Performances

Porter Sanford III Performing Arts & Community Center

2025 Dec 19 Friday 10:30 AM
2025 Dec 20 Saturday 2:00 PM
2025 Dec 20 Saturday 8:00 PM
2025 Dec 21 Sunday 3:00 PM

About The Studio Ballethnic Dance Company

Ballethnic is a professional ballet company that creates visibility for Black and Brown dancers often overlooked despite proper training. We expand access to classical and contemporary ballet in Atlanta—in studios, on stage, behind the scenes, and among audiences, dance professionals, and students. For over 30 years, Ballethnic has stood apart through its unique blend of ballet and African dance concepts, placed sur la pointe. We continue to widen artistic opportunities through our Dance Company, Academy, Youth Ensemble, and Danseur Development Project, working toward greater representation of Black and culturally diverse dancers in mainstream ballet companies worldwide.

1990 established

2 shows per year

100 avg. cast size

Director's Note

The 2025 production of Urban Nutcracker celebrates the thirty-second anniversary of the full-length ballet. Inspired by models of Black leadership and excellence in 1940s Black America, Waverly T. Lucas, II, Co-Founder, Co-Director, and Resident Choreographer of Ballethnic, reimagined the holiday classic, Nutcracker, on Sweet Auburn against a backdrop of successful Black-owned businesses. Not long after establishing Ballethnic Dance Company with his wife, Nena Gilreath at Spelman College in 1990, Act II of Urban Nutcracker was produced at Martin Luther King, Jr. International Chapel at Morehouse College and in 1993 the full-length signature production opened with Gilreath as Brown Sugar and Lucas as The Chocolatier. Today, Karla Tyson revives the spirit of tradition as she performs Brown Sugar in Gilreath’s decades old costume.

This year's Urban Nutcracker is dedicated to the memory of Douglas Willard Harris, 9/16/1971 - 7/22/2025. We will miss the joy that you brought to the stage!

Scenes

Act I Act I begins one snowy Christmas Eve on Sweet Auburn in the 1940’s. Attorney Johnson’s comfortable home is bustling with friends and family for their annual Christmas Party.

Intermission 15 minutes

Act II The Land of Sweets is a place where the sun is always shining, the streets are paved with candy, and everything is made of gingerbread and other delicious things to eat.

Crew Credits

Co-Founder/ Co-Artistic Director Nena Gilreath

Co-Founder/ Co-Artistic Director Waverly T. Lucas ll

Musical Director & Sound Designer L Gerard Reid

Associate Artistic Director Adam L. McKnight

Rehearsal Director/Guest Artist Theresa Howard

Production Director Laila Howard

Admin/Ops Support Out of the Box Remedies

Office & Program Coordinator Taylor Benion

Academy Administrator Chantal Bartley

Company Rehearsal Director Aldawna Morrison, Willie Anderson, Deneen Graham

Choreography/Rehearsal Assistant Karla Tyson

Artistic Liaison/Production Director Laila Howard

Rehearsal Director Courtney Clarke

Podiatrist Dr. Naim Shaheed

Ballet, Pointe & Rehearsal Coach Lydia Abarca Mitchell

Company Archivist Dr. Shady Radical

💡 Touch a performer name to read their bio!

Cast Credits

Act I

Big Mama

Little Girl Keilani Enahora, Penelope Williams

Friendly Couple Ayana Bohannon, Billy Mims-Goodman

Mr. Johnson Willie Anderson

Mrs. Johnson Theresa Howard

Sarah Johnson Kennedy Medor, Arianna Baeta

Leroy Johnson David Sherwood V

Grandma Mona Scott

Aunt Bertha Brittany Steele

Professor Isaac Waverly T. Lucas II

Professor Isaac Entourage Arthur Ford, Sheila Harper, Diana Stevens, Ebony Woods, Johnny “Barago” Hayes

Parent Couple 1 Newly Weds Terrence Fosque, Shelby Eccles

Parent Couple 2 Rich Snobs David Jackson, Tajah Billingsley

Parent Couple 3 Country Lynorris Evans, Courtney Mooring, Christian Gatlin

Parent Couple 4 Flirtatious Wife Jamminise Miller, De’Jyan Horne

Parent Couple 5 Greedy Husband Pamelia T. Smith , Wesley Fulton

Parent Couple 6 Drunken Father Billy Mims-Goodman, Ayana Bohannon

Family 1 Children Newly Weds Arianna Baeta, Elle Thompson, Sophia Robinson, Emery Harden, Allison Phillips, Kennedy Medor

Family 2 Children Snobs Braylin Welander, Bailey Jucks, Sanaa Enahora

Family 3 Children Country Natan Montague, Jordyn Moreland, Violet Epps, Windy Radical, Keegan Taplet

