Karen Hartman (playwright)
A recent Guggenheim Fellow whose plays have been celebrated as passionate, relevant storytelling that “resonate in the current moment with overpowering force” (Variety). She wrote the book for a new musical Rattlesnake Kate, score by Neyla Pekarek, premiering February 2022 at the Denver Center. Three critically acclaimed recent works—Roz and Ray (Edgerton New Play Prize), The Lucky Star (under the title The Book of Joseph), and Project Dawn (NEA Art Works Grant, NNPN Rolling World Premiere)—had ten productions around the country and are published by Samuel French/Concord. She is developing Project Dawn for Population Media Center as a television series, and has another project in the works with 20th Television. Hartman’s Good Faith: Four Chats about Race and the New Haven Fire Department premiered at Yale Repertory Theater in 2019. Her prose has appeared in the New York Times and the Washington Post. A New Dramatists alumna and former Playwrights Center McKnight Fellow, Princeton Hodder Fellow, and Fulbright Scholar, Hartman served as Senior Artist-in-Residence at University of Washington School of Drama for five years and lives in Brooklyn with her family.
Noah Himmelstein (Director)
In the 2021/2022 season, Noah directed the world premiere of Deborah Zoe Laufer’s Rooted (Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park); Thornton Wilder’s The Skin of Our Teeth; Heather McDonald’s An Almost Holy Picture (NY Times Pick, Streaming) - both at Baltimore's Everyman Theatre and Sondheim/Lapine’s Into the Woods thru-out Maryland’s Symphony Woods (Young Artists of America). Recent: Chelsea Marcantel’s Everything is Wonderful (Philadelphia Theatre Company); the world premieres of Andrew Lippa’s I Am Anne Hutchinson (Strathmore with Kristin Chenoweth) and I Am Harvey Milk (Lincoln Center, Strathmore, San Francisco, LA & Denver); Daniel Zaitchik’s The Costume (Inner Voices); the world premiere of Jonathan Tolins’s The Forgotten Woman (Bay Street Theatre); Los Otros; Everything is Wonderful; Karen Hartman’s The Book of Joseph; and JB Priestley’s An Inspector Calls (Everyman); Harris Doran, Jason Schafer & Art Bacon’s Bleeding Love (Fredericia Theatre, Denmark); Sara Cooper’s Things I Left On Long Island (NYFringe). New York Philharmonic (Young People's Concerts series: The Harlem Renaissance), Lincoln Center American Songbook and American Opera Projects. Asst. Director: Golden Boy (LCT). Upcoming 2022: LaChiusa/Fitzhugh's Los Otros (off-Broadway), Matthew Lombardo's When Playwrights Kill (Hartford), and the premiere of his debut film, ShirtTugger. noahhimmelstein.com
Daniel Ettinger (Scenic Design)
Resident scenic designer for the Everyman Theatre Company in Baltimore. Designs include The Skin of Our Teeth, Pipeline, Murder on The Orient Express, and The Book of Joseph. Other credits include Everything is Wonderful (Philadelphia Theatre Co.); Dames at Sea, Songs for A New World (Rep Stage); Eclipsed, Vigils (Woolly Mammoth); Labour of Love, Annie (Olney Theatre Center); Singin’ in The Rain, Private Lives (Barter Theatre). NY credits include A Man for All Seasons (Roundabout Theatre Company), Pageant (Blue Angel Theatre), Night Seasons (ART), Room Service (Juilliard)), The Patterns at Pendarvis (New Dog Theatre Co). He is a member of the design faculty at Towson University.
David Burdick (Costume Designer)
Everyman Theatre: The Skin of our Teeth, Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express, The Importance of Being Earnest, Sweat, The Book of Joseph, The Revolutionists, Intimate Apparel, An Inspector Calls, Blithe Spirit, Ghosts. Baltimore Center Stage: Amadeus, An Enemy of the People, The Rivals; Caroline, or Change; Mrs. Warren’s Profession, Private Lives. Boston Lyric Opera: I Puritani; Cincinnati Opera: Don Giovanni; Tulsa Opera: Tosca, Carmen, The Barber of Seville, Fidelio.
