ADAPTOR, PERFORMER, PRODUCER: Shelley is a Los Angeles based acting and executive coach. She encourages her clients to build performances from a holistic perspective. Some well known artists and organizations she's worked with are Tom Waits, Sam Corlett (Vikings Valhalla), Aly and AJ, The North Face, Union Bank, Standard Bots and VitalBio. Shelley trained with legendary acting coach Lee Strasberg and has been teaching for over 30 years. She's best known for her critically acclaimed stage performance of Talking with Angels, which she has performed over 400 times at festivals and salons in the USA and internationally. She can be seen on the big screen in the award winning films Sorry to Bother You and Green is Gold, both written and directed by her students.
Photography by Maria Baranova

ShelleyMitchell.org

DIRECTOR: Molly Shayna Cohen, (she/they) is a transdisciplinary theatre artist whose work centers on moments of transformation and the ephemerality in all things. Since moving to New York from Baltimore in 2022, She has worked at Mabou Mines, Theaterlab, The Public, En Garde Arts, New Victory Theatre, and more. She served as the Associate Artistic Director of Theatre of the Electric Mouth, founding member of film collective Lux Daze Media, and company member of the award-winning experimental theatre group The Acme Corporation. She was the recipient of the Best Actor of Baltimore Award in 2020, and is currently an MFA Directing Candidate (2025) at Brooklyn College. 

MollyShaynaCohen.com

DRAMATURG: Amy is an NYC-based theater director, writer, and dramaturg who has worked on Broadway, Off-Broadway, and regionally. She is a company member at Tectonic Theater Project, where she has developed numerous plays, including Here There Are Blueberries, a Pulitzer Prize finalist, recently extended at New York Theatre Workshop, and Seven Deadly Sins, which won the 2022 Drama Desk Award for Unique Theatrical Experience. She has also brought two major new musicals to Broadway as a part of team directing Paradise Square (2022) and The Great Gatsby (2024).

AmyMarieSeidel.com

LIGHTING DESIGN: Driven, passionate, and collaborative professional with a strong lighting director and lighting designer background. Various skill sets include working in the many areas of entertainment lighting, as well being the Head of Lighting Design, and Co-Head of Production Design and Technology at Ohio University. Looking to expand skills into the corporate Technical Direction world. Background includes specialization in corporate events, music festivals, theater, opera, and dance for high-profile clients and companies. Exceptional organizational skills provide the ability to mange several projects, in various stages of design and production, to meet deadlines, budget needs, and client expectations. Time spent as a lead corporate event designer with BMLS in NYC, included client-facing experiences from the walk-through of the space for production, to working within the clients' budgets, to communicating with the clients throughout every step of the process, to leading local crews during load-in and keeping within the production schedule as well as create a fully immersive experience for the clients and their guests. Attention to details excelled in the years of experience in the entertainment lighting world, from technical drawings to paperwork; the attention is in the details and that is how problems were solved before walking in the door. As a collaborator on any production or within any department, the intention is always looking to servicing the needs of the production as a whole and the team within it. A natural problem solver who loves a good puzzle, and welcomes new challenges in which to grow from. Getting the project and work done, while maintaining a fun and positive environment, in a manner that keeps everyone safe and healthy is of the utmost importance.
A dedicated professional that loves what they do and is grateful to meet and work with incredible folks throughout the industry across the world. Proud United Scenic Artist 829 Union member. Molly is currently the Lighting Director and Associate Lighting Designer for Tectonic Theater project’s Here There Are Blueberries national and international tour. We are thrilled to have her lighting up Talking with Angels!

Mollytiededesign.com

ORIGINAL MUSIC: Litha Ashforth, coloratura soprano and composer, is known for her “spellbinding” quality. Her vocal agility and artistic versatility have garnered her many accolades, including the Performing Arts Scholarship Foundation at the Music Academy of the West, the Maestro Award from the WorldStrides Heritage Festival, and the New England Conservatory of Music’s Entrepreneurial Musicianship Grant.

 Recent appearances include the role of Gretel in Humperdinck’s “Hansel and Gretel”, Olympia in Offenbach’s “Tales of Hoffman,” and Adele in Strauss’ “Die Fledermaus.” A strong advocate of new music, Ashforth was engaged in more than a dozen premieres over the past year, and this spring she will sing the title role in “Vespa” by Don DiNicola in a set of world premiere performances across New York City. 

A composer and sound designer exploring new intersections of technology and the human voice, Ashforth has created a series of novel wearable electronic garments for stage performance. As part of her ongoing collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Ashforth built “The Vest,” a shirt which receives haptic feedback for live sonic engagement, and “The Talking Stick,” a tree which requires the touch of multiple musicians for sounds to be produced electronically.

Born and raised in Santa Barbara, California, Ashforth had her official debut at Santa Barbara’s Granada Theatre at the age of 8. She received her Bachelor of Music under the tutelage of Carole Haber from Boston’s New England Conservatory in 2023. Ashforth is currently based between Berlin and NYC.

Listen to Litha's music here.