Family 4 Children Flirtatious Christina Johnson, Jacqueline James, Kelise Phang, Emma Foster

Family 5 Children Greedy Husband Judith McDaniels, Amaria Williams, Kayla Satell, Kelani Enahora, Channing Sofia Sampson

Family 6 Children Drunken Zariah James, Madison Allen, Audreaunna Slappy, Penelope Williams

Sarah’s Friends Elle Thompson, Keegan Taplet, Bailey Jucks, Zariah James, Judith McDaniels, Christina Johnson, Allison Phillips

Leroy’s Friends David Sherwood, Natan Montague, Braylin Welander

Maid Jovi Grantham

Reggae Rag Dolls Hadiya Willams, Tyler Davilsaint

Sassy Sadie & The Sailor Njema Williams, Charlie Grant

Baby Dolls Naiyira Wade, Ameris Carson, Harlynn Holmes, Keilani Enahora, Zoah Shelton, Auset Foster

Queen Rat Hadiya Williams

Lone Rat Morgan Upshaw, Amira Butler

Battle Rats Amira Butler, Morgan Upshaw, Arianna Baeta, Aria Dewitt, Kennedy Medor, Keegan Taplet, Morgan Upshaw, Bailey Jucks, Jovi Grantham, Shelby Eccles, Judith McDaniels, De’Jyan Horne, Allison Phillips, Christina Johnson

Nutcracker Doll Preston Patterson, Calvin Gentry

Little Soldiers Naiyira Wade, Keilani Enahora, Audreaunna Slappy, Penelope Williams, Amaria Williams, Kelise Phang, Windy Radical, Kayla Satell, Violet Epps

Soldiers David Sherwood V, Jacqueline James, Emery Harden, Elle Thompson, Sanaa Enahora, Sophia Olatunde-Robinson, Jordyn Moreland, Channing Sofia Sampson, Emma Foster, Zariah James, Madison Allen, Braylin Welander, Natan Montague

Lone Soldier Braylin Welander

Bazooka Soldier Natan Montague

Snow Queen and Snow King Karla Tyson, Calvin Gentry, Preston Patterson

Snowflakes Peyton Lacour, Martine Bartley, Hadiya Williams, Minami Ando, Brooke Geffrey-Bowler, Exodis Ward

Sleigh Fairies Aria Dewitt, Christina Johnson, Bailey Jucks, Judith McDaniels

Snow Maidens Njema Williams

Blizzard Tyler Davilsaint

Act II

Little Helpers Windy Radical, Violet Epps, Naiyira Wade, Kelise Phang, Audreaunna Slappy, Kayla Satell

Opening/Finale Queen Rat Theresa Howard

Opening Rats Tajah Billingsley, Ayana Bohannon, David Jackson, Shelby Eccles

Finale Rats Tajah Billingsley, Ayana Bohannon, David Jackson, Shelby Eccles

Brown Sugar Karla Tyson

Chocolatier Calvin Gentry, Preston Patterson

Spanish Njema Williams , Tyler Davilsaint

Arabian Taylor Fikes, Charlie Grant

Lamp Keepers Shelby Eccles, De’Jyan Horne

Chinese Lead Hadiya Williams, Exodis Ward

Chinese Demi-Soloists Braylin Welander, Judith McDaniels, Christina Johnson, Bailey Jucks

Chinese Madison Allen, Arianna Baeta, Jordyn Moreland, Aria Dewitt, Jacqueline James, Zariah James, Christina Johnson, Bailey Jucks, Kennedy Medor, Allison Phillips, Sophia Olatunde-Robinson, Channing Sofia Sampson, Keegan Taplet, Elle Thompson, Braylin Welander

Chinese Helpers Keilani Enahora, Naiyira Wade, Penelope Williams, Kelise Phang

Chinese Opening Arianna Baeta, Kennedy Medor, Elle Thompson, Keegan Taplet, Zariah James, Jacqueline James, Braylin Welander, Judith McDaniels, Christina Johnson, Bailey Jucks

Chinese Finale Elle Thompson, Keegan Taplet, Zariah James, Arianna Baeta, Kennedy Medor, Braylin Welander, Judith McDaniels, Christina Johnson, Bailey Jucks

Black Russian Lead Tyler Davilsaint

Black Russian Natan Montague, De’Jyan Horne, David Jackson, Terrence Fosque, Charlie Grant

Licorice Helpers Audreaunna Slappy, Kayla Satell, Windy Radical, Violet Epps

Coca-Cola Hadiya Williams, Peyton Lacour, Martine Bartley, Minami Ando, Brooke Geffrey-Bowler, Exodis Ward

