Departure
Cast Bios
Hannah Crane, Resident Artist
Hannah is a dance/movement artist, community arts advocate and ally, and freelance artist manager and grant writer. She studied dance under the tutelage of Professor Iris Rosa and Baba Stafford C. Berry Jr., and earned her B.A. in Journalism (2014) and M.A. in Arts Administration (2023) from Indiana University. Now in her fourth season, Hannah is grateful to be a resident artist with Create Freedom Arts Projects.
Syd Fogle, Resident Artist
Sydney has been a member of the Create Freedom Arts Projects since November 2019. In addition to dancing with CFAP, she is a freelance choreographer for community theaters in the Michiana area. When she is not dancing, she enjoys spending time with her friends, family, and her dog named Goose.
Stephanie Gustas, Resident Artist
Stephanie began her journey with CFAP this past January by attending community classes, and she is ecstatic to now take part in her first CFAP production. She graduated from IUPUI with a Bachelor of Science in Public Environmental Affairs in 2023. She has rediscovered a love for dance these last few years and is excited to keep learning/growing through dance.
Adrienne Jackson, Director
Adrienne D. Jackson founded Create Freedom Arts Projects, (CFAP), a contemporary dance company and community of artists, in 2012. Born and raised in Durham, NC, her dance life began as a child in jazz, ballet, tap, and West African dance as a member of Alayanfé (which means “the chosen ones”) under the direction of the late Dr. Chuck Davis, Artistic Director of the iconic African American Dance Ensemble. She served as Assistant Artistic Director of Iibada Dance Company under the direction of Mama Sabra Logan before performing with Kenyetta Dance Company for five seasons. She's directed local dance ministries Hosanna! Dance, which she founded in 2002, and at Mount Pleasant MBC where she currently serves as Director of Divine Inspiration. Adrienne currently teaches contemporary dance at Ballet Theatre of Carmel Academy, is the dance team coach at Westlane Middle School, and is a full-time working artist through Artists At Work (AAW) Indianapolis, leveraging her art and creativity for social impact in her local community.
Maya Leigh, Guest Artist
Maya Leigh was a resident artist with CFAP 2018–2021. She graduated from IUPUI with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and a Dance minor. Currently, she is a freelance choreographer. Maya Leigh is unsure about what the future holds, but she is excited that God is in control!
Erica Ligon-Wilcox, Resident Artist
I have danced since the age of 7 beginning at the Madame C.J. Walker Theater. I danced for a host of churches around the city—rather it was for a wedding or a normal Sunday morning. At Shortridge Middle School, I knew dancing was an outlet for me. From ballet, jazz, modern, and some tap, I was just excited to indulge in different genres. At Broad Ripple High School, I danced all four years and loved every moment of it. Oh, I can’t forget about Iibada! I was fortunate enough to be a part of a fun company that introduced me to the fine arts of African dance forms. Today, I coach a dance company called Dazzling Pearls Dance Team, leading 20 Pearls. The joy of dancing has been an endless experience, and I can’t wait to see what else CFAP has in store for me.
B.S. Public Health, Community Health Concentration
M.B.A. Healthcare Administration
Kyla (KZ) Lismon, Resident Artist
Kyla (KZ) has been dancing since the age of 4 years old, showing passion for ballet, jazz, and modern dance. She is an Indianapolis native and mother to a beautiful daughter, Madysen. She has shared this sacred and creative space with Create Freedom Arts Projects during and after her college career since 2013.
Jasmine Mathews, Guest Artist
Jasmine began dancing at the age of 7. She was a competitive dancer up through high school and began dancing in many theatre shows. Jasmine continues her passion in dance, as well as an actor.
Lauren Ryan, Resident Artist
Lauren has been a resident artist since 2017 and has trained in contemporary, modern, tap, & ballet since she was 8 years old. She holds her Masters in Exercise Science and is working towards a Masters in Public Health from IU. A staunch advocate for civil rights, Lauren hopes to use her education to become a policy analyst and to promote equitable healthcare access for all bodies.
Justin Satori, Resident Artist
Justin Satori graduated from IUPUI with a degree in Nursing. In addition to being a resident artist with CFAP, Justin teaches and directs high school color guard in the Indianapolis community. He has been dancing and teaching for about seven years now.