A LETTER FROM OUR ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

IAMA’s 14th season is dedicated to further developing what it means to be theatre-makers now and for the future. We believe that it is our responsibility to find the balance between storytelling that honors the moment and ensuring space for an equitable future. We continue to move through a global pandemic, fighting for social/racial justice and finding our way through political chaos, all the while allowing further exploration of the past, present and future. This is where our storytelling will continue. As sole Artistic Director of IAMA, for the first time, it is my great honor to bring us all back together, safely, in person, and continue to push the boundaries of what we are capable of, while continuing to explore the new digital theater medium.  We will also focus on developing new voices and a new educational platform that will not only help train future theatre makers, but future theatre leaders for this country.  IAMA is dedicated to matching our external output of content with our internal input of education, training, and firm dedication to the dismantling of white supremacy and oppressive barriers that have long been a part of the American Theatre. Please join us... our work has just begun.

With much respect,
Stefanie Black
IAMA Artistic Director

A NOTE FROM THE CREATIVE COMMITTEE

After nearly two years of a global pandemic, IAMA Theatre Company is beyond thrilled to come back to live theatre. In person. As in, real people gathering to experience something together.

That is exactly what we aimed to do with our very first Ensemble Piece. We wanted to gather with our LA Theatre community to create a piece of art that celebrated humanity; a piece that celebrated life, love, what we lost, how we changed and the joy of being together.

Celestial Events was born from the idea to create a full-length play entirely as an IAMA Ensemble. An initial team of six artists met to set a creative container for the process, and several months (and a couple of Google polls) later we had an awe-inspiring group of writers, directors, producers and actors. In November we spent a weekend improvising as a group to establish ideas and characters, and by the holidays our writer’s room was weaving them all together. This last month has been a beautifully collaborative process of creating an original full-length play that honors the magic of coming together. We hope that this show inspires you to honor yourself and each other…and to remember to look to the stars…

We hope you enjoy Celestial Events.

Parvesh Cheena*, Deborah S. Craig*, Andria Kozica*, John Lavelle*, Kacie Rogers*, Lexi Sloan*
IAMA Celestial Events Creative Committee

IAMA Theatre Company Presents

CELESTIAL EVENTS

Written by Deborah S. Craig*, Christian Durso* (co-writing captains), Anna Rose Hopkins*, John Lavelle*, Adriana Santos*

Co-directed by Tom Amandes* and Adrian Gonzalez*

CAST

* Indicates member of IAMA Theatre Company

CAST

Alex Alcheh* (Lenny)
Alex Alcheh hails from New City, New York with that good ole BFA from Syracuse University. Recent TV/Film credits include Netflix' Dear White People and the Reese Witherspoon led, Home Again. He is so damn excited to be a part of IAMA after numerous incredible experiences acting and directing with them over the last few years.

Ryan W. Garcia* (Eric) Ryan has been acting professionally since he was a child in Miami, FL. He's been on stage at the Orlando Shakespeare Theatre, in RENT and Man of La Mancha at the Hangar Theatre in New York, in LA with 30 Minute Musicals, Ravenswood Manor at the Celebration Theatre, and the new musical FOUND with IAMA. He was featured as Domingo on Community, Dude Calzone on Side Hustle, and is in Jordan Peele's upcoming movie NOPE. He voiced a lead role in the animated movie Fireheart, and is currently recurring as multiple roles in the new animated Nickelodeon series Big Nate.

Tina Huang* (Josie) is an award-winning multi-hyphenate storyteller born in Dallas, Texas but raised in Chinatown, NYC. She earned her BFA from NYU's Tisch with a focus in acting, directing and design. Currently, she is recurring on Days of Our Lives as DA Melinda Trask. Her voice can be heard in Star Wars: The Bad Batch, We Baby Bears, Gremlins: The Secrets of Mogwai and the video game Guild Wars 2: End of Dragons. In addition to film & TV, she's a member and former Co-Artistic Director of Ammunition Theatre, and a member of IAMA Theatre. She's Co-Founder of 1:1 Productions, which champions women of color in front of and behind the camera. Under 1:1's banner, Tina co-produced 4 short films which screened at film festivals including the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival, Pan African and Cleveland International. Tina’s debut short film, Xin, which she wrote and starred, in was nominated for Best Narrative Short (BlackStar), won her a Best Performance award (TIDE) and was screened at Brooklyn Academy of Music. Tina was a 2018 Hedgebrook Screenwriting Fellow. imdb.me/tinahuang IG:@TinaHuang381 Twitter: @Tina Huang

