Melissa J. Marek, Gloria Steinem
Melissa J. Marek is grateful to be part of Cypress Stage’s inaugural production! Recent credits include The Minutes, The Pillowman, August: Osage County and The Revolutionists with Dirt Dogs Theatre Co., and Phenomenal Woman at The Ensemble Theatre. A graduate of HSPVA, Melissa holds a BA in radio and television from the University of Houston and is design director
Marcy Bannor, Ensemble
Marcy Bannor, a graduate of The Goodman School of Drama, is delighted to perform in Gloria: A Life. Her 40-year career includes stage acting, television and radio commercials, and anime voice dubbing. A certified Texas Theatre Arts teacher, she has taught in Spring Branch and Aldine ISDs and now substitutes in Fort Bend ISD. Marcy has two children and three grandsons, and say
Dani Tran, Ensemble
Dani Tran is a Houston-based actress and Cypress native thrilled to be part of Cypress Stage’s inaugural production of Gloria: A Life. She studied at California Lutheran University and Lone Star College and recently appeared as Margaret in Silent Sky and Emily in The Sweet Science of Bruising at Lone Star College–CyFair. Dani is honored to share Gloria’s story and thanks her the
Keri Palmer, Ensemble
Keri Elaine earned her BFA in Musical Theatre from Loyola University and is thrilled to make her Cypress Stage debut. Her credits include Waitress (Nurse Norma), Grease (Marty), Jersey Boys (Female Swing), Hairspray (Dynamite), Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Lil Eva/Shirelles), The Color Purple (Church Lady Doris), Intimate Apparel (Mrs. Dickson), and The Wiz (Dorothy). S
Takisha Bendy, Ensemble
Takisha Bendy, a TSU graduate, has appeared in Madea’s Family Reunion with Tyler Perry, Coffee-Colored Dreams, Behind Closed Doors and Too Much Woman for One Man. Her TV and film credits include Woman Thou Art Loosed, JUNETEENTH: The Untold Story, Screen Door Jesus and Jason’s Lyric. Her directing work includes Zion’s Chosen Ones and Crowns. She thanks God for her gifts and
Felicidi Scott, Ensemble
FELICIDI SCOTT is delighted to join Cypress Stage’s inaugural show, returning to Houston theatre after 20 years. Credits include the Alley, Main Street, Houston Shakespeare Festival and Unity Theatre. An MFA graduate of UH, she trained with Sir Peter Hall, Uta Hagen, Edward Albee, José Quintero, Stuart Ostrow and Sidney Berger. A proud member of the Osage Nation, she shar
Janye Anderson
Janye Anderson
Founder and Executive Director
Janye Anderson is an actor, producer, director, public speaker, and the Founder & Executive Director of Cypress Stage, a nonprofit performing arts organization created to bring professional-quality live theatre to Cypress, Texas.
With two decades of theatre and performance experience, Janye has built her artistic career around storytelling, community connection, and the transformative power of live performance. Her work reflects a deep belief that theatre can do more than entertain - it can uplift, inspire, create belonging, and bring people together across generations.
Janye later founded We Give Productions, Houston’s only exclusive daytime theatre for seniors, where she produced and performed shows for older adult audiences in public venues and senior living communities. Through that work, she saw firsthand how live theatre can bring laughter, connection, joy, and renewed energy to audiences who are often underserved by traditional evening performance schedules.
As the Founder of Cypress Stage, Janye is committed to creating a lasting cultural home for theatre in Cypress - one that serves adults, families, youth, seniors, artists, and the broader community. Her vision is to build a professional, welcoming theatre where original works, rediscovered classics, audience favorites, young audience programming, senior daytime theatre, and acting classes can inspire, unite, and enrich the community for generations to come.
Ron Jones
Ron Jones
Artistic Director
Ron is celebrating 55 years in theatre as an actor, director, producer, and educator. He was Artistic Director for New Heights Theatre, Celebration Theatre, and On the Verge Theatre.
He has directed over 150 plays at such theatres as Theatre LaB Houston, Stages, Main Street Theatre, The Ensemble, Mildred’s Umbrella, Queensbury Theatre, Dirt Dog’s Theatre, Stageworks and Unity Theatre.
Favorite directing works include THE WOMEN, THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA, INTIMATE APPAREL, COMPLEAT FEMALE STAGE BEAUTY, CASSEROLE, DIVA, THE KATHY AND MO SHOW, CROWNS, DREAMGIRLS, HAIRSPRAY, CONSTANT STAR, CLYBOURNE PARK, AUGUST OSAGE COUNTY, and ELTON JOHN’S AIDA.
He has appeared in over 100 productions in the venues above and others, such as Theatre Under the Stars and The Houston Shakespeare Festival. His favorite roles include Dr. Frank ‘N’ Furter in THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, Greta in BENT, Sir Evelyn in ANYTHING GOES, and Montano in OTHELLO.
He was a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association for 35 years. Ron has an MFA in Theatre and taught theatre for 40 years on the high school (HISD) and college (Lone Star) levels. He has taught acting at Theatre Under the Stars, Stages, and The Ensemble theatre!
Ron is proud to be artistic director of Cypress Stage!
Marcy Bannor
Marcy Bannor
Marcy Bannor
Associate Artistic Director - Youth Theatre
Marcy Bannor brings a rich background in performance, theatre education, storytelling, and youth-centered arts programming to Cypress Stage.
Her work has included Houston-area stage performance as well as theatre workshops and residencies designed to engage young people through storytelling, creative writing, theatre games, improvisation, and collaborative play.
As Associate Artistic Director - Youth Theatre, Marcy helps guide programming that introduces children, students, and families to the joy, imagination, confidence, and connection that live theatre can inspire.