Meet The Cast

Maisha R. Carter (Denise: Narrator)

Maisha R. Carter is an actor, writer, director and producer from Chicago, Illinois. However, she considers herself a writer first, having earned a Bachelor’s degree in News-Editorial Journalism and applied her pen to everything from articles to ads. In 2023, Maisha published her first book on Amazon, a financial literacy resource and money memoir called WINNING! A Practical Guide to Living Your Best Financial Life. She is the co-founder of The AnointedHarvesters (AH), a 501c3 nonprofit whose mission is to use The Arts to inspire, empower and uplift the community. In 2007, AH produced its first film, Of Boys and Men, a dramatic feature that was distributed by Warner Bros, and starred iconic Chicago-bred actor/producer Robert Townsend, Oscar winner Angela Bassett and the multi-talented Victoria Rowell. Since then, Maisha’s work in front of and behind the camera has appeared on major platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, Starz, Peacock, BET, Hulu and Tubi. When she’s not on a stage or film set, Maisha enjoys her other passions… teaching personal finance workshops and pontificating about life lessons on her

social media pages @mailadylessons.

Nikkia "Mikhial" Douglas (Young Denise/DJ)

Mikhial has appeared in the independent film series Girls Like Us and Life Under the Rainbow. Her original music is on the soundtrack of these films. She has performed at various venues across the Chicagoland area and had radio play at local stations Power 92.3 and 89.3 WKKC. Mikhial debuted in the original adaptation and stage play of A Diamond in the Rough.

Rita Wicks (Annie Mae/Dirty O/Sister Annie)

Rita Wicks is a Chicago-based, classically trained actor, coach, and educator whose work aims to foster connection, challenge limiting societal norms, and uplift underrepresented voices. She received her training from Illinois State University and Columbia College Chicago, where she earned her B.A. in Acting. Her notable credits include Black Cypress Bayou at Definition Theatre, Is God Is at A Red Orchid Theatre, and (U/S) Welcome To Matteson at Congo Square Theatre—all Jeff Recommended productions—as well as Chicago P.D. (NBC), Some Sort of Saint (Dir. Taron Patton), The Blackside (Congo Square Theatre), Perdido (Dir.Muhammad Bilal). Additional work includes collaborations with Theatre Wit, Shattered Globe Theatre, The Gift Theatre, Perceptions Theatre, and Ghostlight Ensemble Theatre. She is represented by Lori Lins Ltd. https://linktr.ee/ritawickss

Colin Jones

(Elder Mosley)

Colin has been seen about town in a number of dog and pony shows and is happy to be a part of the Beyond The Door experience. He believes in the power of live theater and relishes the chance to tell another story to the tribe as they sit in the dark to bear witness to the truth. Colin wishes everyone love and happiness and, most of all, freedom.

Karla-Renaé

(Mama)

Karla-Renaé Harris, professionally known as Karla-Renaé, The Actress, is a Chicago-born performer whose passion for storytelling began at age five and has never taken a bow. A graduate of Illinois State University with advanced degrees in Theatre and Education, she has built a dynamic career spanning stage, film, voiceover, and arts education. Her theater credits include Echoes of a Father, Crowns, The Vagina Monologues, and the Black Theater Alliance Award-winning A Fall From Royalty: 1400s vs. 1800s. On screen and behind the microphone, audiences have seen and heard her in The Highly Favored, Try My Luck, The Quarters, Bizarre Man, and Moyenda and the Golden Heart. Beyond performing, Karla-Renaé is a Special Education teacher, director, and mentor who believes every story deserves to be told. With magnetic energy, undeniable heart, and a passion for authenticity, she's just on the horizon of the silver lining. And as she says, "Hey Now! Get it, Boo!"

Ash Janelle (Sister Ruth/Sister Rochelle)

Ash Janelle is a Detroit-born, Chicago-raised multi-hyphenate artist with a passion for truthful storytelling and bringing dynamic characters to life. Her love for the performing arts began in church, where she discovered creative expression as a way to navigate childhood challenges. At thirteen, she made her stage debut, launching a lifelong journey in acting. Ash earned a B.A. in Acting from Columbia College Chicago and an M.A. in Teaching. She has performed in stage productions and radio dramas, embracing opportunities to connect with audiences through meaningful stories. Outside of the arts, Ash is a devoted wife, mother, and third-grade teacher. She is also the author of The Surgery, a memoir sharing her testimony of growing up in the church and surviving abuse. Whether on stage or in the classroom, Ash values authenticity, creativity, professionalism, and continuous growth, believing that honest storytelling has the power to inspire, heal, and transform lives.

