How Katrina Plays
a
CAST & CREW
Click Image to Enlarge
Zora was raised in Northern California. After graduating from Seattle Pacific University in 2006 with a History and Theatre degree, he was cast as a member of Taproot Theatre’s Road Company (Seattle) traveling all over Western Washington performing for thousands of public and private school students. Now working in Los Angeles, Zora has booked national commercials with Nike (Kobe Bryant), ESPN, an international commercial with Laker Pao Gasol, as well as featured in Kanye West’s Love Lockdown video. He also played a supporting role in the critically acclaimed play Far From An Angel’s Gaze (Sacred Drum Theatre Co.), and is happy to be in his second production at Write Act. Zora is also a regular performer with the improv group 2Drink Minimum. He is represented by 3G Management and The Orange Grove Group. Zora would like to thank God, and also his enormous Ugandan family for bringing a tremendous amount of artistic inspiration to his life.
Wil is thrilled to add How Katrina Plays to his Write Act credits. A senior staff member, Wil’s appearances include Kafka's The Trial, Shakespeare's Cymbeline, and Joan Silsby's The Devil's Bride, as well as the recent workshop Karma: The Musical. He won the NAACP Theatre Award for Best Actor for Celebration Theatre's Insurrection: Holding History'. Godspell, Hair, and Dreamgirls are among his musical outings, and TV highlights include The Ex List, Will & Grace, The Wayans Bros., Saints & Sinners, several soaps, and commercials for Lowe's, Sprint, Wendy's and Virgin Mobile.
On film/video, Wil’s roles range from a jet fighter pilot to a sensitive post-punk dad in projects with Robert Forster, Joshua Leonard, Bryan Cranston, Hill Harper, Michael Madsen, Jane Lynch and Blake Berris. He is a member of SAG, AFTRA and AEA, so he literally has paid his dues.
Dedicated to the family of Judi Ann Mason.
Chris Brown, is making her debut with Write Act Repertory. Chris comes from Cleveland , Ohio , and was involved for many years with East Cleveland Theater and Karamu, appearing in such plays as August Wilson ’s “Joe Turner’s Come and Gone”, Romana King’s “Steal Away”, Mikado, and Fiddler On The Roof, to name a few. Since moving to California, she has recently appeared in Vagina Monologues as "The Coochie Snorter". She is excited about life, and her move to California.
Proud to be a part of How Katrina Plays, Christopher is an award winning actor originally from Tampa, Florida. He received his BFA in Theatre from the University of Florida and is a veteran of the stage with leading roles in numerous shows including three consecutive Backstage West critic’s picks: Girls of Summer, A Dr Juess Christmas, and Do Lord Remember Me, the former of which is a multi-award winning show. Other plays include Macbeth, One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest, Empress of the Blues: The Bessie Smith Story, El Hajj El Malik El Shabazz and A Raisin In The Sun, for which he was honored with The Pierrot Award for Best Actor for his powerful portrayal of Walter Lee Younger. Christopher has also been busy on the big and small screen portraying characters in such films and shows as Days of Our Lives, U.S. Customs Classified, Pinched, Sea Quest, The Nanny, Woman’s Work, Student Like Us, Waist Deep, and the soon to be released features Amhurst and Overnight just to name a few. With over fifty commercials and Industrials under his belt he considers himself a true student of the game.
Diane is excited to be a part of How Katrina Plays, her second production at Write Act. She was last seen in the Freeway Series as Angel in Dead Angel. Theater roles include Queen Elizabeth in Richard III, Titania in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Nicole in The Bourgeois Gentleman. She has also appeared on The Bold and the Beautiful.
Barika A. Croom hales from Dallas,TX but attended college at Fisk University where she received her bachelor's degree in Psychology & Theater. She is an actress, published poet, playwright & theater stage producer. Some of her credits include, "Diary of a Catholic School Dropout", "A Memory, A Monologue, A Rant and a Prayer", the docudrama "Another Kind of Valor". Most recently, she produced the 2009 NAACP Nominated play "James & Joseph". She is extremely grateful to be a part of this project and thanks the production team for all of their support!
