PROGRAM
6:00 – 6:50 – Sunset, Cocktails, The NY Skyline, and DJ Suave
6:50 -We’ll Make It Through Instrumental produced by Venor Yard, song by Mike Tucker & Yard
6:55 - Bring Back The Peace – Our THEME SONG for the evening – feel free to sing along! - Singer Olivia K with pianist: Jessie Featherstone
7:00 - WELCOME TO THE PEACE CONCERT with Host: JALeesa Capri (JC)
TELL YOUR STORY 1 Mike Tucker co-founder of Lay The Guns Down - father of son killed by gun violence
7:05 - SONG 1 “ENOUGH” - Mike Live (composed and produced by Venor & Mike Live)
7:08- Talking about BOUNCE The Basketball Opera - LEN ELMORE NBA legend, NCAA TV Commentator, Columbia Univ Professor, and Ardea Arts Board Member
7:12 - BOUNCE – FIRST QUARTER –(Pre-Game) Let’s Go! Layups
LEGEND OF FLIGHT - Seth Ibarrondo (Poet), Basketball Players: Sean Leon Holland jr (Flight), Kalonjee Ballimore (Future), Keith Buxton (Odell), Niko Touros (Ajax), Adam Naimoli (Akili), Roman Perez (Coach), Full Company
BETTER BALLER - Kalonjee Ballimore (Future), Ashley Jackson (Opera Chick)
HI IKE - Susanna White (Sabrina)
7:22 - TELL YOUR STORY 2 – Davell Gardner Sr. father of 1 yr old shot & killed in 2020 when a stray bullet took his life at a Bedford-Stuyvesant playground.
SONG - 2 “EVERYBODY’S A GARDEN” Olivia K with: Jessie Featherstone
7:28- Talking about COMMUNITY - Assistant CHIEF JUDITH HARRISON Brooklyn North's Borough Commander rebuilding the department's relationship with the community.
7:32 - BOUNCE - SECOND QUARTER - (Tragedy) "If You Really Wanna Ball"
WIN AFTER WIN - Seth Ibarrondo (Poet)
IF YOU REALLY WANNA BALL - Sean Leon Holland jr (Flight) & Kalonjee Ballimore (Future) ATHEN’S PARK – Full Company
A BULLET BOUNCED - Sean Leon Holland jr (Flight) & Basketball Players, Roman Perez (Coach)
TELL YOUR STORY 3 Nicole Telemaque – 27-yr-old brother Nicholas shot & left to die in East Flatbush as he walked toward his car early morning
7:39 - SONG - 3 - HDBeenDope
7:49 - Talking about TRAUMA - NYC Public Advocate JUMAANE WILLIAMS “Young people experience trauma, and no one helps them through it… Hurt People Hurt People, including themselves”
7:55 - BOUNCE - THIRD QUARTER (Trauma) "No One Can Fix It But You
NO MORE CRUTCHES - & Seth Ibarrondo (Poet)
BASKETBALL & BULLETS - NaTasha Y. Williams (Mrs. Harris) & Sean Leon Holland jr (Flight)
BELIEVE IN THE WORK - Rachel Webb (Daphne) & Sean Leon Holland jr.
8:04 - TELL YOUR STORY 4 – Jaihsir Crawford-with Jacqueline Mary Cohen - Survivor of a party where there was a shooting and a girl killed.
8:07 - SONG 4 “I CANNOT COMPLAIN” sung & played by Ansel Elgort
8:10 - BOUNCE – FOURTH QUARTER (Healing) “Remember His Name”
MY BOY’S GOT A NAME - Alicia Robinson Cooper (Mrs. Lucas), Sean Leon Holland jr (Flight), & Full Company.
8:13 - Talking about “Why BOUNCE?” - PATRICIA CRUZ CEO & Artistic Director Harlem Stage
8:16 - JACQUELINE COHEN & MIKE TUCKER PRODUCERS – With a Parting Message to us all
8:20 - BOUNCE – POSTGAME “It Takes A Team”
IKE DRIBBLES DOWN THE COURT – Seth Ibarrondo (track by Ansel Elgort)
“What did it take to overcome everything you have been through this past year?”