Coca-Cola Workers Jamminese Miller, Pamelia T. Smith

Mother Spice Lynorris Evans

Spice Drops Arianna Baeta, Madison Allen, Kennedy Medor, Jordyn Moreland, Sanaa Enahora, Emma Foster, Emery Harden, Jacqueline James, Zariah James, Christina Johnson, Bailey Jucks, Allison Phillips, Sophia Olatunde-Robinson, Channing Sofia Sampson, David Sherwood V, Keegan Taplet, Elle Thompson, Braylin Welander, Amaria Williams, Natan Montague

Under the Skirt Windy Radical, Keilani Enahora, Naiyira Wade, Kayla Satell, Penelope Williams, Audreaunna Slappy, Kelise Phang, Violet Epps

Wild Flower Brooke Geffrey-Bowler, Karla Tyson

Urban Gardener Preston Patterson, Calvin Gentry

Flower Corps Peyton Lacour, Amira Butler, Jovi Grantham, Morgan Upshaw, Aria Dewitt, Courtney Mooring

Grand Pas de Deux Karla Tyson, Calvin Gentry, Preston Patterson

Coca-Cola Opening Peyton Lacour, Martine Bartley, Minami Ando, Taylor Fikes, Hadiya Williams, Exodis Ward

Coca-Cola Finale Peyton Lacour, Martine Bartley, Minami Ando, Taylor Fikes, Hadiya Williams, Exodis Ward

Flowers Opening Aria Dewitt, Morgan Upshaw, Amira Butler, Courtney Mooring, Jovi Grantham

Flowers Finale Aria Dewitt, Morgan Upshaw, Amira Butler, Courtney Mooring, Jovi Grantham

Russian Opening Natan Montague, De’Jyan Horne

Russian Finale Natan Montague, De’Jyan Horne

Tumblers Opening Jordyn Moreland, Madison Allen, Allison Philips

Tumblers Finale Jordyn Moreland, Madison Allen, Allison Philips

💡 Touch a performer name to read their bio!

Crew Bios

Nena Gilreath

(Co-Founder/ Co-Artistic Director)

Nena Gilreath is a ballerina, entrepreneur, and artistic director whose career has been rooted in dance. A graduate of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, she performed with Ruth Mitchell Dance Theatre, the Dance Theatre of Harlem—touring internationally—and the Atlanta Ballet. Recognizing the need for greater racial diversity in ballet, she and her husband, choreographer Waverly T. Lucas II, co-founded Ballethnic Dance Company and Academy of Dance in 1990 to provide high-quality training and performance opportunities for underrepresented communities. Together, Gilreath and Lucas have become award-winning artists and leaders whose work continues to shape and diversify the ballet landscape.

Waverly T. Lucas ll

(Co-Founder/ Co-Artistic Director)

Mr. Lucas attended Marygrove College in Detroit, where he conceived the name and vision for Ballethnic Dance Company. He has created more than 30 ballets, including the full-length works Urban Nutcracker, The Leopard Tale, Flyin’ West, Epiphany, and Jazzy Sleeping Beauty, which premiered in Cincinnati in 2007. He created Ballethnicize, a dance/fitness technique blending African dance and classical ballet, and founded the Danseur Development Project for young male dancers. His choreography has been featured at the 1996 Olympic Arts Festival, Lincoln Center Out-of-Doors, the National Black Arts Festival, and with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. He has also choreographed for the Atlanta Opera and Aurora Theatre. Lucas has taught internationally in Senegal, Brazil, Portugal, and at IABD.

L Gerard Reid

(Musical Director & Sound Designer)

L. Gerard Reid is a native of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and alumni of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, where he studied percussion performance, composition, and conducting. With over 50 years of musical experience throughout the world, Mr. Reid's stage repertoire spans Symphonic & Theater Orchestra and Classic Jazz to Big Band and R&B.

Mr. Reid's commissioned work for Ballethnic Dance Company includes: "Spazzmz" in The Leopard Tale”, "Trouble" for 1996 Cultural Olympics, and the full composition for “Sanctity” performed most recently Kennedy’s Center’s Reframing the Narrative program. In this production of Urban Nutcracker, Reid adapted the original Tchiakovsky score and originally composed “Russian" for the Black Russian dance.

Adam L. McKnight

(Associate Artistic Director)

Adam McKnight is a vocalist, recording artist, and sound technician with Ballethnic Dance Company. Performing since age 13, his artistry spans R&B, Gospel, Pop, and Opera. He has performed as a soloist, with ensembles, and as a background vocalist for stage, screen, and radio. McKnight has worked with artists such as Coy Bowles, Diane Durrett, Scooter Lee, and Cee-Lo Green, and recorded with Grammy winners Train and producers Ed Roland and Phil Tan. He has appeared on stage with Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, B.B. King, Gloria Estefan, and more, and performed with bands including Party Nation and Emerald Empire. His choir, Voice of Atlanta, is featured on the film Till, in the 2019 Super Bowl with Maroon 5, and on Sir Elton John’s Peachtree Road tour.

