A Note from Donald Rupe
Co-Founder of Renaissance Theatre Company

Welcome to the Ren!
And welcome to Lenox Ave.

Renaissance Theatre Company was founded in 2021 with a mission to create new and original Theatre in Central Florida and beyond. We are focused on fair pay for artists, sustainability, supporting creators/playwrights with diverse voices, and we also want to grow a new audience for live Theatre in Orlando. In September, board member Chris Kampmeier purchased 415 East Princeton Street as a home for us, and we’ve already produced seven wonderful and successful productions here: Nosferatu, The Office Holiday Party Musical Extravaganza Show, La Medéa, Gorgeous, Oscar Wilde and Jesus Christ Walk Into a Gay Bar, Ain’t Done Bad, and From Here. We’ve already announced our next production which will be Nosfera2 and we are so excited to end our first official season with Lenox Ave.

If you're the type who likes to support Non-profit organizations, I hope you'll consider joining the Founders, the elite group of donors who are helping to get us started. We have a goal of raising $100,000 in our first year from 500 new donors, so any gift big or small is truly appreciated: rentheatre.com/giveusmoney. So far, we have already raised over $81,000 from more than 300 donors, so we are off to a good start but we have a ways to go!

Take care, y'all, and I hope you enjoy Lenox Ave!

Donald Rupe

rupedon@gmail.com

A Note from Brandon Martin (Composer/Lyricist)

Having been born and raised in New York City (reppin’ Brooklyn and Queens!), having had the honor of performing on the stage of the historic Apollo Theatre in Harlem, and having the deepest respect for the work and life of Langston Hughes, I am honored to write what is, in a sense, a love letter to Hughes, to Black culture, and to Harlem. Growing up as a first-generation AfroCaribbean-American in New York—and then in Tampa as a teenager, I’ve always seen the arts as a window to other cultures and perspectives, a way to bring people (and the world) together. And that’s probably why it was extremely fun writing what you will experience tonight. Just like Langston’s career—which spoke to the Black American Experience but also how it is united with the wider African Diaspora, Lenox Ave draws from blues, jazz, swing, Hip Hop/Slam poetry, and Caribbean calypso to paint the aural picture of the Harlem Renaissance and of Black American life. Also, while some of the songs are wholly my own, I had the distinct honor of getting to collaborate with Langston Hughes himself (maybe 96 years apart, but who’s counting?) by using poems from his 1926 The Weary Blues to create many of these songs. (I invite you to read the original collection.)

I hope you leave with the knowledge that, at the end of the day…we all just wanna have a good time… So “thank y’all folks for comin’ through!” Please enjoy your visit to Lenox Ave.

Brandon Martin

OUR GOAL

Raise $100,000 by September 2022.

PROGRESS

OVER 81,000 RAISED!

Donate HERE

You can even make a monthly electronic gift of any amount!

Lenox Ave

The Band

Music Director/Piano … Jason M. Bailey

Bass … Andee Jones

Percussion … Philip Washington

Guitar … Matt Lynx

Winds … Raymond Rivera

Trumpet … Bill Moss

The Crew

Writer/Creator … Brandon Martin

Director/Creator … Donald Rupe

Stage Manager … Rebekah Lugo

Sound Design … Stephen Jones

Lighting Designers … Philip Lupo, Diego Ford
Assistant Lighting Designer … Kashime Joseph

Musical Directors … Jason M. Bailey and Brandon Martin

Scenic Design … Rachel Lupo, Jacob Lawhon, Rebekah Lugo, Donald Rupe

Mural Design/Scenic Painting … Joseph Coombs

Costume Design … J. Marie Bailey

Assistants to the Costume Designer … Sara Breitfelder and Adam Ledo

Chandelier Design … Blake Aburn

Lead Carpenter/Construction … Chris Fahmie, John Rawlins, Donald Rupe

Chief Electricians … Kashime Joseph, Samantha Tetzlaff
Electrics Crew … Brea Denno, Helen Strickland, Aaron Frank

Crew (Scenic Construction/Scenic Painters) … Abby Cash, Bobby Wojciechowski, Joseph Rivera, Michael Duncan, Rebekah Lugo

