Crew
John Lant
Producer
John is a 30-year veteran in the entertainment industry and has been involved in over five hundred television, film, and theatrical productions as a creative entity and/or production manager. John professionally apprenticed at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, and in New York with the Lincoln Center, Julliard, Circle Rep, Circle in the Square, WPA, Hudson Guild, LOOM and Ensemble Studio Theatre. He participated on several national tours including Phantom of the Opera (PSM – 2 Tours), Evita (SM), Singin' in the Rain (Flyman/Rigger), One Mo' Time (PSM), Gypsy (ME), The Three Musketeers (PSM), Connecticut Ballet (PSM) and Aeros (TD). He has worked with such musical touring artists as Bruce Springsteen, Madonna, and The Beach Boys. John is an award-winning producer, director, writer, lighting and set designer, in New York and Los Angeles with over three hundred productions to his credit. His productions have played at Cal Arts, The Odyssey, Ivy Substation, Ricardo Montalban, Powerhouse, Glendale Center, Hollywood Playhouse, Long Beach Playhouse, the Jewel Box Theatres, and Write Act Repertory, garnering DramaLogue Awards, Diamond Awards, a ADA Award, LA Weekly, Garland, ADA, NAACP, Ethel Casey nominations and LA Weekly and Backstage Picks of the Week & Recommends, with his past associations, including World Premiere LA Recommended Pilgrim (WCLO contract – Associate Producer), Oscar for Short Film The Washing Machine Man, Sundance Finalist Moment of Gracie (Producer), Upside Down, Rightside Up (Feature Film – Producer), XM Radio’s # 1 Rated Radio Theatre Show New Frequency-Theatre of the Mind (Executive Producer – 5o Live Shows), Symphology and Carrot Talk (TV Pilots - Director), Interlochen (Resident Lighting Designer – 2 years), Bakersfield Musical Theatre Camp (Executive Director – 7 years), 3 time DramaLogue winner Out On a Whim; Best Direction, Actress, and Musical Direction (Producer), DramaLogue winners Hunchback of Notre Dame and Fleas (Lighting Designer), The Other Five Percent (Lighting and Set Design), Modigliani; Choreography (Director), NAACP Winner Reap the Whirlwind (Producer), West Coast Premieres of Kafka’s The Trial; Ovation nominated Set Design, Wallace Shaw’s The Fever, Theresa Rebeck’s Loose Knit (Producer), Picks of the Week Rimers of Eldritch and Faith After Dark (Producer), Orange County’s Register’s and OC Weekly’s Pick’s/Recommended Productions of Arm’s and the Man, Master Class and Dancing at Lughnasa (Director) at Long Beach Playhouse, the World Premiere, starring John Aniston, The Penis Monologues (Producer - JBTC & Odyssey - 6 months). As a Producer of Willard Manus’ Blues for Central Avenue the production was just nominated for two 2009-10 NAACP AWARDS. Film and TV work include Army of Darkness, The Hard Way, Year of the Dragon, King of New York (Crew), Power Rangers (Coordinator - 2 Years, SAG Puppeteer), Renegade (Lead Man), CBS Radford Directing Workshop 2 year Program for 3 Broadcast, under Howard Storm. John received the California Service Award from the State Legislature for his Community Outreach and Service to the Arts in 2000 and 2001, and received Award of Excellence in Direction in Long Beach. He received 2 Letters of Recognition from the State of California for his theatre company’s work on Domestic Violence in 2008 and 2009. He has been on several Boards for the Arts including Write Act Repertory, Grow and Learn Inc., American Indian Scholarship Fund, California Public Interest, and is the President of The Little Company L.L.C. His professional membership include(d) IFP West, LA Stage Alliance, Interlochen Alumni Association, International Association of Jazz Educators Senior Staff, the National Tony Award voters, and ALAP. He is the CEO of JBTC Prod., and the Producing Artistic Director of Write Act Rep and Hollywood Civic Light Opera in Los Angeles.. He currently lives in New York, while commuting to LA, with playwright and author Joan M. Kessler and beloved dog Sierra, and currently serves as Production Manager of Carnegie Hall with over 850 events being produced in the four separate event spaces per year at THE HALL.
