Adaku | E'MMA CAMARA*

E'mma is a senior at the University of Iowa and is super excited to be a part of this show. Adaku will be her last show at the university, and she has loved every minute of her time with the theatre department. You may have seen her earlier this year as Des in Death Surrogates, or last spring as Shun in In the Red and Brown Water. When not acting, E'mma enjoys spending time with her friends, watching movies and tv shows, listening to music, and going on her daily walks. She hopes that you love this show as much as she does.  

Mma | KAYLA LEACOCK**

Kayla Leacock is beyond thrilled to be in Adaku! Select credits include: National Tour: PAW Patrol Live! (Rocky), Rosie Revere Engineer & Friends (Ada Twist) Regional: The Color Purple (Nettie), Hurricane Diane (Renee), Bad World: A New Musical (Linnea), Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical (Lily Polkadot), Hairspray (Dynamite) University of Iowa: Far Away (Harper). Special thanks to my family, friends, and the entire theatre department! 

Nche | BRENNEN MALONE**

Brennen Savon Malone (they/he) is a first-year MFA acting candidate. They are a Philly-born actor. They received their undergraduate degree from Bates College in Lewiston, ME. Some of their recent credits include Jake and Joseph/Mr. Sauce in the University’s productions of Side Show and Marie Antoinette. They originated the role of Juicy in the Pulitzer Prize-winning, Fat Ham at the Wilma Theater, as well as played Brad in Rocky Horror Picture Show at Theatre Horizon, Collins in RENT, Hanschen in Spring Awakening at Milton Theatre, and Wilbur in Charlotte’s Web at the Arden Theatre. They are incredibly grateful for their partner, Steven, and to be honing their craft here at the University of Iowa among such generous artists. 

Duru | PRESTON COLEMAN**

Preston Coleman is a first-year MFA Actor in the UI theatre department. Prince-George's County, MD native. He performed in the mainstage production of Marie Antoinette directed by Mary Beth Easley as Revolutionary #2 last fall semester. Early spring, he played Clay in Dutchman, directed by Josh Turner, for the Iowa Director’s Festival. He is now excited to be working with playwright Sixtus Chetachi Igbokwe for this production Adaku for New Play Festival and is looking forward to bringing this amazing story to the stage.

Ochiora | SOPHIA POLKING*

Sophia Polking is a second-year undergraduate student at the University of Iowa. She is double majoring in Social Justice and Health Studies on the premedical track and minoring in Theatre Arts and Chemistry. She is so excited to bring this piece to life alongside so many talented black actors. Sophia would like to thank her family and friends for their unwavering support, the production team for all their hard work, and finally, you for coming to see the show!  

Nnegwu | ASHA KELLER

Asha Keller is a recent graduate of the University of Iowa’s biology and Theatre Arts departments and is happy to be back for New Play Festival. Some pieces you may have seen her in at the University of Iowa include BLKS (2022), Lil G: A Gatsby Remix (2023), Men On Boats (2023), West Illinois Glass House (2024), In the Red and Brown Water (2024), and most recently for colored girls who have considered suicide; when the rainbow is enuf (2024) and Death Surrogates (2025). Asha would like to thank her friends and family for their continuous support, and her cast, creative team, and crew for their collaboration and sense of play. 

Adibe ​| ISAIAH OWENS**

Isaiah Mark Owens is an actor currently in the University of Iowa's graduate acting program. Hailing from Murfreesboro, TN, he is passionate about using his artistry to tell stories from the perspective of African American culture. Recently, he performed in UI theatre’s productions of Dutchman by Amiri Baraka and Death Surrogates by Cianon Jones. 

Priest/Akojindu ​| ALEX SMITH-PERRY*

Alex Smith-Perry is a first-year undergraduate student with a Pre-law and Theatre Arts major and a minor in News and Media Literacy. He is from Atlanta, Georgia, and has been in various productions outside of the University, such as Clue (Colonel Mustard) and Men On Boats (Hall). Alex will make his UI theatre debut in Adaku, and he would like to thank his family, friends, and partner for their support. He would also like to thank the creative team, cast, and crew for an amazing show! 

Ike ​| KYLEN PHILLIPS*

Kylen Phillips is a third-year Screenwriting and Theatre Arts student here at the University of Iowa. He is excited to be participating in his second New Play Festival after freshly completing his journey as "Jerome" from Cianon Jones' Death Surrogates. Kylen is very comfortable with this team and is excited to bring this show to life and to the audience!