Theresa Howard

(Rehearsal Director/Guest Artist)

Theresa Howard is a dedicated professional with over 40 years of experience in Mental Health, Substance Abuse, Prevention, Aging Services, Dance, and Education. Blending the arts with human services, she has worked across healthcare, government, and educational settings. A New York native, she holds a BFA from Lehman College, an MS in Dance Movement Therapy from Hunter College, and an Ed.D. in Instructional Leadership from Argosy University. A certified Dance Movement Therapist, Addiction Counselor, Preventionist, and yoga instructor, she has performed widely in African, modern, ballet, jazz, and tap with renowned companies including Chuck Davis, Rod Rogers, Giwayen Mata, and Ballethnic. She teaches at Kennesaw State University, Emory University, and multiple arts institutions.

Laila Howard

(Production Director)

Movement and wellness have always been Laila’s passion. A Spelman College dance graduate, she danced professionally with Ballethnic Dance Company, performing principal roles and training young Black ballerinas, and now serves as Production Director and Artistic Liaison. After a seven-year dance career, she began her yoga journey and has spent nearly seven years as a leader in the wellness space. Her mission is to inspire healing and self-empowerment. She is the author of The Fairy Tale Within: Understanding Your Creative Power and the founder of Fade To Yoga, offering healing through breathwork, mindfulness, and movement. Laila continues to inspire others through dance, yoga, and creative movement.

Lydia Abarca Mitchell

(Ballet, Pointe & Rehearsal Coach)

Ms. Abarca Mitchell has danced leading roles in Agon, Bugaku, Concerto Barocco, Allegro Brillante (George Balanchine), Afternoon of a Faun (Jerome Robbins), Carmen and Jose (Ruth Page), Le Combat (William Dollar), and Rhythmetron, Holberg Suite, Biosfera (Arthur Mitchell) as well as the Swan Queen in the second act of Swan Lake and the lead role of Zobiede in Scheherezade. She appeared as Juliet in Gabrielle Taub-Darvash’s Romeo and Juliet balcony scene at the Delacorte Theater in New York’s Central Park, performed Le Corsaire pas de deux for Marion Anderson’s 75th Birthday at Carnegie Hall, and guested as the Sugar Plum Fairy with the Chicago Ballet’s production of Nutcracker Suite.

Chantal Bartley

(Academy Coordinator)

Chantal Bartley first came to Ballethnic in 2007 when she enrolled her daughter for Ballet VI. As a trained elementary educator with no dance background, she immediately saw the well thought out teaching process at Ballethnic. Ballethnic has been home ever since. Although she came to Ballethnic because of her daughter, she has consistently stayed and donated her time because she believes and has seen evidence of Ballethnic’s commitment to the whole child and the greater community. “I had the pleasure to be the academy administrator from 2014-2018. I left to return to full time teaching, continuing to volunteer for productions and other events. My wish was to be able to return in a more active capacity once I ended my teaching career. My wish has come true.” …..Chantal Bartley.

Taylor Benion

(Office & Program Coordinator)

Taylor Benion’s began dancing at Ballethnic Academy of Dance, where she grew up performing in productions such as Urban Nutcracker and The Leopard Tale while participating in the Ballethnic Youth Ensemble (BYE). Her time at Ballethnic fostered a profound love for dance and the arts, shaping her passion and dedication to the craft. Taylor pursued her studies at the University of South Carolina, earning a degree in Dance Education with K-12 certification and Exercise Science. After college, she embarked on a professional dance career, performing with companies including Ballethnic Dance Company, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company 2, and Washington Reflections Dance Company. Following her performing career, Taylor earned her 200-hour yoga certification and transitioned into the education sector. She has worked in school systems as a teaching and advocating for dance education.

Courtney Clarke

(Instructor/Rehearsal Director)

Courtney Clarke, a native of Atlanta, Georgia, began her dance training at Ballethnic Academy of Dance at age eight. As a member of Ballethnic’s Youth Ensemble, she performed in several full-length ballets, including The Urban Nutcracker, The Jazzy Sleeping Beauty, The Leopard Tale, and Flyin’ West. Courtney expanded her training through four years of competitive dance while continuing classical study. She later performed with the University of Georgia’s Dance Dawgs at athletic and campus events. In 2017, Courtney began teaching at East Athens Educational Dance Center, continuing through her graduation in 2020. She went on to teach at Charlotte Ballet for two years before returning to Atlanta in 2023. Now an Instructor and Rehearsal Director at Ballethnic, Courtney is a proud alum dedicated to inspiring the next generation of dancers.

