York Walker is a writer based in Harlem, New York. He is currently a member of Lena Waithe’s Hillman Grad Mentorship Program. His work includes The Séance (Winner of the John Singleton Short Film Competition, 48 Hours…in Harlem), Covenant (Roundabout Theatre, Fire This Time Festival, Access Theatre’s 4 Flights Up Festival), White Shoes (Fire This Time Festival), Summer Of ’63 (The Actors Company Theatre’s New TACTics Festival, Actor’s Theatre of Louisville’s Apprentice Reading Series) and Of Dreams To Come (American Conservatory Theatre’s New Work Series). York received his MFA in Acting from the American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco.

Tinashe Kajese-Bolden is an award-winning Director, Actor, and Producer. She is a recipient of the Princess Grace Award for Directing.  Recent directing credits include Toni Stone (co-production between Milwaukee Repertory Theater and Alliance Theatre), The Many Wondrous Realities of Jasmine Starr-Kidd and Nick’s Flamingo Grill (World Premieres at the Alliance Theatre), School Girls, Or the African Mean Girls Play (Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theatre), Ghost (Alliance Theatre), Native Gardens (Virginia Stage Company), Pipeline (Horizon Theater), and Eclipsed (Synchronicity Theatre, Best Director Suzi Bass Award). She has also worked as a director and actor regionally and on and off Broadway.  As the BOLD Associate Artistic Director at Alliance Theatre, Kajese-Bolden stewarded the Reiser Atlanta Artists Lab, cultivating new works for Atlanta-based artists, and oversaw the Spelman Leadership Fellowship, the first mentorship program of its kind partnering a regional theatre with an historically Black college and university to offer paid career opportunities for students interested in arts leadership positions.

Justin Ellington (Original Music) [he/him] is honored to join the creative team of Covenant at the Alliance Theatre, where his previous credits include Millions, Topdog/Underdog, and King Hedley II and multiple TYA productions including CLASS of 3000. His recent sound design work encompasses Othello on Broadway (2025), Our Town on Broadway (2024), and McNeal on Broadway (2024).  Other notable projects include for colored girls who have considered suicide / when the rainbow is enuf (Broadway), Pass Over (Lincoln Center Theater), and Pipeline (Lincoln Center Theater).  His designs have earned multiple award nominations, including Tony and Drama Desk Awards. Raised in Atlanta, Justin graduated from Tri-Cities High School, where his passion for music and storytelling first began. His work extends beyond the stage, with experience in film, television, and commercial music production. He is passionate about the intersection of music and storytelling, crafting immersive soundscapes that deepen narrative impact. He also serves as a lecturer in Sound Design at the David Geffen School of Drama at Yale University, mentoring the next generation of theatrical sound artists. 

Brittany Deneen (Violet) [she/her] is excited to join the cast of Covenant in her debut at the Alliance Theatre! Her recent credits include Emilia in The Dark Lady (Synchronicity Theatre), Nina in Sunset Baby (Actors Express), and she is thrilled to reunite with Tinashe after playing Nana in School Girls: Or; The African Mean Girls Play (Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theatre). When she isn’t on stage, Brittany can be found narrating audiobooks and playing with her dog Paisley. She wishes to thank her family and friends for their unwavering support and God for everything else! Follow her journey on instagram @brittanyy_deneen 

Deidrie Henry is so excited to be back at her Theatre Home and to join this incredible cast. Regional: Everybody (Alliance Theatre), To the Yellow House (LaJolla Playhouse), Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill (Actor’s Theatre of Louisville, Portland Center Stage), It Can’t Happen Here (Berkeley Rep), Streetcar Named Desire (Portland Center Stage), American Night (Yale Repertory), Raisin in the Sun (Mark Taper, Kirk Douglas Theatre), Parade (Mark Taper, Center Theatre Group), Ballad of Emmett Till (Goodman), Yellowman (Berkeley Rep), As You Like It, Three Sisters, Wit, Hamlet, Seven Guitars, Much Ado About Nothing (Oregon Shakespeare Festival), Blues for an Alabama Sky (Alliance Theatre, Hartford Stage, Arena Stage, Huntington) Film/TV: Handmaid’s Tale, Game of Silence, BOSCH, to name just a few. It’s great to be back home. 

