Satchel Williams (she/they) is a Brooklyn-born, Philadelphia-based actor and writer. Since graduating from Temple University, Satchel has had the good fortune to collaborate with many theaters and artists throughout Greater Philadelphia, and most recently made their Off-Broadway debut in Granny Jackson’s Dead, produced by Big Telly, Inis Nua Theatre Company, and Tiny Dynamite. She is so honored to be part of On My Deen’s journey, from development to production. Thank you to InterAct, Antu, and Amina. When not on stage, you can catch Satchel managing a landscape architecture studio/gallery, talking about astrology or Love Island, and procrastinating on video essay-scripts.

Travoye Joyner (he/him) is excited to make his InterAct debut! Travoye has participated in regional productions including Tartuffe (Lantern Theatre Co.), The Winter’s Tale in Rep with The Alchemist and Rachel (Quintessence Theatre Group), and 74 Seconds… to Judgement (Arden Theatre Co.) He clocks in regularly at CHOP. Teaching Artist for theatre. Short films: UNCAGED, (2024) Amicable Breakup (2023), unearth (2022), SIREN (2020). www.travoye.com Big love to all those in my life. Mother. Family. Friends.

Newton Buchanan* (he/him) is a five-time Barrymore Award-nominated actor and producer based in Philadelphia. He is the co-founder of New Light Theatre Company, a home for illuminating stories of the human experience, and the Black Theatre Alliance of Philadelphia, which uplifts and unites Black theater artists in the Philly region. A 2023 finalist for the F. Otto Haas Emerging Artist Award, Newton's work is driven by a deep belief in the power of theatre to connect, challenge, and restore. Beyond the stage, he works in pediatric simulation education technology at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, blending tech and his skill with suspending disbelief to improve the care provided for the most vulnerable. He’s honored to be making his InterAct Theatre debut with a piece as intimate and timely as On My Deen, a story that vibrates with questions about identity, faith, and belonging. Selected Regional: Derek, Holy Grail of Memphis (Arden Theatre); Writer/Performer, This Is The Week That Is: 2024 Election Special (1812 Productions),  Pavel, Children of the Sun (Philly Artist Collective); FleshLumpEater, The Big Friendly Giant (Arden Theatre); Collins, RENT (New Light Theatre); Lloyd Boating, One Man, Two Guvnors (Delaware Theatre Co.); Sir Toby Belch, 12th Night: O Lo Que Quieras (Delaware Shakespeare); Othello, Othello (New Light Theatre); Lord Capulet, Romeo & Juliet (Delaware Shakespeare); Master Page, Merry Wives of Windsor (Delaware Shakespeare); Mitchel, Cry It Out (Simpatico);  Bullfrog/Turkey, HONK! (Delaware Theatre Co.); Bassanio, The Merchant of Venice (Delaware Shakespeare); Dr. Madden, Next to Normal (New Light Theatre); Pisanio, Cymbeline (Revolution Shakespeare); Mitch, A Streetcar Named Desire (Deep Blue Theatre); Lloyd Dallas, Noises Off (Curio Theatre Co.); Leroy/Herb, By The Way Meet Vera Stark (SST Co.)”

Dr. Kimmika Williams-Witherspoon*, PhD (Cultural Anthropology), M.A. (Anthropology), MFA (Theater), Graduate Certificate (Women’s Studies), B.A. (Journalism); is Senior Associate Dean of Strategic Initiatives and Innovation for the Center for the Performing and cinematic Arts, a Full Professor of Urban Theater and Community Engagement in the Department of Theater at Temple University and Past-President of the Temple University Faculty Senate. As an actress, appearing in over 24 productions, her stage credits include, SHOT! (for which she is also the playwright); Damn Yankees; No Mo’ Blues; Shakin the Mess Outta Misery; From Brillo Pads To Feminine Pads: Raw Abrasives; A Product of Pop Culture and Pissed; Nappy Truth; Common Folk; A Chained Foot Stumbling On A New World; Gumbo; We The People; Izzy; The Black Diamond; and Where Were You In ‘65. As a playwright, Williams-Witherspoon has had 34 productions of her work, including Wrestlin’ ‘Rona (2022); From Safe to Brave (2020; 2019); Count Down to Boom (2014 and 2013); La Baker: Le Femme (2011); SHOT! (looking at violence in North Philadelphia which received the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival; Distinguished Achievement Award for Playwriting, Co-Conception and Performance in 2010); Survival Strategies: A Tale of Faith (First World Theatre) for which she won the PEW); From Brillo Pads To Feminine Pads: Raw Abrasives (Women’s Festival/Painted Bride); Dog Days: The Legend of O.V. Catto (Venture Theater); By What Price: Unity; and Nappy Truths (Penumbra Theater, Saint Paul, Minn.). She has had 14 play readings, performed in 8 one-woman shows, dramaturgy for 8 plays, and directed 21. A contributing poet to 50 anthologies, Williams-Witherspoon has published 11 books of poetry, 9 book chapters, 10 journal articles, 2 books on African American Theater, published 20 articles in Newspapers and magazines, quoted or referenced in 61 news national and international articles, had 2 of her short stories published, produced and/or consulted on 6 films, performed in over 130 Poetry performances and appeared in over 85 community outreach and engagement events. Dr. Williams-Witherspoon has successfully helped to mint 18 new PhD’s into the academy.

