About the Show

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


The Story Behind the Stories

"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 who explore the way
their stories weave together to impact their communities during their lives and 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.

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 Disney, Amazon Studios, Universal Studios, Nickelodeon, ABC, FOX KIDS, Mattel, HIT, and Cloudco Entertainment.  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.  Dev’s most recent play, THE DEAD QUILTERS SOCIETY is currently going into its fourth production before touring, and she’ll be shooting her original musical film WEIRD DETENTION summer of 2025. Dev has taught screenwriting at the Zaki Gordon Film Institute, and two Arts and Design colleges in South Korea. As a major writer for Disney’s DARKWING DUCK, Dev is often featured at comic book fairs and on podcasts.

Shondra Jepperson

Music Composer and Songwriter

Shondra Jepperson, Julliard School of Drama Alumni is an award- winning composer, singer, actor, and voice over artist with 48 years of performance credits in the entertainment industry. Besides acting credits, Shondra’s starred in her own shows and concerts in Vegas, Reno, tours across the USA, Canada, Mexico, including on popular cruise lines. Shondra’s original works writing music and lyrics includes six produced musicals which includes, The Dead Quilters Society.  She’s the composer of the songs for her original musical film WEirD Detention scheduled for production July 2025.  Shondra has produced several of her own CDs and has songs published in several songbook compilations. Her songwriting awards include 13 music and film festivals from around the world 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.  “The Dead Quilters Society” 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 even 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 “The Dead Quilters Society” and sharing history in an innovative way.

The Creative Vision

Dead Quilters Society 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.  THE DEAD QUILTERS SOCIETY 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.