The Cast
J. SAMUEL DAVIS is proud to be an actor from St Louis. Born and bred in the river city, Jay began performing in small plays and talent shows in middle and high school. Then, he joined what was to become, the St Louis Black Repertory Company and has not looked back! Jay has appeared in numerous plays and cabarets and road shows in a career that spans 30 years. He has worked with Mustard Seed Theater, Upstream Theater, The Repertory Theater of St. Louis, New Jewish Theater , Max & Louie Productions, A Call to Conscience, Inc. Unity Theater Ensemble. Jay has also worked outside the area in cities such as Los Angeles, Washington DC , New York ,Kansas City ,Indianapolis. Most recent years Jay has appeared in All The Way at The Rep, Driving Miss Daisy at NJT, The Glass Menagerie at Upstream, The Black Reps, Dreamgirls and participated in the Ignite Festival at the Repertory Theater of St Louis. Jay received the Theater Circle Award ,(the St Louis Tony) for the one man show Bashir Lazhar at Upstream Theater. Still finding ways to play diverse roles and outside-the-box casting choices. Still making discoveries in his career!
HERMAN L GORDON is a St. Louis native and excited about returning to The Black Rep! Herman appeared in Hallelujah, Bother/Man, Make a Joyful Noise!, Sparkle (the musical), Tambourines To Glory, Tell Pharaoh, Fences, Amen Corner and Cotton Club Revue (Unity Theatre Ensemble). He has also appeared in Purlie, the soul touching play Black Nativity: A Holiday Celebration, The Wiz, Crossin’ Over; Black Nativity and Five Guys Named Moe (The Black Rep). Herman recently toured Italy, with his production company and the United Voice of Praise.
MICHEAL LOWE is excited to be back at The Black Rep. His last engagement was singing the role of Ken in Smokey Joe’s Cafe. His last performance with The Black Rep was their Dreamgirls In Concert (One Night Only). He has performed with the Natchez Music Festival in the roles of Giant/Trouble Man in Jack and the Beanstalk, Morales Cover in Carmen, and Charlie in Showboat. He recently he made his Arkansas Symphony Orchestra debut for their Broadway Rocks concert. His operatic experience includes: singing the role of Ben in The Telephone for Opera in the Rock, The Bonze in Madama Butterfly (Opéra Lousiane), Count Robinson in Il Matrimonio Segreto. His musical theater experience includes: The Man in Vermont’s Lost Nation Theater’s production of Blues in the Night. He portrayed the Patrolman in the Arkansas Repertory Theater‘s production of Wait Until Dark and also appeared there in the ensembles/US Foreman of Les Miserables and Hairspray. He performs frequently at Murry’s Dinner Playhouse in Little Rock, where he has appeared in the roles of Caleb in Seven Brothers for Seven Brides, Duane in Hairspray and Henry/Seaman in South Pacific, as well as ensemble roles in Purlie and The Music Man. Lowe holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music with an emphasis in vocal performance from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Enjoy the show!
AMBER ALEXANDRIA ROSE is native of St. Louis, MO. She Began singing in the Leonard Missionary Baptist Church Choir at the age of 4 under the direction of Anthony White. As she matriculated through her educational career, she was under the musical teachings of Richard Towns, Veronica Simms, Yvonne Crockett, and Dello Thedford. During her High School Career, she was a pit singer in the Production of Grease; as a Sophomore, she played the role of "Mrs. Paroo" in the production of The Music Man; and her Senior year played the lead role of "Effie White" in Dreamgirls. In addition to her high school studies and extracurricular activities, she was the youngest female member in The Gospel Symphonic Choir under the direction of Mr. Dello Thedford. Amber went on to become a Second Soprano in the world renounced Fisk Jubilee Singers of Fisk University in Nashville, TN. under the Musical Direction of Dr. Paul Kwami. Since Amber returned to St. Louis she has been a member of the Praise Choir, and Christina Bell and Restoration. She has done background vocals for Aunyae Heart and currently does background vocals for Rodney Douglas, CNote Entertainment, and Raytina Robinson. Over the past few years she has also done background vocals for National Recording Artists such as Dr. Judith McAllister and Lonnie Hunter.
