Song and Dance

LILLIANGINA QUIÑONES is a Puerto Rican/Dominican American performer, educator, and director based in Atlanta, GA. She maintains a robust schedule performing in regional theaters throughout Atlanta in such productions as On Your Feet and In the Heights at Aurora Theatre, Mary Poppins at City Springs Theatre Company, Ragtime and Titanic at Serenbe Playhouse, The Wedding Singer at Atlanta Lyric Theatre, and Once On This Island, In Concert at Jennie T. Anderson Theatre. She is especially passionate about new works and believes that theatre should reflect the diverse and colorful world in which we live. To this end, she has supported new works through involvement with Atlanta Musical Theatre Festival, Latinas In Media, and Working Title Playwrights. Mrs. Quiñones currently serves as the Theatre Department Chair at School of the Arts, a performing arts high school in Gwinnett County, GA. Throughout her years directing in educational settings, her students have received awards and accolades from the High School Musical Theatre Awards, Georgia Thespians, One-Act Play Festival, Governor’s Honors Program and have gone on to train at some of the country’s most competitive undergraduate theatre programs. Most recently, she directed Chess, In Concert at the Jennie T. Anderson Theatre. Many thanks to AC and Anthony for their unrelenting support of the Arts in Georgia. And huge thanks to Frankie, Imani, Maya, Kyla - and the Quiñones Yorkie, Chico - for always rolling with the punches of mom’s wild theatre journey! IG: @lilliangina

JUSTIN ANDERSON (Associate Artistic Director) has served as Aurora Theatre's Associate Artistic Director since 2014. His directorial work has earned 13 Suzi Bass Award Nominations for Outstanding Direction (Winner for The Bridges of Madison County and Les Misérables at Aurora Theatre, in 2017 and 2013 respectively). He is also an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Theatre and Performance Studies at Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, Georgia where he directs and teaches courses in acting and musical theatre. He holds a B.A. in Theatre Arts from Campbell University and an M.A. in Theatre Studies from Regent University, with additional course study at Rutgers. Song and Dance marks his last project as a full time staff member at Aurora Theatre, having expanded his storytelling skillset and ability into real estate earlier this year. You can find out more about how he and his partner, Michael Crute, are using real estate to help write the next best chapter of people’s lives at www.welcomehomeatlanta.com. 

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!”

Angela Harris is the Executive Artistic Director of Dance Canvas, Inc., a career development  organization for emerging professional choreographers and youth. Angela conceived and founded Dance Canvas after witnessing the difficult path and lack of professional opportunities for young choreographers. Additionally, Dance Canvas was envisioned to create relatable professional dance experiences and new dance patrons in the Atlanta area. In six seasons, Dance Canvas has presented World Premier  choreography from 150 emerging professional   choreographers, showcased  over 200 professional dancers, introduced over 1000 children and teens to dance through the DC NEXT youth program curriculum, and performed for over 25,000 audience members.  Angela  has developed  youth  dance/career development  programs for the City of Atlanta's  Office of Cultural Affairs  (Culture  Club and ArtsCool), recording  artist, Usher's New  Look Foundation,  and the Tupac Amaru  Shakur Foundation.  She has forged partnerships  with the Atlanta  Ballet, Atlantic  Station, Rialto Center  for the Arts, the French  Consulate  of Atlanta,  National Black Arts  Festival  & Kennesaw  State University.  As a Director and through Dance Canvas, Angela has been a catalyst, consultant, and resource for numerous new dance organizations and artists. Angela has developed programs for the City of Atlanta's Office of Cultural Affairs, Recording artist, Usher's New Look Foundation, and the Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation. Angela served on the national Emerging Leaders Council for Americans for the Arts and was a member of the 2014 class of Arts Leaders of Metro Atlanta. She received the National Emerging Leader Award from Americans for the Arts and American Express and was a 2021 Women in the Arts and Business Honoree through Synchronicity Theater.Artistically, Angela is a Choreographer, Dancer and Creative Director. Angela is originally from Baltimore, MD and a graduate of The Baltimore School for the Arts. She trained at Dance Theater of Harlem, School of the Hartford Ballet & Eglevsky Ballet. She attended Mercyhurst College and City College of New York, earning a B.A. in Journalism, while dancing on a full ballet scholarship at Steps on Broadway in NYC. Angela performed soloist and principal roles with The Georgia Ballet (GA), Columbia City Ballet (SC) and Urban Ballet Theater (NYC). Her professional theater performance credits include 'Chicago' (Lipchitz), 'A Chorus Line' (Kristine DeLuca), 'Hunchback of Notre Dame', 'Annie Get Your Gun' and 'Camelot' at the Aurora Theatre and 'Sophisticated Ladies' and 'Degas Little Dancer' at the Tony Award-winning Alliance Theatre. Additionally, she was a soloist dancer for Jasmine Guy's production of 'Daughters of Alpha' in New Orleans, LA and a principal dancer in Dimension Films, 'Scary Movie V'. As a choreographer, Angela has created work for companies and academies, including The Georgia Ballet, Steps on Broadway, Spelman College, Ballet Lubbock and Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute. Her theater choreographic credits include the Southeastern premiere of Andrew Lloyd Webber's 'Song & Dance' (Aurora Theatre); 110 in the Shade (Theatrical Outfit); Frankenstein's Funeral (Found Stage); The First Noel (True Colors Theater Company); Bridges of Madison County (Aurora Theatre). Angela was one of five Inaugural National Visiting Fellows at the School of American Ballet. In 2016, she received a SDCF Observership and worked with Tony Award winning director/choreographer, Susan Stroman, on the new musical, Little Dancer, during its Broadway Lab. Most recently, Angela was recognized with the 2022 Suzi Bass Award for Outstanding Choreography for her work on 'Song & Dance' at the Aurora Theatre. Angela is currently on faculty at Emory University, Spelman College, Brenau University and is a ballet instructor at Dekalb School for the Arts & Academy of Ballet.  

