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THE REBEL GIRLS TRAILER

The Rebel Girls

The Rebel Girls is inspired by a true story. In June 1963, on a hot and muggy day, in Americus, GA, Civil Rights activists, including 500 children, marched to the Martin Theater to sit on the main floor instead of the mandatory Colored balcony. Many of the children were arrested and thrown into local jails. Then, dozens of the girls were abducted in the middle of the night by policeman and taken to an undisclosed location – a Civil War era stockade, in Leesburg, GA, originally built to house captured Union soldiers.

For forty-five days the girls were captives in the stockade, without ever being charged with a crime. Their parents were told they were lost in the system. Despite being fed half-raw meat, forced to use a broken toilet, sleeping on a concrete floor, drinking rust-filled water, and being threatened with rape and murder, THE GIRLS SURVIVED. With the gift of creative and magical thinking, they were able to disappear into a world of fantasy to preserve their spirits and fight another day. The Rebel Girls tells their story.

The Rebel Girls is written, directed and produced by Felicia D. Henderson (First Kill, The Punisher, Soul Food) and stars Nika King (Ella Mae Brown), Kyanna Simone (Bertha), Honey Robinson (Myrna), Nia Washington (Lulu), Josephine Lawrence (Octavia), Maxcianna Saintilus (Carol), Avynn Crowder-Jones (Bereta “Bee”), and Asia Holiday (Gussie Lee).

meet the cast

NIKA KING (Ella Mae Brown), known for her roles in Euphoria and Kevin Hart’s Guide to Black, balances comedy and drama effortlessly. Her breakout role on Euphoria showcased her dramatic talent, while her comedy has graced stages at the Just for Laughs Festival and her own show, Niko King & Friends. King’s creative ventures extend to writing, producing, and starring in the web series Funny Married Stuff, and executive producing her debut feature film, Possum Trot. With personal experiences driving her advocacy, King’s multifaceted career continues to inspire and uplift.

KYANNA SIMONE (Bertha), known for her roles in diverse projects, recently starred in Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat alongside Uzo Aduba, Aunjanue Ellis, and Sanaa Lathan. Her versatility shines in Season 2 of Winning Time, the indie feature The Year Between (premiered at Tribeca Film Festival), and Ryan Murphy’s American Horror Stories. Her impressive resume includes roles in Project Power with Jamie Foxx and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, MA with Octavia Spencer, amongst others. With a range of performances across various genres, Simone continues to captivate audiences with her talent and presence on screen.

HONEY ROBINSON (Myrna), a Theatre major at USC, began her acting journey at 9, performing Shakespeare in Compton. With two consecutive wins at the City Hearts’ Shakespeare Challenge, she showcased her talent early. Robinson’s credits include the Awesomeness TV series My Dream Quinceañera, along with guest and co-starring roles in The Rookie and The Goldbergs. Notably, she recently wrapped a lead role in the Disney+ Launchpad film Black Belts, highlighting her versatility and promising career trajectory.

NIA SONDAYA (Lulu), who won Best Supporting Actress at just 14 years old for her debut role in the Pittsburgh Playwright’s Black White Festival, later moved to Los Angeles to study at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy. Her talent has led to recurring roles in Showtime’s Yellowjackets, Peacock’s Bel Air, and Apple TV’s Truth Be Told. Additionally, Sondaya secured a leading role in the Netflix film Heart Shot, showcasing her versatility and promising career trajectory in the entertainment industry.

JOSEPHINE LAWRENCE (Octavia), whose acting journey commenced at 4 on stage at the Southwest Fulton Arts Center in Atlanta, Georgia, has since built a diverse portfolio. Her credits include appearances in indie and short films, national commercials for Amazon Prime and Lexus, and notable television productions like Tyler Perry’s Meet The Browns, Fox’s 9-1-1, Starz’ Raising Kanan, and OWN’s Cherish The Day. Lawrence’s early start and versatile talent hint at a promising career trajectory in the entertainment industry.

MAXCIANNA SAINTILUS (Carol), a Haitian American actress, honed her craft at the Vashon Center Of The Arts. Adopted from Haiti at a young age, she embarked on her acting journey at 5 years old. Saintilus recently starred in Choices, a film that earned the Best Cast Award at the Diversity in Cannes Short Film and Web Series Showcase. Her dedication to her craft and early start in the industry underscore her talent and potential for future success.

AVVNN CROWDER-JONES (Beretta/”Bee”), born on October 2, 2012, in Harbor City, CA, now resides in Lakewood with her parents. Despite her young age, she has made notable appearances on television, including a recurring guest-starring role in HBO’s Here and Now and a guest-starring role in RapShit Season 2. Additionally, Crowder-Jones has landed multiple principal roles in commercials, showcasing her budding talent and potential in the entertainment industry.

ASIA HOLIDAY (Gussie Lee), experienced her first movie at the age of 6, by singing in the James Brown biographical drama Get on Up. She performed at Carnegie Hall with Distinguished Concerts International New York. She went on to grace the stage at the world-renowned Grand Ole Opry for three consecutive years.

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