Ella C. Davis is co-founder and executive director for All About the Drama Theatre Group (AATD), a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit arts organization located in Upper Marlboro, MD. Former Chair of Anacostia Playhouse DC Theater Arts Collaborative - board of directors (2015 – 2020). She is a producer, director, playwright, and performer. Ella completed her studies at the National Conservatory of Dramatic Arts in Washington, DC, where she studied the full gamut of theater, acting, singing, dancing, directing, stagecraft, and stage management.

Ella has served as a Drama Teaching Artist on a DCPS Public Education Grant – Empowering Males of Color (EMOC). She has organized youth summer program activities utilizing creative arts components, i.e., improvisation, vocal exercises, script analysis, and moving about the stage. She has directed, produced a host of community projects written by local playwrights:  A Victim’s Whisper on cyber-bullying, A Choice to Make, Job I Ain’t, The Perfect Melody, The Edge, The Gospel of Jesus the Interview, The Christmas Promise, I Don’t Feel No Way’s Tired, He Blessed My Soul, and The Graduate,  Jeff Stetson’s The Meeting.  

Ella directed Happy Ending by Douglas Turner Ward, which received inspiring reviews and a Helen Hayes Award Recommendation, Driving Miss Daisy by Alfred Uhry at the Anacostia Playhouse, wrote and directed The Phyllis Hyman Experience at the Langston Hughes Community Center in Baltimore, MD, and the Anacostia Playhouse in Washington, DC. Produced and co-directed Record Store 24 (RS/24), written, starred, and directed by Clayton LeBouef. AATD continues its creative works as a collaborative with Prosperity Media, Koalaty Entertainment, and the Zhanra Group (PKZ Collective) on a Six-Part Web Series entitled “Back in the Black,” which celebrates the collected artistry of the creative geniuses of the African Diaspora in Historic Literature, Theatre, and Film. The pilot and several offerings for the stage from this series have been presented and taped before live audiences at the Silver Spring Black Box, the newly renovated Martin Luther King Memorial Library, and the Anacostia Performing Arts Center in Washington, DC.  We’re delighted that the pilot series on Angelina Weld Grimke was selected for screening at the  2024 International Black Film and Theatre Festival in Winston-Salem, NC. 

As part of our continued commitment to serving the community, AATD has worked with NorthEast Senior Singers (NESS) to produce and direct Profiles of Courage, a commemorative piece written by Jennifer Lee for the "50th Anniversary of the March on Washington”. Once again, it is our honor and pleasure to be a part of this latest project, “Just Jazz,” developed, written, and directed by Ella C. Davis and Jennifer Lee, along with the Musical Director, Dr. Gilbert Pryor.

Jennifer Lee is not a native Washingtonian but truly has established her theatrical/ musical roots in the tri-state area and beyond. A proud graduate of Howard University’s Fine Arts Department and the University of the District of Columbia’s School of Music, Jennifer has had the privilege of performing with the esteemed Calvin Jones Trio and studying with renowned Classical solo soprano, Charlotte Holloman.

Continuing her theatrical pursuit, Ms. Lee studied with the New York director, Tony Abeson and was a repertoire member of the Theater Lab that performed an original piece, The Snow Queen, at the Public Theater of New York City. 

Returning to Washington, DC., she furthered her theatrical journey by traveling throughout the United States doing “1001 Black Inventions”, under the artistic direction of Ersky Freeman, writer and producer.

As co-founder of All About Drama Theatre Group (AATD), a 501(C) 3 non-profit theatre organization, it has produced in collaboration with PKZ Collective “Back in the Black Series.” The first of this series, Angelina Grimke, was selected for screening at the 2024 International Black Film & Theatre Festival. Additional theatrical pieces that Jennifer Lee has performed in were “Happy Ending” by Douglas Turner Ward (nominated for a Helen Hayes Recommendation Award) and RS/24, a video drama written and directed by TV and film actor Clayton LeBouef  This Work for the Stage has been filmed and screened at the Kennedy Center, and the Library of Congress and now on tour.

Continuing their commitment to servicing the community, All About the Drama has worked closely with NorthEast Senior Singers (NESS), a senior Capitol Hill chorus.  AATD produced Profiles of Courage, a commemorative piece written by Jennifer Lee for the "March on Washington, 50th Anniversary and is staging the latest project, “Just Jazz”,  which was developed, written, and directed by Ella C. Davis and Jennifer Lee.

Her most recent artistic endeavors are performing with African American Collective Theatre under the artistic direction of Alan Sharpe and the Heritage Signature'25th Anniversary Concert. Ms. Lee has rendered her musical talents as a proud member of the chorus for the last 7 years, gracing the stages of the Vatican, Kennedy Center, and Carnegie Hall.

Dr. Gilbert E. Pryor, Jr. is a consummate musician, music director, and educator. Dr. Pryor is a graduate of Howard University, Bowie State University, and Argosy. He developed his skills as a member of the DC Department of Recreation’s Showmobile Program, where he served as a music specialist and chief of the Arts Division.

He was an instrumental and vocal teacher in the Prince George’s County Public School System. He is a retired Associate Professor of Music and Music Technology from Bowie State University, where he served as the Founder and Coordinator of the Music Technology program, which offers a degree in music technology.

In his career, Dr. Pryor has also published two music method books. Dr. Pryor has been a trumpeter, arranger, composer, coordinator, and pianist for many events throughout his 60 years of success. Dr. Pryor has also been on the music ministry staff of Washington, D.C.'s Mt. Airy Baptist Church for more than 20 years.

Throughout his career, he has been the recipient of many awards for his outstanding achievements in music and the arts, which include a Lifetime Achievement Award from WMEL Radio for his contributions to Soul and R&B music, the Multi-Platinum Award from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), and a Lifetime Achievement Award from Bowie State University for 22 years of outstanding service.

Shawna Williams began dancing at the age of four with Mrs. Davis at LaRue Montessori Academy. She received formal training at the Russell School of Ballet, home of the Fairfax Ballet. She holds a BFA in Dance and Choreography from Virginia Commonwealth University and is a candidate for certification as a dance instructor of Katherine Dunham Technique. 

Shawna has taught in various settings throughout the metropolitan area, including the Washington School of Ballet and the Sitar Arts Center. She danced with Revision Modern Dance Company, and is a member of the Women Dance Artists of Color (DMV) 

Shawna first began choreographing for her high school musicals while a student at T.C.Williams. She has choreographed several productions for InSeries, such as "Ceiling/Sky," "The Ordering of Moses," and the community opera "Spirit Moves" by Jarrod Lee. She was the choreographer for "A Snowy Nite at the Dew Drop Inn” and played Mary in Black Nativity, both done at the Anacostia Playhouse. She performed in the Helen Hayes Outstanding Production of Fela! at the Olney Theater, co-producing with Roundhouse Theater. 

Shawna serves as the Director of Dance for CAAPA, the Coalition for African Americans in the Performing Arts. This is her first time working with “All About the Drama Theatre Group” and the members of the “Northeast Senior Singers,” which she has enjoyed. She is thankful to her family and friends for their support in all her endeavors.