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Developing Fresh Voices and PRODUCING THEATRE for the 21st Century
CASt and CREATIves BIOS
Happy Allen
Candace-Omnira
Candace-Omnira
Happy Allen (Light and Sound Design) is from Tullahoma where he works in the ER for Vanderbilt Hospital, and as a surgical tech for Bedford County's Middle Tennessee Spay/Neuter Clinic. Happy has an advanced degree in Theatre from Washington State University and enjoys freelance directing and design, most recently Assassins at the Dark Horse. Thanks to Shawn for another project together, and apologies to my 8 Miniature Pinchers -- I'll be home soon.
Candace-Omnira
Candace-Omnira
Candace-Omnira
Candace-Omnira (Omni), Associate Executive Producer for SistaStyle Productions, is an artist & activist. She has been in the Nashville theatre scene for the last seven years performing, stage managing, and directing for various companies including Destiny Theatre Experience, Nashville Rep, Street Theatre Company, Actors Bridge, and Nashville Story Garden. Her belief is that theatre can be used as a way to reflect the world to and audience and chooses to do shows that showcase black history and social justice. She has a passion for protest through art, disruption, and changing the world with peace love and liberation.
Kenide Hawkins
Candace-Omnira
Kenide Hawkins
Kenide Hawkins (Antonio) was born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee. From a young age, entertaining was something that came naturally. That passion for performing grew with participating in plays and musicals throughout high school up until now. Kenide is very grateful and feels blessed for the opportunity to be apart of this production and excited for the future.
Milton Jackson
Milton Jackson
Kenide Hawkins
Milton Jackson (Malik) is from Milwaukee Wisconsin. He has been acting in both stage and film since 2017. He has also acted in a number of Shawn Whitsell’s plays, such as Pill Hill, The D, 143, and many more. You can also find him featured in the Black Enough webseries on YouTube. Season 2 premiering Fall 2022!
La Tia Lewis
Milton Jackson
La Tia Lewis
LaTia L Lewis (Stage Manager) is a native of Nashville, TN. She graduated from Middle Tennessee State University in 2004. She has been in several stage plays with DTE, TPS, and Sista Style Productions.
Jim Manning
Milton Jackson
La Tia Lewis
Jim Manning (Set Design/Construction) teaches Technical Theater at University School of Nashville. He is also an award-winning set designer for many theaters around Middle Tennessee. As a director, he has helmed such shows as Angels in America, Newsies, Dog Sees God, and Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. He has created two original works--The World's a Stage (an immersive theater piece where the audience followed actors backstage) and Violent Delights (a dance-based, post-apocalyptic telling of Romeo and Juliet featuring music from local bands). Onstage, some favorite roles include Howard in Moon Over Buffalo (Best Featured Actor), Will Parker in Oklahoma! (Best Supporting Actor), and Puck in A Midsummer Night's Dream (Best Actor).
Jamil Parrish
Elliott Winston Robinson
Jamil Parrish
Jamil Parrish (Justin) is twenty two, born and raised in Nashville Tennessee. His love for acting emerged at a young age of 5 and he’s been pursuing it ever since. He was able to further developed his craft at MTSU in their theater department, where which he has appeared in “Everybody” as Everybody and “The Royale” as Fish. Only excitement enters his mind as he’s able to work with actors who continue to ignite his inspirations in this new show!
Taryn Pray
Elliott Winston Robinson
Jamil Parrish
Taryn Pray (Kathleen) is thrilled to be a part of this knock-out cast in the world-premiere of “Sins of The City!” She was most recently seen in Tennessee Playwrights Studio’s last production, “Don’t Look Black” by Preston Crowder. During the pandemic, Taryn participated in numerous virtual readings and workshops with TPS, Pipeline Collective, Nashville Film Festival and Actors Bridge Ensemble, and performed in Pipeline Collective’s Outside of Here. She currently serves on Street Theatre Company’s Board of Directors, is a founding member of Stoke Performing Arts in Nolensville, TN, and has performed as an actor volunteer with Backlight Productions, a theater arts company for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Thanks to her husband Brad, her kids – Brynn, Harrison and Charlotte – for all their love and encouragement, and you, the audience, for supporting local Nashville theatre!
Elliott Winston Robinson
Elliott Winston Robinson
Elliott Winston Robinson
Elliott Winston Robinson (Lester) is a Nashville-based actor/singer/voiceover artist, and a chaser of opportunities to tell good stories. Elliott most recently appeared in the stage premiere of DON’T LOOK BLACK, by Preston Crowder, also produced by Tennessee Playwrights Studio. Elliott took part in the virtual reading of SINS OF THE CITY last year, and he is excited to see it hit the stage Special thanks to my sweetheart, Jessica, and my family, for continued love and support. Enjoy the show!
Matt Smith
Shawn Whitsell
Shawn Whitsell
Matt Smith (Robert) is thrilled to be appearing in his second production with Destiny Theatre Experience and his first with Tennessee Playwrights Studio. He has been fortunate to work with many theater companies and musical ensembles in Middle Tennessee over the years as an actor, director, producer, voiceover artist and violinist. Offstage, Matt helps people get home loans as an area manager and loan officer with FirstBank Mortgage. And as always, he is grateful to the one who drives him crazy and keeps him sane. IFLY, baby!
Shawn Whitsell
Shawn Whitsell
Shawn Whitsell
Shawn Whitsell (Director/Playwright) is a playwright, actor, director, producer and founder of the Destiny Theatre Experience. He has worked with Tennessee Playwrights Studio, Nashville Children’s Theatre, Nashville Repertory Theatre, Dream 7 Productions, Monument Theatre Company, SistaStyle Productions and other theatre production companies. He also tours "23/1," his one-man show about solitary confinement, which the Nashville Scene called "The Best Blend of Theatre and Activism." When he isn't doing theatre, Shawn facilitates a variety of workshops, ranging from drama to spoken word to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Shawn is also the proud father of Destiny and Zayn.
Shawn Whitsell
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