Its A Story About . . .

Robert, a classically trained dancer, who dreams of becoming a famous rap star.  After suffering a humiliating defeat at a leading open mic competition, he struggles to redeem himself in the eyes of his community. He falls hard for a girl named Stacy but his family’s prejudices threaten to tear them apart.  Can Robert overcome his fears and troubled home life to achieve his Hip Hop dreams?  It’s a journey of Swagger, Struggle and Self Love that we all must travel. 

Do You Have What It Takes to be iLLA?

                                                  

Your Donations Cover:

• Festival Developmental Reading Series Expenses:
  
• Audition Expenses 
  
• Actors, Director, Musicians, Crew Members and Sound Engineer.
  
• Rehearsal and Performance Expenses
  
• Advertising / Promotion
  
• Professional music charts for band and cast.
  
• Recording and mixing music tracks
  

Risks & Challenges

Writing a musical ain't easy!  It's exciting but this show is the most challenging artistic endeavor we've ever taken as a writing team.  Having worked together professionally for years in both musical theatre and hip hop, we can honestly say that this is by far the best artistic work we have ever done.  iLLA is fun, heart warming, thought provoking, cutting edge, and hot!  Help us share this experience with the world! 

Other Ways You Can Help

• Share, share, share, share, share!!!! Anything you can do to help spread the word and help us make some noise!  #iLLA

• Be sure to visit/comment on our website: http://www.illathemusical.com

• Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Soundcloud: @illathemusical.  

Ronvé O’Daniel (book & lyrics)

An American rapper, producer and actor, born in Queens, New York, where he lived until he was four years old.  It was then when he and his family eventually moved to Marietta, GA where he was raised.  He released his debut solo album entitled,He Speaks So Well in the fall of 2011. He Speaks So Well created a tremendous buzz throughout the industry, including a spot on Billy Danze’s (from legendary hip hop group M.O.P.) mixtape series R.U.N (Rap’s United Nations) as well as DJ Green Lantern's Overtime Grind Mixtape Vol 2. Ronvé has also been featured in XXL Magazine as well as Allhiphop.com.  As a professional actor, Ronvé was featured in productions including The Altar Boyz, Seussical the Musical, and Amen Corner. Currently, Ronvé is continuing to work as a recording artist.  His current singles “Classy” and “Star Power” are in full rotation and are available on iTunes. 

Jevares C. Myrick (music)

An American born Producer/Composer, Singer, Dancer and Actor born in Montgomery, Alabama where he lived until he was eight years old, until his family moved to Marietta, GA.  His regional theater credits include The Producers, Sophisticated Ladies, Ragtime, Grease, Ain't Misbehavin, Hairspray, Little Shop of Horrors, All Night Strut, Smokey Joe's Café, among others. Jevares attended Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio on a full scholarship as a Voice Performance/Opera Major and was featured in several Opera and Musical Theatre productions.  Shortly after, he decided to pursue a career in performing, and was immediately cast as a lead performer for Royal Caribbean and Holland America Cruise Lines.  Currently, Jevares can be seen composing and creating corporate backing tracks for Six Flags Over Georgia, Georgia Aquarium, Simon Corporation, and the Atlanta Lyric Theater. 

As a team, Jevares and Ronvé were members of the hip hop group The Undergrads, which released a mixtape, two albums and opened up for acts such as Kelly Rowland, Bone Crusher and Travis Porter.  As producers, they co-founded Varsity Squad Productions, and worked with notable figures such as 2-Chainz, DJ Toomp and DJ Jelly. 

J Kyle Manzay (Director)

