Staff

	Travis Williams (Executive Producer) came to Los Angeles from his hometown of Phoenix, Arizona after graduation from Arizona State University to attend graduate school at Loyola University. Shortly after graduation Travis became involved in many entrepreneurial ventures, which included the areas of real estate, restaurants and entertainment. Travis is presently the exclusive franchisee for Fatburger North America for the county of San Diego. He is also the co-owner and CEO of an independent record company called K-OTIC Entertainment. Travis has always been a fan of the arts and was an Associate producer on the movie Love Chronicles starring Terrence Howard. He was also the Executive Producer of the play A Shrine To Junior. Upon seeing Grandpa's Truth he decided he had to do anything he could to facilitate the growth and viability of this production. Travis is looking forward to more future involvement with the arts and the entertainment business.
	ALRETHA THOMAS (Playwright/Producer) became interested in theater arts upon graduating from the University of Southern California with a degree in journalism. In just a few years, she landed speaking parts on two soap operas and co-starred on The Jackie Thomas Show. Alretha also co-starred in the feature film Baby Doll Murders. She used her talents on stage as well and was nominated for a NAACP Theatre Award for her lead performance in A Grinning Piece of Lightning. Although acting was rewarding, it could not fill the void within. Alretha began focusing on her spiritual life and subsequently joined First New Christian Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church. In addition to discovering acceptance, love and a second family, she discovered her true passion and mission in life. Alretha, with the support of her pastor Dr. Norman S. Johnson, Sr. and under the tutelage of the late Andre’ David Brooks, began writing plays for the church’s Liturgical Fine Arts Department and the rest as they say is history. Last February, Alretha’s second full length play, Civil Rites, which won an NAACP Drama Award, debuted at Southwest College. In the Fall of 1990, Alretha’s first full-length play debuted at the Stella Adler Theatre with Byron Nora directing. Alretha hopes to bring the NAACP nominated A Shrine to Junior back to the stage as well as find a publisher for her first novel, Daughter Denied. Her long term dream is to have her own theatre where she can provide opportunities for up-and-coming actors and actresses as well as present projects that she has in the works, such as Mommie and Clyde, a romantic comedy she wrote two years ago.
	A native of New Orleans, Louisiana, BYRON NORA (Director) is the Artistic Director of Colors United. Byron is Managing Director of both BAMN Ensemble and BAMN-BAMN Youth Ensemble, as well as Program Manager of the youth arts and educational program, PEACE 2000 (Promoting Educational, Artistic, and Career Excellence). He is an accomplished actor, having appeared in numerous stage, film, and television productions and is a well respected director having recently directed the NAACP Award Winning Civil Rites at Southwest College, the musical stage play Shades at Washington Prep, and the NAACP nominated A Shrine to Junior at the Stella Adler Theatre. Byron is also an acting/dialog coach. Byron has traveled the world as a singer and a successful model having had the honor of being chosen to be a "Calvin Man" for Calvin Klein Cologne. For inspiration Byron is content to believe that, “For every minute that you’re angry, that is one minute of happiness in this very short life that you’ve lost. God Bless!!”
	MICHELLE COLSTON- SMITH (Stage Manager) is an experienced stage manager and award winning playwright as well. Michelle has managed several stage plays and showcases such as A Man That Finds A Wife Finds A Good Thing, The Trial of a One Short Sided Black Woman, Joe Louis Blues, Blues for an Alabama Sky, Lula Washington Dance Theatre Benefit, a Celebrity Roast and Toast honoring Michelle Nichols, and a tribute to the Lion King, just to name a few. Michelle also has written many stage plays - Who Hears the Cries of Our Children and Mother's Day. Both plays were awarded (National Association of Dramatic Speech Arts). She has a degree in psychology with a minor in Theatre Arts. Michelle is truly dedicated to her craft and it shows in her work. Be on the look out for Michelle's latest controversial stage play, Beyond the Rainbow. Put on your seat belts.
