ABOUT SUNDIATA KING OF MALI
This production is based on the traditional West African story about the life of Sundiata – “The Lion King.” Long before Disney created its epic animated film, the story of Sundiata was told for centuries throughout all of Africa and is included in school curricula as part of history instruction today. The Afriky Lolo production will draw from both fact and legend to retell the story of one of Africa’s greatest heroes.
Sundiata is to West African history what King Arthur is to English history, in that both are popular figures about whom very little is known with certainty. Most knowledge about both has come to us orally from traditions passed down through the centuries. His life story follows the universal theme of a cultural hero’s overcoming of extreme adversity to attain greatness.
Sundiata was the son of Naré Magan Konaté, ruler of the small Malinke kingdom of Kangaba, situated on the Niger River a short distance to the southwest of Bamako, the capital of modern Mali. Tradition says Sundiata’s birth fulfilled an unusual prophecy foretold by a hunter to his father that predicted the boy’s eventual rise to greatness. He was unable to walk throughout his childhood and he and his mother were forced into exile by his half brother.
Sumanguru Kanté, the cruel sorcerer king of Sosso, attacked the Mandinka kingdom causing Sundiata’s half-brother to abandon his throne in fear. Now stepping up to the throne of his father’s kingdom, Sundiata forged a coalition of neighboring small kingdoms to wage a war against the Sosso. He finally defeated Sumanguru Kanté at the Battle of Kirina in 1235 and Sumanguru Kanté disappeared in the Kilikoro Mountains.
This victory is clearly the major event in his life, and it marks the beginning of the Mali Empire. Sundiata was crowned with the title “Massa,” or “king of kings,” as the first ruler of the Mali Empire. Before he retired from active leadership of his armies about 1240, Sundiata and his generals expanded the new empire in all directions, even incorporating the formerly great Ghana Empire and the previously unconquered gold fields of the Senegal River valley. His model for government would guide the empire into greatness and beyond its zenith toward its eventual dissolution in 1645.
Artistic Director + Choreographer + Writer: Diadie Bathily
Assistant Artistic Director + Choreographer: Rokya Ouattara
Musical Director: Caph Guei
Producers: Matthew Henry, Dominique Beeks + Imani Amos
Visual Art Projections: Drea Smith of Art of Mantra
Sundiata Actors
Zion Thomas - Sundiata Keita
Amadou Kouyate - Balla Fasséké
Ebony Easter - Sogolon Kedjou
Cody Lashea Aaron - Sassouma Bérété
Keith Tyrone Williams - Sumanguru Kanté
Olajuwon Davis - King Cissé & Naré Maghan Kon Fatta
Deborah Burch - Soumosso Konkomba – Witches Leader
Diadie Bathily - Doso
Rokya Ouattara - Buffalo Woman
Venezia Manuel - Nana Triban
Omari Holt - Dankaran Toumani Keita
Dante Flowers - Mansa-Gnémo Diarra
Jaiden Vassel - Young Sundiata
Jordan Vassel - Sumanguru’s Servant 1
Justin Vassel - Sumanguru’s Servant 2
Jaquan Vassel II - Sumanguru’s Servant 3
ABOUT THE ACTORS
Zion Thomas (Sundiata Keita) is an actor currently based in his hometown of St. Louis, Missouri. With a Bachelor of Arts in Physics and Astronomy from Case Western Reserve University (CWRU), he has returned home to pursue his true passion for storytelling! Once a member of Afriky Lolo, Zion is excited to share the stage yet again with this amazing company, celebrating 20 years of heritage, awe-inspiring dance, and vision. You can never stray too far from home. We bring to you Sundiata: King of Mali!
Ebony Easter (she/they) (Sogolon Kedjou) is honored and excited to make her debut with Afriky Lolo as Sologon. She was last seen in Midsummer Night Dream with St.Louis Shakespeare, Ebony has also appeared in productions with Fly North Productions, Union Avenue Opera, Stray Dog Theatre, where she was nominated for Outstanding Actress in a Musical for her role as Effie White in DreamGirls. She also was involved on Main Street of St. Charles throughout the holiday season as Medusa during Legends and Lanterns and Mtoa Hadithi during St. Charles Christmas Traditions. She is so thankful for her family for their support and love.
Special thanks to her husband Patrick and her 5 children Emoni, Emanuela, Eliyah, Elana & Emóry who are also performing in the show. She is overjoyed to be performing with her children as they have always been mommy’s biggest supporters.
