The Team Behind the Impactful Stage Plays in Missouri
Looking for a kind of entertainment that has a fun story and an important life lesson? Willi Ray Productions in St. Louis, Missouri has what you need. We are composed of professionals committed to producing noteworthy stories turned into exceptional stage plays.
Our Mission
We strive to educate and develop stronger faith in your people, families, and churches during adverse circumstances by leading them back to Jesus. Our company empowers everyone with the Word of God to help them see unfavorable economic conditions and disadvantages as opportunities to achieve their purpose. Above all else, we offer hope through the stories we tell and the plays we stage.
Our Vision
Through our stories, we strive to improve our audience’s lifestyle and mental health. Our hope is to challenge each person to achieve his or her dreams and to press toward the mark of a higher calling in life.
History Made by “Gossip”
Our team and the Foundation of Truth Church performed “Gossip” at the 107th Church of God in Christ Holy Convocation in America's Center Ferrara Theatre. The cast gave two dynamic performances back on Nov. 6 and Nov. 8, 2014. This was the first time in the history of the Church of God In Christ Holy Convocation that a gospel stage play was a part of the ministry's entertainment.
Team
WILLI RAY
Director/Producer/Playwright
WHO IS WILLI RAY
Director/Producer/Playwright
Willi Ray is a member of Foundation of Truth Church. She is a well read missionary who has been anointed to deliver the word of God with wisdom, understanding and compassion for today’s world. Willi is a professional model, Author, poet and play write, singer and song writer. She is a graduate of Webster University MBA program. She is a healthcare professional Business professional. Her Pastor asked her to write
a play for a church event and within an hour she wrote Gossip. God has blessed her with the word of knowledge. She is the founder and owner of Willi Ray Production LLC. Her company offers fundraising, ministry, entertainment and event planning. We look forward to the release of her books this year “A woman Called Mary” and a book of poems “One Moment in Time”. Willi has also written several stage plays “The Rapture 2015,” “The Truth will Never Die” “The Search for Jesus” and “Tears of Resent- ment.” Willi said when the spirit wakes in the middle of the night and tell her to write she obeys and she writes until God says stop. For Willi Ray writing offers healing
and solitude and a way to express her heart and soul on paper. God has blessed her to write about her joys, pains, hopes and tears all captured in one moment in time with one swipe of her pen. “Tears of Resentment” is an excellent rendition of how she bottled her hurt and pain into a healing work of art for others to find hope. Willi says there is no high in the world like writing under the spirit of God’s anointing.
The love of her life is her beautiful daughter Janevieair D. Ray. Willi loves spending time with her 8 siblings.
Willi said her greatest inspiration comes from her mother Mary Dewalt, Godmother Rosie Page, Pastor Elder Loren Burris, oldest sister First Lady Lillie Burris and spiri- tual sister Mother Cora Belt Her favorite scripture is II Cor. 4-8 & 9 “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed.”
Willi says “Sometimes I feel as if I am standing on the edge of today looking at the dawning of a new day. I feel the wind blowing in my valley of dry bones and the resto- ration of everything the devil stole from me is being restored. Yes there is a shaking in my soul because my greater is coming. I know somebody knows how it feels to pray for directions to pursue God’s divine favor and then to be called a dreamer? And as I travel
the last mile of the way I don’t mind the hard road I traveled to get here. As I inch closer to my destination God reveals his revelation. It is so close that I can almost touch it but it still remains a fingertip away from reality. But God said whom he calls he qualifies and whom he qualified he justified, therefore, when preparation meets Opportunity it is
a detonation of exaltation. Yes the dreams of using playwright as a ministry is God’s will for me. My soul rejoices because now I see what was once a walk of blind faith is a
SUPERINTENDENT LOREN W. BURRIS
SUPERINTENDENT LOREN W. BURRIS
a man of vision with a different scope of how to best serve the Gospel to a dying world. His approach is, “The Gospel will never change but sometimes the meth- od of delivering the message will change”. Therefore he took the leadership role to bring this stage production to the light because he believes God has gifted Willi Ray Productions with a voice to speak.
Superintendent also believes that God joined the Pro- duction company and church together and they move
with one goal in mind: “To Serve the Will of God”.
Willi Ray Productions is reaching out and making inroads in reaching the Lost. People are diverse in their ways and perception. We must be able to reach the world in many different ways in order to “Pour Christ” into them. Jesus said, “He that wins souls is wise”. Jesus also said, “I will make you fishers of men”.
