Mandela at American Theatre of Actors

Tyler McCall

Tyler McCall is a NYC based Singer/Actor. He was born in San Francisco and raised in Phoenix AZ. He studied Acting at “The American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York. Since then he has performed at a variety of venues in NYC. Some recent credits include “Broadway’s Rising Stars” (Town Hall NYC), “Totaled: A New Musical” (Concert), “Swan Lake Rock Opera” (Off-Broadway), “54 Sings Broadway’s Greatest Hits” (Concert). Tyler feels incredibly lucky and excited to be reprising his role(s) in “Mandela”. He thanks his parents for all the endless support and love.

Albin Weidenbladh

Albin Weidenbladh started off his acting career as a 10 year old in Sweden, by going to open auditions for numerous TV and film productions. After landing a recurring role in Jonas Gardells TV-series "The Half Hidden"(De Halvt Dolda) he went on to study in a musical major program in elementary and high school (6 year education). During that time Albin starred in various TV-series and shorts such as "Sisters"(Syrror), "Games"(Spel), "If you leave me now"(Om du lämnar mig nu) where the latter was rewarded with the award "best short" at the Brussels Short Film Festival. Pre-pandemic in 2019, Albin decided to move to New York and dive deeper into the techniques of acting. He applied and got elected to the Neighborhood Playhouse School of theatre and began his Meisner training. 2 years later he made his New York debute with the East Harlem Repertory Theatre in their 2021 production of "Mandela".

Robert Greene

Robert Greene, is an actor, director, and playwright. He has a MFA in Performance from the University of Louisville. He has also studied at the Circle in the Square Theatre in New York. He has performed and premiered new works at The National Black Theatre Festival, Kentucky Shakespeare Festival, The August Wilson Center in Pittsburg and The International Theatre Festival of Russia. His past theater credits include: A Raisin in the Sun, Angels in America, Christmas Carol, King Hedley II, In the Blood, The Winter's Tale, Blues for an Alabama Sky and To Kill a Mockingbird and The Orphan of Chao. He also stared as Nelson Mandela in the Off-Broadway play Mandela. Film: Juwanna Mann and Kentucky: An American Story. Lastly, Robert premiered his one-person show, Situations at the 2018 New York Fringe Festival.

Malika Nzinga

Malika Nzinga is an actress, director, producer and screenwriter. She is the recipient of The Spirit Award, from Reel Sisters of the Diaspora Film Festival, for her screenplay, "That's Why They Calls Us Colored". Her stage credits include "Rosalee Pritchett" with the Negro Ensemble Company, "Freedom Rider" with Blackgirl Ensemble, as well as "Laundry" with the Chain Theatre. Malika has also appeared in several television episodes of Netflix's "Luke Cage" and "Dare Devil," and in recurring roles on the television series, "New Amsterdam." She was recently seen in Season 7 of Tyler Perry's "The Haves and the Have-Nots.

Keith L.T. Wright

Keith L.T. Wright served 23 years in New York State Assembly, having chaired such committees as Housing, Election Law, Social Services, and Labor. His work on the Equal Economic Opportunity and Human Rights subcommittee sought protections for domestic workers and created additional benefits for senior citizens. Leading the Public Housing subcommittee, he championed the rights of public housing residents. Also, while in the Assembly, Mr. Wright chaired the Black, Puerto Rican and Hispanic Legislative Caucus and was a member of the Puerto Rican/Hispanic Task Force. Active in his Harlem community, Mr. Wright has helped foster small business development, create affordable housing, and increase opportunities for youth. He has also served as the chairman of the Harlem Community Development Corporation. Prior to his time in the Assembly, Mr. Wright held positions in New York City’s Human Resources Administration, the Manhattan Borough President’s Office and the New York City Transit Authority. Since January 2017, Mr. Wright has served as the Director of Strategic Planning at Davidoff Hutcher & Citron LLP’s Government Relations law practice working out of the firm’s midtown New York office. Mr. Wright’s focus is on assisting clients in their long-range strategic planning goals.