Producer
John is a 30-year veteran in the entertainment industry and has been involved in over five hundred television, film, and theatrical productions as a creative entity and/or production manager. John professionally apprenticed at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, and in New York with the Lincoln Center, Julliard, Circle Rep, Circle in the Square, WPA, Hudson Guild, LOOM and Ensemble Studio Theatre. He participated on several national tours including Phantom of the Opera (PSM – 2 Tours), Evita (SM), Singin' in the Rain (Flyman/Rigger), One Mo' Time (PSM), Gypsy (ME), The Three Musketeers (PSM), Connecticut Ballet (PSM) and Aeros (TD). He has worked with such musical touring artists as Bruce Springsteen, Madonna, and The Beach Boys. John is an award-winning producer, director, writer, lighting and set designer, in New York and Los Angeles with over three hundred productions to his credit. His productions have played at Cal Arts, The Odyssey, Ivy Substation, Ricardo Montalban, Powerhouse, Glendale Center, Hollywood Playhouse, Long Beach Playhouse, the Jewel Box Theatres, and Write Act Repertory, garnering DramaLogue Awards, Diamond Awards, a ADA Award, LA Weekly, Garland, ADA, NAACP, Ethel Casey nominations and LA Weekly and Backstage Picks of the Week & Recommends, with his past associations, including World Premiere LA Recommended Pilgrim (WCLO contract – Associate Producer), Oscar for Short Film The Washing Machine Man, Sundance Finalist Moment of Gracie (Producer), Upside Down, Rightside Up (Feature Film – Producer), XM Radio’s # 1 Rated Radio Theatre Show New Frequency-Theatre of the Mind (Executive Producer – 5o Live Shows), Symphology and Carrot Talk (TV Pilots - Director), Interlochen (Resident Lighting Designer – 2 years), Bakersfield Musical Theatre Camp (Executive Director – 7 years), 3 time DramaLogue winner Out On a Whim; Best Direction, Actress, and Musical Direction (Producer), DramaLogue winners Hunchback of Notre Dame and Fleas (Lighting Designer), The Other Five Percent (Lighting and Set Design), Modigliani; Choreography (Director), NAACP Winner Reap the Whirlwind (Producer), West Coast Premieres of Kafka’s The Trial; Ovation nominated Set Design, Wallace Shaw’s The Fever, Theresa Rebeck’s Loose Knit (Producer), Picks of the Week Rimers of Eldritch and Faith After Dark (Producer), Orange County’s Register’s and OC Weekly’s Pick’s/Recommended Productions of Arm’s and the Man, Master Class and Dancing at Lughnasa (Director) at Long Beach Playhouse, the World Premiere, starring John Aniston, The Penis Monologues (Producer - JBTC & Odyssey - 6 months). As a Producer of Willard Manus’ Blues for Central Avenue the production was just nominated for two 2009-10 NAACP AWARDS. Film and TV work include Army of Darkness, The Hard Way, Year of the Dragon, King of New York (Crew), Power Rangers (Coordinator - 2 Years, SAG Puppeteer), Renegade (Lead Man), CBS Radford Directing Workshop 2 year Program for 3 Broadcast, under Howard Storm. John received the California Service Award from the State Legislature for his Community Outreach and Service to the Arts in 2000 and 2001, and received Award of Excellence in Direction in Long Beach. He received 2 Letters of Recognition from the State of California for his theatre company’s work on Domestic Violence in 2008 and 2009. He has been on several Boards for the Arts including Write Act Repertory, Grow and Learn Inc., American Indian Scholarship Fund, California Public Interest, and is the President of The Little Company L.L.C. His professional membership include(d) IFP West, LA Stage Alliance, Interlochen Alumni Association, International Association of Jazz Educators Senior Staff, the National Tony Award voters, and ALAP. He is the CEO of JBTC Prod., and the Producing Artistic Director of Write Act Rep and Hollywood Civic Light Opera in Los Angeles.. He currently lives in New York, while commuting to LA, with playwright and author Joan M. Kessler and beloved dog Sierra, and currently serves as Production Manager of Carnegie Hall with over 850 events being produced in the four separate event spaces per year at THE HALL.
Michael Antin
Book, Music and Lyrics
Following his retirement from the practice of law, while continuing teaching tax law at the University of California, Berkeley, Boalt Hall School of Law, Michael returned to his first love: music. Through extensive interviewing of beautiful women, he confirmed his hypothesis for the story of Sophia. Just as Answer the Call and Butterfly, his prior musicals, came alive, Sophia has her legs. Being able to share his music and writing through this play has been joyfully satisfying. Thanks to our wonderful cast, our director and choreographer, John Lant, his super crew, and Write Act Repertory Eastside's capacity to produce a first class production. Add Rocco Vitacco, as musical director, to the mix and we have a winner. Working with such talented people is a highlight of being in the theatre. Best wishes to all, as we sit back and enjoy.
