Members

Notable

Negro Ensemble Company Alumni:

Alvin Alexis, Mary Alice, John Amos, Ethel Ayler, Angela Bassett,Avery Brooks,Charles Brown,Graham Brown,Adolph Caesar,L. Scott Caldwell,Edmund Cambridge,Godfrey Cambridge,Steve Carter,Rosalind Cash, Alice Childress, Bill Cobbs, Myrna Colley-Lee, Keith Davis, Judy Dearing,  O. L. Duke, Charles Dumas,  Judyann Elder, Giancarlo Esposito, Antonio Fargas, Laurence Fishburne, Frances Foster, Al Freeman, Jr., Arthur French, David Alan Grier, Moses Gunn, Jackée Harry, Sherman Hemsley, Kene Holliday, Samuel L. Jackson, William Jay, Yaya DaCosta, Erik Kilpatrick, Cleavon Little, Marcella Lowery, Carol Maillard, Marie McKinney, Barbara Montgomery, Debbi Morgan,Garrett Morris, Denise Nicholas, Roscoe Orman, Shauneille Perry, Phylicia Rashad, Larry Riley, Roxie Roker, Esther Rolle, Richard Roundtree, Michelle Shay, Cotter Smith, Count Stovall, Clarice Taylor, Clinton Turner-Davis, Derek Walcott, Denzel Washington, Charles Weldon, Lynn Whitfield, Samm-Art Williams, Victor Willis, Hattie Winston

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NEC ALUMS ARE WORKING!!!!

KEONA WELCH  see imDb

Recent News: JUST BOOKED A NATIONAL COMMERCIAL!!! EXPECTED TO RUN FOR 21 MONTHS

PRINT AD JOB AND HAND MODELING SHOOT EXPECTED TO BE USED FOR A YEAR

SAM ENCARNACION

SAM ENCARNACION BIO-A graduate of the Stella Adler Studio Conservatory and NEC Training Program alumni, 2008. Stage credits include Off-Broadway debut in The Passage- Tales from the Maafa. A Midsummer Night’s Dream ;NYC,TopDog/UnderDog;NYC,Glengarry Glen Ross ;NYC, Blood Weddings at GALA Hispanic Theatre;DC, and Anton Dudley’s Letters to the End of the World (world premiere) NYC. Film: Slaves of Crime as Quemao, produced by Abel Ferrara &  Owen O’Conner’s Itsy Bitsy Spider as Pierre(Spring 2010) Sam was selected to represent NEC Rep in a One-on-one meeting with CBS VP, Casting Fern Orenstein (Hollywood) as part of The CBS Diversity Intensive Workshop see IMDb

Kasadé  actor, poet, singer

Featured in several Independent films such as A Circle of Time, August Rush  and As Wild as They Come, and has toured all over the east coast with different acting companies. Theatre credits include: her One Woman Show at many venues. Featured poet : Spiritual Cleansing  on  Spin Radio/ N.Y.C,  Growing Up Gracefully In   Silver Poets/ Bk, NY

David J. Cork

David J Cork

is a young actor, singer, and writer from Indianapolis, Indiana. After briefly studying at Atlanta, Georgia’s Clark Atlanta University, he transferred to New York University to gain his BFA in Drama from Tisch School of the Arts. Aside from his studies, David has participated in numerous off-off Broadway productions, performing in venues such as the Kraine Theatre, The Producer’s Club, and Cherry Lane Theatre. Previous credits include Ragtime (Indianapolis), Fame (Indianapolis), Fences (Atlanta), and Eden (Atlanta). David is thankful to be working with the prestigious Negro Ensemble Company, following on the footsteps of one of his role models, Denzel Washington. He hopes that by collaborating with the NEC will continue to grow into a promising artist.

Kubbi Kubbi’s Screenplay “Shenika’s Redemption” was accepted into the Beverly Hills Film Festival in Los Angeles in April.

EROTIC CITY – The #1 Live Tribute 2 PRINCE Brooklyn Bowl Brooklyn, NY

http://www.sag.org/iactor/Kubbi
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c27SH2lMLMs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQk3No0WwbI
www.kubbi.blogspot.com

ANGELA LOGAN  See Cake Boss Video

Sassy’s Variety Show at Broadway Comedy Club April 9 6:30pm

Recently seen on many primetime talk shows for her program “Fighting Foreclosure One Cake at a Time”

CIERA PAYTON

IMDb

Sonya on NBC”s Mercy, He Said, She Said: A Romantic Comedy at Times Square Theatre Center THE WAY HOME: A short film written and directed by Faythallegra Coleman.Midnight Bayou w/Faye Dunaway, Jerry O’Connell, Lauren Stamille (Lifetime Newtork- Airing again on April 16th 4:00pm)August Brown Play reading written by Jerome Preston Bates dir. by Passion Past credits Flight of Fury costarring with Steven Seagal and Lords of the Streets with DMX and Khris Kristofferson                                                                                       WWW.CIERAPAYTON.COM