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

NOAH JOHNSON is a passionate Music Educator and performer based in Atlanta, Georgia. He enjoys performing a wide range of repertoire and has shared the stage with groups such as the Atlanta Symphony, Charleston Symphony, and Tuscaloosa Symphony, in addition to performing with artists such as Robin Thicke, Van Hunt, Migos, India Arie, and Baby Rose. Noah can often be heard playing in pit orchestras for musicals at local theaters like the Aurora Theater, City Springs Theater, and Atlanta Lyric Theater. Noah graduated from the University of Georgia in 2017 with a Bachelor's Degree in Music Performance.

JACOB ATTAWAY (he/him)'s dance training began at the Cobb Center of Excellence for the Performing Arts in 2012. Since then he has developed a wide range of dance experience including training at the Nashville Ballet and the Georgia’s Governors Honors Program. In 2019 Jacob graduated from Jacksonville University with a BFA in dance performance. In his time at JU Jacob worked with established names such as Stephanie Martinez, Jennifer Archibald, and Brian and Scott Nicholson. Jacob is currently a company member with Kit Modus Contemporary Ballet Company, along with being a full-time staff member with the Atlanta Dance and Music Academy. Recently, Jacob starred in the Aurora Theatre's production of Song and Dance. 

CASSIE BROUSSARD, originally from Marietta, GA, is a graduate of Pebblebrook High School CCCEPA. She continued her training at Point Park University BFA Program double majoring in Jazz & Modern Dance, apprenticed with City Gate Dance Theatre, and then toured the Mediterranean with Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. For the past seven years, Cassie has lived in New York City and has worked with prestigious NYC based choreographers and directors such as Brinda Guha (Kalamandir Dance Co), Vivake Khamsingavath, DoubleTake Dance Co, Yusako Komori, Seth Gerstacov, and more. Some of Cassie’s NYC dance credits include performances at The Gramercy Theatre, The Highline Ballroom, Symphony Space, NRG Stadium, Dixon Place, and Alchemical Theatre Laboratory. Most recently, Cassie was a cast member of City Gate Dance Theatre’s, Roses, is a company member of Kalamandir Dance Co (NYC), and is a faculty and guest dance instructor at various studios in the metro Atlanta area.

A self-professed bunhead and avid explorer of movement, CECILY DAVIS spent her early years training in classical ballet schools such as Southeastern School of Ballet, Ellison Ballet, Oklahoma City Ballet, and Ballet Magnificat. In 2015 she received a full summer scholarship to study ballet and Russian language at the Moscow State Academy of Choreography (Bolshoi Ballet Academy). Cecily has just completed her first season with Gwinnett Ballet Theatre, dancing soloist roles in The Nutcracker and Beauty and The Beast. Cecily is a regular in the Atlanta arts scene, and has performed and choreographed for Dance Canvas, DCNEXT, The Georgia Ballet, Atlanta Dance Collective’s FEMMEfest, Fly On A Wall’s “Excuse The Art”, and others. Additionally, Cecily was featured in a music video for singer/songwriter Nathan Colberg’s, “The Giver,” and recently performed for Compass Coaching Project in works by Dominic Walsh and former NDT dancer Shannon Alvis.

