Confederates

Department of Theatre and Dance 

Daniel Gurskis, Dean, College of the Arts

Kathleen Kelley, Chair, Department of Theatre and Dance 

Artistic and Cast Biographies 

Birdie Hendrickson (Missy Sue/Candice Cast - B) is a current junior MA theater studies major at Montclair State.They were previously a Lead Teaching Artist at Mccarter Theatre where they taught acting. They are also passionate about writing and were previously featured at the first annual Montclair State Story Slam! Birdie is thrilled to be a part of their third production here at Montclair State. They can previously be seen as Rulon Stacey and Dennis Shepard in The Laramie Project, and Meredith in 5 Women Wearing The Same Dress! Birdie is grateful to Burks for all his support as well as their family and friends for all their encouragement and love. For more information on Birdie follow them on Instagram @birdie.hendrickson. Or email them at birdiehendrickson@gmail.com for all business endeavors! 

Brianna Martinez (Sandra) is a Black Dominican actress in her third year of acting training at Montclair State University! This is her first MSU production after winning a Governor’s Award in 2023 at Montclair State. She balances multiple jobs, social media accounts, and her own jewelry business. Brianna specializes in dramatic works but is open other artforms!! Her insta is: @briluvsu & her jewelry account is: @brisbeads7

Henry Edwin (Abner/Malik - Cast A) a dedicated actor from. Newark, New Jersey. Pursuing a BFA in Acting at Montclair State University, is currently immersed in rehearsals for “Confederates” by Dominic Morisseau embodying the role of Abner/Malik. Also in "Marie Antoinette," embodying the roles of Fersen and the executioner. Having concluded prior a captivating production of “Pride & Prejudice” and “Marie Antoinette.” Jersey City Theater Commission, "Dante’s Renaissance," Henry's diverse experience spans background work in Paramount Pictures' "Due Season" and NBC Universal Studios' "The Blacklist." Within the Montclair State University community, he's portrayed roles such as the Stage Manager in "Seussical" and delivered memorable performances in productions like "Eurydice," "The Dreamcatcher," "Bittersweet Revenge," and "Reflections," commissioned by the university. Balancing roles from supporting to lead actor, Henry's journey reflects his honed skills and passion for bringing narratives to life on both stage and screen. He would like to thank his family, friends, & professors for their dedicated support.

Ja'Vonni Gibson (Sara) Ja'Vonni has been at MSU for 4 years and has been involved in 6 productions (Elephant’s Graveyard, Macbeth, Marie Antoniette, and Constellations, Lydia, and Stupid F*cking Bird). They are also set to direct for The Theatre Collective in the Spring of next year (The Wish). They are studying Acting because of her love and dedication to the theatre and is looking forward to further productions at MSU and beyond!

Jade Rodriguez She/Her (Sandra) is a classically trained performer and has appeared in several short films, commercials, and theater productions. You may have seen her in her recent credits Lydia (Production Stage Manager/Co-Sound Designer), Rocky Horror Picture Show (Magenta), and 5 Women Wearing The Same Dress (Trisha). She would like to thank Director Burks, the team, and the cast for their hard work in assembling this show, and would especially like to express her gratitude and thank her family for their continuous support. A proud Afro-Latina descendant who found her strength in life through the Performing Arts. 

Maxwell Hollis (Lighting Designer) is so grateful to be making his directorial debut with Montclair State’s production of Confederates. Max is a sophomore in the BA Theatre Studies program. While just finishing his directing apprenticeship with the Royal Shakespeare Company, other technical credits at Montclair include lighting design, dramaturgy, and stage managing. He would like to thank the entire cast and crew for their diligent work ethic throughout this process. Enjoy the show!

Nala McCalla (LuAnne/Jade) is a senior in the BFA acting program at Montclair State University. She has had the amazing opportunity to be a part of Black Snow, Everybody, Language of Angels, Macbeth, Marie Antoinette, and Pride and Prejudice. Nala is forever grateful to those who continue to support her throughout these four years and is excited to grow as an actor.

