Christmas Canteen 2021

CECIL WASHINGTON JR.*, born in Birmingham, AL., B.A. in Theatre Arts from Alabama State University; Certificate in film and television from The NY Conservatory For Dramatic Arts, Manhattan, NY.  Recent shows include Men with Money, George in Sunday in the Park with George, Benny in Aurora's Musicals by Moonlight In the Heights, Delray Jones in Memphis The Musical, Sam Cooke in The Sam Cooke Story, Mister in The Color Purple, and Curtis Taylor Jr in Dreamgirls. Cecil has appeared on shows such as “The Resident” and  
"Law & Order"; credits also w/ Indie Films, Commercials, Promotional, & Music videos. Coming next will be Guys and Dolls concert at The Jennie T. Anderson Theatre, and Porgy in Gershwin’s “Porgy & Bess” at Red Mountain Theatre. “I am Always Grateful to return to the Aurora Stage, and especially thankful to God to be able to share my gifts with the world. 

INDIA TYREE (she/her)'s recent credits include Jennie T Anderson Theatre’s The Last Five Years (Cathy) , Aurora Theatre's Song and Dance (Girl) and Christmas Canteen 2021 (Host). Buicentennial Productions, Respect.  Twelfth Night (Olivia) at Atlanta Shakespeare Tavern, Rock of Ages (Justice) and Burn The Floor (Lead Vocalist) on Norwegian Breakaway. Aida (Aida) at Atlanta Lyric Theatre.  Film/TV: Tyler Perry Studios, Sistas and Zatima, (Heather). Representation: People Store Agency. Follow her artistic journey on Instagram: @indiatyree

PEYTON MCDANIEL (he/him) is a proud graduate of both The University of Alabama and Aurora’s AppCo.  Since then, he’s been seen kick-ball-changing all around the greater Atlanta area. Some favorite productions include Head Over Heels (Actors Express), La Cage aux Folles (Out Front Theatre Company), Men with Money, and Newsies (Aurora). Peyton is incredibly excited and immensely grateful to be back onstage and back home at Aurora!

MONA SWAIN* is a local Atlanta actress and is thrilled to be back on the Aurora stage! She is a CCCEPA graduate and has built a Social Media following of more than 2 million people across her Social Media platforms (@monaswain). Credits: War Paint (Atlanta Lyric Theatre), Let’s Hang On (City Springs Theatre Company), She Loves Me (Reinhardt University), Jukebox Giants (Strand Theatre), Christmas Canteen (Aurora Theatre).

JUAN CARLOS UNZUETA is so excited to be participating in Christmas Canteen in July this year at Aurora. Other Atlanta credits: Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Rock Experience (Alliance Theatre), Miss Bennet Christmas at Pemberley (Theatrical Outfit), In The Heights, País de Bicicleta, The Three Billy Goats Gruff, Beat Bugs A Musical Adventure (Aurora Theatre), Little Shop of Horrors, Merrily We Roll Along in Concert, and Fun Home (Actor's Express), Freaky Friday (Horizon Theatre) Songs for a New World (BUICEntennial Productions). Education: BFA, BA, University of North Florida. Other: Director of Cross-Cultural Programs at Aurora Theatre, Represented by People Store. IG: @juancho181

AMY DUFFY  is an actor, music director, and arts administrator. After moving to Atlanta to be a part of Aurora Theatre's AppCo, she has worked with the following companies: Alliance Theatre, The Atlanta Lyric Theatre, Atlanta Shakespeare Co., Buicentennial Productions, Horizon Theatre, Serenbe Playhouse, Stone Mountain Park, Habima Theatre, and the Georgia Aquarium. Aurora credits include Men with Money, Be Here Now, A Doll's House Part 2, Beat Bugs: A Musical Adventure, Christmas Canteen 2018 and 2021, and Mary Poppins. She is the proud co-founder of Destination Theatre. Thanks for being here today! Follow along with her work. IG: @destinationtheatre

BRIE WOLFE (she/her) recently wrapped up her Aurora debut in Christmas Canteen 2021 and P. Nokio, a Hip Hop Musical, and is ready to dive into Cinderella! A member of the 2021-2022 Apprentice Company, Brie is a recent graduate from the University of Georgia (GO DAWGS!), where she earned a B.A. in Theatre and a B.A. in Journalism. Brie has been honored to work with so many incredibly talented and passionate people in this industry and is so excited to be back on the stage! Some of her more recent credits include: Wild Party (Kate), Equus (Jill Mason), and The Two Gentlemen of Verona (Julia). Brie would like to thank her friends and family, especially her dad, Elmer, for his unwavering support and love, and Garrett and Gus for being her rock.

