MUSICAL DIRECTOR: MUNYUNGO JACKSON
From drums, bells, chimes, whistles, blocks, and sticks to sequencers, samplers, and computers, seasoned percussionist Munyungo Jackson possesses an ever-increasing collection of instruments with which to execute his craft. In his more than 30 years of playing, he has performed with Miles Davis, Stevie Wonder, Sting, Dianne Reeves, Kenny Loggins, the Zawinal Syndicate, George Howard, Ronnie Laws, The Temptations, Four Tops, The Supremes, and dozens of others. In addition to his concert, tour and recording work, Munyungo is on the staff of the Watts Towers Art Center in Los Angeles, which brings together master drummers from all over the world to present their expertise. He also leads his own band, Jungo Book, and conducts drum clinics. Along with being the musical director for “Herotique-Aahh…”– collaborating with bassist Joe Ayoub and Morris, Love and Aalda to come up with their characters’ signature rhythms and beats – Munyungo also performs with 3 Blacque Chix whenever his busy schedule permits, most frequenly with Andre Manga on bass. “Most men have no idea what’s going on in a woman’s mind,” says Jackson, “this show will at least give them a clue. Every time I perform with these beautiful, smart, talented, sexy women, I learn something new.”
DIRECTOR/ STAGE: JAMES REYNOLDS
James Reynolds, director of “Herotique-Aahhh…” in its first presentation a full-scale, theatrical production, at The Fremont Centre Theatre, is famed nationally for his 23 seasons as detective Abe Carver on the NBC daytime drama, Days of Our Lives. He was the recipient of both the Valley Theatre League’s ADA Award and a Los Angeles Times “Critic’s Choice” Award for his direction of the FCT production of National Pastime, which he also directed for the Fremont, where, with his wife, Lissa, he is Co-Artistic Director. Lissa Layng Reynolds acted as executive producer for the FCT production of “Herotique-Aahh.”
DIRECTOR/CABARET: KAMALI MINTER
Originally from Brooklyn, NY, twenty-six year old Kamali Minter, combined her passion for writing, acting and the visual arts by pursuing a career in filmmaking. After graduating from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, where she served as ambassador to the film school's visiting delegate of South African Filmmakers, Kamali relocated to L.A., where she became a freelance writer/producer and worked with several film festivals as a coordinator and judge – most notably as the short film coordinator for the Jamerican Film Festival, for three years in a row. In 2004, she started her own company, LUCENT RAIN, to create content that educates, empowers, and inspires youth to make healthier decisions about their lives.
CHOREOGRAPHER: CANDY BROWN
Candy began her professional career in musical theatre under the tutelage of legendary directors, choreographers and performers too numerous to list but who include mentors Bob Fosse and Hal Prince. She does staging for many cabaret artists and has choreographed and directed musicals for Cal State Northridge, has taught and choreographed for Loyola Marymount University and did the choreography for Oo Bla Dee, a Theatreworks production in Palo Alto. She also supplied the movement for Central Avenue and most recently Yellowman at the Fountain Theatre in Los Angeles. Candy currently teaches “Body Awareness for Actors” and adult jazz dance in Hollywood and is the co-founder of BROADWAY NOW! -- a comprehensive and complete seminar preparatory for performing in musical theatre.
TECHNICAL ADVISOR: KENN MICHAEL
By the time he was four, the twenty-seven year old artist – formally known as Kenny Blank – was filming and scoring his own movies and writing jingles for television commercials. At twelve, he became the youngest member of the Black Filmmakers' Foundation, founded by Warrington Hudlin. After landing the role of Michael Peterson in the popular WB series, “The Parent ‘Hood,” Kenn, while still a teenager, also scored 50 episodes of the long-running sitcom. In addition, his digital short films have won acclaim around the world for their provocative sci-fi thriller concepts, technical prowess and music. A much sought-after digital film consultant – who recently completed directing his first feature, Ganked, starring Kel Mitchell -- Kenn has been a key speaker on digital filmmaking panels for the Urbanworld and Acapulco Black Film festivals. With his multi-media company, Codekraft, Kenn is devoted to developing and helming projects that are technologically, conceptually, stylistically and artistically on the cutting edge.
WEBSITE/GRAPHIC DESIGNER: KRISTI URANGA
Kristi Uranga has been a professional graphic designer for over 10 years. wow. that's a long time. After graduating from Penn State University with a bachelor's degree in advertising, she somehow landed in the wonderful, black and white world of newspaper – the fabulous las vegas review journal. After realizing that she was staring for hours on end at a box of 64 crayolas, she decided it was time to add some color back into her life as a designer. Now based in hollywood, kristi runs her own graphic design company, kristidesigns.com and she just had her first child, a baby boy named daniel joshua.
DVD/VIDEO EDITOR: GEORGE ARTOPE/EYE-EDIT
Eye Edit, Inc., established 2004, is an offline creative editorial company specializing in various media formats from Commercials and Music Videos to Television and Films, live shows and promo/demo reels. For more information, contact them @ 213.741.6301 or post@eyeedit.com
TECHNICAL CONSULTANTS: DRAMA 3/4
