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Philip Anderson

Multi Arts; Performing Arts: Music, Spoken Word, Storytelling, Theatre, Vocal; Visual Arts: Film, Media and Visual Communications, Mixed Media, New Media/Technology; term

Philip Anderson is a pianist, singer, teacher, arranger, composer, videographer, designer, etc. He leads an up-&-coming experimental R&B project called ‘Bluelight,’ for which he composes, plays, and sings. Philip also produces arrangements, backing tracks, interactive sheet music and piano lesson videos for Quincy Jones’ company ‘Playground Sessions’ from his home studio in downtown Akron’s Historic Arts District.

Katie Beck

Artist for Hire: Commissions, Education, Programming; Literary Arts; Performing Arts: Actor/Actress, Comedy, Director, Performance Art, Theatre; term

Katie Beck is a creative community builder, director, writer, actor, and teaching artist who works to build spaces that highlight and prioritize underrepresented voices. After graduating from Allegheny College in 2014 with a BA in Theatre and Community and Justice Studies, she moved back to her hometown of Akron. Since establishing Gum-Dip Theatre in 2016, Katie has produced or directed nearly 80 performances of community-based theatre. Recent directing credits include Denied Admission, My North Hill, Imprisoned, Namaste-WHAT?, In Search of Alternative Dreams, Girls Studio, and Into the Mold. Katie is the recipient of the 2019 ‘30 for Future’ Award by the Greater Akron Chamber, the 2018 Arts Alive Award for Outstanding Artist in Theatre, the 2017 Akron Fellowship for League of Creative Interventionists, and a 2016 Knight Arts Challenge Grant for the “Nepali Applause” festival. Her published writing credits include: “Developing a Community-Engaged Scholarly Identity” in Publicly Engaged Scholars and “Connecting My Academic Studies with Community Practice” in the fall 2016 issue of Diversity and Democracy.

Kofi Boakye

Artist for Hire: Commissions, Education, Private Events, Programming; Performing Arts: Actor/Actress, Director, Music, Performance Art, Radio/Television, Spoken Word, Theatre; term

Kofi R. Boakye is a 20-year-old Emmy-Nominated pianist born in Akron, Ohio. Kofi has gathered musical experience from myriad venues across the United States. At the age of 15, Kofi was accepted into the University of Akron School of Music’s Jazz Program, making him the youngest African-American pianist to ever be accepted into a collegiate-level jazz program at the UA. While music remains at the core, Kofi’s accolade extends beyond the big stage. In 2014, President Barack Obama and the White House awarded Kofi with the “President’s Education Award for Outstanding Academic Excellence”. In 2018, Kofi joined the ranks of Black-ish star Anthony Anderson, R&B songstresses Lauryn Hill, Jennifer Hudson, Alicia Keys and American Actress Jada Pinkett-Smith in winning the Silver medal in the NAACP ACT-SO National Competition; making him the first person from Akron to ever win. In 2019, Kofi received an Emmy Nomination for his film “Kofi: Made In Akron”, a short-film documentary created in co-production with Pritt Entertainment Group. Currently, Kofi is a newly minted graduate of the University of Akron and will now attend Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA in the Fall of 2019.

Karlise Starr Brown

Artist for Hire: Private Events, Programming; Multi Arts; Performing Arts: Actor/Actress, Director, Music, Performance Art, Radio/Television, Theatre, Vocal; Visual Arts: Performers and Writers; term

The dynamic duo of the Josh & Starr Project is the fusion of two artists with unique vocal abilities providing a listening experience of the best of both worlds from a male female perspective both bringing their creative, vocal, and blended versitility to light with the launch of this project. Joshua Evans former American Idol Alternate delivers a smooth soul, country, and R&B style as Starr combines the provides the a classically trained / gospel background creating the classic duet group with an amazing chemistry. Joshua has performed and dominated many local competitions and Starr has been chosen to judge many,in addition to their separate memberships Joshua formerly of Smooth Approach and Next Level; Starr formerly of Soul Purpose their departures were obviously a part of their destiny to give a fresh sound to every song they vocally grace.

