Lauren Vernea: Founder, Director, Head Writer

Lauren is a writer, actor, director, and producer. She is the founder, head writer, and director of the all black female sketch group, “The Black Pantherettes” (UCB, The PIT, NY Sketchfest, LA Diversity in Comedy Festival, The Harlem Comedy Festival). As a writer, her other work consists of the live sketch show “The Resistance,” her pilot and upcoming Chicago church comedy “The Gospel of Yael,” as well as her Youtube comedy series “Art is Charisma.” As a singer/actor Lauren has performed in plays and musicals across NYC (The Duplex, Don’t Tell Mama, The Workshop Theater) and Chicago ( MPACCT/Goodman). She is a proud Chicago native and graduate of the MS in Leadership for Creative Enterprises program at Northwestern University. laurenvernea.com

Kezia Bernard-Nau: Writer/Performer

Kezia is an artist who was born in Trinidad and raised in Brooklyn. Her experience ranges from acting, writing, producing to directing. She is a proud mom of a vibrant 4 year old whom both are awaiting the release of Sesame Streets 50th anniversary ‘Rock Video’ in which they are featured. More of her acting credits include Facebook’s “More Together”  commercial campaign, “Self Servers” a Comedy directed by Eliezer Vagara now running in festivals, “Zoe In Review” directed by Stacey Larkins and also Manhattan Rep’s film festival ‘Best Film’ recipient, “Open Call” a Comedy Central Pilot. When Kezia isn’t acting, she also co-writes for “The Black Pantherettes” and also does free intro to acting seminars for the community. Kezia takes her continued studies seriously and has worked with Terry Knickerbocker, Larry Moss, Brian McManamonvo, Joseph Siravo and Shane Ann Younts.To see what she has coming out next, check out her website: www.keziabernard.com

Sheree Grate: Performer

Sheree is an actor, writer, and producer. She proudly hails from Pittsburgh, PA and in her spare time loves long walks, Krav Maga, and spending time with her orange cat. Her film debut was in Warrior starring Nick Nolte, Tom Hardy, and Joel Edgerton. Some of her acting credits include: The Sinking Island (Under St. Marks Theatre), The Bacchae (New Ohio Theater), Paisieu (Target Margin Theatre), Ralph Ellison's The Invisible Man (The August Wilson Center). Film: Subways (Best Feature of the Harlem International Film Festival), Warrior (Lionsgate) and much more. The Black Pantherettes is her first dive into sketch comedy and she is thrilled to step out of comfort zone! Graduate of the Terry Knickerbocker Acting Conservatory, go Class 2018! Sheree has also trained at the William Esper Studio, Circle in the Square, with Ted Sluberski, and The New York Drama Center. Check her out at shereegrate.com.

Tamyko Vassel: Writer/Performer

Born and raised in Brooklyn,  Tamyko Vassel grew up in the center of a cultural melting pot and experienced the rawness that NYC offers.  In Tamyko’s early years she fell in love with the arts of dance, performing, and modeling. One thing about having a dream and a passion for something is that the desire to want to achieve that goal never goes away.  In 2012, Tamyko booked her first TV role on “Celebrity Ghost Stories”, playing Shari Headley. Shortly after wanting to hone in on her craft, Tamyko began training with Anthony Abeson, a method based training class in Lee Strasberg/Stanislaviski.  Since, Tamyko has booked on the ‘Meredith Vieira Show’, playing former ‘Destiny’s Child’ member Latoya Luckett; and booked a supporting role in an “award -winning” horror short “Evil Rising”. Tamyko is currently a student at the Wynn Handman Studio, and continues to hone in on her talents as a Comedic Actress/Writer.

Alexis Braxton: Performer

Alexis Braxton is an actress/writer hailing from Harrisburg, PA. In addition to The Black Pantherettes, she is also an ensemble member of the sketch comedy groups To Karen With Love and American Candy. Alexis has filmed videos for Uber and Dotdash's The Balance Careers, and can be seen in the award winning web series Foster Sin, Switch, and Working Out The Kinks. Alexis also has a passion for tap dancing, thrift shopping, and her hair.