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JIM DALE | Creator and Performer

Jim Dale became Britain’s youngest professional comedian at the age of seventeen. In the 1960’s he became a pop-star under the wing of legendary recording manager Sir George Martin. In 1970 Laurence Olivier invited him to join the British National Theatre calling Jim, God’s gift to Shakespeare's comedies.
His On/Off Broadway successes include, SCAPINO, TAMING OF THE SHREW, BARNUM, ME AND MY GIRL, CANDIDE, PRIVATES ON PARADE, ADDRESS UNKNOWN, COMEDIANS, JOE EGG, ROAD TO MECCA, THE MUSIC MAN, TRAVELS WITH MY AUNT, THE THREE-PENNY OPERA and his one-man show, JUST JIM DALE. In the Best Actor category he has won a Tony Award, (Barnum), five Tony Nominations and five Drama Desk Awards. As a lyricist he won an Academy Award Nomination for writing the title song for the film, GEORGY GIRL. He has thirty films to his credit including Disney’s, PETE’S DRAGON, and eleven of the iconic British CARRY ON comedy series.
Jim recorded all seven books in the Harry Potter series, winning a record ten Audie awards, (the Oscars of the narrating world), two Grammy Awards, seven Grammy nominations, four Narrator of the Year awards and two Guinness World Records.
He has been inducted into the American Theatre Hall of Fame, Audio Hall of Fame and Audible’s Hall of Fame.

NINA SCHATELL | Stage Manager

Nina is a New York City-based stage manager. Having first worked for NYSAF two years ago, she’s excited to be back! Past credits include: TEETH, SCHOOL PICTURES, AMUSEMENTS, SALAAM MEDINA: TALES OF A HALFGHAN (Playwrights Horizons); CYMBELINE (NAATCO); STRAIGHT FORWARD (Theatre Row); MARS, THE WORLD IS NOT SILENT (NYSAF); YOKO'S HUSBAND'S KILLER'S JAPANESE WIFE, GLORIA (NAMT); ASSISTED (Rhinebeck Writers Retreat); EMMET COHEN TRIO AND FRIENDS (Jazz at Lincoln Center); TRIXIE & KATYA LIVE (Radio City Music Hall). She has also worked on projects with the Dramatist Guild Foundation, Musical Theatre Factory, Broadway Cares, and the New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players. Nina received her BFA in Theatre Design/Technology with a concentration in Stage Management from SUNY Purchase College. She’s a proud recipient of the Cody Renard Richard Scholarship and an alum of the Beyond the Stage Door training program.

MARGARET CHO | Creator and Performer

Comedian. Actor. Musician. Advocate. Entrepreneur. Five-time Grammy and Emmy nominee. Margaret Cho’s strong voice has been lighting the path for other women, other members of underrepresented groups, other performers, to follow. Her recent television appearances – guest star on Season 2 of THE FLIGHT ATTENDANT (HBO Max), guest star on Season 2 of HACKS (HBO Max) and two Netflix is a Joke comedy specials: STAND OUT: AN LGBTQ+ CELEBRATION and JANE FONDA & LILY TOMLIN: LADIES NIGHT LIVE – have expanded an already wide-ranging career, and her role as the ‘mother hen’ in the well-reviewed movie FIRE ISLAND solidifies why we all love Margaret in the first place.

As a comedian Margaret has been named one of Rolling Stone magazine's 50 Best Stand-Up Comics of All Time, one of Vogue magazine’s Top 9 Female Comedians of all time, while CNN chose her as one of the 50 People Who Changed American Comedy. Thankfully, Margaret has more stories to tell, and her production company, ANIMAL FAMILY PRODUCTIONS, has multiple scripted shows in development for 2022 and beyond.

LEAH NANAKO WINKLER | Additional Material

Leah Nanako Winkler is an award-winning playwright and TV Writer from Kamakura, Japan and Lexington Kentucky. Her plays include GOD SAID THIS , TWO MILE HOLLOW , KENTUCKY, HOT ASIAN DOCTOR HUSBAND and THE BRIGHTEST THING IN THE WORLD as well as many short plays all produced Off-Broadway and regionally. Accolades and fellowships: Yale Drama Series Prize, Mark O’Donnell Prize from The Actors Fund and Playwrights Horizons, Audible's Emerging Playwrights Fund, Jerome New York Fellow at the Lark, Francesca Primus Prize, and a 2020 Steinberg Playwright Award . She is published by American Theater Magazine, Nanjing University’s Stage and Screen Reviews, Yale University Press, Backstage, Smith and Krauss, Samuel French and Dramatists Play Service. TV credits include A24's RAMY, where she along with the other writers won a Peabody Award, LOVE LIFE on HBO MAX, SCHMIGADOON!, among others. She is currently a co-executive producer and writer on Elsbeth. Upcoming: CRAZY RICH ASIANS THE MUSICAL.

SEONJAE KIM | Director

Seonjae Kim (sun in the sky + letter j) is a NYC-based director from Seoul, South Korea. Favorite credits include KPOP (Associate, Broadway), BALD SISTERS (Salt Lake Acting Company), WILD GOOSE DREAMS (SpeakEasy Stage Company), THE WOLVES (Atlantic Acting School), JAR OF FAT (Ma-Yi), SHREK: THE MUSICAL (Associate, National Tour), and HOT ASIAN DOCTOR HUSBAND (Theater Mu). Seonjae created RIOT ANTIGONE, A RIOT GRRL musical adaptation of ANTIGONE, produced at La MaMa and Ars Nova and published in Reclaiming Greek Drama for Diverse Audiences (Routledge). Seonjae has also worked with Ensemble Studio Theatre, Joe's Pub, Bushwick Starr, Rattlestick Theater, and The New Group, and has received fellowships from New York Theatre Workshop, Drama League, Asian American Arts Alliance, Van Lier Foundation, Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation, and Playwrights Horizons. Seonjae's short film GOOD TASTE premiered at the Oscar-qualifying Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival before embarking on a national festival tour. Recently, Seonjae was named one of Broadway Women Fund’s 2024 list of “Women to Watch.” NYTW Usual Suspect. Graduate of Northwestern University. Find her at @sunintheskyletterj or seonjaekim.com.

ALYSSA K. HOWARD | Resident Stage Manager

Alyssa K. Howard is a NYC-based stage manager, as well as a musician and writer. Recent credits include: What Became of Us (Atlantic Theater), The Far Country (Berkeley Rep), Angel Island (Prototype Festival), Poor Yella Rednecks (MTC), Paradise Ballroom (New York Stage And Film), The Refocus Project: Year Three (Roundabout Theatre), Lady M (Heartbeat Opera), Public Obscenities (Soho Rep), The Far Country (Atlantic Theater), Black Lodge (Beth Morrison Projects), Once Upon A (korean) Time (Ma-Yi Theater), Golden Shield (MTC), Wolf Play (Soho Rep), Nollywood Dreams (MCC), for colored girls… (The Public Theater), Henry VI (NAATCO), Teenage Dick (Ma-Yi at the Public), Word Sound Power 2016-2021 (BAM), Glass Guignol (Mabou Mines), Dog Days (Beth Morrison Projects). Other: Page73, National Sawdust, Playwrights Horizons, Vineyard Theatre, Northern Stage, Berkshire Theatre Group, Connecticut Repertory Theatre, Yale Rep, McCarter Theatre, Orlando Shakes. MFA: Yale School of Drama. BA: Williams College. ig@shiningatthetop.

MAYA SHORE | Assistant Director and Stage Directons

Maya Shore (she/her) is a rising senior at Barnard College. She is a director, playwright, and production assistant based in New York City. She is passionate about theatre that looks the audience in the eye and experiments with technical ingenuity in every inch of available space. A selection of her past work includes HUMBLE BOY (Director, Columbia University Players) and THERE RUNS A MOUSE (Playwright and Director, Columbia University Players). Maya is this year's recipient of the Dasha Epstein Fellowship.

BRANT RUSSELL | Playwright

Brant Russell chairs the Acting department at the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati, where he is Drama Editor of the Cincinnati Review. Recent highlights include a site-specific commission and production for Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, directing a world premiere musical adaptation of AS YOU LIKE IT for Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, the premiere of his play BANKERS at Know Theatre, directing the world premiere of Gracie Gardner’s MALVOLIOS for Drama Studio London, and leading a series of workshops at Stary Teatr Krakow in Poland. In January 2025, he will direct Kareem Fahmy’s A DISTINCT SOCIETY at Human Race Theatre. BA: Kenyon College. MFA: Northwestern University. Proud member, AAUP, SDC, and Lincoln Center Directors’ Lab. www.brantrussell.com

JAKI BRADLEY | Director

Jaki is a director for screen and stage. Recent theater projects include DISCOASIS, an immersive roller disco in Central Park, THE PAPER DREAMS OF HARRY CHIN (IRT), HOW TO LOAD A MUSKET (LTR), WHITE NOISE (Berkeley Rep); RADIO ISLAND and GOOD MEN WANTED (NYSAF); HOUSE PLANT (NYTW); and PLAYING HOT (Ars Nova). She has been a member of the Civilians R&D, an artist-in-residence at Ars Nova, a Drama League TV/Film Fellow, the Soho Rep Writer/Director Lab, Williamstown Directing Corps, Lincoln Center Director’s Lab, and a U.S. Fulbright Scholar. Her feature directorial debut, THE ONE, is scheduled to shoot this year with Paramount. www.jakibradley.com

EVAN JONIGKEIT | Erik May

Evan’s recent film and tv credits include ARCHIVE 81, THE NIGHT HOUSE, WELCOME TO CHIPPENDALES, SWEETBITTER and the upcoming series, THE HUNTING WIVES. He appeared on Broadway in HIGH with Kathleen Turner (outer critics circle nomination, Kevin Kline Award win) and THE SNOW GEESE along side Mary Louise Parker. In addition he has performed in dozens of off-broadway / regional productions in his career. Evan’s recent Los Angeles credits are David Mamet’s, Henry Johnson and Jen Silverman’s, WITCH. His performance won the LA Critics Circle Award for best actor. Evan is also an Emmy Nominated producer.

ISMENIA MENDES | Erika Gruber

Ismenia Mendes: MACBETH (RedBull/Hunter), MARYS SEACOLE (LCT3), THE LIAR (CSC), TROILUS AND CRESSIDA, MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING (The Public - Dela-

corte), GRAND CONCOURSE, YOUR MOTHER’S COPY OF THE KAMA SUTRA (Playwrights Horizons). THE WAYSIDE MOTOR INN (The Signature Theater), FAMILY FURNITURE (The Flea), BABY SCREAMS MIRACLE (Clubbed Thumb). TV/film: ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK, HIGH MAINTENANCE, THE DEVIL YOU KNOW (HBOpilot: JENJI KOHAN/GUS VAN SANT) / LOST HOLIDAY, ARE YOU HAPPY Now. Training: Juilliard.

LACHLAN WATSON | Leif

Lachlan will next appear on screen in the A24 Kyle Mooney-directed feature Y2K and can most recently be seen in a recurring role in the series CHUCKY. Lachlan starred in THE CHILLING ADVENTURES OF SABRINA alongside Kiernan Shipka for its four-season run as well as the film THE UNHEARD for Shudder.. They can also be seen in an episode of Jenji Kohan's SOCIAL DISTANCE on Netflix. Lachlan's philanthropy for the LGBT community has been unprecedented, receiving the icon Award from GLAAD and the HRC Visibility Award.

CAMPBELL ANIDJAR | Stage Manager

Campbell Anidjar (they/he) is a queer stage manager & theater artist who seeks to uplift the voices of those underrepresented in the theater community through his work as a stage manager. Off-Broadway: MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG (NYTW). National Tour: THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS. Festivals: THE SONG OF ROME (Spoleto Festival USA). Special Events: Howard Ashman Cabaret 2024, AIDS Walk New York 2023. Staged Readings: BOGDONOFF (NYSAF), how it ends (NYSAF), A DAWN IN HER OWN DAY (Working Theater), PRIDE PLAYS 2019 & 2020. Campbell holds a BA in Theatre Arts with a concentration in Producing & Management from Marymount Manhattan College.

DEBORAH COCONIS | Stage Directions

Deborah Coconis has performed regionally with Half Moon Theatre, Howl Playwrights, Berkshire Playwrights Lab, County Players, and in numerous productions at The Center for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck. This summer she is co-directing with Chris Burney, BEYOND THE CURVES, a staged reading celebrating courageous, outrageous, and trailblazing women at Gallery 40 in Poughkeepsie. She is grateful to be a part of the process in NYSAF's Summer Season as a reader of stage directions.

DELTA RAE | Creators

Ian, Eric, and Brittany Hölljes are siblings best known as founding members of the dynamic folk-rock band Delta Rae. Delta Rae has toured worldwide as a band, playing major festivals, The Tonight Show, and even making the Forbes 30 Under 30 list. Having been signed to two major record labels, the band went independent in 2019, launching a record-breaking Kickstarter Campaign that made them the most-funded indie band in Kickstarter's history. As part of that campaign, Ian, Eric, and Brittany promised fans that they would write a Southern Gothic Musical based on their cult hit "Bottom of the River." That musical is called THE NINTH WOMAN and will be workshopped at the New York Stage and Film (NYSAF), marking a pivotal moment in the trio's career.

KEENAN SCOTT II | Book Writer

Keenan Scott II is a playwright, poet, actor, director, and producer of original work from Queens, New York. His work has been workshopped and produced at notable theaters such as National Black Theater, New York Theater Workshop, Arena Stage, and Woolly Mammoth. After years of readings, workshops, and independent shows, THOUGHTS OF A COLORED MAN made its commercial world premiere at Syracuse Stage during the 2019-2020 season and transferred to Baltimore Center Stage to finish its regional run before settling at the Golden Theater during the 2021-2022 Broadway Season, where he made his writing and unconventional acting debut. Scott was chosen to be a part of the 2021 TED Fellow cohort to be among a global community of artists, inventors, and scientists. His new original musical The Return of Young Boy, started development at New York Stage & Film and has sights on the 2025-26 theater season for its regional stage debut. He has numerous stage plays and projects in television and film in various stages of development.

In 2020, he formed Project Toys Entertainment, a dynamic and innovative company at the intersection of Theatre, TV, Film, Visual Art, and more. Project Toys is not just an ordinary production company; it is a creative art studio that embraces the spirit of childlike wonder and channels it into captivating experiences across multiple mediums. The mission is to bring joy, inspiration, and thought-provoking content to audiences of all ages, transcending boundaries and captivating hearts and minds.

LOGAN VAUGHN | Director

Logan Vaughn is a New York-based Director and Writer who blends her talents in both film and theatre to create intimate, magical and spiritually resonate theatrical experiences that explore radical ideas and expose humanity’s deepest truths. Most recently, her short film, BENNY & JAMES, was awarded Best SAG Indie at the 19th Annual Oscar-Qualifying HollyShorts Film Festival. BENNY & JAMES premiered at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival where it received the Jury Award for Best LGBTQ+ Short Film at The American Pavilion, and Logan was also awarded Best Director in the Cannes Short Film showcase, along with Best Cinematography and Best Cast. As a theater director, Logan has worked with The Public Theater, MCC Theater, Kansas City Rep Theater, South Coast Rep, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Geva Theatre, Playwrights' Center, The Playwrights Realm, Mosaic Theatre and National Black Theatre. She has helmed World Premieres at: Kansas City Rep, Village Theatre, Geva Theatre and Barrington Stage. Logan was a Director in Residence at Playwrights Horizon, a Sundance Institute Fellow, Goodman Theatre’s Joyce Arts Fellow and Director's Lab at Lincoln Center Fellow. Logan was nominated for Best Direction of a Play by the Outer Critics Circle (THE LIGHT, MCC Theater) and won Broadway World's 2019 Outstanding Play Production for the World Premiere of AMERICA V. 2.1: THE SAD DEMISE and EVENTUAL EXTINCTION OF THE AMERICAN NEGRO (Barrington Stage).

