Divas! is a competition between some of the fabulous performers who grace the stage of Raleigh Little Theatre. Each performer competes to be the Diva of the Year by raising the most money for RLT.
Here are the Divas from previous years:
Divas! 2023
Held April 22, 2023 in the Cantey V. Sutton Theatre
- Benaiah Adesoji*
- Mairym Azcona
- Krystin Bailey
- Joshua Faggion
- Cassie Ford
- Jess Hill
- Alfredo Hurtado
- Bobby Kaufman
- Kelley Keats
- Dominic MacAuley
- Susan Shank
- Tina Vance
- Ryan Vasconcellos
* This year’s winner was Benaiah Adesoji, First Runner Up was Kelley Keats, Second Runner Up was Cassie Ford
Link to photos coming soon.
Directed by Alison Lawrence
Musical Director: Michael Santangelo
Choreographer: Rhonda Brocki
Event Chair: Suzanne Ruggles
Divas! 2022
Held April 30, 2022 in the Cantey V. Sutton Theatre.
- Benaiah Adesoji
- Gus Allen
- Angelica Bridges
- Kimberly Genna Bryant
- Cydney English
- Bobby Kaufman
- Tina Morris-Anderson*
- Susan Shank
- Anjali Thawani
- Clare Vestal
- Krystin Wingfield
* This year’s winning Diva was Tina Morris-Anderson. First Runner Up was Benaiah Adesoji, Second Runner Up was Clare Vestal.
Link to photos coming soon.
Directed by Alison Lawrence
Musical Director: Katherine Anderson
Event Chair: Pam Swanstrom
Divas! 2021 – Divas! Under The Stars
Held May 15, 2021 in RLT’s Louise “Scottie” Stephenson Amphitheatre.
- Benaiah Barnes
- Susannah “Nana” Castle
- Christy Creech Connell
- Alec Donaldson*
- Faith Jones
- Noah Sennert
- Emily Spain
- Lauren Tompkins
- Natalie Turgeon
- Aya Wallace
- Brian Westbrook
* This year’s winner was Alec Donaldson.
View the photos by Cindy McEnery
Divas! Committee:
- Georgia Donaldson, Chair
- Adrienne Kelly Lumpkin
- Tim McKay
- Debra Schafrath
- Kimberly Wood
- Pam Swanstrom
- Suzanne Ruggles
Production Team:
- Director: Alison Lawrence
- Music Director: Michael Santangelo
- Lighting Designer: Cailen Waddell
- Sound Designer: Todd Houseknecht
- Stage Manager: Alex Gromo
- Assistant Stage Manager: Barbara Witherwax
- Deck Crew: Daniel C. Eckert, Chris Acevedo, David Wilk, Jeff Hooper
- Spot Operator: Daniel C. Eckert
- Cellist: Emma Caterinicchio
- Back-up singer: Peyton Grissom
- Cashiers: Hughes Pittman & Gupton LLP
- Graphic Design: Eric Forehand
- Divas! 2021 Videos: Rod and Nancy Rich
- Divas! 2021 Headshots: Jeannine Borzello
- Masters of Ceremonies: Greg Moore, Kevin O’Barr and Rusty, the Diva Dog
- Voiceover: Tina Morris-Anderson
Divas! 2020
Held August 6, 2020. The contestants were:
- Peggy Hayes
- Emily James*
- Kelsey Lyons
- Elena Montero Mulligan
- Noah Sennert
- LaToya Smith
- Allie Sullivan
- Karen Morgan Williams
* This year’s winner was Emily James.
View the photos from Divas! 2020.
Directed by Alison Lawrence
Musical Director: Michael Santangelo
Event Chair: Sejal Mehta
Divas! 2019
Held May 4, 2019. The contestants were:
- Benaiah Barnes
- Heather Carithers
- Alli Mae Fletcher
- Elizabeth Hankla
- Aydan Hansen
- Juanda LaJoyce Holley
- Emily James
- Orlando Parker, Jr.
- Dee Penven-Crew*
- Robbie Phillips
- Dennis Poole
- LaToya Smith
- Allie Sullivan
* This year’s winner was Dee Penven-Crew. First runner-up was Emily Steinhoff James. second runner-up was Elizabeth Hankla.
View the photos by Carrie Santiago.