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Cast Bios

Shelia Spivey

(Big Mama)

Sheila L. Spivey returns for her 25th season as the beloved Big Mama in the Ballethnic Dance Company’s Urban Nutcracker. As a native of Augusta, Georgia, Sheila is a seasoned performer whose artistic journey consists of powerful monologues, heartfelt poetry, and dynamic stage work. Her commanding presence and rich storytelling continue to breathe life into one of the production’s most cherished roles. Beyond the stage, Sheila is deeply rooted in family. She is blessed to still have her 88-year-old mother by her side, and is also the proud mother of one son and grandmother to two. With grace, humor, and a spirit that lights up every room, Sheila L. Spivey embodies the heart and heritage of the Urban Nutcracker Holiday Season.

Karla Tyson

(Snow Queen, Brown Sugar)

Karla Tyson began dancing at age five at Ballethnic Academy of Dance in East Point, GA, under the direction of Nena Gilreath and Waverly T. Lucas II. She specializes in classical ballet, pointe, and partnering, and is also trained in jazz, tap, modern, lyrical, African, and hip hop. Tyson has performed in Ballethnic’s signature productions, The Urban Nutcrackerand The Leopard Tale. In 2009, she was featured as the first Quick Gem in the premiere of Jazzy Sleeping Beauty. Before becoming a professional, she spent two years as a Ballethnic apprentice, performing roles such as Brown Sugar (the Company Member Sugar Plum Fairy) in The Urban Nutcracker at just 16, along with other notable company roles.

Calvin Gentry

(Chocolatier)

Calvin Gentry, an Atlanta native, began his training at Atlanta DanceWorks in Stone Mountain before continuing on full scholarship at Atlanta Ballet Centre for Dance Education, the School of American Ballet in New York City, and Houston Ballet Academy. He started his professional career with Atlanta Ballet, dancing for two seasons, and joined Ballethnic Dance Company in 2002, performing throughout the metro Atlanta area and the U.S. In 2006, he danced with Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, touring nationally and internationally. Returning to Ballethnic in 2010, he began teaching across the region at schools including Ballethnic, Dancemakers of Atlanta, Georgia Dance Conservatory, Phusion, and the British Academy of Performing Arts.

Martine Bartley

(Snowflakes, Coca-Cola)

Martine Bartley began her formal dance training at Ballethnic Academy of Dance in East Point, GA. During her last two years of high school, she had the opportunity to be an apprentice with Ballethnic Dance Company. Martine then went on to obtain a B.F.A. in Dance at the University of Saint Francis which partners with Fort Wayne Ballet in Fort Wayne, IN. She graduated in December of 2020. While at Fort Wayne Ballet, Martine was a trainee with the company. Most recently, Martine danced with the Tallahassee Ballet as a Corps de Ballet dancer from 2021-2023.

Preston Patterson

(Chocolatier)

Preston Andrew Patterson is a native of Atlanta, Georgia where he began his formal training with Ballethnic Academy of Dance in 1998. At 14, Mr. Patterson enrolled at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts and at age 19 he completed his dance training with The National Ballet School of Canada. Mr. Patterson joined Ballet Austin as an apprentice in 2008 before joining the full company where he was a member from 2010-2022. In his time at Ballet Austin he danced works by George Balanchine, Christopher Wheeldon, Justin Peck, and Pam Tanowitz. Mr. Patterson joined Ballet Fantastique in August of 2022 where he has enjoyed dancing roles in fresh takes on classic stories such as Sleepy Hollow, Babes in Toyland, Robin Hood, Cinderella:The 60s Rock Opera. Mr. Patterson is excited to return to his hometown and dance with Ballethnic again. Photo Credit: Bob Williams Photography

Tyler Davilsaint

(Reggae Rag Dolls, Blizzard, Black Russian Lead,)

Tyler Davilsaint was born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida but raised in Deerfield Beach, Florida. Though he started Hip Hop and Liturgical dancing at the age of 14, his actual ballet training commenced before the start of the second semester of my high school junior year. He immediately became passionate about dance after realizing that it is another form of a euphoric escape from his normal life. Tyler also studied Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, Modern/Horton Technique, Contemporary, Liturgical, African and Afro-Caribbean under the directions of Luctricia Welters, Hannah Baumgarten, Pablo Malco, Linda Jenkins, Astrid Audet, Laurie Picinich-Byrd and Rome & Marina Saladino. He aspires to one day become as legendary as Mikhail Baryshnikov after mastering ballet at it's highest level.

Billy Mims-Goodman

(Drunken Father)

Billy Mims-Goodman, known for his signature role as the Drunken Husband in Ballethnic’s Urban Nutcracker, values dance for its artistic influence and its healing power, which has helped him balance the demands of his career as a nurse anesthetist. A member of Whole Heart Productions, co-author of Paper-Thin, Soul-Deep, jewelry maker, and aspiring actor, he brings infectious energy to every endeavor. Mims-Goodman began dancing at age four at the Sammy Dyer School of Theater in Chicago, training in tap and acrobatics under Jerrel Jordan and Teddy Levy, later adding jazz with Jordan and his late sister Brenda Goodman-Calloway. After appearing in Chicago, My Chicago, he explored liturgical dance at Xavier University and expanded into African, Afro-Caribbean, and Dunham techniques through Black Dance USA conferences.