J Kyle Manzay received his BFA from Howard University where he majored in acting and minored in writing.  He went on to complete his MFA in acting at NYU Tisch School of the Arts.  As an actor Mr. Manzay received the 2004 Obie Award for Outstanding Performance and has been nominated for 4 AUDELCO awards including a nomination for his work in the post-Katrina inspired Waiting for Godot opposite Wendell Pierce. An accomplished Shakespearean actor, J Kyle has starred in Romeo and Juliet, King Lear, and played the title role in the Classical Theatre of Harlem’s critically acclaimed production of Hamlet.  His film work includes: Little Manhattan, Single Hills, and the box office smash hit American Gangster opposite Denzel Washington. In 1997 J Kyle Manzay was hired by the Soul Rep Theater Company to produce its Second Annual New Playwrights Festival at the Dallas Theater Center where he directed three new plays during with the festival. In 2004, J Kyle’s wrote, directed and produced the workshop productions of Men, Money, and Gold Diggers (starring Robin Givens and Tank), and What Ever She Wants (starring Vivica Fox and Boris Kodjoe) for I'm Ready Productions which went on to gross over 16 million dollars on tour. Driven by a passion to direct innovative work, J Kyle wrote, directed and produced the hit comedy The Actor’s Rap which opened at the New York The Hip Hop Theater Festival. This lead to his being hired by Sony Entertainment to write, produce, and direct former Sony Recording Hip-Hop Artist Jim Jones’ album Prey IV Reign as a musical entitled Hip-Hop Monologues: Inside the Life and Mind of Jim Jones. This production received worldwide acclaim and set the stage for Broadway productions like American Idiot. In 2005, J Kyle’s Korner expanded into animation writing and producing It’s All Elementary Stop Motion Animated Series which was a finalist in the 2010 New York Television Festival and slated premiere next season. Since then, Mr. Manzay has founded Korner Enterprises an entertainment conglomerate which includes: Korner Productions, Korner Animation and Korner Theatricals which recently produced the Off-Broadway revival The Great MacDaddy starring Khalil Kain and the Off-Broadway musical For Vixens Who've Considered Homicide When the Video was Too Much which currently featured on the Bravo reality series Blood, Sweat, & Heels.  J Kyle has been a guest on Good Day New York, Hot 97 Morning Show, The Wendy Williams Show and featured in the New Yorker Magazine, New York Times, and XXL Magazine.

David Coffman (Executive Producer- NYMF Developmental Reading)

(Ronve O'Daniel, David Coffman, J Kyle Manzay)

Currently the New York representative for Scandinavia's largest theatrical stage rights agency, Nordiska ApS.  Negotiated international licenses for live stage rights for many  Broadway musicals including, The Addams Family, Flashdance, Hairspray, Spring Awakening, The Full Monty, Avenue Q, Wicked (Helsinki), Next To Normal among many others. Currently also the Managing Director for Sundance Productions Inc which is the New York office of BB Promotion – The Art of Entertainment, the group is now one of the leading firms providing high quality live entertainment in Europe. Based in Mannheim, Germany, the group’s field of responsibility and line of business includes directing concerts in the region, facilitating national and international tours of musical theatre productions as well as premieres of German productions. Currently working with Briones Productions in Mexico for licenses of CATS and Rock of Ages. Additionally David co-conceived and produced the hit Latino musical 4 Guys Named José which played Off Broadway B;way and is in the MTI catalog and Blackbirds of Broadway which played to great success in theatres across the U.S., The Montreal Jazz Festival and two commercial European tours. David has also managed and/or booked Tango Argentino, Flamenco Puro, as well as domestic and international tours of A Chorus Line,  Ain't Misbehavin', One Mo' Time, My One and Only, Ballet Folklorico de Chile, Ballet,  Folklorico de Mexico, Dancers and Musicians of  Bali,  Antología de la Zarzuela, National Dance Company of Senegal, Spellbound,  A Magic Night In America, Africa Oye, and 3 Mo’ Divas.

Anthony Chatmon II (Robert)

is thrilled to be a part of this year’s NYMF season. In 2013 he was selected to compete in NYMF’s Next Broadway Sensation. He comes fresh off of playing the Doctor in The Book of Mormon (Jumamosi Tour). Favorite credits include: A Chorus Line, Hairspray, Figaro (90210), Hello Again and Colored Museum. UC Irvine Graduate.