Sound Advice … Chris Kampmeier

Marketing/Graphic Design … Landon St. Gordon

Program Design … Landon St. Gordon

Publicity Photos … Mike Dunn

Publicity Video … Jake Teixeira

Production Photos … Ashleigh Ann Gardner

Additional Video Editing … Dance Mill Media

Bartenders … Adam Ledo, Devin Skorupski, Ryan Petty

Renaissance Staff

(we don’t really do titles)

The One in Charge …… Donald Rupe

The One Who Found the Breaker …… Chris Kampmeier

The Admin Boss Lady …… Rebekah Lugo

The Bar Guy/Production Guy …… Christopher Fahmie

The Sound Guy …… Stephen Jones

The Music Guy …… Jason M. Bailey

The Marketing Guy …… Landon St. Gordon

The House Manager Lady …… J. Marie Bailey

The Social Media/Marketing Wonder …… Abby Cash

Renaissance
Board of Directors

Jason M. Bailey, Debbie Fahmie, Chris Kampmeier, Rebekah Lugo, Donald Rupe, Jake Teixeira, Madison Gomez Teixeira

A Very Special Thanks

(you know what you did for us, and so do we)

Meet the Cast

Adonus Mabry (Choreographer/Dancer) is beyond excited to be returning to Renaissance Theatre Company as part of the creative team. Adonus was in his first Donald Rupe production as an Actor/Dancer in the show titled Bright Young Things that debuted fall of 2020. He made his debut at the Ren in the production of Nosferatu as a dancer and associate choreographer this past October; he was Associate Choreographer for the Osceola Arts production of In the Heights, the Encore Performing Arts production of Cabaret, and Athens Theatre production of Ain't Misbehavin'. In 2021, Adonus made his Choreographer debut for The Frogpig and Friends Variety Hour at the Orlando Fringe Festival and for Head Over Heels for Encore Performing Arts which he was recently nominated for best choreography of the year. His most recent fun at the Ren was choreographing Gorgeous the musical in February. He’s very active in the Orlando community in acting and dancing productions that have helped and supported his continued growth. Adonus is also a principal dancer for Crawford Jazz Project (CJP) which is a professional jazz company under the direction of Carrie Crawford based out of Orlando. He’s a person who is constantly ready to connect and add a little joy to someone’s day, so he is grateful for the opportunity to tell this story of joy and celebration.

Arius West (Dancer/Singer) graduated from the University of Central Florida with his bachelor’s in Theatre, Education, & Stage Combat. He is a performer and teaching artist with The Orlando Repertory Theatre & ArtReach Orlando, a step coach/director for Lake Mary High School and his own adult step team, S.T.O.M.P, and he has put on many different directing hats around Central Florida and continually doing so! Currently, Arius is a Co-Founder of MAC Boys Entertainment whose main prerogative is to increase black talent on stage and black people in the audience, and to entertain the community with stories FOR us BY us because we are more than our pain and trauma. Eventually, the company will help tell the stories of all BIPOC, but the focus is on us first and foremost. Some of his most notable works are Spunk and the Harlem Literati as Richard Bruce Nugent, An Octoroon as BJJ/George/M’Closky, Snowball: A Tragedy as Platinum, Beat Bugs The Musical as Jay, Vote? as Martin Luther King Jr./Federick Douglass, and Sweat as Evan.

Ayò Jeriah Demps (Singer) is proud to be making their debut here at the Ren. A mild-mannered former middle school theatre teacher, they moonlight as a freelance performer and director across Central Florida. Favorite past roles in Central Florida include Man 1 (Songs For a New World); Collins (RENT); Jamie (The Last Five Years); Audrey II’s VoIce (LIttle Shop...) and Asaka (Once On This Island) among others. Ayò is currently a Popular Fiction Writing and Publishing grad student at Emerson College, and lives in Deltona with their wife Tiffany, and their two dogs.

