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Godspell
One of the most celebrated musicals of all time, GODSPELL, comes to the stage of PoiemArtistry Theatre Company of Raleigh. This unique and memorable production has played to sold-out crowds all over the world.
A small band of people searching for purpose and meaning to life, help Jesus Christ tell different parables found in the book of Matthew – utilizing a wide variety of storytelling techniques and heart-warming vignettes. An eclectic blend of songs, ranging in style from pop to vaudeville (“Day By Day,” and “Prepare Ye”), is employed as the story of Jesus’ life is retold on stage. Dissolving poignantly into the Last Supper and Christ’s Passion, Jesus’ messages of kindness, love, and salvation come vibrantly to life through an exciting and beautiful portrayal of the Gospel (The word GODSPELL is an old English rendition of the word Gospel – or “good news”).
“One of the unique aspects of this musical is the proximity of the cast to the audience,” states PoiemArtistry Director, Michael Green. “The audience will get a get a front row seat to the expressions and emotions of the characters rarely seen in stage productions as Godspell will be performed in an arena-theater configuration.”
Click to view playbill.
Meet the Cast of Godspell
Darrio Connor (George)
Darrio is excited to return to the Poiema Stage in this production. This is his fifth production with Poiema. Darrio played “Captain Smith” in Titanic the Musical, “Emperor Tiberius” in The Robe, “The Man on The Screen” in Singin’ in The Rain”, and “Lieutenant Wright” in The Secret Garden. Darrio is a trained actor/model from Los Angeles, California. He has worked with actors such as Martin Lawrence, Tisha Campbell, Kim Cole, Kid n Play, Sanaa Lathan and Patrick Neal Harris to name a few. Being a part of this production and working with these fine and talented actors are the icing on the cake. Thank You and Enjoy the show.
Chelsae Green (Choreographer/Peggy)
Chelsae is honored to be part of PoiemArtistry and Poiema Arts, Inc. In 2011, she graduated with a B.A. in Dance Studies from Meredith College. Upon graduation, she accepted a teaching position at North Raleigh Christian Academy, where she taught dance and was the Assistant Theater Director and Choreographer for seven years. Some of her favorite and most memorable shows to produce and choreograph have been Phantom of the Opera, West Side Story, White Christmas, Secret Garden, and Mary Poppins. Chelsae and her family owned and operated a performing arts studio for 13 years before opening Poiema Arts in 2019. She has instructed hundreds of students in ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, contemporary, and musical theater. Chelsae is an ABT® Certified Instructor and has successfully completed the ABT® Teacher Training Intensive, Pre- Primary through Level 7, and Partnering of the ABT® National Training Curriculum. She currently serves as a member of the Poiema Arts Board of Directors and Assistant Director/Choreographer for PoiemArtistry.
Lyndsae Green (Choreographer/Uzo)
Lyndsae serves as a founding member and the Associate Dance Director and Choreographer for PoiemArtistry. Lyndsae has been involved in dance and theater since she was 13. She has appeared in many stage productions including White Christmas, The Wiz, The Great Day, Seussical the Musical, The Nutcracker Ballet, and Titanic. As an accomplished dancer, she performs and instructs classes in Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Hip Hop, and Modern dance styles. Lyndsae graduated from the Wake Technical Institute Culinary and Baking School in 2015 and works at local bakery, Edible Art. Lyndsae also owns her own baking and photography businesses which keep her very busy especially during wedding season. She enjoys spending time with family and friends.
Sandy Hawkes (Band)
Sandy is the President of the Board of Directors for Poiema Arts, Inc. She is a native midwesterner, a lifelong musician, and the mother of four wonderful sons. Sandra worked alongside Michael Green for several years and in several roles at North Raleigh Christian Academy, where she was on staff as a music instructor and the accompanist for the school choirs and dramatic productions. Consistently, she has seen firsthand the effect that Mike has on those he leads through theater arts education and production. She is excited about the effect that Poiema Arts will have on our culture as it develops, and believes that our society is crying out for what Poiema Arts will bring. With every rehearsal and with every hour spent in academic and artistic studies, Poiema Arts will help students and performers discover the gifts God created in them -- gifts given intentionally -- with pre-determined purpose. She believes that God will be faithful to reveal that purpose and provide opportunity to fulfill it in obedience to Him as we minister to those He brings before us. The call on Michael Green and his family is amazing and real. She is in awe of the way God has built into this family the root system for Poiema Arts. Their varied talents and strengths, their love for working together, and their fervent desire to fulfill “...that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me” (Phil 3:12) create the foundation for an exciting work of God in our community and beyond.
