LET’S TALK ABOUT SEX
Award-winning author Shelby Simpson has taken her no-holds-barred, grandma-panties-and-all, walk-of-no-shame book, “We’re All Bad In Bed,” and adapted it for the stage. Throw yourself into a boozy and non-judgemental atmosphere where audience members are encouraged to blush, laugh so hard they snot, sing along with the raunchiest rap the 90s had to offer, and punch their best friend on the shoulder because oh my god, Stacy, you know you did that EXACT thing with that guy you picked up at the bar last week. You are SUCH a freaknut.
CAST & CREW
Shelby Simpson - Creator and Producer
Shelby is an author and professional writer from Enid and based in Oklahoma City. For a decade, she traveled the world absorbing lessons in culture and storytelling. She recently returned to Oklahoma to pursue a master’s degree in professional writing at the University of Oklahoma. During her studies, Shelby wrote Good Globe, winner of 3 awards: 1st place Pacific Book Awards, 2nd and 3rd place CIPA EVVY Book Awards (motivational and memoir categories). Good Globe was also a finalist in the Indie Excellence Book Awards and received an exceptional review from Kirkus. Her 2nd book, We’re All Bad in Bed (inspiration for this production) earned 4 out of 5 stars from San Francisco Book Review and continues to garner stellar appraisal. Shelby is currently working on her 3rd book, a travel memoir showcasing the wild lives of backpackers. She is also busy trying to fit five lifetimes into one.
Matthew Alvin Brown - Director
Matthew Alvin Brown is a musician/theatre artist based in Oklahoma City. He is probably most known for his portrayal of Hedwig/Tommy Gnosis over a 16-year period in the rock musical, Hedwig and the Angry Inch at Pollard Theatre. Directing and Co-Directing credits include The Rocky Horror Show at Lyric Theatre, and The Sound of Music at Summerstock Productions. Regionally he’s directed Rent, Tommy, and Four Chords and a Gun. At Lyric, he’s has been on stage for Rocky Horror Show, Assassains, Spamalot, A Christmas Carol, Ragtime, Boeing Boeing, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Little Shop of Horrors, The Producers, and the solo show I am My Own Wife. At Pollard, he’s been in American Idiot and Passing Strange. CityRep: The Normal Heart, The 39 Steps, Next to Normal, Peter and the Starcatcher. OKCTC: Jesus Christ Superstar and Hedwig and the Angry Inch.
Hui Cha Poos - Choreographer
Hui Cha has worked in the industry as a dancer, choreographer, producer, instructor and director in London, Japan, Korea, British Columbia, Italy, and most of the United States. Her experience with and love for musical theatre began in Oklahoma with the shows A Chorus Line and Peter Pan. Later, she worked in Los Angeles and can be seen in the feature films “Batman & Robin” and “Happy Texas.” Other experience on stage includes playing Mickey & Minnie Mouse for several Disney premiers, being featured in a show with the Russian Imperial Circus, and sharing the stage with stars like Sandy Duncan, Ed Harris, Smokey Robinson, Paul McCartney & Busta Rhymes. Some video credits include Monifa, Candyman, and Brian Mcknight. Along with teaching full time at UCO, Hui has choreographed for many stage productions and co-founded Oklahoma Dance Alliance, OKLA Dance Connection, Groove Street Productions and is the founder and director of RACE Dance Company, the first professional Jazz/Contemporary/Hip Hop Dance Company in Oklahoma.
dancers
Chris Shepard – Lead Dancer
Chris Shepard is in his senior year in the Dance Department at the University of Central Oklahoma. He has performed with Rhythmically Speaking for over fourteen years and is a 6-year member of R.A.C.E. Dance Company’s Men of Race. He also has worked with the Pollard Theatre in: In The Heights, Shrek The Musical, The Color Purple, Hairspray, American Idiot and Bring It On.
Jennifer Rader - Dancer
Jennifer Rader is a native to Oklahoma City. She received her BFA in Modern Dance Performance through the University of Oklahoma, under the direction of Austin Hartel. There she performed works by Jose Limon, Donald McKayle, Raimondo Rebeck, and more. She had her international debut at the XXIV Seminario Internacional de Dança de Brasilia performing Tempestade e Impeto (Storm and Momentum) by Mônica Proenca. She went on to dance with Norwegian Cruise Lines Production Company in 2016/17.
Emma Prilaman – Flow Artist
Emma Prilaman is currently dancing and teaching with Perpetual Motion Dance - an OKC based modern and aerial dance company, as well as performing as a hoop dancer and flow artist while teaching throughout the metro. Emma received her degree in Dance Performance from the University of Central Oklahoma in 2017, where she was a company member of the Kaleidoscope Dance Company for three years. Emma has had the opportunity to work with world renowned choreographers such as Noa Shiloh, Idan Cohen, and William Evans. Emma’s has fortunate enough to perform in Canada, study in Paris, as well as working on recent collaborations with Meow Wolf and Factory Obscura. She is incredibly thankful to be joining the cast of Bad in Bed LIVE! and excited to continue bringing innovative art to the OKC community and beyond.
Stephen Wafer - Dancer
Stephen Wafer (aka Dr. D.) received his bachelor’s degree in dance performance at the University of Central Oklahoma. He now dances in the professional dance company R.A.C.E., which he has been a part of for 6 years. But most importantly, his favorite color is Matte Grey, he is a Scorpio, empathetic, and loves seeing the joy in others! Ladies and gentlemen, introducing Dr. D! And yes, the D. stands for Dimples.
