Robbin, From The Hood

CAST & CREW BIOS

Joyous Celestine

Robbin Woods

Brandon Avila

Juan Rodriguez

Don McClendon

Percy Woods

Trials Davis

Charlie Woods

Chrissie Watkins

Margaret Brown

Jeremy Thomas

Kyle Mayhew

Cameron Jamarr

Director / Sound Designer / Projection Designer

Bradford Rolen

Stage Manager / Set Designer / Costume Designer / Props

Native of Lafayette, Louisiana, Joyous is a proud alumna of Northwestern State University of Louisiana, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Theatre. She is honored to make her debut with Soul Siren Playhouse in her first MainStage production in St. Louis. Joyous currently serves as an Acting Fellow at The Black Rep, where she performs in touring productions, works as a teaching artist, and creates digital content on TikTok. She is grateful for every opportunity to share her talent and passion for the arts with the world.

Joyous would like to thank God for strength and patience, and her family for their never-ending support and encouragement. After all, the sky is not the limit. Follow Joyous’ journey on TikTok and Instagram: @lifewmariee

Brandon is a sophomore acting student at STLCC and is excited to make his Soul Siren Playhouse debut. Recent credits include Carrie: The Musical, Groundhog Day, Hand to God, and Murder at the Howard Johnson’s. He has also appeared in James and the Giant Peach, Mamma Mia! (choreographer), Rumors, and Clue. He is a KCACTF–nominated actor and Theatre Activities Scholarship recipient.

Don McClendon is a versatile St. Louis-based actor, voice artist, and producer who has been a staple of the Midwest creative community and a member of SAG-AFTRA since 1993. With an extensive stage career, he has performed in notable productions such as Julius Caesar with The Black Rep, A Raisin in the Sun with the Unity Theater Ensemble, and To Kill a Mockingbird with InSight Theater, in addition to frequent appearances with St. Louis Shakespeare and First Run Theatre. His screen credits range from major motion pictures like Up In the Air to acclaimed independent films and shorts including Shadowland and Green Thumb, complemented by a prolific career in commercial and industrial voice-over work. A dedicated storyteller with a BA from Saint Louis University and an MA from Webster University, Don continues to bring gravity and authenticity to diverse roles across the regional arts scene.

Trials Davis is a multidisciplinary actor, vocalist, and writer whose performances bridge art, ancestry, and social consciousness. His stage credits include Jitney (“Youngblood”), Skeleton Crew (“Darnell”), Hold On (James Foreman, world premiere), and The African Company Presents Richard III (William Brown) with The St. Louis Black Rep. Additional work includes Dontrell Who Kissed the Sea, Sankofa Live, and The Goddess Zaoli. A dynamic storyteller, Davis draws from Afro-Indigenous and contemporary traditions to bring spirit and depth to every role.

Chrissie Watkins is thrilled to join the Soul Siren Playhouse family with this production of Robbin From the Hood. She is a blooming St. Louis native actress known for her work in both theatre and film. She was awarded a Theatre Mask Award for Outstanding Leading Actress in a Comedy for her title role as Sylvia.. She also received a nomination nod from Theatre Circle Awards for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy as well as a win for her ensemble work in It Is Magic. Chrissie has starred in several short films and commercial projects. You can catch her in the film The Company You Keep on Amazon Prime and Tubi. Chrissie would like to thank her family and friends for their continued love and support, her castmates for their talent and friendship, Brad, the stage manager for the hours of hard labor he poured into the project, and her director, Cameron for believing in her portrayal of Margaret and believing in our city to put out this call to action play.
Follow @rissierice on Instagram for more info.

Jeremy Thomas is excited to take part in his second production with Soul Siren Playhouse, after appearing last in their production of "Dutchman". Native of St. Joseph Mo, St. Louis has been home for a long time now, he has four beautiful children and thanks them for all their help in getting ready for this role. Special thanks to Julie for all her help and sacrifices to allow Jeremy to take and perform this role. Jeremy's been seen with St. Louis Shakespeare, Magic Smokin Monkey, 1st CCT performance as Boy Willie in The Piano Lesson, and an award winning performance as Hambone in Two Trains Running and Best Ensemble as Lt. Smalls in Soldier's Play. He played Levee in CCT's production of Ma Rainey's Black Bottom. Last seen in The Colored Funeral with the Theatre Guild of Webster Groves. Jeremy is also part of a new series Gonzo, coming soon.

Cameron is proud to make his directorial debut directing "Robbin, from the Hood". A professional actor, arts educator, and founder of Soul Siren Playhouse, Cameron’s artistry expands into film, photography, editing, and music - all elements he was excited to bring to this production. Cameron in unspeakably grateful to this cast for their trust and generosity of spirit in the process of creating this show, and for his friends and family that hold space, show love, and speak life along his journey. IG: __Blackswagic__

Bradford is a professional Musical Theater artist with credited regional theater and industry experience with companies such as STAGES St. Louis, The St. Louis Black Repertory Company, Fly North Theatricals, the Los Angeles Celebration Theater, and the Municipal Opera Theater of Saint Louis, among others. He is also an arts educator and Co-Founding Director of Operations at Soul Siren Playhouse.

Marlow Wyatt

Playwright

Marlow Wyatt is an award-winning playwright and actor. She received her BFA in Acting from Howard University College of Fine Arts, but her thirst to share the richness and beauty of Black culture led her to playwriting. Born and raised in Kansas City, Kansas, Marlow was nurtured by a large and colorful family of storytellers who shared their experiences in dive bars, church pews, front porches, and beauty shops. Inspired by their truth and authenticity, she pays homage to the complex humanity of the disenfranchised by amplifying their voices through theater. Marlow believes stories that spotlight Black culture are American stories and must be normalized and included in the canon of American theater.

Marlow was a featured playwright in The Lily's/Support Black Theatre Lorraine Hansberry Initiative and is a recipient of the AGE Legacy Grant, LA New Play Project Grant, Spirited Woman Grant, and a two-time Broadway Cares Equity Fights AIDS Discretionary Grant recipient for her HIV/AIDS curriculum with The Girl Blue Project. Her work has been produced nationally and internationally. Her first play SHE premiered at Antaeus Theatre in 2023, earning Best World Premiere Play and Best Production of a Drama (Stage Scene LA). That same year, Listen, A Black Woman Is Speaking was staged in Dublin, Ireland. Her play Robbin, from the Hood premiered in 2024 in Los Angeles and received a nod for Outstanding Production of a Drama, with a Midwest Regional Premiere at Soul Siren Playhouse in St. Louis in March 2026.

...Brought To You By...

Whitaker Foundation

St. Louis Regional Arts Commission

The Kranzberg Arts Foundation