Deidra LaWan Starnes (Berniece, Associate Artistic Director), is happy to be back on her home stage.  She was last seen in Postcards from Ihatov.  Other 1st Stage credits include Shutter Sisters, Mlima’s Tale, Wanda’s Way, The Mamalogues, The Member of the Wedding, and The Good Counselor. She has appeared on regional stages for more than 35 years, including Adventure Theatre, African Continuum, Constellation Theatre, Cumberland Theatre, Everyman Theatre, The Folger Theatre, Huntington Theater, Imagination Stage, Olney Theatre Center, New Federal Theatre, Rep Stage, Shakespeare Theatre Company, Studio Theatre, Washington Stage Guild and Woolly Mammoth. Some of her performances include Romeo and Juliet, Dorothy’s Dictionary, The Hula Hoopin’ Queen, The Amen Corner, Much Ado about Nothing, Amadeus, Julius Caesar, King Lear, Milk Like Sugar, Invisible Man (Helen Hayes Award-Ensemble), Passing Strange, In the Red and Brown Water, Radio Golf, The Old Settler, Seven Guitars, Intimate Apparel (Helen Hayes Award-Lead Performer), A Raisin in the Sun (Helen Hayes Nomination), Gingham Dog, I Have Before Me a Remarkable Document (Helen Hayes Nomination),Two Trains Running, Spunk (Helen Hayes Nomination), Doubt (Helen Hayes Nomination), and Stuff Happens. Her directing credits include hang, Sofonisba, Sunset Baby (Helen Hayes Nomination - Most Outstanding Director/Production), Quilters, The Rainmaker (Helen Hayes Nomination-Most Outstanding Production), A Civil War Christmas, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (Helen Hayes Nomination-Most Outstanding Production), ‘Night Mother, For Colored Girls, and Soul Collector.  She has a BA in Theatre from the UMD, an MA in Producing Film, TV, and Video from AU, and an MFA in Drama from UCONN. 

Ronald Eli is making his debut with 1st Stage. Theater performances include Testosterone and Migraaaaants (ExPats Theatre), AJAX (Scena Theatre), Radio Golf (Roundhouse Theatre), FAT HAM (Studio Theatre), A Thirst for Freedom (Live Garra) and many more. He has completed and is currently involved with several independent film projects (Once Upon a Time in The District, Unarmed Man, Harriet, The Meek, Last Night, THICK, etc. Eli has directed (The Healing Floor) award winner DCBTF. He also directed a feature film and two shorts (The Cracked Mask and Lay Me Down). His motto is “you can learn from anyone, if only you allow yourself to.”

James J. Johnson (Doaker) is happy to return home for his first Wilson play. He was able to create his first solo show thanks to 1st Stage’s Solo Commissions back in 2020. Previous 1st stage credits: The Royale and Hero’s Welcome.  He was last seen in Bob Bartlett’s site-specific play Love and Vinyl at Byrdland Records. Other theatre credits include Everyman Theatre: And Then There Were None, A Doll’s House; Constellation Theatre Co.: Is God Is; Santa Fe Playhouse: Sweat; Solas Nua: Playboy of the Western World; Olney Theatre Center: The Joy That Carries You (Helen Hayes Award nomination, Outstanding Ensemble); Theater J: Nathan the Wise, Our Suburb; Mosaic Theater Co.: Les Deux Noirs; Arena Stage: Ruined; Woolly Mammoth Theatre: The Unmentionables; Ford’s Theatre: A Member of the Wedding. As a screenwriter his first feature film, Silent Partner, should premiere this year and stars Roderick Lawrence, Susan Heyward, and Jeff Perry.

Addison Switzer is an award winning actor from the DMV area. Having been in the profession for over 20 years, he's appeared in theaters throughout the region. He's also been a recurring presence in HBO's The Wire (season 2 and 3) as Country. He's also appeared in various indie films (Bachlerottes Degree, Alex and others), and industrial and training films, and the latest film, House Blend in 2018.

Addison won a Helen Hayes award for his turn in Black Nativity at the Theatre Alliance in 2015, he's also won a best actor award at The D.C. One Act Play Festival in 1997.

Addison trained for theatre at the Studio Theatre Acting Conservatory for stage, and has trained in film with the likes of Brenna McDonough, Katie Killacky (Capital Coaching), Kimberly Skyrme (Kimberly Skyrme Casting) as well as with the SAGAFTRA Conservatory training program.

Shawn Sebastian Naar (Lymon) is excited to be making his debut with 1st Stage Theatre! Recent/favorite credits include: Sunset Baby at the Anacostia Playhouse, (2025 Helen Hayes Award Nomination for Outstanding Lead Performer in a Play), The Arsonist at the Museum of the African Diaspora (MoAD) in Berkeley, CA, and the New York City premiere of The Fall of the Kings at NYU and The Andrew Freedman in The Bronx, NY. Shawn graduated from the Tom Todoroff Studio Acting Conservatory, NYC.

Hannah Taylor is a DMV- based actress who has recently graduated from Catholic University with a Major in Musical Theatre and a Minor in Dance. Her recent credits include Nour/Youtuber- (The Last Martyr) Imagination Stage, Jessica- Hand to God (Keegan Theater) Dancer- Paper Dreams (Imagination Stage), Rosie- Faithless (Washington Stage Guild) Zoe- The Niceties (Perisphere Theater), Gretchen- Freaky Friday (The Little Theater of Alexandria), Juror 8- 12 Angry Jurors (Catholic University) and Hildegard von Bingen (Catholic University). Many thanks to her family, friends, and copious amounts of water to keep her skin clear enough to do this convincingly :)

Jamie Swann is thrilled to debut at 1st Stage Theater as Grace in The Piano Lesson. Jamie hails from Prince George's County and is an alumna of Florida A&M University. She has been showcasing her talents for 15 years and has been featured in multiple theatrical productions, including Fat Ham (u/s) at Studio Theater, Sunset Baby (u/s) at Anacostia Playhouse, Waldy Street at New World Stages and Silver Spring Black Box, and Rotten Apple at Bowie Center for Performing Arts. Some of her on-screen features include No Safe Haven, 8th Street (Tubi), and Differences Web Series (YouTube). Her upcoming on-screen projects scheduled to premiere in 2025 include Grinding, Together, No Peace No Quiet, and Vapors.  You can follow Jamie’s journey and stay up to date on future appearances by visiting her website at www.JDSwann.com, and on social media @Msjaymedee (TikTok and Instagram).

Johnnie is a Non-Union Actor in the DC area and has been acting professionally since 2005.He has also cultivated a passion for screenwriting and well as directing. As well as being an actor, he is also a videographer and a video editor. Johnnie can be contacted at johnniehill@hotmail.com.