony-honored Broadway Inspiration­al Voices. This one is for Mom & Clifton. Special Thanks to H.A.A.

AALON SMITH (Ensemble) is delighted to be making her Good­speed debut! Some of her credits include: Beauty and the Beast and Wizard of Oz (Chicago Shake­speare Theatre); Jelly’s Last Jam (Cape Fear Theatre); Sister Act and Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill (Mercury Theatre); Dreamgirls and Beauty and the Beast (Paramount Theatre); The Pajama Game as Brenda (Theatre at the Center); A Chorus Line as Maggie Winslow, Gypsy as Dainty June, Memphis, and New Faces Sing Broadway 1975 (Porchlight Music Theatre); Boy on the Roof (Jacob’s Pillow).

MONTRIA WALKER (Effie Alternate, Ensemble) is making her Goodspeed debut in Dreamgirls. Montria, a graduate of Kent State university, is an actor, recording artist, singer, songwriter, dancer, and vocal coach. Off- Broadway Credits include Singer (The Cotillion) and Tamika (Sistas The Musical). Other credits include Mayme (Intimate Apparel), Aida (Aida), Lorraine (All Shook Up), Leading Player (Pippin), RCCL Starwater (Lead Vocalist). Montria would love to thank God and her village! Isaiah 40:31.

JALISA WILLIAMS (Ensemble) Olney Theatre Center: Fela! (DeeDee), Ford's Theatre: Shout Sister Shout (Jarene). Signature Theatre: The Color Purple. Artscentric: The Wiz (Ens), Aida (Aida u/s, Ensemble), Chicago (Hunyak/Ensemble). TV/Film: BET+: Holiday Heartbreak, Netflix-BET+: Love Dot Com, YouTube: AARP 80'S Dance Commercial, MTV VMA'S: (Dancehall Extra) Rihanna performance. Education: UMBC/VCU. @Lissae88

JOEL OLIVER (Swing) is so thrilled to be making his Goodspeed Musicals debut with one of his favorite shows, Dreamgirls!! Credits include, National Tour: Annie (Ensemble/Rooster US), Regional: Beautiful: The Carol King Musical, New London Barn Playhouse (Assistant Director/swing). Norwegian Cruise Line: After Midnight, Choir of Man, Footloose, and Elements. Joel would like to thank his Village for their constant love and prayers.

SIERRA WILSON (Swing) is thrilled to join Goodspeed Musicals! Re­gional credits: Man of La Mancha, Other World (Delaware Theatre Co.); Rocky the Musical, Beehive (Walnut Street Theatre); Sweet Charity (Bucks County CPA); A Christmas Carol (North Shore MT); Beautiful (Theatre By the Sea) Dreamgirls (Roxy Regional Theatre); Sister Act, Mamma Mia! (Media Theatre); Hunchback of Notre Dame, Memphis (UD Summer Stage). BA Temple University. She’d like to thank her friends and family for always supporting her dreams. @sierrajwilson

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: The Nacirema Society...; 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); FELA! (Olney Theatre w/RoundHouse Theatre); Joe Turn­er’s Come and Gone (Huntington Theatre); Ain’t No Mo’ (Woolly Mammoth and Baltimore CenterStage); Rent, The Color Purple (The Muny); Once on This Island (Oregon Shakespeare Festival); Acoustic Rooster...(Kennedy Center); Put Your House in Order (La Jolla Playhouse). 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.}

BREON ARZELL (Choreographer) is an award-winning* teaching artist from Detroit, based in Chicago. Specializing in hip-hop, jazz, contemporary, lyrical and body percussion; he also serves as mentor to several universities, studios and theaters. Regional: Fela! and Miss You Like Hell (Olney Theatre), Rent and The Color Purple (MUNY), Once on This Island (Oregon Shakespeare Festival), Acoustic Rooster (Kennedy Center). TV: The 4400, Empire. Chicago: Kill Move Paradise* (TimeLine Theatre), The Wiz and Head Over Heels* (Kokandy Productions), The Total Bent* (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. breonarzell.com

