Meet The Team
DARIUS COLQUITT
Producing Artistic Director
Founder & CEO
EMILY EmC CIPRIANO
Co-Founder
FATIMA BAWAH
Associate Director
YESENIA COTTO
Associate Director
SHAWN SMITH
Marketing Director
BEXX CHAMBERS
Administrative Director
KRISTI ROSHTO
Foundational Intern
DARIUS COLQUITT is an Award-Winning Entertainer, Educator, Writer, Director & Entrepreneur originally from Chicago's South Side. Colquitt started out as a child actor, appearing in advertisements for SUBWAY Restaurants & an ABC Television Movie entitled "There Are No Children Here", all before the age of ten. Now, at age 37, he shows no signs of slowing down, having premiered in, produced or directed over 90 productions & features with numerous theatrical companies & entertainment entities throughout the nation.
Colquitt has had the esteemed honor of sharing spaces & performing with some amazingly talented celebrities & personalities including Oprah Winfrey, the late Maya Angelou, Keith David (Dr. Facilier from “Princess & The Frog”), Jackie Taylor, Broadway's Chester Gregory, Felicia P. Fields, Jess Godwin, Taraji P. Henson (of “Empire” fame), Dr. Phil McGraw, Bob Love of The Chicago Bulls, and Country Music Icons, The Judds. These experiences have allowed him the opportunity of serving on the board of several Midwest Arts organizations, while continuing to build & maintain his personal artistic ventures. Colquitt has also served as the lead vocalist of former Chicago-based band, "Wilson Wilson", was the most recent Artistic Director of PANORAMA Arts, has worked as the Acting Educational Director for Ebony Road Players and is Techincal Director for Brooks Permissions, helping continue the relevance of the words & work of Black History icon, Gwendolyn Brooks
Emily "EmC" Cipriano is a recent graduate from Aquinas College majoring in Theatre for Social Change. Emily's passion for equitable and community-oriented theatre has taken her to an internship at Collaboration Theatre Company in Chicago, all the way back to Grand Rapids own Ebony Road Players, and in many high schools judging for The MIFA. Some of her favorite credits include Somebody in "Everybody", Elicia/Lyse/Clarina in "The Illusion", both with AQ Theatre, and Penny in "Lockdown" with Alternative Acts Theatre Company.
Fatima Bawah is a recent graduate from Aquinas College with a degree in Theatre Performance, Psychology, and music. Fatima has a passion for working with underrepresented youth and advocating for our POC community. They have had many experiences working in a theatrical educational background, and even had the opportunity to learn and experience theater in London. Some of Fatima’s previous credits include Joanne Jefferson in Rent, Chiffon in Little Shop of Horrors, Somebody in Everybody, Kacey in One of Our Own, as well as a lead in both of BAM's Concert Tribute Shows "GET READY: THE MUSIC OF MOTOWN" &"SONGS IN THE KEY OF STEVIE WONDER" .
Shawn Smith is an accomplished multi-hyphenate that thrives in the art of storytelling. Actor, writer, singer, composer, musician, producer, these words define the artistic being known as Shawn Smith. Since he was a child he has performed in various theatrical plays and musicals throughout the Midwest. He studied at various institutions acquiring many different skills; Bachelors in Marketing from Colorado State University- Global Campus, Certificate in Acting from Stella Adler Studio of Acting/NYU, and is pending his MBA with a concentration in Project Management. He is a published author with his children’s poetry book titled, Letters from the Farm, and is an established R&B artist with his recent release of his EP, Before I Begin.
Yesenia Cotto currently works as an Associate Director for BAM Talent and is thrilled to be a part of the BAMily. A consummate performer, Cotto's Previous credits include Cabaret (Frenchie), Music Man (Zaneeta), Little Shop of Horrors (Ensemble) at Circle Theatre. Other credits include Constellations (Marianne) at GRCC Players and Gloria (Ani/Sasha/Callie) at Actors Theatre. She is a 2018 graduate of Northview High School and currently studying Theatre and Communications at GRCC. She enjoys Hip Hop and Jazz Dance/ Choreography, Stage Managing, and directing.
Kristi Roshto, originally from Alexandria, LA, lives in Chicago, IL, where she works with the non-profit League of Chicago Theatre’s Hot Tix as the assistant manager. Though she studied theatre in college, along with music and English, Kristi did not anticipate working with so many creatives so soon after graduating. She’s thrilled to bring her background in writing and nonprofit work to BAM Talent’s team. When not seeing all the plays and musicals Chicago has to offer, Kristi can be found creating in some form of fashion – be it studying music, writing songs or stories, painting, or simply cuddling with her cat, a hot cup of tea, and a good book.
Bexx Chambers is a graduate of Creston High school & is a mostly independently trained virtuoso (she can play more than a dozen instruments). A goth arts junkie with a long list of accomplishments, talents & abilities, Bexx lends a of her time & talents to the mission of BAM Talent. When she's not here, she enjoys spending her time in nature, camping or with her grandma.