THIS BEAUTIFUL GAME - Sean Leon Holland Jr.
THIS GAME UNITES THE COMMUNITY -Full Company
8:25 - Exit Music: Theme Song Instrumental - Bring Back The Peace
ARDEA ARTS BOARD
Grethe Barrett Holby, Chair
Jacqueline M. Cohen, President
Patricia H. Deans, Treasurer
J. Speed Carroll, Esq.
Eric Von Stroh
Len Elmore
Stacy Igel
Simon Green
Kim Bruno
Dr. Everett McCorvey
Raymond Wetmore
PRODUCTION TEAM
Jacqueline Mary Cohen - Producer
Mike Tucker - Producer
Grethe Barrett Holby - Production & Stage Director
Jason Loffredo - Music Director
David Wolfson - Music Coaching
Chidi Ozieh - Media/Production Director
Arnold Mungioli - Casting Director
Alex Santullo - Sound/Lighting/A.V
Davina Singh - Wardrobe Supervisor
CREATIVE TEAM
CHARLES R. SMITH, JR. (STORY AND LIBRETTO)
Award-winning author, photographer, and poet with over thirty books to his credit, including a Coretta Scott King Award for Illustration (2010) for his photographs accompanying the Langston Hughes poem “My People” and a Coretta Scott King Honor Author Award (2008) for his biography on Muhammad Ali, Twelve Rounds to Glory. Early books such as Rimshots, Hoop Kings, and Hoop Queens focus on his love of basketball.
GLEN ROVEN, in memoriam (LEAD COMPOSER)
Late four-time Emmy-winning composer Roven recently premiered Symphony No. 2 at Lincoln Center with the National Chorale. His 36 song cycles have been performed around the world. Roven’s Violin Concerto debuted at Carnegie Hall with Glenn Close narrating, having also been recorded by Brooke Shields, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and others. He was most recently known for his setting of the Hillary Speeches. Unfinished works include a symphony, two musicals, and two operas, with performances in NYC, Santa Fe, and London, among others.
GRETHE BARRETT HOLBY (CONCEPT & CREATIVE DIRECTOR)
Collaborated with Leonard Bernstein, Lou Reed, Robert Wilson, and Yusef Komunyakaa; performances at Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, Houston Grand Opera, La Scala, & across the country. Originating cast member of Einstein on the Beach. Founding Artistic & Executive Director of Ardea Arts & Family Opera Initiative; Founder of American Opera Projects. Rockefeller Fellowship Recipient, holds B.S. and M.Arch. degrees from MIT.
TOMÁS DONCKER (ADDITIONAL MUSIC)
Global Soul composer and producer. Directs, composes, and performs with his ensemble, Tomás Doncker Band. Guitarist for James Chance & The Contortions, Defunct, J. Walter Negro & The Loose Jointz. Collaborated with Boosty Collins, Yoko Ono, The Itals, & Prince Charles Alexander. Current Project with Ivan Neville, Bonnie Raitt, Meshell Ndegocello, In Living Color’s Corey Glover, P-Funk keyboardist AmpFiddler Shamekia Copeland, & Bill Laswell.
Dr. EVERETT McCORVEY (Project Music Director)
Professor of Voice, OperaLex Endowed Chair in Opera Studies, and Director and Executive Producer of University of Kentucky Opera Theatre: Artistic Director of the National Chorale, New York City; Director of American Spiritual Ensemble; Vice Chair Kentucky Arts Council. Professional Credits: Kentucky Center, Metropolitan Opera, Teatro Communal (Italy), Radio Music City Hall. A basketball fan, he often sings the National Anthem for Kentucky Wildcats games.
BETH GUTCHEON (ADDITIONAL STORY and LIBRETTO)
Beth Gutcheon has twelve novels in print, a New York Times bestselling author. She is also a vested member of the Writers Guild of America, with some dozen studio feature screenplays to her credit, as well as the narration for the documentary Children of Theatre Street, which was nominated for an Academy Award.