Melanie Cruz is a Colorado native who has traveled to four of the seven continents, including a year-long stint at McMurdo Station in Antarctica. She studied English and theatre at Barnard College. Stage highlights include Stella in A Streetcar Named Desire, Lily in The Skriker and the vagina workshop monologue in The Vagina Monologues at the DGA. Melanie just wrapped her first feature, In Medias Res, and was most recently seen on ABC's Dating in the Dark. She is thrilled to have the opporunity to bring these amazing characters to life and knows that Judi Ann is present every step of the way. www.melaniecruz.com
Danny Delloyd began his acting career in church. A student in the MZBC actor's ministry.He has been featured in roles that include: Free at last, Harriet Tubman Secrets, Jesus is coming, One My Valentine, Hoodrats 2, FENCES (August Wilson) And Shhh..Quiet as kept (Brandi Burke). Further study includes:C.D workshops, All about you scene study workshop,and private study with coach Sandra Hodge.He is very honored to be working with the amazing cast of HOW KATRINA PLAYS. A true man of God who stays rooted in the WORD.
Wallace Demarria' is a triple threat entertainer; reminiscent of yesteryear. He acts, he sings, he dances as well as writes, produces and directs. He began performing at the age of 5 and had starred in his first film by 8. However, the film was never released and his parents chose "normal" life for their son over Hollywood. Although he was delayed in his quest to reach the world through his art, he was not denyed. After College, Wallace returned to Hollywood to "make his mark on the world, and hopefully use his talents and gifts to make the world a better and more entertaining place." Wallace is thrilled to be part of such an amazing cast and production. "How Katrina Plays" has particularly strong meaning to Wallace because not only does the majority of his family come from Louisiana but he lost family in Katrina as well. One of his deepest sorrows is that he never got to tell the wirter how much he understands and relates to every word that she had so beautifully written but his intention is to show his appreciation for her work by giving his "all" to bringing her words to life! Thank you to the write act family for allowing me to be part of this once in a lifetime event.
David was born in Budapest Hungary. He also lived in London, Cleveland and New York before moving to Los Angeles. He attended Yeshiva University in New York and Stella Adler Academy in Los Angeles. He speaks English, Hungarian and Hebrew. David is always looking for creative outlets for his and others’ talents. David played professional Tennis in Hungary. He is a writer, producer and just finished two shorts that he produced and starred in. He is proud to be a member of WriteAct Repertory, and a proud cast member of such WriteAct productions as Gruesome Hotel, Best In Show, and Blues for Central Avenue. He is very athletic and loves construction. He is currently seeking both theatrical and commercial representation.
Originally from Iowa, Bob is a recent transplant from the Bay Area and veteran of various stage productions there. He is excited to make his L.A. stage and Write Act Repertory debut in "How Katrina Plays." Busy with stage, film, TV and commercial work, Bob is actively seeking commercial and theatrical representation. Hello? ICM?
RJ recently completed the Films SPOUT (Mrs. Slack), SUNSHINE ON SALE (Cost Efficiency Manager), REDEEMED (Annette), and the Internet TV Show DANGEROUS WOMEN (Police Officer). Stage Plays include FREEWAY SERIES 2009: A TABLE FOR ONE (Doris), MEASURE FOR MEASURE (Provost) and WITTE’S END (Mrs. Cramer). A member of both SAG and AEA, RJ holds a B.S. Degree in Business Administration and is currently a member of both Write Act Repertory and the Eclectic Company Theatre. See her website at http://www.rjfarrington.com.
Asunta Fleming performs on both coasts having worked with such luminaries as Julie Harris, Vincent Gardenia, Charles Durning, and under the direction of Alan Arkin and Charles Nelson Reilly. Recent credits include Mrs. Robinson in The Graduate, Molly in the West Coast Premier of the musical adaptation of Great Expectations, and her favorite role of Lilli Vanessi/Kate in Kiss Me Kate. She appears across the country as a cabaret headliner and sings on feature film scores including Posessed with Timothy Dalton and Christopher Plummer, and performs VO for Animated films including the soon to be released Lion of Judah with Mike Madsen, Ernest Borgnine and Sandi Patty. She filmed the opera Flora for PBS television. Sympathetic to the trauma unleashed by hurricanes, Asunta endured the direct hits of 5 hurricanes at her Florida home during the historic storm season of 2004-5.
