2nd Annual All-St. Louis Holiday Reading of A Christmas Carol
By Charles Dickens
Live and In-Person Fundraiser
Tuesday, December 7, 2021
The Sheldon Concert Hall and Galleries

Caroling St. Louis (Jen Theby-Quinn, Jessica Lydon, Chris Clausen, and John Flack)
Caroling St. Louis has been in the St. Louis area for over 30 years. The organization features singers from Stages, the Muny, the St. Louis Symphony Chorus, as well as music educators and church musicians in their ranks of 29 singers. Caroling St. Louis loves performing in the St. Louis area, celebrating holiday cheer!

Vanessa Cooksey, President and CEO, Regional Arts Commission
Serving as RAC’s third President & CEO, Vanessa has held marketing, communications, and philanthropy leadership roles with various government, non-profit and for-profit organizations including Washington University, Wells Fargo, Anheuser-Busch, Cartoon Network, The City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office, Save-A-Lot Food Stores and Mary Kay Cosmetics. A lover of the arts, Vanessa has championed funding for arts and culture in her previous roles. Vanessa believes that her three decades of continuous community service is the foundation of her personal and professional success. She currently serves on the board of directors for several nonprofit organizations including the SIFMA Foundation for Investor Education, Harris Stowe State University, Mercy Hospitals and The Deaconess Foundation. Vanessa earned her bachelor’s degree in Radio-Television-Film from the University of Texas at Austin and a master’s degree in Business Administration from Webster University. A student of governance and culture, Vanessa has studied in Europe, Asia, Central America, and Africa.

James Croft, Leader, Ethical Society of Saint Louis
James never stops talking, so it's lucky that his job requires a lot of it! As Leader for the Ethical Society of Saint Louis, James is a public face for the community, ensuring that Ethical Humanist values are represented at rallies and protests, in schools and universities, and in the media. James believes that our culture desperately needs a Humanist moral voice, and he's determined to provide one. You can often find James yelling through a megaphone or posting on Facebook. He loves Star Trek way too much, and tries to find a way to work a Star Trek reference into every Platform Address.

Terry Crow, Mayor of University City
Terry is a father, businessman, and attorney who loves University City and sees its great potential. He has lived in University City for over 20 years, and has served on the city council for the last decade. Terry brings an extensive legal and financial background to the University City City Council. He has previously served as President and CEO of the Edward Jones Trust Company, an entity that he created and grew for Edward Jones and became a general partner of the firm. As a general partner, Terry became responsible for the financial planning department of Edward Jones, giving lectures to financial advisors, management, and clients across the country. He also was CEO of the Guaranty Trust Company of Missouri, a privately held trust company in Clayton, Missouri that offers personal trust and investment management services to businesses and individuals. Currently, Terry is an owner of several Great Clips hair salons. He is also a partner of Crow and Takacs, LLC. A lifelong volunteer, Terry is the recipient of the prestigious Michael Edlin Award from Doorways, a nonprofit that offers supportive housing for people with HIV/AIDS. He served on the Doorways board of directors for 10 years, five of which he served as chair. Terry has also served as Chairman of the Board for the St. Louis County Children’s Service Fund. Terry has completed business coursework at Harvard University, Claremont College, and the London Business School. He earned his law degree from the University of Missouri—Columbia and a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Westminster College.