2019 winner, Dee Penven-Crew
Production team:
- Emcees: Kevin O’Barr, Greg Moore, and Rusty the Diva Dog
- Previous Divas appearing on stage: Jess Barbour, Brian Fisher, Katie Hennenlotter, Rebecca Johnston, Greg Moore, Kevin O’Barr, Emily Spain
- Director: Alison Lawrence
- Choreographer: Carrie Santiago
- Musical Director: Michael Santangelo
- Stage Manager: Alex Gromo
- RLT Development Manager: Lee O’Connell
Divas! 2018
Held May 5, 2018. The contestants were:
- Mary Bailey
- Nicole Bright
- Tyler Graeper
- Aydan Hansen
- Teresa Heath
- Chris Inhulsen
- Emily James
- Ty Myatt
- Lauren Knott
- Dennis Poole
- Emily Spain*
- Averi Zimmermann
* This year’s winner was Emily Spain. First runner-up was Chris Inhulsen. second runner-up was Nicole Bright and third runner-up was Mary Bailey.
View the photos by Dominique Eastwick.
Emily Spain, winner of Divas! 2018
Production team:
- Emcees: Kevin O’Barr, Greg Moore
- Previous Divas appearing on stage: Rebecca Johnston, Katie Hennenlotter, Brian Fisher
- Director: Alison Lawrence
- Choreographer: Carrie Santiago
- Musical Director: Michael Santangelo
- Stage Manager: Emma Heath
- Aerial Dance Consultant: Tucker Key
- RLT Development Manager: Lee O’Connell
Divas! 2017
Held March 25, 2017. The contestants were:
- Alissa Alba
- Jess Barbour*
- LD Burris
- Sarah Griner Duncan
- Del Flack
- Chris Inhulsen
- Lauren Knott
- Diana Cameron McQueen
- Mason Alexander Park
- Emily Spain
- Jon Todd
* The winner for 2017 was Jess Barbour.
Production team:
- Emcees: Kevin O’Barr, Greg Moore
- Previous Divas appearing on stage: Rebecca Johnston, Katie Hennenlotter, Brian Fisher, Dennis Poole
- Director: Alison Lawrence
- Choreographer: Carrie Santiago
- Musical Director: Michael Santangelo
- Stage Manager: David Wilk
- RLT Development Manager: Lee O’Connell
View the photos of Divas! 2017.
Divas! 2016
Held April 30, 2016. The contestants were:
- Gus Allen
- Daryl Ray Carliles
- Zak Casca
- Julia Fair
- Katie Hennenlotter
- Carlie Huberman
- Rebecca Johnston*
- Lauren Knott
- Parker Perry
- Dennis Poole
- Brian Westbrook
- Wendy Zier
* The winner for 2016 was Rebecca Johnston.
Production team:
- Emcees: Kevin O’Barr, Greg Moore, Brian Fisher, and Don Smith
- Director: Alison Lawrence
- Choreographer: Carrie Santiago
- Musical Director: Michael Santangelo
- Stage Manager: Keith Bugner
- RLT Development Manager: Lee O’Connell
View the photos on our Divas! 2016 photo albums on Flickr:
Set 1: Photos by Carrie Santiago
Set 2: Photos by David Watts
Divas! 2015
Held April 25, 2015. The contestants were:
- Emelia ‘Me-Me’ Cowans
- Brian Fisher*
- Houston Horn
- Carlie Huberman
- Phil Lewis
- Susan Meyer
- Sarah Moore
- Dee Penven-Crew
- Mary Reilly
* The winner for 2015 was Brian Fisher.
Production team:
- Emcees: Kevin O’Barr and Katie Hennelotter
- Past Divas: M. Dennis Poole, Kevin O’Barr, Katie Hennelotter, Rebecca Johnston
- Director: Alison Lawrence
- Choreographer: Carrie Santiago
- Musical Director: Michael Santangelo
- Band: Michael Santangelo, Dave, Vince Moss
- Stage Manager: Keith Bugner
- RLT Development Manager: Kiron Rakkar
View the photos on our Divas! 2015 photo albums on Flickr:
Set 1: Photos by Carrie Santiago
Set 2: Photos by David Watts
Divas! 2013
Held November 9, 2013. The contestants were:
- Dena Byers
- Timothy Cherry
- Tony Hefner
- Timothy Locklear
- Tina Morris-Anderson
- M. Dennis Poole*
- Carrie Santiago
- Natalie Turgeon
- Barney Weaver
- Tyanna West
- Renee Church Wimberley
- Brett Yates
* The winner for 2013 was M. Dennis Poole.
Production team:
- MCs: Greg Moore and Kevin O’Barr
- Musical Director/Accompanist: Michael Santangelo
- Choreographer: Carrie Santiago
- Director: Alison Lawrence
- Past Diva: Rebecca Johnston
See the Divas! 2013 photo archives on Flickr
Divas! 2012
Held November 10, 2012. The contestants were:
- Dave Adams
- Jess Barbour
- Katie Bowra
- Edward Cooke
- Angie Davis
- Hazel Edmond
- Carly Prentiss Jones
- Misha Nikitine
- Kevin O’Barr & Greg Moore*
- M. Dennis Poole
- Heather Shinpaugh
* The winners for 2012 were Greg Moore & Kevin O’Barr.