Brandon Martin (Composer/Lyricist/Co-creator/Singer) currently performs at Epcot with The Voices of Liberty and The Dapper Dans at Magic Kingdom. He has also performed as a soloist with the Orlando Philharmonic and has been an actor or music director for various local theatre productions. As a composer, Brandon has been commissioned by Florida Symphony Youth Orchestras for its 2019-20 and 2022-23 seasons and is published by Excelcia Music. BA Music, FSU; MM Choral Conducting, USF. Thank you: Mom, Dad, Malcolm; my family and dear friends; the cast, creative team (a special thanks to Donald for harassing me!), and crew; my mentors and teachers. I love you, Jake.

Caila Carter (Singer) is a gifted and sought after singer/actor whose talents have taken her all around the world. Her resume boasts work with Hong Kong Disneyland, Norwegian and Oceania Cruise Lines, and Universal Studios Florida. She has a genuine love for all facets of the arts, and has extensive experience working both as a performing and teaching artist for numerous organizations throughout the Central Florida region. Caila is THRILLED to be making her debut at The Ren in a show that marries things she is most passionate about: music, history, and black culture.

Darian Payne (Dancer) grew up dancing in Virginia. She studied classical ballet through high school and went on to study Modern dance graduating with a B.A. in Dance from James Madison University. Since then she has moved to the Orlando area where she continues to work as a performer at Walt Disney World. She has also been a part of other projects in the area including Encore’s production of Hairspray as Cindy Watkins. She is so excited to be joining this production of Lennox Ave and to be working with so many talented people from the Central Florida area!

Devin Simpson (Dancer) trained around the Washington D.C. area from a young age. She performed at venues from the FedEx Stadium to the Kennedy Center. She briefly attended the University of the Arts before she left to travel internationally with Capitol Movement. Afterwards, she moved down to Florida to start her career with the Walt Disney World Company. Devin is an advocate for Black art and culture and is honored to bring it to life with the Renaissance Theatre.

Elodie Germain (Singer) a graduate of Rollins College, is a Haitian singer/songwriter with a passion for songwriting, Jazz, musical theatre, and acappella. She grew up in Southern and Central Africa, and now calls Orlando home. Immediately after graduating she was offered the opportunity to perform with the renowned a cappella group, The Voices of Liberty at Walt Disney World. She currently works there fulltime, and is working on her songwriting business. Find her on all social media under Elodie Germain Music.

Evonne Nicole (Singer) has been in love with the arts ever since she was a little girl. She started singing at a very young age and it became her passion. Since childhood, Evonne Nicole has sung in various churches, schools, and community choirs. Not only is she a singer, but also a songwriter, actor, playwright, director, and an up-and-coming costume designer. In 2017, she performed a lead role in the musical, Christmas Is Comin’ Uptown at the Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Center in Orlando. That same year, she wrote and directed her first play, The Hardest Gift To Give, which is a testament of how difficult it is to give the gift of forgiveness. Since then, Evonne Nicole has performed in multiple plays and shows throughout Central Florida; most recently as Marie (The Fairy Godmother) in Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella and Cedella in Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds at Orlando Repertory Theatre. She also plays the role of the singing sorceress, Celestina Warbeck, in Diagon Alley at Universal Orlando. Evonne Nicole is determined to make it to Broadway and even the big screen one day, but in the meantime, she continues to hone her craft and maintain an active career in the arts & entertainment industry; all while being a wife, mother, and businesswoman.

Johnathan Lee Iverson (Singer) is elated to debut at the Renaissance Theatre Co. He was previously celebrated in the Winter Park Playhouse productions of Trav’lin: A 1930’s Harlem Musical Romance and Crazy for Gershwin. The Broadway Worlds – Best Actor (Orlando), for his portrayal of “Rev. Moore” in The Garden Theatre Presents a Tennessee Walk, is also a featured artist with Opera Orlando. He serves as board chair for Omnium Circus at omniumcircus.org and is celebrated for his historic tenure as ringmaster of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey. Named one of Barbara Walters 10 Most Fascinating People, he is most proud of being a question on JEOPARDY® twice. He dedicates this engagement to his dazzling wife, Priscilla and their sparkling children, Matthew & Lila. Connect with Johnathan at: www.bigtopvoice.com

Kyle Bumphus (Dancer) hails from San Diego where he trained with Culture Shock San Diego for many years before making the jump to the theme park world, where a summer job has turned into a 15 year career. He has now found a new love for the theater stage. Many thanks to the cast and crew for trusting me to make this beautiful experience come to life and to his amazing family and friends always being an amazing support system. Love is love is love is love @kbump88

Lizzy Allen (Singer) is a singer, songwriter, and actress currently based in Orlando FL. A New Jersey native, she is an alumnus of Papermill’s award-winning Broadway Showchoir. Some favorite credits include: Christmas Past in A Christmas Carol (Orlando Shakes), Ethel Cromwell in Gorgeous (Renaissance Theater Company), and Belle in Beauty and the Beast (Orlando Shakes). She would like to thank her friends and family for all their love and support. @lizzyallens on Instagram.

