New Tampa Players
BLACK NATIVITY
By Langston Hughes
Music arranged by Aaron Robinson
Produced with special arrangement from Dramatic Publishing
Welcome to Uptown Stage!
Please silence your cell phones.
There will be a 15 minute intermission.
Please wear a face mask while inside Uptown Stage.
Produced with the Generous Support of
The Cast of Black Nativity
Jordan Blohm
Vette Berrian
Ashley Collins
Kodi Ernewein
Morenike Fashoro
Eboni Graham
Kiyanah Lawrence
Chonesty Osborne
Monica Paine
Scott Paine
PaVonné Scott
Vette Berrian
Black Nativity… check! She has waited a long time (theater bucket list) to do this show and is thrilled that it comes as her second performance with New Tampa Players. Fresh off PCE’s “Urinetown” where she played Pennywise, this Army veteran isn’t letting any grass grow under her Oregonian feet. Her passions include: GOD, family, friends, life coaching, writing, event planning, performing, volunteering, people watching and traveling.
Jordan Blohm
I was born in Milwaukee, WI and relocated to Tampa, FL in 2017 with hopes of beginning my career in theater and acting, starting with attending the highly sought after High School, Howard W. Blake High School. As a freshman I have been privileged to perform “The Crowd You're In With" and “Diary Of A Wimpy Wizard” at Howard W. Blake High School of Performing Arts. I thank God for his grace and my parents for being so supportive in my pursuit of acting and theater. Their belief in me led me to the opportunity to audition and later be casted in “The Black Nativity”. They call me "holiday boy" because I enjoy celebrating all special occasions and especially the decorating! I love acting and am also a pretty good writer. I enjoy playing Volleyball, bike riding, swimming and anything that can keep me physically fit.
Ashley Collins, Director
Ashley Collins is a an Actress, Director, Playwright, and Vlogger who received her Bachelor's from FSU and has been struggling ever since. Ashley's passion for the arts is a part of her DNA. She would like to thank her cast for allowing them to share their talents with her daily. Josh for being her existential crisis counselor. Scott for being her Uber driver and part time Dad. And as always, Nora. What a blessing it is to know you.
Kodi Ernewein
Kodi Ernewein was born into a military family that decided to retire here in Tampa, Florida. They graduated from Howard W. Blake High School in 2011, majoring in band and playing the euphonium. They then moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and obtained their Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Marquette University before moving to St. Louis, Missouri, where they completed their Master of Arts in Behavior Analysis. They didn't begin singing as a hobby until COVID, where their vocal teacher encouraged them to get out there and start performing. They were in the middle of rehearsal for Urinetown when the opportunity to perform in Black Nativity arose. This has been an exciting start to their theater career, and they couldn't have done it without their parents, Kenneth and Dr. Charrita Ernewein. Siblings: Dani, Ray, and Dominique. And fiance, Michael.
Morenike Fashoro
Morenike Fashoro is happy to be in her first performance with New Tampa Players! She’s previously performed with other community theaters, last appearing as Hope in Urinetown with Plant City Entertainment. She is grateful to her fellow cast and crew (especially Vette and Kodi), for the opportunity to be in this special production, and thanks her mom, as always, for her continued love and support.
Eboni Graham
I am a lover of the arts and Jesus! I’ve been able to direct, choreograph and act in various things throughout the years but having the opportunity to express both loves in this wonderful production is a dream come true. Recently finished One Act Festival with Carrollwood Player’s this past summer and I tremendously enjoyed working with New Tampa Players on this and future upcoming productions (shameless plug, check out Black Butterfly, Jaguar Girl, Pinata Woman, and Other Superhero Girls Like Me in January). Do not sit back, relax and enjoy the show. Stand up, dance and sing your heart out with us!
Kiyanah Lawrence
My name is Kiyanah Lawrence and I am from Lakeland, FL. I am a Christ follower first and foremost, as well as a dancer, actor, graphic designer, author, and mural artist. I love anything and everything creative arts! I can’t wait to take Uptown Stage for Black Nativity by Langston Hughes!
Chonesty Osborne
Chonesty is so happy to be working with New Tampa Players. Happy holidays!
Monica Paine
Monica is an 18 year old senior in high school. Her first show with NTP was Beauty and the Beast and she has been enjoying theater ever since then. One of her favorite projects is the Penguin Project, which provides theater to children of all abilities. She is very excited to be participating in this production and looks forward to the next show of the season.
