Staff

Jeanna Askew Hawkins is originally from Virginia Beach, Va. She currently resides in Guilford County and works as a Program Consultant for the New Teacher Center. Jeanna has a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in Dance from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from Elon University. She has been dancing since the age of 4 and began her formative training at Virginia Ballet Theatre in Norfolk, Va. While at Virginia Ballet Theatre she was a member of “First Pointe Players,” and an apprentice to the Company. Jeanna is also a graduate of the Virginia Governor’s School for the Arts, where she was a ballet major. Her performance roles include: “Nutcracker”, “Swan Lake”, “Sleeping Beauty”, “Coppelia”, “The Firebird”, and “Appalachian Spring.” Jeanna has also choreographed and danced in “The Fantasy and Adventure of Oz: A Dance Adaption of The Wiz,” and “It’s A Hard Knock Life: A Dance Adaptation of Annie.” While working in the school system, Jeanna choreographed, produced, and directed “Nutcracker, Jr” for the 3rd-5th grade students. She is excited to be at The Pointe! where she can combine two of her favorite things: dance and children.

Morgan Jones (Jamestown, NC) recently received her BFA in Dance Performance & Choreography with a k-12 licensure in Dance Education and a minor in African American Studies from UNC-Greensboro. As an alumnus of the Pointe! Company & Technique Conservatory & Penn-Griffin School for the Arts, Morgan has trained in ballet, contemporary/modern, jazz, hip-hop, lyrical, tap, & West African dance. Morgan has done shows with the Community Theater of Greensboro and the Barn Dinner Theater. She is also the dance teacher and dance team coach at Mount Tabor High School.

Lisa Evans has been dancing since she was 2 years old. She trained at Utah Regional Ballet and The Pointe Academy. She joined Odyssey Dance Theatre’s pre-professional program at the age of 13 and soon after joined their professional company. Lisa has performed all over the country and had the opportunity to tour in Europe. She has a passion for teaching, choreographing, and helping children learn to love dance. Lisa has taught, choreographed, and helped manage Dance Theatre International in San Jose, California. She was a summer guest artist at The Juilliard School in New York City. As well as been a judge for various dance competitions. Most recently she was running the ballet program at Move Dance in Salt Lake City and working with the competition teams at Studio 56.

Rachel Renee Rorie is currently 16 years old. She attends Penn Griffin School for the Arts in High Point, North Carolina. Rachel is a member of The Greensboro Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. where she serves as the current Teen Vice President. She is an Ambassador for NCCJ after attending Anytown in the summer of 2022. She has been dancing at The Pointe! since 2013 and has been a company member since 2017. Rachel has been in several of The Pointe’s productions, including, “Prideland” as Timon and most recently “Let My People Go” as Hotep. Her future endeavors in the arts is to attend college as a dance education major to pursue a career as a choreographer and educator.

Dr. Renita L. Webb (POINTE! Office Manager) is a native of Durham, NC. She wears many hats including: educator, minister, wife, mother, speaker, emcee, beauty queen, and mentor. She is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She is an Educational Leadership Strategist. She helps leaders increase their authenticity, empower their "follow"ship, and make a greater impact. Dr. Renita is the Founder of The Refining Life, Inc. a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Authoress of Stepmom: Trials, Tribulations, and Triumphs (1st and 2nd Edition) and While You Are Sleeping. Dr. Webb has most recently become the Founder and Editor-in-chief of "Lead Like You Magazine".

Dr. Renita has been dancing and performing since the age of 2 when she started taking African dance and singing in the church choir. She has been formally trained in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, modern, contemporary, hip hop and African dance. She is a former member of Collage Dance Company. She continues to perform today. She has recently been cast in the CTG productions of "Memphis" and Dreamgirls. The Elise Jonell production of "Heavenly Blues and Jumpin' Jazz" . She has also been a part of the local and National Black Theater Festival casts of The Pointe Company and Technique Conservatory's (in association with Elise Jonell) Prideland (and Let My People Go. She is proud to be the mother of 2 POINTE! Performers who are following her performance footsteps.

