Join the National Center for Civil and Human Rights for Kidspiration 2026’s theatrical premiere of Sherri and the Unfairies, a FREE fantastical new musical comedy for families. Made possible through a PNC Foundation grant, Kidspiration invites children and families to explore big ideas through storytelling, imagination, and play.
Created by Elliot Thomson and Peter K. Hirsch and directed by Nikki Toombs, Sherri and the Unfairies follows a bold 7-year-old who journeys to an imaginary land where she encounters the mischievous Unfairies—Gimmy, Takey, Mimi, and Yup. It’s a hilarious romp for kids and grown-ups alike about fairness and sharing. Hirsch is a long-time and award-winning writer on the beloved children’s series Arthur on PBS, and a co-creator of Hop on HBO Max; Thomson is an award-winning filmmaker who has written for both shows.
This special theatrical run marks the show’s Atlanta premiere.
showtimes
Tuesday, April 7
- 11:00 AM, followed by a Talkback with the Creators, Director and Cast
- 6:30 PM, followed by a Panel with the Creators and Director with introductory remarks by Center CEO Jill Savitt and Ambassador Samantha Power
Wednesday, April 8
- 2:00 PM, followed by a Talkback with the Creators, Director and Cast
Thursday, April 9
- 2:00 PM, followed by a Talkback with the Creators, Director and Cast
Friday, April 10
- 2:00 PM, followed by a Talkback with the Director and Cast
the team behind the production
Creators, Writers, Producers: Elliot Thomson & Peter K. Hirsch
Director and Producer: Nikki Toombs
Curriculum Creator: Martha Minow
Composer: Matt Herskowitz
Production Manager/Stage Manager: Larsen Kennedy
Musical Director/Choreographer: Maiesha McQueen
Projections: Milton Cordero
Set Design/Props: Isabel and Moriah Curley-Clay
Costume Design: Diego Serna
Lighting Design/Lighting Tech
Sound Design/Sound Tech
Music Consultant: Joan Thomson Kretschmer
Meet the Company
Elliot Thomson
Elliot Thomson is the creator, writer, lyricist, and producer, with Peter K. Hirsch, of Sherri and the Unfairies, the fantastical new children’s comedy premiering at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights in Atlanta, April 7, 2026, and being adapted into an animated series. He writes for the HBO Max series Hop and wrote for the Emmy Award-winning PBS series Arthur.
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Elliot wrote and directed the Sun Valley Film Festival award-winning short film comedy Le Refuge, starring Tony Award nominee Jessica Hecht and Tony Award winner Frank Wood. Elliot is a producer of a new documentary about Garrett Morris, the first Black cast member of Saturday Night Live. He has been a speech writer for Bill Whitaker (60 Minutes), the Gloria Steinem Awards, and was the first-ever speech writer for the Take Our Daughters to Work campaign. He is represented by Aleen Keshishian and Justin Wolf at Lighthouse Management + Media.
Elliot is a graduate of Harvard, where he was graduation comedy speaker, and Harvard Law School. He lives in New York with his wife, Ruth, a neuropsychiatrist, and their 3½-year-old son, Lionel, in the same building as Lionel’s godbrother, Bernard, and family, a few blocks from Grandma Joan.
Peter K. Hirsch
Peter K. Hirsch is the creator, writer, lyricist, and producer, with Elliot Thomson, of Sherri and the Unfairies, the fantastical new children’s comedy premiering at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights in Atlanta, April 7, 2026, and being adapted into an animated series. Peter is the creator, with Marc Brown (creator, Arthur) and Tolon Brown, executive producer, and head writer of the animated children’s series Hop, which premiered on HBO Max in April 2024.
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Peter was the head writer and executive story editor for the PBS series Arthur from 2001 until its end in 2022. He was also the head writer for the series Molly of Denali, Curious George, The Time Warp Trio, and Jessy and Nessy. Peter has written for over fifteen different series, winning seven Emmys and a Peabody Award. A graduate of Harvard, he lives in New York with his wife, playwright Cusi Cram, and their two pampered, marmalade cats.