Trials Davis (Olajuwon Davis) (King Cissé & Naré Maghan Kon Fatta) is an Afro-Indigenous multidisciplinary artist, actor, musician, writer, and cultural organizer based in St. Louis, Missouri. As President and Co-founder of Mound City Soul, he creates work that explores history, identity, justice, and healing through music, film, and theater. Drawing from lived experience, ancestral traditions, and community storytelling, Davis uses his art to preserve organic human expression while creating opportunities for emerging artists and strengthening cultural connections throughout his community.
Keith Tyrone Williams (Sumanguru Kanté) - is an award-winning director, choreographer, actor, and arts educator from East St. Louis, Illinois. He serves as theatre faculty at Confluence Charter School's Grand Center Arts Academy in St. Louis and has directed, choreographed, and performed throughout the United States and Europe. A two-time Kevin Kline Award recipient, his credits include The Full Monty, Sarafina!, The Wiz, Once on This Island, and productions with The Black Rep St. Louis, Stages St. Louis, and Houston Ensemble Theatre. One of the few artists certified by Katherine Dunham to teach the renowned Dunham Technique, Williams has also been recognized with numerous honors, including the 2018 Arts Educator of the Year Award from the Arts and Education Council of Greater St. Louis and an NAACP Award for his outstanding contributions to arts and arts education.
Venezia Manuel (Nana Triban) is a native of East Saint Louis, Illinois and is a graduate of The University ofIowa where she received BFA in Dance. She had the opportunity to tour with the University of Iowa, Afriky Lo Lo, Inner Vision, and East St. Louis Center for the Performing Arts Dance Companies. She is working to obtain her Katherine Dunham Certification, to enhance her teaching and choreographing experiences. Venezia studied abroad which strengthened her technique. She has been featured in newspapers, magazines, and billboards for her dance talents. She also had the opportunity to perform with the late entertainer Stephen Boss “Twitch” in a Flash Mob. Venezia was in the production of Crossin’ Over, Eubie, and Timbuktu with the St. Louis Black Rep. Venezia Manuel is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated. Venezia always wants to thank God, her family, and friends for their support.
SUNDIATA CAST
Children’s Company
Kali Anougba
Amelia Coulibaly
Emanuela Easter
Emoni Easter
Elana Easter
Eliyah Easter
Corynne Ford
Teen Company
Maya Anougba
Marietou Coulibaly
Destiny Moore
Aminata Niare
Trinity Robinson
Christin Turntine
Adult Company
Gifti Ababa
Deborah Burch
Carrie Collins-Whitfield
Kimberly Denson
Dante Flowers
Chyrese Griffin
Chalise Griffin
Gracie Hall
Rautu Harris
Lillie Harrison
Omari Holt
Rece Jones
Andrea Kelly
Mahtanah
Venezia Manuel
Adult Company (cont)
Steven Martin
Sierra Mason
Turkessa Morgan
Najaah Muhammad
Rokya Ouattara
Kyleigh Patrick
Tiffany Pool
Eva Sibi Gueassa
Tamara Swink
Jennifer Hadarah Street
Jessica Tucker
Jordan Young
Jurnee Young
Kenny Young
Afriky Lolo Musicians
Yahalalel Bynum
Caph Guei
Deandre Coleman Jr
Sky Kingsland (Alumni)
Ausar Owens
Ausar Owens Jr
Jabari Owens
D’yami Pool-Ivery
Leohr Sargent
Special Guest - Amadou Kouyate, Kora
UMSL Music Musicians
Zachary Cairns (composer)
Matthew Banks (tuba)
Rachel Bartelman (trumpet)
Kris Dotson-Orange (trumpet)
Abby Pearce (trumpet)
Madelyn Rowland (horn)
Joe Sparks (trombone)
Stage Manager: Imani Amos and Ed Reggi
Visual Art Projections: Drea Smith of Art of Mantra
Costumes by: Diadie Bathily, Ramiro Rojas-Lara and Cast
Board President: Dominique Beeks
Producers: Diadié Bathily, Imani Amos, Dominique Beeks, and Matthew Henry
Rehearsal Directors / Costumes + Props: Steven Martin + Turkessa Morgan
Photographer: Benjamin Gandhi-Shepard
SPECIAL THANKS UMSL Music DEPT Faculty, staff, and students, Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center Faculty and Staff, TOUHILL Lighting, A/V, and Sound crew we are so grateful! THE AFRIKY LOLO EXECUTIVE TEAM, AFRIKY LOLO ALUMNI, COCA FACULTY + STAFF, AFRIKY LOLO PARENTS + FAMILIES, AND ALL OF OUR SUPPORTERS. Thank you to those who have generously given their time, passion, commitment and in-kind supporT!
We love you all!
YOUR CONTRIBUTION will help us fulfill our mission to bring African dance to the St. Louis community through teaching and performance. Contributions can be made for general operating or specifically to support our annual show, scholarships for children, or teaching in underserved schools.