Jen Bender
is the Resident Director of Broadway's The Lion King and the Artistic Director of Broadway in South Africa. She was the Assistant Director of Avenue Q (Broadway and Las Vegas), The Wedding Singer, and the revival of Steel Magnolias. Regional: Godspell (St. Louis Muny). She has taught theatre students of all ages at The Broadway Experience, Camp Broadway, The Artist's Crossing, and the BFA program at Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre. She is one of the founders of the New York Musical Theatre Festival and a graduate of the theatre program at Northwestern University.
Sean Bradford
is the Executive Director and co-founder of the Broadway in South Africa initiative. He is currently in the Broadway Company of Disney's The Lion King as a swing and Simba cover. Recent credits include The Yellow Wood directed by B.D. Wong, and Junie B. Jones for TheatreworksUSA. He was also a Finalist for CBS's "My Broadway Debut" television special. He is a graduate of Northwestern University. Originally from Texas, this will be his third time doing arts education outreach in South Africa.
Lilli Cooper
Is thrilled to be a part of Broadway in South Africa. She was in the original Broadway cast of Spring Awakening and now attends Vassar College where she studies film. Born and raised in NYC, Lilli has performed in numerous benefit concerts at venues such as Joe's Pub, Laurie Beechman Theater, and Birdland. Other Credits include Godspell, Hair, Crazy Head Space, and the upcoming original play Haarlem Berlin at Vassar College.
Ariana Grande
currently appears as Cat on the hit Nickelodeon series VicTORIous. On Broadway, she originated the role of Charlotte (u/s Patrice) in Jason Robert Brown’s musical 13. As a vocalist, she has performed with the Boca Raton Philharmonic and the Sunshine Pops Orchestra, and concerts benefitting the St. Jude’s Charity and the Rally for Darfur. She has also appeared on the tv series Brain Surge (Nickelodeon) and as herself on news station PIX 11.
Frankie James Grande
graduated with a triple major, Biology/Theatre/Dance, from Muhlenberg College in 2005, and then toured the country in the Equity production of Dora the Explorer Live! (Boots the Monkey) before returning to NYC to make his Broadway debut in Mamma Mia! (ensemble, Eddie u/s). While in college he appeared in regional theatre productions of A Chorus Line (Mike) and George M! (George) as well as performing as a principal dancer with Charles Anderson's dtX, a Philadelphia based Afro-Modern dance company. In 2007 Frankie earned the title of "Mr. Broadway." Thanks and love to all my friends and family for their unwavering love and support!
Adam Kantor
is the Director of Development for Broadway In South Africa. He made his Broadway debut as Mark Cohen in the closing cast of RENT, the final performance of which can be seen on the Sony DVD "RENT: Filmed Live On Broadway." He guest starred in an episode of The Good Wife on CBS in the role of "Ezra". He is the co-producer of the 2009 Fringe hit production of "A Contemporary American's Guide To A Successful Marriage ©1959."
Tracy Mcdowell
Broadway/National Tour: RENT. Off-Broadway: Repo the Genetic Rock Opera. Thanks to Mom for her love of theater, Dad for constant support, my brothers for listening, and my whole family for seeing every show! Proud Equity Member.
Courtney Reed
received her BFA from The Theatre Conservatory of the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University. After graduation she was cast in Mamma Mia! (ensemble, Ali & Lisa u/s), where she made her broadway debut. Chicago credits: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, 110 in the Shade & South Pacific. She can also be seen in a number of commercials and most recently in "Crime Fiction," now on DVD. She is so thankful and appreciative of her family and friends for making her the happiest girl in the world!
Christopher Spaulding
was a member of the Original Broadway Cast of Curtains. Off-Broadway: Rock of Ages. Principal Regional credits include Godspell and High School Musical (St. Louis MUNY), High School Musical 2 (NCT), Footloose (Marriott Lincolnshire), and Sweeney Todd (NYC's Skirball Center). Television performances include the Tony Awards and the 81st Annual Academy Awards. BFA: NYU, Tisch School of the Arts (CAP21). Christopher is honored and thrilled to be a part of such an incredibly inspiring Initiative!
Jared Stein
currently serves as Associate Music Director of American Idiot. Recently, he was the Music Director and Conductor for the First National Tour of Spring Awakening. Prior to that, he conducted the Broadway National Tour of Rent. Other Music Direction credits include A New Brain, The Who's Tommy, Serenade, Urinetown, and Children of Eden. He has recorded with Lauren Molina ("doo-be-doo"), David Reiser ("A Storyteller's Ball"), and Declan Bennett ("An Innocent Evening of Drinking" and "The LoFish Sessions"), with whom he continues to play. Jared holds a BFA from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts. He is thrilled and honored to be a part of Broadway in South Africa.
Lisa Nicole Wilkerson
is currently making her Broadway debut in The Lion King. Her national tours include Mamma Mia! (Ali) and The Lion King (Nala). Regionally, Lisa has performed as Lily in Abyssinia (Goodspeed, North Shore), TiMoune in Once On This Island (Gallery Players), Robin in Godspell (St. Louis Black Rep), and ensemble in River Deep: Tribute to Tina Turner (Playwrights Horizons), Play On! (Arena Stage, Goodman, Seattle Rep), and Purlie (City Center ENCORES!, Pasadena Playhouse) starring Blaire Underwood and Loretta Devine, respectively. Her TV and film credits include “Oprah,” “Jay Leno” and Unconditional Love. A native of St. Louis, MO, Lisa earned her B.S. in journalism from Northwestern University. All praises up!










