The Story Behind the Stories

"Dead Quilters" Book and Lyrics & Music was created by
Emmy Award-winning writer Dev Ross
Award-winning songwriter/composer Shondra Jepperson.

This unique blend of music, storytelling, and theatrical performance tells the real stories of five women who discover how their stories weave together to impact their communities during their lives and today.

They are visionaries, activists, and builders,
who dared to dream and act in a time when women's voices were often silenced.

A groundbreaking theatrical production celebrating the untold stories of five extraordinary women who shaped Sedona's history.

"The Dead Quilter's Society" was created by Emmy Award-winning writer Dev Ross and Award-winning songwriter/composer Shondra Jepperson.

This original production tells the real stories of five women from Sedona's history, exploring the ripple effects of their actions on their community—effects that are still evident today.

Through a unique blend of music, storytelling, and theatrical performance,  they bring to life the forgotten narratives  of visionaries, activists, healers, builders, and pioneers who dared to dream and act in a time when women's voices were often silenced.

Meet the Creative Team

Dev Ross

Emmy Award-Winning Writer

Dev Ross, Emmy and Humanitas winning screenwriter, has written films and television for major studios including Disney, Amazon Studios, and Universal Studios. Dev was also the Artistic Director of the Emmy Winning TWELFTH NIGHT REPERTORY COMPANY, who did both stage and television, where she won the ACTION IN CHILDREN’S TV AWARD.  As a major writer for Disney’s DARKWING DUCK, Dev is often featured at comic book fairs and on podcasts. Her latest feature film, HIGH SCHOOL DETENTION, the MUSICAL premiers on Amazon on September 7th, 2026.

Shondra Jepperson

Music Composer and Songwriter

Shondra Jepperson, alumni of Julliard School of Drama, is an award-winning composer, singer, actor, and voice over artist and has starred in her own shows and concerts in Vegas, Reno, tours across the USA, Canada, Mexico, and on popular cruise lines. Shondra composed the songs for HIGH SCHOOL DETENTION, the MUSICAL which is being released on Amazon on September 7th, 2026 with her songs from the film also available on Spotify.  She has produced her own CDs and has songs published in several songbook compilations. Songwriting awards include 13 music and film festivals from Ireland to NYC. She is also a master voice and stage performance coach and offers her own 27 on-line video coaching program, Unlock the Singing Superstar in You. For more info visit ShondraMusic.com

 

Nate Meyers

Executive Director, Sedona Historical Society

Nate Meyers is the Executive Director of the Sedona Historical Society and Sedona Heritage Museum.  “Dead Quilters” is his first foray into theatrical production, though he is no stranger to performing.  He grew up playing the trumpet, winning three DCA World Championships with the Syracuse Brigadiers Drum & Bugle Corps.  He performed in the orchestra for musicals “Crazy for You,” “Over Here!” and “The Music Man,” and took a turn onstage in a college production of “Fiddler on the Roof.”  Nate is excited to be part of a very creative team developing “Dead Quilters” and sharing history. 

 

The Creative Vision

Dead Quilters weaves together traditional theatrical storytelling techniques to craft a rich, multi-layered experience that seamlessly connects the past with the present. The original music draws inspiration from each woman’s era and personal story and infuses the performance with emotional depth and historical resonance. Additionally, our community engagement through the Digital Quilt Project fosters a collaborative and meaningful connection with audiences, inviting them to contribute to the storytelling experience.

Why These Stories Matter

Throughout history, women’s contributions are often overlooked.  DEAD QUILTERS gently reveals the unique and relatively unknown stories of five remarkable women who stand as quiet testaments to leadership, innovation, and resilience.  Their stories matter. Women’s stories matter.  All our stories matter because it is through stories we connect to our families, our neighbors and our greater communities.  We live in an age of rapid-fire technology, where change is coming faster and faster – all which makes personnel connection more important than ever.