Elder Loren W. Burris serves The Lord and his people in many different ways. He is the Pastor of The Foundation of Truth COGIC. Pastor Burris is the Superintendent of District #2, serves as the Assistant Chief Adjutant and is also a Member of the Jurisdictional Executive Board, under the leadership of Bishop Lawrence M. Wooten Sr., General Board Member, interim Jurisdictional Prelate of Illinois Southeast.
Pastor Burris is very active in the life of the church and serves on various committees and boards: Chairman, The Judiciary Board, Member of The Jurisdictional Ordi- nation Board, Member of Jurisdictional Baptismal Committee. His past services include State Youth Coordinator of Illinois Southeast Motivational Ministries and District YPWW President.
Pastor Burris is married to the love of his life, Lady Lillie Burris for 40 years. The Lord has blessed their union with three lovely daughters, 3 granddaughters, 1 grandson
and 2 son-in-laws. God gave us His Spirit and His Spirit gave us gifts. Gifts to be used for the Kingdom sake.
MARY ANTHONY
Mother Leftoe
MARY ANTHONY
Mother Leftoe
Mary, married to Deacon James Anthony for 34 years, mother of two Sons, Quantell and Geoffrey, and grandmother of 7. Mary has been a member of Greater Liberty COGIC for 32 years, where Bishop Otis Eanes Sr. is pastor and where she was saved, sanctified and filled with the Holy Ghost in
1987. Mary has worked with youth in her church
where she has written and produced plays. This is Mary’s second stage play.
LAUREN M. BURRIS
Shy Ann
LAUREN M. BURRIS
Shy Ann
Lauren is a graduate of Southwestern Illinois College (SWIC), where she earned her Associate’s Degree. She continued on her educational jour- ney and earned her Bachelor’s in Political Science with a minor in Criminal Justice from Southern Illinois University of Edwardsville (SIUE). She
is currently enrolled as a student at Webster University where she is pursuing and will com- plete her Master’s in Legal Studies with honors
this coming May. Lauren is a proud member of Foundation of Truth COGIC, where she serves as Choir President of both local and district choirs. She is employed by Brown & Crouppen, P.C, a Plaintiff ’s Law Firm. Lauren has been blessed to be a part of many gospel stage plays written by Ms. Willi Ray. Some of her favorite things to do in her free time are traveling, singing, shopping, and spending time with family and friends.
Lauren’s philosophy is “No matter how tough the road gets, always keep God first, stay motivated and keep pushing!”
DAWANNA A. DANIELS
Ms. Hater
DAWANNA A. DANIELS
Ms. Hater
DaWanna continues to make her mark through Willi Ray Productions’ Stage Plays since 2014. Her performing arts training was developed
at Best Talent Center where she was crowned Little Miss Ebony (1992). DaWanna continued her performing arts journey at Carr Lane Visual and Performing Arts in the arenas of drama and
dance. Her favorite being dance, from choreography to performing jazz, ballet, modern, liturgical, hip-hop and african.
DaWanna attended and graduated from Cardinal Ritter College Prep. She was awarded with a scholarship to the University of Arkansas Fayetteville where she earned a bachelor’s in Psychology and shortly thereafter attained a Masters’ Degree at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in
Forensic Psychology with a concentration in Child Protection. The St. Louis native is license in both, Missouri and Illinois as a Behavioral Health Coun- selor specializing in Children and Adolescents. DaWanna continues to be an inspiration to brown girls and boys everywhere, promoting the message that
achieving your dreams is possible.
ANTHONY DOSS
Dr. McDreamy
ANTHONY DOSS
Dr. McDreamy
Anthony is a Broadband Tech for Charter Communications. He enjoys deejaying, music and football.
Anthony’s ultimate goal in life is to travel the world and play/perform Gospel hip-hop where he’d like to start in the inner cities and go global.
JANEVIEAIR D. RAY
LeAnn
JANEVIEAIR D. RAY
LeAnn
Phonetically spelled: Jan•v• air
Janevieair is currently a senior at the University of Missouri- St. Louis majoring in Information Tech- nology. She started acting and modeling at the age
of 4. She is a business savvy woman of many talents. Janevieair is the owner of HouseWives Cleaning Services.
