Motown In The Living Room Cast of Characters
Rafael Ragland as Papa Lester
Rafael Ragland, a native of Chicago, started writing and directing movies in 2010. Rafael has written and directed over 15 movies, four web series, and three stage plays. Rafael has also worked with individuals such as Tyler Perry, Spike Lee, and Cynda Williams, just to name a few. Rafael is known to be very skillful in this industry. He earned a social degree in films, learning to screen write, direct, edit, produce, film, and score. He is known for casting for different projects as well. Several of his movies have been shown in mainstream theaters. He owns his own streaming network, Virtual vision where you can see much of Rafael’s work.
John Owens as Grady
John Owens was born in Chicago and has lived in Wisconsin for the past 30 years with his cousins and Fiance. He loves sports. He is legally blind but can memorize a script after hearing it once. He enjoys performing in plays and sharing humor with eveeryone in his life. John is grateful to his cousin Rafael who helped him get into theatre.
J Ruthie Carroll as Rosemary
J Ruthie Carroll was born and raised in a small town name Beloit. Growing up in a very firm foundation, stable and loving church home, she’s always had an aspiration to become an actress and singer of the gospel. With that termination driving her, she launched out going to several different character auditions and met Rafael Ragland. Mr. Ragland, a well known Director and film maker in Madison,WI, gave Ruthie the opportunity to appear in several of his movies, until she landed one of the lead roles in his web series “Madison’s 608 Films “Situations” then the lead role in his movie “Running on Faith”. She is a local recording artist under the label CreativeMusik Studios. She has recorded several singles as well as several full CD project of herself and with the family group The Spiritualettes. All of which can be found on all social media mainstream platforms and apps. She has overcome many obstacles throughout this journey called life, spiritually and naturally. Ruthie has been blessed with many talents and gifts, all of which she chooses to use for the up building of God’s kingdom. Ruthie has made it her mission to proclaim a prophetic word in song and praise, to bring healing to the sick and broken hearted, to bring restoration to the discouraged souls and continue to humbly seek the face of God in all things, with praise and thanksgiving. As she progresses in life, she continues, along side her newly married husband, Bishop Renaldo K Wiles, overseers of New Life’s Ministries International Church of Beloit, WI and a few others in and out of state.
Evangela Gullens as Cynthia
Evangela Gullens is currently a bus driver, but her passion is film. She loves doing movies/plays. She started doing local movies about 14yrs ago with Rafael and has been enjoying them ever since.
Joseph Roy as Lamont
Joseph Roy, born in Chicago Il, has had a passion for plays and movies all his life. As an elementary school child, Joseph was always cast in the role of Joseph every year in the Christmas Nativity play at church. Playing Lamont in Motown in the Living Room is Joseph first live theatrical debut. However, Joseph has played roles in several other movies and TV series written and directed by Rafael Ragland such as: The Ramano Story, Your Only Fan, Devils Lake, Anisa Saves Christmas, Finessing, Dark of the Day, and Me and My Girlfriend. Joseph was also a co-writer and executive producer for most of the same productions.
Julica Rose Kelly as JC
Julica Rose Kelly, originally from Lacrosse Wisconsin, currently lives in the Madison area. She is a phenomenal performer, coming from a very music talented family. She appeared on American Idol multiple times, played in several bands at festivals, fundraisers, benefits, and weddings. She auditioned for Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Brian. She recently released her first hit single called “Don’t Need You Now” that was written to inspire others to never let anyone hold them back from chasing their dreams. Julica made her acting debut starring as lead role in “Dark Of The Day”. She has been interested in singing, acting and modeling since she was a little girl. Julica was always singing, dancing, or doing impressions. She loves making people laugh so she is hoping her next role will be comedy. You can check out her modeling feature in the music video “19Mexico” by the Pink Elefants! To catch up with Julica visit her website https://www.julicarosekelly.com/
Cheyenne Spade as Lisa
Cheyenne Spade is currently a Business Management student and a first time actor and recording artist. She’s stepping out of her comfort zone ready and eager to try new things.
