Directors welcome:

I want to thank you for coming out an experiencing the power and grace of, Dinner at Grandma’s! This piece will surely touch your heartstrings and bring you to great realizations of family. I know in my experience with this show I have grown to not only appreciate my grandparents but it’s given me a deeper sense of community. I hope this play guides you to not only reach out to our elders, but to our community at large. These actors have put their heart and soul in this wonderful piece of theater. I encourage you to take this incredible journey with them. Please continue to send your support and love to the exceptional organization, which is, Grandparents around the world. Without this community-based organization we wouldn’t be able to honor our grandparents for all the dedication and love they’ve given us. Today, I salute our Grandparents and thank you for all you’ve done. God bless and enjoy the show! Linzey Jones, Director

Damiyr Shuford was born and raised in NYC and followed his heart in 2007 and began to pursue his passion for performing. He is delighted to be apart of a production of Dinner At Grandma's and continues to push forward to perfecting the arts of performing. Theater: Love of A Black Woman, Dreamgirls, War And Peace.

Paul Gregg (Soldier/Protester/Ensemble) made his New York acting debut in last year’s production of Dinner at Grandma’s and couldn’t be happier to be back for more! While attending the University of San Diego, Paul had the distinct pleasure of earning a degree in Marine Biology, which of course led him to spend a season as an acrobat in Cirque de la Mer at SeaWorld – and he is even more pleased to be pursuing something completely different. Between his respective Dinner’s with Grandma, Paul spent a summer as the lone white guy in a Brooklyn production of Dreamgirls, and just recently completed a staged reading of Get Some as the lead character. He’d like to thank his parents here and back in Minnesota for all their love, support and guidance; the Baja Crew for keeping him grounded; Andrea for living with this; and Brian for somehow putting up with him. Love you all!

Yvette Monique Clark, a native of Brooklyn, NY, started her acting and singing career a little over five years ago. Since that time she has done many stage productions, commercials and television appearances. She has toured nationally and internationally. Her most recent role was Motormouth Maybelle on the national tour of HAIRSPRAY. She's thrilled to be a part of this production. She thanks God and her family without whom none of this would be possible.

Akia Fleming is from Dothan, AL. She is a graduate of Alabama State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Arts and Minnesota State University with a Master’s of Fine Arts in Acting. She has recently toured with American Family Theatre/ American Theatre for the Youth with the musical Black Journey. She has been in numerous productions such as: Beehive: A 60's Musical, A...My Name is Alice, Urinetown, Will Roger’s Follies, The Crucible and Man of LaMancha to name a few. Akia is also a choreographer and dance instructor in numerous styles of dance. Akia believes that theatre is life and more than just mere entertainment. It has the power to transform the way people view the world. She is so happy that she gets the opportunity to take apart in the transformation.

Casandra Niambi Steele is proud to return a second year, reprising the role of "Sister Lula". She is a member of the Harlem Arts Alliance and The Frank Silvera Writer's Workshop. She was recently seen in the Woodie King production of "Satchel: Reqiem For Racism". In 2007, she was an actor/participant at the National Black Theater Festival, Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Her career began as a back-up singer for Stax Records in the 1970's. "I am thankful for God's love and the love of my Mother, Grandmother and sons for getting me through."

Kimdeon (actress / singer / musical theatre performer) "Sadie Mae" is delighted once again to be on board with the production of "Dinner at Grandma's". Her credits include: "Katrina: A Whole Lotta Water", "ShowBoat", "Ain't Misbehavin", "Silver Singles", "Do Patent Leather Black Shoes Really Reflect Up?" and the "Amen Corner" to name a few. Kimdeon is currently a member of "Gospel Soul Children of New York" and "Life's Songs".
Kimdeon gives Thanks to God, her mom "Theosia", family, friends, extended family and her Pastor "Rev. Dr. Derek A. Roberts" for their continuous strength and encouragement.

My name is Dorcas Yusuf and I'm a Sophmore at Bronx Theatre High School. I didn't know that I would love acting so much until I did my first play ever, Monkey Magic, which was a school production. I want to become an actress and go to an arts school, I just want to learn more about the arts, whether its theater or music or dance, I want to major in it when i get to college. This is just the beginning of my future career and I thank my parents for supporting me every step of the way. If it wasn't for my father I wouldn't even be part of this wonderful cast, who has also helped me along the way. Finally, I would like to thank God for everything he's done for me. I can't do anything without him, and I give all the praise and honor to the Lord Most High.

Shanessa Sweeney, a native of Dayton, OH is proud to be joining this cast! She was last seen as the Spider in the Animals R Us production of Snare (Where the Eagles Fly, NY) . A graduate of Alabama State University (BA) and Brandeis University (MFA), Shanessa has performed in pieces such as Misterioso 119, original workshop cast (Lark Play Development Ctr., NY), Lady in Orange, For Colored Girls... (Leila Barlow Theatre, AL), Goneril, King Lear (Laurie Theatre, MA), The Acid Queen, The Who's Tommy (Spingold Theatre, MA) and The Narrator in Our Town, (New Repretory Theatre Tour, MA). Her film credits include Cassandra Jones in Rustin (Method Film Festival Best Supporting Actress Nominee) and Mary Louise Smith in The Rosa Parks Story. "Thank you to my friends and family for your undying love and support of who and what I am. Mini-me, give thanks for the journey!"