Jemarcus Kilgore [he/him] is thrilled to join the cast of Covenant at the Alliance Theatre! Favorite credits include Eddie Souther in Sister Act (The Aurora Theater), Ensemble/Lion US in The Wiz (The Aurora Theater), and The Palefsky Collision Project (2018) here at the Alliance Theatre. You can also see him on your TV screens as Spyder in "BMF," Montel in "Black Lightning," and Ezra Greene in "All's Fair," coming to Hulu this November! Jemarcus would love to thank his friends and family for always supporting him and teaching him that his dreams are possible. Find him on social media: @jemarcus_kilgore

Jade Payton (Avery) [she/her] You may have seen me as Venetia in Glamorous (Netflix) or Camae in The Mountaintop (Alliance Theatre). I was also blessed to originate Avery Off-Broadway in 2023, and I am humbled by the responsibility of re-imagining her now. We have both grown so much since then! Avery is the jewel of my artistic legacy (so far) and there are facets to her spirit that could ONLY be found in Georgia. Thank you Atlanta and Alliance for the opportunity to discover them. “The South got something to say.” - Andre 3000 

Alaysia Renay Duncan is thrilled to be making her Alliance Theatre debut in Covenant! Alaysia is a Brooklyn based actress and multi-hyphenate. She recently made her Off-Broadway as the lead in the new play Pas de Trois, or the Dancing Witch Play by Aaliyah Warrington at the Lynn F. Angelson Theatre at Classic Stage Company, leading her to win SheNYC's award for Best Leading Actor in a Play. Her short film ABSTRACT marked her directorial debut, and was backed by Emmy-award winning production studio, Wavelength Productions, through their WAVE Grant. Additional Performance Credits: Enid Hoopes (Legally Blonde, Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre), Bulda (Frozen, Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre), Perdita (The Winter’s Tale, Utah Shakespeare Festival), Anne Boleyn (Henry VIII, USF), Petra/Others (The Taming of the Shrew, USF), Ensemble/Shirelles Swing (Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Engeman Theater). With the goal of running her own production company, her work, both on the stage and screen, aims to expand the type and quality of representation Black women and girls have in the media. Representation: Baker Management. BFA Acting, Ithaca College. Love to family & friends in MN, NY, & beyond.   

Isaiah Cowan [he/him] is thrilled to join the cast of Covenant at the Alliance Theatre! Favorite credits include Jackie in “Chicago PD” on NBC, Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing (Harrison Arts Center), and Gay Man in Issa Rae’s “Rapsh*t” on HBO Max. He holds a bachelor degree in Sociology with a minor in Theatre from Florida Atlantic University and has also received a signed honor certificate from President Barrack Obama. Isaiah would love to thank his friends and family for always supporting him. Find him on social media: @IsaiahCowan 

Jadé Davis [she/her] is from Maryland and graduated from Boston University with a BFA in Theater Arts. Her favorite credits include: Luanne in Rooted at The Horizon Theater, Half Empty Half Full as Lilia at The Hudson Guild Theater, and Oberon & Hippolyta in A Midsummer Nights Dream at The Kraine Theater. She’s incredibly grateful for the wide variety of roles she’s had the opportunity to play. Jadé would love to thank her friends and family for always supporting her. Find her on social media: @rising_icon

Anjil Jeter is thrilled to join the cast of Covenant at the Alliance Theatre! Favorite credits include: Alea in Split Second with Impact Theatre, Bernice in The Piano Lesson with New African Grove Theatre, and Vera in Smoke on the Mountain with Marietta New Theatre in the Square. She holds a Master's Degree in Social Work from The University of Alabama. A fun fact is, she enjoys watching "Big City Greens." Anjil would love to thank her friends and family for always supporting her. Find her on social media: IG @anjilrenee 

