OUR TEAM
LORI PITTS
Artistic Director - Ally Theatre Company
Founder - Voices Unbarred
Facilitator
Lori Pitts (she/her) is a facilitator, Theatre of the Oppressed Joker, teaching artist, actor, director, and improvisor in the DMV area who is passionate about creating platforms for voices that often go unheard. She is the Artistic Director of Ally Theatre Company, and the founder of Voices Unbarred, a program of Ally Theatre that collaborates with people impacted by incarceration, artists, and policy organizations to reimagine the prison system and advocate for change using Theatre of the Oppressed. Pitts also teaches and performs regularly with Young Playwrights’ Theater and has most recently been seen on stage with Second City, Rorschach Theatre, The Welders, and Washington Improv Theatre. She completed Georgetown University’s Nonprofit Management Executive Certificate program, is a member of the inaugural cohort of the Culture Caucus with The Kennedy Center, a graduate of the 202Creates Fellowship, a graduate of the Movement Matters Community Organizing & Popular Education Institute, and a four-time recipient of the Arts and Humanities Fellowship Program grant through the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities for her work within the community.
ELLE MARIE SULLIVAN
Leadership Team
Facilitator
Elle Marie Sullivan (she/her) is a theatre artist based in Washington, DC. Some of the companies she has performed with are Washington National Opera, National Ballet of Canada, Shakespeare Opera Theatre, Anacostia Playhouse, and Annapolis Shakespeare Theatre. As a teaching artist Elle has worked with Round House Theatre, Educational Theatre Company, Encore Stage and Studio, Bach to Rock, and InterAct Story Theatre. Elle is also a registered yoga instructor (RYT-200) with training in trauma informed yoga. Elle loves working with Voices Unbarred and is excited to continue to grow with the company.
MALIK (ROCKY) SIMPSON
Leadership Team
Community Advocate and Former Participant
(Cohort 31)
Also known as Coach Rocko, Malik (he/him) is a co-founder of #WEFITDC, which aims to close the health and wellness gap among the district, and shine light on native DMV wellness professionals. He has a strong health and physical fitness training background. As a master trainer, he is determined to help people reach their goals and give back to the community. He is motivated and inspired to help his clients and community with making life changing transformations both mentally and physically.
RONALD (RALO) WHALEY
Leadership Team
Community Advocate
Ronald Whaley (he/him) is the program manager for the anti-gun violence organization NAARC: Cure the Streets. He is also the owner of the clothing line L.A.W. (Love Always Wins) and founder of a youth mentoring program, Finding Stars, LLC. Whaley is a returned citizen who has experienced gun violence himself after being shot 14 times. His motto is “save one, so they can save one.”
DAVID SAMPE
Leadership Team
Community Advocate
David (he/him) is the founder of Article 730, a grassroots organization committed to providing holistic mental health support for formerly incarcerated men and women.
MAURICE (CHEF REESE) DIXON
Leadership Team
Community Advocate
In 2017, Chef Reese (he/him) started Reese's Catering Services, LLC, a community-based company that hires and trains returning citizens. He's been a local favorite chef in the Washington, DC area ever since. He is passionate about motivating others to use their gifts and talents to create better opportunities for themselves. His ultimate goal is to one day have a training facility that can offer Culinary Training to Reformed Citizens as a skill set before they are released from prison. You can learn more about him by visiting his social media pages.
IG: @Chefreese210
FB: Reese's Catering Services
IAN SIMPSON
Community Advocate
Ian (he/him) is a military veteran who served over 15 years in the U.S. Army with over 11 years of Special Operations experience, specializing in Communications with an emphasis in Business Development and Technology Management. He is a Recruitment Specialist at BeyondSOF, a founding member of Capitol City Rally Point, as well as a Veterans’ Outreach Specialist, and a radio personality on WPFW. Ian is an Eagle Scout and is known for being a snappy dresser.
DEVIN SMITH
Board President
Community Advocate
Devin D. Smith (he/him) is the founder and CEO of Ship and Anchor LLC, and is a business consultant and strategist passionate about inclusion and working with other entrepreneurs and leaders to bring innovative ideas to life. Devin began his career in academia, which remains one of his chief passions. However, after a twist of fate landed him in prison, Devin found himself unearthing latent gifts in business and entrepreneurship. Upon returning from prison and completing a Bachelors in Sociology, and a minor in Nonprofit Studies and Social Entrepreneurship from North Carolina State University, Devin migrated to Washington, D.C., where he was eager to apply this knowledge to serve communities in need. Overcoming adversity, trauma and prison incarceration, Devin has learned to leverage both tragic and triumphant life experiences as his superpowers. In addition to writing, he uses his mantra "what's your anchor," as a guide for achieving personal and professional actualization no matter where you are in life.
ECRAM TEDROSE
Production Assistant - Rehearsal for Change Event
Graduating with degrees in Criminal Justice Studies and Philosophy, Ecram's (she/her) biggest focus is the treatment of marginalized groups in the criminal justice system and the overall process of re-entry for returning citizens. Providing access and resources to these groups and individuals in order for them to not only survive but wholeheartedly succeed, is her greatest passion. Ecram is also interested in Film Studies and how a piece can timelessly share one's experiences through a number of different avenues. She also has a background in radio work and is always looking to hear anything new and interesting that should/could be shared through such an amazing personal and public medium. In her free time, she enjoys watching movies, hiking, playing music, going to concerts, and hanging out with friends.
ALLISON FRISCH
Community Performance Director
Allison Frisch (she/her) is a Director, Actor, and Dancer in Washington, DC. She is an alumna of the Studio Theatre Acting Conservatory, where she recently completed Joy Zinoman’s Directing intensive. She holds a BFA in Theatre and Minor in Dance from Stephens College. Directing Credits: Dear America (Voices Unbarred), Pride of Doves (Action to the Word Theatre Company); Acting Credits: Princess Margaret* (Thelma Theatre), Suffrage Plays (Venus Theatre), Fools (Parlor Room Theater) Dance Credits: Dark Night Showcase, Spring Dance (KG Dance); Upcoming: Dhana and the Rosebuds (Ally Theatre). *DCMTA Best of 2015 - Best Lead Actress in a Professional Play.
MADDY MUSTIN
Intern
Maddy Mustin (She/Her) is thrilled to be joining Voices Unbarred as a new intern this spring! She looks forward to learning more about the mechanisms of non-profit theater and is excited to aid the promotion of the performing arts as a means for education, social justice, and change. She is currently in her final semester of undergraduate study at Catholic University as an English major with minors in Drama and Media Studies. Raised in Pittsburgh, PA, she formerly interned with Pittsburgh Festival Opera and was also involved as a background artist with several movies/TV shows filmed in the greater Pittsburgh area. Most recently, she attended the 2023 Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, and she looks forward to her next acting endeavor – the mainstage debut of Allyson Currin’s Rejoicing in Broken Pieces at Catholic University.
