A Lot to Unpack at eta Creative Arts Foundation

< Back Keesha Joyce Keesha Joyce is a Chicago-born actress who is honored to be making her ETA Creative Arts Foundation mainstage debut. Her credits include theater, staged readings, commercials, and film/television projects. She is grateful for the opportunity to grace the stage again and thanks God, her family, and her friends for their continued love and support.

Stetson Pierre is a multidisciplinary artist who combines his love for theatre, film, tv, and photography to advance accurate historical and cultural narratives. Through his work, he continually explores storytelling that uplifts, educates, entertains, and connects communities. On and off stage, he is deeply committed to supporting institutions that inspire excellence, expand access, and strengthen engagement. Stetson is an MBA, and studied Black British Theatre and Performance at the British American Drama Academy (BADA) in London. He believes that education and honing of his craft do not stop; and participates in private and group intensives as forms of professional and creative development.

Michelle Renee Bester was born and raised in the south suburbs of Chicago where she fell in love with the performing arts as an actress at the tender age of 6. She’s performed in well over 20 productions (television, film, and theater) here in Chicago, IL, with her most recent role in Black Cypress Bayou (Definition Theatre). She has also appeared in Chicago Fire, The RedLine, Electric Dreams, and many more television/film productions. Additionally, she’s been on the creative team for productions at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre (Twelfth Night) (Assistant Director), Definition Theatre (Judy’s Life’s Work) (Director) and at the Black Ensemble Theater (Grandma’s Jukebox, The Real Housewives of Motown) (Writer/Director). She thanks her village for the constant support and love and credits God for it all!

Derrell Brown is a Chicago-based actor, dancer, and performer, widely recognized for his portrayal of “Randy” in Roomies at Stage 773 with Fearless Fiction Productions. He is excited to join the cast of A Lot to Unpack as Terrance. His stage credits include leading roles in Low Hanging Fruit, Roomies, Roomies 2, and Murdering Macbeth, where he portrayed King Duncan. On screen, Derrell has appeared in Demons and Daddy Issues, both available on Amazon Prime. In addition to his acting work, Derrell brings an extensive background in dance and choreography, having performed in the Emmy Award-winning ABC 7 New Year’s Eve Countdown. His work is rooted in expressive storytelling, blending movement, emotion, and authenticity to create compelling performances. He is grateful to be part of this production and thanks you for supporting live theatre.

Originally from Chicago, Donn Harper is a veteran actor. He has appeared in several feature films such as "Monkey Hustle," "The Blues Brothers, " "Bad Boys," "The Imposter," "Wedding Bell Blues," and more recently "Soul Food," "Mimic II," and "Vacant Lot." Donn's television credits on NBC and ABC, including the Emmy-winning "Fast Break to Glory" and recurring roles on "Chicago Story" "City Guys," "The American Dream," "Chicago PD," “Chicago Med,” "The Haunted Hathaway's," "Happy Endings," and Soap Operas, "General Hospital" and "Passions" and several national commercials. Donn has performed as numerous, memorable theatrical characters at Zebra Crossing, Steppenwolf Theater, Black Ensemble Theater, ETA Creative Arts Foundation, and Hidden Stages. He was nominated for a BTA Award (Black Theater Alliance) for best supporting actor in "Stoops" and "Comfort Stew.” As a Director, Harper's credits include ETA's "Going To The Club" and " Boppin' With The Ancestors," to name a few. He has produced and directed several stage productions under his production Company "JuJu Sauce Productions,” including "for colored girls who have considered suicide when the rainbow is enuf," "A Soldier's Play," and "Black Coffee." He can be seen in the hit movie "Southside with You, " the movie about Barack and Michelle Obama's first date. He received the Black Theater Alliance Award and the African American Alliance Award in 2020 for his Portrayal of “Bill Cosby” in “ Master Comic” at MPAACT Theater.

