Artist Bios

Fleurette S. Fernando

Fleruette S. Fernando is the founding Director of the M.A. in Arts Leadership Program at University of Houston. She is a graduate of Claude Watson School for the Arts, the National Theatre School of Canada's Directing Program and holds an MFA degree in Theatre Directing from York University. Fleurette has worked as a director, choreographer, educator and arts administrator in arts organizations across Canada and the US including San Francisco’s Lorraine Hansberry Theatre, Richmond’s East Bay Center for the Performing Arts and Brooklyn Academy of Music. She is a former Executive Director of Katy Visual and Performing Arts Center where she previously served as Performing Arts Director and Development Director. 

She also served as the Artistic Director of Montreal's Black Theatre Workshop and was the recipient of the Canada Council for the Arts’ first John Hirsch Prize for Young Directors as well as a Fellowship of the Americas from the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in Washington, DC. Fleurette most recently served as the Director of Grants for Houston Arts Alliance and as Adjunct Professor of Theatre Studies at University of Houston, Downtown. She currently serves on the Faculty Senate of University of Houston and the board of the Association of Arts Administration Educators. Fleurette was the recipient of a UH Teaching Excellence Award for Community Engagement in 2018. 

Elizabeth Sosa Bailey

Creative collaborator (Executive Producer) Elizabeth Sosa Bailey is a sixth-generation Texan and third-generation inner-city Houstonian raised in Houston’s Oak Forest neighborhood. With a family deeply rooted in the city’s vibrant arts scene, she cultivated her passion for music and performance from a young age, studying piano, violin, clarinet, and voice. Elizabeth’s educational journey includes Saint Anne Catholic School, Lamar High School, and ultimately the University of Houston, where she pursued a degree in Sociology. 

Her professional path began at the Houston Symphony, and then an internship at KUHF Houston Public Radio 88.7 FM, which later evolved into the city’s NPR & PBS affiliate. Her tenure there saw her ascend to the role of Community Engagement Manager, where she played a pivotal role in securing The Moth StorySLAMs in Houston and Dan Gordon’s ‘Take the Stage’ - an educational initiative focusing on STE(A)M subjects for elementary-aged students, which was distributed on PBS Kids. 

Elizabeth’s career has also encompassed collaborations with esteemed organizations such as the Houston Cinema Arts Society, where she currently serves on the advisory board, Houston Ballet, Stages Theatre, DACAMERA, and NPR affiliates NSPR and JPR in Northern California. Recognized for her expertise in public relations and community engagement, Elizabeth is a fervent advocate for the performing arts and public media. Her dedication to these fields is evident in her impactful contributions and unwavering support for Houston’s cultural landscape. 

Monique Abioye

Monique Abioye (Casting Coordinator and Production Assistant) is a dedicated real estate professional by day whose roots run deep in media production, storytelling, and business management. Abioye has served as a Camera Operator, Director, Editor, and Technical Director in various stream services. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Media Production and Creative Writing from the University of Houston, and a Certified Professional Ghostwriting Designation from California State University, blending a deep understanding of storytelling with practical filmmaking skills.

Monique also has a foundational background in acting, having trained at ClassAct Studios in Orlando, FL. Her entertainment industry experience includes serving as Production Assistant on two VH1 feature films: Hip Hop Family Christmas and Hip Hop Family Christmas Wedding. Monique also worked briefly as a Story Editor for Damn Write Originals, a leading independent screenwriting label.

Beginning her career as an author, Monique penned three New Adult Fiction novels before dedicating herself to screenwriting. Since then, she has completed 10 dramedy scripts, including short films, teleplays, and feature films. With one feature film script currently in development, Monique has been recognized as a finalist in two prestigious screenplay contests: SeriesFest's Women Writing Competition and the Screenplay Festival's Screenwriter Competition.