JAY HILTON (Sound Designer) Goodspeed: Debut. Jason is a Chicago-based lighting designer for theatre, dance, opera, and other live performance art. Regional: Alley Theatre, Alliance Theatre, Baltimore Center Stage, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Court Theatre, Dallas Theater Center, Geva Theatre Center, Goodman Theatre, Huntington Theatre Company, Long Wharf Theatre, The Old Globe, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Seattle Repertory Theatre, Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Trinity Repertory Company, among others. Lynch is represented by United Scenic Artists, Local USA-829 of the IATSE and The Gersh Agency. www.jasondlynch.com, @jasonlynch.design on Instagram.

ADAM HONORÉ (Co-Lighting Designer) is a Harlem based designer for the stage. Recent Broadway: Purlie Victorious, Ain’t No Mo’, Chicken & Biscuits. Select Off-Broadway: Jelly’s Last Jam (Encores! City Center), Flex (Lincoln Center), This Land Was Made (Vineyard Theatre), Patience (Second Stage), Ain’t No Mo’ (The Public), Carmen Jones (Classic Stage Co). Regional: Alliance Theater, Arena Stage, Asolo Rep, Barrington Stage Co, Center Theater Group, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Cleveland Playhouse, Dallas Theater Center, Geffen Playhouse, Huntington Theater Co, Paper Mill Playhouse, Shakespeare Theatre Co, Signature Theatre, Williamstown Theater Festival. Nominations: Drama Desk, Elliot Norton, Henry Hewes, Helen Hayes, Suzi Bass. @itsadamhonore

SAMANTHA C. JONES (Costume Designer) [she/her] is honored to make her to Goodspeed Musicals debut with this legendary piece of theatre. She is a Costume Designer and educator with previous design credits at Geffen Playhouse, Center Theatre Group, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Huntington Theatre Company, Goodman Theatre, Steppenwolf Theatre, Court Theatre, Paramount Theatre (Aurora), Drury Lane Theatre, Writers Theatre, Lookingglass Theatre Company, Chicago Children's Theatre, TimeLine Theatre, Porchlight Music Theatre, Jackalope Theatre, Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Cleveland Playhouse, Kansas City Repertory Theatre, Alley Theatre, Seattle Children's Theatre, First Stage Theatre, Skylight Music Theatre, Indiana Repertory Theatre, Peninsula Players Theater, and others. Upcoming productions include: I AM DELIVERD’T (Dallas Theatre Center), POTUS (Geffen Playhouse). Her work can be viewed at samanthacjones.com.

JASON LYNCH (Co-Lighting Designer) Goodspeed: Debut. Jason is a Chicago-based lighting designer for theatre, dance, opera, and other live performance art. Regional: Alley Theatre, Alliance Theatre, Baltimore Center Stage, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Court Theatre, Dallas Theater Center, Geva Theatre Center, Goodman Theatre, Huntington Theatre Company, Long Wharf Theatre, The Old Globe, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Seattle Repertory Theatre, Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Trinity Repertory Company, among others. Lynch is represented by United Scenic Artists, Local USA-829 of the IATSE and The Gersh Agency. www.jasondlynch.com, @jasonlynch.design on Instagram.

MARK G. MEADOWS (Orchestrator) Acclaimed jazz pianist, music director, and composer/arranger, Mark G. Meadows is a man on a mission: to create a unifying sound that harmonizes different walks of life. Venues everywhere, including the Kennedy Center and Jazz at the Lincoln Center, have sought him for his ability to combine the raw, spontaneous nature of jazz with the story-telling component of live theatre. He has performed alongside world-renowned artists including Cynthia Erivo, Usher, Renee Fleming, Bobby McFerrin, DeeDee Bridgewater, and many more. Mark’s work exudes his joy and fosters a sense of freedom among his collaborators. Website / socials: @markgmeadows