Dr. Joseph S. Davis, Lead Learner, Equity Warrior, Superintendent of Ferguson-Florissant School District
Moved by the events in Ferguson during 2014, Dr. Joseph Davis pursued the superintendent opening in the Ferguson-Florissant School District and in the summer of 2015 moved his family from North Carolina to the community he now calls home and began serving the community as Superintendent. His role as Superintendent is the culmination of a lifetime as an educator starting as a bus driver then teacher, assistant principal and principal at Vick Elementary School, Darden Middle School and Hunt High School in Wilson, North Carolina. Dr. Davis also served as a Deputy Chief of Schools in the Chicago Public Schools, in Chicago, Illinois. Dr. Davis is an equity warrior in the purest sense of the word. He is committed to creating opportunities for all children and especially children of color who are economically disadvantaged in whom Dr. Davis sees himself and his own experience growing up as a Black male with limited access to resources for academic success in the south. However, with the support of his mother and grandmother he persevered and ultimately earned his doctorate at Harvard. Every time he speaks on the topic of equity, he emphatically proclaims that he is, “not about bringing anyone down, but about bringing everyone up and creating equitable opportunities for ALL children!” Dr. Davis consistently works to identify barriers to success then leads his team to mitigate those barriers.

Adaron “Pops” Jackson, Musician
Educator, musician, and clinician Adaron “Pops” Jackson serves as Assistant Teaching Professor and Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Missouri – St. Louis. At UMSL he conducts the University Jazz Orchestra and teaches Jazz Improvisation. Originally from East St. Louis, IL, Adaron has performed and toured nationally as well as internationally with a diverse array of artists and ensembles including the Birch Creek Academy Band, Frank Morgan, Victor Mendoza, Steve Houghton, Clay Jenkins, Red Holloway, The Temptations, Wallace Roney, Ellis Marsalis, Arturo Sandoval, Greg Tardy, Slide Hampton, and many others. Performances include appearances at the Jazz at Lincoln Center: Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola, Chicago Jazz Festival, Capitol Jazz Festival, Kansas City Blues and Jazz Festival. As a composer and arranger, Adaron has written works for various ensembles ranging from small to large, most recently the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra (SLSO). Among other notable institutions, Adaron has previously served on faculty at Washington University St. Louis and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Currently, he serves as faculty at Birch Creek Music Center and Jazz St. Louis. As an educator, Adaron teaches master classes and remains an active clinician/adjudicator at numerous festivals across the country. He received his BA and MM from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

Ellie Kemper, Actor, Writer
Ellie Kemper is the Emmy-nominated star of the Netflix original series, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. She portrayed Erin Hannon on NBC’s The Office; costarred in Bridesmaids; and has also appeared in 21 Jump Street, Identity Thief, and Somewhere. Ellie voiced Katie in The Secret Life of Pets and is the voice of Crackle on Disney’s Sofia the First. Her writing has appeared in GQ, Esquire, The New York Times, McSweeney’s, and The Onion. Her autobiographical book My Squirrel Days features tales of her childhood in St. Louis, how she found her comedic calling in the world of improv, and more. Ellie currently lives in Manhattan with her husband and son. You can see Ellie in the new movie Home Sweet Home Alone on Disney+.

Abby Llorico, Journalist
Abby Llorico joined 5 On Your Side as a multimedia journalist—writing, shooting, and editing—in April 2017. Before coming home to report in St. Louis, Abby worked in Indianapolis and Washington D.C. She was most recently a reporter and anchor in Central Illinois, where she received a “Best TV Reporter” nomination from the Illinois Broadcasters Association. Abby wakes up early weekday mornings to report for Today in St. Louis. Abby also hosts a podcast called Abby Eats St. Louis where she dishes out the stories behind the St. Louis food scene. Abby earned a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Indiana University Bloomington.

Casey Nolen, Anchor and Editor
Casey Nolen is an anchor and political editor at 5 On Your Side in St. Louis. He co-anchors early evening newscasts on Fridays and evening newscasts on Saturdays. Casey's television career started behind the scenes as a photographer in Columbia, Missouri. From there, TV took him on adventures on the Gulf Coast and in the Pacific Northwest. From Mobile, Alabama to Portland, Oregon, Casey teamed up with reporters to cover stories ranging from Hurricane Katrina to the re-eruption of Mount St. Helen's. Casey grew up in Chaffee, Missouri and attended University of Missouri. He came to 5 On Your Side in 2007 as a multi-media journalist. That meant he often worked along, shooting and editing his own stories for live reports on 5 On Your Side at 10 pm. He's also covered some of the world's biggest stories, including the aftermath of the 2010 Haiti earthquake, and the Olympic Games in London, Sochi, and Rio de Janeiro. In March 2020, Casey was named 5 On Your Side's political editor, which reinforces the station's commitment to covering local and regional politics in a more focused way. Casey's work has earned him Mid-America Emmy Awards and the Illinois Associated Press named him the "Best Reporter" for the Chicago and St. Louis television markets.