WWW.WHATGIRLSKNOW.COM

QUESTER HANNAH

AEA, SAG

QUESTER HANNAH

Quester was recently seen in The Negro Ensemble Company’s production of How Many Times Must We Say Goodbye and An Ode to the Washermen at the Midtown International Theater Festival. He has worked with Stageplays Theatre Company, Dog Run Rep, Horizon Theatre Rep/Theatre Row, Pennsylvania Centre Stage, Fleetwood stage, 12 Miles West Theater, LAByrinth Theater Company and New Horizons Theater, playing the lead in Susan-Lori Parks Top Dog Under Dog. Quester holds an M.F.A in acting from The Pennsylvania State University and has trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. He will be pursuing an M.F.A in Film Production from NYU Tisch Asia this fall. Quester would like to thank God for His many blessings, family for their support and Marie McKinney for the opportunity to touch the stage in Carolyn Nur Wistrand’s RISING as part of The Midtown Theatre Festival. Quester was selected to represent NEC Rep in a One-on-one meeting with CBS VP, Casting Fern Orenstein (Hollywood) as part of The CBS Diversity Intensive Workshop

Malikia Causey

MALIKIA CAUSEY

Actor. Writer, Singer was born in Detroit Michigan gives back to her community and communities known to society as poor, desolate, drug infested, high crime activity .. “at risk”.  Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Minor in Mass Communications. major in Human Services. Malikia had always endured a strong passion for Acting and the Arts. So many people have a story to tell both good and bad. Ms. Malikia shares those stories through  creative writing.  Malikia’s training for acting began with the Negro Ensemble Company.  Her performances include: NEC’s Playwriting series; The Rising & Petal Pushin directed by Marie McKinney. Performed with the Hearts of Hannah Organization for Women; Yesterday I Died Today I Lived by Kelly Moss. Monologue The Hairpiece for The Grace of God’s Women Ministry in Paterson, New Jersey.

Barbara Asare Bediako Actor/Writer of One Woman Show

Barbara K. Asare-Bediako Washington Shakespeare Theatre, Woolly Mammoth Theatre, The Atlantic Theater, Black Tale w/ Rae Dawn Chong, And My Name Ain’t Peaches (Access Theatre), Edward III & Death and the King’s Horseman (Washington Shakespeare Company), Separate Is Not Equal and We Shall Overcome (Smithsonian Museum Theatre). TV/Film credits: Snowden Crossing (Public Access Television), Temporary Dreams (BK Thriving Productions), and Some Kind of Justice (Pocket Change Productions).Barbara was selected to represent NEC Rep in a One-on-one meeting with CBS VP, Casting Fern Orenstein (Hollywood) as part of The CBS Diversity Intensive Workshop

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Jamal Mallory-McCree

Jamal Mallory-McCree   see IMDb

Credits: Recently booked first feature film lead in “Recreator”
“Zooman and the Sign” – Victor Tate w/ Negro Ensemble Co.@ Signature Theatre
“Law & Order”

Contact: jmalmccree@gmail.com
Don Buchwald & Assoc. – 212-370-8820
Smith Talent Group – 212-290-8958

C Truth

C.Truth

actor. radio personality began moving crowds through showcases and comedy shows. He strengthened his voice via radio. C.Truth later embraced acting; completing five plays, four indie movies as well as an appearance on TV Land’s Game Time.  He was a peer instructor through the SEO Program, giving high school students hands on experience in the arts.  C.Truth (347)- 739-5030

John Elmore

John Elmore

actor, writer, comedian, gospel choir director 646 467 1299

Ashleigh Awusie

is a Ghanaian and Panamanian actress, dancer, songwriter from NYC; recently crowned winner of Left Hip Production’s 48-Hour Play Festival. Some of her past credits include a one woman show with Syracuse Stage; Dreamprints: A Conversation with Harriet Tubman, Shakespeare in the Boroughs with The Public Theater, an Operetta adaptation of The Iron Heel at Theater for the New City and various commercial credits. Currently she models for Broadway’s RACE Red Dress Event, performs with Pride Not Prejudice throughout the boroughs, and is in production for the play Temple.  Ashleigh is thankful for everyday she is allowed to do what she loves and all those that are supportive.  “My craft is my playground and I intend to explore it deeper and play harder every day.”