Kash Goins is a multi-talented theatre artist whose work as an actor, director, playwright, and producer has been ever present in the Philadelphia arts scene over the past 25 years. He began his journey at the iconic Freedom Theatre under the tutelage of his late mentor and dear friend, Walter Dallas. He would then go on to found GoKash Productions, a company that became a platform for his innovative storytelling as well as a showcase for other emerging local theatre artists. Most recently, Kash has directed at Azuka, worked as an actor and director at Lantern Theatre Company, and has been fortunate to work and grow in all his creative disciplines at the Arden, where he performed this Spring in August Wilson’s ‘King Hedley II.’ Now, after collaborating as an independent producer for years with InterAct, whose stages served as a primary hub not only for GoKash Productions, but also the work Kash produced for and with others, he’s thrilled to make his debut here as an actor. He’s thankful for the opportunity to collaborate again with Amina Robinson on this exploration, with this cast and company, helping to bring forth this important story, illuminating the humanity of these important people at an especially important time in our shared existence.

Najah Imani Muhammad* is an actor, director, educator, and host based in New York’s Hudson Valley. Recent Acting Credits Include: Project Unspeakable, What the Constitution Means to Me, The Vagina Monologues, Never the Sinner, A Raisin in the Sun, McIntosh (voiceover) and the award-winning short film Alhamdu (Tribeca & Atlanta Film Festivals). Najah has also contributed to numerous workshops for new plays in development. When she’s not performing, she loves directing and working with young people through arts education. She works for organizations such as Disney on Broadway, The New Victory Theatre, Symphony Space, Beacon Performing Arts Center, and Juilliard’s Summer Performing Arts program. One of Najah’s proudest responsibilities is co-leading Leaders by Choice, a nonprofit founded by her mother, which cultivates artivists and builds leadership skills through the arts. Najah also enjoys amplifying underrepresented voices and giving them a throne, through her podcast, UnderRepresented Representatives (available on all platforms). Follow her journey @najahknows | @leadersbychoice www.NajahKnows.com | www.leadersbychoicelbc.com

Antu Yacob (Playwright) is an actor, playwright, screenwriter and producer. She is thrilled to be a part of The Philly Cycle with the premiere of On My Deen! Her plays have been produced by Kampala International Theatre Festival, United Solo Theatre Festival, Project Y Theatre, Theatre167 and Mile Square Theatre. Antu’s original film Love in Submission was part of the Full Spectrum Features’ collection: Our Right to Gaze: Black Film Identities. It screened in various festivals including Black Muslim Girl Fly (Honorable Mention), New York African Film Festival and Women of the Lens (UK). Her on screen credits include Rob Peace (written/directed by Chiwetel Ejiofor), Jelly (2023 ABFF/HBO Short Film Award winner), Night Comes On, Inventing Anna, The Other Two, Daredevil, Gypsy, Law & Order: SVU, Adieu Lacan, Signs of Aging, Brooklyn Park, Conjure. Her stage credits include work with The Fire This Time Festival, American Slavery Project, Primary Stages, Sheen Center, Crossroads Theatre, Goodman Theatre, Luna Stage, North Carolina Black Repertory, Peterborough Players, Cincinnati Playhouse, Philadelphia Theatre Co, Mixed Blood Theatre, Pangea World Theatre and Pillsbury House Theatre. Her voice can be heard on the Druid Hills episode of Malcolm Gladwell’s Revisionist History and the audiobook Addis Ababa Noir by Maaza Mengiste. As an Associate Producer with Project Y Theatre, she curates All Hands on Deck, a series of new works by female writers of the African Diaspora. She earned an MFA in Acting from Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University. Grateful for all the hearts that poured into this story! Alhamdullah!