EARON CHEW NEALEY (Wig, Hair & Make-Up Designer) is the Obie Award-Winning, Drama Desk-nominated Hair, Wig, and Makeup Designer. Broadway: Fat Ham (assistant designer), Macbeth, Chicken & Biscuits, Sweat. Goodspeed Musicals: Little Girl Blue; Public: shadow/land, The Harder They Come, Baldwin & Buckley…, Fat Ham, cullud wattah, Mojada. Other design: Dames at Sea, Kinky Boots, The Last Supper, Twelfth Night, On Killing, …Meet Vera Stark, Matilda, On Sugarland, Nina Simone: Four Women, Little Women, Cadillac Crew. IG: @earonnealey

ARNEL SANCIANCO (Scenic Designer) is an award-winning set designer and a professor of scenic design at Arizona State University. 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 Once on This Island (OregonShakespeare Festival); The Color Purple (The Muny); The Lifespan of a Fact (Repertory Theatre of St. Louis); Acoustic Rooster's Barnyard Boogie (KennedyCenter); 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 (CourtTheatre); Twelfth Night (American Players Theatre); The Nerd, The All NightStrut! (Milwaukee Rep). ArnelDesigns.com

CHRISTIE CHILES TWILLIE (Music Director) ) a Pianist, Music Director, Sound Designer, Composer/Orchestrator. She has Music Directed 40+ musicals including: HAIR (Asolo); Five Guys Named Moe, Newsies, The Gospel at Colonus, Raisin, A Jolly Holliday (Skylight); Dreamgirls (Paramount); the Chicago premier of Minnie’s Boys (Porchlight) and the upcoming production of Dreamgirls at the McCarter Theatre Center. Christie was awarded a Footlights Best Musical Direction Award - Professional Production (Five Guys Named Moe), a Rachel Rockwell Fierce Women Behind The Table award for Music Direction by Porchlight Music Theatre, a BTAA nomination for Best Music Direction for her Original Score for Yellowman, and she was a Chicago Broadway World Finalist for Best Music Direction (Big Fish). Christie is member of the American Federation of Musicians; Theatre Musicians Association; MUSE (Musicians United for Social Equity),and she is a Board Member for MAESTRA. She is delighted to be making her Goodspeed debut!

JAMIE BERRY* (Production Stage Manager) is thrilled to join the team at Goodspeed for this production of Dreamgirls! She has worked in professional theater for nearly 15 years and recently began traveling nationally as a Stage Manager. Her most recent/selected work includes the first regional production of the Broadway hit, Fela! (Olney Theatre Center and Roundhouse Theatre), New Orleans Jazz Fest; and Charlie Parker’s Yardbird (NewOrleans Opera). Jamie has worked with artEquity, trained with Equity & Justice for Institutional Change (EJIC), and also worked with EJIC as a facilitator. She prides Herself on ensuring spaces are safe, equitable, and joy filled for cast and crew. Catch her and her son Dre in the wind or follow her on Instagram @jamiedreamsBIG

ARC: AMBER SNEAD, CSA (Casting) 150+ productions across the globe & 13 Artios Awards for Casting. Broadway/NY Past & Present Productions include: Life of Pi, Chicago the Musical, Disney’s The Lion King & Beauty and the Beast, Hadestown, Lost in Yonkers, Great Comet of 1812, Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes, 39 Steps, Pippin, La Cage aux Folles. TV/Film: Netflix, 20th Century Fox, NBC, Lionsgate, Disney Channel. West End/U.K.: Hadestown, Thriller Live, Menier Chocolate Factory. Tours: 1776, Hairspray, Waitress, Urinetown, Charlie & the Chocolate Factory, Finding Neverland, Into the Woods, We Will Rock You. Regional: A.R.T., Berkeley Rep, Alley, Bay Street, Ogunquit Playhouse, Hollywood Bowl, McCarter, Signature. ARC, Part of RWS Global. www.castingbyarc.com IG: castingbyarc