ANSEL ELGORT (HIP-HOP TRACKS)
A DJ, producer, singer, and actor, Elgort has performed in major EDM concert venues and festivals around the world. He was nominated the 2017 Golden Globe Best Actor for his role in Baby Driver. Currently in pre-production on a new Stephen Spielberg adaptation of West Side Story, his past credits include Carrie, John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars, and the Divergent series. He is signed with Island Records and a graduate of LaGuardia Arts High School.
FRANK X WALKER (ADDITIONAL Libretto and LYRICS)
Former Kentucky Poet Laureate, Walker is a founder of the Affrilachian Poets and the author of nine collections of poetry. Voted one of the most creative professors in the South, he is the originator of the word “Affrilachia.” A Lannan Poetry Fellowship Award recipient, he has degrees from UKY and Spalding University as well as four honorary doctorates from UKY, Spalding University, Centre College, and Transylvania University.
Seth (Additonal Lyrics)
Seth Ibarrondo singer song writer has written for Atlantic records shown on bet and 107.5 radios station / free lance song writer as well as creative director Seth started out in music at an early age recording by the age of 12 performing by the age of 14 .. he comes form a family of artist and song writers his elder cousin being cl smooth from legendary hip hop group Pete rock and cl smooth .. born and raised in new Rochelle New York .. that’s all I can think of on the train right now.
BOUNCE THE BASKETBALL OPERA
CAST
Casting by MUNGIOLI THEATRICALS
Arnold J. Mungioli, CSA
Sean Leon Holland (Flight)
Sean Holland II has starred as Seaweed J. Stubbs in “Hairspray”,Prince Topher in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Cinderella”,Nicely Nicely Johnson in “Guys and Dolls”, Orpheus in Offenbach’s “Orpheus in the Underworld”, Dormont in Rossini's Italian Opera, “ La Scala di Seta”. Sean is currently in rehearsal for Michigan State University's College of Music production of “Serenade to Music” by R. Vaughan Williams & “A Hand of Bridge” by Samuel Barber, where he will be the featured lead tenor.
Kalonjee M Gallimore (future)
KALONJEE GALLIMORE (he,him) currently pursues a BFA in Acting at NYU Tisch. OFF BROADWAY: Common Ground (The Actors Temple); REGIONAL: Rock of Ages, Chicago (Theatre Aspen), Cabaret, Mama Mia (Surflight Theatre), South Pacific, All Shook Up (Flat Rock Playhouse), A Brief History of Fire (Alliance Theatre), Dog Sees God (Out Front Theatre), In The Heights (RISPA Theatrical); EDUCATIONAL: Spring Awakening, Pippin (NYU) Kalonjee is proudly represented by BOALS, WINNETS, & ASSOCIATES! Kalonjee.com
Alicia Robinson Cooper (Mrs. Lucas)
Alicia Robinson Cooper is a performing artist with a worldwide audience who, for decades, has been captivated by her virtuosity in singing, songwriting, and stage acting. As a preacher’s kid, Alicia began her noteworthy singing career at the tender age of three at her father’s church. She later matriculated at Florida A&M University where she was branded “FAMU’S Song Bird”. Her vocal abilities have left a global footprint with performances in Cairo, Egypt, Doha, Qatar, and Bahrain in front of members of the royal family. Alicia currently resides in Brooklyn, NY.
NaTasha Yvette Williams (Mrs. Harris)
NaTasha Yvette Williams, Broadway: Chicken and Biscuits (Brianna), Waitress ( Becky), Chicago (Mama Morton) A Night With Janis Joplin( Aretha, Joplinaire) The Gershwin's Porgy and Bess (Mariah) The Color Purple (Sofia). Selected TV Credits: PBS Showboat (Queenie), “New Amsterdam”(Esther) ,“The Good Fight” (Juror Florence) , “Dash and Lilly”, “The God Father of Harlem” (Pearl) . Look for her in the upcoming Historical Thriller ALICE starring Keke Palmer and Common. NaTasha’s a recording artist and a proud founding member of Black Theatre United, and Actor’s Equity. Love to Gregory and the kids!