Book, Music and Lyrics
Following his retirement from the practice of law, while continuing teaching tax law at the University of California, Berkeley, Boalt Hall School of Law, Michael returned to his first love: music. Through extensive interviewing of beautiful women, he confirmed his hypothesis for the story of Sophia. Just as Answer the Call and Butterfly, his prior musicals, came alive, Sophia has her legs. Being able to share his music and writing through this play has been joyfully satisfying. Thanks to our wonderful cast, our director and choreographer, John Lant, his super crew, and Write Act Repertory Eastside's capacity to produce a first class production. Add Rocco Vitacco, as musical director, to the mix and we have a winner. Working with such talented people is a highlight of being in the theatre. Best wishes to all, as we sit back and enjoy.
E.M. Edwards
Director
E. M. Edwards received his BFA from Niagara University in upstate New York, where for four years he climbed “up the steep and very narrow stairway to the voice like a metronome…” Bev Fletcher. Other mentors and teachers include Broadway choreographer Randy Skinner, Jeffrey Ferguson (Alvin Ailey), Raymond Chai (National Ballet of Portugal) Reiji Yabe (Nihon University, Tokyo), Germaine Salsberg, and the late Tony Stevens. As a director/choreographer he has worked on Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Sleeping Beauty, You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, Mama as She Became But Not As She Was, Closer than Ever (Stuttgart, Germany). He was the chief Designer for The House of Nunzio (New York Premiere). Most recently he was the assistant-director on Fabulous! The Queen of New Musical Comedies, directed In the Schoolyard for the New York Fringe Festival and a series of one minute plays for the In a Minute play festival. While in Europe, E. M. Edwards taught audition consulting seminars and boasted a 96% success rate for his students, helping them get cast in a range of musicals from Rent to Beauty and the Beast. He currently writes an informational blog for performers, both aspiring and professional.
findyourmark.blogspot.com
Director
E. M. Edwards received his BFA from Niagara University in upstate New York, where for four years he climbed “up the steep and very narrow stairway to the voice like a metronome…” Bev Fletcher. Other mentors and teachers include Broadway choreographer Randy Skinner, Jeffrey Ferguson (Alvin Ailey), Raymond Chai (National Ballet of Portugal) Reiji Yabe (Nihon University, Tokyo), Germaine Salsberg, and the late Tony Stevens. As a director/choreographer he has worked on Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Sleeping Beauty, You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, Mama as She Became But Not As She Was, Closer than Ever (Stuttgart, Germany). He was the chief Designer for The House of Nunzio (New York Premiere). Most recently he was the assistant-director on Fabulous! The Queen of New Musical Comedies, directed In the Schoolyard for the New York Fringe Festival and a series of one minute plays for the In a Minute play festival. While in Europe, E. M. Edwards taught audition consulting seminars and boasted a 96% success rate for his students, helping them get cast in a range of musicals from Rent to Beauty and the Beast. He currently writes an informational blog for performers, both aspiring and professional.
findyourmark.blogspot.com
Crystal Chapman*
Choreographer
Crystal Chapman is the Artistic Director of the New York TheatreDance Ensemble and faculty at Broadway Dance Center in New York. Choreography: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Carousel, Oklahoma!, and she assisted Tony Stevens on Split Ends. Performance credits include: New York: Fosse (Broadway Workshop), Dancing on Air (City Center), Seesaw (Off-Broadway), A Demand Performance (Lincoln Center), Bernadette Peters Loves Rodgers and Hammerstein (Radio City Music Hall) where she also recorded the tap sounds for the show. Regional: Anything Goes (Tony Award winning Williamstown Theatre Festival), Oklahoma! (Dream Laurey), and several productions of 42nd Street. She danced with Ben Vereen in Celebrating Life, and with Beyonce for a charity event. Television: Law and Order, Don’t Trust the “B”…, The Good Wife. Commercials: Chase/Shop Rite, Buick, Samsung, ITT. She is the writer/choreographer/musical director of the documentary film, With No Regrets: A Dancin’ Man’s Journey about director/choreographer Tony Stevens that made its World Premiere at the Dances With Films Festival in Hollywood. She is a proud member of Actors Equity Association and SAG/AFTRA. Love to my angels on Earth and Above, especially “Hollywood”, Tony, Chris, and family.
