Nsangou Njikam is an actor, playwright and Hip Hop Theatre artist originally from Baltimore, MD. His writing credits include Syncing Ink, Re:Definition, When We Left, A Freeky Introduction, I.D., 21 STRINGS and he is one of seven writers of Hands Up: Seven Plays; Seven Testimonials. Acting credits include Syncing Ink (Alley Theatre/Flea Theater), Re:Definition (La MaMa), Henry V (Classical Theatre of Harlem), Deep Azure (Congo Square Theatre). NSangou’s play Syncing Ink will debut at the Apollo’s Victoria Theater starting May 2024. Re:Definition (Hip Hop Theatre Festival reading) was developed and directed by Chadwick Boseman. NSangou has also written for and collaborated with Grammy Award winner Common, specifically on his Audible.com project BlueBird Memories, the 2020 NBA All Star Game and the Audible interview series Mindpower Mixtape. His Hip Hop Theatre play, I.D. (commission by Penn State University), premiered at the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown, South Africa. NSangou is a member of the 2015 Emerging Writers Group at the Public Theater as well as a member of UNIVERSES, a theatre company fusing jazz, blues, hip hop, Spoken Word and Spanish boleros. He received his BFA in Acting from Howard University. After tracing his African ancestry, he received his name from the Bamum King in Cameroon. He is represented by United Talent Agency. He currently resides in New York City.

Awoye Timpo is a Brooklyn-based Director and Producer. Her recent New York credits include Elyria by Deepa Purohit (Atlantic Theater), Wedding Band by Alice Childress (Theatre for a New Audience), In Old Age by Mfoniso Udofia (New York Theatre Workshop), The Loophole by Jay Adana and Zeniba Britt (Public Theater), Carnaval by Nikkole Salter (National Black Theatre), Good Grief by Ngozi Anyanwu (Vineyard Theatre and Audible) and The Homecoming Queen by Ngozi Anyanwu (Atlantic Theater Company). Regionally she has directed The Bluest Eye (Huntington), Pipeline (Studio Theatre), Paradise Blue (Long Wharf), Everybody Black (Actors Theatre of Louisville), School Girls (Berkeley Rep), Jazz (Marin Theatre Company). Other projects include concert performances for independent artists as well as for the NBA, Ndebele Funeral (59E59, Edinburgh, South African Tour), Black Picture Show (Artists Space/Metrograph), and Bluebird Memories (Audible). Awoye is a Creative Arts Consultant for the African American Policy Forum and the Founding Producer of CLASSIX, theclassix.org. 

Adesola Osakalumi is a Bessie Award-winning and Drama Desk-nominated Choreographer and Actor of stage and screen. His choreographic work includes Renaissance Mixtape (Victoria Theater); Skeleton Crew (Broadway, MTC); Cullud Wattah, Coal Country, Othello (Public Theater); runboyrun, Eyewitness Blues (NYTW); Good Grief (Vineyard); Jam on the Groove (Minetta Lane); and the film School of Rock. As a performer he has appeared in Skeleton Crew, Fela!, Equus (Broadway); runboyrun (NYTW); Syncing Ink (Flea/Alley Theater); and the films Red Pill, IBRAHIM, Enchanted, Across the Universe, Sex and the City 2, Endgame (NBC), Ice. adesola.com

Jason Ardizzone-West is an Emmy Award-winning set and production designer whose work spans the genres of live theater, TV/film, concerts, immersive, and architecture. Off-Broadway credits include Renaissance Mix Tape (The Apollo); Monsoon Wedding (St Ann’s Warehouse); shadow/land, The Michaels, Illyria, The Gabriels (The Public Theater); Elyria (The Atlantic Theater); Wedding Band (TFANA); The Michaels Abroad, Uncle Vanya (Hunter Theater Project); Good Grief (Vineyard Theater). Regional credits include Redwood (La Jolla); I Am Delivered’t (Dallas Theatre Center/Actors Theatre of Louisville); The Importance of Being Earnest (Pittsburgh Public Theater/Baltimore Center Stage); Party People, Once On This Island (Actors Theatre of Louisville); Scrooge! (Arizona Theatre Company); Our Town (Syracuse Stage); From The Mississippi Delta (Westport Country Playhouse); K-I-S-S-I-N-G, The Bluest Eye (Huntington Theatre); Grace (Fords Theatre); Bliss (5th Ave Theater); School Girls, Or, The African Mean Girls Play (Berkeley Rep); Uncle Vanya (Old Globe). Concerts, touring, TV & film credits include Jesus Christ Superstar Live (Emmy), Usher, Phish, Florence + The Machine, Lana Del Rey, Adele, Pentatonix, Dermot Kennedy, Hikaru Utada, Blue Man Group. Web: www.ardizzonewest.com, Instagram: @jasonardizzonewest

Ty Hunter is the true embodiment of kindness and creativity hailing from the vibrant city of Austin, Texas. His extraordinary talent and ethereal presence make him stand out even among his fellow Texans. With an impressive portfolio encompassing major events, renowned brands, and household names, Ty has become more than just a stylist ⎯ he has become the living embodiment of style.