Marissa O’Donnell (Stacy)

is excited to return to NYMF, this time with the amazing iLLA crew! Previous NYMF credits:Fable, Mint’d: Inheritance and Live! Nude! Girl! Marissa originated the role of Teen Fiona in Broadway’s Shrek The Musical and made her big screen debut opposite Jane Fonda and Elizabeth Olsen in Bruce Beresford’s film “Peace, Love & Misunderstanding.” Recent projects include readings of Rocket Boys, Question 1, Trojan Women and We Are The Tigers. Marissa has also been hitting the concert circuit and will appear at 54 Below in “54 Sings Lady Gaga” in late July. A rising senior in the BFA Musical Theater program at Pace School of Performing Arts, Marissa has been a proud member of Actors’ Equity since 2005 and is represented by Abrams Artists. www.marissa-odonnell.com

Carter Redwood (Gary)

Carter is thrilled to join the cast of iLLA! A Princess Grace Theater Honorarium recipient, he recently graduated from Carnegie Mellon University where he earned his BFA and the prestigious John Arthur Kennedy Acting Award. He has also trained at the Drama Centre London. Off-Broadway: When January Feels Like Summer (Ensemble Studio Theatre), Gertrude Stein Saints (La Mama, Abrons Arts Center). TV/Film: ”The Good Wife,” “Madam Secretary,” Underdogs, Not Cool, Blood First. carterredwood.com

Barron B. Bass (Ens, DJ, Stage Dir.)

Barron Bass hails from White Plains, NY and has a BFA in Acting from Rutgers University. Most recently, Barron was seen in Theaterworks USA's Freedom Train as David (US Regional Tour) and The Recommendation as Dwight (FleaTheater, NY Premiere).. Apparently, he has a penchant for playing characters with names starting with D... weird. Barron also produces music under the name BBasstheillest. Look out for his upcoming collab EP, T.H.P., with hip-hop artist, Napoleon da Legend, this summer! BARRONBBASS.COM 

Perry Young (Slim)

is thrilled to join the iLLA crew! Previously, Perry flexed his rap skills as Usnavi on the National Tour of In The Heights, and was awarded a BroadwayWorld Award for Best Lead Actor in a Musical. Always love to my family for their constant love and support. 

Bianca (B) Madison (Ensemble)

 is a fearless, outgoing, and passionate NYC based actor and singer.  Since the age of 6, B has loved to perform. Growing up in Providence, RI she has worked in many community theater  productions and regional theater. 

B studied Musical Theater at City College of New York and continues her education studying closely with Heidi Marshall ( film) and Voice with Kara Boyer.  Her favorite rolls include Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, April in The Life, and Brianna in Busted ( TV pilot). 

B has an undying passion to grown, learn, and embrace life to its fullest potential. One of her favorite quotes to live by is this: "I am one with the universe. The universe is awesome and so am I."

Marcus John (Ensemble)

is ecstatic about making his NYC stage debut as a part of the esteemed NYMF. He is a recent graduate of UArts BFA Musical Theatre program in Philadelphia, PA. Regional Theatre credits include: Jungle Book (Arden Theatre Company), Kill Move Paradise (Interact Theatre Company). Upcoming: High Society (Walnut St. Theatre), An Octoroon (Wilma Theatre). All love to Support 7 and my Twerps. As always “Pray Often, Worry Not!”. Marcusjohn.weebly.com

Shea Gomez (Ensemble)

is a New York based performer and California native. She was seen most recently in Tectonic Theater Project’s developmental workshop of CARMEN, directed by Moisés Kaufman, which was presented at The Guggenheim Museum. Other credits include CLUBLAND (American Repertory Theatre), KIRA STARCLOUD (Musical Theatre Factory), THE AMERICAN GIRLS REVUE (Los Angeles), and creating the role of Estella in the premiere production of STANDARDIZED TESTING: THE MUSICAL! This fall, Shea will be joining the National Tour of JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT.  BFA Emerson College.

Eddie Maldonado (Ensemble)

NYMF debut. International: Disney Cruise Line (Simba). National Tour: Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story (Ritchie Valens). Regional highlights: NY Theatre Barn’s Altar Boyz (Juan); Prather Entertainment’s Legally Blonde The Musical (Carlos); AZ Broadway Theatre’s The Full Monty (Ethan, AriZoni Award); Phoenix Theatre’s La Cage Aux Folles (Jacob), Spamalot (Prince Herbert, AriZoni Award), and Gypsy (Starring Kathy Fitzgerald). TV/Film faves: “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” (Netflix) and Oxford University Press’ Educational Series. Special Appearance: Jordin Sparks’ Superbowl XLII pre–party opening act. www.Eddie–Maldonado.com