The Collective

Michael has performed in various theatres in Chicago, Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids, and Muskegon.

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Lyrically describing himself as a "Busy Bunny Bussin Out the mean streets of Harlem", D. Bunny is one of the originators of hip-hop, championing the concepts of self love, self respect, self advocacy and honesty in the face of deception.

Brandon M. Weber is a theatre and film artist who is dedicated to making works that break down the stereotypes within the ethnic diaspora.

Born in Karachi (Pakistan) and raised in Saudi Arabia in a poetry-loving household, however I found my voice in playwriting.

Kelsey Rain is a playwright, enrolled Shoshone, but with indigenous ancestry from Ottawa, Uintah Ute, Choctaw, and Muskogee Creek.

Fatima Bawah is a recent graduate from Aquinas College with a degree in Theatre Performance, Psychology, and music.

Jay is a BFA graduate of Marymount Manhattan College in New York City.

2024 ArtPrize Award Winner, Teyland discovered his creative side through the influence of his great-grandfather—a self-taught, multi-instrumentalist whose deep emotional and spiritual connection to music left a lasting impact. Inspired by this legacy, Teyland began teaching himself how to make music, sparking a relentless hunger to grow as an artist.
Fueled by that drive, he founded 616 Records to unify his community and empower fellow creatives. Today, 616 Records stands as a major force in the Grand Rapids hip-hop scene—educating artists on the business of music and building bridges from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo, Chicago, and Detroit.

Teyland Avery, B.Sc.(http://B.Sc)

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M. D. Schaffer (They/He) is a Non-Binary, Ashkenazi, African-American writer, choreographer, librettist, and lyricist born in Houston, Texas, and residing in New York City.

A Michigan native and graduate of Western Michigan’s theatre department, Micah is based out of Chicago these days, but will always consider Grand Rapids his theatrical hometown.

DARIUS COLQUITT is an Award-Winning Entertainer, Educator, Writer, Director & Entrepreneur originally from Chicago's South Side.

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Heba is an award-winning actress, model, and writer. She is a first-generation Arab American born in Giza to Egyptian parents.

Janelle Smith is a Chicago-based costume designer, wardrobist, and stylist who has worked at Rocky Mountain Repertory Theater, Marriott Theatre, Oil Lamp Theater, among others,

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Jailyn Sherell Harris is a native of Cleveland, Ohio and a graduate of Bowling Green State University, where she received her BAC in theatre, with a minor in dance.

A singer of diverse talents, Nigerian American Baritone, Babatunde Akinboboye is known for his enthralling stage presence.