2 the Left: A Tribute to the Life of Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes

Kerisse Hutchinson (Playwright/Lisa) is a multi-talented award-winning actress, dancer, writer, and producer of Bajan and Jamaican descent raised in Queens, New York.  As a beacon of the Most High, she creates art from seed to FRUITion that invokes spirits to move; literally & figuratively. 

“[A] sprite with rubber legs and megawatt energy.... to ACT and to RAP and DANCE...It's not easy to find people with that skill set...." is what a reviewer said  of her portrayal of the title role in Will Power’s hip-hop musical Honey Bo and the Goldmine at the prestigious La Jolla Playhouse (San Diego, CA) under the Artistic Direction of Tony Award winning Des McAnuff.  Kerisse is a graduate of Towson University, Magna Cum Laude with Double Honors and received her dance training at the Alvin Ailey School, dancing with numerous companies and music artists.  She is known for portraying a wide range of characters with an honesty, emotional rawness, and vulnerability in national and international productions.  She has also taught “Writing Your Story” and Spoken Word classes at a high school and detention center in Cape Town and Johannesburg South Africa and most recently at Big Brothers Big Sisters. 

Writing acknowledgements include: Synchronicity Theatre's Stripped Bare: Arts Incubator Project Winner (Atlanta, GA); an A-List selection at the National Black Theatre Festival Garland Thompson, Sr. Reading Series (Winston-Salem, NC); and the BorderLight International Theatre Festival (Cleveland, OH). She is also a two-time recipient of the Fulton County Arts and Culture Individual Artist Grant.   

Additional theatrical achievements include: Drama Desk Company Award winning Trojan Women (NYC), Macbeth in Bonn and Neuss, Germany, Underground Griots at the National Black Theatre Festival (Winston-Salem, NC), and the Downtown Urban Theater Festival’s Best Audience Winner Destiny Manifested (NYC).  Film credits include: Harlem International Film Festival Best Actress award winning role in the SXSW and Gotham Award nominee feature, August the First; Rise of the Zombies; Dough Boys; The Janky Promoters; and 24 Hour Love.  Television credits include: recurring on All My Children, guest starring on The Defenders, Law & Order: SVU, The Whole Truth, and Rescue Me. 

Kerisse also founded the nonprofit company GuiDANCE Autism, Inc., Bringing the joy of dance to children with special needs www.GuiDANCEAutism.com. 

Special thanks to Ann-Carol for “staying true to your word”, the supportive and talented Aurora Team, the DOPER THAN DOPE 2TL Fam, and the many generous supporters for breathing life into this production and joining me on the #Journey2TheLeft.  Extra special thanks to Lisa’s family and friends for all of your support and for entrusting me with your stories and love for your beloved Lisa; and Ronald, thank you for answering my FB message :-)  Most importantly, thank you Lisa for lending your spirit to this play and guiding me through its evolution as well as the evolution of my own life.  My sincerest gratitude to the other angels who have found their way into this play through Lisa’s journeys: Ronald Lopes, Sr., Uncle Kyle Young, Dr. Sebi, Tupac Shakur, Afeni Shakur, and Aaliyah and sisterly thanks to my heavenly baby sis Tiye for being my guardian angel; you are forever a part of everything I do….  And to God for that small voice followed by His “Yes and AMEN.”  While this work is based on the life and spirit of Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes and portions of it is in Lisa’s own words, some dramatic licenses have been taken to create a more streamlined narrative.   During this unparalleled time, I’m excited about mounting this play to continue Lisa’s legacy and spark the inner creators and rebels in us all.  This play is dedicated 2 The Left in all of us.  Stay safe, protect your happy, and LOVE!  Pass it on….  For more information visit www.Kerisse.net and follow me on Instagram at #Kerissegram