Choreographer
Crystal Chapman is the Artistic Director of the New York TheatreDance Ensemble and faculty at Broadway Dance Center in New York. Choreography: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Carousel, Oklahoma!, and she assisted Tony Stevens on Split Ends. Performance credits include: New York: Fosse (Broadway Workshop), Dancing on Air (City Center), Seesaw (Off-Broadway), A Demand Performance (Lincoln Center), Bernadette Peters Loves Rodgers and Hammerstein (Radio City Music Hall) where she also recorded the tap sounds for the show. Regional: Anything Goes (Tony Award winning Williamstown Theatre Festival), Oklahoma! (Dream Laurey), and several productions of 42nd Street. She danced with Ben Vereen in Celebrating Life, and with Beyonce for a charity event. Television: Law and Order, Don’t Trust the “B”…, The Good Wife. Commercials: Chase/Shop Rite, Buick, Samsung, ITT. She is the writer/choreographer/musical director of the documentary film, With No Regrets: A Dancin’ Man’s Journey about director/choreographer Tony Stevens that made its World Premiere at the Dances With Films Festival in Hollywood. She is a proud member of Actors Equity Association and SAG/AFTRA. Love to my angels on Earth and Above, especially “Hollywood”, Tony, Chris, and family.
Rocco Vitacco
Music Direction
Rocco is a Chicagoan and a University of Dayton (Ohio) graduate, has been an actor, composer, lyricist and a musical director for numerous Broadway musicals touring the USA. As a writer he wrote special material for Las Vegas revues such as Red, Hot and Blue, Tickle My Fancy and Bottoms Up!, and as a keyboard accompanist he played for Totie Fields, Martha Raye, Geraldine Fitzgerald and recorded albums with Vivian Blaine and Virginia O’Brien. As composer/lyricist he wrote the musical Hollywood! Hollywood!, which premiered in L.A. in 2005 and NYC in 2010, and the 2011 NY premiere of Have You Tried Sexxx? He wrote the music and lyrics for Will Manus’ Blues for Central Avenue, which premiered in L.A. in 2009, and for Dean Parker’s Haywire, which premiered in L.A. in 2011. Rocco has appeared on television in Boston Public, The Jamie Kennedy Experiment and numerous commercials. He is currently collaborating with Will Manus on the new musical, Gold Rush Follies. He has studied with Michael Donovan, Orly Sitowitz, Joe Reich and Stephen Book.
Music Direction
Rocco is a Chicagoan and a University of Dayton (Ohio) graduate, has been an actor, composer, lyricist and a musical director for numerous Broadway musicals touring the USA. As a writer he wrote special material for Las Vegas revues such as Red, Hot and Blue, Tickle My Fancy and Bottoms Up!, and as a keyboard accompanist he played for Totie Fields, Martha Raye, Geraldine Fitzgerald and recorded albums with Vivian Blaine and Virginia O’Brien. As composer/lyricist he wrote the musical Hollywood! Hollywood!, which premiered in L.A. in 2005 and NYC in 2010, and the 2011 NY premiere of Have You Tried Sexxx? He wrote the music and lyrics for Will Manus’ Blues for Central Avenue, which premiered in L.A. in 2009, and for Dean Parker’s Haywire, which premiered in L.A. in 2011. Rocco has appeared on television in Boston Public, The Jamie Kennedy Experiment and numerous commercials. He is currently collaborating with Will Manus on the new musical, Gold Rush Follies. He has studied with Michael Donovan, Orly Sitowitz, Joe Reich and Stephen Book.
Maya Graffagna
Costume & Graphic Designer
Maya Graffagna graduated May 2012 from the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) with a BFA in Fiber, and concentrations in Experimental Fashion and Graphic Design. Originally from mostly Tokyo and Connecticut, she has been actively involved in theatre for 6 years. She is one of the original members of the theatre company Rivals of the West in Baltimore, MD. She most recently worked as a Costume Designer with Stella Adler Productions for Lanford Wilson's Fifth of July. She has also interned with numerous fashion and theatre companies including Sleep No More, and has begun designing a lot of the graphics for Write Act. She is excited to be working with the cast and crew of Sophia! Thank you to my family and friends for your support! Visit: www.mayagraffagna.com
Costume & Graphic Designer
Maya Graffagna graduated May 2012 from the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) with a BFA in Fiber, and concentrations in Experimental Fashion and Graphic Design. Originally from mostly Tokyo and Connecticut, she has been actively involved in theatre for 6 years. She is one of the original members of the theatre company Rivals of the West in Baltimore, MD. She most recently worked as a Costume Designer with Stella Adler Productions for Lanford Wilson's Fifth of July. She has also interned with numerous fashion and theatre companies including Sleep No More, and has begun designing a lot of the graphics for Write Act. She is excited to be working with the cast and crew of Sophia! Thank you to my family and friends for your support! Visit: www.mayagraffagna.com
Eric Lam
Festival Lighting
Eric Lam, a native New Yorker, graduated from CUNY Queens College with a degree in Film Studies and Media Studies and minored in Journalism. His production credits include several student short films at the New York Film Academy, the music video This the Weekend by Cano, the feature film Doctor Me, and the play Bromance of the Exes.
