Celebrating Black History at Alley Theatre
Alley Theatre is proud to celebrate Black History Month 2025, honoring Black communities and creatives. Resident Acting Company members David Rainey and Michelle Elaine discuss Black representation in theatre, while Resident Artist Amber Gray shares her journey as a Black woman in creative leadership.
Resident Artist Amber Gray shares her journey as a Black woman in creative leadership. More than just a reflection on the past, this celebration is a bold commitment to uplifting and championing Black creatives—today and beyond. In addition to directing the remount production of A Christmas Carol this season, Amber also assists with producing, casting, and assistant directing duties.
Resident Acting Company members David Rainey and Michelle Elaine discuss Black representation in theatre.
David Rainey is in his 24th season as a Resident Acting Company member recently appearing in Noises Off. He has also performed with The National Actors Theatre, Guthrie Theater, Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Manhattan Theatre Club, Berkeley Rep, Theatre de la Jeune Lune, Hartford Stage, Dallas Theater Center, among others. He received the Juilliard Drama Division’s highest honor, the Michel and Suria Saint-Denis Prize. And he is the owner of Studio for Actors Houston.
Michelle Elaine is a Resident Acting Company member. Michelle originated the role of Miss Scarlet in the First National Tour of Clue: A New Comedy. Favorite Alley Theatre credits: Noises Off, A Christmas Carol, Clue, Dead Man’s Cell Phone, Sense and Sensibility, Sweat, Quack, and All The Way. Michelle was awarded the Houston Press Awards Best Supporting Actress for her role as the title character in Clyde’s at The Ensemble Theatre. Stages: POTUS. Check out Michelle’s web series @castmedammit on YouTube! michelleelaineofficial.com.
Amber D. Gray is a theatre Producer, Director, Performer, and Administrator. She received a BFA in Musical Theater at Rockford University. Her first major performances began at a very young age performing around Houston including the Opening of the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, Superbowl XXXVIII Pre-game show with Josh Groban, for previous Presidents, and much more. Amber previously performed in the Chicago area receiving her Equity Membership Candidacy. Amber then returned to Houston and began directing, choreographing, teaching Musical Theatre, and later becoming a Dance Studio Director. Amber’s career led her to Washington DC where she was the Company Manager at Arena Stage Theater. Following DC, Amber found herself in NYC as the Assistant Line Producer at The Public Theater. She has now returned to Houston Assistant Directing (Alley Theatre’s High School Play, A Nostalgia Fest; Stages Repertory Theatre: upcoming, cullud wattah) and recently performed in Stages Repertory Theatre’s Putnam County Spelling Bee as Marcy. She is currently the Associate Artistic Director for New York’s Reading Series BlackBoard Plays, Artistic Producer for the national Black Motherhood and Parenting New Play Festival, General Manager for Detroit’s Obsidian Theatre Festival, and the Senior Producer for GhostLight Productions, Inc. For more information about Amber, please visit her website at amberdgray.com.