Amina Robinson (Director) is a professional actor, director, and Professor of Acting and Musical Theater at Temple University. She is thrilled to work on her first production with InterAct. As an actor, Amina has performed on Broadway, national tours, national commercials, and many television series. Amina's directing credits include productions at Wilma Theater, Arden Theatre, Azuka Theater, Theater Horizon, Lantern Theater, Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, IAMA Theater (Los Angeles), and Queens Theater (New York). Currently, Amina is the only Black woman to win a Barrymore Award for Outstanding Direction of a Musical for The Color Purple and Once on this Island.  I direct this production of On My Deen in honor of my late father Rasheed (George Robinson) Na'eem. You did good, Daddy.

Jamel Baker (Stage Manager) (he/him) is a freelance stage manager based in Philadelphia. Jamel has worked both locally and nationally for theatre companies and festivals for over 10 years. Recently Jamel has led stage manager workshops in Philadelphia, Lawrenceville, Wyoming and is currently the Lead Producer for Passage Theatre (Trenton, NJ).

Maddy Foler (Production Assistant) (she/her) is excited to become acquainted with the Philly theater scene through her time at InterAct! Recent credits include Stage Manager of Grief: A Love Story by Larry Hirschhorn as part of the 2024 Philadelphia Fringe Festival, Stage Manager of Plays & Players’ reading of In the Continuum, Follow-spot Operator on The Color Purple at the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, and Stage Manager of Elf Jr. and Disney's Newsies: The Broadway Musical at Moorestown Theater Company. She earned her B.A. in Theater Arts from Case Western Reserve University in May 2024. You can see samples of her work on her LinkedIn. 

Caitlin Shanahan (Production Assistant) is very excited to have the opportunity to work at InterAct. She is currently a Performing and Visual Arts Design and Technology major at Ursinus College. Previous work include: stage managing for Ursinus College's Agatha Christie Double Bill, Captain Darling, and Two Gentlemen of Verona, assistant sound designing for InterAct's The Climb and Hedgerow’s Beginners, run crew for InterAct’s American Fast, and light board programming for Inis Nua’s Iphigenia in Splott.

Marie Laster (Scenic Designer) is a Barrymore nominated scenic designer based in New York City. Scenic design credits include Tin Church (off the WALL Productions), What the Constitution Means to Me (Arden Theatre), Ghetto Gods in Divineland (Passage Theatre), one drop cool (Moxie Arts NY & WP Theater), Chicken & Biscuits (TheatreSquared), American Moor (Lantern Theater), All My Mothers Dream in Spanish (Azuka Theatre and Teatro del Sol), Sandblasted (Theatre Horizon), Untitled (Inis Nua Theatre). Marie received a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Philadelphia University and enjoys channeling her creative energy through the scenic design process. marielasterdesign.com

Tiffany Bacon (Costume Designer) the Creative & Production Director for WURD Radio, began her career in radio in 1990 at WRTI. At Power 99FM she created Inner City, a show that introduced new artists like Jill Scott, Musiq Soulchild, John Legend and more to Philadelphia and beyond. Tiffany Bacon is the co-author of a health & Wellness  program for African American teens, We Get To Choose. Tiffany is also a freelance costume designer whose recent work includes: Fat Ham, The Wilma Theatre (2024 Barrymore Award winner for Outstanding Costume Design); American Moor, Lantern Theater Company, Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill, Philadelphia Theatre Company and Geva Theatre in Rochester, NY; Dreamgirls, Theatre in the X and American Fast, InterAct Theatre.

Dwayne Alistair Thomas (Sound Designer) It was in Pac & Biggie Are Dead, produced by Theatre in the X & Drexel University where we last heard Dwayne’s sound design on a Philadelphia stage. His recent TV credits include We Own This City (HBO), Bad Monkey (Apple TV), The Americans (FX), and Hightown (Starz). Other selected regional theatre credits include Bristol Riverside Theatre, Theatre Horizon, and InterAct Theatre. As a multifaceted creative, Dwayne's artwork can be seen at the National Harbor Arts'tination Gallery in D.C. and his music heard across all major streaming platforms. Many thanks goes out to his family, Theatre in the X and InterAct Theatre for this opportunity.

Shannon Zura (Lighting and Projection Designer) is thrilled to be back with InterAct for On My Deen as Lighting Designer.  Shannon is a Professor and Coordinator of Design and Technology at Ursinus College as well as a professional lighting, sound, and scenic designer. Credits include designs for InterAct Theatre Co., Arden Theatre Co., Idiopathic Ridiculopathy Consortium, Lantern Theater Co., Azuka Theatre, Portland Stage Co., Opera Maine, Delaware Theatre Co., and Stonington Opera House Arts, among others. She collaborated with Christensen Lighting on an award-winning lighting design for the Weiss Energy Hall at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. Shannon holds an M.F.A. from Temple University.