Bailey Humiston* (Dani) is an actor/singer hailing from Buffalo, NY (Go Bills).  LA theatre credits:  FOUND (IAMA-u/s), BAD JEWS (Whitefire Theatre), AMERICAN HERO (IAMA-u/s), Songs For A New World (Chromoloume), ORANGE IS THE NEW MUSICAL: A PARODY (Whitefire Theatre).  Film/TV Credits: The Sex Lives of College Girls (HBO Max), Pam & Tommy (Hulu), Bland Larceny (Amazon Prime).  BFA Music Theatre, University at Buffalo.

Andria Kozica* (Ariel) is a native of Chicago and graduate of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. Recent theatre credits include Jamie (u/s) in American Hero (IAMA Theatre Company), Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing (Sierra Madre Shakespeare Festival), Roxanne in The Understudy (Bull & Bearer Theatre), Gabriella in Boeing Boeing (Little Fish Theatre), Queen in Cymbeline (Shakespeare by the Sea), and Actor #3 in Lebensraum (HCLAB, Ovation Nomination). Andria is also the founder of The Spare Change Series, a pay-what-you-can play reading series that benefits various organizations and charities. Film/TV credits at andriakozica.com.

Melissa Jane Osborne* (Kate) is an actor and writer who has worked with various companies and festivals including The Barrow Group, Williamstown Theatre Festival, Samuel French Festival, EST- LA, Manhattan Theatre Club, Killer Films. and The New York International Fringe. She is a two time O’Neill Playwright’s Conference Semifinalist. Her short film OMA is set to shoot in NYC in August starring Lynn Cohen (Munich), Recent work with IAMA includes A Dog’s House (u/s), Spawn of Satan (u/s), Storytelling, and Raising the Bar. She is an graduate of NYU Tisch School of the Arts, Stella Adler and a member of The Barrow Group’s FAB Women.

Kacie Rogers* (Joy) Two time NAACP Award winning actress, Kacie Rogers, received her classical training at AMDA College and Conservatory of the Performing Arts. You can find Kacie on screen in her leading role in the feature film, "LowLow" now available on Amazon Prime and iTunes. She’s also had the opportunity of working with several prestigious theatre companies in the Los Angeles area including The Robey Theatre Co., Brimmer Street Theatre Co., The Road Theatre Co., Circle X, Theatre40, the Bootleg Theatre, Theatricum Botanicum, Greenway Court, The Getty Villa, Sacred Fools Theatre Co., The Skylight Theatre, and is so excited to be joining the IAMA family!

Adriana Santos* (Gina) is an LA-based writer and actor. She holds a BFA in Acting and minor in Creative Writing from NYU Tisch School of the Arts and an MFA in Playwriting from St. Joseph’s College in Brooklyn. Her full-length play, Catholic All Girls School, was produced as part of IAMA Theatre Company’s Under30Lab workshop series in 2020 and TV pilot adaptation of that play was an official selection of The Gotham Film and Media Institute’s Project Week Market in 2021. Adriana is a current company member of IAMA as well as Ensemble Studio Theatre LA’s (EST/LA) New West Playwrights. Adriana was also a founding member of the Latinx Playwrights Circle in New York City before she moved to Los Angeles. Recent acting credits include: series regular on the Showtime Pilot, Hombre, and guest stars on Animal Kingdom (TNT), 9-1-1 (FOX), The Rookie (ABC), Daredevil (Netflix), Taken (NBC) and Sweetbitter (Starz).

Sonal Shah* (Meena) is thrilled to be a new member of the amazing IAMA Theatre Company!! Originally from Chicago, the accomplished actress was one of the first Indian-American women to appear in a major role on a network comedy (Scrubs). Called a “scene-stealer” in Netflix’s Definition Please. Other notable acting credits include The PTA (Series Regular), Superstore, New Girl, Spaced Out, Better Things, The High Note, Mira Royal Detective, The Powerpuff Girls, Costume Quest, and stage productions including Goodman Theatre. Most recently, she played a lead in heist comedy feature, Four Samosas. Sonal’s tested for 7 network pilots, is an NBC Diversity Showcase alum, a Second City grad, and currently has a development deal with Disney Plus! She co-hosted the APAICS Gala in DC attended by President Obama! Sonal also sings, dances, directs and teaches acting and writing at John Rosenfeld Studios and Art Of Acting. The Hollywood Reporter says she “Stands out.” Insta @sonalshahofficial.