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!

SUMMER MCNEILL, a native of Atlanta, Georgia, was born in Silver Springs, Maryland. She began her pre-professional training at Georgia Metropolitan Dance Theatre, under the direction of Kathryn Macbeth. In 2016, she continued her training under Sharon Story at Atlanta Ballet’s Centre for Dance Education. As a 2018 graduate of Cobb County's Center of Excellence in the Performing Arts Magnet Program at Pebblebrook High School, she received several awards and accolades such as Most Oustanding Female (3x recipient) and Most Promising Dancer. Additionally, she competed in the 2015 Youth American Grand Prix and has participated numerous times at the National High School Dance Festival.  Summer’s list of performances include: Georgia Metropolitan’s Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, and Cinderella; in addition to several appearances in Atlanta Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker. While attending Ailey, she’s performed in several productions such as Memoria, January Explosion and The 92nd Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Since returning to Atlanta, Summer has worked on several projects around metro-Atlanta with Dance Canvas and more.

A native of Atlanta, Georgia PAMELA RIDDLE began her formal dance training at the age of 14 under the direction of Terrie Ajile Axam and Dawn Axam. She has trained in Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, West African-Senegalese, Hip-Hop, Tap, and within the realm of Aerial; Spanish Web, Bungee, and Silks. Ms. Riddle is a graduate of Brenau University where she received her Bachelor's of Fine Arts. With a determination to strengthen her voice as a performing artist, she continued to strive for more experience in various arenas following graduation. Since college she has had the privilege to perform Nationally with the UniverSoul Circus, ACDFA, Kansas Choreographers Festival, Gullah Festival, Cleo Parker-Robinson II Company, alongside the Colorado Symphony Orchestra, Busch Gardens-Williamsburg, Legends in Concert, RWS Entertainment Group, Dick Foster Productions, Best Agency, Mike Moloney Productions, Missy Cochran Entertainment.  Internationally, she has performed on multiple cruise ships including; Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean Cruises International, and Holland America Cruises. Given the exciting opportunity, Pamela appeared alongside DNCE & Rod Stewart in their  MTV 2017 VMA Las Vegas music video shoot. In addition to performing Ms. Riddle is also a teacher who enjoys sharing her passion with young & eager-like minds. She has taught at Soulfire Studios, Colorado Ballet School of Ballet, Academy of Dance, Carrollton Academy of Dance, Cleo Parker-Robinson school, Total Dance/Dancical Productions, and many more. As a choreographer, Ms. Riddle recently  premiered a new work in  the 2021 Dance Canvas at the Skyline Stage on the Georgia Tech campus. Pamela is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., where she holds steadfast to the belief that learning is continuous and abundant, as long as we remain open and receptive.

A native of Milwaukee, WI, TORRANCE SMITH JR. began his studies in Dance under the direction of Sandra Jordan in the Dance Exchange Summer Intensive. After working diligently in his studies, Torrance was granted the opportunity to attend Milwaukee School of the Arts majoring in Dance, where he would study Ballet, Modern, Jazz, and African dance. While studying at MSA, Torrance attended the Milwaukee Ballet Academy as a Full Scholarship Recipient to further his education in Dance. After graduating, Torrance moved to Atlanta, GA to pursue his dream of becoming a Professional Performing Artist in the Arts. In Fall of 2013, Torrance joined Atlanta Dance Connection under the direction of Allyne D. Gartrell where he has danced the ballets of Christopher Huggins, Richard Freeman-Carter, Kevin Jackson, and TyRell Rolle. Mr. Smith has also worked directly with Michael Jackson, Jr. and Sean Aaron Carmon of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.

LAMONT J HILL Atlanta: Aurora Theatre: Love Mix Cabaret 2021, Christmas In July 2021, Song & Dance; Atlanta Lyric Theatre: Guys and Dolls (Benny Southstreet), Jekyll & Hyde (Utterson), Dominion Entertainment Mahalia (Dr. MLK Jr./Blues Man), Actor’s Express: Suzi Bass Award Winning The Color Purple (Harpo), Into The Woods, Elf The Musical (City Springs), The Secret Garden, Sunday in the Park with George (Franz/Dennis), Once On This Island (Jennie T. Anderson); Alliance Theatre; Darlin’ Cory; Kenny Leon True Colors: The First Noel; Regional Theatre: Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre: Dreamgirls (James “Thunder” Early), Lead Male Vocalist- Oceania Cruises/Norwegian Cruise Lines. IG: @lamontjhill.

