Spark

Thurayya UmBayemake is Spark's Actor - Teacher Coach. Her background includes a 20 year span of being a drama specialist, arts learner, advocate, and teaching artist. She formerly co-founded and ran Ma’Sue Theatre Company (in Ohio) that focused on African American stories. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Drama Studies from South Carolina State University, and a post-graduate certificate in Non-Profit Management from the University of Akron. She is a member of The National Association of Black StoryTellers Inc, and elected 2025 Leadership Cohort of Southeastern Theatre Conference. 

Chelsey Mack is a Charlotte NC native and recent Columbia SC implant. She graduated from South Carolina State University Summa Cum Laude  with a degree in Elementary Education. Chelsey has a musical theatre background that spans over 12 years. She most recently was a member of the Orangeburg Part-time Players at the  Blue Bird Theatre of Orangeburg SC . In her spare time , Chelsey enjoys traveling , seeing shows , spending time with friends and family and trying new restaurants.

Katie Mixon is an actor, theatre educator, and curious traveler. She serves as a Company Member and Educator with the South Carolina Shakespeare Company, an Actor/Manager for Elsewhere Shakespeare in Virginia, and was part of the founding conservation team at Sappraiwan Elephant Sanctuary in Thailand. Katie hosted and produced Riverbanks Roundup, an animal education series at Riverbanks Zoo, and co-hosted and produced Expeditions for SCETV. A graduate of the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts in Classical Theatre, she also holds a BA from the University of South Carolina. As a teacher and conservation advocate, Katie has worked in Australia, Thailand, Southeast Asia, and Central America. She is a big fan of Asian elephants, her dog Nigel, and collaborating with students and friends to create theatre.