ANTHONY P. RODRIGUEZ (Producing Artistic Director/Co-Founder) Aurora Theatre opened in the summer of 1996 and Anthony Rodriguez and Ann-Carol Pence established Aurora Theatre, Inc. as a non-profit organization in 1999. Under their leadership, the theatre grew from 120 season subscribers to the 5100 subscribers Aurora Theatre currently boasts. Aurora’s success led to an ABBY Award nomination in 2002 for Arts Professional of the Year. Mr. Rodriguez’s greatest accomplishment to date was the successful negotiation to relocate Aurora Theatre to downtown Lawrenceville, Georgia where it serves as the cornerstone for their revitalization. This nearly $7.5 million complex houses 2 theatres, rehearsal space and offices and opened in the spring of 2007. Aurora’s accomplishments include: Learning Library, an Educational Theatre Program, Aurora’s Apprenticeship for recent college graduates, Aurora Academy and Conservatory where students learn about theatre from working professionals, Aurora’s Musicals by Moonlight an annual outdoor summer concert, Cabaret and Comedy Series musical and stand-up comedy evenings between mainstage events, and Teatro Aurora, a professional Spanish-language theatre company that was created to highlight Latino cultural heritage and to help build social bridges in our community. Anthony is past Chair of Partnership Gwinnett and past Chair of the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce, where he was the first Latino and Arts leader to serve in that position. Mr. Rodriguez is a member of Screen Actor’s Guild, Theatre Communications Group, Duluth Rotary Club, and serves on the national steering committee for the Latinx Theatre Commons. Mr. Rodriguez is a graduate of Marist High School, the University of Georgia with a BFA in theatre, the Atlanta Regional Commission’s Regional Leadership Institute and the National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures’ Leadership Institute and Advocacy Institute. Mr. Rodriguez is a Cancer Survivor and has been cancer free for 28 years. 

JUSTIN ANDERSON (Associate Artistic Director) has served as Aurora Theatre’s Associate Artistic Director since 2014. His directorial work has earned him both popular and critical praise, along with Seven Suzi Bass Award Nominations for Best Direction (Winner for Boublil and Schönberg’s LES MISÉRABLES at Aurora Theatre in 2013). He is also an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Theatre and Performance Studies at Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, Georgia where he directs and teaches courses in acting and musical theatre. He holds a B.A. in Theatre Arts from Campbell University and an M.A. in Theatre Studies from Regent University, with additional course study at Rutgers. For a complete list of directing credits and for information about upcoming projects, please visit the website below.

ANN-CAROL PENCE (Associate Producer/Co-Founder) arranged the music for Aurora’s first Christmas Canteen in 1996 and was hired full-time in September of 1998 as Resident Musical Director. An education major at James Madison University, she used her background to develop Learning Library (or L2). As a musician, she created Aurora’s Musicals by Moonlight, and Aurora’s New Musical Initiative. She has performed as pianist and music director both nationally (Goodspeed Opera House, Pasadena Playhouse, The Cleveland Playhouse, The Kennedy Center) and locally (The Alliance, Theatrical Outfit, The Horizon, Georgia Ensemble Theatre,). As a proud citizen of Gwinnett, Ann-Carol is most proud of Aurora Theatre winning the first ever Pinnacle Award for Large Non-Profit, and the first ever Moxie Award (for woman-led businesses) for Aurora Theatre. These distinctions go well with her 5 Suzi Awards for Outstanding Music Direction. She was a participant in the 2016 Atlanta Regional Leadership Institute and member of the “Best Class Ever!”

Thomas W. Jones, II (Director) ​was born and raised in Queens, New York.​  He is an acclaimed, award-winning director, writer, and performer of more than 200 plays worldwide. His work has received 48 Washington DC Helen Hayes Award nominations winning 15 awards, including Best Director for Samm Art Williams’ Home and his own Bessie's Blues.  He has also received 3 New York AUDELCO Award nominations, the Drama-Logue Award, the San Diego Critics Award, NAACP Phoenix Award, among others.

In 1978, Tom founded Jomandi Productions, where, as Co-Artistic Director and Producing Director, Tom led Jomandi to become the third largest African-American theater company in the United States.  In 2000, Tom and his co-founders left Jomandi to create the entertainment company VIA International Artists, Inc. and subsequently a musical theater company VIA Theatrical. 

