BLACKBERRY WINTER Program Information, Creative Team & Actors

 BLACKBERRY WINTER

Written & Directed by Kai Elijah Hamilton

Time:  Present Day. Western North Carolina.

Place:  A White Dingy Room.

 

Characters in order of appearance

Carolina                               Nickengie A. Sampson

Yvonne                                 Gaysha Snipes

Farer                                    Kai Elijah Hamilton

 

Who’s Who

 

Nickengie A. Sampson (Carolina) is a native of Jacksonville, Fl. She moved to N.C. with her parents James and Julia Alston, where she graduated from North Henderson High School. Recent stage credits—The Music of James Bond, Funny Little Thing Called Love, Dreamgirls, and A Raisin in the Sun (HCT Barnie winner for Best Lead Actress). Her greatest achievements are her three children Machi, Jirah and Shylah Sampson. None of this would have been possible without God being on her side. She would like to thank everyone that has supported her along the way.

 

 

 

Gaysha Snipes (Yvonne) a Hendersonville, N.C. native that developed her passion for acting as a youngster. Inspired by seeing My Grandmother Prayed For Me, she thought, “Man! I want to do that!” Recent stage credits—Dreamgirls and To Kill A Mockingbird. In addition to acting, she enjoys being a mother to her three children, attending church, and sharing her contagious personality and warming smile. She would like to dedicate this performance to her grandmother Margaret Ann Moore Cantrell who passed away this March.

 

 

 

Kai Elijah Hamilton (Farer/Director/Playwright) I was born and raised southern-style in the beautiful mountains of Western N.C. Some call me a creative Jack-of-all-trades. Various acting credits include—Bloody Poetry, A Streetcar Named Desire, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, To Kill A Mockingbird, & The Glass Menagerie. I’ve directed the hits Closer, The Turn of the Screw & A Raisin in the Sun. On her deathbed, my mother said to blow her a kiss from the Empire State Building. It’s truly a blessing from God to return to NYC. This one’s for you, Ma...

 

 

Sherrie Nock Koone (Costume Designer/Rehearsal Stage Manager) Born in south Florida, Koone moved to the mountains of Western North Carolina in her teens. She loves to read, sing karaoke, and has a flair for the Arts. Once upon a time she was on stage as the Apothecary in Hendersonville Community Theater's Romeo and Juliet, but she’s most comfortable behind the scenes. She recently designed the costumes for HCT’s production of The Miracle Worker. Koone has been working her hair magic for 20 years and is the owner of Cutting Edge Salon in Fletcher, North Carolina.

 

 

Marqueta Smith (Running Crew) was born in Asheville, North Carolina.  She graduated from Charles D. Owen High School in 2007.  She has been employed at Thermo Fisher Scientific for 6 years.  When not at work, she can be found caring for her 2 children and her family.  She would like to thank this “theatre family” for welcoming her and hopes to learn more about acting in future shows.

Nikita Maturine (Lighting Design) is delighted to be working on the production of Blackberry Winter for the 2016 Strawberry Festival. She recently graduated from The City College of New York earning her Bachelor’s. Recent works include Marisol, Incorruptible, Sexual Perversity in Chicago and Romeo and Juliet. She is thankful for the opportunity to be a part of and create theater with this talented cast and crew.

Theresa Cox (Sound Design) lives in the mountains of NC. An actress herself, Theresa has appeared in August: Osage County, Macbeth and Funny Little Thing Called Love. She has worked side by side with author/director Kai Elijah Hamilton on several short films and trailers and hopes for many more. Check out the web series "Irrational Statues" on Youtube!

BLACKBERRY WINTER by Kai Elijah Hamilton

An African-American mother finds herself in the abandoned house from her dreams, a place where, as she thinks, her child has been held captive after his abduction. Will a haunting, years-long mystery be solved? Something just ain’t right.

Saturday, July 16th at 1pm

Sunday, July 17th at 5pm
Wednesday, July 20th at 7pm

For tickets go to https://www.therianttheatre.com/item.php?id=263

At the Theatre at St. Clement’s, 423 West 46^th Street, NYC
The Riant Theatre’s Strawberry One-Act Festival