BARRY FORD has acted in theater, TV and films in Paris, New York and Hollywood since winning his Equity Card in 1956 at the Sacramento Music Circus. Recent films are Love At First Hiccup, Dark Reel and A Single Woman. Local stage appearances include “A Providential Occurrence” as President Quincy Laurence at Hollywood’s Complex Theater. Barry last appeared at Write Act Rep in The Looney Bin, a play in our last Freeway Series of one-acts. He studied in Paris with John Berry and Françoise Rosay, in NYC with Uta Hagen and Mary Tarcai and in LA with Milton Katselas. He is repped by Natalie Chase at RED Talent for theatrical and commercial and by Maureen Rose at Osbrink Talent for voice work.
Currently, Justin is happy to be a part of the Writer Act Repertory Company. He is 12 years old and loved acting since he was 3 years old. He was born in Riverside, California and his parents saw the talent right from the start. At the age of three, he won 4th place in the Inland Empire Baby Pageant and Pre-Teen Show. Starting in elementary school, he played several school plays called “The “Moo” sical” and “Little Red Riding Hood” as the “Wolf”. He is currently playing “Brad” in the “Hair Spray Musical Showcase” at the Curtain Call of Performing Arts in Corona. He has been in the school “Talent Shows” for three years and performed magic tricks, danced and rapped.
In 2007, Justin’s parents decided to get him an agency with CESD in Los Angeles and he has done the Jimmy Kimmel NBA Hack-a-Shaq commercial, Cartoon Batman Promo commercial and modeled for the Honda’s Motor Race Campaign Ads. He has trained with acting coaches around L.A., like James DiStephano with the The Actors Studio, Tony Gonzales with the Young Actors Voice-Over, Diane DeLaurentis with Improvisation and Kevin McDermott/ Marcie Smolin with The Actors Circle. He plays the drums, trumpet and loves to sing, draw, act and puppetry. Justin’s dream is to work with Disney Animation and Nickelodeon Studios one day.
.jpg)
This is Maggie’s 97th main stage production and her second with Write Act. She appreciates the honor of being in such a moving and socially important play. Theatre makes people think, feel, respond and at times take action and this play does all of that brilliantly. This is a tribute to the late Judi Ann Mason and the fulfillment of her dream. Without Tchia, an amazing cast, crew and supporters it never would have happened. Maggie has her BFA in theatre and MFA’s in theatre and directing. Some favorite roles include 16 characters in a tour of Parallel Lives the Kathy and Mo Show, The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in The Universe, Kate in The Taming of the Shrew, Eliza in Pygmalion, Anybody’s in West Side Story, etc., etc., etc.,. A proud member of SAG, AEA and AFTRA, Maggie is actively seeking representation that works as hard as she does!
Kvon “Lil’ Ace” Harris is a rapper, actor, singer and dancer from Detroit, Michigan. He started rapping when he was 3 years old. All three of his older brothers were into music, so he soon followed in their foot steps. Kvon has been praised for lyrical styles that can be described as “grown man raps.” The 9th grade honor roll student raps about life from a child’s point of view. In 2006, Kvon and his mother, Kimberly Harris, sacrificed everything they had in Detroit and moved to California with only two small suitcases. Kvon and his mother Kimberly experienced tremendous hardships. In 2007, Kvon and his mother were homeless for 3 months, going from motel to motel, but were determined to pursue their dreams. Kvon entered the Jermain Dupri Tag Records Competition in 2008, where he battled 75 rappers, and won $5000. Kvon has been on TV shows such as FOX’s, How I Met Your Mother and MTV’s, Short Circuit. He starred in the Nas music video, “All My Niggas,” directed by Taj. Currently, he is working with DJ Khalil on production. Kvon’s talents are diverse and he will soar as far as his “ace card” will lead him.
