A fine cast lines up for THE PIANO LESSON

Here are the cast bios from our current show (and the director, too):

Sunetrius “Sunshine” Armstrong (Maretha) is a fifth grader at Miller South School of the Visual and Performing Arts and is excited to appear in her first play. She loves to swim, ride her bike, and play softball. Sunshine plays on the Diamond Dogs softball team and has enjoyed her time on the Firestone stage.


Jeremy Alexander Clarke (Avery) is a senior VPA Theatre student who is very excited to return to the FHS stage. He most recently appeared in the North Canton Playhouse production of The Wedding Singer and also appeared in our production of Sweeney Todd. Jeremy plans to study musical theatre in college. He thanks his mom, Lisa, Marci, Brenton, and his whole North Canton Playhouse family.

Shamara Costa (Berniece) is a senior VPA Theatre student who also sings in Symphonic Choir. She has appeared in our recent Summer Theatre Project, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, in addition to Firestone Theatre productions of Sweeney Todd, 1001 Afternoons in Chicago, and Noises Off.

LaSosha Rayshell Edwards (stage manager) is a senior VPA Theatre student who is currently the vice president fo the Thespian Troupe. She plans to pursue a medical degree in college.

Dred Geib (prop designer) is a junior VPA Technical Theatre student who has worked on many of our productions as well as productions with New World Performance Lab.

Kaylah Green (Grace) is a senior VPA Choral Music student who has previously appeared in our productions of Sweeney Todd and Crowns. She also sings in Women’s Chorus, Vocal Jazz, Madrigals, and Symphonic Choir. Kaylah is happy to return to the Firestone stage.

DeAndre Hairston (Lymon Jackson) is a sophomore VPA Theatre student appearing in his first Firestone Theatre production.

Greg Hill (Whining Boy) is a sophomore VPA Theatre student appearing in his third Firestone Theatre production. He appeared in last year’s Dear Gabby and 1001 Afternoons in Chicago.

Zoe Sapienza (assistant stage manager) is a sophomore VPA Theatre student. She recently served as the Stage Manager for the Summer Theatre Project, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Zoe has appeared onstage in Dear Gabby and The One-Act Play Festival. She appeared as Robin Starveling in Weathervane’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream and as Kitty Bennet in Pride and Prejudice.

Stacee Starr (Doaker) is a senior VPA Visual Art appearing onstage in his first Firestone Theatre production. He has been on sound crew for our productions of 1001 Afternoons in Chicago and Sweeney Todd and aspires to be a theatrical set designer.

Denzel Washington (Boy Willie) is a senior VPA Theatre student who has appeared in many Firestone Theatre productions. He was seen in last year’s productions of Sweeney Todd and Noises Off. Denzel sings in the Madrigals and Symphonic Choir. Denzel is an active member of Firestone’s men’s Step Team.

Jennifer Kay Jeter (director) returns for her fifth stint directing at Firestone Theatre with August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson. She began her directorial work at the home of the Falcons in 2000 with The Amen Corner, followed by On Strivers Row in 2001, for colored girls who have considered suicide when the rainbow is enuf… in 2005 and Crowns in 2007. Miss Jeter is a performance artist, director, writer and scenographer in Ohio. A native of Akron, she attended Central Hower High School, and went on to earn both her bachelors and masters degrees from the University of Akron, concentrating on performance art. Her thesis entitled The Rites of Being: An Analytical Review of Performance Art as a Theatrical Form explored this experimental art form by documenting its history, its individualistic style, and how it is effected by and, in turn, affects society. Miss Jeter has worked in educational, community, and professional theatre. Miss Jeter’s intent as an artist is to research, document, and educate individuals regarding their economical, political, racial and cultural consciousness through art.

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