Last Words: Mary

Geraud Staton began his acting career onstage as Yasha in The Cherry Orchard (Little Green Pig). Other roles include Inspector Bertozzo in Anarchist!, Taylor in Prelude to a Kiss (Ghost and Spice), and Gerard in The Overwhelming (Manbites Dog). He has appeared in three 10 x 10 Festivals at The Carrboro ArtsCenter,a member of an ensemble cast in Oh What a Lovely War, and as an actor/dancer in Uncle Sam Wants You. His favorite role to date was Sam in the play Mr. Burns - A Post Electric Play (Manbites Dog). He has done set design for Night Beast, The Pillowman, Harriet Jacobs, and The Parent Project. He also had a recurring role as Anvil Steel in NPR's Jade City Pharoah.

Geraud's film debut was as Earl in Basilisk in 2013. He's since been part of three projects, including Frequency and Going Down Slow. His energy, dramatic sensibility and presence were gifts very much in evidence in this film. Geraud also appears as a principal actor in our film, SAY GOODNIGHT.

Now performing as Connie Lea, Connie was born and raised in Cary, NC. She is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with a BA degree in Broadcast/Journalism. She has been wowing audiences for over 25 years using her vocal and acting talents. As an actress, she has been seen in theatrical productions, such as, Jitney, A Raisin in the Sun, Ragtime, The Color Purple, Black Nativity, A Lesson Before Dying, Porgy and Bess, Fences and many, many, more. Her most challenging theatrical production was Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill, a one woman show portraying the life of Billie Holiday. She has done multiple film/commercial projects and has been awarded best actress for her work in Gospel Good. She can also be seen in her first feature film entitled Malicious Intent II. Connie broadened her vocal talents when she signed on as a lead vocalist for National Saxophonist Stanley Baird and his band. After which, she formed her own band Mo’ Jazz and has been traveling throughout the state performing songs of Jazz, Gospel, Rhythm and Blues. Connie also appeared in a supporting role in our film Grace Running.

Her no-nonsense portrayal of Mary, mixed with tenderness, is a key element in this film.

Benaiah Adesoji is a performance artist currently based out of Raleigh, NC. He is a singer, actor, and writer among other passions and concentrations. Benaiah has appeared in a number of short films including The Ultimatum filmed at Living Arts College of Raleigh as well as Last Words: Mary.

Benaiah has also starred in several theatre productions with Raleigh Little Theatre, Burning Coal Theatre, and Pure Life Theatre Company to name a few.

Follow Benaiah on Instagram: @therealbenaiahadesoji