Performers, Speakers, and Crew
Production
Encore Stage & Studio
For over 50 years, Encore Stage & Studio has given hundreds of thousands of young people the opportunity to grow and discover themselves through theatre: onstage, backstage, in the classroom, and in the audience. Serving almost 15,000 children and families each season, We bring high-quality, age-appropriate theatrical productions that are staffed by young people to our community and offer a vibrant selection of educational classes, workshops and summer programs, including outreach to underserved children and youth with community partners.
Encore Stage & Studio is committed to promoting inclusion and equitable access to all of its programs. We believe that an artistic community is enhanced through diversity. Learn more at about Encore Stage & Studio.
Madaline Younger Langston (Director)
Madeline is excited to return as Director/Producer for Arlington’s Martin Luther King Tribute 2025 and would like to thank the MLK committee members for an invitation to participate in this year's Tribute. As Programs Director, for Encore Stage and Studio, Madaline led the creation, production, and direction of Encore’s Flip the Script Program, which performed at the Kennedy Center on the Millennium Stage. As a graduate of the National Conservatory of Dramatic Arts Advance Theatre program in Washington DC, she began developing her improvisation and classical skills performing at the Maryland Renaissance Festival to later join the Shakespeare Theatre Company under the Artistic Direction of Michael Kahn, followed by two National tours with the John F. Kennedy Center’s programs for children. A member of the Screen Actors Guild, American Federation of Television Radio Artists, Actors Equity Association, and a Virtus certified teaching artist. Madaline is a Children’s Theatre Foundation of America’s 2021 Corey Medallion Award nominee.
Performers & Guest Speakers
Patrick Lundy & The Ministers of Music
This dynamic community choir officially debuted in November 1994 and consists of some of the most outstanding vocalists in Washington Metropolitan Area, many of whom are ministers of music, choir directors, music educators, soloists, and ordained ministers of the gospel. The group has appeared throughout the United States and abroad. They have accompanied a virtual “Who’s Who” in gospel and secular music for a myriad of prestigious events at venues such as the White House, U.S. Senate, U.S. Supreme Court, Library of Congress, The Washington National Cathedral, The Kennedy Center, at President Barack Obama’s inaugural activities and for the dedication of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial. Learn more.
Also featuring speakers:
Judge William T. Newman, Jr.
William T. Newman Jr. is an Arlington icon and civil activist. He received his B.F.A. in acting from Ohio University and his Juris Doctorate from the Catholic University Columbus School of Law. In 1987, he was elected to the Arlington County Board which made him the first African American elected to any office since the Reconstruction Era, he later became Chairman of the Arlington County Board. He is the Founder and President Emeritus of the Arlington Community Foundation, former President of the Washington Council of Governments, and served as Chief Judge of the Arlington County Circuit Court for twenty years, prior to his retirement in June of 2023. He now serves as a certified mediator for the McCammon Group. In addition to his civic endeavors, he is a busy and familiar stage, screen, TV, and voiceover performer. He played the title roles in Sophocles’ Oedipus the King and Shakespeare’s Othello with Lean and Hungry Theatre. He won critical acclaim as Jack Jefferson in The Great White Hope at the Ohio Valley Summer Theater. Regionally, he has appeared in productions at the Washington Theater Club, Arena State, The Lincoln Theater, and The Mosaic Theater. He also played Preacher Oedipus at the WSC Avant Bard Production of The Gospel at Colonus, for which he received a Helen Hayes Nomination for Best Musical Ensemble. He also appeared as Cutler in the 1st State production of Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, which also was Helen Hayes nominated for Best Dramatic Ensemble. In 2022, he also received acclaim for the one man show How I Learned What I Learned written by August Wilson.
Dr. Shakina Dunbar Rawlings
Dr. Shakina Dunbar Rawlings, hailing from Arlington, Virginia, is a multifaceted individual with a passion for transformative leadership and empowering others. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from George Mason University, followed by a Master of Divinity degree from Howard University School of Divinity. Continuing her academic pursuits, she achieved and earned Doctorate of Ministry Degree in Prophetic Preaching for the 21st Century from the United Theological Seminary, with her dissertation focusing on "Prophetic Preaching that Transforms the Leadership Structure and Development of the Church."
Dr. Rawlings is the visionary behind S.D. Rawlings Enterprise, housing Shakina Rawlings LLC, a platform dedicated to ministry, coaching, consulting, and apparel, and Jirch's Place, a non-profit organization aimed at equipping youth aged 3-21 with essential life skills. With over 14 years of experience in Operations Management, Dr. Rawlings brings a wealth of expertise to her endeavors.
In partnership with her husband, Deacon Dawud Rawlings, Dr. Shakina Dunbar Rawlings co-founded and pastors Kingdom Church, located in Woodbridge, Virginia, and Oxon Hill, Maryland, since 2015. Her commitment to spiritual growth and empowerment is further exemplified through her literary contributions, including her inaugural e-book Empowering You to Be, seven-day devotional inspiring individuals to embrace their divine purpose unapologetically.
Dr. Rawlings's impact extends beyond her immediate circles, earning recognition for her contributions to the community. Notably, she was the sole woman honored by WPRS Praise 104.1 for her pastoral role in 2019. Her accolades include Kepper of the Community Award (2018), the Alexandria Women's Commission Award for being a "Rising Star" (2016), the Arlington County Schools "Honored Citizen" Award (2015) for her work with Jireth's Place, and the Speak Life Youth LEadership Awards (2014).
Supported by her devoted husband, Deacon Dawud Rawlings, Dr. Rawlings finds joy in parenthood, cherishing her children, Amena and Dawud II.
Marcia Olivia Payne, Esq.
Marcia Olivia Payne, Esq. is a lawyer, youth advocate, public speaker, and culinary artist. A native of the Nauck community in South Arlington, Marcia is a graduate of Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology. In 2003, Marcia earned her Juris Doctor degree from The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law in Washington, D.C. where she received the distinguished Cardinal Hickey Award, Columbus School of Law’s highest honor for outstanding service to the community. It is this commitment to service coupled with zealous advocacy that has shaped Marcia’s approach to the practice of law.
Marcia is a Deputy Chief of Staff for the Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney for Prince William County. Prior to this role, Marcia was a Senior Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney in the Domestic Violence, Special Investigation and Violent Crimes Unit. Prior to prosecuting, Marcia was the managing attorney in Wright Law & Advocacy where she litigated complex civil, criminal, and family law matters in Virginia and DC. Marcia also served as an Assistant General Counsel and Director of Public Relations for a global art, business consulting, and media firm where she negotiated a wide range of agreements in radio, music, film, literary, and visual arts for arts and entertainment professionals.
Marcia takes great pride in serving her community both locally and abroad. She mentors adolescent girls in the D.C. Metropolitan Area. She has served as the Community Service Chair of the Northern Virginia Black Attorneys Association. Stemming from her time living abroad in Johannesburg, South Africa, Marcia is also a charter member of the Southern Africa Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
And Performances by:
- WAMMIE Winner Carly Harvey
- Lyrical Dancer, Trinity Mays
- Tap Dancer, Lauryn Marie Palmer
- Patterson Elementary School Choir
- Gunston Middle School Step Team