He is Artistic Associate at Washington DC's MetroStage where many of his original musicals have premiered and has directed 14 productions at Atlanta’s Horizon Theatre.  His most recent works include Athol Fugard's The Painted Rocks at Revolver Creek (MetroStage, DC), Trey Anthony's How Black Mothers Say I Love You and 'da Kink In My Hair (Horizon Theatre, Atlanta), Blackberry Daze (Horizon Theatre, Atlanta), Fool In Love: The Frankie Lymon Story, Three Sistahs, Gee's Bend, Point of Revue, Two Queens One Castle, Bricktop, Heart ‘n’ Soul, Love Johnny, A Cool Drink A Water, and Holler and Sheddin’.  Tom’s musical Cool Papa’s Party completed a workshop in New York with Wayne Brady.  He recently directed Kandi Burress’ (Xscape, Real Housewives of Atlanta) musical A Mother’s Love, Only Just a Minute and Mary Honey B. Morrison’s play Single Husbands and has taken the production of Janet Langhart Cohen's Anne and Emmett (MetroStage) to the Oprah Winfrey Theater at the National Museum of African American History and Culture (Washington, DC), National Black Theatre Festival(Winston-Salem, NC) and on tour to the Netherlands.

Victor Jackson (Choreographer) Born in Atlanta and raised in College Park, GA, Victor has worked with Kandi Burruss, Lil’ Wayne, Iggy Azalea, August Alsina, and Jennifer Hudson as a choreographer and creative director. He is also the creator of Pride & Soul Festival, a platform created to spotlight Black queer artists, and its spinoff, Pride & Soul:Unplugged. He's appeared on "The Real Housewives of Atlanta", "Braxton Family Values", and in guest starring roles on BET’s "The Game" and “Step Up: Highwater” on YouTubeRed. Most recently, he appeared in the Strange Case episode of “Lovecraft Country” on HBO. An R&B artist as well, Victor has opened for Tweet, Keke Wyatt, Anthony David and Algebra Blessett. His latest single, “He Belongs To The City” is available now on all digital platforms and he plans to release an EP this fall.

Jonathan Bryant is dancer/choreographer/instructor who has worked in the booming entertainment industry in Atlanta for over a decade. He has worked with many celebrities including Ne-Yo, Trina Braxton, Tichina Arnold, Nivea, Queen Latifah and more. He has been in numerous musical productions in the Atlanta area, recently AIDA (Atlanta Lyric Theatre) and MAMMA MIA! (Aurora Theatre). He has worked in the booming television/movie industry in Atlanta including The Originals and Step Up: Highwater and movies like Bessie, Billy Lynn Long Halftime Walk directed by Oscar-winning director Ang Lee. He made his acting debut as “Bubba Knight” in the docu-series American Soul premiering on BET. Jonathan owns his own lifestyle brand Jaybsmoovethebrand that focuses on MOVEMENT, STYLE, and PERSONALITY. Jonathan Bryant has only begun to exude the talent and success of his career and much more is to be achieved. @jaybsmoove #justbe

S. RENEE CLARK (Composer, Keyboardist, Vocalist, Actor, Arranger, Instructor, Playwright)Clark has been making music her entire life. Her earliest memories are singing harmony with her sisters in the backseat as her father made long road trips. She began directing the children's choir in her father’s church at the age of eight. And was employed at the age of 15 to accompany and prepare choirs at another local church. She attended Berklee College of Music, Boston, MASS. She has had a very exciting career in music. She's performed in all types of ensembles ranging from jazz, dance, soul, funk, rock and country music. Clark participated on a Department of Defense Tour entertaining troops in Germany, France, Scotland and England. Clark was the headliner for The Black Diamond

Show touring Scandinavian Cruise Ships. She toured for 12 years as a solo performer (piano/vocal) across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Ms. Clark facilitated many Gospel Choir Workshops in Sweden and Denmark. Ms Clark’s theatrical credits include Axam Dance Theatre Experience;The Lyric Theatre Dreamgirls; Horizon Theatre Blackberry Daze, Right On, Every Tongue Confess, Sheddin, Avenue Q—2011 Suzi Bass Award for Outstanding Music Director, Madeline’s Christmas, Three Sistahs, The Thing About Men, Cafe Puttanesca, Uprising, Toxic Avenger, Blackberry Daze; Theatrical Outfit 5 Guys Named Moe, 110 In The Shade, Big Fish, A Little Princess, Gift of the Magi: Big River--- 2009 Suzi Bass Award for Outstanding Music Director, Gee’s Bend, Waiting To Be Invited, Ain’t Misbehavin’, Travellin’ Black (playwright/composer);Fabrefaction Urinetown; True Colors Spunk; Trey Anthony’s Da Kink in my Hair; Alliance Theatre By the Way Velma Stark, Jesus Christ Super Star Gospel, Jacques Brel, Avenue X, Cinderella and Fella (composer), Jungle Book, the Wizard of Oz; Theatre In The Square His Eye Is On TheSparrow, Mahalia, The Blue Door; The New American Shakespeare Tavern Hamlet the Musical, Irma Vep, Cabaret,

