QUEADE NORAH (Lynda Blackmon) is grateful to portray Lynda Blackmon during this historic period in her life! Queade is a graduate of Berklee College of Music and originally from Philadelphia. Some of her performance credits include Sista’s the Musical (Tamika), Aida (Aida), Ragtime (Sarah), Dreamgirls (Lorrell Robinson), Phantom of the Opera (Carlotta), Hairspray (The Dynamite’s) and more. Off stage, she likes to travel, volunteer at senior homes, and create DIY hair/skin products and wigs. Thank you to God, Mom/Dad, Loved Ones, Lisa, Traci & Albert. Website: QueadeNorah.com. Instagram: @QueadeNorah.
BRIAN BAYLOR (Reverend Orange/Ensemble) is grateful to be revisiting Turning 15 and bringing Lynda Lowery’s incredible story to new audiences. Brian is a native of southeast Michigan and is now blessed to make his living as an NYC-based performer. He thanks God, his family, and friends for their invaluable love and light. Recent credits: Julius Caesar, A Midsummer Night's Dream (Texas Shakespeare Festival); Little Shop of Horrors, Peter and the Starcatcher (Creede Repertory Theatre); Makin’ Magic (Great Plains Theatre). Please visit him at brianbaylor.com for news and updates.
JONATHAN FARRINGTON (Jimmy/Ensemble) is thrilled to be performing in the powerful musical Turning 15 on the Road to Freedom. His most recent work was performing in the role of Joseph Asagai at the notable Bay Street Theatre in Sag Harbor. He has also performed in new musicals such as Step Show, Bayard, and Esther, The Heart of a Queen. He is a Bahamian recording artist and a Cultural Ambassador for his country. @Jonathan Farrington / @jfarrmusic.
MARTINE FLEURISMA (Bettie Fikes/Ensemble) I'm a classically trained actress and singer and I absolutely love to be on stage. I just finished playing Ruth from A Raisin in the Sun; Others: Meg from Little Women, Mama from My Sister, My Sister, Princess Puffer from The Mystery of Edwin Drood, and Lady Capulet from Romeo and Juliet, just to name a few. I studied classical drama at the Academy for Classical Acting at George Washington University. I hope everyone enjoys the show. See you on the stage.
ASHLEY ST. JULIETTE (Grandmother/Ensemble) is thrilled to join the cast of Turning 15 to tell such an important and unsung story. Ashley has performed lead roles in regional theatre productions such as Sister Act (Deloris Van Cartier), Hairspray (Motormouth Maybelle), and the Rosa Parks musical reading (Rosa Parks). As a graduate of the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts, Ashley is no stranger to the screen; securing spots on TV shows, commercials, and film. Ashley is humbled to embark on this inspiring journey and would like to shine a light on Dafnie and Michelle for all their continued support.
ALICIA MITCHELL-MANGUAL (Lynda Understudy/Ensemble) is an actress from Brooklyn, NY. Starting her career at the Professional Performing Arts School in NYC, she went on to obtain her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Howard University. She is thrilled to be joining the National Tour of Turning 15. Her past theater credits include her lead role in Trinity Hotline (Krystal), Twelve Angry Women, Spunk (Blues Speak Woman), Our Lady of 121st Street (Norca), and so on. She would like to thank her family and friends for their continuing support throughout the years.
LAURÉNT GRANT WILLIAMS (AC Blackmon (Lynda’s Daddy)/Ensemble/Music Supervisor) is grateful to be returning to the stage with the Turning 15 family. Training: Quincy University, Quincy, IL. Recent Credits: Hair, March On!, The All Night Strut, The Imaginary (29 Hour Reading), Big River, The Toxic Avenger, Dreamgirls, Festival of the Lion King (Hong Kong Disneyland), Avenue Q, The Little Mermaid, Ragtime, Carousel and others. Laurént is a Teaching Artist and has taught throughout the Midwest, Upstate New York and NYC. He would like to give all praise to Jehovah God. Special thanks to McCorkle Casting, the creative team, family, friends. Phil. 4:13-01.05.18