Divas! returns to RLT’s Sutton Theatre for its 16th anniversary! Who will be crowned our 2022 Diva? To find out, join us for an evening of glitz, glam, and giving on April 30!

Saturday, April 30, 2022
Pre-show reception at 6:30 p.m.
Show begins at 7:30 p.m.

Directed by Alison Lawrence
Musical Director: Katherine Anderson
Event Chair: Pam Swanstrom

Divas! is presented by Curi Capital.

Pre-show reception | April 30th at 6:30 p.m.

All ticket holders are invited to join us for a pre-show reception an hour before the show begins! Mingle with fellow attendees and current and past Divas, browse our silent auction items in-person, and enjoy refreshments and light bites from Mitchell-Casteel A Fine Catered Affair.

Bid on items & support a Diva!

You don’t have to be present to win our incredible silent auction items! Browse and bid on an assortment of beautiful items (more items are being added daily!) on our Bidpal page. The auction will close during intermission of Divas! on Saturday, April 30, around 9:00pm. Please bid generously – all funds raised support RLT!

There will also be a few exclusive packages available as live auction items! Bidding will occur at Divas!, so come prepared to open your hearts and wallets. Our live auction items can be previewed here!

Introducing this year’s Divas!

Click each Diva’s name below to head straight to their BidPal page! You can also vote for your favorite Diva by donating on our website. Thanks for voting and supporting RLT and your 2022 Divas!

Photos by Jeannine Borzello

Benaiah Adesoji

This is Benaiah’s third time competing as a DIVA, and he expects to break past personal fundraising goals this year, not to mention maybe THIS time he’ll win! The name ‘Adesoji’ is a Yoruban word that means “royalty has awakened” or “the king is awake.” But a DIVA by any other name is still a Raleigh Little Theatre 2022 DIVA. Some of his favorite shows he has at RLT include Sister Act, Three Little Birds, and of course RLT’s Cinderella in which he played the role of King Darling III. He has a thing for crowns and promises to wear the DIVA crown with dignity should he be so fortunate to win. “Your crown is waiting for you as soon as you find the courage to wear it.” – Viola Smith, Bel-Air

Watch Benaiah’s campaign video!

Gus Allen

Gus Allen has been in ten productions with Raleigh Little Theatre, beginning with roles as a law man, a schemer, and a ruffian, and most recently as a Narnian fawn and a love-struck cowboy. In between those roles, he played a lazy rat, an overacting actor, a nervous suiter and a certain French taunter. Gus is a wacko, a weirdo, and a board game freak. Gus is always grateful to God and to theatre patrons like you!

Watch Gus’s campaign video!

Angelica Bridges

Angelica was a part of school choirs including Night of The Stars, in which Granville County Schools came together to perform, from elementary through high school. She was a member of Ballet Arts Dance Company and was also member of The J.F. Webb Show Choir and Center Stage. In show choir, she performed in Atlanta, Nashville, New York City’s Carnegie Hall and Walt Disney World’s Epcot. As a cast member at Walt Disney World, Angelica was selected to be a member of the Candlelight Cast Chior, with superstars such as Whoopi Goldberg as the narrator in the concert. Angelica was blessed to become a choreographer for the first time in 2019, choreographing all of the dance numbers in Black Nativity as well as singing in the ensemble and having a speaking role as a shepherd. She has shared her voice in talent shows, singing competitions such as The Road to The Apollo, and as member of the music and arts ministry at church. Angelica’s theatre background includes performances in Cinderella-Ensemble, Beehive: The 60s Musical-Jasmine/Tina Turner, Once On This Island-Ensemble, Sondheim’s Company-Kathy, Beauty and The Beast-Ensemble, Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat-Ensemble, Hairspray-Ensemble, To Kill A Mockingbird-Helen, The Wizard of Oz-Ensemble, Hello Dolly-Ensemble and High School Musical-Ensemble. She has worked with her high school theatre-J.F. Webb High School, Granville Little Theatre, Henderson Rec Players, McGregor Hall, Vance-Granville Community College Dinner Theatre, Clarksville Community Players and Raleigh Little Theatre. She is excited about being in her third production with Raleigh Little Theatre as a Diva!

Watch Angelica’s campaign video!

Kimberly Genna Bryant

Kimberly Genna Bryant is thrilled to be back on the Raleigh Little Theatre stage, and this time as a Diva! You may have previously seen her at RLT in Beehive: The 60s Musical, or as Sister Mary Patrick in Sister Act. Some of her other favorite roles include Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray and Jan in Grease. Kimberly used to work as the Wardrobe Supervisor, Costumer, and Conservatory Administrator for NC Theatre but now works as the Director of Client Services for a music research company. She’d like to thank her husband for his unconditional love and her family for their unwavering support.

Watch Kimberly’s campaign video!

Cydney English

People in Raleigh know Cydney as owner of The English Garden Florist but before accepting her greatest role as mom to her daughter Vivienne, she worked as an actor, singer, and director in North Carolina, Alabama and Virginia. It’s been a long hiatus, but Cydney is delighted to once again work with Alison Lawrence and make her first DIVAS appearance. A graduate of NC Wesleyan in Business, Cydney studied theater at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York.

Watch Cydney’s campaign video!

Bobby Kaufman

Bobby is happy to be returning to RLT after his wonderful experience with “The Rivals” many years ago. Previous shows at Burning Coal were “Awake and Sing” and “1776”. With Theatre Raleigh, “The Mystery of Edwin Drood”. With NCT, “Camelot”, “South Pacific”, “Music Man”, “Superstar”, “High School Musical”, “Annie Get Your Gun”, “Phantom”, and “Cinderella”.. With Theatre In The Park, “Devon Does Denmark” and “It Shoulda Been You”. UKRAINE INDEPENDENCE!