Instagram@cheyennenormae
Jenyika Clark as Janet
Jenyika Clark is a local Madison artist, known for her music and unique style. She has been singing in church her whole life, and started making and recording her own music in 2021. They call her the little girl with the big voice. Jenyika performs locally, but also experienced performing outside of Madison Wisconsin. She enjoys acting and singing and one day look forward to making it as full time job.
Randy Schumann as Dexter
Randy Schumann is originally from Madison, I have been a singer all my life in various choruses as well as fronting for a variety band. I have performed an over a dozen theatrical plays a musicals over the past 15 years and I’ve had various roles in three recent feature length movies that the multi-talented (film director and theatrical playwright) Rafael Ragland has created.
Maria Langston as Aria
Maria Langston is a singer/songwriter from in Kenosha, WI. Expanding her creativity, she is stepping into the acting world. Tap in with her on FB, IG, and YouTube: Mariathetruth
Jereme Elam as Stevie
Jereme “DifrentMindSet “Elam was born 7-31-1989 and raised in Milwaukee Wisconsin. He moved from Milwaukee to Madison when he turned 20. Jerreme has always been in music and entertaining. His family is very big and full of talent. He has been writing music since he was 11 years old. Jereme got into acting when his cousin “Rapheal Ragland” put him in his first play; and then his first movie. Now Jereme has two movies, a web series, and two plays under his belt. You can say he is building a good portfolio.
…
Anija Ragland as Jasmine
Anija Ragland is a very talented young lady. She can sing, act and dance. Anija, daughter of Rafael Ragland played in several of her father’s movies.
Isaac Hill as Michael
Isaac Hill was born in El Paso Texas. He is a Singer, songwriter, and actor. Issac is currently working as a Case Manager with individuals with disabilities! He enjoys Karaoke and bowling in his free time. His contact email address is [email protected].
Tracy Hill as Maylene
Tracy Hill is a singer/songwriter, dancer, choreographer. She has appeared in productions of West Side Story, Godspell, Pippin and Raison. She is also lead singer in regional R&B bands: Dazzle, Smooth Freeze, and Vintage.
Contact info: [email protected]
Corey Lewis as Bobby
Corey Lewis aka Da Urban Comic Bigc has been a stand-up comedian for 14 yrs. He is a host headliner, writer, and also known for his good cooking who used to be homeless for 20+ years. He has overcome many obstacles and now gives back and supports the community doing his feedahmless event for 11yrs. He has a few acting credits under his belt, and his successful radio show, bigcdahmlesscomic talk radio on 98.7 wvmo the voice of monona, won mayors award. Corey is a god fearing man with a big heart
Tyrone Heard as The Mailman
Tyrone Heard Is thee brand own of BHeardClothing and BHeardMusicGroup, a recording artist, and actor. Follow him on Instagram @bheardclothing and @tyzae086 and don’t forget to shop www.bheardclothing.com.
Kaleek Biggers as Jay
Kaleek Biggers was born and raised out of Michigan City Indiana. He is making his acting debut in Motown in the Living Room. When he’s not acting he enjoys spending time with family and friends. Kaleek would like to thank everyone involved with the show for making this experience memorable and impactful to him.
William Rinehart as St. Matthew
William Rinehart – affectionately known as “Chill” – has been an active
force in the entertainment industry and community activism for more than three decades. Over the years, Chill has served as a concert promoter, manager, consultant, entertainment writer, and community organizer. Through his
hard work and dedication, Chill has created opportunities to expand his brand, better himself, and make a positive impact on the industry’s communities. Chill started his company in Chicago, Illinois, and has worked with some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry throughout their respective eras.
Diane Schumann – Stage Director
Diane Schumann, for the past couple of years, has enjoyed being part of this director and playwright’s movies, and now has the pleasure of being the stage director for this wonderful live stage production that Rafael Ragland has written as well. Having been a singer her entire life, and enjoying that aspect of performing, this is truly a great experience adding to her theater skills from the past several decades.