Kymberli (she/her) is an actor from Atlanta. She was most recently seen on tour with Georgia Ensemble Theatre (Dragons Love Tacos, She Persisted: The Musical). She completed AppCo 22 and has been featured in Aurora productions such as Reindeer Games 2022, Feeding Beatrice, and Christmas Canteen 2021. She also portrayed Soraya in the award winning Atlanta Fringe production of Sister, Braid My Hair. After a successful Shrek! Bringing Down the House class this spring, she has high hopes for this upcoming session.

ISA MARTINEZ (they/them) is so excited to be returning to the Aurora stage!! They most recently appeared in Aurora's Christmas Canteen. Local credits include Hedwig and the Angry Inch (Actor's Express), A New Brain (Jennie T Anderson), Lizzie (Lizzie u/s Actor's Express), She Persisted (Georgia Ensemble) and Dragons Love Tacos (Georgia Ensemble). Isa has a BFA in Musical Theatre from Jacksonville University, and was a member of Aurora's 21-22 Apprentice Company! Mucho amor a mi familia <3

ANTHONY RODRIGUEZ (he/him) a career non-profit leader, is proud to be the first Executive Director of the Hub404 Conservancy. HUB404 is an innovative 9-acre “cap park” that will soar above GA 400 and provide a direct connection to MARTA’s Buckhead rail station. HUB404 will create a dynamic, active, gathering place for the Metro-Atlanta region and transform the core of Buckhead. Prior to joining HUB404, Anthony was President and CEO of Aurora Theatre, a professional theatre he co-founded 26 years ago. He currently serves on various boards, both nationally and locally, including Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, National Alliance for Musical Theatre (Vice President), Theatre Communications Group, the Citizens Advisory Board for Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful, and the Advisory Board for Public Broadcasting Atlanta which includes the NPR station WABE and PBS station PBA30. Anthony is a past Chair of the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce, the first Latino and first Arts Leader to hold that position. He served as Vice Chair of Arts for the Chamber and Chair of Partnership Gwinnett and serves on the National Steering Committee for the Latinx Theatre Commons. Anthony is a graduate of the Atlanta Regional Commission’s Regional Leadership Institute, Leadership Atlanta (#2classes) and the National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures’ Leadership Institute and Advocacy Institute. Anthony, born in New York, and raised in Atlanta, graduated from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre. He resides in Duluth with his partner in life, Ann-Carol Pence, and their dog Bella.

ANN-CAROL PENCE (Co-Founder/Producing Artistic Director) arranged the music for Aurora’s first Christmas Canteen in 1996 and was hired full-time in September of 1998 as Resident Musical Director. An education major at James Madison University, she used her background to develop Learning Library (or L2). As a musician, she created Aurora’s Musicals by Moonlight, and Aurora’s New Musical Initiative. She has performed as pianist and music director both nationally (Goodspeed Opera House, Pasadena Playhouse, The Cleveland Playhouse, The Kennedy Center) and locally (The Alliance, Theatrical Outfit, The Horizon, Georgia Ensemble Theatre,). As a proud citizen of Gwinnett, Ann-Carol is most proud of Aurora Theatre winning the first ever Pinnacle Award for Large Non-Profit, and the first ever Moxie Award (for woman-led businesses) for Aurora Theatre. These distinctions go well with her 5 Suzi Awards for Outstanding Music Direction. She was a participant in the 2016 Atlanta Regional Leadership Institute and member of the “Best Class Ever!”

DAVID ROSSETTI (he/him) is thrilled to be back with his friends at Aurora Theatre and at the new LAC! Previous artistic work includes Associate Choreographer to Andy Blankenbuehler (Hamilton, In The Heights) for the Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat national tour and dance captain and swing for the Broadway revival of Annie. Choreography and direct- ing credits in NY: Thankskilling: The Musical, Nightfall on Miranga Island (2012 Fringe Festival “Encore Series”) the viral sensation The Spidey Project (reti- tled Peter, Who) which was an official selection for the 2018 New York Musicals Festival (Best Choreography nomination). Atlanta credits: Drowsy Chaperone at Atlanta Lyric, Broadway in Review at City Springs (Virtual Presentation), and Legally Blonde, Once on this Island, Hairspray, Cabaret, Thoroughly Modern Millie, The Wedding Singer and Singin’ in the Rain at Gainesville Theatre Alliance. He also served as an Assistant Director for the Hairspray National Tour and at Paper Mill Playhouse. He thanks Tony & AC for trusting him and his hubby Dustin (and dog Mr. Benson) for letting him spend so much time away from home. Website: www.davidrossetti.com.

