Science Fiction enthusiast, teacher, actress, singer and lover of all things Theatre, Sonya’s interest in the performing arts began with her 8th grade Drama class. Her interest soon became an obsession when she starred as Dr. Van Helsing in her high school production of Dracula. Since then, she has incorporated her love of theatre in as many areas of her life as possible. As an English teacher at a private school, she instituted a Drama and Speech program; she has produced and directed original plays for her church and community; and pursued her passion of acting in television, film and the local stage. Sonya connected with the Alliance in 2012, performing as the Lady Orange in For Colored Girls and later continued her involvement as Director of several shows. Her heart’s passion is to help facilitate engaging, compelling and meaningful theatre in Ft. Myers that acknowledges and celebrates our cultural differences while exploring the universal ties that bind us all together.
Sherry’s goal is to create space for women to come together, to learn to dance in ancient and modern body-affirming ways, to connect on many levels and to have fun doing it!
Sherry has always been interested in ethnic dance, and has been teaching for over 20 years. She is a 2002 Middle Eastern and Mediterranean Danse Orientale Award recipient, a Tribal Grooves® and Level 5 certified Gypsy Caravan Tribal Bellydance® instructor, and is the director of Caravan Project Florida. She teaches Cabaret and Tribal Belly Dance styles throughout Southwest Florida, offering regular weekly classes in Cape Coral, Ft Myers and Naples. Also, she has trained in Hawaiian Hula and other Island dances at the prestigious Polynesian Cultural Center on Oahu, and teaches adult Hawaiian Hula classes and directs a local Polynesian Dance troupe. Her Belly Dance & Hula Connection dancers often perform at local cultural festivals and she is a popular event organizer in the area, hosting workshops, shows and events, as well as hosting sold-out Hawaiian Luaus for Cape Coral Parks and Rec. In addition, she is a member of the international Gypsy Caravan Dance Company performing troupe, is a Principal Teacher for the style, and organizes many of the Gypsy Caravan Tribal Bellydance® World Summits; the next one is coming up in Hawaii for October 2019! You can find out more on her website www.bellydanceSWFL.com
Corris L. McIntosh, Jr. is a southwest Florida native and practicing attorney with legal experience serving both non-profit and for-profit organizations. He is married to Shadreka McIntosh and together they have three kids: Corris III, Chloe, and Carter.
Jordan is interning at the Alliance for the Arts this fall as she prepares to take the next step in her education, a masters degree in Arts Leadership and Cultural Management. Jordan is passionate about the arts and how they help create well-rounded students and individuals. She grew up in Fort Myers and graduated from Cypress Lake High School Center for the Arts where she danced and discovered her eye for photography. Her passion for dance and photography continued at the University of Florida where she graduated with degrees in Dance and Photojournalism and minors in business administration, entrepreneurship and theatre. Before volunteering at the Alliance for the Arts, Jordan worked for Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall and the College of the Arts at the University of Florida.
Sonya McCarter
Sonya is a Director, Actress and Mentor. Her heart’s passion is to help facilitate engaging, compelling and meaningful Theatre in Ft. Myers that features strong African-American characters and stories. Sonya has appeared in television (Burn Notice), film (The Florida Project) and theatre. Her directing credits include: The Bluest Eye, Ma Rainey, Seven Guitars and Raisin in the Sun. She holds two Master’s Degrees in Oral Interpretation of Speech and Theatre Arts.
Derek Lively
Derek has appeared in productions ranging from Shakespeare to Eugene O’Neill and has worked in regional theaters and Off-Broadway, including The Public Theater and LaMama E.T.C. His solo show, Welcome To My Soul, which he wrote and performed, led to a first-look development deal with NBC (Universal). He is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association and SAG-AFTRA.
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