Rachel Runnels - Dancer
Rachel Runnels (new last name coming soon…) has a background in musical theater but fell madly in love with dance at the age of 18. She has a BFA in Dance Performance from the University of Central Oklahoma, currently teaches dance, and coaches a high school pom squad. She recently retired her own poms after a four year run as an NBA cheerleader for the Oklahoma City Thunder. When not teaching or dancing on the court, she enjoys organizing, making lists, watching bad reality tv and eating, although most of her free time these days is spent wedding planning. (Send help!)
RAPPERS
Cristela Carrizales - Rapper
Cristela is a respected Oklahoma City actor, singer, and improvisor. Currently, she is the Artistic Director of OKC Improv as well as the founder of The City Cabaret OKC. She has appeared in a number of stage productions around OKC. When she got her Bachelor of Arts in Theater at Texas Wesleyan University, she never expected to be using those skills to perform gangsta rap. But what the hell, she’s up for anything, so she’s glad to be in this production.
Deonna Cattledge - Rapper
Deonna Marie Cattledge is a professional classical singer, a celebrity vocal coach, a professional actress and host of Wednesdays With You, her trendy and motivational Facebook series. Deonna Marie has earned 3 degrees in vocal performance and has performed in venues and on stages all over the country as well as internationally including the Umbria Jazz Festival in Italy and the 2018 Atlanta Black Theater Festival. She now resides in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma where she earned her Bachelors of Music from Oklahoma City University and her Masters of Music from the University of Central Oklahoma. She has been a recurring guest soloist on TBN as well as on the Fox News. In addition, Deonna Marie can be seen and heard in tv, film, and radio in Oklahoma City. She most recently played Kalista Howard in The Life Cycle of a Butterfly, a new play by LaCharles Purvey and produced by The Vanguart, Oklahoma City’s first black owned theatrical production company. She is the founder of Deonna Marie | The Gift of Voice which promotes vocal awareness to prevent vocal issues and vocal disorders by educating and coaching vocal professionals.
Miillie Mesh - Rapper
If Oklahoma City’s rap scene were to crown a queen tomorrow, no active performer would have a better case for the throne than the gold lady herself: Miillie Mesh. Yes, that’s two “I’s” after the “M” — as in the two eyes you’ll need to see and believe one of the state’s top live hip-hop acts. In 2017, Miillie was named Female Artist of the Year in 2 separate awards shows: the Deleah Tishay Awards and the Oklahoma Hip-Hop Awards. That year, she also opened for “The God MC” Rakim at and performed as headliner in the all-female AMP FEST for the second consecutive year.
PRODUCTION TEAM
Neely + Queen – Stylist/Interior Designers
Neely + Queen Design created the fabulous set for Bad In Bed Live’s tour. Approaching the design with an eye for color and mood, they managed to balance highbrow concepts with lowbrow humor, and balanced placement with outlandish pieces. Our personal favorite touches are the notches on the bed headboard and the zodiac sexual positions screen, but you’ll find dozens of other hilarious and beautiful details if you look hard enough.
Matthew A. Sykes – Sound Designer
Matthew works with theatres and production companies to add depth to shows through the magic of sound. Some of his past projects include the following: Fresh Paint Performance Lab, Scissortail; Lyric: Junie B. Jones, Fantasticks, and I Am My Own Wife; Thelma Gaylord Academy: 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Seussical, Some Assembly Required, The Addams Family, Alice in Wonderland, and Rockademy’s The Wall; Tulsa Project Theatre: The Who’s Tommy, I Am My Own Wife, and Four Chords and a Gun.
Audrey Mantia - Production Stage Manager
Audrey is a local stage manager from the OKC area and is excited to be a part of this new work. Audrey is studying to receive her bachelors in Theatre Design and Production from Oklahoma City University with an emphasis in Stage Management and Prop Design. Some of her most recent credits include working on the stage management team for Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma’s summer 2018 season. She would like to thank Matthew Alvin Brown for his friendship and inviting her on this project.
DISCLAIMER FROM THE WRITER:
The music in this production has been specifically chosen to not only trigger memories of a specific sexual era for me, but to also compliment my storytelling. To honor the intentions of the artists that created these songs, I’ve chosen to use the original versions while presenting them from a female perspective. The goal is to flip the script on the derogatory language…but…not all the language. The n-word is one that neither I nor the cast will ever perpetuate, condone, or attempt to own. Out of respect for our community, unity, and equality, the rappers are substituting all uses of the n-word.
With gratitude and love from me and my crew—sit back, relax, and strap on your seatbelt. - Shelby
A SPECIAL ASS THANKS:
The Bad in Bed LIVE production would not have been possible without the help of many. The following people/companies offered their expertise, talent, and unwavering support. We thank you a million times.
Refresh Creative Management - Social Media & Marketing
Katie Ketchum Talley -Photography
Austin Nieves - Sizzlin' Swing Dancer
Chris Reader - Tech Wizard
Darrian Brimberry - Light Ninja
Taylor Rouse - Stage Management Magician
Mary Wuestewald - Marketing team member for the book We’re All Bad in Bed
Jake McClure - Marketing team member for the book We’re All Bad in Bed