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

CANDACE MUMPHREY is honored to join in the production of Song & Dance with Aurora Theatre as a background vocalist!  Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio she has worked and traveled as a professional lead and background singer since the age of 14, and has been a part of productions such as Porgy and Bess and Beauty and The Beast. New to the Atlanta area, she is thrilled to get back on the stage and perform with her peers!

ADAM WASHINGTON is happy to have his debut at Aurora theatre. A Georgia native, you may remember Adam in shows with the Alliance, City Springs, and the Lyric Theatre among others. Many thanks to my family for always supporting me, my friends for always pushing me to be better, and you for supporting the arts.

As a theatre woman, Sharon enjoys different fields such as Directing, Stage Manager, Puppetry, and Set Dressing. Some Atlanta credits include: Labzik: Tales of a Clever Pup (Emory), Sin Palabras (Latinas in Media ATL), Frankenstein Ball (Found Stage), The 2 Kids That Blow Shit Up (Aurora Theatre) and Animal Amigos (Center for Puppetry Arts). Estela also writes for WIPR’s LabSix, a kids’ TV show that mixes theatre and science. Sharon has a BA in Theater and a MA in Cultural Administration from the University of Puerto Rico. Grateful and thrilled to come back to Aurora Theatre. As Augusto Boal says, "Theatre is the art of looking at ourselves.”

LEAH BORESOW GROOVER is thrilled to work with Aurora Theatre for the first time with Song and Dance. Recent choreographic works for Atlanta musical theatre include Andrews Brothers (Marietta Theatre Company), Desamor (Eagle Theatre at Sugar Hill), Matilda (Onstage Atlanta) and You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown (Marietta Theatre Company). With a degree in dance and a lifetime in performing arts, Leah loves nothing more than to make stories with movement. She is also the owner and instructor of her own dance school, Leah Boresow Dance, teaching different styles of dance such as ballroom, Latin dance, jazz, ballet, tap, contemporary, and more. IG: @LeahBoresowDance

MICHAEL TARVER is a theatre teacher at the School of the Arts at Central Gwinnett High School. He is thrilled to once again work with the wonderful folks at Aurora (and for once it's not because he needs to borrow something). Thanks to the Aurora staff for their support as SotA kicks off its first year!

MIKE MORIN is a lighting designer based out of Atlanta. He is excited to be returning to the Aurora after designing The Roommate in 2019 as well as the past three productions of  This Wonderful Life and A Christmas Carol. Off-Broadway design credits include Here I Sit Broken Hearted: A Bathroom Odyssey as well as Alcestis Ascending, which also performed in Havana, Cuba. Favorite design credits include The Phantom of The Opera, Parade, Urinetown, and Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson. He is a graduate of The University of Alabama holding his MFA in Lighting Design and Technical Production. In 2014 he was selected to participate in USITT’s Young Designer Forum. Currently he serves as the Technical Director and Resident Designer at Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School. Website: www.MikeTMorin.com

JORDAN HERMITT is a Costume Designer, Illustrator, & Actor. After graduating from Wesleyan College with a degree in Theatre and Studio Art she’s been freelancing  around the Atlanta area working on shows such as costuming Blues for an Alabama Sky (Live Arts), Inferior Sex (Hangar Theatre), Unplugged in the Park (GGC). She’s just returned home after completing a costume design fellowship at the Hangar Theatre up in Ithaca NY. Jordan is thrilled that Song & Dance is the show that welcomed her back home to in Georgia.

JEREMIAH DAVISON (he/him) Aurora: Cinderella: The Musical, Song & Dance (Suzie Nominated); Atlanta: The Incredible Book Eating Boy, Do You Love The Dark, Do You Love The Dark (Alliance Theatre); Urinetown, Bootycandy, Home Town Boy, Heather's: The Musical, Head Over Heels, and Audio Engineer for The Color Purple at Actors’ Express (Suzie Award Winner for Best Sound Design); Chicken & Biscuits (Dominion Group); The Light (Horizon); Fires in a Mirror (Theatrical Outfit). Touring: The Step Afrika! National Tour of Drumfolk. Education: 2017-18 Actors Express Appco Alum, University of West Georgia & Georgia State Perimeter College Alum. Davison is a Co-Founder and the current Director of Operations of Multiband Studios LLC. @MultibandStudiosLLC