Makallen Kelley [she/her] is thrilled to be a part of Covenant at the Alliance Theatre! Favorite credits include Charity in The Wash (Synchronicity Theatre and ArtFarm), u/s Miriam in Jaja's African Hair Braiding (True Colors Theatre Company), u/s Sade in Furlough’s Paradise (Alliance Theatre), u/s Marion in cullud wattah (Actor’s Express), and u/s Luna in Oh, to be Pure Again (Actor’s Express). She holds a B.F.A from the University of Southern Mississippi and was a former acting apprentice at Actor’s Express during their 2022-2023 season. Makallen would love to thank her friends and family for their endless support. Find her on social media: @makallenkelley

Danielle Montgomery [she/her] is thrilled to join the cast of Covenant at the Alliance Theatre! She previously performed as Olivia in Twelfth Night with Contemporary Classics Theatre. Danielle thanks her friends and family for always supporting her. Find her on social media: @daniellemontgomry  

Shilla Benning (Costume Designer) Regional Theatre: Working, Shakespeare’s R&J (Alliance Theatre); Pipeline (Cleveland Playhouse); Mudrow (People’s Light Theatre); Pipeline, Skeleton Crew (Actors Theatre of Louisville). Film: Fantasy Football, Do Revenge, Dear Evan Hansen, Like A Boss, What Men Want, SuperFly, Night School, Almost Christmas, Ride Along,  Kevin Heart: Laugh At My Pain, Shaq’s All Star Comedy Jam, Reluctant Fundamentalist, S One Missed Call, Madea Goes To Jail,  Zombieland, Footloose. Television: “Bigger,” “Survivors Remorse,” “Being Mary Jane,” “Media,” “The House of Payne,” “The Originals,” “The Vampire Diaries,” “Drop Dead Diva,” “Dancing With The Stars.” Recording Artist: Eryka Badu, Ciara, Lil Bow Wow, Andre 3000. Bronze Lens Film Festival Women’s Superstar Award Recipient. 

Katia Carmichael // Katia Carmichael and Gabby Irving have been collaborating for three years on various projects and are excited to team up on Covenant as co-designers! Gabby last worked at the Alliance for BUST. This is Katia's first time at the Alliance. The two are based in New York City and work on a variety of practical special effects for theater and live events.

Jiyoun Chang is grateful to return to the Alliance Theatre, where she previously designed Bina’s Six Apples and A Tale of Two Cities, and is honored to collaborate with director Tinashe Kajese-Bolden on Covenant. She is a lighting designer who enjoys working across a wide range of stories in theatre and opera. Her recent opera credits include Factotum, a new production at Lyric Opera of Chicago, and Il Trovatore at Houston Grand Opera. On Broadway, her work includes Stereophonic, Jaja’s African Hair Braiding, and Slave Play, among others. Jiyoun engages each project with emotional clarity and a sense of shared ownership, bringing a personal sensitivity to the work—always in service of the story. She values collaboration and believes deeply in the power of storytelling to connect artists and audiences alike. Originally from Seoul, Korea, Jiyoun studied lighting design at the Yale School of Drama. 

Melanie Chen Cole (Sound Design) [she/her] is a San Diego based sound designer. Alliance Theatre credits: The Mountaintop and Everybody. Regional theatre credits: Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Alley Theatre, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Cleveland Playhouse, Dallas Theater Center, Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Geffen Playhouse, Goodman Theatre, Huntington Theatre Company, Indiana Rep, La Jolla Playhouse, the McCarter, Milwaukee Rep, Northern Stage, The Old Globe, PlayMakers Rep, South Coast Rep, Studio Theatre, and the Utah Shakespeare Festival. Education: MFA in Theatre and Dance from UC San Diego. melaniesound.com, @melaniechencole. 

Jake Guinn is an Atlanta based Director, Writer, and Choreographer. He is the Lead Producer and Co-Founder of Havoc Movement, an experimental production company in residence at Windmill Arts in East Point. Jake is a second generation Fight Director following in the footsteps of his father and mentor, Mark Guinn. His selected credits include Marvel Universe Live! Age of Heroes, TruTV’s Fake/Off, New Jack City Live!, Hero’s Wife at Synchronicity Theatre, Dracula  at Actor's Theatre Louisville, Sherwood at the Atlanta Shakespeare Company, Florida Repertory Theatre, Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, Cincinnati Opera, Cincinnati Playhouse. 