The Fantasticks; The New Jomandi Ain’t Misbehavin’; Synchronicity/ Aurora Theatre Petite Rouge; Synchronicity Fancy Nancy, Three Little Birds; Youth Ensemble of Atlanta Endangered Species, Colors of Love, Urban Holiday Soup; Jomandi Productions Josephine Live, El Hajj Malik, Queen of the Blues, Dunbar’s Fantasy; Center for Puppetry Arts Tall Tales, Ruth and the Green Book, Brer Rabbit; Georgia Ensemble Theatre Once On This Island, 9 to 5The Musical, Bullets Over Broadway. She has performed as well as composed works featured at Metro

Stage, Alexandria VA; Lorraine Hansberry Theatre, San Francisco, CA; The Guild Theatre,Sacramento CA, The San Diego Repertory Theatre, San Diego, CA, The Ensemble Theatre, Houston TX. She has MD’d musicals at Georgia State University, Clayton State University and Clark/Atlanta University, Tri Cities High School and Woodward Academy.

“A true connoisseur of great art” defines the man that is Tony Hightower. One of the purest souls that you could ever meet, Tony refuses to be bound by trends and is committed to continuing a legacy created by great artists.

This incredible man was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. Being the son of professional vocalist Theresa Hightower, Tony’s introduction to the entertainment industry began before he could walk or talk. His extensive musical training started before his days as a student at North Atlanta School for the Creative and Performing Arts. This school nurtured talents such as Jasmine Guy, Tichina Vaughn, Crystal Fox, Sonny Emory of Earth, Wind & Fire, Travis Payne, and many others. 

Tony is a veteran professional. As a seasoned percussionist, songwriter, recording artist, vocalist, and producer, he has worked with many artists on a variety of projects. Tony has played drums for the following: Jomandi Productions, the Atlanta production of “Queen of the Blues” – The Life Story of Dinah Washington, Goodie Mob, Outkast, Pebbles, and Xscape. He has also done session work for several Organized Noize Production artists, including Goodie Mob and Outkast. Tony has contributed vocals to the successful projects of Gerald Levert, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, the soundtrack for “Money Train,” Goodie Mob’s certified gold album “Soul Food,” Society of Soul’s album “Brainchild,” Pebbles’ album “Straight From My Heart,” Lionel Richie’s album “Louder Than Words,” and Outkast’s certified double platinum album “Aquemini.” Tony was also an artistic contributor to the song “Together We Can,” which was a project by The National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences (also known as the N.A.R.A.S. or The Recording Academy) to raise funds for the victims of the Columbine shooting.

As the lead singer of 4.0, Tony demonstrated his vocal, arranging, and producing talents on their 1997 self-titled album. Tony provided vocals and arrangements for his two solo albums, “Sho Yo Luv” and “Plastik Soul.” As a co-owner of the production company, The Ultra Beat Boyz, Tony also produced both of his solo albums with fellow owner, Scott Andrews. 

More recently, Tony has provided background vocals for The Mo'Nique Show, Cherrelle, Lenny Williams, Glenn Jones, Angela Winbush, Kindred the Family Soul, Faith Evans, Eric Benet, and Keith Sweat. He also sang background and was featured with Candi Staton in the United Kingdom. Tony was signed as a producer with Nitti, who produced the hit “It’s Going Down” for Yung Joc and a list of other stars. Tony was also lead vocal for a Georgia Lottery commercial and has worked on countless commercials and voice overs.

In 2011, Tony’s vocal talents found him singing background for Tyler Perry’s “Madea’s Family Christmas.” That opportunity led to roles in Tyler Perry’s stage plays “I Don’t Want to Do Wrong” and “The Haves and The Have Nots.” Tony is currently touring the country with Tyler Perry himself in Perry’s newest play “Madea Gets a Job.”

Tony has had the enriching experience of touring throughout the U.S. and internationally. He is a voting member of the Grammy Awards, and is also on the Nominating Committee for the Grammy Awards. For two years, Tony served as the Vice-President of the Atlanta Chapter of the Board of Governors of N.A.R.A.S., the sponsor of the Grammy Awards.