Production team:
- MCs/Past Divas: Don Smith, Katherine Anderson, Katie Hennelotter, Martie Todd Sirois, Staci Sabarsky, Rebecca Johnston
- Musical Director/Accompanist: Michael Santangelo
- Choreographer: Carrie Santiago
- Director: Alison Lawrence
See the Divas! 2012 photo archives on Flickr
Divas! 2010
Held March 6, 2010. The contestants were:
- Chad Gilbert
- Katie Hennenlotter*
- Laura Jenkins
- Warren Keyes
- Lisa Kinlaw
- Alison Lawrence
- M. Dennis Poole
- Greg Wait
* The winner for 2010 was Katie Hennenlotter.
Production team:
- MC: Sharon Tazewell
- Musical Director/Accompanist: Coty Cockrell
- Choreographer: Carrie Santiago
- Director: Alison Lawrence
- Past Divas: Katherine Anderson, Yolanda Rabun, Staci Sabarsky
See the Divas! 2010 photo archives
Divas! 2008
Divas! was held May 3, 2008. The contestants were:
- LeDawna Akins
- Laura Jenkins
- Warren Keyes
- Rebecca Leonard
- Charlie McNeill
- Zack Morris
- M. Dennis Poole
- Martie Todd Sirois*
- Brent Wilson
* The winner for 2008 was Martie Todd Sirois.
Production team:
- MC: Sharon Tazewell
- Musical Director/Accompanist: Julie Florin
- Choreographer: Freddie-Lee Heath
- Director: Alison Lawrence
- Past Divas: Katherine Anderson, Don Smith, Staci Sabarsky, Yolanda Rabun, Rebecca Johnston
See the Divas! 2008 photo archives
Divas! 2007
Divas! was held March 3, 2007. The contestants were:
- Katherine Anderson*
- Tina Morris-Anderson
- Dexter Morgan
- Robbie Phillips
- M. Dennis Poole
- Martie Todd Sirois
- Don Smith*
- Elanah Sykes
* The co-winners for 2007 were Katherine Anderson and Don Smith.
Production team:
- MC: Faye Parker
- Musical Director/Accompanist: Julie Florin
- Choreographer: Freddie-Lee Heath
- Director: Alison Lawrence
- Past Divas: Rebecca Johnston, Yolanda Rabun, Staci Sabarsky
See the Divas! 2007 photo archives
Divas! 2006
Divas! was held March 4, 2006. The contestants were:
- Nancy Watkins Dimitrios
- Peggy Hayes
- Erin O’Hara
- Staci Sabarsky*
- Carrie Santiago
- Melissa Shaheen
- Sandi Sullivan
- Blair Tecklenberg
- Kimberly Wagner
* The winner for 2006 was Staci Sabarsky.
Production team:
- MCs: David McClutchy, M. Dennis Poole, and Don Smith
- Musical Director/Accompanist: Brett Wilson
- Choreographer: Freddie-Lee Heath
- Director: Alison Lawrence
- Past Divas: Rebecca Johnston, Yolanda Rabun
See the Divas! 2006 photo archives
Divas! 2005
Divas! was held March 5, 2005. The contestants were:
- Alison Lawrence
- Maura Moore
- Lavora Mountain
- Yolanda Rabun*
- Waltye Rasulala
- Staci Sabarsky
- Carrie Santiago
- Melissa Shaheen
- Sandi Sullivan
- Blair Tecklenberg
* The winner for 2005 was Yolanda Rabun.
Production team:
- MCs: Timothy Cherry, M. Dennis Poole, and Don Smith
- Musical Director/Accompanist: Brett Wilson
- Choreographer: Freddie-Lee Heath
See the Divas! 2005 photo archives
Divas! 2004
Divas! was held on 27 February 2004. The contestants were:
- Dena Byers
- Nancy Watkins Dimitrios
- Sylvetta Harris
- Tiffany Ivy
- Rebecca Johnston*
- Alison Lawrence
- Rose Martin
- Maura Moore
- Heather Powell
- Sandi Sullivan
- Donna Sullivan-Khouri
- Mary Kathryn Walston
* The inaugural winner for Divas! was Rebecca Johnston.
Production team:
- MCs: M. Dennis Poole, Don Smith, and Brent Wilson
- Musical Director/Accompanist: Brett Wilson
- Choreographer: Freddie-Lee Heath
See the Divas! 2004 photo archives.