MARGOT BINGHAM | Miriam

MARGOT BINGHAM can currently be seen in LAWMEN: BASS REEVES for Paramount+ alongside Dennis Quaid. Other recent credits include the mega-hit AMC franchise THE WALKING DEAD, Spike Lee’s Netflix comedy series, SHE’S GOTTA HAVE IT, the NBC drama NEW AMSTERDAM, and the CBS All Access series, ONE DOLLAR. In 2022 she starred in Sebastian Guitierrez’ limited series LEOPARD SKIN opposite Carla Gugino on Peacock.

Margot had her breakout moment with a pivotal role as the 1920’s jazz songstress “Daughter Maitland” on the critically acclaimed HBO series, BOARDWALK EMPIRE, where she showed off her singing, dancing, and acting skills. Prior to this, she starred as the lead investigator, “Nina Meyer” in Jenna Bans’ ABC drama series THE FAMILY and appeared in Malcolm Lee’s comedy feature BARBERSHOP: THE NEXT CUT. Her additional film credits include SATURDAY CHURCH which premiered at Tribeca last year, the independent feature, ANYTHING opposite Matt Bomer and John Carroll Lynch and the Voltage feature, THEN CAME YOU opposite Maisie Williams and Asa Butterfield.

TANNER CALLICUTT | Aaron Payne

Tanner Callicutt: Tanner is thrilled to be spending time in the Hudson Valley this summer with THE NINTH WOMAN! Tanner was seen last season making his Broadway debut in the 2023 Tony Award-winning revival of PARADE. He’s also toured the United States as Fender in the national tour of HAIRSPRAY. Favorite Regional credits include Maine State Music Theatre, New Bedford Festival Theatre, and Laguna Playhouse. Tanner holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting from Elon University. Many thanks to Craig, Ashley, Jack, and my amazing team at Avalon Artists Group; and to my parents for their never-ending support. Special thanks to Logan and Delta Rae for having me be a part of this beautiful show! Keep tabs on Tanner by following him on Instagram! @jtcallicutt

SANDRA OKUBOYEJO | Diana

Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, Sandra Okuboyejo is a first-generation Nigerian-American actor, writer and narrator. Broadway/Tour: HAMILTON (Cover Eliza, Angelica, Peggy). Off-Broadway: NOLLYWOOD DREAMS (Ayamma) at MCC, RAGTIME ON ELLIS ISLAND (Sarah). Regional: NATASHA, PIERRE AND THE GREAT COMET OF 1812 (Natasha) at PCLO. Additional credits: CAROLINE, OR CHANGE (Emmie), THE DROWSY CHAPERONE (Janet). Tv credits: Recurring on DR.DEATH Season 2, and Guest Starring on TOMMY and THE BLACKLIST. Film credits: leading THE GAG, opposite Sheri Renee Scott, premiering at Tribeca Film Festival 2023. Her original musical HALONA & OPHELIA, where she helms book, music and lyrics has been showcased at prestigious venues and was named a 2023 Jonathan Larson Grant finalist and 2024 NAMT semi-finalist. Additionally an accomplished voice-over artist, featured in audiobooks and productions like Jordan Peele's OUT THERE SCREAMING, she’s earned starred reviews from Booklist and multiple earphones awards. Updates on her projects can be found at sandraokuboyejo.com and @sandraokuboyejo.

RYAN VONA | John Haskett

Ryan Vona is a Boston bred, New York based, Actor/Musician.

Broadway: ONCE, PARADE, BEAUTIFUL, Cirque du Soleil’s PARAMOUR. Off Broadway/Regional: THE UNTITLED, UNAUTHORIZED HUNTER S. THOMPSON MUSICAL (La Jolla Playhouse), LOVE IN HATE NATION (Two River); STREETS OF NEW YORK (Irish Rep); JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR (Connecticut Rep); YOU I LIKE (Pasadena Playhouse, 92Y); LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (Sharon Playhouse). Original music streaming everywhere.

SUSAN AQUILA | Viola

New York based violinist, electric violinist, violist and singer, Susan Aquila has stepped on stage with the Best. She played the “Last Play At Shea” with Billy Joel and has backed up artists Paul McCartney, Josh Groban, Steven Tyler, Beyoncé, Alicia Keys, Roger Daltrey, Elton John and Whitney Houston to name a few. She recently performed at Radio City Music Hall with Miss Diana Ross.

Ms. Aquila has toured the world as a classical soloist and chamber musician. As winner of the Maccabaeus Mutual Life Young Artist Competition, she performed recitals at The White House for Presidents Bush and Clinton. She has appeared on iconic stages such as Carnegie Hall, David Geffen Hall, Alice Tully Hall, Madison Square Garden and Radio City Music Hall. Her Broadway credits include The Lion King, Wicked, Annie Get Your Gun and Amazing Grace. She has appeared on The View, Good Morning America, the Today Show and Live with Kelly.

GEORGE FARMER | Bass

Original Broadway Production: SPRING AWAKENING, MEMPHIS, LADY DAY AT EMERSON’S BAR & GRILL, FUN HOME, AIN’T TOO PROUD, DAYS OF WINE AND ROSES

HEATHER FRANK | Violin

Heather Frank-Olsen plays with a variety of orchestras, including the Grammy-winning Albany Symphony, Harrisburg Symphony, The Orchestra Now, New England Symphonic Ensemble, The Washington Heights Chamber Orchestra, New Camerata Opera, and the New Jersey Festival Orchestra, just to name a few. Through her work with these and other ensembles, she has performed regularly at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and the Kennedy Center. Heather attended Swarthmore College, where she majored in music and Russian, spending a semester in St. Petersburg at the St. Petersburg Conservatory and the State Pedagogical University, then completed her master’s degree and artist diploma at SUNY Purchase. When not playing or teaching violin, Heather enjoys hanging out with her teenage kids, exploring her hometown of New York City, reading, cooking, baking, traveling, and running marathons.

PETER SALEH | Drummer

Drummer and percussionist Peter Saleh’s Broadway credits include SOME LIKE IT HOT!, BEETLEJUICE, and CAROLINE, OR CHANGE (2021 Revival). Off-Broadway: FIDDLER ON THE ROOF in Yiddish and AVENUE Q. Regional: MYSTIC PIZZA, MR. HOLLAND’S OPUS, THE NUTTY PROFESSOR (world premieres), THE CHER SHOW (regional premiere), and YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN at the Ogunquit Playhouse, as well as ONCE ON THIS ISLAND, and just last month drumming at BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL, at the Papermill Playhouse. Additional performances include RADIO CITY CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR Starring the Rockettes, New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, Poughkeepsie’s Hudson Valley Philharmonic, and 20 years with Exit 9 Percussion Group - with nearly 500 performances, including touring Ecuador as a 2021 cultural envoy for the US State department.

Peter has accompanied dance at Juilliard, Ailey, and Joffrey schools, taught at SUNY Purchase since 2010, is a published author, composer, and arranger, patent-pending inventor of the Switchboard, and proud endorser of Pearl/Adams and Sabian instruments and is thrilled to have gotten engaged to the love of his life, Sandra Gumuzzio three weeks ago!

LARRY SALTZMAN | Guitar

Larry Saltzman is one of New York’s "in demand" guitarists for recordings and live performances. He has performed and/or recorded with Paul Simon, Bette Midler, Josh Groban, Shawn Colvin, Jewel, Celine Dion, Christine Ebersol, Patty LuPone, David Johansen and many others. His guitar playing is featured on several Grammy Award winning CDs, and on the score of Martin Scorsese's Academy Award winning film THE DEPARTED. Larry has appeared NBC's SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE, as a member of the House Band, and as a member of the orchestra for the yearly Kennedy Center Honors TV show. He has held the guitar “chair” in 11 Broadway Shows.

NORMAN ANTHONY SMALL | Stage Manager

Broadway: THE SHARK IS BROKEN, LEOPOLDSTADT, AMERICAN BUFFALO. Off-Broadway: SALLY & TOM (The Public Theater); WHERE WE STAND (WP Theater); HALFWAY BITCHES GO STRAIGHT TO HEAVEN (Atlantic Theater Company). Regional: ELLA - A MUSICAL TRIBUTE TO ELLA FITZGERALD, EMERGENCY (Crossroads Theatre Company); THE YEAR OF MAGICAL THINKING, FIRES IN THE MIRROR (Long Wharf Theatre); FIRES IN THE MIRROR, A PLAY FOR THE LIVING IN A TIME OF EXTINCTION, WHERE WE STAND (Baltimore Center Stage); MEASURE FOR MEASURE, ART (Shakespeare & Company). Tour: TWISTED MELODIES (Baltimore Center Stage/Apollo Theater), Water +/- (NPR). Education: Master of Business Administration (MBA),Metropolitan College of New York; Bachelor of Music (BM), University of Miami. Adjunct professor of stage management at Fordham University. Award: Charlie Blackwell Symposium Scholarship for Stage Managers of Color.

DIALLO ADAMS | Assistant Stage Manager

Diallo is a theatre-maker in the NYC area. While in stage management, he’s had the opportunity to work with several venues including the Public Theater, Baltimore Center Stage, and Imagination Stage. He is also a lyricist in the BMI Musical Theatre Workshop.

HANNAH LOUISE JONES | Stage Management Apprentice

Hannah Louise Jones (she/her) is a rising third-year M.F.A candidate in stage management at the David Geffen School of Drama. Select stage management credits include Cactus Queen, Furlough’s Paradise, The Misanthrope, Julius Caesar, WAKE (the Geffen School), the betrayal project, play @ the cab (Yale Summer Cabaret), James & The Giant Peach Jr. (Children’s Theatre Company, TAT). Hannah is an inaugural cohort member of Baseline Theatrical’s Beyond The Stage Door program. Hannah holds a B.A. in theatre, education and black feminist thought from Hampshire College with a Multicultural Theatre Certificate from UMass Amherst. She sends love and gratitude to her family and friends for their joyous and constant support.

KENNY SEYMOUR | Music Supervisor, Director, Orchestrator and Arranger

Broadway/Off-Broadway: HIPPEST TRIP: THE SOUL TRAIN MUSICAL (Music Supervisor, Orchestrator & Arranger), AIN’T TOO PROUD: THE LIFE & TIMES OF THE TEMPTATIONS (Music Supervisor/Music Director & Arranger), THE HARDER THEY COME (Music Supervisor, Orchestrator, Arranger), MEMPHIS (Music Director/Conductor), AMAZING GRACE (Orchestrator), Film/TV: TALKING WITH THE TAXMAN ABOUT POETRY (Composer - Global Music Award for Best Original Score). Arranger/Orchestrator for shows on Fox, BET, NBC including the Inaugural Ball for President Barack Obama. Mr. Seymour has performed around the world, from the Legendary Apollo Theatre and Carnegie Hall to the Montreux Jazz Festival. Education: Manhattan School of Music, Berklee College of Music. www.kennyseymour.com

AMBER RUFFIN | Book, Lyrics, and Director

Amber Ruffin is an Emmy, Tony and WGA Award nominated writer and performer for NBC’s LATE NIGHT WITH SETH MEYERS. She has written and performed on many TV shows including THE AMBER RUFFIN SHOW, DETROITERS, A BLACK LADY SKETCH SHOW AND DRUNK HISTORY. Ruffin has written for the Emmys, Golden Globes and Tonys. Ruffin is a New York Times bestselling author of YOU’LL NEVER BELIEVE WHAT HAPPENED TO LACEY: CRAZY STORIES OF RACISM. She co-wrote the most Tony nominated musical of 2023, SOME LIKE IT HOT. Ruffin wrote the revival of THE WIZ which is currently on Broadway.

KEVIN SCIRETTA | Book

Kevin Sciretta is a performer and writer based out of Chicago, IL. He’s been an improviser and sketch comedian at The Second City Chicago as a member of their National Touring Company and Theatricals Department. He has also performed at iO Chicago and The Annoyance in both improvisation and sketch. He's currently a writer for MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATER 3000 and previously wrote for THE ONION NEWS NETWORK. You can see him perform at The iO Theater in Chicago every week as a member of The Improvised Shakespeare Company, you can hear him as DRIPFANG on the podcasts HELLO FROM THE MAGIC TAVERN as well as it's spin-off MASTERS OF MAYHEM, and you can read and hear his work every week at his Substack, THE SECRET WARD OF CHICAGO (thesecretward.substack.com).

DAVID SCHMOLL | Music

David Schmoll, an accomplished pianist, guitarist and composer, is the creative force behind music featured on THE AMBER RUFFIN SHOW, LATE NIGHT WITH SETH MEYERS, and FOX ADHD. Beyond the small screen, Schmoll has served as Musical Director for comedy institutions Boom Chicago and The Second City, using his ability to seamlessly blend music with humor. His EXTENSIVE improv experience has allowed him to navigate through many different styles and genres, showcasing his adaptability and creativity. A musical chameleon with the spirit of a collaborator, Schmoll continues his journey, working with Amber Ruffin and Kevin Sciretta, as composer for the new musical comedy, BIGFOOT.

JUSTIN GUARINI | Doctor

Justin Guarini’s almost 30-year career on the stage and screen includes the first season of American Idol where he performed in front of 30 million viewers each week, Principal roles in 7

Broadway productions, as well as his wildly popular character LIL’ SWEET (Diet Dr. Pepper) seen in hundreds of millions of homes across America. In addition to being a sought-after performer, he has coached and mentored thousands of Performers & Entertainers achieve the success they deserve in a challenging industry via his AUDITION SECRETS dynamic training programs, podcasts, and best-selling book AUDITION SECRETS VOL:1. As a Keynote speaker he has helped his audiences uncover the secrets of confidence, empowerment, and stage/camera prescience on stages across America. As an emcee he has hosted in-studio talk shows as well as live nationally broadcast red-carpet events for the Emmys, Tonys, and the Grammys. In addition to his work in the arts, Justin has mentored and coached entrepreneurs and business owners on unlocking their “Signature Story” via Elite Speakers Academy program. Through his 1-on-1 and small group coaching, Justin helps high achievers, and 6-7 figure business owners attain the confidence, poise, & stage prescience to tell engaging/enlightening stories, and sell more of their products/services so they can serve their clients at the highest level.

JADE JONES | Francine

Jade Jones (They/Them), most recently seen as Madame Thenardier in LES MISÉRABLES at The MUNY in St. Louis, is known for their portrayal of “Belle” in Olney Theatre’s internationally-acclaimed production of DISNEY’S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. Jade made their New York debut in 2023 as Mary in the off-Broadway revival of VANITIES. They were spotlit on ABC 20/20’s 25th anniversary CINDERELLA reunion special alongside Billy Porter and Todrick Hall, and has been featured in Playbill, MSNBC, and People magazine.

Their music can be found on Spotify, Apple Music, and Soundcloud, under the moniker “Litty Official”. Jade is represented by CESD Talent and managed by Rochel Saks. @LittyOfficial

TARAN KILLAM | Mayor

Best known for his scene-stealing work on SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE for six seasons, Taran Killam extended his talents to Broadway in 2017, playing “King George III” in HAMILTON and most recently as "Lancelot" in SPAMALOT. He made his off-Broadway debut as “Orin Scrivello” in New York City Center Encores! production of LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS. His film credits include KILLING GUNTHER (which he wrote and directed), RIVER WILD, NIGHT SCHOOL, 12 YEARS A SLAVE, and THE HEAT. Notable TV credits include SINGLE PARENTS, AMERICAN CRIME STORY: IMPEACHMENT, HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER, SCRUBS, STUCK IN THE SUBURBS and can soon be seen this fall on ABC’s new show HIGH POTENTIAL. Taran is a graduate of the LA County High School for the Arts and a drop out of UCLA’s musical theater program.