Nikki Toombs
Nikki Toombs is a notable American playwright, director, actress, and producer who hails from the “Magic City” of Birmingham, Alabama. She has authored ten+ plays, has directed over 40 productions, and is a nationally commissioned presenter and curriculum specialist. Among her many titles, executive director and arts educator must join the list as the founder of Toombstone Productions- a creative hub that strives to empower artists to lead with purpose while amplifying underrepresented voices.
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The organization creates year-round programming for creatives of all ages; hosting after-school programs, summer camps, teacher trainings professional development and stage productions.
She is no stranger to the National Center for Civil and Human Rights. As a collaborator with NCCHR, she has written, directed and associate produced, Let Us March On, Courageous Steps, The Next King, Shout Sing Out and A Tribute to Shirley Franklin. Her innovative approach, artistic impact, and undeniable connection with the arts community have made her a recurring fixture at the Center and has earned her national recognition. In fact, American Theatre Magazine selected Toombs as one of the “Top 20 People to Watch” in the industry.
As an arts educator, Toombs previously served as Director of Education for both the Aurora Theatre and Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theatre; at the latter holding the title of regional producer, host and director of the National August Wilson Monologue Competition. Arts education hasn’t solely headlined her career. She’ s been a general education instructor in both Birmingham City and Gwinnett County Public Schools in the areas of secondary and early childhood education, earning Teacher of the Year honors in both districts. She has also served as adjunct professor in theatre at Emory University, Carnegie Mellon University and taught Improv to students at Georgia Gwinnett College. As an arts advocate, Toombs was elected Arts Commissioner for the City of Snellville, ensuring that the citizens of Snellville had access to the arts. It is evident that her creative talents are limitless as she continues to solidify her position on the list of luminaries who are transforming the world– both on and off the stage.
Martha Minow
Martha Minow holds the 300th Anniversary University Professorship at Harvard University; she has taught at Harvard Law School since 1981 and served as dean for eight years (2009-2017). She is an expert in constitutional law and human rights, whose books and teaching have focused on constitutional and human rights and legal treatments of communications and new technologies.
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Martha is the chair of the board of Massachusetts public media (GBH) and serves on several other boards of nonprofit organizations. The curriculum creator of Sherri and the Unfairies, Martha, at Harvard’s Graduate School of Education in 1976, was a student of creators of Sesame Street and contributed to the early steps in their creation of a follow-on show, 3-2-1 Contact.
Matt Herskowitz
Uniquely combining the superlative technique of a classical virtuoso with his prowess in jazz, world music and free improvisation, pianist, composer and arranger Matt Herskowitz has carved out a unique and personal voice in music. Known for his innovative jazz arrangements of classical works, Matt has also collaborated with pop and jazz legends, including Barry Manilow, Lara Fabian, Lew Soloff and Paquito D’Rivera.
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Matt is the composer of Sherri and the Unfairies, the fantastical new musical comedy premiering at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights in Atlanta, April 7, 2026, and previously composed the score for the award-winning short film Le Refuge, written and directed by Elliot Thomson. Upcoming projects include the commercial release of his album Chopin Jazz Transcendental Etudes in the fall of 2026 on the Nettwerk Music Group label, as well as performances with orchestras of his jazz arrangements of classical piano concertos.
Maiesha McQueen
Maiesha McQueen is a multi-faceted performer and creative, as well as a proud Atlanta native. She recently played Celie in The Color Purple and completed a highly successful run of Ain’t Misbehavin at Barrington Stage. Before that, she starred on Broadway alongside Sara Bareilles in the hit musical, Waitress. Maiesha previously traveled the globe as co-founder and musical composer of the touring company Progress Theatre.
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She is a proud graduate of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and Fordham University’s Graduate School of Education and serves as Creative Director of the arts education program, A Bite Out of Broadway. Maiesha is also the executive director of The Lucy Project, a production company that seeks to create opportunities for Black women to develop new works. @maieshamcqueen
Larsen Kennedy
Larsen Kennedy is an actress, musician, and arts educator based in metro-Atlanta, Georgia. An alumna of the Stella Adler Studio of Acting and a graduate of the University of North Georgia, she was a member of the inaugural cohort of the Four Directions Apprentice Company (Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theatre Company, 7 Stages Theatre, Out Front Theatre Company, Art Station) in 2019. She was employed for five years as an Assistant Drama Instructor through the Cumming Recreation and Parks Department, teaching students aged five through fourteen.