Lela Bryant

Lela Bryant is an actress and a dance instructor who hails from Oakland California. A graduate of NYU Tisch school of the Arts she enjoys playing strong characters and worships the underdog.  Past credits include Black Thang (Gene Frankel Theater),

Photograph Lover’s in Motion (The Shop Theater), One Life to Live, Wifey (VH1/BET Pilot), and various commercials.  Thanks to all my family and friends for your constant support. Check out www.vpowermovement.com for info on her empowering dance classes for women.

Working on The Negro Ensemble’s production of  “Sundown Names and Night Gone Things” was for me an awesome experience. I had the good fortune of working with some outstanding actors under the direction of the incomparable Woodie King Jr.on a great play by the renowned Leslie Lee.

Ralph McClain

Lindsay Strachen KUBBI Ralph McClain Fern Orenstein Negro Ensemble Co at CBS NY

The technical staff ingeniously created an office on the South Side of Chicago, circa 1930. How  wonderful it was to live in that world if only for a couple of hours each night. Not surprisingly, we were nominated for an Audelco Award for Best Ensemble Cast. All we needed was some additional  green backs to sustain a longer run.  But they don’t come so easy;  as i found out. - Ralph McClain

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Keith Walker

Keith Walkeris a recent graduate at the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts. He was just seen in the African American Woman’s Theater Festival directed by Bonnie Wright. He is a part of the sketch comedy group Sketch My Life! which performed in February. His credits include The Music Man, Little Shop of Horrors, and the Wizard of Oz.

Nicholas Miles Newton

Nicholas Miles Newton is a transplant from Georgia. featured in The Negro Ensemble Companys : Colored Peoples Time by Leslie Lee and Black Classics vs. Shakespeare: Round 1.

I’ve got many reasons not to be an actor but you can’t run from destiny.

C. Niambi Steele, NEC ALUMN, Veteran actress & musical artist

Back-up Singer: STAX RECORDS;

Solo Jazz Vocalist: BRO. JACK McDUFF

OOB: LaMama,etc, “THE HOTEL PLAY”;

Henry St, “REQUIEM FOR RACISM”, 2008 AUDELCO AWARD

Best Director, Eric Coleman

REGIONAL AWARD: “BEST ACTRESS/MUSICAL” “Purlie!”,

character, ‘LUTIEBELLE’

Currently On TOUR— “SISTA GIRL”. Letty’s Gospel Theater, Fredericksburg, VA

Opening city– Indianapolis, IN., May 8-9, 2010

www.lettysgospeltheater.com for further tour info

http://niambi2020.blogspot.com

http://www.playlist.com/niambi2020

“The voyage of discovery is not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes.”
Marcel Proust

Clinton Lowe

Co-starred opposite James Gandolfini, worked closely with an Emmy Award winning director, appeared in ‘American Gangster’ where he shared a scene with Russell Crowe, the HBO Pilot ‘Last of the Ninth’, and most recently in ‘Rescue Me’ in which he worked with Dennis Leary & Larenz Tate (upcoming season 6). Plays include classics like, ‘Romeo & Juliet’ (National Tour), Anton Chekhov’s Three Sisters (NYC), The Great Mac Daddy (Negro Ensemble Co.), as well as newer & experimental works. Currently finishing his second year at William Esper Studio. Facebook  or clintonlowe@hotmail.com

NEC Training  Program Testimonials:

“-Through the actors instrument workshop, I received a deeper knowledge of my body, strengthened my imagination and gained the confidence to fulfill any role offered to me.The tools which allow me to feel that my success is dependent on my self, the work I put toward it, and the specificity of my choices.” SAM ENCARNACION

Donate scholarships to NEC Training Program Actors and Writers and our free NEC Monthly Meets. Send tax deductible contributions to: Negro Ensemble Company Training Program c/o  Marie McKinney 303 West 42 St Suite 501 New York, NY 10030    Now!

Current: Hamletmachine at Castillio Thr,  Film & TV: Misunderstood, directed by The Wire’s  Clark Johnson; Law & Order; One Life to Live; and “Red Lobster” commercial! Theater: Wild About Harry,  History of the Word(tour), Roots of Rap, written by Marie McKinney; and Jim Jones: Hip Hop Monologues, artist’s latest  2009 album.

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Dara Frazier-Harper

Dara Frazier-Harper is a writer and actress. An excerpt of her play “Passing” was produced by NEC in March 2008. She also wrote “Shades Of War.” Dara has hosted TV shows on Comcast Cable and ABC’s Black Family Channel.