Hadiya Williams

(Reggae Rag Dolls, Queen Rat, Chinese Lead, Coca-Cola, Flower Corps)

Hadiya Williams is a company member and instructor with Ballethnic Dance Company. She began dancing at age three and received most of her training at Eagles Landing Dance Center under Vanessa Gibson. Williams holds B.A. degrees in Dance and Journalism from the University of Georgia. She has trained in ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, lyrical, Horton, majorette, aerial, and West African dance. At UGA, she choreographed and performed in the Young Choreographers Showcase and Black History Month productions, and in 2023 opened for the Martha Graham Dance Company in Steps in the Street. With Ballethnic, she has performed in works including The Urban Nutcracker. Williams has taught throughout Georgia and in Liberia, and believes dance is her gift to uplift her community.

Njema Williams

(Sassy Sadie, Snow Maiden, Spanish))

Njema Williams, a Stone Mountain native, began dancing at age three at Academy of the Arts and later Susan’s Dance Studio. At 12, she began serious ballet training at the City Gate School under Robert Mason and Jennifer Davis, competing at Youth America Grand Prix in 2015. She continued at Ballet Institute of Atlanta, dancing roles including the Snow Queen in The Nutcracker. Williams has attended summer programs at Ballet Austin, Next Generation Ballet, and Nashville Ballet, and performed in Dance Canvas’ Cocktails and Choreography in 2018. She danced with Gwinnett Ballet Theatre’s Professional Ensemble in 2019–2020 and again performed Snow Queen. A 2022 graduate of Agnes Scott College with degrees in Dance and History, she danced with Studio Dance Theatre and earned the Dance Department Award for Creative Excellence. She is now pursuing a master’s in Public History while freelancing as a dancer.

Wesley Fulton

(Greedy Husband)

Wesley Fulton, a St. Louis native, earned a B.S. in Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville while working for a major missile and defense agency. After college, he began dancing with the St. Louis Black Repertory Theatre in productions such as Black Nativity and Bubblin’ Brown Sugar. He has performed at Morehouse College’s Parents Parting Ceremony for several years and for audiences including Oprah Winfrey, Iyanla Vanzant, and Maya Angelou. Fulton is Artistic Director and Choreographer for Hillside International Truth Center’s Truth in Motion and works as a Solutions Engineer for a software company headquartered in Sydney. A longtime guest artist with Ballethnic, he is thrilled to return for another season.

Mona L. Scott

(Grandma)

Mona L. Scott, a native of Jamaica, Queens, began her dance training at the Bernice Johnson Performing Arts Studio. She later became dance captain for Charles Moore African Dancers and Drummers Junior Company in Brooklyn. Scott has taught for the Atlanta/Fulton County school system, Spelman College, and Clark College. She holds a B.A. in Theatre/Dance from Queens College and an M.A. in Dance Movement Therapy from Antioch New England Graduate School. Scott has taught tap and performed in Ballethnic’s The Leopard Tale and The Urban Nutcracker during more than 25 years with the company. She is the published author of four children’s books and a tap dance manual for beginners, and she remains grateful for the opportunity to share her gifts with others.

Charles Grant

(The Sailor, Black Russian)

Charles Grant started dancing in the Bay Area, California, with tap at the young age of 8. He expanded his dance experiences at the ODC School, The Rites of Passage Program under Dimensions Dance Theater and, after finishing high school, Howard University in Washington, DC. Upon receiving his BA from Fisk University; Charles attended The Ailey School where he had the opportunity to join the ensemble cast of Alvin Ailey's Memoria with The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater as well as in The Ailey Spirit Gala Performances (2017-2019). Since finishing his studies, he has danced with Ronald K Brown's: EVIDENCE/Dance Co., Dance Iquail, and has guested with iKada Contemporary Dance Company, Benjamin Briones Ballet, The Black Iris Project, and Ballethnic. Charles has performed in the Bessie Award winning art-installation performance of Nick Cave's The Let Go, the Emmy, Award winning show WILD by The Black Iris Project, and is featured as a dance extra in the FX Series: POSE.

