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Welcome

To
54 Below

A Nonprofit Cabaret Venue


Rashad McPherson is a music composer and arranger living in Brooklyn, NY. Rashad studied music formally as a piano principle and Music Business major at Berklee College of Music (Boston, MA). Rashad began his career performing, composing, and arranging Gospel Music; and over the last 15 years has expanded his wheelhouse to include R&B, Soul, Musical Theater, Jazz, and other styles.

Rashad made his theatrical music directorial debut in 2022 with the world premiere of Bayard Rustin: Inside Ashland; written and directed by Steve H. Broadnax, III (People’s Light Theatre). Rashad co-arranged and composed for the score alongside Jason Michael Webb.

Rashad served as music supervisor for Return of Young Boy; a new musical composed by Keenan Scott, II (Thoughts of a Colored Man) and Tre Matthews that debuted in the NYSAF 2022 Summer Season.

Rashad composed and arranged music for the west coast premier of The First Deep Breath; written by Lee Edward Colston, II, directed by Steve H. Broadnax, III, and presented at the world-renowned Geffen Playhouse (Los Angeles, CA).

For the last two years Rashad has served as music director for Broadway Celebrates Juneteenth; a Juneteenth event in Times Square featuring Black Broadway talent that is a celebration of Black culture and resilience.

Though Rashad is new to the greater NYC theater community, he is a gifted composer, arranger, music director/supervisor with more than 20 years experience coaching singers and musicians. His leadership is sure to enhance the musical proficiency, stamina, confidence, as well as morale of your performer(s).

Past Performances