Lexi Sloan* (Lena) is an actor and producer with IAMA, grateful to be coming back into theatre with this ensemble created piece. She has studied improv at Impro Theatre and Groundlings and worked on vocal training with Pat Whiteman. She is currently a Creative Producer with Apple and a company member at both IAMA and Ammunition Theatre Companies. Lexi has recently produced a photo art series and two award-winning short films. Love and gratitude to the cast, crew, and production team!

Margaux Susi* (Ilana) is a Cuban-Jewish actor & director. She graduated from NYU Tisch & is a proud member and the Associate Artistic Director of the Ovation award-winning IAMA Theatre Company in Los Angeles, where she currently resides. You can see Margaux in a recurring role on the final season of Netflix’s Dear White People. As a voiceover actor, her credits include Disney's Olaf's Frozen Adventure and over 20 English Dubs on Netflix including Money Heist, The Barrier, and Marianne. You also know Margaux from the hit improv show 'The Blind Date Project' with Bojana Novakovic. Having completed sold-out runs in New York City, Edinburgh, Cincinnati, and Williamstown, the show played in Los Angeles for over three years. www.margauxsusi.com

Jamie Wollrab* (Ralph) recent credits include Tod in the West Coast Premiere of Stockholm, The Son in Adam Rapp’s Nocturne theatre, then starred in the west coast premiere of The French Waitress by John Patrick Shanley. Film: I Won’t Say I Love You & Punching Bag directed by Jamie Anderson and Always Remember Me directed by Nell Teare. Other theatre: Gruesome Playground Injuries, The Glass Menagerie, Red Light Winter, North of Providence, Mud, Miss Julie to name a few. Jamie is a proud member of IAMA theatre company and is the Artistic Director of The Triptych Theatre Group.

CREATIVE TEAM

Deborah S. Craig* (Co-Writing Captain) Deborah S. Craig (she/her) has written and performed with IAMA Theatre Company where she is a proud member.  For IAMA she wrote and acted in IAMA Reunion, IAMA 23 hour plays and composed original music and lyrics for IAMA Cabaret.  As an actor, Miss Craig’s recent work includes the new musical WILD: A Musical Becoming (book by V, formerly Eve Ensler, music and lyrics by Justin Trantor and Caroline Pennell and dir. by Diane Paulus) at The American Repertory Theatre at Harvard, the feature films Me Time opposite Kevin Hart and Mark Wahlburg  (writer/dir. John Hamburg) Meet Cute opposite Kaley Cuoco and Pete Davidson  (dir. Alex Lehmann) and The Tiger’s Apprentice (Henry Golding, Sandra Oh) for Paramount Animation.  She can also be seen in the upcoming final season of Grace and Frankie opposite Jane Fonda. Broadway: Deborah originated the role of Marcy Park in the Tony Award winning musical The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Based on her own over-achieving childhood, it earned her critical acclaim, a Drama Desk Award and the distinction of creating the first Korean American character on Broadway. Off-Broadway: Gone Missing with The Civilians (dir. Ken Russ Schmoll), Encores! Off Center; WaVe (dir. Will Pomerantz), Ma-Yi; Pericles (dir. Jesse Berger), Red Bull; The Karaoke Show (dir. Diane Paulus), Project 400.  TV:  “The Emperor of Malibu” from Kevin Kwan (Crazy Rich Asians), David Sangalli, Warner Brothers and CBS opposite Ken Jeong.  Awkafina is “Nora From Queens” (Comedy Central)  and recurring roles on “The Blacklist,” (NBC) “Transparent,” (Amazon) “Hart of Dixie” (CW)  and “Six Degrees” (JJ Abrams/ABC)  “Better Things,” (Fx)  “Workaholics” (Comedy Central) “Bull” (CBD) “Instinct,” (CBS)  “Elementary,” (CBS) “Son of Zorn,” (Fox)  “Almost There,” (DirectTV)  and “Dog With a Blog” (Disney) Regional: West Coast Premiere of Adam Gwon’s Ordinary Days (SCR / dir. Ethan McSweeney), My Scary Girl (BSC / dir. Andrew Volkoff) and new work for The Public, CTG, OSF, NYTW, WTF, The Civilians, LJPH, Chalk Rep, Soho Rep, The Lark, New Dramatists, The Blank and IAMA Theatre Company where she is a proud member.  Film: A Nice Girl Like You, Poor Greg Drowning, The Outfield (dir. Eli Gonda), Kiss Me, Kill Me, and Ghost Town .  You can currently stream Deborah in The Un-Princess Bride, from playwright Qui Nguyen, Vampire Cowboys and MTC.  Alumna Ma-Yi Writers Lab IG: @TheDeborahSCraig