Ty's indelible mark on fashion history is undeniable, having worked with icons such as Destiny's Child, Beyoncé, and Billy Porter, to mention just a few. His designs and groundbreaking ideas continue to influence various facets of the fashion industry, as well as the realms of technology and personal empowerment. Whether it's in the form of elevated streetwear or the uplifting messages he shares on his captivating Instagram account, @tytryone, Ty's undeniable touch can be spotted from afar.

G Clausen is a Sound Designer and Composer. Some of his theatrical credits include I Am Deliverd’t (Dallas Theater Center); Twisted Melodies (St. Louis Repertory); How I Learned What I Learned, Native Son, Skeleton Crew (Playmakers Repertory); PYG or The Mis-Edumacation of Dorian Belle (Studio Theatre); Queen of the Night (Victory Gardens Theater); My Wonderful Birthday Suit, The Snowy Day (Children’s Theatre of Charlotte); The Revolutionists, Rebellious, The 39 Steps, Member of the Wedding, Dirty Blonde, Fences, Don Juan, The Mystery of Irma Vep, And Then There Were None, A Christmas Carol, Two Wolves and a Lamb (Triad Stage); The Piano Lesson, Too Heavy for Your Pocket, How I Learned What I Learned, Intimate Apparel, A Raisin in the Sun, and Hooded, or Being Black for Dummies (Pyramid Theatre Company); Welcome to Arroyo’s, Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery (Cape Fear Regional Theatre).

Hailing from Newark, NJ, Kyleel Proda (Prō-da) Rolle is quickly making a name for himself in music as a versatile & genre-blending producer, artist & entrepreneur. At only 11 years old, Proda made his TV debut on Showtime at the Apollo, introduced by Whoopi Goldberg as Apollo’s Child Star of Tomorrow. Shortly after, Proda made a cameo appearance in Alicia Keys’ music video for her hit single, “Unbreakable.” Throughout his adolescence, the young creative continued to develop his talents across mediums, performing, producing artists, creating graphics & designing clothing. 

In 2013, Proda went on to attend NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, where he was recognized for bridging the gap between the Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music and the Kanbar Institute of Film & Television. Proda led the collaboration between film students & recorded music students of each institute, pioneering the “Sonic Motion Picture,” a short film built around sound. Proda wrote, executive produced and scored the film, PRÆY, which won Best Youth Film at the Blackstar Film Festival. This short film was an exploration of the complexities of choice amongst young Black men & their vulnerability to spiritual guidance. Since its success in the film festival circuit, PRÆY has evolved into a lifestyle clothing brand that blends conceptual art with high quality garments. 

After graduating from NYU in 2017, Proda founded XX/20 Visions, a creative agency that produces multimedia experiences for artists and brands. As the Principal Creative Director, Proda has led collaborations with artists like OSHUN, BYHAZE, Highclass Hoodlums, and Eboni Pearce, to create iconography, album artwork, music videos, short films, and a signature sound. As a music producer, Proda has also worked with contemporary legends, such as Black Thought of the Roots, Wyclef Jean, Sean C and Caron Wheeler of Soul II Soul. 

The success of OSHUN’s bittersweet vol. 1 led to a world tour, which featured Proda as a DJ and Emcee. In addition to performing across the United States, Proda has toured internationally, performing in over 20 countries including Kenya, France, Spain, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, UK, and Brazil. Proda also performed internationally at a number of major festivals, such as Glastonbury Festival, MELT Festival, Africa Oye Festival and Couleur Cafe Festival. In 2019, Proda performed at the Grammys with Logic. In 2020, Proda toured with Ms. Lauryn Hill as the opening act for a sold-out five city tour, bringing his musical journey full circle. Throughout his career, Proda has opened for many major artists like Future, Lil Uzi Vert, 21 Savage, The Internet, Masego and DMX. 

Proda is constantly evolving, and his art is testament to that. Creating new worlds through sonic design & imagery, Proda is a thought leader in the art world. Bringing us into the world of this project, Syncing Ink, is Proda’s latest creative mission.

Chief Ayanda Ifadara Clarke, Ajibilu Awo of Osogboland, is a master percussionist and educator. Highly skilled and internationally revered, he embodies and uplifts African and African Diasporic traditions in all aspects of his life and professional work. As a creative content consultant, one of his specialties focuses on the intersections of art, culture, and spirit.

Born and raised in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, “Chief Ayanda” (as he is affectionately called) is a GRAMMY® Award-winning musician and has performed or shared the stage with countless masters ranging from Michael Jackson and Will Calhoun to KRS-One and Erykah Badu. As a gifted composer, his original music has been recorded, performed, and licensed for television, film, and Off-Broadway theater productions.