Susanna Lee White (Sabrina)
Susanna Lee White earned her B.A. in Theatre at the University of Kentucky with a Vocal Performance minor. She has studied voice for over 13 years, and currently owns a voice studio. She has many performing credits including Hair, Sweeney Todd, Once on this Island, The Fantasticks, and Mamma Mia! She competed in the 2015 and 2017 Miss Kentucky Pageant earning a place in the top ten, Spirit of Miss Kentucky Award, and Overall Talent Award. She resides in New York City pursuing a full-time performing career. She currently studies with Lisa Rochelle and Steven Lutvak (2014 Tony Award Winner).
Rachel Webb (Daphne)
Rachel Webb is a NY-based actress and singer from Dallas, Texas. After completing her Bachelors of Fine Arts at Texas State University, she moved to NYC to pursue a career in entertainment. Most recently, Rachel completed her first solo show at the Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas, singing a 20-min Jazz set. Rachel is thrilled to be part of this amazing cast, and finds it a pleasure to be telling stories again.
Niko Touros (AJAX)
Niko is thrilled to be working again with Ardea Arts on BOUNCE! A born and raised New Yorker, Niko has been working as a professional actor for the past 5 years, but he decided during the pandemic to go back to school and finish his college education. Currently he is a physical education major at Central Connecticut State University. Some favorite past theatrical credits include ALL IS CALM: THE CHRISTMAS TRUCE OF 1914 (Actor 2), IN THE HEIGHTS (Usnavi), CELEBRITY CRUISES (Production Cast Vocalist), NEWSIES(Crutchie), FIRST DATE (Reggie, et. al), HAIR (Woof), MAMMA MIA! (Sky), & more. Love always to Amelia. ig: nt0uros Favorite Quote: “Keep your eyes on the stars and your feet on the ground. You can do this.”
ASHLEY JACKSON (OPERA CHICK)
With a voice that “charms and thrills” and a “sparkling stage presence”, soprano Ashley Jackson is a proven favorite with audiences in her hometown of Lexington, Kentucky and across the United States. Now based in New York City, Ashley performs actively as a soloist and chamber musician and is a member of the National Chorale. She is excited for her future performances which include understudying Mařenka in ‘The Bartered Bride’ with the Bronx Opera and attending Opernfest Prague in July 2022.
Seth Iborrondo (POET)
Seth Ibarrondo singer song writer has written for Atlantic records shown on bet and 107.5 radios station / free lance song writer as well as creative director Seth started out in music at an early age recording by the age of 12 performing by the age of 14 .. he comes form a family of artist and song writers his elder cousin being cl smooth from legendary hip hop group Pete rock and cl smooth .. born and raised in new Rochelle New York .. that’s all I can think of on the train right now.
ADAM Naimoli (Akili/rapper)
Adam Isaiah Naimoli, is a 21-year-old artist and actor out of Brooklyn New York. He thrives on being independent with his own music and cultivating new ideas and creations with other people. He believes that his experience of being a part of Bounce, is a step in the right direction for his future career and can’t wait to see what else it brings.
Keith Buxton (ODELL)
Born and raised in St Petersburg, Fl, Keith came to New York to pursue a career in performing. He is a proud alumnus of St. John’s University where he studied Television and Film with a minor in Creative Writing. Since coming up here he has been either studying or performing Acting, Improv Comedy, Writing and Music. Keith Buxton is so excited to play the part of Odell in this show. He gives thanks to God, his mother, father and family.
Roman Perez (COACH)
Roman Perez is a current basketball player and coach, who off the court has been blessed to be an actor through the game. He was born in the Dominican Republic and raised in Brooklyn, New York. He’s a 13yr professional player, alongside 10 years acting experience. Currently is the founder of the Dudo Baez foundation, which is named after his father who passed in 2014. The program provides inner city youth and adults in New York and the Dominican Republic, a chance to be apart of basketball camps and tournaments. He’s married to Jennifer Perez, and has 2 daughters- Leia 12yrs and Lucia 1yr. He continues to pursue his goals of being an actor, while inspiring others to follow their dreams.
PERFORMERS
Mike Live
Mike Live is Staten Island’s very own Native who brings something new to the Music industry as we know it..
HDBeenDope
HDBeenDope is a multi-faceted powerhouse in the current wave of hip-hop. From penning clever raps over his own high-octane production to self-directing many of his music videos, the Brooklyn native has spent the past decade refining his craft.
