Sister Act

JASMINE RENEE' ELLIS (she/her) Originally from Jackson, Mississippi Jasmine Renee’ Ellis serves as the Director of Education. Outside of education, She is an actor, singer, director, and writer throughout the Atlanta Metro Area. Some of her acting credits include: Shakespeare Tavern (MacBeth, Romeo and Juliet, The Tempest). Actor’s Express (Lizzie), Horizon Theatre Company (Roe), Kenny Leon's True Colors Theatre Company (Marie and Rosetta- where she earned a Suzi Bass Award Nomination), and Southwest Art Center (Mother of God), You can see her in Aurora Theatre’s 28th Season Closing Show Sister Act starring as Deloris Van Cartier. Jasmine also will be directing the Summer Camp Musical Finding Nemo Jr. this June.

Shelly McCook* (She/ Her)  is thrilled to be back on the boards at the Aurora. A long-time Atlanta stage veteran Shelly has performed or directed at the Alliance, Horizon, Synchronicity, Theatrical Outfit, Georgia Ensemble, 7 Stages, and Actors Express theatres. She had the pleasure of working with Anthony and Anne-Carol in the early days of the Aurora. Previous directing credits include Barefoot in the Park, Lost in Yonkers, and Star Spangled Girl. Aurora acting roles include Boom, Moon over Buffalo, and Glorious. Most recently Shelly played Sylvia in Home, I’m Darling at Synchronicity Theatre this season. This past May, after 32 years in public and private education, Shelly retired from teaching Theatre in Fulton County.

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

BRIANNE KNIGHTS (she/her) is excited to be back at Aurora Theatre for the most wonderful time of year! She is an actor, singer, dancer, writer, and an Atlanta native. She attended the Conservatory of Performing Arts at Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA and is a proud Alumnus of the Youth Ensemble of Atlanta where she serves as an educator. She has performed in several theaters around Atlanta including 7 Stages, Southwest Performing Arts Center, the Rialto, and Horizon Theatre to name a few. Her most recent professional credits include Christmas Canteen (2019), Mary Poppins (Ms. Corry), the original musical, Mother of God, and Summer: The Donna Summer Musical. Tv Film: Gotham Knights and Holiday Road. Follow her on her artistic journey on IG @bri.knights

MARCUS HOPKINS-TURNER (he/him) is an Atlanta native, a proud father of two and Morehouse College graduate. Regional Credits:  Prince of Egypt (Tuacahn), Fences and Little Mermaid (Springer Opera House), and Porgy and Bess (Red Mountain Theatre)
Atlanta Credits: Hands Up and A Christmas Carol (Alliance Theatre), Julius Caesar (The Shakespeare Tavern), Support Group for Men (Horizon Theater), Tarzan the Musical (Atlanta Lyric Theatre), Home I'm Darling (Synchronicity Theatre), I'm Not Rappaport and Mary Poppins (Aurora Theatre), Father Comes Home and Intimate Apparel (Actors Express), Black Nativity (Dominion Ent.), and 1776 the Musical (The Legacy Theatre).
TV/Film: Young Dylan (Nickolodeon), 61st Street(AMC), Chicago PD (NBC)

Jemarcus Kilgore (he/ Him)  is an Atlanta-based actor who’s been acting in the TV/Film and Theatre Industries for the past 12 years. He’s worked on several projects including hit shows Black Lightning on The CW and BMF on STARZ. He’s beyond excited to bring his talents back to the stage!