Gabrielle Irving // Katia Carmichael and Gabby Irving have been collaborating for three years on various projects and are excited to team up on Covenant as co-designers! Gabby last worked at the Alliance for BUST. This is Katia's first time at the Alliance. The two are based in New York City and work on a variety of practical special effects for theater and live events.

Candy McLellan Davison [she/her] was most recently seen in Legally Blonde (City Springs Theatre), where she played the Judge/Store Manager and Laker Girl. Other favorite regional credits include Annie in The Play That Goes Wrong (Aurora Theatre), Minnie in An Octoroon (Actors Express), Dotty in Caroline, or Change (Westcoast Theatre Troupe), Gabrielle in Cinderella (Aurora Theatre), Vicky in Bright Half Life (Theatrical Outfit), and Doris in The Color Purple (City Springs Theatre), Passing Strange and Tiny Beautiful Things (Theatrical Outfit). On screen, Candy has appeared in “Will Trent,” “Florida Man,” “The Resident,” “Hawkeye,” and “Creepshow.” She is a graduate of the University of West Georgia and Acting Apprenticeship at Aurora Theatre. Candy would love to thank her incredible husband and family for their unwavering support and cheerleading through every audition, callback, and opening night. Find her on Instagram: @candymcloveme 

Samantha Honeycutt studied Stage Management at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro before beginning her career working across the country. Her credits include: Year of the Rooster, When January Feels like Summer, and Five Times in One Night (Ensemble Studio Theater). Legally Blonde, Cabaret, Hello! Dolly, My Fair Lady, and Music Man (Cape Playhouse). Frankenstein, Hairspray, Penny Candy, American Mariachi, Supreme Leader (Dallas Theater Center). Angry, Raucous and Shamelessly Gorgeous (Hartford Stage), and Trading Places the Musical, Everybody, A Gift of Love with Adam L. McKnight, Hot Wing King, The Boy Who Kissed The Sky, Water For Elephants, and Into the Burrow: A Peter Rabbit Tale, Furlough's Paradise, The Preacher's Wife, and The Mountaintop. 

Laura Morse is a Psychotherapist and Certified Professional Clinical Supervisor currently in private practice in Atlanta, GA. Laura has worked in various settings to include a community service board, psychiatric hospitalization, and residential substance recovery agencies. In addition to professional counseling, Laura has served as a PTSA President for three public schools in Dekalb County and participated as an executive board member for organizations specific to mental health/substance recovery advocacy as well as public education with emphasis on parent/student involvement and youth sports. Laura regularly shares her professional insight and expertise and has been a featured respondent with a number of media outlets, among them: NPR, Atlanta Journal and Constitution, several NBC news affiliates, Cox Media Group-WSBTV, The Source Magazine and more. Laura has been a professional expert on the TVONE series, ‘Fatal Attraction’ and ‘For My Man.’ In addition, Laura also serves as a mental and emotional wellness consultant with the Alliance Theater in Atlanta--supporting actors, directors and crew when wrestling with difficult creative content or interpersonal dynamics. Laura not only has a passion for her work in mental health advocacy, but a devotion to her friends and family; Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated; and Spelman College.

Barbara Gantt O’Haley [she/her] Previous Alliance credits include: Into the Burrow: A Peter Rabbit Tale, Hot Wing King, Everybody, Slur, Tell Me My Dream, Courage, Grimm Lives of the In-Betweens. Other Atlanta credits include: Big Fish, Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill, Simply Simone, In the Heights, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Perfect Arrangement, Indecent, Slow Food, Ms. Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley, The Wickhams, Our Town, 110 in the Shade, Pitmen Painters, An Iliad (Theatrical Outfit); Support Group for Men (Horizon Theatre), as well as My Fair Lady, Cats, Young Frankenstein (Atlanta Lyric Theatre). Love to Patrick, Elliana, and Keeva! Proud Member AEA.