Minami Ando

(Snowflakes, Coca-Cola)

Minami Ando is a Japanese ballet dancer, model, and stuntwoman based in New York City. She has appeared in Madonna’s Hung Up on Tokischa, HBO Max’s The Penguin, Bad Bunny’s EL ClúB, and in editorials for GQ Thailand, People Magazine, A24, Forbes, WWD, and Pap Magazine. She has also been featured in campaigns for Sephora and Spencer’s. A Merit Scholarship recipient, Minami graduated from the Joffrey Ballet School in NYC and earned her BFA in Music, Dance, and Theatre from New Jersey City University. Her performance work includes SeaWorld San Antonio’s Japanese Living Garden show, stunt roles in films and shorts, and appearances in Searchlight Pictures’ A Complete Unknown. Her films have premiered at Cinema Village, the SVA Theatre, and on NOWNESS, with screenings across Canada, Europe, and Japan. Minami brings grace, athleticism, and emotional depth to every project.

Lynorris Evans

(Country Father, Mother Spice)

Lynorris Evans is honored to come out of retirement to perform in Ballethnic’s Urban Nutcracker. Prior to his career as a Lieutenant with Henry County Fire Rescue, he performed with Cirque du Soleil: Viva Elvis and appeared in several Broadway productions, including Motown: The Musical and Leap of Faith. He was also a member of BalletMet. He extends his sincere gratitude to his supportive family and friends.

Brooke Geffrey-Bowler

(Snowflakes, Coca-Cola, Wild Flower)

Brooke began her primary training at Spokane Academy of Dance, under direction of Kristen Potts. She competed in MusicFest Northwest, receiving consecutive gold medals for ballet under the adjudication of Sasha Yaparov, Anna-Marie Holmes, and Jennie Creer-King. She also attended summer intensives at Fort Wayne Ballet and University of Utah on merit-based scholarships. Brooke graduated from Gonzaga University with her BA in Dance, where she studied dance performance and pedagogy. With Gonzaga’s Dance Program, Brooke worked with Pacific Northwest Ballet’s Kyle Davis, where she performed an original solo set to Tchaikovsky’s Variations on a Theme. In 2021, Brooke performed the “Spring Waters” pas de deux with Ben Tucker of Oklahoma City Ballet. Along with being selected to dance with Gonzaga University’s Repertory Dance Company and Ballet Ensemble, Brooke was also chosen to perform as a dancer in Orpheus and Eurydice with Inland Northwest Opera. She now works in the PNW as a Soloist with Ballet Fantastique. During the summer and off-seasons, she dances with #instaballet and Ballethnic Dance Company.

Exodis Ward

(Snowflakes, Chinese Lead, Coca-Cola,)

Exodis Ward is a dancer from El Paso, Texas. She was first introduced to the dance world at age 11, when she took her first ballet class at Champion Dance Studio. She trained under the direction of Andrée Harper and Ouisa Davis. Since then, she’s attended the Jillana School summer intensive, Dance Theatre of Harlem’s summer intensive as a scholarship recipient, and went on to join the Ruth Page Civic Ballet’s training company. She was one of the first recipients of the Lauren C. Anderson Scholarship, a full-ride scholarship for black dancers. With the Civic Ballet, she debuted Nejla Yatkin’s Dreaming with Ruth Page: The Expanding Universe for Ruth Page’s 50th anniversary as well as Les Célébrantes, a commissioned piece choreographed by Timothy O’Donnell. Exodis recently completed a traineeship with the Charlottesville Ballet on a full scholarship where she was a featured soloist in Lorraine Jarrell’s Letter to my Love, “Clara” in The Nutcracker and debuted Ty Cooper Grace’s Black Madonna. She also performed ballets such as Cinderella , Snow White, The Firebird, Keith Lee’s JAG and Mikey Knight’s Maiden, Mother, Crone. Exodis holds a B.A. in Multimedia Journalism with a minor in English Rhetoric, summa cum laude. She is elated for her first season with Ballethnic.

Willie Anderson

(Mr. Johnson, Company Instructor/Rehearsal Director)

Willie Anderson is an accomplished ballet teacher and choreographer with over 20 years of professional performance experience. He began his training at D.M. Therrell High School and continued at the Ballethnic Academy of Dance, where he refined his technique. Willie performed principal roles with the Ballethnic Dance Company and was invited to dance with Cleveland San Jose Ballet and Ballet San Jose. After his performance career, he transitioned into education, teaching at Guangxi University and serving for seven years as Ballet Master of the Chongqing Ballet Company in China. He has since returned to Ballethnic, where he is dedicated to mentoring and inspiring the next generation of dancers.

Taylor Fikes

(Arabian, Coca-Cola)

Taylor Fikes is from Columbia, Maryland. She has trained with The Bolshoi Academy of Ballet in Moscow, Russia, The Joffrey Ballet as Trainee, The Gelsey Kirkland Academy of Ballet, and The Kirov Academy of Ballet of Washington D.C. She recently danced with the Romanian National Opera Ballet and Ballet West. Fikes has also choreographed the piece, A Seat at The Table, using six dancers from Joffrey Ballet’s Trainee program presented in their Black Box Theatre.

