CELESTE BUTLER CLAYTON (Ursa Major) is thrilled to reprise Ursa Major, a role she originated in 2021. Celeste has toured globally and worked with artists like Diana Ross, Ariana Grande, and Sabrina Carpenter. Credits include: Joker 2, The Equalizer, The Rookie, MLK the Musical, 44:The Obama Musical. She thanks God, her husband, and family! Phil 4:13

ARI HERSTAND (Copper Jones/Co-Creator/Producer/Songwriter/Music Director) would like to thank his songwriting partner Brett Nolan for keeping the focus on the music, his co-creator Andrew Leib for helping get this over the finish line and most of all his wife Sarah who has been incredibly supportive during this process. It is an absolute dream come true to bring this show - and Copper Jones - to life! When not getting funky with Brassroots, Ari is helping indie artists navigate the new music business through his books, podcast, blog and Ari’s Take Academy. He has been seen on TV shows like Mad Men, 2 Broke Girls and Transparent and has played hundreds shows as a singer/songwriter around the world.

MORGAN DANIELLE DAY (Gem) is an actress/dancer/writer/ spoken word artist  based in Los Angeles, CA. Hailing from Baltimore, MD. She received her BFA in Theatre from Marymount Manhattan College and MFA in Acting from the California Institute of the Arts. Recent Theatre credits include: California Story/Outside in Theatre, Luminous Streets/ The Roots and Wings Project, Is God Is/ Constellation Theatre, Harvey/ Everyman Theatre, Jump/ Everyman Theatre. TV credits include  BET’s The Family Business,Tyler Perry’s All The Queens Men, ALLBLK’s Goon Squad, TV One's For My Man, I Met My Murderer Online, Tubi’s Black Excellence, Amazon Prime’s The Council,  and Signal 23’s Merry Christmas Well Maybe. She’d like to thank her Husband Byron, her parents Wanda and Derrick and all of her friends and family for their support. 

THONY MENA (Gil) Thony is so excited to be on this journey as Gil Jenkins! He was born in the Dominican Republic, raised in the DC/Maryland area, and based in LA. He’s a natural goof with a gentle seriousness and just loves to tell stories. Recent Credits: Sanctions (Curious Theatre Company) The Brothers Size (1st Stage) Elliot, A Soldier’s Fugue, Water By The Spoonful, and The Happiest Song Plays Last (Curious Theatre Company) Another Way Home (Theatre J). EDUCATION: BA in Theatre University of Maryland, College Park

KAYAH ALEXANDRA BULLOCK (Nancy) is thrilled to return to the funky world of Brassroots District! Credits include West Side Story (Stumptown Stages), FLY (Dallas Theater Center), The Tale of the Lion King (Disneyland), and 7 seasons with Dallas Black Dance Theatre. Other work includes activations for Apple TV’s The Morning Show, Black @ Netflix, national commercial campaigns, and direction for Starbound National Talent Competition. Training: Howard University (BFA, Theatre Arts & Dance).

BRYAN DANIEL PORTER (Donny Davis) works in film, theater, television and videogames. Variety Magazine called him “The MVP Among Performers” for leading Reefer Madness, produced by Kristen Bell and Alan Cumming. Next: Wings of Freedom with Eva Longoria and Nicholas Galitzine (2026), Reoccurring on Nickelodeon’s The Loud House (2026), and voicing Rossi-11 (Destiny: Rising).

ADAM FISHER (Barry) is a comedian, improviser and actor from Southern California and has appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live and the Fuse Network. He can be seen regularly performing with ComedySportz Los Angeles. This is his first immersive theater production and he is excited to be a part of it.

NATALIE LALL (Cassie the Brassie) acts, sings, writes stories, births songs, spins rituals, develops immersive experiences, and is generally into resisting fascism. Her debut album "MULTIRACIAL PRINCESS" will be out by the end of 2026! Nothing but loving thanks for the entire Brassroots fam for embracing her in this incredibly special show. natalielall.com

ALEX VERGEL (That Guy) What an absolute joy and blessing it is to return to this funktastic voyage with hottest band in town! I’ve had the great fortune of spending my time between 1973 and 1974 involved in immersive productions, a production of Lisa D’Amour’s Detroit, and indie filmmaking. But here, I am home, and I can’t wait to get down with y’all!

