CARTER

Christie Bishop is happy to join American Legacy Theatre for this reading of the new work Clos(in)g. He has worked with many Cincinnati theatres, most recently in The Drama Workshop’s production of An Enemy of the People. He would like to thank you for supporting theatre in all its forms.

“ALT and Clos(in)g are important to me because every new work of art deserves to be seen and/or heard and this play is a heartfelt piece of theatre for our times.”

MARINA

Veronda "Vee" Gibson is a seasoned entertainer known for her captivating presence in music, theater, and television. Her talent has graced screens on CBS's "Its Showtime At the Apollo" where she claimed victory three times, and BET's "The Way We Do It" hosted by Rickey Smiley. Vee boasts three national theatrical tours and has shared stages with industry luminaries like Derrick Hodge and Vanessa Bell Armstrong. With her strong vocals and versatile acting, Vee has portrayed diverse characters in productions such as "For Colored Girls..." and "A Raisin In the Sun." Despite near-misses like being considered for a leading role in a Tyler Perry production, she remains undeterred, showcasing her talent worldwide. Vee's performances extend beyond television and theater, with notable appearances alongside prestigious musical ensembles like the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra, the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra (POPS) and the Cincinnati Contemporary Jazz Orchestra. In addition to her professional endeavors, Vee finds fulfillment as a Worship Leader at Crossroads Mason. Her commitment to touching lives through her artistry is reflected in her heartfelt quote: "I have a gift, and it's up to me to be responsible with it. Whether I touch one or one million – it doesn't matter to me – as long as I touch people's lives for the better."

“I am deeply honored to join the American Legacy Theater, an institution dedicated to using the power of storytelling to create safe spaces where audiences can confront realities, embrace diverse narratives, and spark vital conversations. I look forward to being a part of this movement—one that doesn’t just entertain but transforms hearts, minds, and communities.”

BRANDY

Anna Hazard is honored to be onstage at American Legacy Theatre for the first time. Anna has most recently been seen in The Sign in Sidney Brustein’s Window at Mariemont (Iris), Sweet Charity with CMT (Nickie), Cat on a Hot Tin Roof at Mariemont (Maggie), POTUS at Falcon (Dusty), and The Tempest with South Bank Shakes (Ariel). It is a gift to have D’Waughn and her parents along for whatever this life brings.

“The work ALT does to advance social justice in our community is vital. We should each contribute in whatever ways we can to make Cincinnati (and our nation) more equitable, and sometimes we need to see it played out in front of us to understand and be moved enough to do something. Bennett brings real life to the stage in CLOS(IN)G, and reminds us that although everyone deserves a safe, stable, affordable home, those homes aren’t readily available for all of us…which means there are things that are terribly wrong in our society.”

LUCAS

Tom Highley has performed in a wide range of roles over the past four decades. During his undergraduate years, supporting roles in A Chorus Line, The Tempest, Working, and All My Sons were well received and led to performance work at King’s Island and corporate theater, where he worked as a vocal director. Going back to school to earn a teaching degree in English, Tom spent years as a high school director, staging productions of God’s Favorite, Don’t Drink the Water, and Crimes of the Heart, to name a few. Years later, Tom returned to acting, earning critical praise in Cincinnati for his role of Allan Swann in My Favorite Year. This led to opportunities on area stages, most notably playing Carl Magnus in A Little Night Music with New Stage Collective, Roger DeBris in The Producers with Cincinnati Landmark Productions, and Hugo West in the fringe festival production of Don’t Cross the Streams. Most recently, Tom appeared in the Josh Steele production of Hot Damn! It’s the Loveland Frog as Pee Paw. Tom is currently a professor of literacy at Georgetown College and is excited to be pursuing his first love, performance.

“As a professor in teacher education, social justice and equity are at the core of my instruction. This allows me to speak to power in way that produces a more informed teaching corps. Working with ALT, and specifically, on Clos(in)g, provides me the opportunity to speak to power through art, which has always been a force for positive change.”

BRENT

My name is Jonathan Hobbs. So excited to be a part of this project and join this company!! CCM: Featured Singer in Ray Charles on My Mind Concert, Hades/Minotaur/Ensemble and Chrion/Posiden u/s in The Lightning Thief: Percy Jackson the Musical, Ensemble and Hud u/s in Hair, Ensemble and Agwe u/s in Once on this Island ELSEWHERE: Callum in Judith, Deliver Us with One Off Productions, Ensemble and Beast and Gaston u/s in Beauty and the Beast with The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati. Instagram: @jonathanihobbs

“ALT and Closing are so important to me because they allow very talented playwrights like Megan to workshop their work and give actors like us a chance to work with some amazingly written plays. I've been extremely excited to be a part of my first staged reading with ALT and can't wait for the next project!”