Watch Bobby’s campaign video!

Tina Morris-Anderson

Since starting her theatrical career at Raleigh Little Theatre, Tina has performed in many Triangle productions, including Bourbon at the Border (May), Bright Star (Alice), Cinderella (Fairy Godmother), Ain’t Misbehavin’ (Nell), Ghost: The Musical (Oda Mae), Hairspray (Motormouth Maybelle), and Caroline Or Change (Moon). She has been a featured soloist with the North Carolina Symphony Orchestra and the Raleigh and Durham Symphony Orchestras. Tina lives in Raleigh with her husband Paul Anderson; they have two talented sons, Paul II and Noah.

Watch Tina’s campaign video!

Susan Shank

Susan Shank (aka “Mother Rainbow” to the baristas at her local Starbucks) is honored to be making her Raleigh Little Theatre debut in Divas 2022! Susan’s first word as a wee baby was “Sondheim” and she’s been performing in musical theatre ever since. She has recently moved to the Triangle after living her best NYC life, restoring a historic Broadway theater and walking Jason Robert Brown’s dog. You may have seen her as Bea in “Something Rotten” in Chapel Hill or a middle-aged 17-year-old in “Pirates of Penzance” with the Durham Savoyards. Susan hopes to raise an embarrassing amount of money to support the beautiful mission of RLT and can’t do it without YOU! So SHANKS in advance (see what she did there?) for your vote and donation this year. Viva la Divas!

Watch Susan’s campaign video!

Anjali Thawani

Anjali is thrilled to be coming back to the stage with Raleigh Little Theatre! Many moons ago, Anjali got her BFA in acting from the U of Illinois in Champaign. After working professionally in Chicago for a bit, she then went on to pursue her other passion- people. She currently works as a breast cancer surgeon (it’s an amazing day job!). Anjali is so excited to reconnect with her first true love, the stage. When she is not doctoring or finding her way back to the stage, she can be found with her husband and three young kids (mommy loves you guys)! Many thanks to RLT for the opportunity and to my family for their endless support!

Watch Anjali’s campaign video!

Clare Vestal

Clare is thrilled to be a Diva for Raleigh Little Theatre this year! Raleigh Little Theatre has been her home for over a decade. She was recently in “Cinderella” and will be seen in “In the Heights” this summer! She is so excited to have the chance to perform with this fabulous cast and give back to the theatre that constantly serves our community! Many thanks to her parents, sister, her partner and friends (including Lucy and Athena) for their support!

Watch Clare’s campaign video!

Krystin Wingfield

Krystin Wingfield is making her Raleigh Little Theatre debut! Theatre and music have been close to her heart since since kindergarten and now, as a busy social work student, community theatre has quickly become a safe haven for expression and a source of connection. Some of her favorite roles have included Christine (Be More Chill), Portia (Something Rotten), and her childhood idol Marylin Monroe (My Trip with Marylin). When not on stage, you can find Krystin performing live music around the triangle, singing with Transit Vocal Band, or misty-eyed over portraits of baby ducks in flower hats.

Watch Krystin’s campaign video!

Health & safety

This event will take place indoors in the Cantey V. Sutton Theatre. Masks that cover both the mouth and nose will be required for all audience members while indoors. Effective April 15, proof of vaccination or a negative test are no longer needed for entry. Click here to read about our current COVID-19 policies. Health and safety restrictions are subject to change.

Thanks to our sponsors!

Title Sponsor ($5,000 level)

Curi Capital

Diva Sponsor ($2,500 level)

Raleigh Brewing Company

Cantey and Jim Tanner

Jan and Jim Robles

Diamond Sponsor ($1,000 level)

in situ studio

Wyrick Robbins Yates & Ponton LLP

The Bason Family
Elaine and David Petrone
Georgia & Alec Donaldson
Pam Swanstrom
Phyllis Parish Howard and Seab Howard
Steve & Lisa Zaytoun

Gold Sponsor ($500 level)

Back-to-One Acting Studio and Productions
Baker Roofing
Barnhill Contracting
Capitol Broadcasting Company/WRAL-TV5
Chancy & Keith Kapp
Locklear Roofing
Medlin Davis Cleaners
Natasha Gore & D.A. Oldis
Pam Townsend and Bill Jenkins
Poyner Spruill LLP
Dr. & Mrs. Rob Grew
Rosemary and Smedes York
The Sindemarks
Timothy Locklear & Jim Allen
Urban Durham Realty – Kelley Keats

Silver Sponsor ($250 level)

Adrienne Kelly
Andrea Nixon & Brent Friedenberg
Goulding Construction, INC
Kathy Lagana and John Gerwin
Leslie Ann Jackson and Chris Locascio
Mary and Neil Saunders
The Morgan Williams Family
Sam & Karen Spilman
Suzan Smith, Realtor, Coldwell Banker – HPW
Walton & Maready Orthodontics
Witherspoon Woodworks
Yolanda Rabun, RLT Diva 2005

Special Thanks

The English Garden
Hughes Pittman & Gupton, LLP
IV Design
Jeannine Borzello
Jess Barbour
Mitchell-Casteel A Fine Catered Affair
Monkeybravo – Rod & Nancy Rich
Papa John’s on Maitland Dr. in Raleigh
Ruggero Piano