What Are You? 2024 Program
What Are You? is an exploration of what it means to be multi-racial in America. Created by Nicolette Emanuelle, who has roots in the Lumbee tribe of North Carolina, this original production delves into the complexities of racial identity through a blend of movement, music, and personal testimonies.
As a devised piece, What Are You? wouldn’t exist without the voices and personal stories that shaped it. The ensemble’s experiences and perspectives are the heart of this work. This collaboration makes the show a living, dynamic exploration of identity, constantly transforming as we continue to explore the unique experiences that multiracial and multicultural people in America face today
Ensemble
Creator, Performer, Composer – Nicolette Emanuelle
Ensemble – Meredith Gordon
Ensemble – Monica Martelly
Ensemble – Jacquelyn “Jacque” Pritz
Ensemble, Composer – Arthur McDonald
Crew
Production Fabricator, Designer & Co-manager – Aileen Loy
Stage Manager – Kai Lewis*
Costume Designer / Board Chair – Dr. L. Nyrobi N. Moss
Video Designer – Olubajo “Bajo” Sonubi
Lighting Designer, Fabricator, Co-manager – Ari Shah Conkright*
Sound Design and AV Tech – Josef “Wuzii” Anwuzia
Dramaturg – Alexis ‘Lexi’ McKay
Production Assistant, Performer, Composer – Gryffin Thomas*
Production Assistant – Alisha Simmons
Production Assistant – Aubrey Salm
Carpenter, Electrics & Build – George Kotler-Wallace, Gabi Collard*, Tom Priester
ASL Interpreter on Friday Nov 22 – Nitzia Ramos
Read CAST AND CREW BIOS by clicking here
Interview Personnel
Jaylyn Amya Haywood
Kai Addae
Vivian Selles
Nicole Marie Spisak
Lexi McKay
Dawn Smith
Mary Fox
and cast
Visual Artists
Violet Lauren
Johnny Diacon
Yellowbird
Jaden Gustin*
* denotes alum of our Youth Creates ensemble.
Additional Music / Sound
Meredith’s selections – This Joy by Florence Gordon, Troubled Man by Marvin Gay, Yo Yo by Rose Royce
Monica’s selections – Danza # 4 written by Haitian composer Ludovic Lamothe
Jacque’s selections – Cariñosa by Florante Aguilar
Narration for Blood Quantum – Dennis Hafford
7 Stages Staff
Artistic Director – Heidi S Howard
Managing Director – Mack Headrick
Facilities Manager – Ari Shah Conkright*
Marketing Coordinator – Devi Wells
Artistic Education Associate / Big Read Coordinator- Dorothy Victoria Bell
Box Office / FOH – Jahi Trotter
Facilities Assistant – George Kotler-Wallace
Special Thanks
Madison Klimas
Deedee Chmielewski
Karin & Jaques Mebius
Turtle Island Trading
Mike Katinsky
Lauren Vogelbaum
Ezra Stene
Karuna Shah
Michael Haverty
Tia Davis
Robby Myles
Jesse Peterman
Jackie Douglas
Lucy Eden
AnnMarie Spexet
Challenge Aerial
Sadie Hawkins
Java Lords
Karine Margron
Scraplanta
Emma Yarborough
Wesley Carter
Gretchen Meister
Cade Nabors
Lucinda Armbrust-Kohler*
The Ancestors of our ensemble
* denotes alumni of 7 Stages Youth Creates ensemble
What Are You? Is Part of the third annual First Voices Festival
Located in Atlanta, Georgia on Muscogee (Creek) land, 7 Stages joins forces with Turtle Island Trading, Zintkala Zi PowWow, the L5P Business Association and Plaza Theatre in producing the third annual First Voices Festival, A Celebration of Indigenous Cultures. November 2024 activities will include the world premiere of What Are You? by Nicolette Emanuelle, an outdoor PowWow with Native American performers and vendors, story sharing with Muscogee (Creek) elder William Harjo, and a special screening of the documentary Bad River at Plaza Theatre. Click here to learn more about First Voices Festival.
All tickets sold for 7 Stages productions include an Indigenous land use fee that is donated back to Indigenous communities annually.