Christian Durso* (Co-Writing Captain) is a playwright, screenwriter, and classically trained actor. His plays have been performed in Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, New Orleans, Prague, and Reno. His work has also enjoyed workshops and readings at The Roundabout Underground, The Flea, The Old Globe and EST/LA. He served as Executive Producer and Writer for the Netflix series THE STRANDED, the first Thai Original series for Netflix. He also wrote an eight episode mini-series for HBO Asia and has adapted novels for the screen for Sony. Also an actor, Christian has worked regionally at The Old Globe, Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival, Shakespeare Santa Cruz, Great Lakes Theatre (OH), Idaho Shakespeare Festival as well as Off-Broadway. A proud member of the Los Angeles based IAMA Theatre Company and of the WGAW. BFA, NYU. MFA, USD.

Anna Rose Hopkins* (Writer) I’m a performer/actress and writer, food maker and engagement facilitator. Favorite acting gigs include "Accidental Blonde" and "Cult of Love" by Leslye Hedland (IAMA), "Gregory Go Boom" (dir. Janicza Bravo, Sundance Jury Prize), "High Maintenance" (HBO), "Dark Night" (dir. Tim Sutton), and "Shame" (dir. Sir Steve McQueen). As an interdisciplinary artist, I often work at the intersection of food and narrative, considering food systems, and off-earth or post-earth future systems, and how they affect the lived experience. Immersive Food Narrative works are almost always collaborative and have been produced by ICA San Diego, KCET/ PBS (Broken Bread: Future), UCLA IoES, Rice University, Boston University, Swissnex SF, and the Getty PST:LA/LA. I’m chef and owner at Hank and Bean where I cook and produce events; director of communications / agency relations / co founder at Farm2People where we work on the local food supply chain; writer / performer with the IAMA Theatre Company. I’m also a proud member of the Guild of Future Architects, who produced Soupy Salty Sonic with artist Marina Zurkow for the FoodxFilm Programing (The Rockefeller Foundation / The World Food Forum / Good Food For All / United Nations Food Systems Summit / Videos for Change).

John Lavelle* (Writer) Originally from New York, John Lavelle spent much of his career appearing on Broadway, Off-Broadway, Regionally, and at The Royal Shakespeare Company. He is the author of several plays including Inhalation (Max Lerner Award, O’Neill Finalist), Sinner’s Laundry (Ovation recommended), Would Coulda Shoulda (IAMA Reunion), Forever Brentwood (23 Hour Playfest), Love in the time of Robots (One Day Plays) and his work has appeared in the ABC Discovers Talent Showcase. John received a Drama Desk Award for his performance in The Royale at The Lincoln Center Theatre. He has appeared on TV and Film in numerous roles, most notably portraying Roy Reed in Ava DuVernay’s Academy Award nominated film Selma. As a voice artist, John has worked for Disney, Netflix, Dreamworks and is voice of the beloved children’s book series Nate the Great which gives him major street credit with his children. He is a graduate of New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts and he performs regularly with his Improv team Some Kinda Monster at The Upright Citizens Brigade. John is grateful to have worked as an Assistant Stage Manager, Props Master, Technical Director, Assistant Director, Actor, Playwright, and Director for IAMA.

