Cast Revealed for Freedom Riders: The Civil Rights Musical Concert at City College Center for the Arts

(New York, NY) Tuesday, September 23rd, 2025 - The cast for the highly anticipated concert of Freedom Riders: The Civil Rights Musical, has been officially announced. This powerful musical event will take place at the City College Center for the Arts in Aaron Davis Hall – Marian Anderson Theater on September 24–25, 2025 at 7 pm. Featuring an impressive lineup of talent, the concert dramatizes the story of the 1961 Freedom Rides, a crucial chapter in American civil rights history.

The cast includes Olivia LaBarge, Marcel Joshua, Aja Downing, Steven Sawan, Tyler Hardwick, Traven Harrington, Andreas Wyder, Da’Zaria Harris, and Meagan Flint. Each cast member will portray an interracial group of young activists who risked their lives to challenge segregation and ignite a national movement, embodying the spirit and determination of those who participated in the original Freedom Rides. Their performances will bring to life the intense emotions and historical significance of this pivotal moment in history.
The concert is directed by Richard Allen, an award-winning composer, filmmaker, and playwright, and musically directed by conductor and composer Ahmed Alabaca, with book by Richard Allen and music and lyrics by Richard Allen and Taran Gray. Freedom Riders was honored with Best Music at the 2017 New York Musical Festival, alongside multiple other NYMF accolades. It has since gained national attention for its emotional resonance and historical precision.
The concert will also announce the recipients of the John Lewis Award of Freedom. This prestigious recognition celebrates individuals whose work reflects the lifelong fight for justice, equality, and nonviolent change exemplified by the late Congressman John Lewis. The award recipients will be celebrated for their contributions to continuing the legacy of the Freedom Riders and the vision of a more just society.
Tickets are now available, Please Click HERE

The concert is inspired by the original Freedom Rides, which were integrated bus rides through the South aimed at testing and defying segregation laws. These college-age activists faced violent opposition, unjust arrests, and a government slow to act, yet their commitment to nonviolent protest and unwavering resolve altered the course of American history. Through storytelling and musical expression, Freedom Riders transforms this historical narrative into an essential viewing experience for modern audiences.

As the concert approaches, excitement continues to build around the opportunity to witness this unique blend of history and art. Freedom Riders: The Civil Rights Musical Concert promises to be a memorable event that not only entertains but also educates, reminding audiences of the sacrifices made in the pursuit of civil rights and the ongoing journey toward equality.
Poster link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1t_lLQ20lgNwmf3-cYOM1c7_gKDp_yO9H/view
Olivia LaBarge is a vocalist, actor, and voice instructor based in New York City.
Performance credits include Hong Kong Disneyland, Holland America Line, Lois
Franklin in Sh-Boom!, Barbarina in Le Nozze di Figaro, and Wendy Darling in Peter
Pan, among others. Her voice can also be heard on numerous Theatre for Young
Audiences (TYA) cast recordings with Broadway Licensing Global and Beat by Beat
Press. In addition to performing, Olivia owns her voice studio, Quarter Life Creative, and is a gender-affirming voice instructor with Seattle Voice Lab. She is honored to lend her voice to this production and extends her deepest thanks to Richard and Taran for this incredible opportunity. In today’s fractured social and political climate, this story feels more vital than ever. May this production move you to feel, reflect, and act.

Marcel Joshua is thrilled to be making his debut in Freedom Riders: The Civil Rights Musical. Marcel Joshua is a Montclair State University BFA Musical Theatre grad who’s been chasing storytelling, rhythm, and real connection ever since — one role (and eight-count) at a time. Recent and favorite credits include Pippin (Vanguard Theater Company), Sophisticated Ladies (Montclair State University), Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Greenbrier Valley Theatre), and Matilda (Forestburgh Playhouse). He recently played Flick in Violet and served as assistant choreographer for the new musical workshop Collateral Beauty. To learn more, visit www.marceljoshua.com or follow him on Instagram @marceljoshuaaa.