Jasmine Nelson (Mable/Benesse)

Jasmine Nelson is an award-winning American actress, professional makeup artist, and recording artist born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. She began her performing arts journey at age 14 through her high school theatre program and continued refining her craft through extensive training at multiple acting studios following the completion of her Master of Arts degree from DePaul University in 2013. In 2015, she relocated to Los Angeles, California, to further expand her work across acting, makeup artistry, and music. Since then, she has developed a dynamic entertainment portfolio both in front of the camera and behind the scenes as a celebrity makeup artist. Her artistry has been featured through high-profile collaborations and platforms including Beyoncé, Ciara, Trevor Jackson, BET Network, Lifetime, Amazon, and Tubi, as well as commercial print advertising and magazine publications. As an actress, her film and television credits include BET+ original series All the Queen’s Men, STARZ original series Power Book IV: Force, along with Cum Laude, S.N.B., Lucky Number 7, and A Sort of Hunger. As a recording artist, her EP Pisces Traits is available on all streaming platforms. She is also a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, initiated through Beta Xi Chapter at Central State University.

Keeks Harris

(Cathy/Mia)

Keeks Harris is a Chicago-based dancer, model, actress, and instructor with 19 years of experience in the entertainment industry. She has performed in Broadway productions and worked across film, television, commercials, and live events. In addition to performing, she teaches dance and fitness classes, sharing her passion for movement and helping others build confidence, strength, and skill. Her background in dance has shaped her ability to tell stories through movement while delivering engaging performances on stage and on screen. Whether she's performing, modeling, or teaching, Keeks is dedicated to inspiring others and continuing to grow in theater, film, television, and

the fitness community.

BJ Kellz

(Big Steve/Stanley)

Born and raised on Chicago's Southside, BJ Kellz is a dynamic, youthful 48-year-old actor who infuses the energy of "Chi City" into everything he does. For BJ, life is a balancing act centered on his deepest passions: spirituality, family, the arts, and basketball. A die-hard Chicago Bulls fan, you can still find him hooping at local gyms. As a dedicated family man, BJ is married, a proud father of five, and a grandfather of two. His bustling household keeps him grounded, inspired, and always on the move. When he isn't cheering on his kids or volunteering in youth violence and gang intervention, BJ channels his creativity into acting. Stage and screen are his truest creative loves, allowing him to explore diverse characters. He brings the same dedication, passion, and teamwork to his craft as he does to leading his family and dominating the hardwood.

Destin Warner (Will/George/King Flo)

Destin Warner is a Chicago-based actor excited to be part of Beyond the Door. Recent credits include productions with Black Ensemble Theater and ETA Creative Arts Foundation. He is grateful for the opportunity to share this story and thanks the cast, creative team, and supporters who continue to encourage his artistic journey.

Caleb Green

(Young Stanley/Jermaine)

Caleb Green is a young actor and performer with a growing list of credits in theatre, film, and television. He is proud to be an original cast member of Beyond the Door at Beverly Arts Center, where he played Young George under the direction of E. Faye Butler. Caleb's other stage credits include Lil "C" (Charles) in Mop & Bucket Blues at ETA Creative Arts, The Lion in The Wiz, and the title role in You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, both at Eagles Theatre. On screen, he has appeared in supporting roles in Just in Time and The Altering, and hosted CaJo's Kitchen for The Reel World. Caleb has trained in scene study, on-camera technique, and improv, including at Second City and Acting Studio Chicago. He is also a singer and musician. His dream is to one day perform on Broadway.

Melony Walker

(Young Benesse)

Melony Walker is an 8-year-old actress with a bright personality and a love for performing. She has built experience through several stage productions and continues to grow as a young performer with dreams of working in television and film. Off the stage, Melony enjoys dancing, creating fun content, and making people smile. She is thrilled to be part of this production and thanks you for supporting the arts. Enjoy the show!

Aiya Hunter (Angela/Ensemble)

Aiya Hunter has a BA in Theatre from Columbia College Chicago. They played Claudia in The Bluest Eye and Chelle in Detroit '67. Aiya is an ensemble member

at Imagination Theatre.

