Composition and Direction

Mentor: Masi Asare 
Vocalists: Wonu Ogunfowora, Phillip Johnson-Richardson
 Musicians: Dionne McClain-Freeney, James Rushin, Jessie Nelson, Meg Talay

Kelechi, a first-generation Nigerian American teenager goes by the name of “Ke,” a persona she created as a way to fit in at school and distance herself from her Nigerian heritage. She attends a predominantly Black high school along with Cameron, an African American teenager. A history buff, he struggles with the reality of his origin and identity. While at Kelechi’s house working on an assignment, Cameron tells her that she’s had it easy because her background has been spelled out for her, unlike his. This declaration makes her reconsider who she is and to embrace her identity as someone “in between.”

2 college students: Seniors Maeve and Miles break up at west hall engineering arch just before graduation (They share in the famous midnight kiss tradition, it goes wrong)    5 years later: They are both 26 years old now and both attend Umich homecoming. Back at the arch they run into each other.  He comes with the hopes of winning her back; she comes (unbeknownst to the audience) with her new family.  They have small talk, catch up, He shares his life story and she sorts out the feelings she has for him.

Directed by Oluchi Nwaokorie & Arin Francis Produced by Aquila Sol & Nile Andah Choreographed by Abigail Aziz, Nicola Troschinetz, Catie Leonard, Haoyi Wen, Evan Tylka, and Keyon Pickett Music Arrangement/Direction by Stephanie Reuning-Scherer, Alyssa Sunew, and Jason Koch Lyrics by Evan Hoefer, Sam O’Neill, Drew Perez Harris, Malik Johnson, and Nick Aiello Stage Managed by Esther Hwang Lighting Design by Ethan Hoffman

COLOR CABARET 2024 Directed by Oluchi Nwaokorie & Haoyi Wen Music Directed by Caleb Middleton Produced by Cortez Hill Choreographed by Abigail Aziz, Logan Saad, & Keyon Pickett Writers: Alyssa Sunew, Ryo Kamibayashi, Aidan B. Jones, Drew Perez Harris, & Brendan Johnson Lighting Design by Shelby Holloway Lighting Support by Ethan Hoffman Asst. Writer: Jayden K. White Asst. Director: Kristabel Kenta-Bibi Asst. Choreographer: Drey’von Simmons Stage Manager: Maya Liu Rehearsal Stage Manager: Esther Hwang Marketing Director: Nile Andah Videography by Johannes Pardi

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