Festival Lighting
Eric Lam, a native New Yorker, graduated from CUNY Queens College with a degree in Film Studies and Media Studies and minored in Journalism. His production credits include several student short films at the New York Film Academy, the music video This the Weekend by Cano, the feature film Doctor Me, and the play Bromance of the Exes.
Erinn Conlon
Publicity
Erinn is excited to be working with Write Act Repertory and the casts of Hollywood! Hollywood! and Sophia! Erinn moved to NYC to put a little more excitement in her life and pursue a career in the arts and entertainment arena and so far the big city has not disappointed. Recent productions include Fabulous! The Queen of New Musical Comedies!, Geeks! The Musical, Veils, Miss Valentine, and Richmond Shepard’s Captain Crash vs. Zzorg Women. Much love and gratitude to her family and friends for all of their support and guidance, without which she would be lost. Follow her on Twitter @erinn_conlon!
Publicity
Erinn is excited to be working with Write Act Repertory and the casts of Hollywood! Hollywood! and Sophia! Erinn moved to NYC to put a little more excitement in her life and pursue a career in the arts and entertainment arena and so far the big city has not disappointed. Recent productions include Fabulous! The Queen of New Musical Comedies!, Geeks! The Musical, Veils, Miss Valentine, and Richmond Shepard’s Captain Crash vs. Zzorg Women. Much love and gratitude to her family and friends for all of their support and guidance, without which she would be lost. Follow her on Twitter @erinn_conlon!
Samantha L Vella
Assistant Producer
Samantha is a Utica, New York native with her BA in Performing Arts: Music Concentration from Wells College. She is always happy to wear many hats for the love of the arts and making them happen. She has performed in Wells College's Choral and Early Music ensembles in vocal and instrumental ensemble member capacities. She's also written jingles for, and performed in, Wells College's production of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (TANYS Award for Best Ensemble), and has sung backup for Steven Stull in SWIRL, The 2011 Faculty Dance Concert. Since joining the Write Act Rep NYC team in early 2012, she has been filling her dance card with everything from sound design to box office management and intern coordinating to producing. She's also a member of Carnival Girls Productions and debuted her first short written work, Clean Slate, at the 2013 Bridge Street Run Festival. Some recent credits include: Clean Slate (Writer / Producer); Fabulous! The Queen of New Musical Comedies (Associate Producer/ Sound Design / Stage Manager); Geeks! The Musical (Associate Producer / Stage Manager); Captain Crash Meets the Zzorg Women (Sound Design); Carnival Girls Productions Sideshow 2012 (Stage Manager); Look for the Women (Sound Design / Production Associate); Sophia (Production Associate). She's currently developing new written (and musical) works and looks forward to creating something new with the ever growing Write Act Rep NYC crew.
Assistant Producer
Samantha is a Utica, New York native with her BA in Performing Arts: Music Concentration from Wells College. She is always happy to wear many hats for the love of the arts and making them happen. She has performed in Wells College's Choral and Early Music ensembles in vocal and instrumental ensemble member capacities. She's also written jingles for, and performed in, Wells College's production of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (TANYS Award for Best Ensemble), and has sung backup for Steven Stull in SWIRL, The 2011 Faculty Dance Concert. Since joining the Write Act Rep NYC team in early 2012, she has been filling her dance card with everything from sound design to box office management and intern coordinating to producing. She's also a member of Carnival Girls Productions and debuted her first short written work, Clean Slate, at the 2013 Bridge Street Run Festival. Some recent credits include: Clean Slate (Writer / Producer); Fabulous! The Queen of New Musical Comedies (Associate Producer/ Sound Design / Stage Manager); Geeks! The Musical (Associate Producer / Stage Manager); Captain Crash Meets the Zzorg Women (Sound Design); Carnival Girls Productions Sideshow 2012 (Stage Manager); Look for the Women (Sound Design / Production Associate); Sophia (Production Associate). She's currently developing new written (and musical) works and looks forward to creating something new with the ever growing Write Act Rep NYC crew.