Amber is honored to be working with Saint Louis Black Repertory Theatre Company and is trusting God as she begins her own personal artistry project.
KELVIN ROSTON, JR. is honored to, once again, be back at his artistic home, The Black Rep, and in his hometown, St. Louis, closing this 40th season with this production of Crossin' Over! Kelvin has been in the two previous incarnations of this wonderful show. He was seen most recently with The Black Rep in Twisted Melodies at Washington University's Edison Theater. Other Black Rep credits include: Death and the King's Horseman, Dreamgirls, Damn Yankees, Before It Hits Home, Raisin, Caroline of Change, Tell Me Something Good, and many others. Regional Theaters: (Chicago, IL) Goodman, Steppenwolf, Court, Timeline, Northlight, Congo Square, Black Ensemble, (Glencoe, IL) Writers, (Lincolnshire, IL) Marriott-Lincolnshire, (Aurora, IL) Paramount, (Lancaster, PA) Fulton, (Brunswick, ME) Maine State Music Theater and others. Interational: (Tokyo, Japan) Orb Theater, (Osaka, Japan) Festival Hall Theater. Television: Chicago PD, Chicago Med, KFC, Frontier Cable, Insure on the Spot, Instacare. Film: Princess Cyd, Swimmin' Lesson, Get a Job. Kelvin is an Artistic Associate of Congo Square Theatre Co. in Chicago, IL. He is a proud member of Actors Equity Association and represented by Paonessa Talent, LLC in Chicago, IL. "We are the portals through which our stories are told."
LEAH STEWART is a California resident, native of St. Louis, Missouri. She recently debuted here as Ti Moune, in 3D Theatricals production of Once on this Island. She performed in Beirut’s top music venue, Al Mandoloun. She currently tours the seas as a Serenade with one of “America’s Got Talent” finalists, Marcus Terrell and The Serenades. She was in the IMDB credited 2015 film, Cooks and Banks. She was “Pippi” in the The Great American Trailer Park the musical. She was in the Missouri History Museum’s production of Rivers of Women with award winning and bestselling author, Lyah Beth LeFlore. Performed in Stage One Family Theater’s production of Jackie And Me Toured four years with Metro Theatre Company of St. Louis, Missouri. Passionate about acting, Leah received a BA in Theater Dance with a Chemistry minor from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Performed in award-winning theater productions such as Doubt, The Parable with Dramatic License Productions: Sarafina!, Black Nativity, Blues In The Night and A Song For Coretta with The Black Rep. Leah is grateful for this wonderful opportunity as she continues her journey in the arts.
MAUREEN L. WILLIAMS is a native East St. Louisian. Maureen is a member of Pilgrim Missionary Baptist church where her husband serves as Pastor. Maureen’s spiritual roots were anchored in at the age of 3 at the Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church, under the leadership of the late Rev. Dr. Garfield Hubbard. Maureen is a gifted psalmist who is a proud member of Gospel Symphonic. She has also been featured with many recording artists such as Chicago Mass Choir, Lemmie Battle, Bobby Jones and Dorothy Norwood. She also had the privilege of opening for Helen Baylor. Maureen is a featured soloist on Pastor Deveraux Hubbard’s latest CD “The Worshippers Lament.” Maureen received her formative education in the East St. Louis School District. She has a BS in Business Administration from Harris-Stowe State University, and an MA in Management from Webster University. Maureen has been employed at Bi-State Development Agency) for 20 years as a Planner. Maureen is passionate about singing and uses her gift for many charitable causes. This is her first professional appearance.Her motto is: “I’m just a-nobody, trying to tell everybody, about somebody who can save anybody.”
VENEZIA MANUEL is a native of East Saint Louis,Illinois and a recent graduate of The University of Iowa where she received two degrees in Dance and Education. She is currently a Dancer, Model, Teacher and Choreographer where she continues to travel. Venezia studied in Canada and Los Angeles which strengthened her technique, she also performed at the Muny and was featured in newspapers, magazine, and bill board for her dance talents. Venezia continues to strive for excellence and work hard to achieve all of her goals. Venezia always wants to thank God, her family and friends for their support.