Meet the ReWombed Team
NIKKI BRAKE-SILLÁ
Playwright
Nikki (she/her) is a Black playwright/filmmaker with an invisible disability, tried to check out of the hospital with her infant, A.M.A. During the day, she works in a research lab and merges science and art to expose people to inherent bias in the medical system. She weaves stories that give urgency to folx who birth, (AGAINST MEDICAL ADVICE), COVID frontline workers, (SILOS), and exposes the challenges of uterine transplant research trials, (REWOMBED). She has been commissioned by EST/Sloan, Revolution Shakespeare, Elevate Theatre, and Black Music City. But what gives her the most joy is giving someone their likeness on screen and stage. ginifilms.com
LORI ELIZABETH PARQUET
Director
Lori (she/her) is an actor, director, playwright, and dramaturg from New Orleans, LA. She recently made her Broadway debut as the Associate Director of Suffs. Her Off Broadway Associate Directing credits include The Public Theater: Suffs, The Tempest, As You Like It, and Twelfth Night; New York City Center: Promenade. Off-Off Broadway Directing: White on White (NY Times Critic’s Pick). Awards: NYIT Outstanding Lead Actress.
GORDON CHAMBERS
Music Director
Gordon (he/him) is a singer-songwriter-producer and recording artist. Gordon Chambers is no stranger to the music industry. His solo albums have been nominated for Independent Soul Album of the Year by Soultracks.com and have been among CDbaby’s top R&B sellers. His #1 hits as a lyricist include: Anita Baker’s Grammy- winning hit “I Apologize”, Brownstone’s Grammy-nominated “If You Love Me”, Angie Stone’s “No More Rain (In This Cloud)”, the Grammy-nominated theme of Set It Off “Missing You” (performed by Brandy, Tamia, Gladys Knight and Chaka Khan). Yolanda Adams’ “Someone Watching Over Me” and The Isley Brothers’ recent comeback smash “Just Came Here To Chill.” In fact, he has written for over 75 recording artists, including household names Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Beyonce, Brandy, Trey Songz, Usher, Jamie Foxx, Gladys Knight, Chaka Khan, Patti Labelle and Marc Anthony. He is the winner of 8 ASCAP songwriting awards and four Dove nominations. His songs have been performed at the ESSENCE Awards, The American Music Awards and The White House. Since 2005, Chambers has been performing up a storm in all over the world promoting his debut album Introducing Gordon Chambers (which features special guests Carl Thomas, Glenn Lewis, Sara Devine, Roy Hargrove and Mike Phillips), his sophomore CD Love Stories (which features four-time Grammy nominee Ledisi) ,his third album Sincere (which includes tributes to his idols and mentors Donny Hathaway, Phyllis Hyman and Gerald Levert) and his new album SURRENDER (which features Grammy winner Lalah Hathaway and Grammy nominee Eric Roberson). His prestigious appearances have included The White House, The Essence Music Festival, The Congressional Black Caucus, The Apollo Theater, Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center and B.B. Kings—as well as European, Japanese and South African tours. Chambers is a role model to the next generation. He speaks often in public schools. He was a mentor and performer on the South African Idol Show in 2014. His Grammy-nominated 17-year-old protégée Karina Pasian was signed to Island Def Jam records. Her song “Slow Motion” which Chambers wrote and produced has become an anthem for teenage girls. Interscope singer-rapper Tory Lanez recently hit #1 Urban with “Say It” which samples “If You Love Me”. This video has received over 50 million YouTube plays.
CAROLINE RAGLAND
Production Stage Manager
Caroline (she/they) is an award-winning stage manager and multidisciplinary artist. OFF-BROADWAY: Candida, POOF! at Theatre Row; Goldie, Max & Milk at 59e59; Housewives of Secaucus, Metamorphosis at Actors Temple Theatre; Rearview Mirror at Theatre Center; All Hallow's Eve (Dir. Martin P. Robinson) at Connelly. REGIONAL/TOURING: Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812 at ZACH Theatre (B Iden Payne Award Winner for Outstanding Stage Management); The Weir, Copenhagen at Berkshire Theatre Group; As You Like It at Shakespeare on the Sound; The Notebook (Developmental Workshop), Short Shakespeare! Macbeth at Chicago Shakespeare; Next to Normal, The Little Mermaid Jr., A Peter Rabbit Tale at Mill Mountain Theatre; Nine, Pippin, Head Over Heels, Ubu Rock, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Macbeth at New Studio on Broadway; Fourscore and Seven Years Ago, My Heart in a Suitcase, Judy Moody and Stink with ArtsPower. BFA in Musical Theatre from CCPA at Roosevelt University.
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BECHDEL PROJECT
Co-Producer
Bechdel Project is rooted in the vibrant cultural landscape of Greenpoint, Brooklyn, and was founded in 2015 to address harmful gender disparities prevalent within our culture’s storytelling. Bechdel Project believes that we can change our culture by changing the stories we tell and that the lack of women-centered stories in our culture harms women and men alike. Our mission is to amplify the voices and stories of women, non-binary, and underrepresented genders through art, activism, and education to shape a more equitable future for all.
