Bringing you Joanne Jefferson is Ja’Liyaha Sanders, an Akron native who recently graduated from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy. Channeling her passion into choir and sports during school, she never thought much of theatre. However, she always loved the musical Rent and the character Joanne. Returning to Akron after graduation, she landed her first ever role here at Weathervane in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical as Little Eva and she recently played multiple roles in The Colored Museum at the MakeShift Theater, all while directing for her a show for her church. Ja’Liyaha is thankful for the opportunity to return and honored to play a dream role of hers.