Aja Downing is extremely pleased and excited to be apart of this project and ready for all the projects to come. Aja has been living and working in New York City for 10 years. She is extremely grateful and pleased for the community that she has found not only in this city, but through the wonderful community of theater and art. She graduated from AMDA in 2016. Some of Aja's previous roles were Lorrell Robinson in Dreamgirls ,Annette in TjLovesSally4eva, and Ella Baker in Bayard. Aja would like to thank her Mom and dad for all their support and love!

Steven Sawan (John Seigenthaler) is thrilled to help bring this show to New York audiences! National Tour: Tina: The Tina Turner Musical (Erwin Bach). Other favorites include Frozen (Prince Hans), Dogfight (Eddie Birdlace), and Something Rotten (Shakespeare). Proud graduate of Providence College and The Boston Conservatory at Berklee. StevenSawanActing.com

Tyler Hardwick Broadway: Once On This Island (Storyteller OBC); Motown the
Musical (Eddie Kendricks); Tours: Once On This Island (Daniel); Company the
Musical (PJ); Dreamgirls (C.C. White); Motown the Musical (Norman Whitfield); New York: The Tempest (Ferdinand); Bliss (Toby); Popstar (Robby); Regional:
Steppenwolf (Choir Boy - Pharus); The Old Globe (Hair- Claude); The 5th Avenue
(Marie, Dancing Still - Gilbert); Casa Mañana (RENT - Angel); TV/Film: “Six Till
Midnight” (Supporting); “Pose” on FX; NBC’s “The Blacklist”; “Pullout” (Lead); The 72nd Annual Tony Awards; Good Morning America 3 on ABC (Solo Segment); Follow me! INSTAGRAM: @tylerhar
Traven Harrington is extremely grateful and excited to be a part of this story!
Traven’s credits include CATS(RCCL), Into the Woods(Regional) , JESUS(Sight and Sound Theatres), I Dream(Opera Carolina), and more. To GOD be the glory, for the great things HE has done! All love to my family, friends, and cast and creative team!

Andreas Wyder is honored to be telling this story with such a brilliant team.
Select credits: NATIONAL TOURS: How The Grinch Stole Christmas: The
Musical (Young Max) for 4 years, Peter Pan 360 (Nibs), Titanic the Musical; OFFBROADWAY/NYC: Interstate (Theatre Row), Kerrigan/Lowdermilk's immersive The Bad Years, The Circus Animals (York Theatre), Little House On The Ferry, workshops of Carner + Gregor's TOAST; REGIONAL: World Premiere of Mad Hatter the Musical, Mamma Mia!, Next to Normal, Matilda The Musical; Traveled the world as a Specialty Vocalist with Celebrity Cruises on EDGE and APEX. Debut single "Angels" streaming on all platforms! www.andreaswyder.com / @AndreasWyder.

Da’Zaria Harris is a Florida based actress. After graduating from American Musical and Dramatic Academy in NYC she has since performed in many productions. Some performances include Truvy Jones in St. Luke’s Production of Steel Magnolias, Ruth Younger in The Garden Theaters production of Raisin in the Sun, her performance in Godspell at Garden Theater, Lady of the Spa in Nine: the musical with Central Florida Vocal Arts, the live Christmas show “Joyful, a Celebration of the Season” at Disney World’s Epcot in Orlando Florida, her role of “Minnie” in Parade at the Garden Theater, her role of “Belle” in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast at the Garden Theater, “Flippy” in the national tour of “Dogman the Musical”, Annabeth in The Lightning Thief TYA national tour, Pearl in The
SpongeBob SquarePants Musical and her recent role as Juno/Maxine in Beetlejuice the Musical on Norwegian Cruise lines. She is excited to be a part of Freedom Riders and hope the audience leave with gained knowledge and an eagerness to make a positive change in the world today.

Meagan Flint is so excited to be a part of a Freedom Riders production again. She has been in the theater world since she was a little girl, and feels so blessed to be a part of this fantastic musical once again. Since day one, Meagan has been a part of this project, and has had the privilege to perform in it ever since then. Nowadays you can find Meagan being a full time nanny, but still uses her skills to sing wherever and whenever. This project is very near and dear to her heart, and thanks her family and friends whom have been so supportive along the way.