This is Samm's second appearance at Write/Act. Last year he played Dottore in A Company Of Wayward Saints. His recent credits include Orson Welles in the backstage fantasia The Harvey Girl From Shanghai, an alternate reality version of himself in The S & M Show (currently on the internet) and a forlorn 11 year old in Beaten Up By A Girl.
MARC is a graduate from Ball State University and holds a BS in Musical Theater. Since moving to Los Angeles in 2003 Marc has been very active on LA's theater scene. He appeared in numerous productions at First Stage in Hollywood before moving to Write Act last summer, where he has appeared in over seven productions. Marc's film and television credits include The Comeback on HBO, and a starring role in the short film Blood Trial which he also helped produce.
Chas is proud to be a part of this production and to have the opportunity to tell the stories of those who endured great hardship, suffered great loss and experienced great triumph of the human spirit during Hurricane Katrina. www.chasmitchell.com
Elisabeth has relocated herself to LA after being on the East Coast. Recent film credits include co-star and supporting roles in “Your Man In India” “Superhero”, “Rocket Science”, “Just Desserts”, and “Slammin Salmon”. Television credits include guest star and recurring roles on “Dirty Sexy Money”, “The Bold and the Beautiful”, and “The Wire” and “Homicide”. Her most recent LA theatre appearance was in the WhitefireTheatre Production “Imperfect Seed”. Elisabeth was trained in the NYC theatre by such notables as Kim Stanley, Lee Strasberg, Elaine Aiken and Stella Adler. Elisabeth has also recently narrated several award winning pieces for The Discovery Channel, the Smithsonian Museum and the opening of the National Newseum at the Film Forum in Washington, DC. She is also the promo voice for major networks. Among the most important of her outside interests is her work for Raktrul Foundation, driven by a long-held involvement in Tibetan Buddhism and NAMI for in her interest in raising awareness in mental health issues. Elisabeth dedicates this performance for her son. A member of SAG, AFTRA and AEA.
Kimberly Niccole is excited to be a part of Judi Ann Mason's "How Katrina Plays." This is Kimberly's second production with W.A.
Kimberly graduated from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Hollywood with honors, and she loves the stage and screen. She is proud to have just finished a run with a leading role in Sarah Kane's "4.48 Psychosis," with Theatre Unleashed.
Kimberly would like to thank David, Ann, and Phil for their patience and support, without which, this would not be possible for her. A special thank you goes out to Tchia for being so wonderfully supportive and dedicated to this project, and thank you to Judi Ann, whose courage, will and spirit are an inspiration to all who knew her. To those who haven't yet experienced the magic of her works, you are in for an amazing treat!
Lucia Solares began her career as a vocalist on a church stage in Arizona’s Sonoran Desert at the age of nine. Her love of music and performing continued to blossom throughout her teen years as she garnered state awards as a vocalist and was then invited to perform as a soloist for the Soviet Union Cultural Exchange Program. Music has taken Lucia and her voice around the world and via radio airwaves.
Lucia performed lead roles with the Arizona State University Theater Department playing Miss Rosita in Lorca's, The Tragic Comedy of Don Cristobal and Miss Rosita and again in Wendy Kesselman’s, Maggie Magalita. Lucia and the cast were invited to perform the long-running production throughout Boston, Massachusetts and at the National Children’s Theater Conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota with the great playwright Wendy Kesselman present. Lucia was given the best gift an actor could receive when Ms. Kesselman stated that the portrayal of Maggie was the best she had ever seen. Lucia’s next best theatrical gift came along when her childhood dream came true. Disney asked her to perform on stage as the character, Jasmine, from Alaadin.
