this is
F R I E N D S
ANSLEY
Twenty years old, Ansley and I met doing a Middle School production of Fiddler on the Roof, perhaps you are familiar? ...or not. The screw-offs that we be, we met by disobeying the rules, standard of suppressed, artistic, middle schoolers in small-town Georgia. Playing games under our set during a performance of the show, we knew immediately we were bound for a life-long friendship. Little did we know it would last us now nine years and 1,291.7 miles. Upon Graduation, Ansley being the true free spirit and multi-talented individual that she is, knew not what she wanted out of her career and attended a near by state school Columbus State University. After a year there, she knew she was destined for more and picked up and moved to Orlando where she participated in Disney World's college program. After one year and three promotions, she realized it was time for school, not just any school, big-boy academic school -The University of Georgia, located in Athens, Georgia and ranked #18 in top Academic Public Universities in the nation, where she currently studies Communications with an Emphasis in Event Planning with a Minor in Italian. After college she plans to go to grad school for Hospitality Management and ultimately manage top hotels internationally. Or "marry rich and sit on my ass all day" -Ansley Usery
Twenty years old, Ansley and I met doing a Middle School production of Fiddler on the Roof, perhaps you are familiar? ...or not. The screw-offs that we be, we met by disobeying the rules, standard of suppressed, artistic, middle schoolers in small-town Georgia. Playing games under our set during a performance of the show, we knew immediately we were bound for a life-long friendship. Little did we know it would last us now nine years and 1,291.7 miles. Upon Graduation, Ansley being the true free spirit and multi-talented individual that she is, knew not what she wanted out of her career and attended a near by state school Columbus State University. After a year there, she knew she was destined for more and picked up and moved to Orlando where she participated in Disney World's college program. After one year and three promotions, she realized it was time for school, not just any school, big-boy academic school -The University of Georgia, located in Athens, Georgia and ranked #18 in top Academic Public Universities in the nation, where she currently studies Communications with an Emphasis in Event Planning with a Minor in Italian. After college she plans to go to grad school for Hospitality Management and ultimately manage top hotels internationally. Or "marry rich and sit on my ass all day" -Ansley Usery
VELADYA
Daughter of an Army Brat, Veladya (Vell-ay-dee-yuh) was born in North Carolina, then moved to Alabama, Missouri, and Hawaii, before finally landing in Georgia. Though a high-fashioned, afro-sporting, half Puerto-Rican half African-American looker now, she self-admittedly wasn't always that way. We too met doing theatre. I in the seventh grade, herself in the sixth doing Annie. Who better to portray a pasty, freckle-faced, ginger orphan, than a black girl? Our relationship was a gradual one, and throughout middle school, high school and now college we have remained the best of friends. After graduating in 2011, Veladya went on to attend Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on a full ride scholarship for Musical Theatre. A high-belting, racially ambiguous, triple threat, and dear friend of mine her plan for the future includes being rich and famous.
JENNIFER
Born and raised in Pine Mountain, Georgia, Jennifer defines southern belle. Growing up her entire life living feet from each of her aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents and daughter to an Automotive Repair Man. Having met doing theatre as well, I'd say that Jen and I are perhaps unlikely friends, in fact perhaps all four of us are (Myself, Jennifer, Veladya and Ansley) however, it seems those types of friendships often times are the most beneficial and matter the most, as is the case with my friends. After graduation Jennifer went to Auburn University, she quickly realized after a mere semester that it was not the place for her, she took a year to herself in Columbus, and I'm excited to say that since October she has joined me in New York City. Living on the Upper West Side in the 70's and attending AMDA (American Musical and Dramatic Academy). This Classically trained legit Soprano is going against her southern roots and finding her own way.