MOVEMENT COACH: Alessandra Marconi is a versatile artist that fosters authenticity and harmony throughout her life. Her career traverses a number of landscapes: independent and commercial film, Broadway, educational programs, community engagement, concert dance and interior design. Her driving motivation is to cultivate environments where one is able to integrate their mind and body together through visual, physical and/or experiential ways. When people can connect with their inner worlds, they’ll then be able to reflect and build deeper relationships with the world around them.

Her strength in movement direction and choreography is identified by the following. Resident Choreographer of Broadway’s Hamilton and Harry Potter Cursed Child. Stage Director of Do the Hustle produced by Works and Process at the Guggenheim, NYC (2022). Contributing choreographer for Al Blackstone in Weekend ‘76 for the Dancer’s Responding to Aids Fire Island Dance Festival. Co-choreographer of ALEXA, an original theater show that debuted in 2018 at Inwood Art Works. Movement Director for the alternative pop-rock band, The Nicotine Dolls and the Netflix series WESTSIDE. Choreographer of NYU’s 2022 “The Reality Show” and the 2018 Drama League Fundraising Gala honoring Nathan Lane.

As a dancer, Ali began performing professionally in Cincinnati with Exhale Dance Tribe and with various theater companies. TV: Halston (Netflix), Dirty Dancing (ABC), In The Heights (Warner Brothers). Stage: iLuminate (Off Broadway & International), Polaris by Crystal Pite (NY City Center), Catapult (International).

As a community event producer, in 2016 Ali created The Hustle Social. A mobile social dance event that celebrates the native New York partnered dance of the 1970s. Taught by pioneers, Diane K Nardone, John “Boots” Merisier, Domingo Cruz and Alex Kim. She was the Hustle instructor for Lincoln Center’s Midsummer Night Swing event (now Summer for the City) from 2018-2020.

Her theatrical development was catalyzed by the creative mentorship of Andy Blankenbuehler (Only Gold, Bandstand, Bring It On, CATS, Fosse), Patricia Birch, and Andrew and Missy Hubbard (Exhale Dance Tribe). She contributed to the above cited works. She continues to collaborate with collectives such as The BringAbout (Jennifer Jancuska) and The Grit (Jon Rua) centering movement as the driving force of storytelling in theater.

AlessandraMarconi.com

LINE PRODUCER: Sage Kirwan is a New York based actor and producer who has appeared in a myriad of New York based television shows including Dietland (AMC), Shades of Blue (NBC), Blue Bloods (CBS) and Nurse Jackie (Showtime) opposite Edie Falco.

Her most recent film credits include the 2024 short Gen. Sex, Directed by David Green and the 2020 short Lingering, directed by Sarah Sommers. Gen. Sex was selected for the New York Short Film Festival. Lingering was selected for the LA Femme International Film Festival and the Pasadena International Film Festival 2020 season.

Sage received her BFA in Drama from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts, with a focus on musical theatre and acting for television and film. She studies with the Bob Krakower Gang and frequently participates in readings of new plays.

In addition to acting, Sage is currently producing indie theater with a particular interest in stories that center on history, strong female characters and the exploration of spirituality.

SageKirwan.com

ASSOCIATE PRODUCER: Hi there! I’m Sam Grobmeier, a New York City based artist born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois (though don’t tell my parents I don’t like deep dish pizza)! I am an actress, musician, producer, voiceover artist, and advocate.

My goal as an artist is to merge my advocacy and my art through bringing important, untold stories to the stage and screen. I believe that art has immense power to create real change. My passions for mental health and disability awareness, organ donation education, and the empowerment of women in the arts & the world play a big part in my work.

A graduate of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, I studied both musical theatre and on-screen acting / production while minoring in producing. One of my proudest achievements, though, is co-founding The Maddog Strong Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charity organization that promotes awareness and education for organ and tissue donation registry among teens and their families. The foundation was founded in honor of my younger sister who passed away in2019.

When I’m not creating art, I love playing my 5 instruments, trying as many dessert spots in the city as I can, Facetiming my basset hound back home in Illinois, and trying to catch a nap every now and then in between!

SamGrobmeier.com

PUBLICIST/MARKETING: “I am a creative powerhouse with a talent for identifying untapped opportunities for audience growth. I thrive on implementing data-driven solutions to streamline operations and enhance efficiency. With over two decades of experience in marketing, public relations, communications, and social media across visual and performing arts and nonprofit sectors in multiple countries, I have a proven track record of delivering highly customized solutions. My extensive network includes industry professionals, talent, and media contacts.

As a natural leader and “people person,” I excel at crafting engaging narratives, conveying complex ideas with ease, and driving sales. I am committed to prioritizing accessibility, diversity, and inclusion in all my work. As an immigrant, I bring a strong work ethic, resilience, curiosity, adaptability, and a rapid learning curve to every challenge.

I am seeking a full-time managerial or director position where I can leverage my content writing expertise, analytical skills, strategic thinking, problem-solving abilities, and experience in people and project management. I am eager to contribute to an innovative, mission-driven organization that values work-life balance while pushing me to grow.”

