About Me
Background from flickr userWhen it comes to learning her craft, CaSaundra Ce'Moune has tried her hand at everything. Born and raised in Detroit, MI, she is an aspiring actress and playwright, currently pursuing her PH.D., at Western Michigan University (Kalamazoo, MI), where she also received her MFA in Playwriting, and her B.A. in Performance Theatre. "Acting is my first love, but there is a secret to it. It's a blessing to have the gift of understanding the human condition. To be able to have the versatility to adjust to your environment, your surroundings, people, and make it home, is not an easy thing to do for most. As an actor, you have to allow yourself to be vulnerable." Some of CaSaundra's credits include: Charles Fuller's 'Zooman and the Sign (Ash Boswell); Theodore Ward's 'Big White Fog' (Juanita); Pearl Cleage's 'Flyin' West (Minnie Dove Charles); August Wilson's 'The Piano Lesson' (Berniece) and 'Settling Sophia' (Dulcie Mae Reynolds). She's worn the hat of assistant director to her mentor Dr. Von H. Washington Sr., Professor of Multicultural Theatre at Western, in the university productions of August Wilson's 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom', and the debut of playwright Cheryl Floyd-Millers' 'Settling Sophia'. She was also one of the original cast members of Cross Colors, a multicultural theatre company founded and directed by Dr. Washington. In 2006, CaSaundra joined Washington Productions, an acting company founded by Von and his wife Fran, and performed in a selected-city university tour of the production of 'Rosa Parks: More Than a Bus Story', A Dramatic/Musical Celebration of Life in Two Movements written by Dr. Washington, and Mr. Gregory J. Reed. A play based on the autobiography of Mrs. Parks entitled, Quiet Strength, written by Mrs. Parks and Gregory J. Reed. Some of the venues included Wayne State University's infamous Bonstelle Theatre in Detroit, MI, and the equally infamous O'Shaugnessy Theatre in Minneapolis, MN. The dedicated thespian, is a member of the Whole Art Theatre in Kalamazoo, and actively participates in the Third Coast/Shenandoah Playwright's Festival, founded by Mr. and Mrs. Robert and Catherine Small. She performed a versatile role in ' Am I Black Enough? by visiting playwright, Mr. Clinton Johnston, and the role of "Arleta Storie" in Von Washington's, 'Conspiracy', in the festival's summer productions. In 2007, CaSaundra joined an ensemble cast to play the part of "Reba" in Von Washington's 'Remnants From Senegal', which earned a spot in the National Black Theatre Festival, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and received high acclaim for her performance. The festival is attended bi-annually by some of the most recognizable African-American actors and actresses of our time.
CaSaundra grew up singing in the Youth Chorale, Allegro, and Adult Choirs of the St. James Missionary Baptist Church, in Detroit, MI under the leadership of the late Rev. Charles H. Nicks, Jr. and the directorship of the late Jimmy "JD" Dowell. She absolutely loves to sing, and mainly uses her gift to uplift the name of Jesus Christ. "I gotta admit, I still luhs me some R&B doe." One of CaSaundra's favorite quotes is, "If it had not been for the Lord on my side, where would I be?" She is a member of the Mt. Zion Baptist Church, in Kalamazoo, MI, under the pastoral leadership of Rev. Addis Moore, and the directorship of Rev. Larry D. Allen. She serves as choir director in the Combined Choir, and member of the Teaching Ministry, Praise Team, and Women's Step Team "Step It Up". She is a member of the gospel group Carolyn Quinn and Adoration. She has participated as a judge and mentor in the N.A.A.C.P Metropolitan Kalamazoo Branch of ACT-SO.
Her hobbies include: Sleeping--"Whenever I get the opportunity!!!!"; hanging out with her son whom she credits as being her motivation and the driving force behind her success, and traveling. She is also a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., and Alpha Kappa Mu Honor Society. Upon the completion of her studies, CaSaundra intends to sow more quality time into her son "pursuing a PH.d, can be a very selfish endeavor, but I can do all things through Christ Jesus who gives me strength," to continue to pursue her acting career, and dedicate time to her plays, "Shoot, it's time to produce, in all areas of my life, time to Step It Up!" Her goal, is to eventually found an after-school program for the arts that will nurture the artistic gifts of inner-city youth, who otherwise wouldn't have the means or the venue for a creative outlet. She is an instructor of Playwriting, Multicultural Literature, Black American Literature, and Introduction to African-American Theatre History at Western Michigan University.CaSaundra dedicates all of her success to her Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, and to the memory of her mother Sandra Fay 1945-2007
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