KIMBERLY S FAIRBANKS
Rachel
Kimberly (she/her) is a proud member of SAG/AFTRA and AEA, whose work can be seen and heard regionally, nationally, and internationally across the performance mediums of television, film, theatre, and voice over. She has performed Off-Broadway at The Sheen Center, 59E59, and The Mint Theatre. Regionally at The Eugene O’Neill Foundation, Crossroads Theater Company, Voyage Theater Company, Delaware Theatre Company, The Walnut Street Theater, The Wilma Theatre, Philadelphia Theatre Company, InterAct Theatre Company, Theatre Exile, and Azuka Theatre. Her performances in the one-woman play I Will Speak for Myself have garnered praise internationally as part of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Off-Broadway, and regionally. Most recently, Kimberly was a devising member with Tectonic Theatre Project on the piece Call My Name Clemson, by Dr. Rhonda Thomas. A dedicated advocate for new plays, Kimberly has lent her talents to many readings, most recently, ReWombed by Nikki Brake-Sillá at Ensemble Studio Theatre. On camera, Kimberly was featured in the films Glass,The Upside, and Brave the Dark; recurring roles in the television series Random Acts of Flyness, Law & Order, The Looming Tower, House of Cards, Do No Harm, and the upcoming series Cross with Aldis Hodge. She has also guest starred on FBI, Instinct, Elementary, and MadamSecretary and has performed in hundreds of voice overs and commercials. Kimberly holds a Master’s Degree in Theatre from VillanovaUniversity, is the recipient of The National Partners of the American Theatre Classical Acting Award, the Dell'Arte International School ofPhysical Theatre Mad River Festival Scholarship, the Shaw Festival Scholarship, and was selected for the 2023 Kilroys List.https://www.kimberlysfairbanks.com/.
JIHAN HADDAD
Eve
Jihan (she/her) Regional: Marianne, Sense and Sensibility, Matilda, Sisters, Northern Stage; Connie, The Great Leap, Lyric Stage Boston; Viola, Twelfth Night, Jeanne 1, Thrive, American Shakespeare Center; Soothsayer, Julius Caesar, The Hanover Theatre; Gail, Becky Nurse of Salem, Mrs. Cratchit, A Christmas Carol (2022), Estrella, Sueño, Trinity Repertory Company Brown/Trinity Rep: Eleanor et. al, The Late Wedding, Miranda et. al, The Tempest, Nellie Ewell/Rosa Gonzalez, Summer and Smoke, Golf Girl, Golf Girl (Writing is Live), Susan/Ida, The Executrix (Writing is Live). TV/Film: Salvation. New York: Maria, Dead Girl’s Quinceñera, Ensemble Studio Theatre BLOODWORKS; Yanira, Tesseract, Playwright’s Realm Ink’d Festival. Other: Jihan is an actor and theater-maker based in NYC. She holds an MFA in acting from Brown University/Trinity Rep and a BA in theatre and French and Francophone Studies from Willamette University. www.jihanhaddad.com
JUANITA M. GUINYARD
Singer
Juanita (she/her)'s artistic journey began at just six years old, when her love for singing and acting was ignited by landing her first role in The Wiz for her school play. She continued to nurture her talent in High School, at the Boys and Girls Choir Academy of Harlem, where she received classical training and developed a rich appreciation for various musical genres. Her dedication to music earned her a scholarship to Nyack College, where she further honed her craft. A life-changing opportunity to travel abroad allowed Juanita to tour Europe, visiting countries like Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece, Hungary, Poland, and Ireland.
These experiences enriched her artistry and broadened her perspective. Throughout her career, Juanita has performed with renowned artists such as Lenny Kravitz, CeCe Winans, BeBe Winans, American Authors, Faith Evans, 112, Snoop Dogg, and many others. She has also graced the stages of iconic New York City venues, including Symphony Space, the Apollo Theater, Madison Square Garden, Barclays Center, and Carnegie Hall.
As a passionate actress, she has played lead roles in every play she auditioned for, deepening her love for theater and storytelling. Now embracing her roles as a wife and new mom, Juanita is ready to embark on an exciting new chapter. With her debut album set to release in 2024, she continues to inspire and connect with audiences through her powerful voice and heartfelt performances.