Tony Hightower is a true student of the arts. He has been deeply influenced throughout his life by talented individuals from many genres of music and from different areas of the entertainment industry. Many of his greatest influences include Ella Fitzgerald, Phil Collins, Tyler Perry, Billie Holiday, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Take 6, The Winans, Thelonious Monk, Theresa Hightower, and Chicago, among others. The inspiration that he has gained and the lessons that he has learned have resulted in his depth and commitment to create and perform the highest forms of art possible.

DIONNA DAVIS ( Stage Manager) With a Bachelor’s degree in French, a minor in Theatre from Georgia Southern University and training from University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Dionna moved to Atlanta to pursue her career in theatre. She has worked as an actor in Alliance Theatre’s Working Title Playwrights, Marietta’s New Theatre In The Square to sing in the classic Big River musical, and Act3 Productions in Clybourne Park. She is also a stage manager with Synchronicity Theatre, Lolita Snipes Productions, and formerly with Rising Sage Theatre and Academy & Impact Theatres. Nowadays you may see her behind the screen managing Zoom productions, but she's eager to return to the stage.

André C. Allen (Lighting Design / Projections Design) was born and raised in Queens, New York. He moved to Atlanta to attend Morehouse College in 1989. There he discovered the art of storytelling with light. He founded BlackLight Productions Inc. in 1990. He has designed for many artists and organizations including productions for the Freddie Hendricks’ Youth Ensemble of Atlanta, the Atlanta Lyric Theatre, Actor’s Express, India.Arie, and Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theatre Company. André has served as Production Manager with the Rialto Center for the Arts and Operations Manager with the Ferst Center at Georgia Tech. He is proud of his career that has brought his brand of design to various facilities and arenas nationwide especially his work as lighting director for the Atlanta Falcons at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. After a career that has spanned 30 years and thousands of events, André continues to share his gift. In 2017, he joined the faculty at the Spelman College Department of Theater and Performance to teach lighting design to the next generation of designers. www.BlackLightProductions.com “Gen. 1:3”

KATIE PELKEY (Managing Director) is celebrating twelve seasons with Aurora! In 2013, Katie transitioned to the role of Company Manager, having previously served as Resident Stage Manager. She also created the highly-successful Stage Management and Costume Apprentice programs that operates simultaneously with Aurora’s Acting Apprentice Company program. For five seasons, she worked as Aurora’s Educational Resources Associate developing educational curriculum for teachers to use in conjunction with Aurora’s TYA Learning Library offerings. And for over a decade, Katie served as Production Stage Manager for New Plays for Young Audiences, a prestigious TYA summer staged reading series based at New York University. She received her BA in Educational Theatre from New York University with a minor in Dramatic Literature. Many thanks to Michael, Maxwell, and Alexander for their love and support!

DANIEL POPE (Production Manager) is proud to be joining the great team at Aurora Theatre as Production Manager. Daniel has been a sound designer and engineer in the Atlanta area for the past seven years. He’s had the pleasure of designing sound for the Aurora Theatre on many occasions on shows such as: Into the Woods, Christmas Canteen, Sweep, and most recently The Bridges of Madison County. Additionally, he’s worked on countless other productions in the Atlanta theatre community including: Evita and A Streetcar Named Desire as Sound Designer and Production Manager at Serenbe Playhouse. Daniel received a Bachelors in Marketing with a specialization in sales and a minor in Music from The University of West Georgia in 2010.

JON SANDMAIER (Master Carpenter) joins our staff after a year of working as an over-hire. After graduating from IPFW at the end of the last millennium, Jon spent most of his time designing and building sets for various arts organizations in and around Fort Wayne Indiana. He and his wife relocated to Georgia in the summer of 2016.

SARAH THOMSON (Scenic Painter) loves to paint and has been gracing the sets of Aurora Theatre for the last 11 seasons. A resident of Johns Creek, she brings her talents and her crew of Jack and Dylan to support her in her endeavors. Sarah designed and painted sets for many years while her daughter danced with Susan Chambers Theatre Dance. In a previous life, she was the scenic artist for Casa Mañana Theatre, Casa on the Square, Fort Worth Ballet, Dallas Shakespeare in the Park, Dallas Summer Musicals and Six Flags. She has worked with Southwest Studios and Stageworks where she served as scenic artist. Children of a Lesser God also featured Sarah’s original artwork. She is accompanied by her man of the North, Ian.