Lucia studied at the University of Kentucky and in the great state of Tennessee where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in Recording Industry Management/Music Business. She has trained with Mr. Art Wolff, Diane Christiansen, and the Arizona State University Musical Theater Department. Lucia’s skills include improvisation, teaching children, Spanish (intermediate), gardening, tennis, most sports, and soon . . . fishing. Her love for the arts keeps her studying and seeking any opportunity to strengthen her skills as an actor and vocalist. She is a member of AFTRA and is currently seeking theatrical and commercial representation. Vocals and additional information may be accessed at: http://www.lacasting.com/luciasolares
Born and raised in Norfolk, VA., Joe has performed in VA, Atlanta, GA., and in Los Angeles. This is Joe’s first stage appearance with the Write Act Theater Company. He recently performed in a group of One Acts called LOOSE CHANGE at the Hudson Theater Guild. Other Theater performances include roles in BLUES FOR MR. CHARLIE, PILL HILL, SOLDIER’S PLAY, and TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD. His television credits include HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER, GENERAL HOSPITAL, MIND OF MENCIA, and 8 SIMPLE RULES. Film credits include the AFI film THE LAYOVER, ELEVATOR PEOPLE BRING YOU UP WHEN YOU ARE FEELING DOWN, LETHAL INTENTIONZ and THE WAY STATION. Joe thanks Write Act for the opportunity to perform in this fantastic production. www.joethorntonjr.com
Jimmy was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, where he studied and performed at the Karamu House, the oldest black theatre in the nation. He performed in such plays as "August Wilson's," "Jitney," "Langston Hughes' Simply Heavenly," "Little Ham," Tambourines to Glory."
Jimmy moved to Los Angeles in 2003 to launch a career in film and television. His TV credits include, "My Name is Earl," "ER," ''The District." His movie credits include, "Black Dynamite" due in theaters September 4, 2009, "The Hammer," "I'm Through with White Girls."
Jimmy is a member of Write Act Repertory Theatre and was last seen onstage there in "Coffee Club", as Paul. He also appeared at Write Act Theatre in "Blues for Central Avenue" as Little Andrew.
Jimmy studies tap with Arlene Kennedy and Charon Aldredge.
He dedicates this performance to the Mason Family. "This one is for you, Judi."
Jacob is delighted to be performing on the Write Act stage again in such a powerful piece of theater. He recently appeared on the Write Act stage playing Stephen in this past spring's workshop production of Coffee Club that is slated for a main-stage run at Write act in 2010. A 2006 graduate of The New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts, Jacob has performed off Broadway as well as in Central Park. He starred in the short film "Code Red" produced by Red Horizon Films that is scheduled for many film festivals later this year. When Jacob is not acting he is taking headshots of his friends at Write Act and producing amazing live karaoke shows with Seize the Mic Entertainment. He would like to thank Tchia and John for this great opportunity and the cast and crew for their commitment to creating powerful theater in Los Angeles. Jacob is a proud member of Actor’s Equity since 2007, and is currently represented by Venture I.A.B.
Shoshannah began performing in theatre in 1999 in her hometown Chicago. She has performed in several mainstage and children’s theatre productions for ETA Creative Arts Foundation, Chicago State University’s Theatre Program, and Fools In Shoes Theatre Companies. A few productions she has performed in include In the Wine Time, Sheila’s Day, Tambourines to Glory, The Office Girls, and The Player. Shoshannah has written numerous plays including Woman Enough!! and Jukin & Jiggs which was produced Off-Broadway by the NEC Theatre in New York. She has trained at The Second City-Chicago, The Actor’s Center, National Black Theatre Festival and The Groundlings. She has done performance workshops with Jim Moody, Douglas Turner Ward, Ntozake Shange, and Larry Leon Hamlin. In addition to acting and writing, Shoshannah is a Poet/Spoken-Word Artist. Currently, she is working on her webisode series Angie & Cookie and remounting her one-woman show That Hootchie for its 5 year Anniversary. Shoshannah is currently seeking representation.