JANELLE MCDERMOTH | Joanne

Janelle McDermoth (she/her) is a multi-platform creator from The Bronx, New York and graduate of the University of Pennsylvania. Previously at NYSAF: GODDESS, SWEET CHARIOT. Broadway: A BRONX TALE. Off Broadway: THE FIRES (SoHo Rep), WE’RE GONNA DIE (Lortel Nomination, Antonyo Nomination, Outer Critics Circle Honor), THE CHRONICLES OF CARDIGAN AND KHENTE, SOUL DOCTOR. Film: TO ALL THE BOYS: ALWAYS AND FOREVER, DAUGHTER OF THE BRIDE, A KILLER ROMANCE. TV: LAW & ORDER: SVU, BLUE BLOODS, BLINDSPOT,
HIGH MAINTENANCE. Janelle has also been the voice over and narration talent for numerous national commercial campaigns as well as documentary shorts for ESPN and Hulu. Her original music combines the poetics that compel her, the hip hop that raised her, and her penchant for the aforementioned theatrics. www.janellemcdermoth.com @janellemcdrmth

LARRY OWENS | Bigfoot

Larry Owens is the recipient of a 2023 Jonathan Larson Grant as well as a winner of a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor and a Lucille Lortell Award for starring as the alter ego of Michael R. Jackson in the Pulitzer prize-winning musical A STRANGE LOOP. Larry can most recently be seen in ABBOTT ELEMENTARY, LIFE & BETH, HIGH MAINTENANCE, SEARCH PARTY, PROBLEMISTA, and DUMB MONEY.

Larry studied drama and improvisation at the School at Steppenwolf. Owens starred in SONDHEIMIA at Carnegie Hall, where he explored time, love, and ambition through the music of Stephen Sondheim. He is the author of THE AMERICAN FOOTBALL MUSICAL, a satire of The Blind Side-esque sports/white savior films; THE TALK SHOW, about an evil female talk show host (also his directorial debut at the Tribeca Film Festival under the title The Gag); FIVE SISTERS, a play about gendered succession written in verse and AAVE.

KASSON MARROQUIN | Stage Manager

(They/He). Off-Broadway: ORLANDO (Signature Theatre); WET BRAIN (co-pro with MCC), THE THIN PLACE (Playwrights Horizons); WOLF PLAY, THE LIGHT, CHARM (MCC); MONTAG (Soho Rep.); HAMLET, ORESTEIA (The Park Avenue Armory); OUT OF TIME (NAATCO and The Public Theater); BLISS (Breaking the Binary Theatre); MAKE ME GORGEOUS! (triangle productions! and Playhouse 46). Regional: QUIXOTE NUEVO (Hartford Stage); KILL LOCAL (La Jolla Playhouse). Dance/Touring: THE BIG FIVE-OH!, COME TO YOUR SENSES, SHADOWLAND, SHADOWLAND THE NEW ADVENTURE, PILOBOLUS AT THE JOYCE THEATER (Pilobolus); ON THEIR BODIES, FOOTPRINTS (The American Dance Festival). Music/Opera: THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO (Little Island); PATH OF MIRACLES, TREE OF CODES (Spoleto Festival USA). Events: MCC Theater’s Miscast, Primary Stages Gala, San Diego Comic-Con’s The Good Place Activation, Symphony at the Salk with Leslie Odom Jr., Yo-Yo Ma’s Day of Action, Queer Liberation March Rally, and many readings, workshops, and corporate events. Education: BA, University of North Texas & MFA, UC San Diego.

MOLLY EMMENS | Stage Management Apprentice

Molly Emmens (she/her) is a Stage Manager from Stamford, CT. She is a rising senior at Marist College, where she studies Social Work and Political Science. Previously, she has served on the Marist Theatre's Executive Board as both the Managing Director of Technical Theatre, and the Chairperson of Marist's Box Office and Front of House. Molly strives to learn about all areas of technical theater, but her main focus is Stage Management. Molly is thrilled to be a part of the NYSAF team this summer.

JENNY HAGEL | Stage Directions

Jenny Hagel is an Emmy-nominated TV writer and comedy performer in New York City. She is a writer/performer on LATE NIGHT WITH SETH MYERS (NBC), where she created the recurring segment "Jokes Seth Can't Tell." Jenny also served as Head Writer/Executive Producer of THE AMBER RUFFIN SHOW (Peacock). Other writing credits include the Golden Globe Awards, Impractical Jokers, and Big Gay Sketch Show. Jenny has been nominated for two GLAAD Awards for her work addressing LGBTQ issues on TV. In 2022, she signed an overall deal with Universal Television. And in 4th grade, she won the Perfect Attendance Award. For the latest on Jenny's live performances, follow her on instagram at @jennyhagel.

MEG ZERVOULIS | Music Director

MEGHANN ZERVOULIS BATE Broadway: CABARET, FUNNY GIRL, WEST SIDE STORY, THE PROM, MEAN GIRLS, GREAT COMET. Off-Broadway: HERE WE ARE (The Shed), WHITE GIRL IN DANGER (2nd Stage/Vineyard), ONLY GOLD (MCC), THE VISITOR (The Public), MERRILY (Fiasco), CAGNEY, RATED P. Regional: Numerous credits at her home base, Paper Mill Playhouse including SOUND OF MUSIC, MARY POPPINS, BANDSTAND, OLIVER!, ELF, EVER AFTER, and their annual New Voices concerts. Other New Works: SMASH (in development), THE BEDWETTER (in development). Other: She also helms Hotel Elefant and has played keyboard for the Big Apple Circus. Meg has appeared around the country as a pianist/bandleader for several Broadway stars. Meg has served as the accompanist for National YoungArts Week, in collaboration with Broadway Inspirational Voices’ Michael McElroy. She is also active as a music educator and music therapist and is a proud member of Local 802 and Maestra. Education: Carnegie Mellon University. Meg is thrilled to return to NYSAF. www.megzmusic.com

BRONWEN CHAN | Music Associate

Bronwen is currently the Associate Music Director (Conductor/Keyboard/Accordion) for the North American tour of COME FROM AWAY. Prior to this she was on tour in the UK with FANTASTICALLY GREAT WOMEN WHO CHANGED THE WORLD, as Assistant Music Director/Keys 2/Percussion. Selected credits: AGAIN (Orchestrator, Theater Mu); DOT DOT DOT: A NEW MUSICAL (Music Director, TheaterworksUSA); SNOW WHITE (Music Assistant, Disney); WICKED movies (Music Assistant, NBCUniversal).

MIM CRELLIN | Music Copyist

Mim Crellin is a versatile vocalist and composer whose work bridges the worlds of jazz and folk. Originally from Adelaide, Australia, Mim spent over a decade immersed in Melbourne’s vibrant jazz scene before earning her Masters in Jazz Studies from the esteemed Manhattan School of Music. Now based in New York, Mim is recognized for her work with jazz and contemporary ensembles as a performer, songwriter, arranger, and music copyist. She has collaborated with notable artists including Peter Eldridge of the New York Voices and renowned vocalist and composer Theo Bleckmann. She recently celebrated the release of her debut album, 'All Our Little Boxes,' a unique song cycle for voice, jazz quartet, and string quartet.

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KATE WALBERT | Playwright

Kate Walbert is the author of seven works of fiction, among them A SHORT HISTORY OF WOMEN, one of the New York Times Ten Best Books of the year; OUR KIND, a finalist for the National Book Award; and HIS FAVORITES, an Atlantic Magazine best book of 2018. Her latest collection, SHE WAS LIKE THAT, includes stories published in The New Yorker, Best American Short Stories, and The Paris Review. Her plays include GENIUS (Profiles Theatre), FIRST (Aspen Theatre Festival), and ELSEWHERE (Ars Nova workshop, Marin Theatre workshop). Her adaptation of A SHORT HISTORY OF WOMEN had workshops at New York Stage and Film and Roundabout Theatre, and she is currently collaborating with performer/composer Grace McLean (SUFFS, IN THE GREEN) on a musical adaptation. She’s received fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center for Writers and Scholars at the New York Public Library, among others. Walbert taught writing at Yale University for many years, and lives in New York City with her family.

SHERYL KALLER | Director

Some of Sheryl Kaller’s recent productions include THE WHITE CHIP by Sean Daniels at MCC, A WALK ON THE MOON by AnnMarie Milazzo and Pamela Gray at George Street Playhouse, and BLISS by Tyler Beattie and Emma Lively at Seattle’s Fifth Avenue. She directed Terrence McNally’s Tony Award-nominated play on Broadway, MOTHERS AND SONS, with Tyne Daly. Sheryl received a Tony Award nomination for Best Director for the Broadway production of NEXT FALL by Geoffrey Nauffts. Other projects include FROZEN for Disney Cruise Lines, OUR TOWN with Deaf West Theatre and Pasadena Playhouse, SACRED VALLEY by Josh Radnor at New York Stage and Film, Billy Porter’s play WHILE I YET LIVE at Primary Stages, Nick Blaemire’s A LITTLE MORE ALIVE for Barrington Stage Company and Kansas City Rep, Roundabout Theatre Company’s Underground production of TOO MUCH TOO MUCH TOO MANY by Meghan Kennedy, and the LCT3 production of MR. JOY by Daniel Beaty. She is currently in collaboration with playwrights Marilyn Ness, Francine Wheeler, and Josh Radnor, among others.

OLIVIA CYGAN | Charlotte

Olivia Cygan is thrilled to be working at NYSAF. She received her MFA from the David Geffen School of Drama at Yale in 2023 and most recently understudied DOUBT on Broadway (Roundabout), directed by Scott Ellis. A Chicago native, Olivia has originated leading roles at Steppenwolf and Goodman, and she’s developed new work in NYC and at theaters across the country. Favorite roles at Yale included Diana in NEXT TO NORMAL and Selina Dawes in AFFINITY. Television: Gotham. BS: Northwestern University. Carol Finch Dye Award, Yale Drama.

VANESSA KAI | Sara

Vanessa Kai is best known for her work on the CW’s hit series KUNG FU. In theater, notable credits include the world premieres of THE PAIN OF MY BELLIGERENCE by Halley Feiffer at Playwrights Horizons SOMEBODY’S DAUGHTER by Chisa Hutchinson at Second Stage and THE ARCHITECTURE OF BECOMING, a collaboration by Lauren Yee, Dipika Guha, Sarah Gancher, Kara Lee Corthron & Virginia Grise for WP Theater at New York’s City Center. She was nominated for a Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical for her performance as “Ruby” in the sold-out, extended world premiere of KPOP, an Off-Broadway, immersive musical event produced by Ars Nova. www.vanessakai.com

MARK LINN-BAKER | Joel

Broadway: MUSIC MAN, ON THE 20TH CENTURY, YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU, RELATIVELY SPEAKING, FORUM, LAUGHTER ON THE 23RD FLOOR, FROG AND TOAD, LOSING LOUIS, FACE VALUE, DOONESBURY. Off-Broadway: SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL, Ethan Coen's ALMOST AN EVENING, ROMANTIC POETRY, CHESAPEAKE, A FLEA IN HER EAR director Bill Irwin, THE MISS FIRECRACKER CONTEST, many others. Television: PERFECT STRANGERS, SUCCESSION, SHE-HULK, GHOSTS, GOOD FIGHT, ELECTRIC COMPANY, L&O, L&O: CRIMINAL INTENT, L&O:SVU, ALLY MCBEAL, SESAME STREET, SPIN CITY, FULL HOUSE, COOPER, MIAMI VICE, MOONLIGHTING. Film: James Brook's HOW DO YOU KNOW, Richard Benjamin's MY FAVORITE YEAR, Woody Allen's MANHATTAN, Peter Bogdanovich's NOISES OFF, Max Mayer's ADAM. Co-founder New York Stage and Film. YSD'79

JASON TAM | Peter

Jason Tam starred in the hit NBC Live JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, with John Legend and Sara Bareilles, as Peter. Recently he voiced the role of Duan in Shakina Nayfack’s CHONBURI…BUTTERFLY CLUB, on Audible. He was seen in the Off-Broadway shows, ThE WHITE CHIP (MCC), KPOP (Lortel Award), a collaboration between Woodshed Collective, Ars Nova, and Ma-Yi Theatre Company. Jason’s Broadway credits include BE MORE CHILL (and Off-Bway), IF/THEN, LYSISTRATA JONES, and the original Paul in the revival of A CHORUS LINE. He has also been part of numerous Off-Broadway and regional theatre productions. Jason’s TV credits include FBI, THE BLACKLIST, DO NO HARM, GUILTY, HAWAII 5-0, ONE LIFE TO LIVE, and BEYOND THE BREAK, and he was seen in the documentary EVERY LITTLE STEP. Jason holds a BFA from NYU Tisch and recently joined the Board of Directors at Keen Company.

ELIZABETH ALLEN | Stage Manager

Broadway: MACBETH; National Tours: AIN’T TOO PROUD 1st Nat’l, BANDSTAND 1st Nat’l, WHITE CHRISTMAS, AMERICAN GIRL LIVE!; Off-Broadway: ALL OF ME, THE WHITE CHIP, STARDUST ROAD, DODI & DIANA; Other Recent Credits: MIDNIGHT IN THE GARDEN OF GOOD AND EVIL (Bespoke Theatrical), CABARET (Barrington Stage Company), THE CHERRY ORCHARD, THE CONNECTION (The New School), THE HOUSE PARTY – Pride 2021 (NYLA); Film and Television: A BRONX TALE: ONE MAN SHOW, TWO AGAINST NATURE, SEARCH PARTY Season 5, THE SON NYC UNIT. Virtual Events: Google, NFL Players Association; For my family, with love.

MOLLY EMMENS | Stage Management Apprentice

DEBORAH MANGRUM-PRICE | Stage Directions

Deborah Mangrum-Price has worked in several aspects of theater and independent film as an actor, writer, director and in art departments. She trained in acting at the Academy of Live and Recorded Arts in London and holds a degree in Art History from U.C. Berkeley. Deborah splits her time between Brooklyn and Kingston, NY. www.deborahmangrumprice.com

SHANESSA SWEENEY | Co-Creator and Book

Shanessa Sweeney is a performing artist whose professional work has spanned over twenty-five years as a trained actor, published writer, award-winning spoken word artist and credible acting coach. A native of Dayton, Ohio, Shanessa cultivated her talents at Alabama State University and earned her B.A. in Theatre Arts where subsequently her professional acting career started. She then went on to hone her craft at Brandeis University and received an MFA in Acting. Shanessa’s writing path started as soon as she learned her alphabet and was lauded for her natural skills early on in life. She has been commissioned on several occasions to write prolific think pieces and poetry for several platforms. Most notable, as a featured artist/poet for the Oregon Shakespeare Festival’s Green Show; Ritualista’s and most recently, winning the coveted “Best Performance” category in the Broadway Cares Easter Bonnet Competition where she collaborated with choreographer Ray Mercer of THE LION KING. Shanessa is the proud mother to her “Pooh” and “Sun-Son” and fur baby Music Mamabear. Follow on IG at shanessa_sweeney.

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BONGI DUMA | Composer

Singer, Recording artist, composer, Vocal arranger, Sound Engineer and Music Producer. Drama Desk award nominee composer for best music in a play GENERATIONS 2014/2015. Ensemble cast member on Broadway Disney’s THE LION KING 2001- current. Worked in numerous theaters in the UK, Italy, France and Ireland as composer and performer (Mighty Zulu Nation , Africa Africa) 2008 - 2001. Worked as a music director at Lincoln Center for SHEILA’S DAY. Performing artist and composer for Carnegie hall’s MUSICAL EXPLORERS. Special guest composer for PRINCETON GLEE CHOIR. Worked and performed with the likes of Miriam Makeba, Siphokazi, Michael Frenti and many more. Composer for films such as DRESSED LIKE KINGS 2018, STOP 2019. Also documentaries like BAD FRIDAY and FOUR DAYS IN MAY: KINGSTON 2010. Works as a composer for numerous dance companies such as Alvin Ailey II, Philadanco, Giordano Dance company and many more. 2013 IAR graduate (Audio Engineer). Additional music, lyrics and vocal arrangements for MANDELA the musical 2022/2023.