ZION GLENN (he/him) Atlanta: Urban Holiday Soup (Youth Ensemble of Atlanta). Regional: Peter Pan Jr., Hairspray Jr., Madagascar Jr, (A Company of Friends), Footloose ( The Legacy Theatre) Summer Surf Party (Georgia Ensemble Theatre), The Pretty Pants Bandit (Georgia Ensemble Theatre) Educational: For Peace I Rise (Emory University) Cultivating Brave Spaces, Broadway Unplugged, Heathers (Oglethorpe University/Actor’s Express) Urinetown (Oglethorpe University/Actor’s Express) The Cycle (Oglethorpe University) Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Aurora Theatre) Christmas Canteen (Aurora Theatre) The Cycle Film/TV: Greenleaf (CAB Castings), Dear Evan Hansen (2021) (Tammy Smith Casting). Zion is thrilled to be a part of Aurora’s ‘23-’24 Apprentice Company!

ASHER PATTEN (he/him) is from Searcy, Arkansas and is a member of this year's acting apprentice company at Aurora Theatre. His recent work with Aurora include Christmas Canteen 2023 and Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. He studied acting and music at Harding University where he was featured in many roles (Buddy the Elf in Elf: The Musical, Prince Topher in Cinderella, Inspector Carter in The Play That Goes Wrong..). Special thanks to the folks at Aurora for bringing him on board for this wonderful year, and to his family for always rooting for him. IG: @asherpatten

Maxel Amador* (He/ Him) After taking a small break from performing on stage, Maxel is thrilled to be joining Aurora Theatre's production of Sister Act. Maxel's last few credits were from his time living in NYC, where he was the Drummer in Ogunquit's Playhouse production of Jersey Boys, and originated the Narrator role in A Crossing, a new musical by Barrington Stage. Previously Maxel worked at both Orlando and Arkansas Shakespeare Theater where he was Moth in Love's Labour's Lost and Tranio in Taming of the Shrew. Currently he's signed with an amazing team at Alexander White Agency and has thrown himself into the world of TV and Film; most recently working on Netflix's A Family Affair. A proud graduate of Elon University. Besos mom and love to Sarah. @maxelamador

Kathy Kuczka (She/ Her) Kathy is thrilled to be a part of this captivating and charismatic convent at the Aurora Theatre! She is happy to be back in the habit after playing Mother Superior in a community production of Sister Act and after playing Sister Amnesia in Nunsense. Kathy is a freelance writer/producer and video editor and teaches Liturgy and the Art of Proclamation to the deacons in formation for the Archdiocese of Atlanta. A lifelong Catholic, she dedicates this performance to the nuns who helped inform and form her faith and spirituality and to all the women religious who persistently pursue the work of peace and justice in the world.

Mary Hayes Ernst (she/ her)  is thrilled to be making her Aurora debut in Sister Act! Ms. Ernst has taught Theatre (and theatre adjacent subjects) as a Secondary teacher for over 25 years-teaching hundreds of students, and choreographing/directing 100+ productions! In addition, she is a certified Irish Step Dancing Teacher and Judge (TCRG/ADCRG). In her spare time, she enjoys knitting, reading and traveling with her husband Chris, and their son Robert. She would like to thank Shelly for her friendship/encouragement, and the "Ernst/Shiver Clan" for all their love and support! BA (Theatre)-Furman University. MFA (Acting)-UGA.

SARAH ELAINE (she/her)  is glad to finally be back with her home theatre. Sarah was an apprentice at the Aurora in 2017/2018 and appeared in shows such as The Hunchback of Notre Dame & Mamma Mia! Since graduating from her apprenticeship program, Sarah toured around the United States performing shows such as Mamma Mia! and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Following her return, Sarah has put a lot of focus on the film scene and has appeared in many TV shows and commercials. As a Native American woman, Sarah is also focusing on works from Native artists trying to elevate voices from her tribe. If you are ever in need of Native Artists please reach out to sarahelainestratton@gmail.com and she will connect you with an indigenous artist within her network.

