Greener Pastures

In addition to performing improv regularly in the Ensemble at Dad’s Garage, Gina is a classically trained actor (BFA- Long Island University, NY) working at theatres around Atlanta. Her recent work includes Y'allmark (Horizon/Dad's Garage), The White Chip (Dad’s Garage/Theatrical Outfit), Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery (Theatrical Outfit), King Lear (Shakespeare Tavern), Angry F*gs (7 Stages), and Morningside (Georgia Ensemble Theatre). Her voice acting projects include "12 Ghosts" co-starring Malcolm McDowell, and "13 Days of Halloween" with Keegan-Michael Key and Clancy Brown. You can find her on insta at Gina_Rickicki, where you can follow her acting, painting, writing, and generally weird life.
"It's chaos, Be Kind."

Although she has performed with most Atlanta area theatres, this is Ellen’s first production with Aurora, and she’s glad to be here! She particularly enjoys working on new plays, both as an actor and a director (her most recent directing project was Beverly Austin’s THE WISHING PLACE for the 2023 Essential Theatre Festival) and also as a creative editor, working with playwrights. Currently, she’s working with Mary Lynn Owen in the ongoing development of her latest play, SALVAGE (a finalist for the O’Neill Playwriting Conference) and with Shelby Hofer, as Shelby continues to develop her one woman show, HIGH RISK, BABY! (co-produced by 7 Stages and PushPush Arts last year, and now touring.)

Robert is so excited to be working with the incredible Aurora Theatre for the first time. Favorite Atlanta credits include The Prom, The Golden Girls: the Lost Episodes (Out Front Theatre Company) Born For This (Alliance Theatre); A Year with Frog and Toad, Sense and Sensibiliy (Synchronicity Theatre); Everybody's Talking About Jamie, Stupid F***ing Bird (Actor’s Express); Birmingham Southern College Alum. Big thanks to Nick for taking care of our fam while I prance around the stage. @roberthindsman

David Rucker III is an actor and writer, living in Atlanta. His theatrical credits include projects with the Atlanta, Washington, and National Black Arts Festivals, Alliance, Essential Theatres, and as a guest artist for the Atlanta Shakespeare Company. David has also enjoyed working in Film and TV, on BET’s The Quad, and Downsized. His film credits include Flew’d Out, The Good Things Devils Do, and Here Comes the Sun. Working with others has provided true fulfillment, leading students of various ages; first at True Color’s Theatre, with their August Wilson Monologue and NNMC competitions; as well as seniors at the King’s Bridge Retirement Center in Decatur. David thanks the good folks at AURORA for this wonderful opportunity.

VJ has a BFA in Acting and Writing from UGA. She’s a member of AEA and SAG-AFTRA and gives back to her community by hosting a public affairs radio program that airs on Sundays on Magic 101.3 FM and the iHeart Media App at 10 AM. VJ grew up in Gainesville, GA, and spent ten years in New York and five years in Los Angeles working on numerous shows including “Living Single”, “Profiler”, “E. R.”, and “Malcolm & Eddie”. Some of her favorite stage roles include M’Lynn in “Steel Magnolias”; Ma in “Amazing Grace”; Mrs. Muller in “Doubt, a Parable”; Ruth in “A Raisin in the Sun”; and Cal in “To Kill a Mocking Bird”.
VJ is represented by Catalyst Talent Management. She makes her home in Columbus, GA with her husband of 25 years, Oz Roberts.

KELLY CRISS  (Sara Dawson) is thrilled to work with this fantastic ensemble and happy to be back at the Aurora, where she previously served on staff as Director of Corporate & Individual Giving. Previous Aurora Theatre credits: Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde (Suzi Bass award winner for Best Ensemble), The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Robin Hood, Don't Dress for Dinner, and 4,000 Miles. Atlanta stage credits: Alliance, Atlanta Shakespeare Company, Essential Theatre, Georgia Shakespeare, Georgia Ensemble, Horizon, Stage Door, Synchronicity, Theatre in the Square, Theatrical Outfit, Weird Sisters Theatre Project, and 7 Stages. Thank you for supporting live theatre.

Marguerite Hannah (Bea) is ecstatic to be returning to the stage with her first show for Aurora. Active on Atlanta metro stages and regional theatre around the country in the past, Marguerite is ready to settle into a fun run with the Greener Pastures family. Also known for her work as a director, producer, Marguerite won a 2022 Suzy Award for directing The Light for Horizon Theatre and producing the writers’ lab, Black Women Speak for Horizon. A member of the board of directors for The National New Play Network and National Alliance for Musical Theatre, Marguerite is a proud member of Actor’s Equity Association.

JILLIAN MELKO (she/her) Jillian Melko is happy to be back with the Aurora Theatre, last seen as Winifred Banks in Mary Poppins! THEATRE: Wicked Witch-Wizard of Oz, Alice Beineke-The Addams Family, Songs of Cinema and Luminous (Atlanta Lyric). Rhoda-A New Brain, Lillian LaFluer-Nine, Chess (Jennie T. Anderson), Sally Bowles-Cabaret, Salome-The Robber Bridegroom, (Act3), TV/FILM: FOX’s Monarch, Tyler Perry's The Oval, sehen/du, Amazon Prime’s That Reminds Me. Most recently Jillian filmed a hilarious ad campaign for Hero Cosmetics where she played a mischievous pimple. When not on stage she can be found obsessing over her pup Wrigley or bringing much needed levity to those around her.
Follow along at www.jillianmelko.com or IG @jillianmelko

Nancy Riggs has performed for Aurora Children’s Playhouse with Piccadilly Puppets, and led the Lawrenceville Ghost Tours. She recently celebrated 40 years of professional theatre. Some Atlanta credits: Legacy Theater (Sister Act, Sanders Family Christmas, The Bridges of Madison County, Xanadu), Shakespeare Tavern.(Ed III, Our Town, Murder in the Cathedral), Alliance Theatre (Wind in the Willows). Two national tours with the Center for Puppetry Arts. Nancy is also a competitive figure skater.

RAKAELA THOMPSON (she/her) is feeling extremely excited to be apart of Sister Act! She is super honored and grateful to be a part of the Aurora Apprenticeship. She just finished an apprenticeship at New-stage Theatre where she was a part of productions such as, Sunset baby as Nina, and Anne & Emmett as Mammie. She attended the University of Southern Mississippi, where she played notable roles such as, Helen HoBart in Once in a Lifetime, Vera in She Kills Monsters, and Petra Quince in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. She is grateful for her family and friends supporting her on this journey!

Kyusok is thrilled to make his Aurora debut in this production of Sister Act. Other productions he has been a part of are an understudy in Greener Pastures and The Three Little Pigs (Aurora), The Drowsy Chaperone (New Depot Players), A Midsummer Night's Dream (ACT1), and The Importance of Being Earnest (Acting Up).