Adriana Santos* (Writer) is an LA-based writer and actor. She holds a BFA in Acting and minor in Creative Writing from NYU Tisch School of the Arts and an MFA in Playwriting from St. Joseph’s College in Brooklyn. Her full-length play, Catholic All Girls School, was produced as part of IAMA Theatre Company’s Under30Lab workshop series in 2020 and TV pilot adaptation of that play was an official selection of The Gotham Film and Media Institute’s Project Week Market in 2021. Adriana is a current company member of IAMA as well as Ensemble Studio Theatre LA’s (EST/LA) New West Playwrights. Adriana was also a founding member of the Latinx Playwrights Circle in New York City before she moved to Los Angeles. Recent acting credits include: series regular on the Showtime Pilot, Hombre, and guest stars on Animal Kingdom (TNT), 9-1-1 (FOX), The Rookie (ABC), Daredevil (Netflix), Taken (NBC) and Sweetbitter (Starz).

Tom Amandes* (Co-Director) Tom Amandes grew up in the small towns of Richmond and Crystal Lake, Illinois. He began performing at home, with his 10 brothers and sisters, creating puppet shows, short films, music and radio dramas, before moving on to school plays and community theater.

He graduated from The Goodman School of Drama, as it became the Theatre School at DePaul University. His work on the Chicago stage began in the ensemble of the "Body Politic Theatre", where he starred in such memorable productions as "Translations", "The Playboy of the Western World" and "Falstaff & Hal". Other notable stage work includes "What the Butler Saw", "Candida" and "The Mystery Cycle" at the Court Theatre, and "Free Advice from Prague" and "The Courtship of Carl Sandburg" at Northlight.

Tom was head writer and announcer of the NPR musical variety show, "The Flea Market". He directed plays for the Curious Theater, played music with both Balderdash and Jamie O'Reilly & The Rogues, and was artistic director of the Call to Action Theater.

While working on-stage in Chicago, Tom was cast as "Eliot Ness" in the television series, The Untouchables (1993) and spent two years shooting on his home turf. Moving to L.A., Tom starred in the NBC comedy, The Pursuit of Happiness (1995), with Melinda McGraw and Brad Garrett. He's played recurring roles on Big Love (2006), Boston Legal (2004), Eli Stone (2008), The Guardian (2001), Spin City (1996), From the Earth to the Moon (1998) and, most recently, Parenthood (2010). Other favorite TV work include Grey's Anatomy (2005), Curb Your Enthusiasm (2000), Just Shoot Me! (1997), ER (1994) and The Larry Sanders Show (1992).

Traveling to the western Rockies, Tom spent four years portraying the beloved "Dr. Harold Abbott" on the family drama, Everwood (2002), opposite Treat Williams. He went on to direct episodes of "Everwood" as well as ABC's Brothers & Sisters (2006) and the new CW series, Hart of Dixie (2011).

Tom's film credits include The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996), opposite Geena Davis, Brokedown Palace (1999) with Claire Danes and Kate Beckinsale, Billboard Dad (1998) with the Olsen twins, Mary-Kate Olsen and Ashley Olsen', Second Chances (1998), Straight Talk (1992), HBO's Live from Baghdad (2002) and the recent black-comedy, Lucky (2011), with Colin Hanks and Ari Graynor.

His work on the Chicago stage continues at the Victory Gardens Theater, where he's starred, most recently, in "Cynical Weathers" and Edward Albee's "At Home At The Zoo", both directed by Dennis Zacek.

Tom plays "Dr. Peter Pelikan" on the hit NBC series, Parenthood (2010), opposite Ray Romano. He stars as "President Abraham Lincoln" in the Salvador Litvak film, Saving Lincoln (2013), alongside Penelope Ann Miller and Lea Coco. He also appears as "Governor Samuel Reston" on the ABC political thriller, Scandal (2012), opposite Kerry Washington and Tony Goldwyn.

Tom is married to actress Nancy Everhard, who played "Katherine Ness" on The Untouchables (1993). His daughters, Meg O'Reilly Amandes and Nia O'Reilly Amandes make up two-thirds of the Chicago band, "Midnight Moxie". And his son, Ben Amandes, is himself a budding hyphenate.

Adrian Gonzalez* (Co-Director) Adrian Gonzalez is an actor from the south Texas border town of Brownsville, TX & Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico. He is a graduate of Northwestern University’s theater program. After graduating he immersed himself into Chicago’s theater scene and worked with various companies like Teatro Vista, The Artistic Home, Pegasus Players and the Goodman Theater. In 2009 he relocated to Los Angeles to pursue television and film. Television credits include: The Mentalist, The Bold & the Beautiful, NCIS, NCIS: LA, The Bridge, Your Family or Mine, Kevin From Work, and Superstore. Most recently he recurred on Starz’s critically acclaimed series Vida. He also continues to perform in local theater. Past credits include: Colony Collapse (Theater @ Boston Court), Fixed (Echo Theater Co), Tar (Playwright’s Arena), and Othello/Argonautika (A Noise Within).