Erica McNeil POINTE! Office Manager, is an Apple certified elementary educator with North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University’s Aggie Academy. A native of Greensboro, NC, Erica has served children and families across NC, for over 14 years. Erica is a proud mother of two wonderful daughters, one of which, has been dancing with THE POINTE! since 2016. Erica believes that serving children and families is a calling that God has placed on her life and she is excited to be able to walk in her purpose here at THE POINTE! Company & Technique Conservatory.

Curtis Moore is an educator, a vocalist, a musician, an actor, and an advocate for self expression through the arts.

A native of Greensboro, NC, Curtis studied Choral Music Education at Appalachian State University, and has been teaching Choral and Instrumental Music at Uwharrie Charter Academy in Asheboro, NC for 7 years. Music has been a foundational part of Curtis' life, he started playing the violin at the age of 5 and hasn't put it down since. Curtis started singing in choirs at the age of 14, and has since gone on to perform in many different settings as both a vocalist and instrumentalist including musicals at the Starr Theatre in Greensboro, singing backup for gospel artist Fred Hammond, and playing in an Orchestra at Carnegie Hall.

His passion and mission in life is to spread his love of music to the next generation, and to help them find their voices and realize their potential.

Lazarus L. LeGrant was born November 24, 1981 into a legacy of singers, musicians and preachers. At an early age, he showed an interest in all things musical as he would constantly hum and closely focus on any commercial with music or any song that played on the radio (especially a song by Patti Labelle). By the time LeGrant was in high school, he was already directing various choirs in and around the Triad area and had been featured on several local artist's recordings. He made his professional stage debut in 2005 in the North Carolina Black Repertory Company's production of Black Nativity. To his credit, LeGrant has been featured in many shows in his career such as: "Don't Bother Me, I Can't Cope", "Mahalia-Queen of Gospel", "The Glory of Gospel", "The Gospel According to Broadway", "Damaged Woman's Blues", "Dreamgirls" and most recently as "Lola" in the Tony Award winning musical, "Kinky Boots" ; just to name a few. LeGrant is a comedic ball of energy and has a passion for the arts. He stands firm on the old saying "if you don't use it, you'll most definitely lose it".

GUEST ARTISTS

Dasia Amos is a Junior here at The University of North Carolina at Greensboro majoring in dance with a minor in musical theater. Dasia has been dancing and acting since the age of three, where the majority of her training took place at THE POINTE! Technique and Conservatory. Dasia is technically trained in classical and contemporary ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, pointe, contemporary, African, lyrical, and tumbling. Since being at UNCG, she has been able to grow technically and artistically, and increase her connections involving theater. With her years of training, Dasia has had the opportunity to study and receive full scholarships to some of the most prestigious schools in the country including: Alvin Ailey, (NY,NY), Debbie Allen Dance Academy, (LA,CA), Dance Theatre of Harlem, (NY), Commercial Dance Intensive, (CA), and (UNCSA, Winston Salem) for example! She has also had the opportunity to work with some impressive names in the industry, such as Carmit Bachar. An American singer, best known for her membership in the girl group “ The Pussycat Dolls”. Dasia danced in one of her most recent music videos “Questions” , a cover of one of Chris Brown’s popular songs. Dasia’s long term goals are to be recognized as a triple threat in both the Commercial and Broadway industry and moving her way into touring, television, and modeling.