Moses Akempta
Assistant Director
Born and raised in New York, Moses recently graduated from Pace University, where he discovered his love and passion of film and the entertainment industry. While working toward his Bachelor’s Degree in Media Communications Arts, Moses participated in creating Battle Behind the Bottle, a short documentary on Portugal’s cork industry, as part of the school’s annual student documentary class. In addition to writing and directing two short student films, the aspiring director also worked for three seasons on the web series Math Warriors, first as an Assistant Camera, then as a Production Assistant. Moses would like to thank his family, close friends, mentors and the team at Write Act Repertory for being there for him. Much love to all of you!
Assistant Director
Born and raised in New York, Moses recently graduated from Pace University, where he discovered his love and passion of film and the entertainment industry. While working toward his Bachelor’s Degree in Media Communications Arts, Moses participated in creating Battle Behind the Bottle, a short documentary on Portugal’s cork industry, as part of the school’s annual student documentary class. In addition to writing and directing two short student films, the aspiring director also worked for three seasons on the web series Math Warriors, first as an Assistant Camera, then as a Production Assistant. Moses would like to thank his family, close friends, mentors and the team at Write Act Repertory for being there for him. Much love to all of you!
Lisa Fiebert
Assistant Choreographer
Lisa trained at Princeton Ballet School and the Ailey School and currently takes class at Steps on Broadway. She most recently performed in Das Rheingold (Metropolitan Opera House). Other credits include: Really Bad Things (NYMF), Miracle on 34th St. (National Tour), Music Man (Stages St. Louis), and Footloose (Yorktown Stage). Lisa also appeared as a re-occuring dancer on One Life to Live.
Assistant Choreographer
Lisa trained at Princeton Ballet School and the Ailey School and currently takes class at Steps on Broadway. She most recently performed in Das Rheingold (Metropolitan Opera House). Other credits include: Really Bad Things (NYMF), Miracle on 34th St. (National Tour), Music Man (Stages St. Louis), and Footloose (Yorktown Stage). Lisa also appeared as a re-occuring dancer on One Life to Live.
Michelle Driscoll
Stage Manager
Michelle Driscoll is originally from Harlem, New York and currently attends New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts for her BFA in Drama. This is her first production at Write Act Repertory. She has appeared in the Notre Dame School’s A Christmas Carol and the Stella Adler Studio of Acting’s House of Bernarda Alba and has done voice-over work for short student films.
Stage Manager
Michelle Driscoll is originally from Harlem, New York and currently attends New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts for her BFA in Drama. This is her first production at Write Act Repertory. She has appeared in the Notre Dame School’s A Christmas Carol and the Stella Adler Studio of Acting’s House of Bernarda Alba and has done voice-over work for short student films.
Celine Wu
Stage Manager
Celine is a San Francisco native currently attending New York University for a BA in Sociology and a minor in Web Design & Programming while also pursuing a career in stage management. Past shows include West Side Story with the Tisch New Theatre; the NYU Steinhardt Masters' Dance Concert 2012; Dog Sees God and Suburbia with NYU LSP Theater; Unspoken, Dreams, Conf(Used), and Condensed Milk with Youth for Asian Theater; and the Dubai performances of the Friday Night Live: New World Order stand-up comedy tour (Showtime Entertainment). This is her first show with Write Act Repertory. Love and thanks to Mom for always pushing me to achieve my dreams.
Stage Manager
Celine is a San Francisco native currently attending New York University for a BA in Sociology and a minor in Web Design & Programming while also pursuing a career in stage management. Past shows include West Side Story with the Tisch New Theatre; the NYU Steinhardt Masters' Dance Concert 2012; Dog Sees God and Suburbia with NYU LSP Theater; Unspoken, Dreams, Conf(Used), and Condensed Milk with Youth for Asian Theater; and the Dubai performances of the Friday Night Live: New World Order stand-up comedy tour (Showtime Entertainment). This is her first show with Write Act Repertory. Love and thanks to Mom for always pushing me to achieve my dreams.
Jessica Morris
Assistant Stage Manager
Jessica Morris was born in Pittsburgh, PA. She moved to New York to attend New York University for a BFA in Drama at the Tisch School of the Arts and plans to graduate in 2016. This is her first production with Write Act Rep Eastside. She has appeared in productions at Pittsburgh Musical Theatre’s Richard E. Rauh Conservatory including AIDA, Phantom of the Opera, A Lyrical Christmas Carol and HAIR. Jessica also stage managed Seussical with Pittsburgh Musical Theatre.
