The National Theatre’s Community Stages Adds Three New Artists

Groovy Nate® is a multi-dimensional performance and teaching artist who creates exciting educational shows and workshops, using funky grooves played on his loop station, electric guitar, exotic musical instruments such as the mouth bow, talking drums, and kitchen utensils; laced with puppet skits, comedy, and creative play— a la Sesame Street meets Parliament/Funkadelic. Groovy Nate’s music is unique and eclectic, using Funk music as the foundation and reference. This is best represented in his two children’s music albums, “Meet Groovy Nate”, and “I’m Gonna Play My Bell”, along with a single promoting seat belt safety aptly called, “Put Your Seat Belt On” (he recently published a children’s book with the same title).  Additionally, Groovy Nate has a song titled, “Respect Everybody” that is featured in the 2022 Grammy nominated compilation album by One Tribe Collective, “All One Tribe”. Visit Groovy Nate’s website to learn more about his work.

Sage Snider, who performs as Sage O’Silver, is a singer-songwriter, fiddler, flatfooter, and guitarist with roots in Nashville and a national touring background. She has performed across the U.S. as a soloist and with bluegrass, celtic, rock, and pirate bands, with work featured by the Maryland Renaissance Festival, the Smithsonian, District Fringe, and the Yale University Art Gallery. Her programs include pirate adventures for young buccaneers, fun music for Halloween parties, and country music history.

The Whyrates are a dynamic pirate duo on a mission to bring wonder back to science and swashbuckling fun to all! Featuring science-savvy Juarez M’Gold (Kevin Pereira) and fiddling virtuoso Sage O’Silver (Sage Snider), they get kids singing, dancing, and discovering the magic of the high seas. Their interactive shows can be pure pirate musical fun, educational science adventures, or anything in-between. With different themed shows available, they’ll tailor the experience to fit the venue—whether that means launching chemistry cannons, singing like whales, or just keeping everyone entertained from bow to stern!

Visit Sage’s website to learn more about her solo work and her adventures as part of The Whyrates.

Sisi “SoulShine” Reid (she/they) is a multidisciplinary dance-theater artist, storyteller, and educator. Sisi graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park with a B.A. in Theater and The Theater Lab’s Life Story Institute. She is the Founder and Artistic Director of the touring dance-theater Soul Shine Theater Garden, a teaching artist on the Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC)’s Teaching Artist Roster, and an actor with Verbal Gymnastics, a local playback theater company. She creates site responsive and interactive solo performances that combine local history, play, and personal storytelling. Sisi brings her signature “Embodying the Elements” (earth, air, water, fire, and light) workshops and performances to youth and communities so they may remember our interconnectedness with nature. She was the 2025 Artist in Residence at Temperance Alley Garden in Washington, D.C. and often facilitates her programs at gardens, farms, and outdoor education organizations. Visit Sisi’s website to learn more about her work.