The Making of a Musical ...
The Creative Team
DIRECTED BY WANDA WHITESIDE * MUSICAL DIRECTION BY ERIC HARRELL
BLESS JI JAJA
Playwright |
CYNTHIA MCCORKINDALE
Composer
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VALERIE BRANCH
Choreographer |
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Upon completion of his undergraduate studies at Howard University, Directors’ program, BFA; Bless published two dynamic books, “Love Awaits” and “Understandings, for our Sisters.” Bless has also written for “EM Magazine,” “Psychology Today” and “The Nu School Magazine.” Bless received a Director’s apprenticeship for the Tony Awarding winning play “Fences” at Arena Stage. He shares co-directing honors for the non-traditional casting of “Streetcar Named Desire” at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C. Bless was named as a Best New Playwright by the Drama Critics of New York.
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After attending the prestigious Boston Conservatory and receiving a Bachelor of Music degree from Western Connecticut State University, her love of language and desire to travel took Cynthia abroad. A Connecticut resident, she is a critically-acclaimed vocalist who has navigated many genres - but stays mainly with jazz and French cafe music. Cynthia has performed in venues in the U.S. and Europe. Although primarily a singer, Cynthia is also a songwriter. The Window King - The Musical inspired her to create music for the show.
Special thanks to Andy Ezrin for his invaluable help with musical transcription |
A magna cum laude graduate from the University of Maryland College Park with a Bachelor’s Degree in Dance. Valerie has brought dance into schools throughout the United States, South Africa, India, Singapore, and St. George’s, Grenada. She has previously received an invitation from the Danish Embassy to participate in a Cultural Arts Program Exchange Visit to Denmark. As a Master Teaching Artist with Wolf Trap Institute for Early Learning Through the Arts, a Young Audiences National Credentialed Teaching Artist and Regional Director of MD Wolf Trap Early Learning with Arts for Learning Maryland.
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‘The Window King’ presented by Live Garra Theatre at Silver Spring Black Box Theatre
By Anne Valentino - MD Theatre Guide
November 20, 2022
"Whiteside’s direction handles an array of structural nuances to a satisfying end, and you leave the theatre with the distinct sense that you know these characters, only wishing that you could see how their lives continue to unfold from here."
By Anne Valentino - MD Theatre Guide
November 20, 2022
"Whiteside’s direction handles an array of structural nuances to a satisfying end, and you leave the theatre with the distinct sense that you know these characters, only wishing that you could see how their lives continue to unfold from here."