Arlene McGriff

Arlene Cox-McGriff, aka, Miz LaLa, a Brooklynite, was born into a family of singers. Performing since age 8, acting, singing, and modeling, she enjoys wearing multiple hats. At age 10, after becoming a member of The Faith Temple Radio Choir, in Manhattan, the Cox Sisters, a gospel group originally consisting of eight sisters, was formed in the late 60’s, and has performed at Lincoln Center, Teachers College, as well as a variety of churches and theatres throughout the Tri-State area. Winning 2nd place, twice, at The Apollo Theaters Amateur competition, awarded them the opportunity to sing alongside a variety of Gospel greats of that era, Mahalia Jackson, Shirley Caesar, and The Isaac Douglas Singers, to name a few. As a young adult, she became the lead singer for The Hotliners Band, from Queens, performing weekly at the After 5 Club, in Queens, in the mid 80’s, and continued to perform as a solo artist, at a variety of venues over the years. She also has a passion for fashion, and became well known, as a designer for her collection, formerly known as LaLa NY Designs, which launched in 2001, and is now part of the La-Volution Fashion Collection. After winning 1st place in, “So You Think You Can Sing”, competition produced by former 98.7 KISS Radio Talk Show Host, Barry "Maestro" Mason, she became part of The Track 1 Familys promotional and talent search team. She has performed opening acts, for The Legendary Intruders, Ladies of Skyy, The Paragons, Sandra Taylor, who is a member the 60’s group The Toys, and previously for Cherry Jones, (Ol’ Dirty Bastard’s mother). Currently a member of, The Supremes Revue, Ladies of Motown, Encorz Singers, and 50’s Doo Wop group, The Cookies. Acting performances include, impersonations of Patti Labelle, Tammi Terrell, in "A Motown Revue", and Celia Cruz, in the "SS Nirvana", Musicals. Former cast member of, “Father Where Art Thou,” and ‘Somebody Gotta Break the Family Curse” written and directed by, Leslie Green. Currently, Stylist and cast member of the Off-Broadway play, “Mandela”. As a solo artist, Miz LaLa also performs at a variety of community-based events. Singing Classic RnB, Blues, Jazz, Disco, and Christmas Carols, recorded by your favorite artists. Cell: 917 216-7155 Email: lala-ny@live.com

Lufefe Kente

Lufefe Kente was born in East London (RSA) & his Mother raised him in Gqeberha, Nelson Mandela Bay all in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. In 2019, he made his first move outside his home country to complete his Film studies at the New York Film School where he recently graduated with high honors on the Deans List. Acting, Music & Writing are Kente’s prioritized traits. He has represented his state as a member of the Eastern Cape Youth Choir & the Nelson Mandela University Choir which was both nationally and internationally renowned. His acting journey began at the “wise” age of 9 where he was a part of a number of notable local shows including Jonathan Larson’s award winning show, “Rent the Musical” Kente performed on stages with singing and acting experience whilst being awarded through school, sports, activism & other extra mural activities. The whole year of 2018 ignited another perspective which resulted in the need for meaningful work. He is dedicated to fulfilling that need & is currently working in New York City. Kente is rehearsing with TAPNYC, a Theater showcase company & under the film production company, and FacetoFace Films where he is one of the creative partners. He also works with Breaking Sound, a live music performance series committed to uplifting up & coming artists. Kente is working on creating his own art on multiple mediums along with incoming music, independent film work, art collaborations & hopes for more theater productions in the near future.

John L. Shortt

John L. Shortt is an Actor and Singer based in New York City, originally hailing from Tillamook, Oregon. After attending Portland State University on vocal and dramatic scholarships, Mr. Shortt embarked upon an operatic career that took him all over North America and Europe as a leading dramatic tenor in the most heroic, intensely strenuous and iconic roles of the standard romantic repertory (most frequently as the lead or title role in Pagliacci, Otello, Carmen, Samson et Dalila, Fidelio, Die Walkure, Aida, Il Trovatore and Turandot). Mr. Shortt has also appeared onstage extensively throughout the US with many opera companies, theater and musical organizations (including The Metropolitan Opera Club and Guild, the San Francisco Opera, the New York City Opera Guild, the American Symphony Orchestra at Avery Fisher Hall and The Carnegie Hall ‘Artist’s in Concert’ series) in concert and recital. He has added to his growing list of theatrical roles (Death of a Salesman, 12 Angry Men, Mandela) and music theater roles (televised shows include Fiddler on the Roof, Kiss Me Kate, Man of La Mancha, South Pacific, Carousel, The Vagabond King), by recently expanding into the realms of film (PinkCity, The Call, Chad and Stacy: A Modern Day Love-Story, Agents Of Influence, and the soon to be released, The Bell Affair, Words That Made The Difference: Brown VS BOE, Tick and 72 Hours), virtual productions (The SS Robin, Moby Dick, Brown VS The BOE, Dracula) of plays and screenplays, commercials, as well as entering the field of voice-over, contributing portrayals in several of the categories above, in addition to the realms of video game (Transient) and podcast endeavors (Wordtastic and the upcoming Clash of Cousins and March). Future projects include many Title (Zusman, Macbeth) and leading, supporting and outright villainous roles (his 3rd reprisal as the 3 Villains in Mandela), while adding song recordings, voice-over and narrations in a wide variety of musical, theatrical, film and television genres.

