Roshunda Jones-Koumba graduated from Prairie View A&M University with a B.A. in theatre and a Master of Education in administration. She is the proud recipient of the Stephen Schwartz Musical Theatre Teacher of the Year Award and EdTA Inspirational Theatre Educator Award. Jones was recently inducted into the Texas Thespians Hall of Fame and received the inaugural Arts Educator of the Year from the TUTS Leading Ladies organization. She was also TxETA’s 2017 Educator of the Year and Aldine ISD Carver High School’s teacher of the year in 2009 & 2014. As the director of the Panther Players Troupe #6753, the troupe has been successful on the state and national level at the UIL One Act Play contest, Tommy Tune Awards, Texas Thespians State Festival and International Thespian Festival. Jones currently serves on the chapter board for Texas Thespians, UIL OAP Advisory Committee Chair Elect, board of directors for Texas Educational Theatre Association and president for the C. Lee Turner’s Black Theatre Educators’ Caucus. In addition, she was the director of the Litefooter youth program at the Plaza Theatre for eleven years where she was part of the board of directors for four. She was honored with a proclamation from the City of Wharton for the work she did in the community. During her limited free time, she's a teaching artist for TUTS Humphreys School of Musical Theatre, Ensemble Theatre and works as an actor/director in the South Texas area theatre scene. Some of her directorial credits include It Ain’t Nothin' but the Blues (2017 Broadway World Houston award for Best Director-Musical), Lady Day @ Emerson's Bar & Grill (2016 Broadway World Houston award for Best Director- Play), Working (TUTS HSMT), Bring it On (TUTS HSMT), Legend of Mountain Mama (Ensemble Theatre), Soundtrack to Black History (PVAMU), Big Fish (Wild fish), Tobacco Fields (Fade to Black Fest), Sister Act, Carmen Jones, Jelly’s Last Jam, Once on this Island, Hairspray, Memphis, In the Heights, Color Purple & Dreamgirls. Her greatest joy in teaching is witnessing students reach their fullest potential while gaining an appreciation for the arts. Special thanks to her theatre partner in crime, Jabari Collins. She would also like to thank her supportive parents (Errol & Rose Mary), Joel, family and friends for their love and support
Jabari Collins is currently serving his 10th year as technical director for G. W. Carver High Magnet, and the award winning Panther Players troupe #6753. He was selected as the Texas Educator's Theatre Association 2021 Secondary teacher of the Year. He was awarded the coveted title of Carver High School’s 2015 Teacher of the Year & was a district secondary teacher of the year finalist. Jabari is the proud parent of Cameron Lee Collins and a veteran of the United States Army where he served for nine months in Balaad, Iraq. Jabari received his bachelors of art and his Masters in Education Administration degree from Prairie View A&M University. Jabari worked closely under the tutelage of the legendary Professor C. Lee. Turner, where he met his co-worker Roshunda Jones. During his limited free time, you can catch Mr. Collins working as an actor/technician, also serving as an independent scenic contractor, collaborating with numerous organizations within the Houston area. He often works for IATSE Local 51and is a technician with generations AV He is the board secretary for Shabach Enterprise and Production manager/technical director for "Fade to Black", the first playwright festival for African American playwrights Houston. His directorial & choreographic credits include Jelly’s Last Jam, Once On this Island, Ghost, Hairspray, Memphis, In the Heights, Color Purple, Little Shop of Horrors, Porgy, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, The Me Nobody Knows, Thoughts of a Colored Man, for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf, The Face of Emmett Till, & To Be Young Gifted & Black, Carmen jones, Sister Act, The Diviners, Holy Ghost, & Dreamgirls to name a few. He is a certified UIL contest manager, uil technical adjudicator, member of USITT, and serves as house manager/ adjudicator for Texas Thespians.