Special Thanks

THANK YOU TO OUR CORPORATE, FOUNDATION, & INDIVIDUAL SUPPORTERS

$25,000 and above:
Fulton County Arts Council
Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta
The International Association of Blacks in Dance
WSB TV Channel 2 Family2Family
The Zeist Foundation, Inc.

Transformational Gift:
Chestnut Family Foundation

$5000- $10,000:
Paul R Jones Heritage Fund
Metropolitan Atlanta Arts Fund
Dr. Kevin Carson, Georgia Vascular Institute
Georgia Council for The Arts
South Arts
Community Foundation of Greater Atlanta

$0- $2500:
The Allstate Foundation
The City of East Point
Black Leadership AIDS Crisis Coalition

Individual Donors Under $2,000:
Adam L. McKnight
Alana Whitaker
Alice Lovelace
Angela McWilliams
Anthony Blanchard
Baron Doss
Chantal Bartley
Charyl Nornoo
Donzell T. Flyod
Edward Stallworth
Felicia McCullough
Felicia Momon
Fernie Eustache
Harry Mcknight
Imara Canady
James Cunningham
James Stotts
James W Adamson
Jannie Covington
Janquenetta Parker
Jason Montague
Karen Idlett
Laila Howard
Malcom Williams
Michele Harold
Monica English
Nelson Adamson
Nena Gilreath
Olivia Fuller
Onetta Thomas
Paul Savidge
Rachel Bar
Rahman Howard
Redonia Thomas
Reginald Thompson
Shadrach Sterling
Stephen Barnes
Tarana Baetar
Taylor Benion
Theresa Howard
Velma Spates
Walter Peoples
Waverly T. Lucas II
William Gordon
William Mcknight
PayPal Charitable Giving Fund
Benevity Fund

Corporate & Foundation Donations:
A Dancers Heart
Communiqué USA Inc.
Georgia Certified Development Corp.
Out of the Box Remedies LLC.
South Metro Development Outlook

Ballethnic Dance Company Board of Directors:
Onetta Thomas
Dr. Sumayah Taliafero
Jennifer Thomas
Nena Gilreath
Waverly T. Lucas II
Adam L. McKnight
Dr. Nicola Chin
Karen Lucas
Mark E. White
Tayloir Thompson
Martinique Mix
Ashia Ajani

B-Well Contributors:
Willie Anderson
Dr. Theresa Howard
Dr. Jihan Nabillah Howard
David Holland
Ms. Ellen Finch
Maya Howard
Dr. shady Radical
Barago Hayes

Advisory Board:
Swain Watters
Marva Bryan

Lifetime Achievement Award Winners:
Ms. Cathy Clarke
Dr. Theresa Howard
Mrs. Chantal Bartley
Ms. Felicia McCullough
Dr. Karen M. Lucas

Lifetime Honorary Board:
Mozel Spriggs
Dr. Naim Shaheed

Production Staff:
Production Manager: Mary Parker
Lighting Design: Mary Parker
Technical Director: Brett Rogers
Stage Manager: Tracy Thomas
Assistant Stage Manager: Alanna Gordon
Sound Design : Baily Gafney
Wardrobe: Cathy Clarke
Wardrobe: Shady Radical
Additional Costumes: Jean Yorke, April Ely
Prop Coordinator: Anna Belle Sapp
Asst. Prop Coordinator: Mona Scott
Crew: Brandon Billlups, Jaylin Waters, and Justice O'Bryant
VIP Reception Coordinator: Dr. Nicola Chin
Administrative/Operational Support: Out of the Box Remedies
Company Videographer: Greg Kerns
Company Photographer: Kris Roberts
Studio Documentation Videography: Joe Jones
Boutique Support: Parents and Volunteers
FOH Support: Vivian Reid
Company Coach: Lydia Mitchell
Rigging Specialists: Randy Dempsey
Lighting and Sound: Paul Evans, Russell Terrell
Tech Crew: Good Foot Productions

Special Thanks:
Porter Sanford III Leadership & Staff
Georgia Tech ( Marketing Support)
City of College Park
City of East Point
Fulton County Commissioner
Ballethnic Parent Organization
Vanguard Leadership Academy Youth Volunteers
Technology Support: John Jones (Owner - Latitude Tech)
Microsoft Grant Services: Tech Impact
Sabrina Holmes (IT Business Analyst)
Claire Billington (Implementation Services)
Simon Robinson (Simon Sign Systems)
Rachel Humphrey (MRM Resources)
Rachel Isadora ( Illustrations for “12 Days of Christmas)
Dr. Rosa M. Pasculli

Studio Calendar for Ballethnic Dance Company

Mar 27 2026 Spring Show: Heritage, Harmony & The Classics • Atlanta, Georgia

Ballethnic's Urban Nutcracker 2025: A Soulful Holiday Tradition

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