Assistant Stage Manager
Jessica Morris was born in Pittsburgh, PA. She moved to New York to attend New York University for a BFA in Drama at the Tisch School of the Arts and plans to graduate in 2016. This is her first production with Write Act Rep Eastside. She has appeared in productions at Pittsburgh Musical Theatre’s Richard E. Rauh Conservatory including AIDA, Phantom of the Opera, A Lyrical Christmas Carol and HAIR. Jessica also stage managed Seussical with Pittsburgh Musical Theatre.
Nick Bompart
Production Associate
Bio to come
Production Associate
Bio to come
Ariel Leigh Cohen
Production Associate
Ariel is overjoyed to be involved in Write Act Rep.’s Summer season! A recent graduate of the University of Vermont’s Theater program, she most recently directed Visitor From Forest Hills and was the stage manager for Laundry and Lies at the Royall Tyler Theater in VT. Previous roles include Dancer in Rent (Flynn Mainstage), Woman 1 in Closer Than Ever (Champlain College), Mrs. Shin in The Good Woman of Setzuan (UVM), Woman 1 in Songs for a New World (Stowe Theater Guild), Soloist in Godspell (DiCapo Opera Theater, Off-Broadway), and Janet in The Rocky Horror Puppet Show (Main St Landing). She also performed in cabarets at Dylan’s Lounge NYC, Syracuse Stage NY and the NJ Workshop for the Arts. Last summer, she attended the Royal Academy for Dramatic Arts in London with a concentration in Shakespeare. Thanks to the fantastic cast and crew!
Production Associate
Ariel is overjoyed to be involved in Write Act Rep.’s Summer season! A recent graduate of the University of Vermont’s Theater program, she most recently directed Visitor From Forest Hills and was the stage manager for Laundry and Lies at the Royall Tyler Theater in VT. Previous roles include Dancer in Rent (Flynn Mainstage), Woman 1 in Closer Than Ever (Champlain College), Mrs. Shin in The Good Woman of Setzuan (UVM), Woman 1 in Songs for a New World (Stowe Theater Guild), Soloist in Godspell (DiCapo Opera Theater, Off-Broadway), and Janet in The Rocky Horror Puppet Show (Main St Landing). She also performed in cabarets at Dylan’s Lounge NYC, Syracuse Stage NY and the NJ Workshop for the Arts. Last summer, she attended the Royal Academy for Dramatic Arts in London with a concentration in Shakespeare. Thanks to the fantastic cast and crew!
James Dunn
Production Associate
James Dunn hails from Woodbridge N.J. He is a designer working on his B.F.A at Kean University. His primary concentrations are in the scenic and costuming elements of a production. His work in the theatre had only started a few years ago but he has kept busy designing sets including (Sophia, Hollywood Hollywood, and Polaroid Stories) props (in Sexurity), scenic artist (for Nine Parts of Desire, Hairspray, The Little Mermaid, and Gamester) and costuming (for Odyssey, and Ring a Ding Ding). Although his focus is in the design field his passions expand into the performance side of the spectrum having trained in dance, voice, and acting techniques. It was an unexpected surprise when the opportunity arose to have him as member of the cast, this gave him the ability to express himself in more artistic paths than one. Currently interning at the Write Act Repertory he is excited to take on more challenges, and is looking forward to continue building a career in the entertainment industry.
Production Associate
James Dunn hails from Woodbridge N.J. He is a designer working on his B.F.A at Kean University. His primary concentrations are in the scenic and costuming elements of a production. His work in the theatre had only started a few years ago but he has kept busy designing sets including (Sophia, Hollywood Hollywood, and Polaroid Stories) props (in Sexurity), scenic artist (for Nine Parts of Desire, Hairspray, The Little Mermaid, and Gamester) and costuming (for Odyssey, and Ring a Ding Ding). Although his focus is in the design field his passions expand into the performance side of the spectrum having trained in dance, voice, and acting techniques. It was an unexpected surprise when the opportunity arose to have him as member of the cast, this gave him the ability to express himself in more artistic paths than one. Currently interning at the Write Act Repertory he is excited to take on more challenges, and is looking forward to continue building a career in the entertainment industry.
Giavarna Faison
Production Associate
Giavarna is excited to be a part of this production. She is born and raised New Yorker with a passion for musicals. This is her second year with Write Act Repertory. She is currently attending Wells College pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in Theatre. She would like to thank the cast, crew, and Write Act Rep.
