New Haven

Amelia has a passion for using the arts as a tool for activistism and healing. She is a mother to two amazing boys and they are her driving force to keep fighting against racism and oppressive systems in New Haven public schools.  

Anne sings a broad range of experimental, improvised, and classical music. She has premiered solo, opera, and chamber works by more than thirty composers. Rhodes performs and records with Anthony Braxton’s ensembles and with several creative music groups, including the trio Broadcloth, for which she produces unique embroidered graphic notation.  

Arianna is is a junior at cooperative arts and humanities high school. She is in the choir. She plans on majoring in social work but plans on staying musically active.

Brianna is thrilled to make her debut in the International Festival of Arts & Ideas. Currently a sophomore in high school, she hopes to broaden her knowledge in the field of musical theatre by partaking in a variety of productions. Prior to “(Be)Longing”, she has appeared in “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown,” “Hairspray,” and “Ragtime.”  Aside from musical theatre, Brianna studies classical and contemporary music. Brianna thanks the wonderful cast and crew of “(Be)Longing” for offering her this wonderful opportunity; she also sends love to her friends and family for encouraging her throughout the process.

Brittany is a New Haven native currently double majoring in Theater and Political Science at the University of New Haven. In her part three years at the university she has written for student composed productions such as "Crisis: A Production About Race In America From 1915-2015" and "Empathy". She has also played Adam in Shakespeare's As You Like It and Eunice in "Grey", an adaptation of A Streetcar Named Desire. Palmer plans to pursue a career in non-profit work helping immigrant populations and creating youth theater programs for inner city students. She would like to thank her family for supporting her creative nature and encouraging her to chase her passions.

Clifford is a Hamden native previously attending Hofstra University for a bachelors in jazz studies and commercial music. Plans to switch to audio production and performance with dream of owning professional studio space and having a hand in making contemporary music history.

Connor is super excited to be in this production! He is a freshman in highschool and is an aspiring thespian. Youth B has been one of the most powerful​ roles he has ever done and hopes that he can portray that adequately to the audience. 

Deb, a life-long amateur actor, is delighted to be working, finally, with one of her local heroes, Aaron Jafferis. She thanks Aaron & (Be)longing collaborators - creators, cast, crew and community. Aldebaran dedicates her performance to: John Lennon and all gun violence victims; activists & peacemakers; gun-totin' cousins; grandsons Tupac & Lucio.

Hawk, a Connecticut native raised in New Haven and Hamden. Disabled U.S. Army Iraqi war veteran, Currently an educator in Hamden public schools. Motivational Speaker, Youth Sports and Life Coach also member of the group "Coach Hawk and the Atlas Band" Please visit us for more info www.iamcoachhawk.com

Katie is grateful to (Be)longing, as a fan of socially conscious, healing arts and dialogue. She is a youth worker and community organizer. Experience includes Theatre of the Oppressed/Forum Theatre and improv. Poet, singer, dancer and nature friend- Katie would like to thank worldwide family, the amazing communities of New Haven for much love and support.

Keelin lives in Naugatuck. She recently graduated from Common Ground High School and has been in multiple productions there and in the 7 Angel’s Theater’s youth programs. She is very excited and honored to be a part of (Be)Longing and would like to give a special thanks to her parents for bringing her to and picking her up from every rehearsal.

Keona was born on August 9th, 2003. The 13 year old actress in the making enjoys drawing, "acting, duh", cheerleading, and creative writing. She would like to thank her mother, Aunt Karee, wonderful friends, and Lara Morton for their support.  

Malcolm is a classically trained, world traveled performer. His career began with the Trinity Choir of Men & Boys in New Haven CT. He is a K-12 educator with NHPS. He co-owns and operates The Lineage Group, a community education organization. He is an active member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, inc. Chi Omicron Chapter.

MuZa G is a performing artist and an actress. Muza has studied acting while obtaing bachelors in Business. She has been a part of diffirent projects from classical theater to modern improv. She is currently a part of Murder Mystery Dinner Theater family. MuZa G is working on her LP scheduled to release in late 2017.

Nijuan born to Etta Howard and Marshall Green was raised in New Haven, CT. He is the founder of Tunnel Vizion Entertainment Inc. a non-profit organization which helps to develop youth aspirations with music, arts, and audio visual engineering. Nijuan's company is also the organizer of National Night Out for West River, a Free Community Concert at the Boys and Girls Club of New Haven in conjunction with Cornell Scott Hill Health Center for National Aids Awareness Day (this event also featured celebrity Lil Key of The Rap Game with Jermaine Dupri), Unity Youth Festival hosted by Raymond Wallace of Guns Down Books Up, and #theyouthweallwegot benefit concert for Alton Sterling and Philando Castile. He is currently working on his second annual National Night Out for 2017.

Tahjee is a fresh face to the art of musical theatre. Starting off as a musician (playing clarinet) since twelve, she's always shown a love of the arts, only this year expanding her horizons into the art of musical theatre. She has played a minor role in the Educational Center for the Arts’ production of Ragtime: the Musical and wants to continue to make her mom, 10 siblings, cat and dog proud. In her free time she can be seen playing video games, reading books, or listening to a broad range of music.

Vera, born in Austria, moved to New Haven in 2013. She received her Master in Music from Dresden University of Music. In New Haven, she has collaborated with African musicians and worked as a vocal coach. She got involved in program coordinating for international students and scholars and teaches German.

Wali is is a husband, a father of two, a coach and an Executive Director for two companies, Happy Family Clinical Services and Happy Family Community. In 2016, Mr. Muhammad lent voice as an audio accomplice to the International Arts & Ideas installation of Projet In Situ - La Ronde.