Janiva Magness is an award winning American Blues and Soul singer-songwriter, who's released ten albums to international acclaim. In 2009, the Blues Foundation named her the B.B. King Entertainer of the Year, becoming only the second woman, after Koko Taylor, to be so honored. In that same year, Janiva was named the Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the Year, an award she has won in 2006, 2007, 2013 and 2015. She also took home the 2013 Song of the Year for "I Won't Cry" co-written by Grammy nominated, Dave Darling. In 2014, Janiva released Original on her independent label Fathead Records. It is an intense and highly autobiographical album which has been met with critical acclaim, garnering her three more Blues Music Association nominations for Song of the Year - "Let Me Breathe," Contemporary Blues Album and Contemporary Blues Female Artist. This is not Ms. Magness's first foray on the theatrical stage. In 1999, she appeared in It Ain't 'Nothin' But The Blues, at the Geffen Theatre in Los Angeles. Janiva continues to tour internationally and remains an active ambassador for foster care. She is currently working on her memoir "Stronger For It" with co-author Gary Delsohn. www.janivamagness.com
Rachel Nee Hall is an Emmy ® nominated producer and director (DGA) who has worked on top rated talk and reality TV shows for 15 years. Before that, she was a news anchor, reporter and producer for CBS owned and operated stations throughout the Midwest. As the daughter of Actress, Writer and Director, Kay Bonner Nee, Rachel earned her acting chops at a very young age. She wrote and directed her first award winning children's theatre play when she was 14 years old. A theatre major at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Rachel was cast in lead roles in multiple productions including musicals, drama and comedy. She went on to New York where she preformed in original stage productions and dance theatre. She also acted in TV, film and stage in Los Angeles for many years. Eventually opportunities shifted her focus to behind the camera lens and in the director's chair. And that seat feels just right. Ms. Nee Hall is co-founder of Silky Pants Productions Inc.™ www.silkypantsproductions.com
Jeff Richards is a veteran Marketing and Branding Specialist. A graduate of the University of Minnesota Theatre Department, he appeared throughout the Midwest in countless acclaimed musical theatre productions. Jeff is a co-founder of Silky Pants Productions Inc.™ As an Executive Producer and Chief Marketing Officer he manages business operations, conducts market research and strategic planning, and is involved in the conception, development and production of scripted and unscripted creative projects for television and social media outlets. A musician and singer himself, as well as a life-long fan of the blues, Jeff is proud to be involved in the creative development of "original the musical." www.silkypantsproductions.com
Donald directed and acted in his first play when he was 14 years old. Today, he's directed more than 70 productions and acted in dozens more. His extensive resume also includes roles as producer and stage manager of several companies across many countries. A graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City, Donald honed is directing skills in NYC for 15 years. During those years he served as Artistic Director for the F.I.T. Theatre Ensemble and resident director for many other theatre companies in the city. The next decade took him back to his hometown of Cleveland Ohio, where his theatrical career flourished. He directed almost every genre; from Neil Simon to Shakespeare to punk-rock musicals and opera. During this time, Donald was honored with many awards for Directing and Acting. One of his career highlights is his ground floor involvement in the national expansion of the original production of Menopause the Musical. He spent more than 7 years with the critically acclaimed and highly successful show as it toured North America and Asia. Donald is a proud member of Actor's Equity Association and resides in Los Angeles with his rescue dog, Jax.