Denise Thimes, Jazz Vocalist
After describing her brilliant voice as a perfect mix of Nancy, Sassy, and Lady Day, it came only naturally that the late legendary jazz trumpeter Clark Terry would, at New York’s historical Flushing Town Hall, select Denise Thimes as that night’s featured vocalist. Over the course of a multi-faceted career spanning just a little under 3 decades, Thimes is no stranger to the music world, growing up in a home surrounded by all types of music from her father & radio icon, the late Lou “Fatha” Thimes. Thimes has performed with such jazz notables as Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra (St. Louis, MO), the late Clark Terry (The Blue Note-NY), Dr. Billy Taylor, Earl May, Benny Powell (Flushing Town Hall), and James Moody (Blue Note-NY). She has also graced the stage with the likes of Houston Person, Jimmy & Tootie Heath, Bobby McFerrin, and Bucky Pizzarelli.

Jacqueline Thompson, Actor, Director, Educator
Jacqueline Thompson is an accomplished actor, director, and educator. As an assistant professor of theater at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, she is passionate about providing students opportunities to explore their creativity and embrace their individuality. She recently directed MTC's production of Idris Goodwin's Ghost and Four Little Girls: Birmingham 1963 at COCA. She also directed MTC's Games Dad Didn't Play and performed in Afflicted: Daughters of Salem. As an actor she has a performed with the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, The Black Rep, Shakespeare Festival St. Louis, Upstream Theater, Mustard Seed Theatre, and New Jewish Theatre. In March 2018, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch recognized Jacqueline not only as one of St. Louis's most versatile performers, but also as one of six women shaping the arts and entertainment in St. Louis. She received a St. Louis Theater Circle Award for Outstanding Actress in a Drama as well as an artist fellowship from the Regional Arts Commission. In 2019, she received a Saint Louis Visionary Award. She was also selected by Theatre Communications Group (TCG) to participate in The Rising Leaders of Color program.

Michael Thanh Tran, Actor and Animator
Michael Thanh Tran (he/him) is thrilled to be returning to Metro Theater Company. Having previously served as the Animator Designer and Video Editor for MTC’s Jacked!, Michael is a local St. Louis actor, director, and teaching artist who hopes to cultivate greater intersectional diversity in the performing arts, nurture growth within communities, foster innovative theatrical exploration, and to connect diverse, multi-generational audiences. Most recently he played Oswald / King of France in St. Louis Shakespeare Festival’s production of King Lear starring Tony Award winner Andre De Shields as the title role. Regional: Pride and Prejudice (The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis), La Traviata (Opera Theatre of Saint Louis), Aida (The Muny), Othello and As You Like It (Hoosier Shakespeare Festival). Workshops include: madaling sabihin (Envisage Play Festival) and Suffer the Children (COCA). Michael has a BFA in acting from Webster Conservatory. To learn more about Michael, his work, and his mission, visit michaelthanhtran.com.

Streaming Broadcast Readers Include

Ken Page
Lt. Governor Mike Kehoe
Aisha Sultan
Dr. Tim Eberlein
John Mozeliak
Ruth Ezell
Dr. Joseph Davis
Alan Davis
Julius B. Anthony
Dr. Erin Kane
Jennifer Lin and Sasha Lin-Osborn
Carol North
Carl Overly, Jr.
Alicia Revé Like
Roxane McWilliams
Deborah Jackson Taffa
Miranda Rodriguez Rosbach