Kamila Slawinski

CO-LIGHTING DESIGNER: Bentley Heydt (hīt) (He/Him/His) is a NYC based Korean American, lighting designer that designs for musical theater, theater, dance, opera, and live events whose work has been seen across the United States and abroad at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Bentley's work has been described as, "...a kaleidoscopic feast for the eyes, always in service of the storytelling."

Recent work includes: Tectonic Theater Project Gala 2024 (NYC); Kafkaesque (Staro Industries, NYC); The Color Purple(Theatre Latte Da/Geva Theatre); (no) man (IMGE Dance); Romeo and Juliet (Nebraska Wesleyan University); How To Dance In Ohio (Assist LD/Broadway); Life of Pi (Tony Award)(DMC/Broadway); you don't have to do anything (HERE Arts Center); A Christmas Carol (Assoc LD/Indiana Repertory Theatre). MFA, Ohio University. 

BentleyHeydt.com

VISUAL PROJECTION DESIGNER: A New York and Chicago based projection designer, Paul’s work has been seen at The Goodman, The Muny, Asolo Rep, The Second City, En Garde Arts, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Paramount Theatre, Lookingglass Theatre, Court Theatre, American Blues Theater, The Neo-Futurists, Jackalope Theatre Company, Mosaic Theatre Company, the Victoria & Albert Museum, and many others. He is the recipient of 2 Joseph Jefferson Awards, the 1999 Sportsman of the Year Award on his tee-ball team. Paul holds a B.A. in Theatre from Columbia College Chicago and an M.F.A. in Projection & Multimedia from the University of Maryland. He is a proud artistic affiliate with American Blues Theater and a member of United Scenic Artists Local 829. Outside of theatre, Paul enjoys board games and cooking new recipes.

PaulDeziel.com

SOUND DESIGN —

KodiLynnMilburn.com

STAGE MANAGER : My Le is a talented theater artist from Vietnam with international experience in design, directing, and stage management. In 2020, My Le worked with the Vietnam National Opera and Ballet as an Assistant Director and Stage Manager for their production of Les Miserables. In 2022, she made her directing debut in Vietnam with Alice in Wonderland the Musical at The Hanoi Opera House, becoming one of the youngest directors to do so. In 2023, My Le worked as an Assistant Director at Theater for The New City and participated in the Summer Street Theatre. She was also a Production Assistant for Krymov Lab’s Big Trip at La MaMa. In 2024, My Le built her technical skills further, working as a technical intern and lighting/projection designer at Theaterlab on productions like Kinetic Mirrors Portraits and Beyond, Heisenberg, Haptic Drift, and Mad Mystic. She also served as a panelist for the New Perspectives Theatre Company’s play selection for their 2024 Women’s Short Play Lab. My Le graduated from Hunter College with a major in Theater and an Arts Management and Leadership Certificate. She was a Fellow at Little Island in the summer of 2024. That same year, she directed The Collapse of The Hubbard Glacier at Frigid New York, earning a nomination for Best Direction (Off-Off-Broadway play) at the 2024 Broadway World Off-Broadway Awards. 

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR Theaterlab: Orietta Crispino is an accomplished theatre artist, born in Italy. She is a graduate of the prestigious Piccolo Teatro School in Milan, where she worked with the major Italian directors Giorgio Strehler and Massimo Castri. She later taught acting and directing there. Among her many theatre projects are: Passport No. 23.922, a piece she wrote and directed on the life of Tina Modotti; and a three year-project in Trieste directing the plays of Pirandello’s Italian contemporaries. She is a member of the Lincoln Center Directors Lab and the League of Professional Theatre Women. In addition to her theatre work, Ms. Crispino has done art projects on the body in its performative aspect. Her body research culminated in a performance piece with the photographer Vibeke Jensen, Camera Obscura, shown at PS1 in New York, Bogota and Trieste. Her most recent productions at Theaterlab are Three Sisters Come and Go and Snow in the Living Room, a retelling of the Brothers Grimms’ Snow White.

Ms. Crispino’s acting credits include The Library (Crossing the Line Festival, FIAF); In the House of My Beloved (Women’s Project); The Living Room Series (HERE); Dancing, not Dead (The Internationalists); Dante (Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum), and Snow in the Living Room (Theaterlab).

Orietta Crispino

SET DESGN: Elena Vannoni is an accomplished theatre director and set and costume designer with a rich background in the arts. She began her career by studying costume design at the Art Institute of Florence and later earned degrees in History of Music and Theatre from the University of Florence and Theatre Direction from the National Academy of Dramatic Arts in Rome. Her award-winning direction, including the 2005 National Prize of the Arts, highlights her talent. Notable works include Miss Julie by Strindberg and The Divine Mimesis by Pasolini. Elena draws from methodologies like Grotowski, Commedia dell'Arte, and Orazio Costa's Mimesic Method, emphasizing physical performance. Her career has taken her globally, from Berlin to New York, where she earned a Master's in Theatre Directing at Columbia University. Currently based in New York, Elena continues to work on various theatre projects, contributing her versatile artistic vision to the stage.

www.elenavannoni.com