	MYLETTE HARRIS-NORA’s (Costume Designer) numerous works have been seen on television, film and theater. Mylette has garnered multiple NAACP Theater Award Nominations for best costumes. Most notably, her latest nominations were for the multi-nominated Ephraim's Song which debuted at Washington Prep as well as NAACP Award winning Civil Rites at Southwest College, Shades another musical stage play at Washington, and the NAACP nominated A Shrine to Junior which debuted at the Stella Adler Theatre. Mylette's latest work of art on the stage was for the production Rejoice at Southwest College and Medal of Honor Rag with Heavy D at the Egyptian Theater. Mylette's latest magic can be seen nightly on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Baby Boy, B.E.T.'S Comic View and Nothing But A Woman/The Blackberry Inn and Melba Moore's Sweet Songs of the Soul are just a few of her illustrious credits. She has also worked with such artist as Toni Braxton, Miki Howard, and Freda Payne just to name a few. Mylette is a NAACP Theatre Award Winner for Best Costumes for the Five Heartbeats and a NAACP Theatre Award nominee for Best Costumes for "Nobody" the Bert Williams Story, as well as Jeffrey's Plan. The famed artist Synthia St. James noted Mylette as being the inspiration for her world renowned painting Ensemble which graced the cover of the best selling novel Waiting to Exhale by Terry McMillan. Mylette's talents continue with her creative line of heirloom dolls called My Mind's Eye.
	JAMES W. JONES, III (Lighting Designer) is proud to once again work with Byron Nora, his long time teacher and mentor. James began designing at the age of 15 and his worked has ranged from small 99 seat houses to large concert halls. James has just recently graduated from UCLA's School of Theater with an emphasis in lighting design. His credits include: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, 42nd Street, and the original musical Keep Movin On. James also served as the Assistant lighting designer for the award-winning original musical Ephraim's Song. James is grateful for another opportunity to improve his craft and is excited to be back amongst friends.
	IRWIN CALDWELL (Sound Engineer) was born in Jacksonville, Florida, Duval County. He is a young music producer/artist under his own entertainment label (Majik Touch Muzic Entertainment©). He has been recording, mixing and composing music for a little over a half decade. Irwin is young, gifted and black, and spends much of his time perfecting his arts and crafts. Irwin received his sound engineering training a the Los Angeles Recording Workshop (LARW), in North Hollywood. He is now a certified sound engineer and is currently going to school to earn a bachelors degree in Business Administration. He has a long list of credits and is excited as well as honored to add this show to his list. This Child of God lives by two mottos " Aim For Greatness Not Fame Nor Fortune But Greatness" & " All Things Are Possible Through Christ Who Strengthens Me". Life Is A Performance
	SHELIA DORN (Make-up and Hair)
	DIONNE FONTENOT (Assistant to the Director) likes to paraphrase Mark 16:15 to say "And He said to them, Go into all the world and preach (and sing) the Gospel to every creature." As a talented poet, singer, songwriter and sought after musician, Dionne has done just that by participating on Praise and Worship teams and teaching Vocal Training Classes. She has recorded background vocals on 6 Gospel albums, she has also performed background vocals and appeared in two movies Made in America and Why Do Fools Fall In Love. Her theatrical performances include: A Comedy Of Errors with the Los Angeles Shakespeare Festival, the Donald Byrd production, of The Harlem Nutcracker and The Azusa Street Revival written by the Late Andre David Brooks.
	SEMA'J (SA-MA-J) (Guitarist Featured in House Music)-A smooth mellow contemporary jazz sound is what this artist is bringing to the forefront. A little jazz, a little funk/hip-hop coming from his guitar. Sema'j started playing guitar at the age of eleven. By sixteen he was already playing in major studios on hit records in the Los Angeles area. As a studio musician Sema'j had the opportunity to learn the in's and out's of production with producers like Norman Whitfield (Motown), Ray Parker Jr., and many others. Sema'j, born James is a left-handed guitar player and people would say he played backwards. As a result, he turned his name around backwards. Influenced by the bands of the seventies and eighties, the mellow sounds of contemporary jazz of the nineties and hip-hop, Sema'j set out to play songs that different generations would enjoy. The Emotions CD is just what he set out to do, new but old, funky but contemporary. This artist will go far in the new millennium because he likes to play all types of music on his guitar and people like to listen.
	WENDELL CARMICHAEL (Costume Assistant)
	ROOSEVELT GORDON (Lighting Technician)