RAY MERCER | Co-Creator and Choreographer

Ray Mercer is a 21 year veteran cast member of THE LION KING on Broadway. He is also an award-winning choreographer who has choreographed works around the world. Ray has won Broadway Cares Best Presentation a record number 14 times. He has works on various companies including Philadanco, Dayton Contemporary, Dallas Black, New Jersey Ballet, and Pensacola Ballet. His choreographic work is also archived in the Smithsonian Museum. He has taught master classes around the world. Ray was recently acknowledged in the New York Times, The Chicago Sun Times, and Movement Magazine. He has choreographed regional productions of RENT, JERSEY BOYS, AINT MISBEHAVIN, and DREAMGIRLS.

RUFUS BONDS JR | Director

Rufus Bonds Jr is the Resident Director for THE LION KING on Broadway and an Assistant Professor for musical theater performance in the Syracuse University Department of Drama. Professionally he continues his national and international work as a director, actor, and writer. Mr. Bonds performed in London the title role of Porgy in PORGY AND BESS at the Regent’s Park Open Air Theater. Carnegie Hall welcomed Mr. Bonds as the Baritone-Soloist for Duke Ellington’s Sacred Music. Broadway; RENT, ONCE ON THIS ISLAND, and PARADE winning the Drama Desk Nomination for Best Supporting Actor. National tours include THE COLOR PURPLE as Mister, winning the NAACP award for Best Supporting Actor, LION KING as Mufasa, MISS SAIGON as John. Directing projects include LYSISTRATA, SHAKESPEARE R&J, ONCE ON THIS ISLAND, MAMA MIA, TARZAN, THE WIZ, INTO THE WOODS, THE WIZARD OF OZ and CHILDREN OF EDEN. Mr. Bonds is a Eugene O’Neill Semi-finalist for his play THE SISTERS OF ROSEWALL HIGH. Other awards include Winner of the Drama Ovation Award and The Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award/Barack Obama. FAITH. MFA in Directing, California State University, Fullerton.

ANDREW BRYANT | Kamal

Andrew Bryant (Miami, FL) began his formal dance training at the Young Contemporary Dance Theatre in his hometown, under the direction of Traci Young Byron. He received his BFA from Towson University where he studied and performed pieces under renowned artists Linda-Denise Fisher-Harrell, Darrell Grand Moultrie, Ray Mercer and Will B. Bell. Mr. Bryant trained at The Ailey School as a scholarship student, then went on to be apart of Ailey ll.

GHRAI DEVORE-STOKES | Anika & Assistant Choreographer

Ghrai DeVore-Stokes (Washington, D.C.) began her professional career with
Chicago based dance company Hubbard Street 2. Ms. DeVore-Stokes trained
at the Kirov Academy, Ballet Chicago, Deeply Rooted Dance Theater,
American Ballet Theatre, and Alonzo King’s LINES Ballet. She was a member
of Deeply Rooted Dance Theater, Deeply Rooted Dance Theater 2, Hubbard
Street 2, Dance Works Chicago, and Ailey II. Ms. DeVore-Stokes was the
2011 recipient of the Danish Queen Ingrid Scholarship of Honor and a 2009
recipient of the Dizzy Feet Foundation Scholarship. She was also a 2010
nominee for the first annual Clive Barnes Award. Ms. DeVore-Stokes joined
the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in 2010. Her film credits include Disney’s THE LITTLE MERMAID, SWAMP LAKE, and CODESWITCH. She has modeled for Lululemon and Vogue. Instagram: @ghrai_

DANIEL GAYMON | Myles

Daniel is a multi-hyphenate performer and creator from Columbia, South Carolina. Since beginning his professional career, he has performed on Broadway (CATS, HAMILTON, THE LION KING) and on the screen in films and tv series’ (LA LA LAND, VICE, SNL Season 47 & 49) and music videos (Sara Bareilles’ FIRE, Carrie Underwood’s SOMETHING IN THE WATER). Most recently, Daniel has exercised his talents as a filmmaker directing web-series’ (NEIGHBORS [2020]) and short films (TO HAVE & TO HOLD [2021]), and most recently produced his first short film (EVERY RIGHT [2023]) which is currently in it’s film festival circuit run. Currently residing in NYC, Daniel continues to use his talents on the stage, screen and behind the scenes to shape the world with his visionary storytelling. Daniel gives all the glory to God, and gives thanks to his family, friends and his love, Emily.

GABRIELLE HAMILTON | Harlem

Gabrielle Hamilton, a dynamic talent born and raised in Harlem, graduated with a BFA from Point Park University in 2018. Her rich Caribbean heritage fuels her diverse dance repertoire. In 2019, Gabrielle's brilliance lit up the Broadway stage in the Tony Award-winning revival of RODGERS AND HAMMERSTEIN'S OKLAHOMA!, earning her the Chita Rivera Award for Outstanding Female Dancer and the Bessie Award for Outstanding Performer.
Featured on Dance magazine's January 2020 cover, she continues to dazzle as a model for brands like Aerie, critiquing food on the Facebook Watch's THE SHADY BRUNCH, and so much more. Follow her vibrant journey on Instagram @gabriellethe.great / YouTube at Gabrielle Hamilton

FANA MINEA TESFAGIORGIS | Zora

Fana Minea Tesfagiorgis is an Artist, Actor and Dancer from Madison, WI. She is graduate of Interlochen Arts Academy, and the Ailey/Fordham BFA Program with a BFA in Dance and a minor in Journalism. Professionally, Fana has danced with The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Evidence Dance Company, Earl Mosley’s Diversity of Dance, and The Black Iris Project, among other companies. Since shifting into acting, Fana has studied at The Freeman Studio, The Kimball Studio, and Lesly Kahn Acting Studio. She appeared in the film, IN THE HEIGHTS, the 1st National Tour of MY FAIR LADY, the opening of THE 73RD ANNUAL TONY AWARDS, POSE FX, WU-TANG: AN AMERICAN SAGA, and in the short films, BOOKED, DATE NIGHTS, LOVE ON SPEED, and EMMY Award winning WILD. You can follow Fana's journey on her website FanaMinea.com, and on Instagram @fanaminea!

SIR BROCK WARREN | Dunk

Sir Brock is a multidisciplinary artist whose passion for creation knows no bounds. Alongside his artistic endeavors, Sir Brock is a dynamic mentor, fiercely committed to nurturing and empowering the youth, kindling their creative spirits. Select credits: PARADISE SQUARE Bway; AIN’T TOO PROUD: THE LIFE & TIMES OF THE TEMPTATIONS Bway; DEATH BECOMES HER: Broadway In Chicago; TINA: THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL 1st Nat; Summer: THE DONNA SUMMER MUSICAL 1st Nat; JELLY’S LAST JAM: Encores City Center; OLIVER!: Encores City Center; THE HARDER THEY COME: The Public Off Bway; RADIO CITY CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR; DUNDU DOLE Urban African Ballet; and IN THE HEIGHTS: Warner Bros; Education: MBA, MS, BFA Connect: @only1sirbrock Agent: CTG

DARNELL ISAIAH WILLIAMS | Malik

Darnell Isaiah Williams is thrilled to be making his NYSAF Debut in Game Night. BFA Dance Performance and Choreography, Towson University. Cruise Ship: NOISEBOYS (Dance Captain), AFTER MIDNIGHT (Tap Brother u/s Tap Mathematician u/s Mooche), Disney Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line International: BIG BAND BEAT (Tokyo Disney Resort) Off-Broadway: MADE TO DANCE IN BURNING BUILDINGS Regional: Disney's THE LITTLE MERMAID, A BRONX TALE (Tyrone/Assistant Choreographer) Dance Companies: VTDance, Ballet ADI, ELSCO Dance, XY Dance Project, Wandering Movers Music Video: EXCITING TIMES by Muo Duo (Dancer/Assistant Choreographer), WE'RE GONNA COME BACK by Don Alden (Lead Dancer), HOLD MY HAND by Isak Danielson (Dancer). Special thanks to Ray, Shanessa, and the team at Telsey for this opportunity. Thank you to my mentors Vincent, Nijawwon, and Janine for your continued guidance. Thank you to my family, my circle, and my team at Carson Kolker Organization for continued love and support. www.darnell-williams.com Instagram/Tiktok: @darnyyy_

NGOZI ANYANWU | Harlem (Voice)

Ngozi Anyanwu is a playwright, storyteller, and most recently a 2020 Steinberg Playwright Award winner. Anyanwu will have a world premiere of her newest play LEROY and LUCY this coming fall of 2024 at The Steppenwolf Theatre. Previous productions include LAST OF THE LOVE LETTERS (Atlantic Theater Company) GOOD GRIEF (Vineyard Theatre in NYC / Center Theatre Group in LA) and THE HOMECOMING QUEEN (sold-out world premiere run at the Atlantic Theatre). GOOD GRIEF was on the Kilroys List 2016 and a semi finalist for the Princess Grace Award, and won the Humanitas Award. THE HOMECOMING QUEEN was on the Kilroys List 2017 and was a Leah Ryan Finalist. Her play NIKE… (Kilroys List 2017) was workshopped at The New Black Fest in conjunction with The Lark and The Strand Festival in conjunction with A.C.T and Space on Ryder Farm. Ngozi also has commissions with NYU, The Old Globe, Two Rivers Theatre, The Atlantic Theatre, and Steppenwolf. Anyanwu has also received residencies from LCT3, Space on Ryder Farm, the Djerassi Resident Artists Program, The New Harmony Project, New York Stage and Film and Page 73. She attended Point Park University (BA) and received her MFA in Acting from University of California, San Diego.

McKINLEY BELCHER III | Malik (Voice)

McKinley Belcher III recently wrapped the co-lead role opposite Benedict Cumberbatch in the Abi Morgan/Lucy Forbes upcoming Netflix limited series ERIC. He recently starred as ‘Happy’ in the Broadway revival of DEATH OF A SALESMAN for which he received rave reviews. Last year, Belcher starred as the series lead in David Simon's HBO limited series, WE OWN THIS CITY as well as the HBO Max film ERASER 2031. He is best known for his work on the Netflix series OZARK as Agent Trevor Evans. Belcher can also be seen in the Netflix series ONE PIECE based on the wildly popular Japanese Manga comic of the same name.

McKinley's television credits include the showtime mini-series THE GOOD LORD BIRD, the FOX drama series THE PASSAGE, the PBS series MERCY STREET and on David Simon’s HBO miniseries, SHOW ME A HERO. Prior to this, McKinley recurred on the Starz drama POWER. His other film credits include the biopic MAPPLETHORPE opposite Matt Smith which premiered at the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival, TRIAL BY FIRE for director Ed Zwick, John Sayles’s independent film GO FOR SISTERS and the Simon Curtis film THE ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN for Fox.

On stage, McKinley starred in THE LIGHT at MCC Theater for which he was nominated an Outer Critic Circle Award. He recently made his Broadway debut in the Roundabout Theatre Company’s production of A SOLDIER’S PLAY.

CHARLIE HUDSON, III | Dunk (Voice)

BROADWAY: A RAISIN IN THE SUN. OFF BROADWAY: NOLLYWOOD DREAMS (MCC Theater), (A) LOFT MODULATION (American Vicarious), HURT VILLAGE (Signature). REGIONAL: WELCOME TO MATTESON (NJ Rep), KING HEDLEY II, A RAISIN IN THE SUN, SEVEN GUITARS (Two Rivers Theater), DETROIT ’67 (Playmakers Rep), THE MOUNTAINTOP (Northern Stage), FATHER COMES HOME FROM THE WARS (ART), CLYBOURNE PARK, BENEATHA’S PLACE, (Baltimore Centerstage); THE PIANO LESSON (Yale Rep), MASTER HAROLD AND THE BOYS (Portland Stage Company); FLY (Crossroads Theater), RICHARD III, ALL THE KING’S MEN, CYRANO DE BERGERAC, (Trinity Rep), MOTHER COURAGE (Public Theater/NYSF), THREEPENNY OPERA (WTF). TELEVISION: ARCHIVE 81(Netflix), DAREDEVIL: BORN AGAIN (Disney), MANIFEST (NBC), THE NIGHT OF (HBO), NCIS: HAWAII (CBS), SHADES OF BLUES (NBC), THE GOOD FIGHT (CBS), UNFORGETTABLE (CBS), FOREVER (ABC), THE ROSA PARKS STORY (CBS), AND A RAISIN IN THE SUN “REVISITED” (PBS). FILM: ROXANNE, ROXANNE; COMPLETE UNKNOWN; TWELVE; NEWLYWEEDS; LILLIAN. TRAINING: Alabama State University and Brown University/Trinity Repertory Consortium. I would like to thank my family for their love and support

REYNALDO PINIELLA | Kamal (Voice)

Reynaldo Piniella is an actor, writer, activist and educator from East New York, Brooklyn. In 2021, he was in the acting company of two Broadway shows at the same time – THOUGHTS OF A COLORED MAN and TROUBLE IN MIND. His Off-Broadway acting credits include work at Signature Theatre Company, the Public, the Working Theater, TFANA and Rattlestick, regionally with Baltimore Center Stage, Syracuse Stage, Long Wharf, the O'Neill, Cleveland Playhouse, NY Stage & Film, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, St. Louis Shakespeare Festival and Actors Theatre of Louisville and internationally with the Sundance Theatre Lab in Morocco. TV credits include RESERVATION DOGS, SNEAKY PETE, LAW & ORDER: SVU, THE CARRIE DIARIES, FLESH & BONE, BLUE BLOODS, GREENLEAF, LOUIE, NYC 22, US & THEM and THE DAILY SHOW WITH JON STEWART. Film: MADELINE’S MADELINE (Sundance Film Fest, Showtime), SHADOWS (HBO Max) and BROKEN CITY (20th Century FOX.) @ReynaldoRey

SHANESSA SWEENEY | Zora (Voice)

CAROLINE ENGLANDER | Production Stage Manager

Recent Credits include: FIND ME HERE (Clubbed Thumb), HELEN (En Garde Arts), HALF-GOD OF RAINFALL (ART, NYTW) DEEP BLUE SOUND (Clubbed Thumb), THE JUNGLE (St.Ann’s Warehouse, STC); BECKY NURSE OF SALEM (LCT); HAMLET & ORESTEIA (Park Avenue Armory); THE VAGRANT TRILOGY, (Public Theater); sandblasted (Vineyard/WP Theater) runboyrun, IN OLD AGE (NYTW). Many productions with NYU Tisch Graduate Acting. BA: Barnard College.

ZACH BRECHEEN | Assistant Stage Manager

Zach Brecheen is an NYC based Stage Manager. Broadway: MOTHER PLAY, SWEENEY TODD. Off-Broadway: KATE (Connelly Theater); LESS LONELY (Greenwich House Theater); HALF-GOD OF RAINFALL (New York Theatre Workshop); OLIVER! (NYCC Encores!); STEREOPHONIC, CATCH AS CATCH CAN, CORSICANA, TAMBO & BONES (Playwrights Horizons); SANDBLASTED (Vineyard Theatre)

DANIEL S. HARDER | Associate Choreographer

Daniel S. Harder began dancing at Suitland High School’s Center for the Visual and Performing Arts in Maryland and received additional training at the Dance Institute of Washington, Debbie Allen Dance Academy, The Ailey School and Dance Theater of Harlem. Upon graduating, Mr. Harder attended the Ailey/Fordham BFA Program in Dance on full scholarship, where he had the opportunity to work with and perform works by world renown choreographers. Before graduating in 2009, he danced in an international tour of WEST SIDE STORY, and with Camille A. Brown & Dancers. Daniel became a member of Ailey II in 2009 and joined the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in 2010, under the direction of Judith Jamison, where he was featured in works by Alvin Ailey, Rennie Harris, Wayne McGregor, Hans van Manen, Aszure Barton, Ulysses Dove, and Kyle Abraham, to name a few.