Matti Endsley (Dancer) has received her BFA in Dance with a minor in Musical Theatre from Point Park University. She was classically trained at Orlando Ballet starting at age seven, as well as professionally at Atlanta Ballet. Some of her theatre credits include: Hairspray, Rogers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, and Disney’s Freaky Friday: The Musical at the Orlando Rep Theatre, Oklahoma with the UCF Conservatory, The wedding Singer, The Producers, and Ain’t Misbehavin’ at The Athens Theatre. You may also find her dancing at Universal Studios Orlando making some magic. @mattiendsley

The Band

Jason M. Bailey (Music Director/Piano) aka The Bearded Maestro is a Musician/Performer/Composer in Orlando. Jason teaches private voice, is the music director for Renaissance Theatre Company, and works as a freelance accompanist. His original show credits include arranger/orchestrator/music director for Gorgeous, Oscar Wilde and Jesus Christ Walk Into a Gay Bar, Bright Young Things (winning Critic’s Choice for Music Direction), From Here, and Flying Lessons, which played Off-Broadway. Jason has music directed for many theatres and schools including UCF, Rollins College, Osceola Arts, CFCArts, Wayne Densch, WPHS, and Trinity Preparatory School. He has taught musical theatre for the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Orlando Rep, Oregon Children’s Theatre, Missoula Children’s Theatre, and CFCArts. Jason has also performed with theatres around the country including Rocky Mountain Repertory Theatre, American Family Theatre, Chanhassen Dinner Theatre, Salem Repertory Theatre, and CFCArts. thebeardedmaestro.com

Andee Jones Jr. is an Orlando native and is developing a career as a full time musician and multi-instrumentalist. Growing up in a musical family, he started playing instruments in his church, participating in band and orchestra in school, and starting his performance career in marching percussion with Infinity Percussion in 2014, STRYKE Percussion in 2016 and 2017. Andee has experienced instruction from a wide range of world class individuals and taken part in teaching the marching activity for almost 10 years.

Now, the focus is solely on developing experience, proficiency and expression while surrounding himself with various musical people and settings. Otherwise, Andee enjoys spending time with family and friends, social dancing, and eating good food! He continues to hone his craft, exploring every musical experience that life brings and maintains that “music is a lifestyle” everyday.

Philip Washington, a native of Westchester, New York, is an active performer and educator now living in Orlando, Florida. After earning his Bachelor’s Degree from the College of St. Rose (Albany, NY), Philip completed his Master’s Degree at Bowling Green State University (Bowling Green, OH) while working as a Percussion Graduate Teaching Assistant. Philip served in the military as a percussionist and soloist with The Band of the United States Air Force Reserve. In addition to performing with local jazz, blues and ska bands, Philip has performed with the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, the Ocala Symphony Orchestra, the Gainesville Orchestra, and the Savannah Symphony. Past teachers include Ed Thigpen, Roger Schupp, Chris McGinnis and Mark Foster.

William Torrence Moss, affectionately known as Bill, by most acquaintances, was born on January 29th, 1962. While in the Orange County School System, Bill started playing the trumpet at age 12, at Zellwood Elementary, continuing on through Apopka Junior and Senior High Schools. He went on to study music at the University of Florida, where he played in the marching band, concert band, symphonic band, orchestra and jazz band.

Bill has played with some of the best musicians on the planet. He doesn’t “name drop” unless asked, but he is respected by his peers through the spirit of their mutual gifts. By the Grace of God, Bill’s trumpet continues to sing and bring joy to audiences near and far. Bill thanks The Creator for his talent everyday.

