STAFF
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
curtis@ujimacoinc.org
Curtis Lovell, son of esteemed Lorna C. Hill, is a multifaceted artist who has left a significant mark on Buffalo, NY’s cultural scene. Born and raised in Buffalo, Curtis is known for his versatility as a director, actor, scenic designer, and teaching artist. His impressive career has earned him multiple ARTIE Awards and praise from Buffalo Spree.
Curtis’s directorial work includes notable productions such as “Stew,” “Toni Stone,” “Hair on Fire,” and “Choir Boy.” These works showcase his ability to bring complex stories to life with a unique creative vision. His music has also gained national attention, with features on "This American Life," highlighting his diverse artistic talents.
Beyond his individual achievements, Curtis plays a vital role as Artistic Director at Ujima Company. In this capacity, he helps shape the company’s future, supports emerging talent, and strengthens its presence in the arts community. Curtis’s ongoing contributions continue to inspire and elevate Buffalo's cultural landscape, solidifying his status as a key figure in local theatre and beyond.
Curtis
Lovell
Rachael
Jamison
Operations Manager
rachael@ujimacoinc.org
Rachael Jamison, our Operations Manager, is an actor, director, props master, and Company Member with Ujima Theater Company. Rachael studied acting under company founder Lorna C. Hill, attending the Buffalo Academy for Visual and Performing Arts for middle and high school, and began working with Ujima as a stagehand when she was 16 years old. She continued to study theater at Buffalo State College before returning to Ujima as costumer for our first show in our current home, Passing Strange. Rachael has been on our creative team consistently in various roles since 2019, and returned to the stage for her artie-nominated performance as Sarah Whitmore in Church & State. She teaches acting for our Dunbar Youth program, and teaches Theater to incarcerated individuals through Rehabilitation Through the Arts. She has recently worked as Director on Ujima's production of Big Butt Girls... and this season's The Thanksgiving Play.
Bob
Ball
Facilities Manager
Bob Ball graduated in 1971 with a BFA in Theatre Arts in directing from Rosary Hill College. Worked at the African American Cultural Center in 1970-21. Danced with Eclectic Arts. Danced with Floorplay Company in his 30's. Married in 1973, father to three beautiful children. When they were old enough he needed to do something purposeful in theatre again. He saw the first production of In De Beginnin at Ujima and he found a home. He mostly did technical work and set building for the theatre along with whatever was needed on or off of the stage by the Artistic Director. His most beloved productions are In De Beginnin, And Bid Him Sing, and Spunk.
MANAGING DIRECTOR
brian@ujimacoinc.org
Brian Brown is the Managing Director of Ujima Company. He has been a part of the Ujima family for 15 years, initially as a stage hand and has grown to take on the roles of stage manager, assistant director, marketing, and newly trained (under Margaret Smith) managing director. He is a graduate of SUNY Fredonia where he received a B.A. in Business Administration with a concentration in Music Business. It was during his time as a student at Buffalo Academy for the Visual and Perf. Arts (BAVPA) training under Lorna C. Hill, that he found his purpose and passion for performance and Theatre. As an actor/singer, Brian has starred in the past Ujima productions of "Spunk", "Passing Strange", "El Hajj Malik" and social justice favorite "Free Fred Brown!". Since the passing of our founder, Brian has been committed to the continuation of Lorna's legacy and the vision of artistic excellence, love, and justice for the beloved community.
Brian
Brown
Tioga
Simpson
Production Manager
tioga@ujimacoinc.org
Tioga Simpson began their journey in theater at a young age in Olean, NY, where they were actively involved with Olean Community Theater and the Olean Theater Workshop. They pursued their passion at SUNY Buffalo, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Theater in 2023. During their college years, Tioga directed multiple pieces as part of the Student Directed Series, further honing their skills and vision.
Joining Ujima Company Inc. in 2023, Tioga has stage managed productions like "Toni Stone," "Cullud Wattah," and "The African Company Presents Richard III." They also directed "Yalla Bitch" for the Irish Classical Theatre Company and was Assistant Director for "Once on This Island" and "The Color Purple." Tioga is currently the Production Manager at Ujima Company Inc., overseeing and coordinating productions with a focus on excellence and innovation.
Karen
Saxon
Musical Director
Karen Saxon was born and raised in Buffalo, NY. She is a graduate of Buffalo State College (B.A. in Vocal Performance) and of the University of Scranton (Master of Science in Educational Administration). Karen is an accomplished pianist, professional vocalist, and expert choral conductor.
Karen also was the student of Donald L. Hilliard and Alfred R. Jarrett (both former Supervisors of Music in the Buffalo Public Schools). Karen draws her inspiration from an absolute place of peace provided by vigorous, complete training and a desire to be fearless in musical interpretation. Karen plans to further her musical/artistic pursuits by teaching at the Ujima Theater’s Dunbar Project. She is committed to aiding young students in the discovery and release of their creative talents. Additionally, she continues to explore her own artistry by serving as Ujima’s Music Director.
She also will continue to enrich the community by maintaining as the Music Coordinator for the Baptist Ministers Conference of Buffalo and Vicinity, Minister of Music at the First Shiloh Baptist Church, Director of Music for the Empire Baptist Missionary Convention, and independently contracted artist for both vocal/land instrumental projects as needed.
Gabriella Mckinley
PROGRAM DIRECTOR
gabriella@ujimacoinc.org
Gabriella J. McKinley graduated from Buffalo State University with a Bachelors of Arts in Theater with a concentration in performance and administration. She graduated summa cum laude and was awarded the President's Medal for Outstanding Undergraduate Student and the Dean’s Award for Excellence in Theater. Post-graduation, Gabriella has worked with Buffalo State’s Anne Frank Project as the Student Engagement Coordinator and Teaching Artist where she developed programming, taught students, and trained teachers in story-based learning. Gabriella served as the Education and Community Outreach Coordinator for Shakespeare in Delaware Park creating programming and teaching classes that engaged people from all walks of life.
Gabriella is an actor, singer and dancer committed to telling meaningful stories that uplift stifled voices. She is committed to social justice and working with underserved populations, notably, previously incarcerated persons, and hopes to develop justice-based programming in service of these groups.
Naila
Ansari
Dance Director
Native of Buffalo, New York, Naila Ansari is an award-winning choreographer, director, and performing artist. Naila is the Dance Director and company member of Ujima Company, Inc., a distinguished MFA graduate from the University at Buffalo in Dance and a Cum Laude undergraduate of Point Park's Conservatory of Performing Arts Program. Naila is an original and former principal dancer for the August Wilson Center Dance Ensemble. She has danced and performed works for the legendary Lula Washington Dance Theatre and has had the privilege of dancing works by Robert Battle, Kyle Abraham, Camille A. Brown, Darrell Grand Moultrie, Sidra Bell, and Trebien Pollard, to name a few.
As an Assistant Professor in Theatre and Africana Studies at SUNY Buffalo State College, Naila has merged artistry and scholarship to build and create works through community and collaborative processes that facilitate conversations on race and Black Performance. As an activist and artist, she was the Art Director for MacArthur Fellow Rami Nashashibi and musician Drea D'Nur music video "MAMA PLEASE" serving as a national call to action dedicated to Cariol Holloman-Horne and intended to help pass Cariol’s Law in NY and throughout the US.
Her most recent project and a forthcoming digital series and book, The Movement of Joy, focuses on the performance of joy of Black women through the creative archiving of oral histories, movement histories, live-performance, and film.