Chichi Hay (Ensemble)
Chichi has been involved in PoiemArtistry three years and has appeared in four productions: Similitude: The Great Adventure Begins, Seussical the Musical, Titanic, Singin’ in the Rain, and White Christmas. She currently takes voice and piano lessons at Central Baptist Academy of the Arts, and loves acting, singing, and dancing! ChiChi would like to thank her parents for pushing her and stretching her to be the best she can be. She would also like to thank Mr. Michael, Chelsae, and Lyndsae Green for creating a Christ-filled environment for everyone to discover the beautiful God-given gifts inside!
Rebekah Hay (Ensemble)
Rebekah is thrilled to be in her 6th production with Poiema. Rebekah has been a part of Poiema for 3 years, and performed in the acting and dance ensembles for Similitude: the Great Adventure Begins, Seussical the Musical, Titanic the Musical, and Singin’ in the Rain, and White Christmas. She has taken dance lessons for 14 years, and loves dancing and singing, as well as playing guitar. Rebekah has loved every minute of being in Poiema, and it has stretched her and brought her out of her comfort zone in ways she never imagined. She would like to thank her parents for encouraging her to try new things, and the Green family for believing in her.
Carson Kidd (Band)
Carson is making his 6th PoiemArtistry appearance in Godspell. He played the role “Phobos” in Similitude: The Great Adventure Begins, “Yurtle The Turtle” and “Vlad Vladikoff” in Seussical The Musical, “Jay Yates” in Titanic, and “Sound Engineer” in Singin In The Rain, and “Ensemble” in White Christmas. Carson loves theater, because it brings out the best in you that you didn’t even know you had. His other interests are playing guitar and sports. Thanks to Mom, Dad, and Mr. Michael Green.
Samantha Lanphere (Sonia)
Samantha is excited to be on stage again with PoiemArtistry. Samantha has performed in three shows with Poiema: Similitude: The Great Adventure Begins (Dance Ensemble), Seussical the Musical (Bird Girl), Titanic (Kate Mullins), and Singin’ in the Rain (Stage Manager), and White Christmas (Ensemble), and The Secret Garden (Stage Manager). Samantha has had 20 years of dance training with various studios in the Triangle as well as education with Dance Masters of America in New York. Samantha would like to thank her family and friends for always supporting her. Without them and their constant encouragement, she would not be performing today. Samantha is currently working as a nanny.
Bailey Medlin (Anna Maria)
Bailey is appearing in her sixth production with PoiemArtistry. She was most recently in White Christmas as “Susan Waverly”. Bailey has also acted in several productions with Field of Dreams Performing Arts, appearing in roles including “Roxy Robinson” and “Waitress” in Bugsy Malone Jr., “Young Nala” in Lion King Jr., “Fairy Godmother” in Cinderella (Street Players Version) and “Peter Pan” and the “Three Blind Mice” in Shrek. Bailey has been trained in Broadway Dance, Contemporary, Jazz, Hip-Hop and Tap. She also just took Tap 3, Voice, and Hip-Hop with Studio Poiema to help further her acting abilities. Bailey is also involved in various films in her church’s children’s department. She loves to play the piano and has participated in several local piano festivals. Bailey is a certified scuba diver and you can find her diving at Fantasy Lake during the summer. Bailey would like to thank PoiemArtistry for giving her the opportunity to do what she loves and to her loving family, who has constantly supported her in the arts.
Melissa Palahnuk (Morgan)
Melissa is a professional actress, dancer, singer, producer, and director. She grew up performing and has been in entertainment since she was three. Melissa is currently working on a handful of projects within both musical theater and film. Back in 2021, she started her official production company Palahnuk Productions. She is seeking her degree in Musical Theatre & Dance. She was born in Florida but has grown up in Raleigh. Melissa is currently working on films such as “Oceanside”, “Ice Heist”, “Confrontation”, and “Dance Short Form Content” that will be released later this year. She would like to thank all her friends, family, agent, and Jesus for all their loving support to get where she is.
David Robinson (Band)
David was born and raised in Knightdale, NC and his parents are John and Sheryl Robinson. White Christmas is David’s 7th production with PoiemArtistry. David appeared in The Great Day (Ensemble), Similitude: The Great Adventure (Phobos), Seussical the Musical (Yurtle the Turtle/Vlad Vladikoff), Titanic (4th Officer Pitman/The Major), Singin’ in the Rain (2nd Assistant Director), The Robe (Quintus Lucian), and White Chritmas (Ezekiel Foster). He has been a member of PoiemArtistry for 3 years, and has had a love for theater and the arts ever since he was 8 years old. David is also a student with Studio Poiema and is learning new skills such as mime, singing and acting each week.