Ray has been playing sax since he was 8 years old, and started playing musicals at an early age. Immersed in performing arts his whole life, Ray has had an internship with the BBC Concert Orchestra on Oboe, he was also chosen as the Bari Sax player for Florida's Intercollegiate Band two years in a row. Recently, Ray has performed in musicals such as The Color Purple, The Wild Party, The West Side Story, Gypsy, The Full Monty, and Bonnie and Clyde, among others. Ray is a proud senior, currently working on his Music degree at Rollins College.

Matt Lynx is a guitarist who plans on attending UCF to complete his degrees in music. He jumped on the theatre scene with his 2022 fringe performance in “Bullock and the Bandits”. In his debut, he won critics choice for “best individual performer” as a guitarist and keyboardist. Lynx will be playing guitar in sea worlds’ “Monster Stomp” Halloween show, and continues to showcase his talent throughout the Central Florida area. He would like to thank Bryce Hayes for getting him involved in the theatre world and for introducing him to Renaissance Theatre Company. He hopes you enjoy your time on Lenox Ave.

The Crew

Donald Rupe (Producer) is the co-founder of Renaissance Theatre Company (with a lot of help from his friends). An accomplished theatre-maker based in Orlando, Donald has written a number of successful theatrical productions (mostly musicals with Jason M. Bailey), including: Bright Young Things; From Here (fromhere.com); Flying Lessons (featured in the New York Musical Festival in 2019); Oscar Wilde and Jesus Christ Walk into a Gay Bar; Once I Laughed; and others. Donald was also the founder of a community theatre program for Central Florida Community Arts, where for five years he ran a traditional season of productions with much success. Donald's numerous directing credits span the better part of twenty years and many wonderful companies throughout Central Florida. Rupe is also an accomplished educator, having served on the part-time faculty of Valencia College for over a decade and as an award-winning high school educator. Donald received his degrees in Theatre from New York University and Florida State University.

Chris Kampmeier (credits go here) is the co-founder of Renaissance Theatre Company as well as a computer and sound engineer. He had the incredible fortune to be A Nearby Guitar Player just as Donald and Jason began their songwriting relationship with From Here at the Orlando Fringe Festival in 2019, then Flying Lessons at the New York Musical Festival (drums and percussion), the first expanded run of From Here, and sound/music for many of the other original shows Donald listed above. Welcome to the Ren!

Philip Lupo (Lighting Design) is a regional Lighting, Sound, and Video Designer whose previous work at Renaissance includes Nosferatu and Office Holiday Party. Other design credits include Little Shop of Horrors (Orlando Shakes), Monster Stomp (SeaWorld Orlando), and Into the Woods (DreamCatcher Theatre). His non-theatrical lighting projects can be seen in television stations from Palm Beach to Las Vegas. Philip also serves as the Production Manager and Technical Director for Florida State Junior Thespians, helping develop the performers and designers of tomorrow. He could not be more excited to be working with Renaissance to bring this exciting work to Central Florida audiences. Get in touch at www.philiplupo.com.

Stephen Jones (Sound Designer) is a recent transplant to Orlando, having recently moved from Little Rock, Arkansas. There, he worked for four years at the Arkansas Arts Center Children's Theatre as a company actor, sound engineer/designer, and teaching artist. Some credits include Thorin Oakenshield in The Hobbit (not the musical); Lurvy in Charlotte's Web; and Scrooge in A Christmas Carol (again, not the musical). Stephen has also been known to moonlight as a film, television, and theatre critic. Bylines include The Source; TheKnockturnal.com; the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette; and a couple of websites that folded! He is excited to be a part of this production and to have been welcomed into the Orlando theatre community.

Christopher Fahmie is overjoyed to be a part of Renaissance Theatre Company. He would like to thank Donald Rupe and Chris Kampmeier for this exciting opportunity to bring groundbreaking art to our hometown of Orlando.

Rebekah Lugo (Stage Manager/Ren Theatre Administrator) is absolutely thrilled that her real life job is at the Renaissance Theatre Company. She has had a wonderful time working with this delightful cast, crew, and band. She’d like to thank her friend family for all of their support during this time in her life and she hopes you enjoy your visit to Lenox Ave.