Currently, Daniel can be seen on Broadway in Disney’s THE LION KING and as a guest artist with Ronald K. Brown’s EVIDENCE, A Dance Company. Mr. Harder has had the privilege to work as a choreographer’s assistant with powerhouses including Debbie Allen and Christopher L. Huggins at The Ailey School, Lula Washington Dance Theater, Philadanco, Dallas Black Dance Theater and Collage Dance Collective. When Mr. Harder is not performing, he teaches master classes at high schools and universities in the U.S. and abroad.

Voiceover also provided by L’Oreal Lampley & Doron JePaul Mitchell

NGOZI ANYANWU | Playwright, Director

Ngozi Anyanwu is a playwright, storyteller, and most recently a 2020 Steinberg Playwright Award winner. Anyanwu will have a world premiere of her newest play LEROY AND LUCY this coming fall of 2024 at The Steppenwolfe Theatre. Previous productions include LAST OF THE LOVE LETTERS (Atlantic Theater Company) GOOD GRIEF (Vineyard Theatre in NYC / Center Theatre Group in LA) and THE HOMECOMING QUEEN (sold-out world premiere run at the Atlantic Theatre). GOOD GRIEF was on the Kilroys List 2016 and a semi finalist for the Princess Grace Award, and won the Humanitas Award. THE HOMECOMING QUEEN was on the Kilroys List 2017 and was a Leah Ryan Finalist. Her play NIKE… (Kilroys List 2017) was workshopped at The New Black Fest in conjunction with The Lark and The Strand Festival in conjunction with A.C.T and Space on Ryder Farm. Ngozi also has commissions with NYU, The Old Globe, Two Rivers Theatre, The Atlantic Theatre, and Steppenwolf. Anyanwu has also received residencies from LCT3, Space on Ryder Farm, the Djerassi Resident Artists Program, The New Harmony Project, New York Stage and Film and Page 73. She attended Point Park University (BA) and received her MFA in Acting from University of California, San Diego.

AIGNER MIZZELLE | Lil

Aigner Mizzelle is a NYC based multi-hyphenate creative. She earned her BFA from NYU Tisch, training with Playwrights’ Horizons Acting Studio and the Experimental Theater Wing. Aigner is grateful to have originated the role of Latrice in Lyon’s Chicken & Biscuits on Broadway, and most recently has become a Lucille Lortel Award winner for her work in nicHi Douglas’ (pray). She is humbled, honored, and undeniably excited to further strengthen her body of work alongside the genius mind that is Ngozi Anyanwu.

OKIERIETE ONAODOWAN | Big

Okieriete Onaodowan is a Grammy Award-winning stage, film, and television actor, who was most recently seen in the Academy Award winning film AMERICAN FICTION, opposite Jeffrey Wright and Keith David. He can also be seen opposite John Krasinski in Season 4 of JACK RYAN, streaming now on Amazon.

Most recently he starred on Broadway opposite Jessica Chastain in The NY Times Crictic’s Pick, A DOLL’S HOUSE. Okieriete appears opposite Zosia Mamet in MOLLI & MAX IN THE FUTURE, which premiered at SXSW. He also recently wrapped as title lead in the series DEMASCUS. Prior to, he completed his five-season run as ”Dean Miller” on the ABC/Shondaland Grey's Anatomy Spinoff, STATION 19.

Known for his acclaimed performances on Broadway, Onaodowan is best known to audiences for starring as 'Hercules Mulligan' and 'James Madison' in Lin-Manuel Miranda's acclaimed Broadway production, HAMILTON. The Tony Award winning musical is an extravagant exploration of political mastermind Alexander Hamilton and his political confidants. The renowned production features music reflecting the diversity and character of modern America, with casting to follow suit. Since making his Broadway debut in 2012, Onaodowan has also starred in productions of both CYRANO DE BERGERAC and ROCKY. He was most recently seen playing the lead of 'Pierre' in NATASHA, PIERRE & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812. Directed by Rachel Chavkin and written by Dave Malloy, the production was a sung-through musical adaptation of a segment of Leo Tolstoy's WAR AND PEACE.

Additionally, Onaodowan can be seen in A QUIET PLACE 2, a sequel to the hit film directed by John Krasinski. He appears as ‘Brandon’ in GENERATION WRECKS, as well as 'Cal' in THE SUPER, a film about a man who becomes the superintendent of a large New York City apartment building where people mysteriously go missing. He previously starred in PERSON TO PERSON as 'Lester,' alongside Michael Cera, and in THANKS FOR SHARING alongside Mark Ruffalo and Gwyneth Paltrow. Additionally, he has starred in the short film PROM and appears as 'Ben' in the short film ANNA & THE ASTEROID. On the small screen, Onaodowan played 'Afrika Bambaataa' on Netflix's "The Get Down." The Baz Luhrmann series follows a ragtag group of teenagers run wild in the streets of the Bronx in the late 1970s. He has also starred in a recurring role on HBO's BALLERS, alongside Dwayne Johnson. Previous to this, Onaodowan played the role of Raneed on HBO's hit series GIRLS. Other television credits include LAW & ORDER: SVU, NYC 22, and GRAVITY.

Okieriete Onaodowan currently resides in New York City.

ALYSSA K. HOWARD | Resident Stage Manager

LEANDRA TORRES | Assistant Director

Leandra Torres Santiago is a Boricua from the Bronx. She graduated from SUNY Purchase with a BA in Directing and a minor in Film. Following her time at Purchase, she interned at Spotco, a marketing agency for Broadway shows. Where she worked on LIFE OF PI, FAT HAM and DANCIN. Leandra worked as an associate on BETWEEN RIVERSIDE and CRAZY and MisCast 24 alongside Broadcasting Director Jess Ryan for their live recordings. She’s worked as a production assistant for Roundabout Theater Company on the plays PRIMARY TRUST and THE REFUGE PLAYS.

RICKEY TRIPP | Choreographer Consultant

Director/Choreographer: RENT, Boston Conservatory at Berklee. Choreographer: A RAISIN IN THE SUN (Public Theater, NYC) KINKY BOOTS (Broadway at Music Circus), X: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF MALCOLM X (the MET Opera), RENT (Signature Theater). A WONDERFUL WORLD, World Premiere (New Orleans/Chicago). TV/Film: LEGS - Vanessa Williams, THE ROLL CALL: THE ROOTS TO STRANGE FRUIT NBT (EMMY Nominated), EILEEN (Universal Pictures) Sundance Film Festival 2023, A THOUSAND AND ONE (Universal Pictures) Sundance Film Festival U.S. Grand Jury Prize 2023. ENCORE! (Disney). Assistant Director: Daniel J. Watts, THE JAM: ONLY CHILD (Signature Theatre) EMMY Nomination. Associate Choreographer: HELL’S KITCHEN (Broadway),THE HIPPEST TRIP (A.C.T. San Fran) Teaching: He has taught Master Classes and set choreography for dance studios and schools around the world. Currently on faculty for Immersive Artist Experience and a Zena Rommett Floor-Barre® Technique, Certified Mentor. B.A. in Dance, San Jose State University.

JASMINE AIYANA GARVIN | Stage Directions

Jasmine Aiyana Garvin is excited to be back for her third year with NYSAF! Originally from Poughkeepsie, New York, Jasmine has been a huge advocate for arts education and awareness in international and regional companies across the greater Hudson Valley. She was most recently in Johannesburg, South Africa teaching storytelling. Jasmine is a 2021 graduate from the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts in Musical Theatre which led her to become a recipient of the 2021 Warner Bros. Top 10 Actors in Training casting initiative. Theatre Credits: SUNKEN CATHEDRAL: A NEW MUSICAL CONCERT (FullOut Creative), WINNER (New York Theatre Barn), and THE RETURN OF YOUNG BOY (New York Stage and Film). Television: POKER FACE (Ep 7, Katy Owens). Instagram: @jasgarvin

STACY OSEI-KUFFOUR | Playwright

Stacy Osei-Kuffour is a TV writer and playwright. Credits include Marvel’s BLADE which hits theaters in 2026, the critically-acclaimed Hulu series THE BEAR, for which she won the WGA award for best comedy series, THE MORNING SHOW for Apple, HBO’s series RUN from Vicky Jones and Phoebe Waller-Bridge, THE POWER for Amazon based on the book by Naomi Alderman with Reed Morano directing, WATCHMEN (HBO) based on the acclaimed comic book series adapted by Damon Lindelof which she received a WGA award for, for best drama series, and HUNTERS (Amazon) produced by Jordan Peele, created by David Weil and starring Al Pacino. She also wrote the Emmy nominated episode of PEN15 for Hulu. Stacy grew up in Chicago and received her BFA from NYU for acting and MFA in playwriting from Hunter College. Her critically acclaimed play “Hang Man” had its world premiere at the Gift Theatre in Chicago in 2018.

STEVIE WALKER-WEBB | Director

Stevie Walker-Webb is a Tony Award-nominated, Obie Award-winning director, playwright, and cultural worker who believes in the transformational power of art. He is the Artistic Director of Baltimore Center Stage and his work has been produced on and off-Broadway, including AIN’T NO MO’ (The Public Theatre/ Broadway), ONE IN TWO (The New Group), BLACK ODYSSEY (Classic Stage), FAIRVIEW (Woolly Mammoth), and OUR TOWN (Baltimore Center Stage). Upcoming productions include GUN & POWDER (Broadway). He is the founder of HUNDREDS of THOUSANDS, an arts and advocacy organization that makes visual the suffering and inhumane treatment of incarcerated mentally ill people. He has received the Princess Grace Award for Theatre, The Lily Award from the Dramatists Guild of America, and is a 2050 Fellow at New York Theatre Workshop. He is a contributing writer for BET’s Emmy Nominated hit comedy THE MS. PAT SHOW , a visiting artist and lecturer at Harvard University, and is the Founding Artistic Director of the Jubilee Theatre in Waco, Texas. Stevie has created art and theatre in Madagascar, South Africa, Mexico, and across America. steviewalkerwebb.com

DONOVAN LOUIS BAZEMORE | Joey

Donovan Louis Bazemore (PA) Broadway: Disney’s THE LION KING (Young Simba) Regional and National Tour: Disney’s THE LION KING (Young Simba), RACHEL (Quintessance Theatre), RAGTIME THE MUSICAL (Arden Theatre), THE SNOWY DAY (Arden Theatre). TV: SURVIVAL OF THE THICKEST (Netflix), FBI: MOST WANTED (CBS), THE LAST OG (TBS). Grateful for my family and my team at CESD and Mara Entertainment LLC.

MAYAA BOATENG | Hazel Rhodes

MaYaa Boateng starred in and originated her role in the Pulitzer Prize winning production, FAIRVIEW, by Jackie Sibblies Drury (SoHo Rep); As well as her multiple characters in Shakespeare’s MERRY WIVES adapted by Jocelyn Bioh (Shakespeare in the Park, The Public); Other NYC theatre credits include Lynn Nottage’s FABULATION, OR THE REEDUCATION OF UNDINE (Signature Theatre); JULIUS CAESAR (Shakespeare in the Park, The Public); EXCEPTION TO THE RULE (Roundabout) and Fairview (TFANA). Film/TV: ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK (Netflix); CITY ON A HILL (Showtime); HIGH MAINTENANCE (HBO); CHICAGO PD (NBC); THE BLACKLIST (NBC); FBI (CBS); REUNION (Short, 2023 Best Actress Award Winner, Bronzelens Film Festival). MFA: NYU Graduate Acting

FRANK HARTS | Rick

FRANK HARTS currently stars opposite Colman Domingo and Chris Rock in the Academy Award- Nominated film RUSTIN directed by George C. Wolfe, and produced by President Barack and First Lady Michelle Obama's Higher Ground for Netflix. He plays civil rights icon James Farmer, Jr.

On the comedy front, Frank recently guest-starred on the hilarious season three premiere of HBO Max original series SOUTH SIDE.

Raised in the Midwest, Frank is of mixed heritage with Southern roots on the African American side and Brooklyn roots on the Irish side. A product of a long line of African and Irish storytellers.

Frank went directly from training at Juilliard onto Broadway as George Murchison in the Tony Award-Winning production of A RAISIN IN THE SUN. He has also performed leading roles for The Public Theater, Signature, and Lincoln Center.

On camera Frank has worked with notable film directors Jane Campion, Spike Lee, Jason Bateman, Jim Jarmusch, Steve McQueen, and Kenneth Branagh.

Frank enjoyed portraying the series regular role JT Tarmel for Fox & Warner Bros on PRODIGAL SON. Several Guest-Star recurs include BILLIONS, THE BLACKLIST, THE AMERICANS, THE LEFTOVERS, BLUE BLOODS, BULL, 30 ROCK, and MASTER OF NONE in the critically acclaimed episode “New York, I Love You.”

His award-winning short film TWO WONGS, which he wrote and directed, premiered at over ten festivals in major cities in 2022/23. He just completed production on his next film BE TRUE TO YOUR SCHOOL, co-produced with Award-Winning producer Devin E. Haqq & F.A.M. Creative.

NAOMI LORRAIN | Drew Rhodes

Naomi Lorrain is an actor/playwright. Theater: JORDANS (The Public Theater), DAPHNE (Lincoln Center Theater), LA RACE (Page 73/WP), MARK IT DOWN (Williamstown Theatre Festival), BEHIND THE SHEET (Ensemble Studio Theatre), and WHAT TO SEND UP WHEN IT GOES DOWN (The Movement Theatre Company). TV: ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK (Netflix), ELEMENTARY (CBS), MADAM SECRETARY (CBS) and THE GOOD FIGHT (CBS ALL ACCESS). 2023 Page 73 Writers Group. 2022 Disney Television Discovers: Talent Showcase Staff Writer. 2021 National Playwrights Conference Finalist at the O'Neill Theater Center. Naomi also moonlights as a Research Assistant at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. NYU: MFA; Yale: B.A.

RONALD PEET | Lewis

Ronald Peet is a Bahamian-born marathoner, meditator and budding humanist. Film highlights include Julio Torres' PROBLEMISTA, opposite Tilda Swinton; Noah Baumbach's THE MEYEROWITZ STORIES, opposite Dustin Hoffman, Emma Thompson and Adam Sandler and Paul Schrader's FIRST REFORMED. TV highlights: the upcoming Apple TV+ series, BAD MONKEY, Netflix's PARTNER TRACK, and THE I-LAND, FXX's DICKTOWN, CBS' THE GOOD FIGHT, TOMMY, BULL, BLINDSPOT, Hulu's THE LOOMING TOWER, and HBO's GIRLS. New York highlights: RAJA FEATHER KELLY'S THE FIRES at Soho Rep; Jeremy O. Harris’s DADDY New Group and Vineyard Theatre co-production; PLAY ON SHAKESPEARE (Classic Stage and Utah Shakespeare Festival); SPILL (Ensemble Studio Theatre); CUTE ACTIVIST (Bushwick Starr); KENTUCKY (Ensemble Studio Theatre and Page 73); ICARUS IN THE LES (Joe’s Pub); THE WORLD MY MAMA RAISED (Clubbed Thumb) AND DEBUTANTE (Ars Nova.) Regional highlights: THE LAST… (Williamstown Theater Festival); THE LION IN WINTER (Two River Theater); peerless (Barrington Stage Company); THE GOLEM OF HAVANA (Barrington Stage/Miami New Drama), and over 30 roles in 15 productions with the American Shakespeare Center. Musical performances include Bernstein’s MASS at Lincoln Center and a variety of concerts at Joe's Pub, 54 Below, and City Center. Developed new works with Soho Rep, Atlantic, MCC, MTC, NYTW, Second Stage, The Public, Roundabout, Yale Rep, Juilliard, NYU, NYSAF, Williamstown, and more! New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts and Emory University Alumnus. EST Member.