Musicians
Al Pimentel - Saxophonist
Alfonso Manuel Pimentel Garcia was born in Mexico City June 4, 1984. Shortly thereafter his family moved to the United States where he would be brought up. Music never lacked being a part of his everyday life since he came from a family of musicians. Growing up he would be exposed to many kinds of music such as Classical, Jazz, Pop, and Folk music. By age 12, music would become his passion and soon after he was looking toward a career in that particular industry, whether it be arranging, composing, or producing. It wasn’t until he was in high school that he decided to focus on performing since being on stage gave him a thrill like nothing else he had done. Soon his listening habits changed to more accommodate his taste in music since by now he had been focusing on Jazz Saxophone. By the time he started El Camino College he had picked up other instruments along the way that were not in the woodwind family such as Euphonium, Trombone, and Tuba. Yet now more than ever as he began to play professionally around the L.A. and Riverside areas he was more interested in honing his saxophone skills, so he auditioned for the applied program to study under the tutelage of Anne Patterson. He also joined the Jazz Band where he plays lead Alto and the Symphonic band playing Tenor sax. With Patterson he studies both Jazz and Classical saxophone and thanks to her he is now recognized as one of the better known gigging Saxophonists in the college. In the very near future he will return to Mexico City to audition for a spot in the National Music Conservatory of Mexico where he will aim for a Masters degree and also be a working musician with the help of his family already in the business.
Derek Ganong - Trumpet - www.derekganong.com
Born July 14th, 1988, Derek Ganong grew up skiing in the mountains of Lake Tahoe, California. While attending North Tahoe High School, Derek was a member of the Far West junior Olympic cross country ski team and competed in the 2005 junior Olympics in Fairbanks, Alaska. Derek was also a member of the music department at North Tahoe, and participated in regional and all state honor bands in the state of California. In 2005, Derek won first prize in the district-wide rotary music solo competition for his performence of the Hindemith trumpet sonata. The next year, Derek attended Interlochen Arts Acedemy in Michigan where he studied with Ken Larson and Bill Sears. At Interlochen, Derek played in orchestras, jazz combos, jazz ensembles, and brass ensembles. Deciding to study Jazz in addition to other technical fields, Derek attended UCLA starting in the fall of 2006. At UCLA, Derek studies Computational Cognition as well as Jazz and commercial trumpet. At UCLA, Derek studies with Bobby Rodriguez. In addition, he also studies with Edward Carroll and Howie Shear. Derek plays lead trumpet in the UCLA jazz and contemproary jazz orchestras as well as in various UCLA combos and other ensembles. He also participates in cross-diciplinary work with the film school, school of engineering, and works in the animation technology department at Dreamworks Animation in Glendale, CA. In the spring of 2010, Derek will graduate and hopes to continue with graduate work in NYC.
Tommy Mora - Blues Band
Rock music’s dynamic vigor-a concoction of driving guitar rhythms, insistent organ, a fat backbeat, superb vocals and colossal bass grooves is lovingly revived in the youthful persona of Tommy Mora. His infectiously heartfelt music is so infused with the spirit and verve of classic rock, funk, and blues. His sophomore release “Keep On Moving” will hit store shelves Dec. 2009 via the indie label RMC Records created in honor of his passing mother.
As a sideman he has backed up and recorded with artists such as Christina Milian, Soul Generation and performed on the Chicano mini-series “American Family”. He was also the musical director at the 2005 6th Annual Latin Grammy performance with Alejandro Fernandez. As an accomplished audio engineer he has worked with artists such as Prince, Jennifer Lopez and Al Green.
With a drive and desire for more Tommy Mora is sure to go far not only in the LA/Texas scene but also on a much larger scale. With the momentum of his CD release next year plans for a national tour are already in place. When asked what he thinks his musical future holds for him and his fans, Tommy replied, “After losing my mother I feel the worst is behind me, the rain has stopped and now it’s time to go out and play. I’m really exited to move forward and take my music to the highest level possible.”
Band website: www.tommymora.com www.myspace.com/tommymora
Jennifer Ng - Drummer
Jennifer is an active drummer/percussionist in the LA music scene. She plays around town regularly and loves meeting new musicians to play music with. As a versatile player, Jennifer enjoys playing funk, rock, pop, orchestral, musicals, contemporary, latin to some good ol' swing. Originally an all-rounded percussionist with symphonic band background from Singapore, she has travelled around the world performing and competing in World Music Contest(the Netherlands), Aberdeen International Youth Festival, Besana Music Festival(Italy), Chulalongkorn University(Thailand).
At the moment, Jennifer is playing with indie band Chachi(chachi.us), Skyebat(which recently won the Best Original Song Award at Feel Good Film Festival 2009) for LA shows, singer-songwriters, all-female R&B/Soul band, Jazz trio, progressive rock band and more. She also sings background vocals and reads charts. Jennifer is a current drum graduate student in LA Music Academy and an intern with Collin Artists.