Kimberlyn Crawford greets audience at The Negro Ensemble Company's Savannah Black & Blue by Raymond Jones

KIMBERLYN CRAWFORD’s reviews in Sold Out Performances of  Savannah Black & Blue by Raymond Jones reviews Producer: “SHHH!! Sex Play” Readings, NEC tech. design support  KAVON Producer of The MisAdventures of Olive Sukin

Edward Robinson

From Detroit, Michigan, grad of Michigan State University, in Advertising. interned and performed for the Boars Head Professional Theater in Lansing, Michigan. Credits: Casca in Julius X, at The Plowshares Theater, Bobby Parker in Ceremonies in Dark Old Men, at  Detroit Repertory Theatre .  Currently attends the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts in Manhattan. Edward would like to thank his family and the NEC family for all of their love, guidance, and support. Ed waswas selected to respresent NEC Rep in a One-on-one meeting with CBS VP, Casting Fern Orenstein (Hollywood) as part of The CBS Diversity Intensive Workshop

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• JONATHAN MCCRORY:LA MAMA THEATRE/ TOURING, Roots of Rap at IRT, TARGET MARGIN THEATER’S
  THE THEATER OF TOMORROW: Innovation in American Theater 1900-1946selections from COLD KEENER by Zora Neale Hurston

Jonathan McCrory jonathan.mccrory@gmail.com 202.321.0807

Jillian Walker is writing and recording her debut album under the independent record label Dy’Kon Music (www.myspace.com/experiencejillianwalker) , Reading of Walking With a Panther (Red Harlem Readers) ,TV Pilot Graves (S-Class Conceptions). Jillian was selected to respresent NEC Rep in a One-on-one meeting with CBS VP, Casting Fern Orenstein (Hollywood) as part of The CBS Diversity Intensive Workshop

Tomike Ogugua appeared a critically acclaimed turn as Dad in NEC’s ‘Savannah Black and Blue’ as Dad (“Tomike Ogugua as Savannah’s absentee but loving Dad is both touching and credible”. -BackStage), Tribeca Film Festival selection ‘The Tested’ as Rudy (supporting) starring Aunjanue Ellis, The Sun and The Moon as Sam (lead) at Paul Robeson Theatre , the new music video ‘Know What I Mean’ by Hip Hop star Freeway (principle), directed by Rik Cordero, received call backs from Chambers Touring Company, Shakespeare and Company, HBO’s ‘How To Make It In America’, Cape May Stage, Manhattan International Theatre Festival. Currently in rehearsals for ‘Magic Crown’ at Black Spectrum Theatre (opens 2/10/10) and ‘Sticky’s The Devil Made Me Do It’ at The Bowery Poetry Club (performance 2/5/10). Just wrapped performances in Ryan Guiterman’s short film ‘Man Is The Only..’ as Security Guard (supporting) and Haruhito Naka’s short film ‘Into The New World’ as Sam (supporting). Next Project: OSUN (Oshun The Goddess of Love) A Yoruba Dance Drama by David D Wright directed by Roderick Giles @ Dr. Barbara Ann Teer’s National Black Theatre 4/15-5/9 125th St/5th Ave Harlem, NYC

Actor Rapper Writer

RYAN F JOHNSON

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Now in rehearsal for Mid-Summer Nights Dream at the Pulse Ensemble Theatre.

“Bitter Crop” at Manahattan Rep Theatre, Graduate of The New York Conservatory of Dramatic Arts:School for Film and Television and BFA from Southern Methodist University, Dallas,Texas.           Native of Detroit.

Ryan was selected to represent NEC Rep in a One-on-one meetingwith CBS VP, Casting Fern Orenstein (Hollywood) as part of The CBS Diversity Intensive Workshop

• Callistus Onyiuke

Soyini Crenshaw

Soyini Crenshaw, recent graduate of the Actors Studio Drama School @ Pace University. I received my MFA in Acting in 2009.  I thank God for this opportunity to be making my post-graduate New York theatrical debut in Colored People’s Time by Leslie Lee in the Midtown International Theatre Festival by Leslie Lee.  I appreciate my family and friends for their support.

Jeniere Bailey

JENIERE BAILEY

co-hosts Mass Appeal Radio on blogtalkradio.com, is a blogger on wellness, and has performed stand-up comedy at  Gotham Comedy Club, Carolines, and Broadway Comedy Club. She has trained as an actor/stand-up comedian at The Barrow Group, Weist Barron, NEC, and The American Comedy Institute.

He who knows others is learned;he who knows himself is wise – Lao Tzu

Tavarius Graves

Tavarius Graveshas been acting since age 7 when he joined “The Keepers Of The Dream Team”; an ensemble formed to reach the inner-city youth of Miami, Florida through cultural arts. He has also received many awards as a writer, one being the Young Author’s Award. Film credits includes the role of Tony Wong in the short film  Lucky Number 21, which received great reviews at the 2007 Project 21 Film Festival in Philadelphia. Tavarius can be reached via email at tavariusdgraves@yahoo.com.

more about Acting Workshops: www.mariemckinney.com/acting-workshops/

Get 3-in-1 membership perks, see: www.necartz.com/artist-news/

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