BIOGRAPHY
Sheena D . Horne:
Actress, Dancer. a 2008 Bachelor degree graduate of The University of The District
of Columbia. Sheena' stage credits includes “Saving Us Saints”, “Days of Absence”, “Amen
Corner”, “1001 Black Invention”, “What Type of Love Is This”, “The Philadelphia
Story”, The Adventures of Pistachio: A Brooklyn Girl Made From Trash, A
Grandmother's Prayer, “Sex, Relationships and Sometimes Love”, "Something
Outrageous", "The Virgin Mary Monologues" and Prayer’s For The Ghetto. Film
credits include: “Trapped”, “Step Up 2”, "Remake of A Raisin In
The Sun" and "Paradise". Sheena received her training at
the New Jersey School of Dramatic Arts, The Stress Factory Comedy School, Joy of
Motion Dance School, where she studied Ballet and Hip Hop Dancing . Sheena
spent her first year of College at Benedict College where she received training
in Movement to Theatre, an intense study of "Combat Fighting" for the stage.
Sheena's special skills consist of character voices such as: Southern,
Chinese, and African Women. She took her first stab at stand up comedy in 2009
at the New Jersey Performance Lab. Her second performance brought her home with
a
trophy as well as prize money. Sheena is absolutely thrilled to be part of this
wonderful production and hopes to be able to work with the cast in future
productions.
Crystal Drayton:
Actress.
a graduate of the New Jersey School of Dramatic Arts,
Crystal recently
completed filming "Indecent Love (Affair), an NYFA short. She continues to
pursue her career as an actress and challenge herself with every role. Crystal
also dabbles in dance from time to time. As always
she is eternally grateful to her family, friends and acting teachers for all
their support. She returns as
Felicia and will also take on the role of Jackie
(2) and
Monique in this production of Women on the Edge.
Lela
Bryant: Actress. Lela is extremely happy to have been able to work
with such a great group of people through Women on the Edge. She says it
is a rare opportunity when you find a production that you really want to give
voice to. Past credits include Black Thang (Gene Frankel Theatre), One
Life to Live, Wifey, and selling various products on a TV or radio near you
as well as many other productions that she is thankful to have various friends
and family come support. Lela says thank you to all the wonderful people who
have been put into my life and have helped me on my journey, you are truly
appreciated.
Kendall:
Actress, Dancer. Kendall
is a native of Jersey City, New Jersey. When she is not on stage, she enjoys
shooting comedic sketches and writing poetry. Her most recent theatrical
appearances were in "For the Love of Money" and "The Virgin Mary Monologues" She
has also been featured on "The Nate Berkus Show" for several modeling segments.
She received her BS in Business Management from Saint Peter's College. It was
after this accomplishment that she realized her heart felt goal was to pursue
acting. Be on the lookout for this rising star, she's on her way to the top!!!!
Chelsea
Rowe:
Actress. Chelsea is a native of New Jersey. She graduated from Drew University in 2010
with a BA in Theater Arts. Stage credits include “Our Town”, “Much Ado About
Nothing”, “About a Princess”, “Best Friends Forever”, “All’s Well that Ends
Well”, and “Romeo and Juliet”. She has studied at The Performing Arts Studio,
London Dramatic Academy, and Michael Howard Studios. Chelsea is excited to be a
part of
Women on the Edge.
Thanks to the cast, her family for their support, and Alicia for finding the
audition for her.
Laini Onyeanusi:
Actress, Singer.
Laini is a versatile vocalist, self-training since she was 14, after abandoning
the saxophone. Though jazz still has a place in her heart, she loves to
experiment with R&B, Broadway & Classic Soul. She has studied at the Lee
Strasberg Theater institute and is a graduate of the University of North
Carolina at Chapel Hill. Laini would like to thank all of her friends who have
encouraged her to get back in touch with her creative side.
Women on the Edge
is Laini’s stage debut.
Alban L.
Jones Jr: Musical Director. Alban entered the Performing Arts arena at an early
age. Under the direction of Marie Foster, Alban, a former member of Foster's "Peppermint
Players", performed in the East Orange Summer Youth's Theater production of
West Side Story in 1998 & Fame in 1999. Alban, who is a self taught Multi-Instrumentalist, is the founder of
Twiztid Minds Production. He currently sits on a variety of bands as
either the keyboardist or drummer at any given time. Always working on new
material, Alban has music for sale on his website. His previous work has been
commissioned for use in the independent short film Legacy as well as for
upcoming music artist OnCue.
Keyana M. Jones:
Choreographer. With a passion for the arts, Keyana dove right into dance,
literature and drama. She is thrilled to be a part of this project lending her
skills as choreographer and backup dancer. Under the tutelage of Deborah Ford, Keyana began
dancing at age 14 at the Cicely Tyson School of Performing & Fine Arts. Though
no stranger to the stage, she hopes that this will be the first of many
opportunities to hone her talents and scratch her performing arts itch. In her
teenage years Keyana has been part of productions such as West Side Story
and Fame. A graduate of Montclair State University where she majored in
Psychology and minored in Dance, Keyana is now completing a Master's degree in
Corporate & Organizational Communication to assist in her multiple roles within
Novel2Go Publishing. She loves working with such a tight-knit family and a
wonderful cast that share in our vision. She is proud that their work is truly
"Uniquely Different" as the company motto states.
Demetria
Bennett:
Dancer. Demetria has been performing since the age of 14 when she
played Beneatha in an ECC production of Raisin in the Sun. A triple threat who
seamlessly marries the worlds of theater, dance and hip-hop Demetria is at heart
a poet and a rapper. Women on the Edge is her NYC stage debut and she has
enjoyed working with such a dedicated, supportive cast. Demetria would like to
send a shout out to her friends and family in the 7-1-6, aka Buffulo, NY.
Steffani
White Actress,
Dancer:
began
teaching dance at twelve and has continued in studios and schools since. She
completed her BA in 1993 then started teaching. Stephanie graduated from NYU in
2004 and after 15 years with the DOE, embarked on a career that now includes
performing, personal training, and Pilates. She specializes in fun, family
fitness and looks forward to working with clients of all levels while pursuing a
doctorate in Sports Medicine.
Ariysa
White
Dancer:
Began dancing
at the ripe age of 2 in CA. Once in NYC she studied various styles at the Ailey
School for eight years. In junior boarding school, Ariysa excelled in sports,
especially volleyball. As an 8th grader, she enjoys dance classes at HAS and
school. Next year brings Talent Unlimited High School, many more shows, and
hopefully in the long run the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.
Karoline
Bethea-Jones:
Author/Publisher/Playwright. Karoline's strength in writing
involves using the premise of realistic fiction for all of her work. She realized at an early age,
that expression through writing would be a huge part of her life forever. She
currently has three titles under her belt, Someone to Love, a novel that
highlights the tumultuous marriage of Terry and Stephanie Collins: Fragile
Heart, the continuation of the Collins' story; and Women on the Edge,
a book of short stories on which this stage play is adapted. Karoline is
currently working on the last and final book for Stephanie & Terry entitled
Deception, coming soon. Her love for the human spirit has led her to create
believable characters that speak to your heart. Women on the Edge is her
first play with surely more to come in the future!.