His business organization, THE FADARA GROUP, houses his music, culture, and spiritual programs and events. Clarke was installed as a chief in Osogbo, Nigeria, nominated by his teacher, Chief Agbongbon Fakayode Faniyi. He is a spiritual health counselor and healer who serves as an initiate of Ifa, Orisa (Yemonja), Ayan, and Egungun (ancestors). He’s also the founder and Chief Babalawo of Ile Oturupon Sokun Temple.

Sybil R. Williams is a playwright and dramaturge who currently teaches in both the Theatre/Musical Theatre Program and the Critical Race and Gender Studies Collaborative where she serves as Program Director for African American and African Diaspora Studies.

Her work has been professionally produced by Chicago’s ETA Creative Arts Theatre; New York’s National Black Theater; Pittsburgh’s Kuntu Theatre; University of Pennsylvania; CALARTS; and Harlem’s Rebel Theatre. Her play DREAM OF OPHELIA was nominated for a JEFF Award. A LIBERATING PRAYER: A LOVESONG FOR MUMIA has been published in AUGUST WILSON AND THE BLACK AESTHETIC. As a dramaturge, she has worked at the Arkansas Repertory Theatre, The Lark Theatre in New York City, and the Alabama Shakespeare Festival.

Her first musical FROM U STREET TO THE COTTON CLUB was produced by the In-Series January 2019. An additional play GLORIA AND RWANDA was produced by FRESHH Theatre as part of their new works development series in July 2019. Her play STORMY WEATHER, an adaptation of Shakespeare’s TEMPEST, recently premiered at the Atlas Theatre in October 2019. She completed an adaptation of Mozart’s MAGIC FLUTE titled BLACK FLUTE with the IN-SERIES, which premiered in Spring 2021. She also co-authored an adaptation of ALCESTIS, which premiered at the IN-SERIES in Fall of 2023.

Her latest work ETHIOPIA will be the final production in IN Series 2024-2025 season dedicated to celebrating the social justice role theater and the arts play in America. Written as the first living newspaper as part of the 1930s Federal Theater Project, ETHIOPIA was censored by the US government and never received a public performance. This new production will mark its important world premiere in an adaptation that includes new music composed by DC jazz pianist and composer Janelle Gill, based on the music of Emahoy Tsegué-Maryam Guèbrou, the Ethiopian composer whose DC-based foundation is dedicated to providing musical instruments and artistic experiences to youth in Addis Ababa and Washington, DC. The work is part of a larger project funded by the American University Anti-Racist Policy Center’s inaugural Jacqueline Cirillo and Richard Meisenberg Grant.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, with three sisters and one younger brother, Stretch was influenced by his dad Emilio Austin, Sr. His Dad danced as a youth and provided Stretch with discipline, inspiration, support and motivation, and remained by his side to guide him throughout his career. This foundation carries Stretch, a father himself, throughout his personal and professional career today. Stretch heavily impacted the dance world by bridging the gap between what was termed Ol’ Skool and New Skool. His dance style, known as Freestyle Hip-Hop, draws from all aspects of Hip-Hop culture, music and dance. These moves during the early days of music videos helped to launch the popularity of dance in this medium, as well as live shows. 

Stretch’s first audition was for The Dance Theater of Harlem; however, he left after seeing dancers in leotards and tights. His first video was with Eric B & Rakim, “Eric B for President.” He met the members of his first dance crew Mop Top at a music video audition they booked for Diana Ross, “Working Overtime.” They began to hang out at New York’s night spot, The Tunnel, and later formed their crew. He later formed a crew called Elite Force who appeared in documentaries, music videos, live shows and in countless projects overseas. 

His first choreography job was for Joeski Love (“Pee Wee Dance”) and he went on to work with the likes of Rosie Perez; Will Smith in the “Men In Black” and “Miami” videos; Michael Jackson’s “Remember The Time” video (his most memorable experience); and more. He was nominated for two MTV Awards for Best Choreography for the Will Smith videos “Men In Black,” “Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It,” and “Miami.” Recent credits include choreography for Virgin recording artist Thalia (on Good Morning America), Aida Tony Award winner Heather Headley, Hot ’97 Air Personality Angie Martinez, and rapper Rah Diggah. 

In 1989, Stretch was the first Hip-Hop dancer to teach Hip-Hop in a mainstream dance studio – New York’s Broadway Dance Center. Stretch is no stranger to music. An MC and writer himself, he recorded an underground hit called “It Don’t Matter” by Ten Thieves and continues to make music today. His versatility is also displayed by his participation as a dancer and contributing choreographer for the Dance Theater crew Full Circle, and Co-Artistic Director of the Dance Theatre Company MiddleGround. His trendsetting style keeps him in demand as a choreographer, dancer, teacher and performer. His passion for dance is exhibited every time you experience his work. Stretch believes “music is the universal language; dance is its interpreter.”