Cory Pattak (Lighting Designer)
NYC: Final Follies, Stalking the Bogeyman, Revolution in the Elbow, Handle with Care, Skippyjon Jones, Unlocked. Regional: Kennedy Center, Weston Playhouse, Old Globe, Portland Stage, Goodspeed, KC Rep, Everyman, Philadelphia Theatre Company, Asolo, Tuacahn, Olney, Syracuse Stage, In the Heights in Puerto Rico, shows for Norwegian Cruise Line and MSC Cruises. National Tour of Flashdance. International: Sunset Boulevard, Singin in the Rain (Brazil). Bway Associate: Newsies, Peter and the Starcatcher. www.corypattak.com. IG: @corypattak
Elisheba Ittoop (Sound Designer/Original Music)
designs and original music have been heard at The Kennedy Center, The Public Theater, Roundabout Theatre, The Shed, American Repertory Theatre, Playwrights Horizons, Manhattan Theatre Club, MCC, Guthrie Theater, Atlantic Theatre, New York Theatre Workshop, American Conservatory Theatre, Williamstown Theater Festival, Steppenwolf Theatre, Signature Theatre, and the National Gallery of Art. Elisheba is a sound designer and composer for The New York Times. She has produced podcasts and written music for NPR, CNN, Audible, WGBH, WFMT, and Sony Music. Education: New York University, North Carolina School of the Arts. www.elishebaittoop.com
Caite Hevner (Projection Designer)
Broadway: In Transit, Derren Brown: SECRET; Harry Connick Jr., A Celebration of Cole Porter. New York: Sweatshop Overlord (NYTW), Bella Bella (Manhattan Theatre Club), Collective Rage (MCC), DISCORD (Primary Stages), Ugly Lies the Bone (Roundabout Underground); Parade, The Scarlet Pimpernel (Manhattan Concert Productions/Lincoln Center). Regional: Alabama Shakespeare, Alley, Alliance, Baltimore Center Stage, Barrington Stage, Cleveland Play House, Dallas Theater Center, Everyman, Guthrie, Kennedy Center’s Broadway Center Stage, Long Wharf, Maltz Jupiter, McCarter, MUNY, Pasadena Playhouse, Playmaker’s Rep, Seattle 5th Avenue, Studio Theatre, Syracuse Stage, Westport Country Playhouse, Williamstown, Woolly Mammoth. Special events include Stranger Things: The Drive-Into Experience (with Mesmer) and the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards National Ceremonies since 2014. Projection Coordinator for Broadway Cares’s Broadway Bares since 2018. Instagram: @caitehevner www.caitedesign.com
Tommy Kurzman (Wig & Hair Design)
Broadway: Macbeth, Mrs. Doubtfire, All My Sons, True West, St. Joan, My Fair Lady, Little Foxes, Long Day’s Journey, Bright Star, and Fiddler on the Roof. Off Broadway: Little Shop of Horrors - Westside Theatre, MCC, The Atlantic, The New Group, The Public, MTC, NWS. Regional: The Huntington, The MUNY, Geva Theatre, Resident Ensemble Players, Cape Playhouse, Sig. VA, MSM. Associate Hair Designer on over 15 Broadway Productions.
IG: @TommyKurzmanWigs
Penelope Bouklas (Properties)
is thrilled to be a part of the production of The Lucky Star! This is her first foray into the theater world and is excited to be involved. She is an NYC commercial prop and set stylist. She has worked in the editorial, advertising and video fields working with such clients as Dove, Bacardi, Petrossian, Target and Walmart. www.penelopebouklas.com
Stephanie Klapper (Casting Director)
SKC’s award-winning work is frequently seen on Broadway, Off Broadway, regionally, on film, television, and streaming media. Known for their limitless imagination, creativity, and work on a wide range of projects, Stephanie, along with her exceptional team, is dedicated to continuing to expand and champion diversity, equity, and inclusion in the business. Ms. Klapper is passionate about arts education and working with creative teams to develop new work and expand the scope of established work. Member of the National Board Casting Society, Casting Society Cares. For my parents, Bob, and Florence and the Citrin's and Ber's that did not make it out.
Robert Bennett (Stage Manager)
RSC Nicholas Nickleby, Peter Brook’s The Cherry Orchard. Broadway: Time Stands Still, Bent, I Love My Wife, Dancing At Lughnasa, Nick & Nora, Awake and Sing!, American Buffalo, Desire Under The Elms, The Coast of Utopia, Stick Fly, The Trip To Bountiful, and The Lyons. Tours: La Cage Aux Folles, Grey Gardens, Sugar Babies, Evita, My Fat Friend, Grease, Shenandoah, Guys and Dolls. OB: Inner Voices, Incident At Vichy, Curse Of The Starving Class, Young Man From Atlanta. National Music Theater Conference. General Manager BAM. Vice-President
Stage Operations Radio City Music Hall.
