Eclipsed at Detroit Repertory Theatre

Shonique White is making her professional acting debut in Eclipsed. She is an alumnae in the Rep’s Actors Workshop and has a love of the performing arts going back to her childhood, with a number of performances in high school.

Shannon Christine has been a professional actor for two years and is making their Detroit Repertory Theatre debut. They previously performed at Agnes in The House That Will Not Stand (Plowshares Theatre Company), Osha in Marcus or the Secret of the Sweet (Hillberry Gateway), Emilia in Emilia (Hillberry Gateway), and Sheila Franklin in Hair (The Ringwald). They recently graduated with their BFA in Acting from Wayne State University.

X’ydee Alexander* has been acting professionally for three years. Her recent roles include Ruthie in Covenant, Mia in Hysterical!, and Dussie Mae in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom here at the Rep. She also performed the role of Opal in Fat Ham (Detroit Public Theatre). Additionally, she recently began exploring property design for The Piano Lesson. X’ydee is an alumnae of the Detroit Rep’s Actors Workshop, where she honed her performance skills.

Danae Ross is making her professional debut. She has previously performed in for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf (Chocolate Box Theatre Company) at Matrix Theatre and Planet Ant Theater. Danae rediscovered her love of theatre through the Rep’s Actors Workshop; she has her MSW and MA in Sociology from the University of Michigan and her BA in Sociology and English from Wayne State University. She is also currently a Ph.D. candidate at University of Michigan studying Black maternal mental health.

Stacey Herring*(AEA) has been acting professionally for over 25 years, including a role in Season 34’s Lover’s Cove here at the Rep. She was most recently seen on the Rep’s stage as Eddie in Season 68’s Alamo Shoes and other stage roles including Blanche in A Streetcar Named Desire, Calpurnia in Julius Caesar, and Ruth in A Raisin in the Sun. She has also appeared in the television series Seinfeld, For Your Love, and JAG and the television movie 2 Small Voices. She received her MFA from Southern Methodist University and her BFA from Wayne State University.

Shavonne Coleman has been a theatreworker for 24 years and is making her professional directorial debut with Eclipsed. Her recent work includes Guest Acting Company Director for ALL HAIL! A Contemporary Retelling of Julius Caesar (Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit), Dramaturg for Day of Absence (University of Michigan), Playwright of Cause Play (Eastern Michigan University and Spinning Dot Theatre), and Deviser, Writer, Facilitator, and Director for Theatre of F.A.Q. (University of Texas at Austin). Shavonne was most recently seen at the Rep as Lulu in Between Riverside and Crazy in Season 67. They received their MFA in Applied Drama/Theatre for the Young from Eastern Michigan University and their BA in Theatre from Grand Valley State University.

Ryan Tiara Jordan is making her debut at the Rep and has been working in theatre for five years. She previously performed as Esther in Intimate Apparel (Western Michigan University). Ryan has also worked with the Detroit Narrative Agency and as a supporting actress in short films. She earned her BFA from Western Michigan University and is an alumnae of Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit.

Michelle Guernsey-McKay* has been working in professional theatre for two years. She was the Assistant Director for Primary Trust and the Intern Stage Director for Season 68 here at the Rep. She was also the Stage Manager for Forgotten: Murder at the Ford Rouge Plant (Marygrove Conservancy). Michelle has worked on multiple independent films, including Roman, Death by Envy, Fatal Influence, Fatal Witness, The G, and TV pilots. She earned her Bachelor’s in Dance Education from Wayne State University and has participated in the Detroit Rep’s Actors Workshop.

Damian Bullis (Technical Director) has been the Technical Director at the Rep since 2023. He received his education from Detroit Rep legends such as Robert Vogue Williams, Harry Wetzel, Lynch Travis, and of course Leah Smith and Bruce Millan. He’s also the resident barkeep; don’t be shy, head over and say hello!

Sandra Glover has been a professional theatre worker for 30 years and is the costumer for Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit and the Detroit Repertory Theatre. She studied at Henry Ford College and Wayne State University. She has been working with the Detroit Repertory Theatre for decades.

Krista Pennington has been the sound designer at the Rep since 2023 and has her degree in theatre based in sound design from Alma College. Krista’s most recent work at the Rep was on August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson.

Dan Morency has been the Rep’s lighting designer for a decade. His work was most recently a part of August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson, Primary Trust, and Hysterical!.