Annie Zulick (Lighting and Projection Design Assistant) is a recent Ursinus College graduate who was graciously given the opportunity to work with InterAct by assisting Shannon Zura with light and projection design. Previous professional credits include Assistant Sound Designer for InterAct’s play The Climb and performing as Oliver/Jaques de Boys in Shakespeare in Clark Park's As You Like It. This year, she is excited to act as a summer '25 apprentice at Delaware Shakespeare and the 25/26 apprentice at 1812 Productions. She thanks all who support the arts.

J. Bean Schwab (Props Designer) (they/them) is a multi-hyphenate theatre maker, performer and arts educator living in West Philadelphia. Their work lives in the intersections between prop and scenic design, immersive art, puppetry, and object-play performance. J. Bean has been a teaching artist for many years and is currently the Education Coordinator at Philadelphia Scenic Works. J.Bean has worked in community with organizations such as SpiralQ, Delaware Shakespeare, Theatre Exile, Bearded Ladies Cabaret, Inis Nua Theatre, and Philadelphia Artists Collective. Bean holds a B.F.A in Acting from Arcadia University, and an M.A in Theatre from Villanova University.

Noelle Diane Johnson (Intimacy Coordinator) (she/her) is an artist, actor, intimacy director, and educator based in Philadelphia, PA and Washington, DC. Noelle is the founder and owner of Artists Heal®, a company serving the non-profit arts and culture sector to empower communities through healing, collaboration, and equity-based solutions. Noelle holds a BA in Theatre from Temple University, an MA in Theatre and certificate in DEI Strategy from Villanova University and is an adjunct professor at Rowan University. Favorite Regional Credits: Choir Boy, Philadelphia Theatre Company-(Intimacy Direction); TJ Loves Sally 4Ever-Theatre Horizon-(Pam). Up Next: A Raisin in the Sun, PA Shakespeare Festival (Ruth Younger); IG: @noelledianejohnson/ @artistsheal. Websites: noelledianejohnson.com/artistsheal.org.

Nick Wacksman (Master Electrician) (he/him) is excited to be returning to InterAct Theater Company this season. His past shows with ITC include Moreno, Quixotic Professor Qiu, The Last Yiddish Speaker and The Climb. For the past 3 years, Nick has been studying theatrical lighting design and electrics at Temple University. He enjoys working in educational environments where he can help young adults see the artistic values and expression in theater production.

John Kolbinski (Audio Engingeer) (he/him) Past Sound Design Work: Always…Patsy Cline (Delaware Theatre Co) The Winter Wonderettes (Hampton Arts, The American Theatre); Beautiful, Always…Patsy Cline, Civil War Voices, The Winter Wonderettes, Baskerville, Souvenir, The Gift, Last of the Red Hot Lovers, A Child’s Christmas in Wales, (Walnut); The Two Gentlemen of Verona (Shakespeare in Clark Park); Basic Witches (Robert Hager); Behold Her (FringeArts/Half Key Theatre Co); Mort (New Paradise Laboratories); Every Brilliant Thing (Arden). Sound Supervisor at Arden Theatre Company and Chautauqua Theater Company. Audio Engineer at InterAct Theatre Company, Azuka Theatre and Lantern Theater Company. Sound Systems Designer, InterAct’s Drake Theater. 

Philadelphia Scenic Works (Scenic Fabrication) are the nation's only independent, non-profit (501c3) scene shop. They work with arts organizations all over the Greater Philadelphia area to build projects that advance their missions. At the same time, they are invested in building a healthy, sustainable workforce, and innovative resource sharing.

Actors' Equity Association (“Equity"), founded in 1913, is the U.S. labor union that represents more than 51,000 professional actors and stage managers. Equity fosters the art of live theatre as an essential component of society and advances the careers of its members by negotiating wages, improving working conditions and providing a wide range of benefits, including health and pension plans. Actors' Equity is a member of the AFL-CIO and is affiliated with FIA, an international organization of performing arts unions.

Equity is governed by its own members through an elected Council, representing principal actors, chorus actors and stage managers living in three regions: Eastern, Central and Western. Members at large participate in Equity’s governance through a system of Regional Boards and committees. Equity has 28 designated Geographically Based Communities, metropolitan areas with a concentration of more than 100 members.