Panther Players Bio
G. W. Carver Theatre—known as the “Panther Players” (Troupe #6753)—has a proud legacy spanning more than 20 years. During that time, the program has dominated district competition, winning 15 of the last 20 district titles, advancing to area 14 times, and reaching the regional level in 11 of the past 15 years. The troupe has earned seven state alternate honors and achieved state finalist distinction in 2024, with numerous Best Performer awards along the way.
At the Tommy Tune Awards, the Panther Players have received more than 160 nominations across all categories, including nine nominations for Best Musical and 21 total wins. In 2023, they made history as the first program in the world to produce Summer: The Donna Summer Musical, earning 15 nominations and winning seven, including Best Musical. Their 2024 production of The Bodyguard received 15 nominations and won four awards, including Best Musical and Leading Actor honors. The program sustained this high level of excellence with its 2025 production of Dreamgirls.
On the international stage, the troupe has earned Thespy Awards for four consecutive years and has received multiple superior ratings at the International Thespian Festival. Notable individual achievements include Alyssa Dorsey (2024, 2025) and Jocelyn Dorsey (2020) winning Tommy Tune Best Actress, and Nyles Washington (2014) winning Best Actor. Each represented the program at the prestigious Jimmy Awards in New York.
Since beginning participation in the Texas Thespian Festival, the troupe has produced more than 265 national qualifiers across all categories, with numerous Main Stage finalists. They have also performed on the Main Stage in Texas’ amateur premiere of Memphis and in Play Marathon productions. Student accomplishments include Ivan Davidson’s recognition in Texas Thespians Musical Works and Francean Houngbo’s 2019 selection as one of only two playwrights recognized for her play The Waiting Room.
Carver students have also been selected for recent All-State productions, including Coram Boy and Big Fish, both of which advanced to the International Thespian Festival Main Stage. Additionally, the Panther Players have been invited multiple times to perform at the American High School Theatre Festival in Scotland, further solidifying their reputation for excellence on a global stage.
Troupe #6753 has earned its status as a city-wide, state-wide, and nationally recognized organization, proudly serving the historic black community of Acres Homes, located in North West Houston. The Troupe actively gives back to the community, performing for local churches, parks, community centers, malls, and restaurants, on a regular basis. The group also has had the honor of performing for organizations such as the Drifters, AKA Sorority, and was featured on the City of Houston’s Fourth of July Celebration. We have shared our talents with prestigious individuals such as Mayor Sylvester Turner, Congresswoman Shelia Jackson Lee, and Senator Al Green, along with Roy and Shirley Malonson- just to name a few. The Troupe has been interviewed and showcased on all mainstream news channels within the greater Houston area. The Troupe is under the direction of Ms. Roshunda Jones and Mr. Jabari Collins and has produced many notable shows including, but not limited to: The Wiz, Ruined, Sweet Charity, Dark of the Moon, DreamGirls, The Color Purple, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, In The Heights, Porgy, Memphis the Musical, Ghost the Musical, The Raft of the Medusa, Once on this Island, Jelly’s Last Jam, Carmen Jones, Sister Act, we are the first school to produce Summer: The Donna Summer Musical and The Bodyguard Musical.
Our students and alumni have performed and continued their training from notable programs such as The Theatre School at DePaul University, University of Texas, Howard University, and the Royal Central School of Speech & Drama. Alumni of our program have created a theatre company, The Bayou Theatre Company, which has produced groundbreaking productions in the Houston area. A former Senior Choir and Theatre student, Amber Nicole, was chosen by Christina Aguilera to compete against her fellow celebrities on NBC’s hit program, The Voice. The Panther Players Troupe #6753 has achieved much and will continue to achieve many great things that will benefit their entire community. G.W. Carver Theatre is under the direction of Roshunda Jones & Jabari Collins
Office Number: 281.878.1521
More information about Carver Theater Art can be found here:
G.W. Carver Theater