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After previously serving as Leadership Assistant and National Coordinator of the 2021 August Wilson Monologue Competition at True Colors, she proudly served as the National Next Narrative Monologue Competition Coordinator in its first and second years. She currently serves as a teaching artist at the Center for Puppetry Arts and for other organizations in the Atlanta area.
The Cast
Sully Brown - Takey
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Sully is a Virginia born and Atlanta bred actor, singer and dancer. Select credits include: Fiddler on the Roof (Alliance Theatre), A Christmas Carol (Alliance Theatre), Young John Lewis (Theatrical Outfit), Rent (The Atlanta Opera), Hot Jambalaya (Dad’s Garage), Bright Star (Georgia Ensemble Theatre), The Little Prince (Synchronicity Theatre), Wait Until Dark (Georgia Ensemble Theatre), A Christmas Story (Theatrical Outfit), Peter & The Starcatcher (Stagedoor Theatre), Spring Awakening (Jennie T. Anderson Theatre), and I Do! I Do (ART Station). Film/TV: Gothic Slayers (Amazon Prime Video), ESPN. For Brandy, always.
Cece Campbell - Mom/Gavriella
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Cece Campbell is a graduate of Oglethorpe University (2024) Theatre includes; True Colors Theater Company: Ain’t No Mo ’(Passenger #3/4 U/S) Jaja’s African Hair Braiding (Aminata U/S) Theatrical Outfit: Young John Lewis (Mamie Till/Ensemble) The Alliance Theatre: Gimme Please (Big/Little Gimme Swing), The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra: TinMan (Dorothy), The Ant and The Grasshopper (Ant), The Lion and the Mouse (Lion), I Love Music(Dr Brittany Beat) and The Tortoise and the Hare (Tortoise). Actors Express: Cabaret (Rosie), Heathers (Heather McNamara), and Urinetown (Soupy Sue). OutFront Theatre Company: At The Wedding (Eva/Carly U/S) BLKS(Ry/June U/S) Synchronicity Theatre: The Wash (Charity/Jewel U/S)
Credits while training: Oxford University African Liberation and Representation: plays and literature (Oxford, England), and Oglethorpe University 12 Angry Jurors (Number 8); Grapes of Wrath (Ma/ Dance Captain); Othello(Montano); M***********r with A Hat (Veronica). She also teaches private vocal/piano lessons with TSB and works as a princess for parties. She gives all thanks to God.
Casey Champion- Sherri
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Casey Champion is a passionate storyteller dedicated to using theater as a tool for impact, connection, and representation. She is committed to creating work that inspires, empowers, and ensures that communities—especially the next generation—see themselves reflected in meaningful and transformative ways. Through her artistry, Casey strives to spark imagination, joy, and lasting change.
She is a rising actress making her professional children’s theater debut, bringing experience across performance, production, and technical theater. Her background includes work with Synchronicity Theatre, Emory University Performing Arts Studio, BlackLight Productions, and the Alliance Theatre, giving her a well-rounded understanding of storytelling both on and off the stage.