To contact Jennifer and know more about her drumming style and influences, please visit myspace.com/ENJAYdrums
Ross Patel - Blues Guitarist
Ross Patel was born in Nairobi, Kenya about twenty years ago. There he grew up, teaching himself guitar from the tender age of twelve till he turned nineteen and set his sights on locations more accepting of rock music. Saying goodbye to Rafiki the talking baboon (not like the lion king, very aggressive creatures, lots of snappy sarcasm) and a rational drinking age, Ross got on a big old jet plane headed for Los Angeles!
With nothing but a guitar on his back, two suitcases full of luggage, some savings in the bank, relatives nearby and a dream, that naive young lad set foot for a high powered career in the food service industry. Side note: Ross loves gigs and session work, (nudge, nudge, wink, wink)... Contact: electricross@yahoo.com
Will Bilton - Violin
Will started on the violin at the age of seven in an English school offering free violin lessons to students who would not mind missing physical education lessons -- in England Physical education involves running in ice cold wet rain, often injured and covered in mud, chasing a rugby ball. His teacher taught him to improvise, perform Irish jigs in pubs and play multiple harmonies on reel to reel tapes in a mobile recording studio. This early experience has remained close to Will's heart and after a long detour he recently got back into performing music at open mics around Los Angeles and is starting out on a new experience with How Katrina Plays.
Crew
Tchia Casselle - Director
Tchia has been directing since her college days where she produced and directed Pieces of Madness for her senior project. Since then she has directed theatre at Mojo Ensemble, San Francisco Rep. West Coast Stage Company, Theatre Promeseus and Write Act where has been on the Senior Staff at Write Act for the last three years . She taught classes for Michael Shurtleff, Palo Alto Children’s Theatre, and at Theatricum Botanicum in Topanga Canyon... This project is especially close to Tchia heart as she was a good friend to Judi Ann and worked closely with her on the re-write and plans for this production. Tchia dedicates to this play to both Judi Ann and her brother BJ Mason and all those who are still suffering from this tragic disaster.
Anne Mesa - Producer
This play is dedicated to those who continue to survive, despite all odds. Anne Mesa is honored to produce such an impactful and meaningful piece. She, herself, worked with FEMA and Red Cross during Hurricane Katrina in Sept 2005 and was on the other line when survivors called for help. Survivors asked for food, comfort, prayer, song, shelter, rescue, help in finding their loved ones, and above all else - HOPE. Some made it…others didn’t. Those voices still resonate in her. This play is real. The voices heard in this piece are the same voices heard when taking those calls.
In the words of Judi Ann Mason, “Make it good.” This is a task we all must adhere to. On that note, let us all “Make it good.”
Judi Ann Mason will be remembered as a modern day humanitarian and a most beautiful soul. She continues to guide us with this piece. Thank you.
Joyce has provided technical expertise on many theatrical productions in the LA area as well as in northern Nevada. She has acted as the Technical Director for the Los Angeles Women’s Theatre Festival for the past three years. She is the recipient of a NAACP Sound Design award for Sowato’s Burning at LATC. Joyce has traveled with theatrical pieces throughout the US as a Technical Director/Stage Manager/Lighting & Sound Designer. Joyce helped to open 2100 Square Feet in its premier production, Split Second, serving as the Stage Manager and Sound Designer. She has designed sound for Iona Morris’ one woman plays, For You throughout its many versions, and I Don’t Want You to Know This, for Black Leather Soles, Bee Luther Hatchee, Washington Square Moves, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, Beef, No Chicken, Florida Crackers, Easter, The Trial, Curse of The Starving Class, and many others. She also has many Stage Manager, Lighting Design and Technical Director credits. She also serves as the Technical Director for The Interplay Sessions, a group presenting Diversity training with a theatrical venue. Joyce received her BA in Technical Theatre in 1988 from the University of Nevada, Reno. She is living proof that one can start over at any age and pursue their dreams. DARE TO DREAM and LIVE THE DREAM.