Avilon Trust Tate is a 17 year old Senior at Grimsley High School. Avi, (as his friends and family call him) is an A/B honor roll student and is member of Grimsley's Honors Choir, "Code Blue" and Theatre Troup as well as a Track member for his school team. Avi has been dancing since he was 18 months and is a Company Member at THE POINTE! Studio of Dance. He is technically trained in classical and contemporary ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, African, lyrical, hip-hop and tumbling. He is also an actor who has been under the tutelage of Robin Rich McGhie of Elise Jonell performance ensemble for many years and has performed with iTheatrics in NY and numerous lead roles with Community Theatre of Greensboro. With his years of training, Avilon has had the opportunity to study and receive full ride scholarships at some of the most prestigious schools in the country including: Alvin Ailey, (NY, NY), Dance Theatre of Harlem, (NY), iteatrics, (NY), Charlotte Ballet, (Charlotte), Commercial Dance Intensive, (UNCSA Winston-Salem) to name a few! Avilon is also represented by Kids Unlimited Talent Agency in Raleigh, NC. Avilon's long term goal is to be featured as a triple threat on "Broadway", (Wicked is his favorite) and would welcome the opportunity to direct, edit and act in his own film, (check out his "Pride Land" video on FB)! When there is spare time, he enjoys playing with his little brother Aviel and spending quality time with his family at home.

Robin T. Rich-McGhie is a native of Newark, NJ who attended New Jersey Institute of Technology. She is an Acting Instructor at The POINTE! Studio of Dance. She received her artistic training at The Newark Community Center of the Arts and she trained as a dancer with Garden State Ballet, Alfred Gallman (Gallman Newark Dance Theatre), Phil Black Dance Studio and City Arts African Dance however; acting and the stage is her first love. Performing since age 7, she is an accomplished Singer, Actress, Director and Producer.

She has directed several stage productions in the Triad at The Gallery Players, Open Space Café Theatre, Stained Glass Playhouse, Kernersville Little Theatre, City Arts and with her company Elise Jonell Performance Ensemble. She has directed A Raisin in the Sun, The Colored Museum, 12 Angry Men, Black Mama Monologues, Fences, The Meeting, The Dinah Washington Musical, Mahalia, Crowns, Miss Ever’s Boys, HONK!, Guys & Dolls, Steal Away, For Colored Girls, The Wiz, West Side Story, Black Girl and created several theatrical ballets in conjunction with Gina Tate.

She was also a Program Coordinator of We Are One Artistic Collective at Caldcleugh Multicultural Arts Center/City Arts in Greensboro NC and an the Talent Coordinator and Executive Director of The Busta Brown Television Show and Segment Producer of “Talent Tuesday” for Busta Brown’s Afternoon “Thang” on WQMG-97.1.

Music Supervisor on a local Civil Rights Documentary “Wall That Bleed” produced by Canvas Studios and a Managing Partner with T.K.R. Entertainment Group where she was the Director of Operations & Artist Services. She was also the Executive Director & Artistic Director for Inner Village Arts–South and served for 4 years on the Board of Directors of Open Space Café Theatre as Vice President of Production. While working as a board member, she also served as the Volunteer and Arts Education Coordinator. Robin is the CEO & Artistic Director of Elise Jonell Management, Talent Agency and Performance Ensemble.

Jose Rondon Jr. has over ten years of experience as a teaching artist, administrator, and choreographer. A proud member of Actors Equity Association and the Freddie G Class of 2015, Jose thrives on organization, creativity and all forms of expression. As a teaching artist, Jose has taught in New York City and North Carolina where he has served as the Assistant Director of The Pointe! Studio of Dance and currently as the Conservatory Manager at North Carolina Theatre. His work has been featured at the National Black Theatre Festival and has won awards at the Junior Theatre Festival. As an administrator, Jose has worked with the Hayes Taylor YMCA and Samuel French, Inc. Former students have gone on to perform professionally and in regional theatres, which include Hamilton: An American Musical, Alvin Ailey, and Dance Theatre of Harlem. Favorite choreography credits include Smokey Joe’s Café, The Lion King Experience, Hairspray Jr. (Community Theatre of Greensboro). Favorite devising credits include It’s A Hard Knock Life and Pride Land (The Pointe! Studio of Dance). Favorite performing credits include Mary Poppins (Neleus/ensemble) and Spamalot (North Carolina Theatre). Jose also thrives in the theatre world where he serves as the Manager of NC Theatre Conservatory and strongly believes that “everything happens for a reason.”