SJ HANNAH
Isaiah
SJ (he/him) was last seen onstage in Richard II (Smith Street Stage). Other productions include Clybourne Park (MTC), She’s Got Harlem On Her Mind (Metropolitan Playhouse), Our Town, The Woods (Pendragon Theater), Superhero (Houses on the Moon Theatre), The First Deep Breath (National Black Theatre), and The Lion King (national tour). @sjyogi
For NLTP: Meaningful Conversation
CLOTEAL LEE HORNE
Stage Directions
Cloteal (she/her) Upcoming: Fat Ham - Tedra (Virginia Stage Company), Blues for an Alabama Sky - Angel (Trinity Rep.) TV: Grey’s Anatomy, Recurring Guest Star, Season 19 and 20. Selected credits include, Off-Broadway/New York: The Convent of Pleasure (Red Bull Theatre); Cross that River (Marcus Garvey Amphitheater); The Steadfast (Slant Theatre Project); Dirty Blood (Billie Holiday Theatre). To name a few, her Regional Credits include: Comedy of Errors (Shakespeare Theatre Company). Fires in the Mirror, Solo Performer (Long Wharf/ Baltimore Center Stage); The Bluest Eye, BlueShift, (Huntington); She A Gem, (NYTW). Black Odyssey (Trinity Rep.) Hang (Shakespeare & Co.); Saturday Night/Sunday Morning (LyricStage, Elliot Norton Nominee) Film: Stay Here with Me (Tuli Media), The Promotion (C1 Media), What we Owe Each Other (RISDI), Driving While Black Magic. . I am a product of my grandmother’s prayers + my ancestors’ wildest dreams. Glory be. Holds a B.F.A in Acting from BU and a M.F.A in Acting from Brown University/Trinity Rep. www.cloteallhorne.com
For NLTP: London Calling
SHEHERAZADE HOLMAN
Singer
Sheherazade (she/her) is a Brooklyn native with a passion for music that began in elementary school. She has translated that passion into a successful vocal music career. At a young age, Sheherazade’s vocal talents gave her the honor to perform on stage with prolific artists such as, Patti LaBelle, Donnie McClurkin, and Gladys Knight. Also, as a pupil and member of the World Famous Boys and Girls Choir of Harlem Inc., she has graced legendary stages including the Apollo Theater, Radio City Music Hall and the United Nations. These experiences in her formative years, provided the fertile soil for her budding career.
Receiving her Bachelors of Music from Nyack College School Of Music, Ms. Holman continues to grow as a performer and artist. From this growth, she has performed on various stages such as Lincoln Center, Madison Square Garden, The Barclays Center and The O2 Arena in London. She has also been blessed to perform abroad in Italy, Greece, Japan, Ireland, Australia, Türkiye and China. In Recent years, She has continued to use her voice on many different stages and behind many great artists. She currently sings background for Multi Grammy Award winning Artist Xtina (Christina Aguilera) and has sung background for several Recording Artists in many genres. These artists include Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductee Darlene Love, Chaka Khan, Gregory Porter, Ki Ki Sheard, Lenny Kravitz, BeBe Winans, Vashawn Mitchell, The Baylor Project, Shania Twain, Jonathan Nelson, H.E.R and many others. Her dreams continue to manifest, as she has recently released her first official single, a beautiful cover of the classic, “The Christmas Song”on multiple streaming platforms this past holiday season. She hopes to continue to spread love and light through the gift of song.
JULIAN SUMMERS
Singer
Julian (he/him) is a singer/songwriter from Jersey City, NJ. He had a strong passion for music and the stage when he was a young boy and eventually that passion helped him realize his dream. He was musical and vocal director for the Harlem Gospel Choir for 7 years and has toured over 30 countries around world for over a decade. He has had the opportunity to perform in New York’s most prestigious venues such as Radio City Music Hall, Madison Square Garden, Lincoln Center, Barclays Center as well as the United Nations. He went on to vocal arrange for artists, a Christmas campaign for Amazon and his work has appeared on Good Morning America and CNN. Over the years he has appeared on national and international television shows such as Saturday Night Live, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Agora Nós, The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Late Night With Seth Meyers, American’s Got Talent and sang on stage with artists such as Mariah Carey, Sia, The 1975, Shania Twain, Ray Chew, American Authors & Melba Moore. His prayer as he grows in his musical career is to be a vessel of hope, to inspire and to encourage many who have a dream. He is most excited to take part in the production, “ReWombed”. It’s a beautiful piece in which he hopes brings hope, healing and blesses women around the world to keep going and trust God!
LENNOX VANCOOTEN JR
Singer
Lennox (he/him) is a native of Brooklyn, NY, who began his musical journey at the age of five, singing in church. During high school, he became a member of the world-renowned Boys Choir of Harlem, under the direction of Dr. Walter Turnbull. After graduating, Lennox honed his craft at Nyack College's School of Music, majoring in Vocal Performance. Over the years, he has had the opportunity to perform as supporting background vocalist for numerous iconic artists, including Pharrell, Mariah Carey, Kim Burrell, Common, American Authors, Lenny Kravitz, CeCe Winans, and Wizkid, among others. Lennox's musical journey has also taken him on tours across Europe and South America. With a deep passion for singing, he remains committed to sharing his gift with audiences worldwide.