Janevieair is a faithful member of Friendly Temple. Her hobbies are acting, traveling, spending time with loved ones, and experiencing different cultures.
“Where there’s a will, there’s a way” is a saying she lives by. (or her favorite quote)
MYRTLE SHANNON
Ms. Church
MYRTLE SHANNON
Ms. Church
Myrtle Shannon of Cahokia IL. Mother of 2, grand- mother of 4 is employed with the St. Clair County Court House as a Deputy Clerk. She’s an entrepre- neur, a former First Lady of Miracle Tabernacle COGIC. Saved and Sanctified, a faithful & dedicated Evangelist Missionary at Foundation of Truth COGIC where Supt. Loren W. Burris is founder and pastor. She is excited about what God is doing!
This is Myrtle’s 3rd professional production under the direction of her sister, Willi Ray and she is proud of what God is doing for the production! Although she has worked with youth in church conducting plays, she believes God has greater things in store for her. Her philosophy is “let’s think before we start GOSSIPING!”
LAMONDEZ THOMAS SR.
Brother Connor
LAMONDEZ THOMAS SR.
Brother Connor
Lamondez, married and the father of three beau- tiful children, was blessed with the gift of styling and cutting hair as a resourceful barber. People enjoy when he comes around because they know there will be nonstop laughter.
The self-declared car fanatic, has always desired to do stand-up comedy as his ability to generate
laughter has been confirmed time and time again by folks who know him. They will swear, “the guy is hilarious!” He believes in doing whatever it takes
to keep his family and friends happy.
MINISTER ALBERT SCOTT
Lil Bitty Pastor
MINISTER ALBERT SCOTT
Lil Bitty Pastor
Albert Scott, the husband of Rosiland Scott of Cahokia, IL is the father of 7 children and 12 grand children. He is employed at Cross Keys in Florissant, MO as a maintenance man for over 3 years. He also has an Associate’s Degree in HVAC and he is attending the School of Theology for his Bachelor’s Degree.
Minister Scott has been a member of Foundation
of Truth COGIC for 15 years where Superintendent Loren W. Burris is pastor and where he serves as an Associate minister of the Gospel. His hobbies are studying the word of God and singing in the choir.
LARONDA GRIFFIN
Sis. Judy
LARONDA GRIFFIN
Sis. Judy
LaRonda, 39 is a St. Louis, MO native. Singing & act- ing has always been her passion since she was a little girl. Gospel music is her genre of choice predomi- nantly because she believes that this is God’s will for her path. Inspiring people through acting & singing
is a blessing because it gives people a sense of hope.
LaRonda has a strong faith background, professing Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. She contributes where she is today to the Lord’s grace and mercy and favor over her life. Because of his blessings she was able to earn her Bachelors Degree in Business and complete her Master’s degree in Accounting. Today she is an entrepreneur who loves helping people. She was blessed to birth and be a full time mom to 5 beautiful children, of which her baby Princess has gone to be with The Lord.
LaRonda feels being a part of the Willie Ray production has been awesome and she looks forward to many more singing & acting opportunities that keep her connected to her dream and ultimately making that dream a reality.
SCOTTEZ “TEZ” CLARK
Darryl
SCOTTEZ “TEZ” CLARK
Darryl
Scottez, 18 attends SIUE-East St. Louis Charter High School. He’s an active member of St. Paul Baptist Church in East St. Louis, Illinois. He loves being part of Music Ministry. He also loves cre- ative writing. Scottez applied at several Colleges, but he’s hoping to get accepted into Blackburn College in Carlinville Illinois. His interest is Physical Education. This is his 1st time in a real live stage play, and he’s loving it. He can see his- self as an actor.
SCHERONDA GREGORY
Marianne
SCHERONDA GREGORY
Marianne
Affectionately known as “Ronni G.”, –Scheronda
Gregory has been singing since the tender age
of 5. Like some, she began singing in the church. She is a soulful, dynamic singer with an incred- ible range and singing ability. Some of her
musical influences include – Ms. Aretha Franklin, Anita Baker, and Rachelle Ferrell… to name a few.
She aspires to perform in theatre before dignitaries of the world, but is just as honored to sing before an audience of her own contemporaries. Her mantra
is: “take a cue from the birds,… music is better than words.”