Scott Paine
“Behold, I bring you tidings of great joy.” It is with great joy that Scott finds himself back at the piano supporting great voices sharing the Good News. He is blessed by the support of his loving wife and family, who tolerated hearing countless hours of practice (until he found his headphones). And he’s grateful to Ashley and the entire cast for making all the hard work rewarding and truly a great joy. AMDG--
PaVonné Scott
A star is born. PaVonné (Pa-von-nae) Scott, a child care educator (white house rep Oct. 2015)/activist (Mayors Neighborhood University graduate), ( Board member of City of Tampa Chamber of Review and Commissions), choreographer, singer - (all genres), trained dancer, actress, and choir director (First Union MBC) was born here in Tampa, raised in Atlanta, GA. PaVonné is actively involved as the Tampa Juneteenth Pageant Coordinator and National Pageant coordinator for The Miss Juneteenth Pageant 2020-2021. You may have seen her Singing and dancing on stage with Bles'd Productions. Pavonné is actively involved in the community (Delta Sigma Theta Sorority) and music education teacher at Burgess School of the arts (teaching voice, guitar and piano) - (B.A Music Education from Bethune-Cookman University), hip hop dance instructor, beginning piano teacher, and child care education for 15 years in Hillsborough County. PaVonné has performed with Mind Body and Soul productions as Shante in the gospel play “She is Not Who I thought, She is my Mother”, then with First Baptist Church of College Hill at the Straz Center - “The Christmas Post”, where she played the lead Alice, Aunt Em and Glinda the Good Witch in “The Wiz” with New Tampa Players, Levi’s wife in “Joseph and The Coat of Many Colors” with Spanish Lyric Theatre, and Sister Hubert in “Nunsense” with MAS Theater. PaVonné says "There are many stars in the galaxy" and she is one that will shine the brightest.
Production Team
Direction by Ashley Collins
Musical Direction by Scott Paine
Choreography by Eboni Graham
Lighting Design: Joshua Eberhart
Lighting Technician: Mark Weisenmiller
Sound Design: Ashley Collins
Sound Technician: Nora Paine
Costume Design: Shelley Giles
A Note from the Director:
I never knew he wrote a musical...I'm sure you know who Langston Hughes is..."A Raisin in the Sun". His writing style is unique because you can hear his pain. With this musical there are a lot of declarations. It feels like one would interpret it as an homage to the church but it feels more like a confession. Hughes was baptizing himself with every page.
I'm Ashley Collins. Someone who is trying to find the joy and the art in the music and movement of this piece. Some of us have lost our religion and it makes me sad because I kind of miss begrudgingly waking up early on Sunday to go to church. My Mom passing me a dollar to put in the plate. I hope these songs make you sense a time of happiness or frustration. They did both for me.
You don't need the retelling of the birth of Christ, just a reminder of how rare and beautiful it is to exist.
Ashley Collins
Thank you to all of our volunteers who have worked so hard to make this production of Black Nativity
possible.
Diana Diaz
Shelley Giles
Craig Hartfield
G. Frank Meekins
Keith and Carlyn Postle
Todd Wiener
Support Live Theatre
Thank you so much for supporting New Tampa Players, the arts, and live theatre through your presence tonight. As NTP reopens and recovers from COVID, your financial support is crucial. With reduced seating, your support can help bridge the gap between ticket sales and operating and production expenses, keeping us financially healthy and able to provide diverse and accessible performing arts opportunities.
About Uptown Stage
Welcome to Uptown Stage, New Tampa Player’s new space! For your safety and the safety of those around you, please wear a mask while you are inside Uptown Stage. Restrooms are located in the main mall near Burlington Coat Factory. Maps are provided at the front of the theater.
Thank you so much for supporting New Tampa Players and live performance!
Our Next Production
Black Butterfly, Jaguar Girl, Pinata Woman and Other Superhero Girls, Like Me
By Luis Alfaro
In partnership with Tampa City Ballet
For five girls living in gritty east L.A., growing up takes place in a world where parents refuse to speak ingles, girls in magazines never resemble the girl in the mirror, and boys only want to get some other girl’s number. Told through monologues, vignettes, and poetic interludes, Black Butterfly, Jaguar Girl, Pinata Woman and Other Superhero Girls, Like Me gives an honest and compelling voice to the painful, wistful, and amusing experiences of their urban adolescence.
Produced with special arrangement with PlayScripts Inc.
Produced with the generous support of Hillsborough Arts Council, Hillsborough County Board of Commissioners, and Florida State Division of Cultural Affairs