Terry Li (Co-Producer) Terry is a bilingual actor, producer, and makeup artist from Sacramento, CA. IAMA producing credits: Anyone But Me, The Oxy Complex. Named Best Actress at the Independent Theatre Awards, her work is deeply rooted in radical authenticity and imaginative storytelling. As a 1st-generation Chinese-American, she is passionate about equity, and strives to push the boundaries of representation in the entertainment industry. Terry has worked for the last decade as a multidisciplinary artist, beauty coach, community-builder, and developer of creative spaces for BIPOC & queer artists to thrive. She was a Founding Member and Artistic Producer at On the Verge Repertory in Santa Barbara, CA where she performed in, developed, and designed for world and regional premieres by female, LGBTQ+, and BIPOC writers. Favorite acting credits include the title role of Athena (On the Verge), Stupid F*cking Bird (Elements Theatre), and Amelie the Musical (Out of the Box). Website: www.terryli.net / IG: @ter.ryli

Geoffrey Rivas* (Co-Producer) Geoffrey Rivas, a native Californian, graduated from UCLA with a Master of Fine Arts Degree with a concentration on acting. He has received numerous nominations for his stage work and is a founding member of The Latino Theater Company. The company, under the Artistic Direction of Jose Luis Valenzuela, has been producing award winning Latino theater nationally for 30 years. Film credits include Under the Tuscan Sun, Dragonfly, Luminarias, La Bamba, Born In East L.A., Pow Wow Highway, Bound By Honor, Above Suspicion, and Foto Novelas for PBS, for which he won an ALMA award in 1998. A highlight of Geoff's prolific career on television was 9 years as Detective Vega on the original series, CSI (CBS). His directorial debut, Jozanne Marie’s solo show, Beautiful - for which Jozanne won a NAACP award for best actress - drew much praise and favorable reviews as did his latest show, Home starring Nancy MA. Latina Christmas Special was further developed under his direction and is widely considered to be the longest running and most successful show ever presented by the Latino Theater Company.

Josh Epstein* (Production Manager) Josh Epstein is a lighting designer for theater, opera and dance as well as environmental and event spaces. He has designed at the Guthrie Theater, Mark Taper Forum, Goodman Theater, Geffen Playhouse. Kirk Douglas Theater, Pasadena Playhouse, Philadelphia Theater Company, Baltimore Center Stage, Trinity Rep, Geva Theatre Center, Playmakers Rep, Paper Mill Playhouse, Long Wharf Theater, Lyric Theater, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Actor's Theater of Louisville, Juilliard School of Drama and The Alliance Theater, to name a few. Opera and dance work include productions at Minnesota Opera, Ft. Worth Opera, Opera Saratoga, The Joyce Theater, Opera Santa Barbara, Wolf Trap, Danspace at St. Marks, The Duke Theater, Berkshire Opera festival and the Manhattan School of Music. In addition to his design work, Josh is also the creator of an innovative, digital collaboration application for live events called Cuelist. Josh received his BA from the University of Chicago and his MFA from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts. He has served as a visiting faculty member at Sarah Lawrence College and currently teaches at UCLA's School of Theater, Film and Television. Josh is an LA Stage Alliance Ovation Award Winner and a recipient of the NEA/TCG Career Development Program for Designers. In addition to being an IAMA Theatre Company Ensemble Member, he also currently serves on the O'Neill Playwrights Conference Artistic Council. Josh lives in Los Angeles with his wife and three daughters. www.joshepsteindesign.com

Jessica Moneà Evans (Rehearsal Stage Manager) Jessica Moneà Evans is a multifaceted artist and manager from Raleigh, North Carolina. She studied Acting to complement her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Professional Theatre at North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University (NC A & T) and received her Master of Fine Arts from the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) in Theatre Management.

Throughout her career, Jessica has traveled the world managing a variety of dance and theater productions, artists, concerts, and comedy shows at organizations such as CBS, REDCAT, Disney Concert Hall, Sundance Theater Lab and toured an independent project to the American Conservatory Theatre. In addition to management, Evans is a dance fitness instructor and movement director. She has a wellness production company called Nu-Bein Dance Fitness that fuses Afrofunk Dance Fitness, message in movement modality to allow people to manifest, elevate and empower their inner fearless warrior.

