Performer, Director, and Advocate

Rochara Knight has been an integral part of the Columbia performing arts community since 2009. She has captivated audiences through her roles in various plays and musicals and has made memorable guest appearances as a vocalist at prominent events such as the City of Columbia Diversity Breakfast, Jane Doe Revue, The Last Waltz, and MOSY.

In 2015, Rochara expanded her involvement in the arts by joining the board of Talking Horse Productions, serving as Vice President and Fundraising Committee Chair before becoming Executive Director in 2018. She transitioned to the role of Artistic Director in 2021, a position she held until 2024. Rochara holds a Masters of Public Administration in Non-Profit Management from the University of Missouri-Columbia and is currently pursuing a Masters in Human Rights and Humanitarian Action, with a focus on Women & Children’s Advocacy, at Liberty University.

Rochara’s talents extend beyond the stage; she has contributed to numerous theater productions as an assistant director, producer, stage manager, sound board operator, costumer, and made her directorial debut in 2023. She is also the co-founder and producer of Cabaret for a Cause alongside friend and performer Audra Sergel.

In addition to her theatrical achievements, Rochara is the lead singer and songwriter for Rochara Knight & The Honey Doves. Their debut album was released in October 2023. She dedicates her professional time to St. Raymond’s Society, a non-profit organization that supports young mothers in achieving self-sufficiency. Above all, she is a proud mother to Chantal, who recently graduated with honors from Arizona State University with a Masters Degree in Forensics.

Joseph Wilson will be joining us as the narrator for these concerts. He brings decorated experience as a radio host and programmer. He won the honor of Radio Announcer of the Year at the 27th Annual Gospel Choice Music Awards.

Elder Wilson was the first African American to receive this type of recognition in Columbia, Mo. and the first to receive accolades of this caliber at KOPN. He’s described as a son, brother, preacher, husband, father, published poet, entrepreneur ambassador, radio host, and “living black history”.

We are honored to have Elder Wilson as part of our second annual Black History Month Concert.

Carla Tigue is a Disease Intervention Specialist with a Bachelor's degree in General Studies, with an emphasis in Family Studies, from the University of Missouri. In addition to her career in public health, Carla has over 20 years of experience in theater, primarily in stage productions. She received a scholarship for theater after high school and has since expanded her craft into film and commercials. Her most recent project involved work on a film titled Missing in STL.

Chris Schwedtmann is a professional videographer for a leading multinational building materials company, where he specializes in crafting cinematic, documentary-style corporate videos that highlight the personal stories of the company’s dedicated employees. Beyond his professional work, Chris is deeply committed to supporting local non-profits by helping them share their missions through the power of video. His collaborations include impactful projects with organizations such as Love Columbia, YoungLife, ForColumbia, Magnolia’s Ministry, Columbia Women’s Ministry, Coyote Hill, City of Refuge, and Lizzy’s Walk of Faith.

Chris is also a passionate researcher and documentary filmmaker. He is currently developing a film that explores the history and enduring legacy of eight African American churches in Columbia, Missouri. These churches, all of which have been active since the mid-1800s—some even before the end of the Civil War—have profoundly shaped the cultural and spiritual fabric of the community. Each church has a unique story rooted in faith and resilience, serving as a testament to the power of God and their pivotal role in Columbia's development.

Mary Barile is a playwright whose work places local history on stage. Her plays have been produced in small towns and big cities, and often focus on the stories that make a place special to its citizens. She is fortunate to have had readings and shows at venues as varied as the Kennedy Center and tiny local theatres in the United States and Canada. She has a doctorate in theatre from the University of Missouri.

Clyde Ruffin holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Iowa. His was appointed to the faculty of Washington University-St. Louis in 1976 and subsequently invited to join the University of Missouri faculty in 1982 where he served as Professor and Chair of the Department of Theatre until 2015. 

He is the recipient of the Kemper Fellowship for Teaching Excellence and the Chancellor’s Award for Research and Creativity. He is also a Kellogg National Fellow and a Distinguished Alumni of the University of Iowa.   In 2004 he was awarded the Martin Luther King Community Service Award and the Columbia Values Diversity Award. Most notably, he was awarded the John F. Kennedy Center Medallion in 1992 and again in 1999 for Creative Excellence and also the President’s Award for Community Engagement in 2012.  He also served as Poel Laureate for the City of Columbia’s 2021 Bicentennial and in 2022 he was honored as an MU Trailblazer by the Black Alumni Association.

He was appointed to the John William Boone Heritage Foundation Board of Directors in 2001 and has served as President for the past 22 years, which afforded him the unique opportunity to guide the final restoration of the historic John and Eugenia Boone home, which was dedicated and opened to the public on September 18, 2016. In 2020 he completed his term as Mayor Pro Tem and the representative for the First Ward on the Columbia City Council where he confronted the issues of social inequity, racial disparities and economic opportunities that impact marginalized communities.  

Rev. Ruffin was selected as the Senior Pastor of Second Baptist Church- Columbia in 2003, which has provided a vital opportunity to promote his vision of a beloved community overflowing with believers of all races and backgrounds who are fervent in love and worship, grounded in the Word of God and committed to serving the needs of others.