Production Associate
Giavarna is excited to be a part of this production. She is born and raised New Yorker with a passion for musicals. This is her second year with Write Act Repertory. She is currently attending Wells College pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in Theatre. She would like to thank the cast, crew, and Write Act Rep.
Anna Hulkower
Production Associate
Anna is a Media, Society, and the Arts major and Arts Management minor at SUNY Purchase. Her interests include the consumption of a wide variety of cheeses, and her long-term aspiration is to someday transform into Elaine Stritch, legs-first.
Production Associate
Anna is a Media, Society, and the Arts major and Arts Management minor at SUNY Purchase. Her interests include the consumption of a wide variety of cheeses, and her long-term aspiration is to someday transform into Elaine Stritch, legs-first.
Bill Moore
Production Associate
Bill is from New Jersey, and went to college at the Rochester Institute of Technology and received a degree in film with a focus in screenwriting. He has worked in stage crew, performed in improv troupes, and acted in student films. He enjoys writing and acting, and is currently running, writing, and starring in an online sketch show The Flavor Department. He cannot say where his talents will take him but he can tell where he would like them to go. He is also no good at biographies.
Production Associate
Bill is from New Jersey, and went to college at the Rochester Institute of Technology and received a degree in film with a focus in screenwriting. He has worked in stage crew, performed in improv troupes, and acted in student films. He enjoys writing and acting, and is currently running, writing, and starring in an online sketch show The Flavor Department. He cannot say where his talents will take him but he can tell where he would like them to go. He is also no good at biographies.
Caleb Ocassio Ball
Production Associate
Caleb was born and raised in Puerto Rico. He is currently enrolled in Universidad de Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras campus majoring in Arts Management, where he is part of the university's chorus. Caleb has starred in many productions as well as gained production skills while belonging to the Ateneo de Puerto Rico theater company. He traveled to New York this summer to intern at the Write Act Rep, where he is starting as assistant stage manager Favorite theater credits include: In the Heights (Usnavi), RUR (Primus), and High School Musical (Ensemble).
Production Associate
Caleb was born and raised in Puerto Rico. He is currently enrolled in Universidad de Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras campus majoring in Arts Management, where he is part of the university's chorus. Caleb has starred in many productions as well as gained production skills while belonging to the Ateneo de Puerto Rico theater company. He traveled to New York this summer to intern at the Write Act Rep, where he is starting as assistant stage manager Favorite theater credits include: In the Heights (Usnavi), RUR (Primus), and High School Musical (Ensemble).
Sang Oh
Production Associate
Sang Oh is a second year fashion design student at F.I.T., aspiring to work in film and theater industries. While studying fashion, she has worked as a translator between Korean and American students at International Education Academy for the last 2 years. She teaches college preparations classes for fine arts. Recently she has interned for Donna Morgan and Thom Browne's collections and runways and as a personal assistant to an artist.
Production Associate
Sang Oh is a second year fashion design student at F.I.T., aspiring to work in film and theater industries. While studying fashion, she has worked as a translator between Korean and American students at International Education Academy for the last 2 years. She teaches college preparations classes for fine arts. Recently she has interned for Donna Morgan and Thom Browne's collections and runways and as a personal assistant to an artist.
Sávvas Tzeferis
Production Associate
A recent graduate of the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts (NYCDA '13) is the newest Production Associate at Write Act Repertory. He received his Film & TV training in New York, while spending 2 summers at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London studying Shakespeare and Contemporary Theatre. His theatre credits include Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream (Demetrius), The Tempest (Ferdinand), Hamlet (Hamlet), as well as Reasons to be Pretty (Greg) and The Shape of Things (Adam) by Neil LaBute, Big Love (Constantin) by Charles Mee, The Imaginary Invalid (Cleante) by Moliere, Hotters (Clint) by Ted Tally, and Crimes of the Heart (Barnette) by Beth Henley.
Production Associate
A recent graduate of the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts (NYCDA '13) is the newest Production Associate at Write Act Repertory. He received his Film & TV training in New York, while spending 2 summers at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London studying Shakespeare and Contemporary Theatre. His theatre credits include Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream (Demetrius), The Tempest (Ferdinand), Hamlet (Hamlet), as well as Reasons to be Pretty (Greg) and The Shape of Things (Adam) by Neil LaBute, Big Love (Constantin) by Charles Mee, The Imaginary Invalid (Cleante) by Moliere, Hotters (Clint) by Ted Tally, and Crimes of the Heart (Barnette) by Beth Henley.