TEDDY

Phil Latham Born and Raised in Cincinnati Ohio caught the acting bug at the young age of 9. Most recent Productions of King James Directed by Darnell Pierre Benjamin and Blerds Directed by Derek Snow both at The KNOW Theatre. Phil is Super Excited to be apart of Clos(in)g a ground breaking new Show that’s sure to stay with you long after the show. This is Phil’s first production with ALT but surely won’t be the last!

“The Theatre is a place to tell what life is really about the good times and the bad it places you in the characters world and you go on this ride you’ve never experienced before or have experienced but placed so far in the back of your mind you seem to have forgotten but it’s a beautiful realization how far you’ve come. American Legacy Theatre is at the forefront of telling real and new stories and Clos(in)g is one of those stories! We may be different but we experience the same things this story spoke to me in a way I knew I had to be apart of it. So many different lives within the same space going through the same thing from different perspectives it’s truly a beautiful piece of Theatre and Life.”

GEORGE

Deondra Kamau Means is a community engagement specialist and teaching artist whose work celebrates African and American legacies through theatre and storytelling. A proud collaborator with American Legacy Theatre, he is honored to be part of this reading. Deondra has also worked extensively with The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati and Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati, using the arts to educate, inspire, and build community.

“American Legacy Theatre’s mission reflects my own belief in theatre as a force for social reflection and transformation. Clos(in)g speaks to my personal journey — as a father, a new grandfather, and a caretaker walking beside my mother through the early stages of dementia. Through this work, I find both art and life intertwining in the act of letting go, holding on, and finding meaning in the spaces between.”

THERESA

Mary Patton is a Cleveland native who now proudly calls Cincinnati home. A classically trained vocalist, she studied music at Morgan State University and has traveled the world sharing the gift of song. Her performances include appearances at Severance Hall in Cleveland, Carnegie Hall in New York, and numerous concert halls around the globe as a soloist. Mary was part of the First National Broadway Tour of Sister Act, serving as the Deloris understudy. She also toured internationally with Dreamgirls, performing the roles of both Lorrell and Deena, including a residency in Japan. In addition, she was a featured singer aboard Royal Caribbean cruise ships. Beyond the stage, Mary is a proud wife and mother of four — Kaitlyn, Marcus, Makai, and Myron. She enjoys crafting, knitting, and crocheting, and channels her creativity through her small business, Everything With Luv. Mary is also a vocal instructor with Wyoming Fine Arts Center. Mary is thrilled to be a part of Clos(in)g and sends a heartfelt thank-you to her husband, Marcus, for his unwavering love and support.

“ALT and Clos(in)g are important to me because they tell stories from unique perspectives, experiences that may differ from our own, yet remind us of our shared humanity. Both create spaces where every audience member can see, feel, and connect through the universal thread of being human.”

ISABELLE

Ariana Reagor is a 18 year old freshman at the University of Cincinnati’s highly-regarded, College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) where she is pursuing a BFA in Musical Theatre. Her love for theatre began at the age of 6, when she was cast in her high school theatre camp’s production of The Lion King Jr as Baby Nala. She has performed in multiple school musicals throughout the years, which include the roles of Jasmine in Aladdin Jr., Anna in Frozen Jr., Torrey in Freaky Friday, the understudy of Jovie in Elf the Musical, Anya in Anastasia, and Ariel in Footloose. She has also performed in several school plays which include; Iona in Murder at The Regency, Rosse in Macbeth, Maggie in The Man Who Came To Dinner, Marty De Silva in "In the Middle of Grand Central Station, Annie in “The Play That Goes Wrong!” Katheryn in Radium Girls, and Mrs. Gibbs in Our Town.  Ariana was also chosen to participate in The Kristin Chenoweth’s Broadway Bootcamp in 2022, 2023, and 2024.  Ariana loves theatre and looks forward to growing as a performer. Ariana is very excited and thankful to be playing the role of Isabelle in Clos(in)g!

“American Legacy Theatre and Clos(in)g are important to me because American Legacy Theatre shares stories like Clos(in)g that matter! Enriching voices and building empathy in communities that do not always get to experience creative and relevant theatrical experiences is so important to me and I am so grateful to be a part of it!”

STAGE MANAGER

Jake Schaub has been involved in theater for as long as he can remember; from elementary school, to his 3 semesters as a Theatre Major at Thomas More University, to his countless involvements in local theatres, stagecraft had fascinated him. That’s what ultimately leads to his involvement here, in his first production as stage manager for American Legacy Theatre. Please enjoy Clos(in)g!

"It's one thing for someone to simply read and criticize your work. It's another thing entirely to watch your work unfold on a stage, and to clarify the characters and the story you need to tell through the rehearsal process. American Legacy Theatre is a safe place for playwrights and actors alike to refine, reinforce, and raise their voices!"