LaToya Johnson (Regina/Ensemble)

Hello Beautiful People 💜 I’m LaToya Johnson, an actress based in Northwest Indiana with a genuine love for storytelling and bringing authentic characters to life. I currently have a recurring supporting role in an Indiana-based crime series and have also appeared in The Chi, The Bear, Chicago Fire/Med and P.D., Power Book IV: Force, and Justified: City Primeval. I approach every opportunity with gratitude, professionalism, and heart because I truly love what I do. I enjoy portraying relatable, emotionally driven characters and believe the best performances come from authenticity and genuine human connection. Outside of acting, I’m a devoted mother of three Kings and an entrepreneur who loves encouraging others to chase their dreams. I’m incredibly grateful to be joining the cast of Beyond the Door and look forward to collaborating with such a talented team while helping bring this meaningful story to life.

Jamía Amíra Taylor (Inmate/Renee/Ensemble)

Jamía Amíra Taylor is an actress, musician and comedienne from Washington, D.C. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theater and Instrumental Performance from Columbia College Chicago. Jamía has played lead roles in several critically-acclaimed Chicago stage productions, including Panther in the Sky, American Revolution, Love and Information, The Surgeon and Her Daughters, We’re All Born Naked, The Rest is Drag, and many more. Born with a God-given gift for instrumental musicianship, Jamía has mastered nearly a dozen instruments, most of which were self-taught. In addition to improvisational stage performance, she is a music educator and church musician.

Monroe Gaines III (Guard/Ensemble)

Monroe Gaines III makes his stage play debut in the role of the Guard. Although this is his first theatrical production, Monroe is no stranger to performing. He has entertained audiences through open mic stand-up comedy and previously performed on stage as a musician with several bands. To further develop his craft, he studied acting and stand-up comedy at Second City in Chicago. A lifelong admirer of film and the art of acting, Monroe finally decided it was time to turn his passion into action by stepping onto the stage. When he's not performing, he enjoys watching great movies, programming music, gardening, exercising, and creating TikTok videos. Monroe is grateful for the opportunity to be part of this production and appreciates the cast, crew, and everyone who helped make this experience possible. He hopes this performance is the first of many as he continues his journey as an actor.

Madison Blijden

(Young Regina)

Hi, my name is Madison Blijden. I am only 11 years old and looking forward to turning 12 in September. I recently took an interest in performing arts. I had a small role as a classmate in the independent film God’s Favorite. I played Young Benesse in the profound stage play Beyond The Door in 2024. I have been a gymnast since I was 3 years old and a competing level gymnast since 2022. I sing in the children’s choir and am part of the drama ministry at my church.

I am looking forward to more to come.

Matthew Culbreath (Young George)

Thoroughly captivated by narrative structure, fifteen-year-old actor Matthew Culbreath is greatly honored to portray Young George in Beyond the Door. Actively performing since age eight, his artistic journey beautifully spans both cinematic and theatrical mediums. Notable screen credits include debuting at age ten in the Columbia College Chicago finalist short “See Me” at the Cinespace Film Festival, appearing in the feature We Grown Now, and recently elevating a featured extra role into a Co-Star billing on Amazon Prime’s Barbershop series. On stage, Matthew portrayed Tommy in Matilda at the Road Show Theatre in Naperville, Pulitzer in Newsies, and joined the Hadestown ensemble at his high school. Additionally, he performed as a narrator in Open Hydrant’s Beauty and the Beast under the direction of Sarah “Rosie” Rosenberg. He is incredibly grateful to the creative team and his family

for supporting his craft.

Seth Eggenschwiller (Doctor)

Seth Eggenschwiller is a Chicago-based actor and violence designer known for his work with The Backroom Shakespeare Project

and Redtwist Theatre.

Randle Michael (Understudy, Elder Mosley)

Randle Michael is a native of Dallas, TX and is no stranger to the stage, landing his first role at the age of 5 where he never looked back. From the Dallas Theatre Center to the great Carnegie Hall firmly following his mantra to always be a student of the game, he has studied coast to coast from Cal Arts to Columbia College and many places in between. He has been blessed to work on a plethora of TV shows and national commercials and is truly excited to return to his first love of the stage to play the role of Elder Mosley.

McKayla Mills (Understudy, Young Denise/DJ)

Vanessa Abron (Understudy, Annie Mae/Dirty O/Sister Annie)

Vanessa Abron is honored to return to Beyond the Door, where she performed this same role for the show's full 2024 run. A Chicago native raised in a home filled with arts and culture, Vanessa is a multidisciplinary artist whose work spans acting, vocal performance, piano, tap dance, abstract painting, and hosting. Recent credits include Seasoned (Tubi), She Too Bad for History (Pocket Cinema Studios), and The Archon Experiment (in production). She holds a Master of Arts Management from Columbia College Chicago and a BA in Business Management and the Arts from Dillard University. She is grateful to the entire Beyond the Door company for the welcome back.