DANIELLE JOHNSON (Lola / Ursa Major, Gem u/s) is a dynamic performer and LA native with a profound love for storytelling on both stage and screen. Her recent work includes The Prince of Egypt (Tuya), Xanadu (Erato), Hunchback Of Notre Dame (ens.) as well as burlesque productions, variety shows and comedy at Upright Citizens Brigade. @thedaniellejohnson

CARINA GASCA BARNEY (Suzy / Cassie, Barry u/s) Carina is ecstatic to join the BRD family. She began her career with the Walt Disney Company, performing at sea (Disney Cruise Line) and on land (Disneyland Resort). Since then, she has performed across several theme parks and immersive experiences in Southern California, including Delusion (Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group) and Margo Rita’s Monster Ball (Six Flags Magic Mountain.) Carina earned her BA in Theatre Arts at CSA Fullerton. She is excited to boogie down with you on the dance floor!

B-FREE (Nancy, Gil, Brassie u/s) Known as a “Musical Swiss Army Knife,” B~Free is a Los Angeles-based performer, musician & actress whose work lives at the intersection of music, storytelling & character. With over two decades of performance experience, she seamlessly moves between stage & screen, bringing a vibrant, genre-blending presence rooted in R&B, Hip Hop, Pop & Soul. A Chicago-born, Milwaukee-raised artist, she has shared stages with Janelle Monáe, Grace Weber & Moonchild, while her viral “Freemixes” have earned praise from Lizzo, Brandy & Jimmy Jam. Her theatrical work includes composing for Milwaukee Chamber Theatre’s HOOPS & contributing to performance-based productions that highlight both her musicality & acting range. Whether as a musician or in character, B~Free captivates audiences with authenticity, humor & undeniable stage presence.

BRANDON "butta b" SAMUELS (Trumpet) is a professional multi-instrumentalist, artist, producer, and educator originally from Long Beach, California. He works teaching and playing with Jazz Angels, The World Stage Big Band, the Long Beach Big Band, playing for other local churches, playing various live shows, recording with different artists and groups such as Thelma Houston, Def Sound, Torrence Brannon Reece, Naomi Renae and more. Being an alumni of Long Beach Polytechnic High School, he strives to continue the work that his previous teachers started as an interdependent artist for all.

QUINTEN FARR (Keys) is an LA-based keyboardist, talkbox artist, producer, and audio engineer from Milwaukee. With over 20 years of jazz and classical training, he has performed internationally, held residencies at Zaya DTLA, toured with Vivian Green, and appeared at Summerfest, Somerville Supper Club, LACMA, and Leimert Park Jazz Festival, with depth and soul.

CHRIS PORTER (Writer) is an award-winning writer, composer, and sound designer of podcasts, concert works, film, theater, and immersive events that have been seen, heard, and experienced around the world. Chris is the Creator of the award-winning SOLAR: The Podcast. He is also the Associate Artistic Director for The Speakeasy Society.

AJ DANNA (Production Stage Manager) AJ Danna's prior themed entertainment leadership experience includes serving as stage manager for The Willows, casting director for Delusion, and show director for RWS Global. AJ was particularly thrilled to join the Brassroots District production team after witnessing how 2021's Brassroots District: Live in the Lot Summer '73 expanded his perception of immersive theatre. You're invited to explore ajdanna.com.

ISABELLE ZEASKE (Assistant Stage Manager) Isabelle Zeaske makes strange and funny plays in strange and funny places. Credits include “The Willows” (ASM), “Daisy Violet the Bitch Beast King” (Director/Producer), and three seasons directing with Shakespeare in the Arb. A jill-of-all-trades, Isabelle has worked as a producer, a playwright, and a puppetry specialist for a herd of life-sized felt sheep.

CAMAL PUGH (Choreographer and Associate Director Consultant) is a native of Washington, DC and a graduate of the UMBC. Off-Broadway Choreographer: Exorcistic The Rock Musical (Asylum). Credits: Remember Me The Mahalia Jackson Story (HULU), A New Brain, Hairspray, Alex Newell, Stellar Awards, Carly Rae Jepsen, & Blaque. 2024 BroadwayWorld Award nominee for Best Choreography of a Musical (Exorcistic) and Best Dance Production (Brother to Brother). IG @cnote_moves

RACHEL HAUSER (Set Design) is an ambitious experiential designer with a love for immersive, analog storytelling. Based in Los Angeles, her nostalgic sensibility is felt across themed clubs, boutique performance venues, and unique residential spaces. Her goal is to travel internationally building theater sets and activating art residency spaces.