Savanha Moore (Performance Stage Manager) Savanha Moore (She/Her) is a Theatrical Artist and Production Stage Manager in Southern California. Her recent show credits include: Robin Hood Panto (Production Stage Management), Reapers Remorse (Stage Management), Song of the Uproar (Stage Management), Falling (Touring Opera), King Lear (Art of Acting Studio Los Angeles), HULU’s Castle Rock Activation (SDCC 2018), NBC’s Good Place Activation (SDCC 2018). She is a graduate from California State University San Bernardino with a BA in Technical Theatre Design and Technology. Thank you for coming and enjoy the show.

Chloe Madriaga (Assistant Stage Manager) Chloe Madriaga started out as a hyper imaginative kid growing up in the lush land of Hawaii. In 2014 she ventured away from her island home and moved to Los Angeles where she hasn’t stopped moving and shaking since. She’s had the opportunity to work in various mediums, the most recent of which has been audiobooks. Chloe can be heard as the narrator of Naomi Hirahara’s Leilani Santiago series. She is also an avid stage combatant, an ardent music lover, and a proud member of Theatre of NOTE. She’s excited to be working with IAMA for the first time and would like to thank the company for the opportunity!

Justin Huen (Production Designer) Justin Huen is an award-nominated actor/director/designer who ‎has worked in intimate and regional theaters across the country. He is thrilled that IAMA has hired him to once again make theatre!

Briana Pattillo (Lighting Designer) Bri is an international theatre artist and marker, working primarily as a Lighting Designer for themed entertainment and performance. Bri designed “Fatwa! The Musical”, starring Lin- Manuel Miranda, for HBO’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm”. She has designed for Padua Playwrights, Odyssey Theatre Ensemble, Prospect House Entertainment, and more. Bri has assisted award- winning Lighting Designers Anne Militello, James F. Ingalls, and Ken Booth. For the past five years she has been an Associate Lighting Designer for Six Flags Magic Mountain’s “Fright Fest” and “Holiday in the Park” events. She currently teaches theatre at Los Angeles Mission College.

Ivan Robles (Sound Designer) Ivan Robles is a teaching artist, musician, sound designer, audio engineer, and proud to be born and raised in Los Angeles, California. Currently he works full-time as Assistant Technical Director for the Latino Theater Company at LATC. He has steadily been working as a sound designer and an independent recording and mix engineer for artists, entertainers, and local bands throughout LA, including Quetzal, Ozomatli, Los Lobos, Kate Voegele, Jay Leno, and Bob Saget. For theater, he has designed or engineered for About Productions, Casa 0101 Theater, Company of Angels, Cornerstone Theater Company, East West Players, Latino Theater Company, Robey Theatre Company, Rogue Artists Ensemble, Shakespeare Center/LA, Teatro Luna West, and Watts Village Theater Company. If he’s not on the clock, he’s making music and eating good food.

Manee Leija (Costume Designer) Manee has been involved in many roles within the Costume realm since 2010. Designing backstories Tayloring characters and maintaining wardrobe looks to name a few. They learned to appreciate garments and stylish statements translating traditional ideas into fresh new perspectives for the stage. Attending fashion programs at Pasadena City College and Technical Theater programs at East Los Angeles College. Manee's recent projects include the short film CONSENT which won the OUTFEST Grand Jury Award for it’s One Minute Movie Contest. #SORRYNOTSORRY which made it to the semi-finals in the Asian American Film Lab’s 72 hour Film Shootout which was showcased on Spectrum TV and Company of Angels debut of This Land written by Evangeline Ordaz. Their favorite part of the creative process would have to be the many opportunities to collaborate with amazing and talented individuals.