Margo Harper, is a native of Chicago. She is a director, actress, playwright, drama instructor, screenwriter, vocalist, songwriter, performance poet, radio DJ and puppeteer. She is the Co-Founder of Harper and Harper Creative Productions. Margo studied psychology, drama and theater at the University of Pittsburgh. Margo taught theater at Carlow University and Allegheny Community College, Pittsburgh, PA. and has produced and directed several stage productions. Margo is excited about her first short film, The Landlord.” She has appeared in several commercials, documentaries, and feature films such as, “Roommates”, Sudden Death”, and “The Temptations.” She has participated in national tours and numerous theatrical productions including, “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When The Rainbow Is Enuf” (Wilkinsburg Theater, Pittsburgh, PA), “Shakin The Mess Out of Misery” (Kuntu Repertory Theater, Pittsburgh, PA) , “When A Women’s Fed Up” (David Payton Productions, Charlotte, N. Carolina) “Amen Corner” (Actors of America Theater, Chicago, IL), “A Raisin in the Sun” (Beverly Arts Center, Chicago, IL), “The Billboard”(16th Street Theater, Chicago, IL). “Daddy’s Little Girl” (Black Butterfly Productions, Chicago, IL), Perception’s Theater 3rd Annual BIPOC Play Festival, “Shed.” Warm on the Cooling Board” and Squat MPACCT Theater. “Mop and Bucket Blues” and “I Was There When the Blues Was Red Hot” (ETA Creative Arts Foundation, Chicago, IL.)

Shenise has appeared in numerous productions throughout the Chicagoland area. Her recent credits include Red Twist Theatre's Confederates, Invictus Theatre's The House That Will Not Stand, Pegasus Theatre's Young Playwrights Festival "Love and Gyros and Superheroes Anonymous", Red Twist's Theatre's Twisted Playfest keep it Light & Mancave, and Black Ensemble Theater's Urban Love Story and Remus & the Black History Museum. At Northlight Theatre, she worked on The Barbologist (US) and Intimate Apparel (US). Her performances with MPAACT include Master Comic and Spoken Word, where she earned a Jeff nomination and received both the Black Theater Alliance Award and the African American Arts Alliance Award for her role as Michilla. Shenise believes "As an actress, it is my personal duty to change the lives of my audience one line at a time". Follow Shenise on Instagram @Shenise Danyel.

Raymond Wise is a North Carolina native who has been living in Chicago since 2012. He has a B.A. in Theatre from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and was last performing on Celebrity Cruise Lines as a cast vocalist and, additionally, the headliner in his one man show, Live, Lurn, Laugh, Love. He is excited to return to ETA after 13 years and can't wait to get back to the stage.

Mike Anderson Jr. is a Chicago-based actor and ETA alumnus who studied under the direction of Runako Jahi. His journey in theatre began as a dancer in The Positive Evolution of Bongo Baker, where his versatility quickly became evident as he stepped into the roles of Manish and Stupid after a last-minute cast change. Since then, Mike has continued to build a dynamic stage presence, portraying Gaitor the Waitor in Kasimu and the Coconut Palm and taking on leading roles in Greater Tuna and I Don’t Want to Talk About It. Known for his adaptability and grounded performances, Mike brings authenticity, energy, and lived experience to every role he embodies.

CHLOÉ KHALEEAH KEIRA JOHNSON was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. Chloé is a recent graduate of DePauw University. Chloé has had the pleasure of being a part of plays, operas, and musicals while attending DePauw. Her show credits while attending DePauw: Sorry Wrong Number, Brainpeople, The Wolves, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, Cendrillon, and She Talks To Beethoven. Other show credits include: SQUAT (Ma’at Production Association of Afrikan Centered Theatre), That’s What Friends Are For (Black Ensemble Theater), PWAP The Girl Who Was Different (Black Ensemble Theater), PWAP They Keep Talking About Me (Black Ensemble Theater), Ragtime (Metropolis Performing Arts Centre), Dreamgirls (Lindblom Drama), Long Way Home (Uniting Voices Chicago), Ama and the Magic Toy Box (eta Creative Arts Foundation), The Man Who Saved New Orleans (eta Creative Arts Foundation), and Destination Freedom(eta Creative Arts Foundation). Chloé is super excited to be back at eta working professionally as an adult! Chloé is also super ecstatic to be working with an amazing cast and a wonderful production team.

Marnie Ruff is a proud Chicago native, devoted mother of two, and a cherished grandmother. A graduate of Kenwood Academy, she further honed her skills as a student at Columbia College. Marnie is the owner and operator of MECOLLECTION CHICAGO, where she serves as an educator and product curator, blending her passion for beauty with her entrepreneurial spirit. Additionally, she is a dual licensed real estate broker in both Atlanta and Illinois. With a lifelong love for the arts, Marnie is excited to make her theatrical debut as an alumna of ETA Theater. She is committed to uplifting her community, especially young adults, by sharing her insights on financial literacy, self-awareness, and the transformative power of the arts as well as dance. Marnie believes in the magic of creativity and strives to inspire those around her through her diverse experiences and knowledge.