Heather Arnson (Associate Director/Associate General Manager)
AD highlights: BEAU a new musical, THE WOLVES at Lincoln Center. As director, selected: A Vicious Circle, The Two Hander, The Writers Guild of America Awards 2021, The Adult in the Room, Wasp, and Elizabeth: Almost By Chance A Woman. General Management and Producer highlights: Michalos Theatrical Management and Yes And Productions. Next up: Episode 2 of Here’s To The Ladies Who, Docu-Series/women on the business-side of Broadway, writer/director. My family exists because of my great-Bubbe’s bravery and my Papa’s perseverance. www.HeatherArnson.com
Lisa Shriver (Movement)
Broadway: Jesus Christ Superstar, The Farnsworth Invention, The Story of My Life, Ring of Fire. As Associate Choreographer: Over 10 Broadway productions including The Producers and Titanic. Off Broadway: Into the Woods (Roundabout - Lortel Nomination for Outstanding Choreography), Fetch Clay Make Man (NY Theatre Workshop). Selected Regional: Bhangin' It, Sideways (La Jolla Playhouse); Sister Act, Rock of Ages, Austen's Pride (Seattle 5th Ave); Caesar and Cleopatra, The Tempest - both w/Christopher Plummer (Stratford Shakespeare Festival). Film: A Beautiful Mind, A Christmas Carol w/Jim Carrey, Hysterical Blindness. As Associate: The Polar Express, Mixed Nuts w/Steve Martin, Center Stage. TV: A Very Murray Christmas w/Bill Murray (Sofia Coppola, Director), Broad City, The Detour. Other: Phish’s NYE concert at MSG. Upcoming: Bhangin' It (The Huntington).
Gary Logan (Dialects)
Carnegie Mellon University Professor of Speech & Dialects. Theaters where he has worked extensively include The Royal Shakespeare Company, The Kennedy Center, Everyman (Resident Dialect Coach), Signature Theatre, Arena Stage, Woolly Mammoth, Shakespeare Theatre Company, Studio Theatre, Chautauqua Theatre Company, the Denver Center, Ford’s Theatre, & Stratford Festival of Canada. He works independently with many actors in TV and Film, and is the author of The Eloquent Shakespeare (University of Chicago Press).
Leah Michalos (General Manager)
MICHALOS MANAGEMENT LLC, led by Leah Michalos, is an entertainment management, producing and consulting firm with 15 years’ experience in both commercial and nonprofit entertainment ventures, ranging from theatre and opera to orchestras and dance companies, to art shows, special events and everything in between.
Most recently, Leah was one of the lead producers for Chicken & Biscuits on Broadway at Circle in the Square.
Select credits include: Renee Taylor’s My Life on a Diet (Lucille Lortel and Outer Critics Circle nominations) In The Pocket, Terms of Endearment with Molly Ringwald, Butler, A Better Place, The Road to Damascus, On A Stool at the End of the Bar, Almost Home, Jericho, Murder in the First, Poetic License, The Best of Everything. Director: GABBY Awards at Carnegie Hall, El Capitan (LA) and Ellis Island.
Douglas Denoff (Producer)
Douglas Denoff is a 7-time Tony Award-nominated Broadway producer and is proud to return to 59E59 – the 2013 home of Witnessed by the World, which was his second production as lead producer. His other off-Broadway productions include Handle With Care starring Carol Lawrence, Clever Little Lies starring Marlo Thomas, and the 2015 revival of The 39 Steps
On Broadway, he has been co-producer on Slave Play, Sea Wall/A Life, Latin History for Morons, Fiddler On The Roof, Torch Song, Pretty Woman, Nice Work If You Can Get It, China Doll and The 39 Steps. Upcoming productions as lead producer on Broadway for 2022-2023 are That’s Broadway, The Moves, The Music, The Magic, and the star-studded hilarious revival of The Pirates of Penzance. Off Broadway comes an immersive new production of Lulu, Earth Spirit by Frank Wedekind.
Katie Rosin, Kampfire (Marketing Consultant)
was instrumental in the launch of the Broadway musical Brooklyn and the National Tour of Mother Load. Kampfire has been integral in multidimensional campaigns for Telly Award Winners, New York Innovative Theatre Award Recipients, GLAAD Award winners, back-to-back NYMF Best of Fest winners, and Drama Desk nominees. Off Broadway highlights include: The Little Match Girl (St. Luke’s), unFRAMED (John Jay College Performing Arts Center, GLAAD Award Nominee), She Like Girls (Ohio Theater), Glimpses of the Moon (Algonquin Hotel; IT Awards recipient), Elizabeth Rex (Center Stage), 2007 Drama Desk Nominee (mis)UNDERSTANDING MAMMY: The Hattie McDaniel Story (Theatre 5). She most recently served as Director of Communications at the Broadway Podcast Network. www.kampfirefilmspr.com IN: @kampfirefilmspr TW: @kampfirepr FB: @kampfirefilms
The Directors Company (Producer)
(Michael Parva/Leah Michalos) is an award-winning, not-for-profit theater company with a mission to develop and produce groundbreaking new plays and musicals, and home to The Next Wave Initiative, a development branch of TDC founded by Douglas Lyons and committed to amplifying future Black voices in The American Theater. For over 40 years, TDC has supported new theater artists and their projects in the development of original theater works from inception to production including the Broadway bound Chicken & Biscuits (Circle in the Square) and Irena’s Vow (Walter Kerr/nom. Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding New Broadway Play). Other recent Off Broadway productions include the world premieres of Terms of Endearment, A Better Place, The Road to Damascus, On a Stool at the End of the Bar, Almost Home, Jericho, Poetic License, and Murder in the First. www.directorscompany.org