KENNEDI C. JOHNSON
Amber
KENNEDI C. JOHNSON
Amber
Kennedi, 13, is the oldest daughter of Sophia C. Burris. She is currently an honor roll student in the 8th grade at Wirth-Parks Middle School in Cahokia, IL. She is looking forward to attending high school in the fall and has hopes of becoming a doctor or a lawyer when she finishes college.
Kennedi is a member of Foundation of Truth
COGIC where her grandfather Loren W. Burris is Pastor and Superintendent. She is an active member of the youth choir. Her hobbies include reading, writ- ing, drawing, singing, and dancing. She has been an active participant of chorus, Girls on The Run, and the step-team at her middle school in Atlanta, GA. She’s also had the opportunity to participate in the Katherine Dunham School of Dance Summer Camp in 2016.
This is Kennedi’s first role in a Willi Ray Production and she is very excited to be a part of this great play; she’s looking forward to future opportunities!
SOPHIA C. BURRIS
Nurse Que Que
SOPHIA C. BURRIS
Nurse Que Que
Sophia, 38 recently relocated back to her home- town of Cahokia, IL after residing in Atlanta, GA for nearly 10 years. She is the proud mother of 2 beautiful daughters Kennedi (13) & Amauriya (10). She is a member of Foundation of Truth COGIC where her father Loren W. Burris is Pastor and Superintendent. She’s an active member of the local
and district choirs. She has a passion for the youth and has served on several committees and she’s been afforded the opportunity to work alongside Ms. Willi Ray as Production Assistant.
She currently works as a Quality Control Specialist for a Fortune 500 Company. She obtained her BS in Mass Communications from Southern Illinois Univer- sity-Edwardsville (SIUE) in May 2001 and her MA in Communications Man- agement at Webster University in May 2014. My goal is to open up a full-service event planning firm in the Metropolitan Atlanta area where we help people plan and commemorate their special events from start to finish.
This is Sophia’s first role in a live Willi Ray Production but she has played in many of her skits as well as modeled in Willi Ray/FOT fashion shows.
SHELISIA SUMMERS
Sister Peacemaker
SHELISIA SUMMERS
Sister Peacemaker
Shelisia is a wife and mother of 2. She is a Louisiana native that moved to St. Louis in 2013. She has a background in dance and grew up sing- ing in the church and the school choir. She was also a member of the group Christian Volunteers which was started as a need for a communiy youth choir. She joined Willi Ray Productions in
2015 as the news reporter in Rapture 2015.
STEVEN (STEVE) WILLIAMS JR.
Kenord
STEVEN (STEVE) WILLIAMS JR.
Kenord
Born and raised in St. Louis, Mo. Steven Williams Jr. was groomed at an early age to be a musician and singer… The oldest of seven, Steve has always loved music. He has performed and shared the stage with some of gospel greats from John P Kee, Kirk Franklin, Rance Allen to some of St. Louis’ gospel greats as well. Steve has appeared in sev- eral plays, Money Can’t Buy You Love, Fight For
Amazing Love, Tears Of Resentment and the stage play Gossip. He is also
an accomplished singer, songwriter and musician who loves the Lord.
QUIARA BURRIS-BOONE
Sister Talk-A-Lot
SOPHIA C. BURRIS
Nurse Que Que
Sophia, 38 recently relocated back to her home- town of Cahokia, IL after residing in Atlanta, GA for nearly 10 years. She is the proud mother of 2 beautiful daughters Kennedi (13) & Amauriya (10). She is a member of Foundation of Truth COGIC where her father Loren W. Burris is Pastor and Superintendent. She’s an active member of the local
and district choirs. She has a passion for the youth and has served on several committees and she’s been afforded the opportunity to work alongside Ms. Willi Ray as Production Assistant.
She currently works as a Quality Control Specialist for a Fortune 500 Company. She obtained her BS in Mass Communications from Southern Illinois Univer- sity-Edwardsville (SIUE) in May 2001 and her MA in Communications Man- agement at Webster University in May 2014. My goal is to open up a full-service event planning firm in the Metropolitan Atlanta area where we help people plan and commemorate their special events from start to finish.
This is Sophia’s first role in a live Willi Ray Production but she has played in many of her skits as well as modeled in Willi Ray/FOT fashion shows.
Connect With Us
Turn to us when life gets difficult. We offer powerful cures or remedies in the form of laughter, which redirects broken hearts and hopelessness. Learn more about our production company today by reaching out to us today.