IAMA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Katie Lowes, Chair 
Tyler Ennis, President
Melissa Romain, Vice President
David Yanni, Secretary 
Victoria Lerner, Treasurer 

Jana Bezdek 
Gracye Cheng
Tyler Ennis 
Mike Jackson 
Victoria Lerner 
Katie Lowes 
Melissa Romain
Graham Sibley 
David Yanni

IAMA STAFF

Artistic Director: Stefanie Black 
Managing Director: Lara Myrene 
Producing Director: Cymbre Walk Sklar 
Interim Producing Director: Margaux Susi 
Associate Artistic Director: Rodney To
Director of the Ensemble: Tom DeTrinis
Basecamp Director: Christian Durso
Social Media Manager and Marketing Associate: Justin Sullivan
Grant Writer: Laila Ayad
Literary Manager: Celia Mandela Rivera
Under 30 Lab Program Director: Nicholas Pilapil

IAMA ENSEMBLE

Anisha Adusumilli, Alexander Alcheh, Tom Amandes, Laila Ayad, Deanna Barillari, Stefanie Black, Michelle Bossy, R. S. Buck, Jon Caren, Sheila Carrasco, Dean Cechvala, Parvesh Cheena, Deborah S. Craig, Desi Dennis-Dylan, Tom DeTrinis, Christian Durso, James Eckhouse, Josh Epstein, Ryan Garcia, Chris Gardner, Jeff Gardner, Eli Gonda, Adrian Gonzalez, Josh Heine, Laura Holloway, Anna Rose Hopkins, Tina Huang, Bailey Humiston, Alexis Jacknow, Andria Kozica, Colleen Labella, Anna LaMadrid, John Lavelle, Sharon Lawrence, Katie Lowes, Laura Mann, Burl Moseley, Karla Mosley, Louise Munson, Lara Myrene, Melissa Jane Osborne, Brian Otano, Tim Peper, Geoff Rivas, Tim Rock, Devere Rogers, Kacie Rogers, Amy Rosoff, Emily Rowan, Adriana Santos, Mark Saul, Courtney Sauls, Micah Schraft, Brandon Scott, Sonal Shah, Adam Shapiro, Graham Sibley, Cymbre Walk Sklar, Lexi Sloan, Melissa Stephens, Margaux Susi, Rodney To, Sarah Utterback, Keliher Walsh, Jamie Wollrab, Christine Woods

IAMA THEATRE COMPANY is a Los Angeles-based ensemble of artists committed to cultivating new voices and creating new works that push boundaries and take risks, while fostering an inclusive community that inspires theatre-makers of future generations. IAMA is invested in challenging our audiences with an authentic experience that reflects our complex modern world.

Founded in 2007, IAMA is a Los Angeles-based ensemble of artists committed to the creation and cultivation of new voices and artists that challenge boundaries and take risks, while fostering an inclusive community that inspires theater-makers of future generations. Los Angeles is one of the most diverse metropolitan areas in the world and IAMA's work reflects the new voices and changing attitudes that continue to shape this city, state, country and world. Designated by Playbill as “one of 20 regional houses every theater lover must know,” the award-winning company has seen many plays generated at IAMA travel to off-Broadway, including to Second Stage and Playwrights Horizons, then go on to be performed regionally and internationally. IAMA members have been featured in numerous critically acclaimed TV shows and films as well as in a vast array of theater and live performances on and off-Broadway and across the country. IAMA has been dedicated to developing new plays and musicals by emerging and established playwrights, culminating in over 25 world, West Coast and Los Angeles premieres.

HISTORICAL CULTURE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

IAMA Theatre Company is based in Los Angeles on the sacred site of the Tongva/Gabrielino Nations who have lived and continue to live here. We recognize the Tongva/Gabrielino Nations and their spiritual connection as the first stewards and the traditional caretakers of this land. We honor them as the first storytellers of our Los Angeles community and we thank them for their strength, perseverance and resistance. We respect and value the many ways their cultural heritage and beliefs continue to have significance to the living people and remind us about the sacred and spiritual relationship that has always existed here.

a special thank you to our patrons of the arts

Shonda Rhimes & the Rhimes Family Foundation

and

Jana Bezdek

IAMA THANKS OUR 2021-2022 SPONSORS

David Lee Foundation

Nonprofits Insurance Alliance Gilbert Grant

Caplin Foundation

The Shari and Les Biller Family Foundation

THANK YOU TO OUR IAMA DONORs

Adam Haracz

Adam Howard

Claire Brown

Cymbre Walk Sklar

Ginger Immerman

Irene White

Ilene Garfield

Jonathan Deering

Kristin Bongiovanni

Linda Mendelson

Lyn Leone

Martin Brekeller

Matthew Lessall

Melissa Gragert

Melissa Oren