Kayshon Hawkins is a Dancer, Choreographer, and Teacher from Henderson, North Carolina. He has been teaching dance for four years, teaching all ages, specializing in Hip-Hop. Kayshon has worked with various local artists throughout North Carolina including celebrities such as Tank and Lyfe Jennings. He also graduated from Fayetteville State University with a Bachelor's in May 2018, with a profession in Audio & Sound.

Asyia Cutts (Charlotte, NC) is a BFA Dance Major with a concentration in performance and choreography at The University of North Carolina at Greensboro with anticipated graduation in May 2022. She began her dance training with Dance Productions in Charlotte, NC. She then migrated to Havilah Dance Company in Matthews, NC. Throughout the years she has worked with many choreographers. In 2021 she created her own work titled I am, She is, We are… Enough.

Michael Job brings over 25 years of professional experience as a dancer, ballet teacher and choreographer to the Greensboro area. Michael was a Principal Dancer with the Boston Ballet, Atlanta Ballet and the Dallas Ballet. Michael also danced with the Hubbard Street Dance Company, The Dutch National Ballet, Houston Ballet and Pittsburgh Ballet Theater.As Principal Dancer, Michael performed a diverse classical and contemporary repertoire including principal roles in Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker, Giselle, Les Sylphides, La Sylphide, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Romeo and Juliet, Raymonda, Le Sacre Du Pretemps, Etudes, Napoli, Concerto Barocco, Tchaikovsky Pas De Deux, Square Dance, Scotch Symphony, Allegro Brilliante, Pas De Dix, Bourree Fantasque, La Sonambula, etc.

Following his performing career, Michael served as a faculty instructor at The Juilliard School, STEPS on Broadway, The Washington School of Ballet, and Southwest Ballet Center. Michael also served as Ballet Master of The Dayton Ballet as well as Director of The Dayton Ballet School and Dayton Ballet II.
As a guest instructor and choreographer, Michael taught and staged classics and original works for the University of Oklahoma, Wright State University, The Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival, Southwest Ballet Center, University of Northern Colorado, University of Southwest Louisiana, The David Taylor Dance Company and the Syracuse University Summer Dance Intensive.

Michael owes his career and his enduring love for ballet to his teachers, Joan Kunsch, Bill Martin Viscount, Ann Burton, Joyce Cuoco, Nicolas Petrov, Frederick Franklin, Edward Caton, James Clouser, Nicolas and Ann Polajenko, Ben Stevenson, Rudi Van Dantzig, Robert Joffrey, Maria Grande, Sally Bliss, Finis Jhung, George Skibine, Marjorie Tallchief, Maria Tallchief, Robert Barnett, Larry Long, Anna Marie Holmes, Bruce Marks and Benjamin Harkarvy.

J. Andrew Speas is a native of Winston-Salem, NC and a senior in the BFA Acting program and Minor in Musical. He studied at the UNCSA in the Dr. Marilyn Taylor voice studio. He is alumni of the NC Black Repertory Teen Theater Ensemble where he studied under Mabel Robinson. Credits include: Regional Theater: They That Sit in Darkness (Triad Stage), On the Brink of Silence (Triad Stage), A Christmas Carol (Triad Stage), Man of La Mancha (Triad Stage), Jelly's Last Jam (National Black Theater Festival), Mabel Robinson’s The Glory of Gospel (NC Black Repertory Company, Peppercorn Theater: Flor to Somewhere, Proceed Moon, The Tourist Trap (Peppercorn Theater), UNCG Theater: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Heathers, Hair, Pippin, The Tempest. Opera Credits: The Italian Straw Hat (UNC-SA), The Italian Girl in Algiers (Piedmont Opera). Film: Sad Clown, a Kemari Bryant Film. He is an Actors Equity Membership Candidate (EMC)

The Pointe! Staff

GUEST ARTISTS