A B O UT

IMANI THEATRE ENSEMBLE

Imani Theatre Ensemble was founded by Artistic Director,

Michael Atkins Yawn in January 2004.

The primary purpose of Imani Theatre Ensemble is to

provide an opportunity for African Americans actors to
study, rehearse, and perform their craft. We believe that
our expression through the performing arts should serve a
purpose that goes beyond the normal limits of
entertainment. Therefore, it is our commitment to present
a better understanding of the arts as well as quality
entertainment.

Imani Theatre Ensemble will conduct itself in a

professional manner and possess dignity in its character
worthy of the highest respect.
A B O UT
THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Michael Atkins Yawn is a native of Rochester, NY. His theatrical

interests began at Buffalo State College in the Performing Arts
Department as he obtained a B.S. in Business and minored in
theatre. He returned to Rochester and became a member of the
Westside Theatre Collective, where he further developed his
acting and directing under the tutelage of Caril Powell­Price.

Michael has extensive acting credits, appearing in over

thirty productions throughout the northeast. He most
recently performed in August Wilson's "Two Trains
Running" (Holloway) directed by David Shakes and
"Money Don't Make The Man" (Vince) directed by Dita
Monique.

Michael received a fellowship from the Stage Directors Guild of

New York City in 1996 for the position of Assistant Director of
the Broadway production of "Having Our Say" produced by
Geva Theatre Center.

Michael is an experienced playwright and here is a partial listing

of his theatrical anthology:
•"Mustard Seed, Private Pain"­ A gospel musical originally
staged in 1998 and restaged in 2008 to rave reviews and is
considered the gem of all his writings.
•"Put That Woman First"­ 2006 was presented at RAPA Theatre
with excellent reviews.
•"Inspiration"­ 1997, based on the seven principles of Kwanzaa.
•"Keep Your Head Up"­ 1995 was presented at the Rochester
Auditorium Center.
•"The Homeboys"­ 1991, which addressed the issue of street
gangs and has received critical acclaim.
Dale K. Trott, CPCU
2290 East Avenue
Rochester, NY 14610
585­271­3040
dtrott@dgmagency.com

www.dgmagency.com
 S&T
Lounge & Restaurant

Serving
Southern Bar­B­Que
and
Soul Food

Open Daily
11 a.m.­2 a.m.

328­330 North Street

585­454­5355

Sonny Cunningham, owner

 Congratulations to
Michael Atkins Yawn and
the Imani Theatre Ensemble

Teacher Opportunity Corps (TOC)

Program
RE CRUI T I NG P E O P LE O F CO LO R
Who are underrepresented and underserved
in teaching professions, i.e.,
African American, Hispanic American,
American Indian, or Alaskan Native
and committed to teaching in
H I G H ­N E E D U R B A N S C H O O L S .
TOC SCHOLARSHIP MONEY
Available at Nazareth College for
MA S T E R ’ S D E G R E E P R O G R A MS
Leading to Initial and Professional
New York State Teaching Certification

For more information, contact:

Jackie Bryant, TOC Program Director
4245 East Avenue Rochester,NY 14618
(585)389­2684
jbryant6@naz.edu
 MUSICAL PERFORMANCES

“A House Is Not A Home”

By
Luther Vandross
Performed by Mark Sheffield

“You Should Have Been Here”

Lyrics by Sharice J. McMillon
Performed by Sharice McMillon

“Too Much”
Lyrics by C. Sherie Hill
Performed by Patricia Starks II
Accompianist, Gloria Brooks

“Come Rescue Me”

Lyrics by Alicia Bell
Performed by Alicia Bell

“This Ain’t No Game, You See, This Is My Life”

Lyrics by Michael Atkins Yawn
Performed by Patricia Starks II

“If This World Was Mine”

By
Luther Vandross/Cheryl Lynn
Performed by
Felecia Lynn Council & Mark Sheffield

Imani Theatre Ensemble

proudly presents
The Network Steppers
“Yeah, they sho’ nuff good ya’ll”
PO' Boyz Liquor

493 Lyell Avenue

Rochester, NY

Oscar Winbush, owner

 PANTHER
GRAPHICS
Tony Jackson, CEO

The Proof is in the Print!

Phone: 585­546­7163

Fax: 585­325­3943

Bausch & Lomb 2006

MBE Supplier of the Year
 P RO DUCT I O N P E RS O NNE L

Director..........................................Michael Atkins Yawn

Stage Manager............................Tina Chapman Acosta
Box Office................................................Carolyn Henry
House Manager.........................................James Wynn
Marketing Director...............................Mark A. Dulaney
Greeters...................................................Calvin Barnes
Ivy Clarke
Victor Haynes

SPECIAL THANKS

Tony Jackson, CEO

Panther Graphics
465 Central Avenue
Rochester, New York

Gerald E. Hunt, Executive Director

Frederick Douglas Resource Center
36 King Street
Rochester, New York

True Networking Thursdays (TNT)

Minority Reporter Newspaper

Rajesh Barnabas
Videographer
749­0264

Kim Michell & Rajesh Barnabas

Playbill
 T I ME :
Present

S E T T I NG :
Rochester, NY

A CT O NE

“The Book Club vs. The Poker Game”

&
“Peaches ‘Lovejams’ on WLOVE Radio”

A CT T W O

“It’s Gettin’ Hot In Here”

&
“Let’s Give A Toast To Telling Our Men How We Really Feel
From the Heart”

I N T E R MI S S I O N

A CT T HRE E

“Sadness, Pain, Frustration”

&
“Love and Happiness”
 “PUT THAT WOMAN FIRST”

CAST
(in order of appearance)

DJ Peaches............................Tina Chapman Acosta

Benny T...........................................Bryant Cromartie

Casandra.............................................Lorrie Stevens

Michelle.......................................Patricia A. Starks, II

Olivia..........................................................Alicia Bell

Sonny.....................................................Ya­sin Yawn

Playboy........................................Antoine J. McCloud

Debbie.........................................Sharice J. McMillon

Rob................................................Andre Hockerson

Black Magic.........................................Mark Sheffield

Rita.......................................Venisha Terrae Jackson

Honey........................................Felecia Lynn Council