Shena Renee* (she/ her) is a classically trained vocalist, actress and dancer based out of Atlanta Georgia. She’s currently in the production of Ruby at West Coast Black Theatre Troupe. She recently played Church Lady, in The Color Purple (City Springs Theatre Company) Off Broadway: Effie White in DreamGirls (Springer Opera House) Diane Hudson in The Perfect Pastor (The Cannon Center For the Performing Arts) Tia Davenport in The Truth About Black Men (The Koger Center For the Arts), Julia Biggs in The Preacher’s Wife (Bunche Auditorium), Ensemble in Black Nativity (Southwest Arts Center) Aunt Rose in Selma The Musical (Broadway’s 54 Below) in NYC!!

JAHI BOGARD (he/him) is an actor from Atlanta, GA through way of Little Rock, AR! Jahi has received his BA in Musical Theatre from Greensboro College and his MFA in Performance from the University of Louisville. Some of Jahi’s favorite roles he’s portrayed are Lank from Detroit ’67, Sam Carmichael from Mamma Mia!, and Sir Toby Belch from Twelfth Night. Jahi is dedicated to discovering and testing new ways to push the boundaries of African American and Queer theatre.

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.

KENDALL BERRY (she/her) Kendall is thrilled to be back on the Aurora Theatre stage after completing her Apprenticeship here last year. She recently graduated from LSU with a BA in Theatre Performance and a minor in Social Work before moving to Atlanta. You may remember seeing her as part of the "Crew" for The Play That Goes Wrong or as Baby Bear in Aurora's TYA production of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. She has spent the last few months on tour with the Atlanta Shakespeare Company doing Romeo and Juliet 60 and Midsummer 60 at schools all over the Southeast; she is happy to be in one place for a little while. She would like to thank her family for always supporting her dream to go into theatre professionally. I'm doing it y'all!

MEGAN RITCHIE (she/her) is a versatile and passionate creative professional, performer, choreographer, and stage manager. A graduate of Western Carolina University with a B.F.A. in Musical Theatre, she is also a proud alumna of Aurora Theatre’s apprentice program. Previous Aurora credits include Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Marilyn Wald/Ensemble) and Sister Act on the Aurora Main Stage. She has also contributed behind the scenes as an assistant choreographer and stage manager for productions like Stiles and Drewe's The Three Little Pigs. She is forever thankful to her family and Cody for consistently supporting and encouraging her in doing what she loves.

CALVIN BERNARDO (he/him) has returned for his sixth Aurora Theatre production. You may have seen him in this season's Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, in last season's Summer: The Donna Summer Musical as Pete Bellotte, or as Robertson Ay/Valentine in Mary Poppins. He also recently performed in Aurora's Theatre for Young Audiences program in Stiles and Drewe's The Three Little Pigs, as well as portrayed Norm Waxman in Jersey Boys at the Alhambra Theatre in Jacksonville Florida. He is currently a member of Aurora's AppCo24, and has taught musical theatre and acting at the Lionheart Theatre Company for five years. He'd like to thank his family and Natalie for their love and support.

NOELLE MCINTYRE (she/her)  is a member of this years acting apprentice company and this is her fourth production here at Aurora. Past Credits: Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Christmas Canteen, The 3 Little Pigs (Aurora), Pygmalion, Urinetown, Our Town, Secret Garden (Gainesville Theatre Alliance). She has a BFA in Acting from Brenau University, and would like to give a special thank you to her friends and family for their love and support this year. Insta @noelle_mcintyre

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).

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!

MYA BURNS (she/her) just graduated from Kennesaw State University with a Bachelor in Fine Arts! Past credits: Mrs. Phelps in Matilda the Musical at the Atlanta Lyric Theater, Mimi in the Musical Rent performed at Kennesaw State University and Beautiful : The Carole King Musical here at Aurora Theatre. Mya’s new journey includes her being an apprenticeship here at the Aurora Theatre! Sister Act is one of her dream shows. She is excited to make this dream come true with such an amazing cast and team working on this show! She would also love to give a shout out to her family and friends for pushing her to continue to fight for her dreams. "Thanks mommy!" Social media: (insta) @mya.burns_ (TikTok) myaburns_