KEITH RANDOPLH SMITH | Don Rhodes

Broadway: JITNEY; FENCES; AMERICAN PSYCHO; SALOME; COME BACK LITTLE SHEBA; KING HEDLEY II, PIANO LESSON. Off-Broadway: WHAT THE END WILL BE (Roundabout); NIGHT OF THE IGUANA (Signature); LOCKDOWN (Rattlestick); TAMBURLAINE (TFANA); PARADISE BLUE (Signature). Film & TV: MALCOLM X; BACKSTREET JUSTICE; FALLOUT; GIRL 6; PATH TO PARADISE; STEVE (short); THE GOOD FIGHT; LAW AND ORDER; I’LL FLY AWAY; JOURNEYMEN (short).

BENJA K. THOMAS | Cathy Rhodes

Benja Kay Thomas is a two-time Obie Winner and a recipient of an AUDELCO Award. She originated the role of “Rabby” in the Tony Nominated, Pulitzer Prize-winning play FAT HAM, which started at the Public Theater, moved to Broadway, and just finished a run at the Geffen Theater in L.A. 2024. The original cast album of FAT HAM is on Audible.

Thomas stood by for Phylicia Rashad in SKELETON CREW on Broadway. Select theatre and film credits include HALFWAY BITCHES GO STRAIGHT TO HEAVEN, MILLER MISSISSIPPI, BOOTY CANDY, and BARBECUE. Films: A LOVE SONG, DETECTIVE CHINATOWN 2, A GUN FOR JENNIFER, CASTING CALL. Television: FBI (CBS), GOTHAM (Fox), Thomas is passionate about photography, writing, and keeping the tradition of the card game Bid Whist alive. You can hear more about Benja Kay Thomas on “My Fourth Act” a podcast by Achim Nowak! And Backstage Stories Podcast by Marcia Pendelton, Backstage Stories also streams on WBAI.org.

She is a member of AEA/SAG/AFTRA, The LAByrinth Theater Company, and The Actor’s Center.

KYRA BOWIE | Stage Manager

Kyra Bowie is a NY based Stage Manger and co-founder of Transcend Streaming. Off-Bway/NY Theatre: OUR CLASS (PSM | MART Foundation) HOUSE OF TELESCOPES (PSM | Pipeline Theatre Co), BABY FOOT (PSM | Walkerspace), JUST TELL NO ONE (SM | Lincoln Center), THE ORCHARD with Jessica Hecht & Mikhail Baryshnikov (PSM | Arlekin Players Theatre) HAPPY LIFE (PSM | Walkerspace). NYU Tisch. Love to my incredible support system of family, friends, and partner in all things, Leanna. www.KyraBowie.com

ANGELINA BELL | Stage Directions

Angelina Bell is a singer, actor and director from Yonkers, NY. A recent graduate of SUNY New Paltz with a degree in Theatre Arts Performance; her previous roles include Macy in THE CAKE, #00 in THE WOLVES, and Mrs. Taylor in BAT BOY: THE MUSICAL. She has also previously directed ALLIYAH IN UNDERLAND at SUNY New Paltz. Most recently she performed at the annual Chashama Gala in New York City, and completed teaching at Shadowland's Stages Spring Academy Program. Beyond the stage, Angelina enjoys writing, cooking, spending time with animals, and making people laugh!

KATE DOUGLAS | Playwright

Kate Douglas is a writer, composer, and performer. Recent work includes THE APIARY (Second Stage, New York Times Critic's Pick), HAG with Grace McLean (Vivace Award), THE NINTH HOUR starring opposite her co-writer Shayfer James (The Met Cloisters), and THE LUCKY FEW starring opposite her co-writer Todd Almond (Ancram Opera House). She has been awarded residencies at SPACE on Ryder Farm, Swale House on Governors Island, Rhinebeck Writers Retreat, Millay Arts, and Goodspeed Musicals, among others. Alum of the Dramatists Guild Fellows Program, Colt Coeur, The Civilians R&D Group, and The Orchard Project Greenhouse. Performance credits include Punchdrunk's Sleep No More (where she also held the title of Associate Artist), featured performer in Liz Phair's 30th Anniversary Tour of her seminal album EXILE IN GUYVILLE, Fernando Rubio's EVERYTHING BY MY SIDE, Third Rail's THE GRAND PARADISE, and KANSAS CITY CHOIR BOY starring Todd Almond and Courtney Love. Upcoming: CENTURIES starring opposite her co-writers Matthew Dean Marsh and Raina Sokolov-Gonzalez (Ancram Opera House). BFA: New York University. Certificate in Sustainable Garden Design, New York Botanical Garden. www.katedouglasprojects.com

KATE WHORISKEY | Director

Kate Whoriskey: On Broadway, she directed Clyde’s and the Pulitzer Prize winning play, SWEAT, by her frequent collaborator, Lynn Nottage as well as the revival of MIRACLE WORKER. Off Broadway credits include THE APIARY at Second Stage, LETTERS FROM MAX at the Signature, ALL THE NATALIE PORTMANS at MCC, SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD at Encores Off Center, Paula Vogel’s HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE at Second Stage, RUINED at Manhattan Theatre Club (Pulitzer Prize Winner) AUBERGINE, FABULATION and INKED BABY at Playwrights Horizons among others. She has directed acclaimed productions at theaters across the country including the Goodman (RUINED, VIGILS, HEARTBREAK HOUSE, THE ROSE TATTOO AND DROWNING CROW), the Geffen, South Coast Rep (INTIMATE APPAREL, THE PIANO TEACHER, LIFE IS A DREAM, CAUCASIAN CHALK CIRCLE, ANTIGONE, AND THE CLEAN HOUSE), Sundance Theatre Lab, Shakespeare Theatre, the American Repertory Theatre, the Huntington, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and Arena among others. Her opera direction has been seen at the Chatelet in Paris and Teatro Municipal in Brazil. She has also taught at Princeton, NYU and UC Davis.

JESSICA HECHT | Anne

Jessica Hecht is an accomplished stage actress and appeared most recently in SUMMER, 1976 opposite Laura Linney (Tony Nomination). Hecht's Broadway credits include THE PRICE opposite Mark Ruffalo, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF opposite Danny Burstein, THE ASSEMBLED PARTIES opposite Judith Light, HARVEY opposite Jim Parsons, AFTER THE FALL opposite Carla Gugino, THE LAST NIGHT OF BALLYHOO opposite Dana Ivey and Paul Rudd, BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS opposite Laurie Metcalf, JULIUS CAESAR opposite Denzel Washington, A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE opposite Liev Schreiber and Scarlett Johansson (Tony Nomination) Off-Broadway, she has appeared in KING LEAR opposite Annette Bening, STAGE KISS opposite Sandra Oh, THREE SISTERS opposite Maggie Gyllenhaal and at Lincoln Center Theater in ADMISSIONS for which she received an Obie Award.

She received an Emmy Award nomination for her performance in the Netflix series SPECIAL. She was seen on television in the limited series SUPER PUMPED and THE LOUDEST VOICE and in recurring roles in THE SINNER, DICKINSON, THE BOYS, and SUCCESSION. She is also recognizable to television audiences from FRIENDS and BREAKING BAD.

She has just completed filming Eleanor The Great opposite June Squibb (Scarlett Johansson's directorial debut!)

STEPHANIE CROUSILLAT | The Gardener / Dancer

Stephanie is a New York City based performer & photographer. Performance credits include Punchdrunk's SLEEP NO MORE [NYC & Shanghai], JOHANNES WIELAND COMPANY (Staatstheater Kassel) WEST SIDE STORY (2020 Broadway revival) THE APIARY (Second Stage Theater). Beyond live performance, Stephanie has been featured on camera in film & tv like television spots for CoverGirl, Cadillac, Dior, Target, Lee Jeans, and Saturday Night Live. She has also been featured in music videos with Alicia Keys, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Paul McCartney, and was a part of the workshop process for Madonna’s Rebel Heart Tour. And most recently performed in IN THE HEIGHTS, TICK TICK…BOOM! & Hulu’S UP HERE. Currently she is training in the two year acting program at the William Esper Studio.

WARREN ADAMS | Choreographer

Warren Adams is a South African born Writer, Director and Choreographer living in New York City. Past Projects include: MOTOWN THE MUSICAL (Broadway, US Tours, West End) Directed the film AFRICA STRAIGHT UP, and choreographed the Off-Broadway plays ALL THE NATALIE PORTMANS, HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE, OROONOKO AND RUINED. Other notable credits include the opera MAGDALENA in Paris at the Theatre Du Chatelet, Disney’s TOY STORY THE MUSICAL and Nora Ephron’s last film JULIE AND JULIA. In 2019 he was appointed to the Tony Nominating Committee. Other notable awards include the Tony Award for HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH (Co-Producer). He won the NAACP and the Fred Astaire Award's for his choreographic work on Motown. He was selected as the first MANDELA SAINSBURY SCHOLAR (South Africa to London) and the first RUDOLF NUREYEV AWARD winner in Europe. He is the Co-Founder and Artistic Director of the Black Theatre Coalition. Adams has served as an Adjunct Professor at both Princeton University and NYU in the drama departments.

JO FERNANDEZ | Stage Manager

Jo Fernandez, they/he, (NYSAF: A WRINKLE IN TIME, ANNIE SALEM. Broadway: THE FERRYMAN, HEAD OVER HEELS. Recent New York: AN AMERICAN SOLDIER (PAC NYC), I LOVE YOU SO MUCH I COULD DIE (NYTW), AMUSEMENTS, SCHOOL PICTURES (Playwrights Horizons), THE APPOINTMENT (Lightning Rod Special), ORATORIO FOR LIVING THINGS (Ars Nova), ONLY AN OCTAVE APART (St. Ann's Warehouse); as well as productions at MCC, Second Stage, The Public, MTC, and Juilliard. Select Regional & Opera: LA CALISTO (The Glimmerglass Festival); HENRY V, PENELOPE (Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival). Many thanks to the NYSAF staff and crew, and the whole Tulipa team.

MATTHEW DEAN MARSH | Composer/Pianist

Matthew Dean Marsh is a composer, performer, and writer based in New York City.

Marsh’s collaborations with David Cale, WE’RE ONLY ALIVE FOR A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME and SANDRA, recently made their debuts at The Public, The Goodman, and Vineyard Theater. He also co-wrote and starred in YOU DON’T KNOW THE LONELY ONE with Cale & Dael Orlandersmith. His compositions have sounded at Madison Square Garden, Barclays Center, Radio City Music Hall, Lincoln Center, MassMOCA, and the White House in Washington DC. He has been a collaborator of Kate Douglas since they met in 2012.

DEBORAH COCONIS | Stage Directions

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KAIT KERRIGAN | Book and Additional Lyrics

Kait Kerrigan is an award-winning book writer, lyricist, and playwright. Broadway: THE GREAT GATSBY (book); West End: THE TIME TRAVELLER’S WIFE (add’l lyrics with a score by Joss Stone and Dave Stewart); ff-Boradway: THE MAD ONES (book and lyrics), HENRY AND MUDGE (book and lyrics). Additional regional credits include musicals INDIGO (book), JUSTICE (lyrics), EARTHRISE (lyrics); plays FATHER/DAUGHTER, IMAGINARY LOVE, and DISASTER RELIEF. Her immersive house party THE BAD YEARS (book and lyrics) had two sold-out pop-up productions in Brooklyn. Digital: A KILLER PARTY (screenplay with co-writer Rachel Axler). Albums include THE MAD ONES KERRIGAN-LOWDERMILK LIVE, and OUR FIRST MISTAKE, which hit #1 on the digital charts. Her songs including viral hits “Run Away with Me” and “Go Tonight”. Awards: Kleban Award for libretto, Jonathan Larson Award for lyric-writing, Most Promising Lyricist Award from the Theatre Hall of Fame, Edgerton Award for FATHER/DAUGHTER; residencies at Page 73, Dramatists Guild Fellows, Rhinebeck, Goodspeed’s Johnnie Mercer Project, and MacDowell. She is an alumna of Barnard College and the BMI Musical Theatre Workshop and a member of the Dramatists Guild. @kaitkerrigan on social media.

ANNE EISENDRATH | Music and Lyrics

Anne Eisendrath is an electronic music producer and singer/songwriter. A classically trained musician, Anne attended the University of Michigan where she completed a degree in vocal performance. Anne spent a decade as a musical theatre performer and professional singer in Seattle, and after the birth of her third child, Anne turned her artistic attentions to songwriting and music production. As a composer/lyricist, Anne combines her intense love of electronica with her obsession with poetry, story and classical music. In addition to her musical theatre composition, she writes, records, produces and performs her own brand of theatrical synth-pop as the artist “Anniee.” She will release her first LP album in fall of 2024.

IAN EISENDRATH | Music and Lyrics

Ian Eisendrath is an Olivier Award-winning, Grammy-nominated music supervisor, music producer arranger and music director for theatre, film and television. Film & Television: Executive Music Producer for Disney's SNOW WHITE; K-POP: DEMON HUNTERS (Sony Pictures Animation); ONLY MURDERS IN THE BUILDING Season 3 (Hulu); SPIRITED (Apple); LYLE, LYLE CROCODILE (Sony); DIANA (Netflix); Fox TV’s A CHRISTMAS STORY LIVE; and COME FROM AWAY (Apple TV+). Selected Theatre: Music Supervisor and Arranger for the Broadway, Toronto, North American, Australian and UK companies of COME FROM AWAY, DIANA (Broadway), A CHRISTMAS STORY (Broadway & National Tour), and multiple projects at La Jolla Playhouse, Seattle Repertory Theatre, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Seattle Symphony, ACT, TUTS, Ordway, Casa Mañana, and the Banff Centre for the Arts. Ian was the Director of New Work Development and the Music Supervisor at the 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle from 2003-2016. University of Michigan Music graduate.

CHRISTOPHER ASHLEY | Director

Christopher Ashley, The Rich Family Artistic Director of La Jolla Playhouse. Recipient of 2017 Tony, Outer Critics Circle and Helen Hayes awards; Drama Desk and Dora Award nominations for COME FROM AWAY (Tony Award, Best Director). Other Broadway credits include DIANA, THE MUSICAL (current), ESCAPE TO MARGARITAVILLE, MEMPHIS, (Tony Award nomination), XANADU, LEAP OF FAITH, ALL SHOOK UP, THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW (Tony award nomination). West End: COME FROM AWAY, MEMPHIS. New York: BLOWN SIDEWAYS THROUGH LIFE, JEFFREY, THE MOST FABULOUS STORY EVER TOLD, VALHALLA, REGRETS ONLY, WONDER OF THE WORLD, COMMUNICATING DOORS, BUNNY BUNNY, THE NIGHT HANK WILLIAMS DIED, FIRES IN THE MIRROR (Lucille Lortel Award). Kennedy Center: SWEENEY TODD, MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG, THE LISBON TRAVIATA. La Jolla Playhouse selected Credits: AS YOU LIKE IT, THE UNTITLED UNAUTHORIZED HUNTER S. THOMPSON MUSICAL, BABBITT, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, THE DARRELL HAMMOND PROJECT, HOLLYWOOD, HIS GIRL FRIDAY, GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS, RESTORATION. TV/Film: COME FROM AWAY, DIANA, LUCKY STIFF, JEFFREY; American Playhouse, PBS: BLOWN SIDEWAYS THROUGH LIFE.