Nadijah A.K

Nadijah A.K is a native New Yorker who discovered her passion for acting as a child. After landing her first principal role in Spike Lee's " Crookyn". She went on to receive her bachelor's degree from Long Island university where she studied modern dance and theater. Nadijah continued her training, and graduated from Stella Adler acting conservatory. She's worked with the Harold Clurman Theater lab, Playtime Theater vision, Hudson Guild Theater, Paul Robeson Theater, and the Diversity Players of Harlem, and the East Harlem Repretory Theater. Her film work includes multiple short and student films, as well as a principal role in a pilot. This rising star is one to look out for!

Yohance O. Alleyne

Yohance O. Alleyne is making his Off-Broadway debut in Mandela. Yohance has studied at STELLA ADLER, T. SCHREIBER STUDIOS, THE PITT, HB STUDIOS, and WEIST BARRON. Recent credits include a Mass Mutual commercial which is currently running and Vimeo Webimar Confessions. Yohance has performed in various independent projects including pilots, films, plays, and showcases. He is grateful to his friends and family for their support. Special thanks to the producers of Mandela and the cast for an amazing experience, as well as Dame Page Clements, his teacher, and Erica Sanchez, his personal reader.

James Garrett

James R. Garrett is a graduate of Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Theater and Drama. James has appeared in many productions throughout his long career. Some of his works include Jerry in the Zoo Story, Casca in Julius Caesar, Gabe Gabriel in No Place to be Somebody, Randall, in Slow Dance on the Killing Ground, and W.E.B. Dubois in Footsteps From Before. Most recently, James has appeared as Frederick Douglass in Freedom Fighters, Berry Gordy in Motown Stories, and Lewis Lattimore in Black Inventors. Some of his film credits include Steamed, Times square, and Beverly Bonners Laugh Track. James is also the host and producer of Phoenix Rising.

Lamine Thiam

Lamine Thiam is an accomplished actor, choreographer, dancer, drummer and instructor. Lamine specializes in West African Dance from his native Senegal and neighboring countries. He has graced the stage at venues worldwide including Carnegie Hall, Symphony Space, The United Nations and Lincoln Center (NY), as well as theaters in Japan, Germany, London, Mexico and the Caribbean.

Thaddeus Birkett

Thaddeus Birkett is a talented songwriter and rapper. Thaddeus has been acting for several years. A rapper with recording group American Cream Team that toured with Wu Tang Clan, Thaddeus has appeared in the film "Black and White" and in EHRT production of Martin Luther King and Mandela.

Yolanda Brooks

Yolanda Brooks was born in New York's Lower East Side and raised in the New York's East Village. She works full time as a New York City civil servant. She began her playwright and production career in 2010. Her plays have entertained over 100,000 school aged children and adults. Some of her works include "Mandela", "The Motown Story", "The Christmas Story", "Moments in Black History" and Tribute to African American Inventors.

John Ruiz Miranda

John Ruiz Miranda is a writer, director, educator and politician. As a retired 9/11 NYC Firefighter John has written and directed plays such as "The Motown Story", Freedom Fighters, Tribute to African American Inventors, Moments in Black History and The Christmas Story. John began his career in Children's theatre as a performer in 1985 as The Rappin Fireman. In 2020 Access Hollywood put out a search for “The Modern Day Mister Rodgers” in honor of Mister Rogers' who created “Mister Rogers Neighborhood” which ran for 33 years. After a coast to coast search the honor was bestowed upon a NYC Firefighter, John Ruiz Miranda, “The Rappin Fireman” for the over 36 years of community service .He has been awarded over 150 awards for public service and has educated over 1 million NYC school children. An author of over 6 books, videos and commercials John studied at The Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute under scholarship.