The Team
Thomas W. Jones II – Director
Tom Jones has directed, written, and performed in more than 200 plays worldwide. In 1978, Tom founded Jomandi Productions, where, as Co-Artistic Director and Producing Director, Tom led Jomandi to become the third largest African-American theatre company in the United States. His work as writer, director, and actor has been acclaimed nationally and internationally. His work has received 48 Washington DC Helen Hayes Award nominations winning 15 awards, including Best Director for Samm Art Williams’ Home and his own Bessie’s Blues. He has also received 3 New York Audelco Award nominations, the Dramalogue Award, the San Diego Critics Award, NAACP Phoenix Award, among others. In 2000, Tom and his co-founders left Jomandi to create the entertainment company VIA International Artists, Inc. and subsequently a musical theatre company VIA Theatrical. His most recent works include Three Sistahs, Point of Revue, Two Queens One Castle, Bricktop, Heart ‘n’ Soul, Love Johnny, A Cool Drink A Water, Holler and Sheddin’. Tom’s new musical Cool Papa’s Party completed a workshop in New York with Wayne Brady. He is currently working on several exciting projects for 2014.
Aaron Henne – Writer
Aaron Henne is artistic director of theatre dybbuk and an award winning theatre maker whose pieces include Cave…A Dance for Lilith (theatre dybbuk and L.A. Contemporary Dance Company), Sliding Into Hades (LA Weekly Awards for Playwriting and Production of the Year, Odyssey Theatre) and Mesmeric Revelation (SFBATCC Award for Original Script, Central Works, Berkeley, CA). Aaron serves as as a mentor at Otis College of Art and Design and Co-Literary Manager for The Theatre @ Boston Court. His playwriting process text, You Already Know, was published by Writ Large Press and he has taught writing workshops throughout the country and at such organizations as LucasFilm and Pixar.
Levy Lee Simon – Writer
Award winning playwright, actor, screenwriter and teacher Levy Lee Simon was born and raised in New York City’s Harlem USA. Growing up in that politically charged and culturally rich environment Levy Lee was exposed to the realities of life at a young age though he spent most of his time as a youngster playing sports. He was selected All-City in track and football and was chosen as an All American in his favorite sport, football. His gifts on the football field led him to Cheyney State University in Pennsylvania. It was at Cheyney State while studying to become a journalist that Levy Lee discovered his passion for the theatre and decided on a career as an actor. Returning to NYC Levy Lee studied with legendary artists, Gertrude Jeanette, Ernie McClintok, Charles Turner, Nathan George and Woodie King Jr. He eventually became a member prestigious theatre companies such as the 127th Street Repertory Ensemble, the Negro Ensemble Company and Circle Repertory Theatre Company. During those years, Levy Lee performed in over fifty productions on the New York City stage culminating in the Pulitzer Prize winning, Tony nominated, The Kentucky Cycle, with Stacy Keach.