HEIDI BLICKENSTAFF | Dr. TBD / Claire Major

Heidi most recently returned home after her critically acclaimed, year-long run as Mary Jane Healy in the TONY Award winning musical, JAGGED LITTLE PILL on tour. Heidi reopened the Broadway company of JAGGED LITTLE PILL as it came back from the pandemic. Additionally, Heidi created the role of Katherine in DISNEY’S FREAKY FRIDAY for Disney Channel and Disney On Broadway. Other Broadway: SOMETHING ROTTEN! (Bea Bottom), THE ADDAMS FAMILY (Alice), DISNEY’S THE LITTLE MERMAID (Ursula), THE FULL MONTY, and [TITLE OF SHOW], a musical Heidi co-created with her friends and collaborators. Other New York: New York City Center’s Encores: THE MOST HAPPY FELLA (Cleo), The Vineyard Theatre: NOW. HERE. THIS. and [TITLE OF SHOW]. Favorite Regional: The Weston Playhouse: NEXT TO NORMAL (Diana), The Kennedy Center, Signature Theatre and PBS: FIRST YOU DREAM: THE MUSIC OF KANDER AND EBB, and Ford’s Theatre: MEET JOHN DOE (Ann Mitchell, Helen Hayes Award). Heidi is a graduate of Duke University. heidiblickenstaff.com

LISA BRESCIA | Marianne Lamar

LISA BRESCIA: On Broadway, Lisa has starred as Heidi Hansen in DEAR EVAN HANSEN, Donna Sheridan in MAMMA MIA!, Elphaba in WICKED, Cleo in TWYLA THARP’S THE TIMES THEY ARE A-CHANGIN’, Amneris in AIDA, and Marion Halcolmbe in THE WOMAN IN WHITE. Other New York credits include the role of Helena in ALL’S WELL THAT ENDS WELL at the Public Theater’s Shakespeare Lab and Claire in Roundabout’s ORDINARY DAYS (original cast recording). Select regional credits include Tatiana Racon in the world premiere of Ken Ludwig’s A COMEDY OF TENORS (McCarter/Cleveland Play House), Hermione in THE WINTER’S TALE, Gertrude in HAMLET (Notre Dame Shakespeare), Ivy in August: Osage County (Theatre Raleigh), Luckett in Row (Williamstown Theatre Festival), Anna in Sister Play (The Magic Theatre), Victoria in Victor Victoria (Ogunquit Playhouse), and at the Kennedy Center in Broadway: Three Generations – Side Show (Violet). Lisa is currently Chair of Performance and an Associate Professor of Acting the Conservatory for the Performing Arts at Stephens College. Training: MFA in Classical Acting.

MIGUEL CERVANTES | Sean Lamar

Miguel Cervantes grew up in Dallas, TX and attended Booker T Washington. He is best known for the role of Alexander Hamilton in the Chicago and Broadway productions of HAMILTON for nearly 8 years and over 2000 performances. Other credits are IF/THEN, AMERICAN IDIOT, 25TH ANNUAL…SPELLING BEE and GIANT. Film: THE GREATEST, N.B.T., TRAMPS. TV: PERSON OF INTEREST, BRAINDEAD, MADAME SECRETARY, ROYAL PAINS, THE BLACKLIST. He received a BFA in Musical Theater, Emerson College. Favorite roles have been "Daddy" to Jackson & Adelaide and Anessa and husband to superhero wife, Kelly. In loving memory of my #Adelaidybug.

DREW GEHLING | Dr. Breva

Drew Gehling: Broadway: ALMOST FAMOUS, WAITRESS, ON A CLEAR DAY..., JERSEY BOYS. Off-Broadway: A MINISTER'S WIFE (LCT), SCARLET PIMPERNEL, BILLY & RAY (Vineyard), ANNE OF GREEN GABLES (Lortel). FILM/TV: A GOOD PERSON, SUCCESSION, UNCONFORMITY, THE BLACKLIST, CHICAGO PD, BLUE BLOODS, INSTINCT, THE GOOD FIGHT, DIETLAND, KIMMY SCHMIDT, ELEMENTARY, 30 ROCK, SMASH. Carnegie Mellon.

GIZEL JIMENEZ | Juliette Books

Gizel Jimenez will recur in AppleTV+'s upcoming series, BAD MONKEY. Previously, she recurred on Showtime's DEXTER: NEW BLOOD and played a substantial role in Lin Manuel Miranda's Netflix film, TICK, TICK...BOOM! Broadway/Tour: WICKED (Nessarose), WEST SIDE STORY 1st national (Rosalia). Off-Broadway: CORNELIA STREET (Atlantic Theater Co.), first ethnic Kate Monster in AVENUE Q (New World Stages), MISS YOU LIKE HELL (Public Theater, Drama Desk & Lucille Lortel nominations), BIG RIVER (City Center Encores!), PARTY PEOPLE (The Public), UNSEAMLY (Urban Stages). Regional: WAITRESS (Dawn, Ogunquit Playhouse), FROZEN LIVE (Princess Anna, Hyperion), IN THE HEIGHTS (Vanessa, Walnut St. Theatre), BLISS (Piper/Bliss, 5th Avenue), OKLAHOMA (Ado Annie, Goodspeed), EVITA (Mistress, Asolo Rep), ALICE BY HEART (Cheshire Cat, NYSAF), SMOKEY JOE’S CAFÉ (DeLee, Capital Rep). TV: NBC's LAW & ORDER: SVU, HBO's DIVORCE. @gizeljimenezofficial

JAY ARMSTRONG JOHNSON | Thomas Dristell

PARADE (Britt Craig), THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (Raoul), ON THE TOWN (Chip), HANDS ON A HARDBODY (Greg Wilhote), CATCH ME IF YOU CAN, HAIR. Off Broadway/New York credits: TO MY GIRLS (2ST), SCOTLAND, PA (Outer Critics Circle Award honoree), DARLING GRENADINE (Roundabout), A CHORUS LINE (City Center), CANDIDE (NYCO), SWEENEY TODD (NY Philharmonic filmed for PBS), BABES IN TOYLAND (MasterVoices at Carnegie Hall), THE MOST HAPPY FELLA (Encores!), Terrence McNally’s FIRE AND AIR (CSC), THE MAD ONES, WORKING (Prospect Theater Co, Drama Desk Award), WILD ANIMALS YOU SHOULD KNOW (MCC), 35mm: A Musical Exhibition. TV/Film: QUANTICO (Will Olsen), SEX & THE CITY 2, LAW & ORDER: SVU. Album: Jay Armstrong Johnson LIVE at Feinstein's 54 Below. Jay is the creator and star of Broadway’s biggest Halloween party, I PUT A SPELL ON YOU, benefiting The Ali Forney Center! @Jay_A_Johnson

TAYLOR IMAN JONES | Cordelia Owl

Taylor can currently be seen in THE LONELY FEW at the Robert Wilson Theatre at MCC. She recently completed a year run as “Parr” in SIX on Broadway. Other Broadway credits are original casts of HEAD OVER HEELS and GROUNDHOG DAY. Off Broadway and regional: Roundabout’s SCOTLAND, PA, TALE OF DESPEREAUX, THE WHO’S TOMMY at Kennedy Center, HAMILTON at the Pantages in Los Angeles and AMERICAN IDIOT tour. Taylor is from the Bay Area where she performed in countless local productions, including The Unfortunates at ACT. Her solo show, which combines musical theatre songs and original music of her own, has played to sold out rooms in New York and several locations in Northern California.

ZACHARY NOAH PISER | Simon

Zach is a Hapa, Jewish actor based in NYC. Broadway/Off-Broadway: DEAR EVAN HANSEN (Evan), KPOP (OBC, Brad), WICKED (Boq), Barrow Street Theatre's West End transfer of SWEENEY TODD (Tobias). Selected Regional: REDWOOD (La Jolla Playhouse, World Premiere), ROW (Williamstown, World Premiere), RENT(Paper Mill Playhouse), HEART OF ROCK AND ROLL (The Old Globe). TV: IN YOUR DREAMS (Netflix, upcoming). Zach has also performed at concert venues internationally, including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Shanghai Grand Theatre and more. Bay Area native, Northwestern grad. Love to my team, my family, Adam and Scout. @zach_piser

WREN RIVERA | Marthe

Wren Rivera (they/them) is a non-binary actor from Hoffman Estates, Illinois. Their previous works include; Broadway: JAGGED LITTLE PILL, Off Broadway: TEETH THE MUSICAL (Stephanie), BETWEEN THE LINES (Jules), Regional: SUPERYOU (Rise), TV: Apple TV's WECRASHED, DYLAN MULVANEY: DAY 365, and Sutton Foster's BRING ME TO LIGHT. Wren is a huge fan of creating new work, and getting to be back in the room with Kait is a true treat. Feel free to follow along on Instagram! @w.t.rivera

GARY MICKELSON | Stage Manager

GARY MICKELSON (Production Stage Manager) is thrilled to be in PK with THE HEART. Broadway: HOW TO DANCE IN OHIO, COME FROM AWAY, DR. ZHIVAGO, FIRST DATE, MEMPHIS, GYPSY, COMPANY, CHITA RIVERA: THE DANCER’S LIFE, A CHRISTMAS CAROL, THE LION IN WINTER, TRIUMPH OF LOVE, VICTOR/VICTORIA. National Tours: THE PRODUCERS, HAIRSPRAY, GREASE!. Off-Broadway: WHORL INSIDE A LOOP. He was also the PSM on the World Premiere of THE GRISWOLDS’ BROADWAY VACATION at Seattle’s 5th Ave Theatre. Other regional work includes over 60 productions for such theaters as Paper Mill Playhouse, St. Louis Muny, Kansas City Starlight, Studio Arena Theatre, Dallas Summer Musicals and Atlanta T.O.T.S. He has captained four championship Broadway Bowling League teams and managed a Championship Broadway Show League Softball team. Love & thanks to his wife Lori, his son Elijah and his daughter Beatrice.

SYDNEII COLTER | Assistant Stage Manager

Sydneii Colter (she/her) is excited to be collaborating with New York Stage and Film for the first time. Off-Broadway: BERNARDA'S DAUGHTERS, EVANSTON SALT COSTS CLIMBING, BLACK NO MORE (The New Group), COVENANT (Roundabout Theater). Other recent credits include: SELF-PORTRAITS (The Bushwick Starr) SWEET CHARIOT (Shiva Theatre), SPARROWS AT THE BAR (Theatre Aspen), ECHOES IN THE GARDEN (The Chain Theatre).

HANNAH LOUISE JONES | Stage Management Apprentice

JASMINE AIYANA GARVIN | Stage Directions

MANDY MOORE | Choreographer

Mandy Moore is a world class Choreographer, Director, and Producer who has garnered 3 Emmy Awards among her 12 nominations. She is best known for her ground-breaking work as a producer and choreographer on SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE as well as producing and choreographing Taylor Swift’s record shattering THE ERAS World Tour. On film Mandy’s highly acclaimed choreography can be seen in the Academy Award winning film LA LA LAND. Notable film credits include AMERICAN HUSTLE, SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK, SLEEPING WITH OTHER PEOPLE, BABYLON and the soon to be released SNOW WHITE, THE LIFE OF CHUCK, and TRON ARES. On TV, Mandy had an Emmy Award winning 2 season run on ZOEY’S EXTRAORDINARY PLAYLIST. Other notable television credits include DANCING WITH THE STARS FOX’s GLEE, AMERICAN IDOL, Disney’s 60 th Anniversary, MODERN FAMILY, and Showtime’s KIDDING. On stage, Mandy choreographed and directed the 2024 DANCING WITH THE STARS TOUR. She has also worked on Celine Dion’s sold-out TAKING CHANCES tour, Britain’s STRICTLY COME DANCING, Cirque du Soleil’s MY IMMORTAL, and Shania Twain’s Vegas Residency YOU’RE STILL THE ONE. Mandy is a proud member of the Television Academy and the Academy of Motion Pictures, Arts, and Sciences.

WENDY BOBBITT CAVETT | Music Director

Wendy Bobbitt Cavett: Broadway credits include COME FROM AWAY, HAMILTON, MAMMA MIA!, THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL, A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD, THE MOST HAPPY FELLA, and A TALE OF TWO CITIES. National and International credits: COME FROM AWAY, THE WHO’S TOMMY, MAMMA MIA!, and A CHORUS LINE. New projects: THE SABBATH GIRL, playing off-Broadway in Summer 2024, and SUPERYOU, premiering at the Curve Theatre in Leicester, UK in Fall 2024.
Wendy is on the theatre faculty of Wagner College.

JOSHUA FRIED | Associate Music Director

Joshua G. Fried is a music copyist, music assistant, and pianist for theatre and film. Current/previous projects include: Music Associate on Rebel Wilson’s film THE DEB (Unigram), Music Assistant on KPOP: DEMON HUNTERS (Sony Pictures Animation), Assistant to Executive Music Producer on Disney’s SNOW WHITE, Associate Copyist on DAYS OF WINE AND ROSES (Atlantic Theater Company) and COMPANY (North American Tour). Graduate of Carnegie Mellon University.

CONOR KEELAN | Ableton Programmer and Music Production

Conor Keelan is an award-winning orchestrator, music producer and guitarist. Known for his energetic and epic sound, his arrangements have been played by orchestras from Tokyo to West Virginia and sung by the likes of Jon Batiste, Patti LaBelle, Harry Connick Jr., and Jessie Mueller, among others. He is currently the Associate Music Supervisor and Orchestrator of SPIRITED AWAY globally. Select credits: (Streaming) READING RAINBOW LIVE!, ENCORE!, PRIDE & PREJUDICE, ESTELLA SCROOGE (B’Way) A BRONX TALE (West End) SPIRITED AWAY (Off-B’Way) TEETH, THE JURY, MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG, GOSPEL ACCORDING TO HEATHER. Proud Northwestern Graduate. www.cmkeelan.com

RUSSELL GODWIN | Sound Designer

Russell is Associate Sound Designer for Gareth Owen Sound Ltd. Upcoming productions include: MJ THE MUSICAL Germany, COME FROM AWAY Toronto. Recent productions include: BACK TO THE FUTURE US Tour, MJ THE MUSICAL (London), ELF THE MUSICAL (London Dominion), Andrew Lloyd Webber’s CINDERELLA (Broadway), MJ THE MUSICAL First National Tour (US Tour), MJ THE MUSICAL (Broadway – Tony Award for Sound Design), KINKY BOOTS (Off Broadway), DIANA THE MUSICAL (Broadway); MAMMA MIA THE PARTY (London); COME FROM AWAY (Broadway, North American Tour, Canada, UK and Australia); Starlight Express (Bochum); STRICTLY BALLROOM (Piccadilly); DEAF WEST’S SPRING AWAKENING (Broadway); THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS (London Palladium); MEMPHIS (Shaftesbury- Olivier Award for Best Sound Design) and IN THE HEIGHTS (King’s Cross). Previously Russell has toured for over ten years on shows including HAIRSPRAY (UK Tour 2010), SISTER ACT (UK Tour 2011) and THE HITCHHIKER’S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY (Arena Tour 2012).

DAVE HOROWITZ | Sound Support

Dave Horowitz is a NYC/Broadway sound engineer. Memorable credits include Broadway: THE WHO’S TOMMY revival, BEETLEJUICE THE MUSICAL, A BRONX TALE; Off-Broadway: HERE LIES LOVE, QUEEN OF THE MIST, and AVENUE Q.

JUAN ARIZA | Music Producer

Juan Ariza (Ariza) is an LA-based producer, songwriter, composer, multi-instrumentalist, and artist hailing from Bogotá, Colombia. His passion for music and craftsmanship shines through in his unapologetically bold production choices, all while maintaining a keen attention to detail and a deep respect for the essence of each project. Notably, he spent five months as the lead guitarist in Harry Styles' band, captivating audiences in sold-out arenas worldwide. Juan's impressive repertoire includes co-producing five songs for Camilo’s Grammy and Latin Grammy-nominated album, ‘DAPA’, co-writing and producing Nicole Zignago & Camilo's single "Mimos," and executive producing Nicole’s latest album, ‘escrita.’ His collaborative efforts extend to co-writing Ingrid Michaelson & Jason Mraz’s single “Love Is,” and composing the original score for Hulu’s miniseries, Tiny Beautiful Things. Juan's artistry extends to his own projects, with two albums released under his name, Ariza. Recent cuts encompass a diverse range of artists, including Nicole Zignago, Ingrid Michaelson, Jonita Gandhi, DannyLux, Leon Leiden, Ashley Kutcher, Camilo, Gallant, and Bruses.