Trajan Clayton - I-Screamy
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Trajan has been “acting a fool”, as his grandmother would say, ever since he discovered the gift of laughter. An artist capable of many things, Trajan uses his art to spread love and laughter, one project at a time. He attended SMU in Dallas, TX, studying Theatre, specializing in Playwriting and Directing. (Credits- Purple Rain: The Musical Pre Broadway Premiere, Off- Broadway- Hooded; Or being black for dummies, Regional- At the Wake of a Dead Drag Queen)
Miguel Corado - Dad/Gimmy/Bemizen
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Miguel Corado is an actor, director, and writer based in Atlanta, Georgia. He seeks to facilitate and construct artistic spaces and conversations through numerous forms of media in Theatre, Film, Song and Script. He began his artistic endeavors as both a stage and film actor, appearing as George Murchison in A Raisin in the Sun (Urban Theatrical Players) “Marauder” in Jungle Cruise (Walt Disney Pictures), Eka Elephant in The Next King (National Center for Civil and Human Rights) and most recently as Jordan Thomas in 18 Steps: The Journey to Justice in Education (Leona Tate Foundation for Change). In search of deeper understanding of the arts, the director began teaching mobile acting classes to eager beginners in the local Atlanta area, amassing an array of students. It is his work as an actor that inspired his directorial work, going on to direct the dance short film E is for Existential Dread (Egypt Noboa), All In A Night (Jamila Gray), and Sister for Sale (Marlena Robinson & Cassandra Buchanan). The director won his first award (Best Dark Comedy) at the Couch Film Festival for his latest film Hurry Up & Wait (Jamila Gray). He plans to direct his first feature film in the nearby future.
Lauren Covington- Mirabai/Mimi/Bemizen
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Lauren Covington is an award-winning educator and dynamic performer whose work is rooted in the power of storytelling and artistic excellence. She most recently portrayed the mother in Courageous Steps, written by Nikki Toombs. Lauren holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Music Education with a concentration in Voice from the University of Georgia, where she delivered a compelling performance in for colored girls who have considered suicide / when the rainbow is enuf. She currently serves as the Director of the Vocal Department at Martha Ellen Stilwell School of the Arts and was the Music Director for the 2026 Shuler-nominated production of The Wiz!. Lauren is the 2026–2027 Teacher of the Year and remains deeply committed to cultivating confident, expressive artists while continuing to expand her own creative voice on and off the stage.
Christopher Hampton - Bernard
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Christopher is an Atlanta based actor, educator, arts administrator, and director. He has collaborated with many theatre organizations across the country including, The Alliance Theatre, The Mixed Blood theatre, Pasadena Playhouse, and The Center for New Performance at RedCat. Christopher holds a BFA from the California Institute of the Arts, and is dedicated to using his work in the theatre as a tool for societal change. Christopher is a board member of Working Title Playwrights, and the Co owner of The Point of Health Wellness Center (www.healthatthepoint.com).
Dathan Thigpen - Yup/Guy/Bemizen
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Dathan Thigpen is the season eight winner of BET’s “Sunday Best: All Stars.” He returned to win the hit competition series in 2015 after first making an indelible impression on season three of “Sunday Best” in 2010. The Atlanta-based singer/actor is also an international gospel recording artist, recently recording his third live project in Kraków, Poland to be released soon and also can be heard singing in the “Sunday Service Choir,” on Kanye West’s “Donda” project.
Previous credits include: Desi in Madea’s Neighbors From Hell (Tyler Perry Studios), Berry Gordy in Super Freak: The Rick James Story (Je’Caryous Ent.), New Jack City Live (Je’Caryous Ent.). Local Theater: Thomas Dorsey in Mahalia: A Gospel Musical (Dominion Ent.). Preacher/Bobby in The Color Purple (City Springs Theatre Company). Martin Luther King Jr. in Selma The Musical: The Untold Stories. (Infecting Change Productions), Wilson Pickett in Wilson Pickett: His Life, His Music, His Journey. (Wilson Pickett Legacy) TV: Our Kind Of People (FOX), Greenleaf (OWN), The Have And The Have Nots (OWN), Black Mafia Family (STARZ), Sunday Best (BET). Film: Black is King (Disney). @DathanThigpen (IG, FB, Twitter, TikTok)
Thanks
Bob Baxter, Robbie Baxter, James Berman, Doris Casap, Cusi Cram, Anthony Crowell, Heather Ewing, Nick Galifianakis, Viva Hardigg, Ethel Harris, Nisha Kumar Behringer, Guy Lancaster, Jeff Magness, Kate Mailer, Ruth McCann, Tav Morgan, Tom Newman, Samantha Power, Johnathan Robertson, Shannon Robertson, Jill Savitt, David Schwimmer, Ted Smoot, Susan Stover, Toombs Family, Toombstone Productions, Amanda Vincenti, Amy Wallace, Ayse Yüksel Mahfoud