KATIE ERIN CHAMBERS* (Director of Production and Resident Stage Manager) is excited to be starting her 8th season with Aurora Theatre and stepping into a new role as Director of Production. She is a graduate of the University of Georgia, a member of Actor’s Equity, and a proud alumna of Aurora's 2013-14 Apprentice Company. She has previously stage managed in Atlanta for Horizon Theatre Company, Theatrical Outfit, Synchronicity Theatre and Habima Theatre. She has also served as coordinator for the New South Young Playwrights’ Festival, production manager for the Atlanta Musical Theatre Festival, and coordinator for the Atlanta Unified Auditions.

*Member of Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the US.

JANHAVI SHIVALKAR (she/her) is an actor and stage manager from Atlanta. She recently graduated from Georgia State University and is super excited to be a part of the Aurora AppCo this season. Previous Atlanta credits include: Safety Net (Theatrical Outfit), Bull in a China Shop (Out Front Theatre Company), and Tome (House of Five Productions). 

JULIE RAY (she/her) is a scenic designer for theatre, film and television. UGA Professor of Scenic Design and Department Head for the Department of Theatre and Film Studies, her designs for theatre have been presented at many companies including: The Hippodrome Theatre, Actors Express Theatre, PICT Theatre, Quantum Theatre, The City Theatre, Ballet Pacifica, Unseam’d Shakespeare, and East LA Classical Theatre Company. In addition to live theatre, Julie has worked in multiple art departments as Production Designer, Art Director, and Set Designer. TV and film credits include Netflix’s Mindhunter, The X-Files, Babylon 5, Neighbors 2, Abduction, Love & Other Drugs, and 13 Days. Website: www.jraydesign.com.

KEVIN FRAZIER (he/him) Favorite Aurora credits include Mamma Mia and Wit. Atlanta credits include: Actors Express, 7 Stages, Fabrefaction, Pinch N' Ouch, Georgia Ensemble Theatre, and Synchronicity. Other credits include Cleveland Playhouse, Merrimack Rep and Stoneham Theatre, The Peterborough Players, Glow Lyric Theatre and The Warehouse Theatre, Creede Rep, and both the New York and DC Fringe Festivals. International credits include Teatro Metripol (Tirana, Albania). Educational credits include Furman University (SC), Case Western Reserve University (OH), Lafayette College (PA), The Gainesville Theatre Alliance (GA), and Wake Forest University (NC). Kevin is an Associate Professor at Wake Forest University. Thanks to his family for their love and support!

ALAN YEONG** (he/him) has designed over 20 productions for Aurora. Recent Regional credits include Seattle Children's Theatre/Alliance Theatre -- The Boy Who Kissed The Sky. He's worked with theatres all over Atlanta and is a Professor of Costume Design/Head of Design at the University of West Georgia Theatre program with over 20 years of design credits. Education: MFA in Design (University of Kansas), MFA in Costume Design (Wayne State University), and BA in Theatre (Bemidji State University). Website: www.alanyeong.com

Anna Lee is thrilled as always to be back designing at Aurora. She graduated from Kennesaw State University with a B.A. in Theatre and Performance Studies. Her credits include Zombie Prom (GGC), Spring Awakening (Oglethorpe), This Wonderful Life (Suzi Nominated), The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (Suzi Nominated), Christmas Canteen 2019, and Children of Eden (Aurora Theatre). Upcoming: Steel Magnolias (Serenbe Playhouse). Big thanks to Justin, her family, Jeffrey, CB, and all the Katies and Daniels she knows.

Kristin Talley is currently a working dance teacher, actor, singer, dancer and props designer. In 2019, she graduated from Young Harris College with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre and a minor in history. After graduating, she became a member of the Aurora Theatre’s AppCo’20. A few of her recent shows with the Aurora Theatre include Sister Act (ens/dance captain), Mary Poppins (ens/asst dance captain), Cinderella (swing), On Your Feet (ens), and Christmas Canteen 2019 (featured ens). She is also a principal dancer in the 2-time Emmy award winning Netflix movie, Dolly Parton’s: Christmas on the Square. Kristin currently works as a dance teacher and the dance company director at Lilburn Dance Academy in Lilburn, GA where she teaches students 6-18 jazz, lyrical, and tap.