ELIN SANDBERG | Music Producer

Elin Sandberg is an LA-based multi-instrumentalist, producer and writer from Uppsala, Sweden. She has worked as a touring musician for many years and as such has toured all over the world with artists like Harry Styles, Willow Smith, AR Rahman, Chloe x Halle and many more. She has performed at historic venues such as Wembley stadium, Slane Castle, been a part of Harry Styles’ historic 15 night residency at Madison Square Garden in NYC, as well as 15 nights at the Forum, LA to name a few. One of her collaborators is Ariza, with whom she has the duo project “Coy Panda”. Their music has been featured on playlists such as: Bedroom Pop, Lotus, Fresh Finds Indie, Mixto, Made in Sweden and New Music Friday (Sweden, Denmark and Iceland). They also served as the opening act for Harry Styles at Wembley Stadium in 2023. Elin’s work as a producer has been ranging between many styles and genres. Some of her cuts include “Super Happy feat Ariza” by Su Lee, “Agua” by Ariza, and she has worked with collaborators such as Christine Noel, Julia Gartha and more.

LYNN SPECTOR | Script Supervisor

Lynn Spector (she/her) Script Supervisor: Broadway - MOULIN ROUGE!, BEETLEJUICE, PARADISE SQUARE, and THE GREAT GATSBY; Public Theater - THE HARDER THEY COME and PLAYS FOR THE PLAGUE YEAR. Assistant Director: THE COLOR PURPLE (Revival 2nd National Tour), HERE'S HOOVER! (Les Freres Corbusier), PERMISSION (MCC), and THE BOBBY DARIN STORY (92Y Lyrics and Lyricists). Lynn has been a guest lecturer on musical theatre dramatic structure, and has been published in the journal Studies in Musical Theatre. MFA – Dramaturgy (Columbia University); BA - Theater Arts and English & American Literature (Brandeis University).

ADAM CHANLER-BERAT | Co-Creator, Playwright

Adam Chanler-Berat (he/him) is known for his performances in the original companies of Broadway’s NEXT TO NORMAL, PETER AND THE STARCATCHER, SAINT JOAN, and AMELIE as well as Off-Broadway in I CAN GET IT FOR YOU WHOLESALE, ASSASSINS, RENT, FLY BY NIGHT, NANTUCKET SLEIGH RIDE and FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE among others. As a writer, he was a member of the Civilian's 2022-23 R&D group. Adam’s play with music, CONTRA, has been workshopped at Ars Nova, was a finalist for Space on Ryder Farm 2018, and a semi-finalist for the 2020 O’Neill Festival New Music Theater Conference. His piece AFTER PETER, to be featured this summer at New York Stage and Film, was workshopped with Barrington Stage in 2021 and was developed in residence at NYSAF in 2022. His project ASSISTED was developed with Rhinebeck Writers Retreat in 2023, Barrington Stage this past summer, and was awarded the 2024 Rhinebeck Writers Retreat RRR residency, and is part of the Groundfloor at Berkeley Rep 2024 cohort.

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GRACE McLEAN | Co-Creator, Music & Lyrics

Grace McLean (she/her) is a performer, writer, composer. In addition to performing on Broadway (SUFFS; BAD CINDERELLA; NATASHA, PIERRE....), Off-Broadway and Regionally (MCC, LCT3, The Public, Vineyard, La MaMa, BAM, Weston Playhouse, ART, WTF) and TV (THE FIRST LADY [Showtime], THE OTHER TWO [HBOMax]) she also writes and composes for theater (THE APIARY; IN THE GREEN, Richard Rodgers, Lortel Awards) and film (MARINA; THE PHOTOGRAPHER; OUR MINE, Best Score Brooklyn Film Festival, Black Bear Award for Best Score Athens International Film Festival). She toured Pakistan and Russia as an artistic ambassador with the US State Department and looks forward to releasing her first full length album in May 2024. Lincoln Center Writer-in-residence, Vivace Award ('23), Larson Grant ('21), Broadway Women’s Fund’s Woman to Watch (‘21), Civilians R&D Group (‘19-’20), MacDowell Fellow (‘18), Lincoln Center Emerging Artist (‘17). www.gracemclean.com

TYLER THOMAS | Director

Tyler Thomas is a New York-based theater director and Susan Stroman Directing Award recipient. Most recently, she has developed and directed new work at Pasadena Playhouse, Vineyard Theatre, Williamstown Theatre Festival, Rattlestick Playwrights, Geva Theatre, Northern Stage, and The Flea. Tyler is a former 2050 Fellow with New York Theater Workshop, Foeller Fellow at Williamstown Theatre Festival, and member of the Lincoln Center Directors’ Lab. She has been a Visiting Artist at the Athens Conservatoire in Greece and Guest Artist at UCLA and UC Santa Cruz. Tyler holds a BFA in Drama and MA in Arts Politics from the Tisch School of Drama. She is currently the Associate Artistic Director of the national arts and health initiative, Arts for EveryBody, inspired by the Federal Theatre Project.

KYLE BELTRAN | Peter

Broadway: THE CHERRY ORCHARD, IN THE HEIGHTS (& First National Tour). Off-Broadway: A CASE FOR THE EXISTENCE OF GOD (Signature, Drama Desk & Lortel noms), FIND ME HERE (Clubbed Thumb), LESSONS IN SURVIVAL (Vineyard),

BLUE RIDGE (Atlantic), FIRE IN DREAMLAND (Public), TIN CAT SHOES (Clubbed Thumb), THE AMATEURS (Vineyard), A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM (Public), HEAD OF PASSES (Public), THE FLICK (Barrow Street), GLORIA (Vineyard), THE FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE (Public), CHOIR BOY (MTC), 10 THINGS TO DO BEFORE I DIE (2ST). Regional: Williamstown, Goodman, DTC, Steppenwolf, Yale Rep, The Old Globe. Television/Film: Ramon Fisher on AMERICAN RUST: BROKEN JUSTICE (Prime), AMERICAN HORROR STORY (FX), INVENTING ANNA (Netflix), OLGA DIES DREAMING (Hulu, pilot), AMERICAN RUST (Showtime), DAVID MAKES MAN (OWN/HBOMax), THE SHIVERING TRUTH (Adult Swim), HORACE AND PETE (Pig Newton), THE BIG C (Showtime), UNFORGETTABLE (CBS). BFA in Drama, Carnegie Mellon

MARIN IRELAND | Jo

Broadway: REASONS TO BE PRETTY (Theatre World Award, Tony nomination), THE BIG KNIFE, AFTER MISS JULIE. Selected Off-Broadway: SPAIN (2nd Stage), BLUE RIDGE (Atlantic), MORNING SUN (MTC), SUMMER AND SMOKE (Transport Group/CSC), IRONBOUND (Rattlestick, Drama Desk nomination), THREE SISTERS (CSC), CYCLONE (Studio Dante, Obie Award), BLASTED, MARIE ANTOINETTE (both Soho Rep), IN THE WAKE (The Public Theater), 4.48 PSYCHOSIS (Royal Court tour), UNCLE VANYA IN THE FLATIRON (DVRF/OHenry Productions). TV/film includes EILEEN (Independent Spirit Award nomination), THE UMBRELLA ACADEMY, Y: THE LAST MAN, SNEAKY PETE, GIRLS, HOMELAND, GLASS CHIN (Independent Spirit Award nomination), THE BOOGEYMAN, THE IRISHMAN and HELL OR HIGH WATER.

ERICA SWINDELL | Musician / Violin

Erica Swindell is the lead violinist for Eagles and backing vocalist to Don Henley and Joe Walsh. Based out of Brooklyn, she has toured the world for the past eight years with Eagles, most recently as the Concertmaster for their Hotel California 35 piece orchestra tour. In addition, she has worked with Stephen Stills, James Gang, James Taylor, Stevie Nicks, Vince Gill, Ringo Starr, Neil Young, Tricia Yearwood, Martina McBride, Emily Robison Strayer and Martie Maguire (of The Chicks), Ashley Monroe, Timothy B Schmit, Lucas Nelson & Promise of the
Real, and Lyle Lovett among others. During her off time from touring, Swindell has shared the stage as a violinist for HALSEY, Lucy Dacus, Beabadoobee, Keli Holiday, Gabriel Garzon Montano, Doe Paoro, VeritÃ¨, Liam Gallagher, Kaki King, MetroBoomin, KYGO, Stephen Shwartz and more. As a recording artist, she has appeared on albums by American Authors, Chelsea Cutler, and Faouzia. Her live performances can be seen on Austin City Limits, The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon, Ellen, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, NPR, and The Howard Stern Show.

KATIE YOUNG | Stage Manager

(She/her) is a New York based director & stage manager. Select work, Broadway/Tour: THE KING AND I, HAMILTON, SOMETHING ROTTEN, ONCE; Off-Broadway/Regional: GRENFELL, MICHAEL K., HOW TO BE A DANCER…, MONSOON WEDDING (St. Ann’s Warehouse), JUNE RITES!!, THE COURTROOM, BLUEPRINT SPECIALS (Waterwell), HOW TO DEFEND YOURSELF (NYTW), CAMP SIEGFRIED (Second Stage), HAMLET & ORESTEIA (Park Avenue Armory), A CASE FOR THE EXISTENCE OF GOD (Signature), TERRA FIRMA (The Coop), IN THE GREEN (LCT3), NORMA JEANE BAKER OF TROY (The Shed), NI MI MADRE, LEWISTON/CLARKSTON, THE FEW (Rattlestick), WHAT WE’RE UP AGAINST (WP Theater). As Director: BACK AND FORTH (Super Secret Arts), VODVIL, (The Magic Patio), PARADISE LOST AND FOUND (Isle of Shoals Productions), LOYALTY (Without A Net Productions), JULIUS CAESAR (Pocket Universe). Member of the 2019 Lincoln Center Theater Directors Lab. Thanks TLCCGGx5, Henry & Goose. www.KatieYoungTheater.com

RICK REA | Music Copyist and Assistant

Rick Rea (IG: @rickreation) is a musical theatre multi-hyphenate: lyricist, librettist, composer, director, singer, actor, pianist, voice teacher, and acting coach. Awards: BMI Jerry Harrington Award (2019), Lotus Foundation Prize for Arts (2020). Original musicals in development: KINGDOM OF THE MOON, REVIVAL, MISS MISUNDERSTOOD, LES MÉTH.

ZACK FINE | Co-Creator, Director

Zack Fine is an actor, director, playwright, and teacher originally from Chicago. He helmed the world premiere production of the first ever Spanish translation of Timberlake Wertenbaker’s OUR COUNTRY’S GOOD (El Bien Del Pais) which ran for two years in Mexico City at the Teatro Helenico and Foro Shakespeare and was nominated for numerous Premios (awards) in Best Production and Best Direction. His work as a director and writer has been developed by Long Wharf Theatre, Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival, The Public, MCC, Playmakers Rep, The Acting Company, Wheelhouse, Bedlam, Fiasco, Spymonkey, The Guthrie, and Space On Ryder Farm. As an actor, he has worked on and off Broadway and in many regional theatres nationwide. He teaches at NYU and is a founding member of the Fiasco Conservatory.

BRYCE PINKHAM | Co-Creator, Performer

An American stage, screen and voiceover actor, Bryce is most widely known for originating the role of Monty Navarro in the Tony Award Winning production of A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER, for which he was nominated for a Tony, Grammy and Drama Desk Award. He also notably appeared opposite Elisabeth Moss in the Broadway revival of THE HEIDI CHRONICLES as Peter Patrone, for which he was nominated for an Outer Critics Circle Award and a Drama League Award for Distinguished Performance. His other Broadway credits include originating roles in OHIO STATE MURDERS, THE GREAT SOCIETY, HOLIDAY INN, GHOST, and BLOODY BLOODY ANDREW JACKSON. As a singer, Bryce has performed in concert venues across the country, most notably Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Chicago Lyric Opera, Caramoor, and The Library of Congress. Bryce is currently the voice of Stolas on the hit animated series HELLUVA BOSS by Vivienne Medrano. Bryce's on camera appearances include as a series regular on the Civil War Drama MERCY STREET, as well as appearances on JULIA, EVIL, THE BLACKLIST, INSTINCT, PROVEN INNOCENT, THE GET DOWN, THE GOOD WIFE, PERSON OF INTEREST, and BLINDSPOT as well as Robert DeNiro's feature film THE COMEDIAN. A graduate of the Yale School of Drama, Bryce was awarded the Leonore Annenberg Foundation Early Career Fellowship in 2012. As a writer, Bryce has published articles on acting, performing, and education in American Theater Magazine, Yale Alumni Magazine and others. In 2012 Bryce helped found Zara Aina, an NGO that uses the power of theatrical storytelling to empower at-risk youth. In May 2013, Bryce led a team of American artists on Zara Aina’s pilot program to Madagascar. Bryce is also a frequent collaborator with Outside the Wire, a social impact theater company that serves many communities but particularly focuses on military audiences. His most notable international tours include Guantanamo Bay, Japan, Kuwait, and Qatar. Bryce holds a BA from Boston College and an MA from the Yale School of Drama, chronicles his latest adventures for social media @theBrycecapades and writes all his bios in the third person, which he always finds a little weird, but does anyway.

KIRYA TRABER | Co-Creator

Kirya Traber is a writer, performer, and cultural organizer. She is a 2024 New Harmony Project Fellow, a 2021 Hermitage Artist Retreat Fellow, a 2021 Djerassi Artist Residency Fellow, the Curator in Residence with Hi-ARTS from 2020-2023, New York Stage and Film’s 2020 Founders Award recipient, and Lincoln Center’s lead Community Artist in Residence from 2015-2020. Her collaborative work with Ping Chong + Company, UNDESIRABLE ELEMENTS: GENERATION NYZ, was a NYTimes Critics Pick in 2018. Her work with First Person PBS received a NY Emmy Nomination in 2019. Her plays include: BOTH MY GRANDFATHERS (workshop, Lincoln Center in 2015), READY OR NOT (formerly LUCKY, development, NYSAF 2020), the musical IF THIS BE SIN (development, Kennedy Center 2021), and BEYOND PUNISHMENT: STORIES OF JUSTICE AND HEALING (commissioned by Columbia Center for Justice 2023). Her debut novel, READY OR NOT, will be published by Dutton Books. Kirya has received a Robert Redford’s Sundance Foundation award for Activism in the Arts.

RONA SIDDIQUI | Co-Creator, Music

Grammy-nominated artist Rona Siddiqui is a composer/lyricist based in NYC. She is a recipient of the prestigious Kleban Prize for lyric writing, Jonathan Larson Grant and Billie Burke Ziegfeld award. Her show SALAAM MEDINA: TALES OF A HALFGHAN, an autobiographical comedy about growing up bi-ethnic in America, has had a concert at 54 Below and development at Playwrights Horizons (dir. by Raja Feather Kelly). Other musicals include ONE GOOD DAY, HIP HOP CINDERELLA, and THE TIN. She is the recipient of the ASCAP Harold Adamson Lyric Award, the ASCAP Foundation Mary Rodgers/Lorenz Hart Award and ASCAP Foundation/Max Dreyfus Scholarship. She has performed on Npr's Tiny Desk, The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon, and Late Night With Seth Meyers. Residencies: Musical Theatre Factory's Makers Residency, Ars Nova's Vision Residency. Music Direction: Broadway: A STRANGE LOOP (Obie Winner and Grammy nominee). Off Broadway: BELLA: AN AMERICAN TALL TALE, WHO'S YOUR BAGHDADDY. Orchestration: MONSOON WEDDING, AN UNTITLED NEW PLAY BY JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE, numerous albums - Broadway Records, BROADWAY BACKWARDS. Faculty member: BerkleeNYC, New York University. Masters from NYU's GMTWP.

ALYSSA K. HOWARD | Resident Stage Manager