Johnathan Robinson (John the Baptist, Judas)
Johnathan is a graduate of Christian Life Academy. He was born in Kirksville, Missouri, but raised in Raleigh, North Carolina. His parents are John and Sheryl Robinson. He joined PoiemArtistry almost 4 years ago and has been in previous productions such as The Great Day (Ensemble), Similitude: The Great Adventure Begins (Distazo), Seussical the Musical (Wickersham Brother), Titanic (Frederick Fleet), Singin’ in the Rain (Cosmo Brown), The Robe (Sarpedon), and White Christmas (Mr. Snoring Man/Dance Captain). Johnathan is currently serving as a dance captain for the company and enjoys teaching and learning most forms and levels of dance. He looks forward to his bright future with Poiema and the expansion of God’s Kingdom through the arts.
Michael Sanders (Band)
Michael is excited to be his third PoeimArtistry production. Michael was seen in Singin’ in the Rain as “Villain/Ensemble” and The Robe as “Simon Peter”/”Centurion Paulus”. He was an extra in the Dallas Jenkins series The Chosen for the filming of the “Sermon on the Mount” in Midlothian, Texas. Michael also played Santa Claus in The Grinch for a play at Whiteville High School in Columbus County, NC. He also likes writing music in his spare time, but his favorite activity is playing drums as worship unto the Lord. Michael has been the percussionist for his local Raleigh church, King’s Park Raleigh, for about nine years as of this year! Drum roll, please!
Adelaide Seigers (Celisse)
Adelaide is performing her first show onstage with PoiemArtistry, but the 19th performance of her career. Adelaide recently served as assistant costumer for Wake Forest High School’s production of The Sound of Music, and as a part of the stage crew on PoiemArtistry’s White Christmas. She is thrilled to be a part of this amazing cast of talented artists.
Justin Smith (Nick)
Justin is appearing in his 2nd production with PoeimaArtistry. He appeared most recently in The Secret Garden as “Captain Albert Lennox”. While he is relatively new to acting, he has spent nearly 30 years singing in vocal ensembles, choirs, and as a frontman for bands, even coming in 2nd place in 96 Rock’s Battle of the Bands in 2010. He enjoys spending time with his family and is also an accomplished amateur golfer and chef.
Britt Thompson (Lindsay)
Britt is overjoyed to be back on the theater stage. Her seasoned vocals took to stage for a holiday concert featuring a mass gospel choir accompanied by the NC Symphony Orchestra. Britt also appeared as “Glenda the Good Witch” in The Wiz. Her passion is helping people in the community like volunteering with the Food Pantry Christian Life Fellowship whenever she can. Britt would like to give special thanks to John and the family, church family, and the production staff for their encouragement, help, and support.
Cole Warren (Jesus)
Cole is appearing for the first time on the Poiema stage. Cole recently finished his sophomore year at UNCW where he studies theater as well as communication. Outside of Poiema, he has had the opportunity to be part of many productions including the Moors (the Mastiff), Beauty and the Beast (Lumiere), The Man Who Came to Dinner (Sheridan Whiteside) and many more. Cole is honored to be a part of the Poiema family and would like to thank Michael Green for believing in him.
Asa-Seth Williams (Ensemble)
Asa-Seth is excited to perform in Godspell. His PoiemArtistry credits include The Robe (Melas), White Christmas (Ensemble), and The Secret Garden (Fakir). He is 14 years old and was raised in rural northeast Missouri, but his family moved to Raleigh, NC in 2022. Asa loves theater and has been featured in multiple Christmas plays through his school. He enjoys art and loves to draw animals. Asa has been playing the French horn for 4 years and can also play a little piano. He has studied Tap, Broadway, Theatre Lab, Voice and Mime with Studio Poiema and is excited to continue his theatrical journey with PoiemArtistry.
Ziyan Williams (Telly)
Ziyan is appearing in his fourth PoiemArtistry production. He is 16 years old and loves acting, singing, and dancing. Ziyan recently moved from northeast Missouri and now has a newfound love for theater and is in Poiema for the long run. He has been with Poiema since January 2022 and was in the cast of Titanic (John J. Astor), Singin’ in the Rain (Ensemble/Sid), and White Christmas (Ensemble). Ziyan is an avid outdoorsman and loves hunting, fishing, and rodeo. He also is a football and basketball player. Ziyan plays the saxophone and drums on worship team and loves Jesus. Ziyan would like to thank his parents and siblings, along with the Green’s for giving time and teaching him in his singing, dancing, and acting career.
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