Aladdin Jr. Production Team

Director – Jason Ellis

Directing credits through Momentum Collective Inc. include, #WOKE, Last Call, Senior Moments, U-Street, Promises, Not My Baby, and Berg Diaries. Jason has a long and distinguished background on and behind the stage, having worked with a number of local theatre companies including Mount Vernon Children’s Community Theater, Hard Bargain, Tantallon Players, St. Mark’s Players, Aldersgate Church Community Theater, and Little Theatre of Alexandria. He thanks his friends and fans who came out to support his directorial debut for a children’s musical.

Choreographer – Kevin White

Kevin White began his dance training at age 15 in the Putney Summer Arts Program. Dance Institute of Washington and Joy of Motion furthered his training, preparing him to be a dance minor in Kent State’s modern based program. Post grad White has trained in West African, contemporary and Contemporary African. Kevin has danced professionally with Taurus Broadhurst, Maverick Lemons, Dayo N Dance, The Black Leaves Project and is currently with Jane Franklin Dance. He has performed on many stages in the DMV, including the Kennedy Center’s millennium stage and at Atlas intersections. His current passion is working with youth in after school programs of all backgrounds and skill levels.

Music Director – Michelle Hogan

Michelle is originally from New York and has always loved music and singing. She is an educator for Alexandria City and has directed church and school choirs for years. Working with children takes patience, and she wears that gift as a badge of honor. 

Stage Manager – Danielle Hatcher

Originally from Boston, MA, she began to love the theater at a young age. Acting in her early days in Oliver Twist  and You’re a Good Boy Charlie Brown. She has a Bachelors of Fine Arts from Bennett College for Women in Greensboro, NC. Currently, she is a Middle School Theater Arts Teacher in. Arlington County. Danielle previously Stage Managed “Newsies” for MTVCCT and teaches afterschool theater classes in the Alexandria City community for Momentum Collective.

Acting Coach – Dr. Charnika Hayes

Reverend Dr. Charnika Louise Hayes is a talented singer, writer, dramaturge, and narrative curator. Throughout childhood and adolescence, she wrote award-winning songs and stories and co-founded and directed school ensembles and gospel choirs. For several years she led the drama ministry for Alfred Street Baptist Church, and also published the book, “The Other Side of Womanhood: A Series of Monologues from the Broken Spirit of a Black Girl”. She is the founder of the Daughters of Louis Foundation and Glory Stories Ministries.

Set Designer/Construction – Dave Moretti

Thanks Jason for the opportunity to have some creative stage design fun!  Break legs to all of the young talent, production team and behind the scenes volunteers bringing Aladdin JR to life.  Dave has previous worked on the sets for Last Call, and #WOKE.

Technical Director – John Van Voorhis

John is excited to be working on his third production with Momentum Collective Inc. Having worked on almost 100 productions in college and after, the return to theater after raising a family has been exhilarating.

Costumer – Deborah Lash

Deborah Lash is an artist and designer based in Washington, DC. She has designed costumes for DC-area theatre productions including The Theatre Lab (The Skin of Our Teeth) and TBD Immersive (Cabaret Rising, Under(world), Ouroboros: Dawn of the Cabaret). She is thrilled to be working on Aladdin Jr.!

Makeup Artist – Sheron LaSha

is a  Washington DC native and has been singing since the age of seven. She has performed in choirs, show choirs, and bands throughout the city. She also has done local theater, performing in record breaking plays such as Tantallon’s theater group production of Dreamgirls where she played Lorrell. She was also a featured vocalist in Jason Ellis’ 2017 production of Not My Baby, 2018 revival of U-Street, the musical and 2022’s production of Last Call, the musical. She is also a regular featured vocalist in Jeremy McShan’s JAM musical reviews. Sheron Has dabbled in play and song writing.