Salim Muhammad (Abner/Malik - Cast B) is in his second year at Montclair State University, where he is pursuing a BFA in Acting. Originally from Charlotte, NC, Salim transferred to Montclair to continue honing his craft and immerse himself in a program that challenges and inspires him. He is thrilled to be performing in his fourth production at MSU. Salim has built an impressive repertoire of roles across both classical and contemporary works. His credits include *Twelfth Night*, *Will and Whimsy*, *The Clearing*, *How to Defend Yourself*, *Cloud Tectonics*, *The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee*and more. Beyond the stage, he is passionate about storytelling that uplifts underrepresented voices and explores the complexities of the human spirit. @limleem1, Salimmuhammad16@gmail.com

Sam Horvath (Costume Designer, Missy Sue/Candice - Cast A) is thrilled to be a part of her third play at Montclair! Most recently, Sam was involved in the short film Pomegranate (Penelope) and The Birds (Hummingbird/Insurance Agent). As a senior, she looks forward to these last months with her creative peers.

Trinity Anjelic (LuAnne/Jade) Her very first show Cynthia Wesley (A love that forgives). Since then, she was seen in numerous original plays written and directed at Mercer County Community College as Wrath & Envy (Seven Deadly Sins), Tamara #4 (The Shadowmen) Ensemble (Us v. Them), Marcia/ Ensemble (Mouthful of Birds). You could also hear her voice in various different musicals such as Nancy Taylor/ featured dancer (Groundhog Day), Joanne Jefferson (Rent), Ensemble (Purlie Victorious), Dionne (Hair).

Zoie Harrington (Sara) is from Kansas City Missouri and  a Freshman at Montclair State University and this is her first production that here. Previous productions have included West Side Story, Legally Blonde, A Raisin In The Sun, 9 to 5 and others. For contacting purposes zoieharrington0@gmail.com 

Lisbeth Maria Burgos (u/s Missy Sue/Candace)Lisbeth is thrilled to be apart of her second production here at MSU with her first being Anna in the Tropics. Other theatre credits include The Clean House, RENT, and more! She is so grateful to be here and has been inspired everyday by this cast and crew. She cannot wait to keep growing and learning as an artist with her final year at MSU and beyond.

Production Team Bios 

Maxwell Hollis (Assistant Director) is so grateful to be making his directorial debut with Montclair State’s production of Confederates. Max is a sophomore in the BA Theatre Studies program. While just finishing his directing apprenticeship with the Royal Shakespeare Company, other technical credits at Montclair include lighting design, dramaturgy, and stage managing. He would like to thank the entire cast and crew for their diligent work ethic throughout this process. Enjoy the show!

Danny Gonzalez (Production Stage Manager) is thrilled to be working alongside this amazing team for Confederates. Coming from an Afro-Latino background he does his best to base his work in empowering underrepresented communities and minority groups. He is a senior Theatre Studies major in the 4+1 program! Some of the work he’s done is a variety of productions at Jersey City Theatre Center as a Lighting Technician, and Stage Managed under Jessica Brater at The Tank Theatre in New York! He has worked on several productions within the department (The Laramie Project, Pride & Prejudice, How to Defend Yourself) and is so grateful for this opportunity to aid in this production. He would like to give a huge shoutout to Charles Burks and the rest of the cast and crew of Confederates for all the amazing work they have done! 

Joi Suttle (Assistant Stage Manager) holds an undergraduate degree in Communications and is currently pursuing her Master’s in Theatre with a certificate in Theatre for Social Change. She is grateful to be part of The Confederates production team as Assistant Stage Manager and be able to work with this amazing cast, crew, and Director. She previously appeared in A Christmas Carol with the Chatham Players, an experience that inspired her to become more involved in theatre. She also serves as an Event Manager and Coordinator for outreach programs within Montclair State University’s Department of Theatre and Dance. She is passionate about using her creativity and education to make the performing arts accessible to all—bringing both joy and impactful change through her work. To collaborate and build this vision with Joi, please email @soulcialspacellc@gmail.com

Shelton ‘Shelly B’ Hightower (Production Assistant/Lighting Board Operator) from Huntsville, Texas is a versatile actor with the zeal and talent for bringing complex and convincing characters to life on stage. Shelly started his acting career 3 years ago at Raritan Valley Community College, under the direction of Dennis Russo and Danielle Barry. Currently a BFA Acting junior, Shelly brings a wealth of magnetic energy and experience to the stage. This is Shelly’s first collaborativerole behind the stage, working alongside an experienced stage crew of MSU colleagues. He is thrilled to be part of this production and looks forward to bringing this powerful story to life with this talented cast. Shelly would like to dedicate thisperformance to the memory of his late father Glend Hightower, & his mother Mae, both of Huntsville, Texas. “Without y’all, there’s no me. Thank you.”