JT Buck

Artist for Hire: Commissions, Education, Private Events, Programming; Arts Administration: Curator, Grant Writer; Literary Arts; Multi Arts; Performing Arts: Actor/Actress, Director, Music, Performance Art, Spoken Word, Storytelling, Theatre, Vocal; Visual Arts: Mixed Media, Performance Art, Performers and Writers, Photography; term

JT Buck is a music and theatre ‘jack of all trades’, with 20 years’ professional experience as a director, playwright, composer, lyricist, music director, producer, teacher and cross-discipline collaborator. His latest musical is ‘The Devil’s Milk Part 2: Goosetown”, currently running in rep at the Balch St. Theatre. He will serve as music director for the Rocky Horror Show at the Civic this August. His passion for authentic community conversation led him to study the ‘Art of Hosting’ suite of group conversation/decision-making tools. A committed meditator, he’s passionate about teaching mindfulness-based applications to the creative process in the form of piano lessons, professional coaching and group classes. He’s available for private coachings and will be offering a series of public workshops in the coming year. Another major thread in his work is the ‘Akron story’…history, present and future. He often serves as a historical consultant across disciplines. When not doing the above things, he sleeps. Mostly on Monday.

Tess Burgler

Performing Arts: Actor/Actress, Director, Theatre; term

Tess was a founding company member with OSF at age 14, playing the unforgettable Shakespearean role of Third-Musician-from-the-Left. Throughout the following 16 years, her love for the company grew into a lifetime passion. In that time, she has designed and managed the box office system, supported customer service operations, managed website and social media content, developed and directed (and sometimes written) the Greenshows, and appeared in many roles onstage. In 2013, she became an Associate Producer, and began her OSF leadership journey under the careful guidance of the Artistic Directors (a.k.a. her parents). She was instrumental in OSF’s addition of Greystone Hall in summer 2016, and her full-time position involves the day-to-day management of the new, indoor space. She helps her husband, Joe Pine, coordinate and expand the education programs offered by OSF, and she tours and teaches with the Student Matinee Series. One of her biggest OSF passion projects is the Fall Family Classics series, wherein OSF brings new adaptations of classic stories to life, set to original music. So far, that library includes Robin Hood: An Adventure, with Music and The Three Musketeers: An Adventure, with Music (performing September 2017). These re-tellings of familiar stories are completely original and use the talents of our resident company members (all Ohio-based artists) to make classic stories accessible to all ages. She believes in the ability of the theatre to celebrate and protect the human story. Inspiring and uplifting theatre does not always promise a joyful story (though sometimes that’s exactly what we need), but it does promise to inspire a community to be its absolute best. On March 1, Ohio Shakespeare Festival announces it’s second full year of programming between Stan Hywet and Greystone Halls. She is beyond thrilled to share these exciting and challenging plays with Akron. For a more personal account, please read Tess’s Actor Profile on the Ohio Shakespeare Festival website: http://www.ohioshakespearefestival.com/actor-spotlight-archives/2016/7/6/tess-burgler

Dean Coutris

Performing Arts: Actor/Actress, Comedy, Performance Art, Spoken Word, Storytelling, Theatre; term

Ryan Dyke

Artist for Hire; Performing Arts: Actor/Actress, Comedy, Director, Music, Performance Art, Radio/Television, Storytelling, Theatre; Visual Arts: Crafts, Textiles; term

Ryan likes to stay busy! He is involved in multiple local organizations that keep him occupied, but he is always on the lookout for new adventures. Ryan, who is an Akron native, is an actor/singer/comedian/podcaster/cosplayer in his hometown and surrounding areas. Ryan is a member of Just Go With It Improv, Akron premier comedy group, a Board member of Dynamics Community Theater of Tallmadge, a member of the musical group Copper Pennies and is one of the creators of the Spoils Of Akron Podcast. Apart from performing arts Ryan is the head of Rubber City Cosplay (RCC). RCC is an organization with a mission to spread the positivity of Cosplay. The volunteers attend Comic book conventions, local sports games and more dressed as Superheroes, Movie Characters or Pop Culture Characters and provide FREE photos to all attendees. Ryan is a young man who always has a smile on his face and is ready to help wherever he can! Profile Photo Credit goes to: https://www.instagram.com/chelsea.saxman.photo/

Brandi Eaton

Performing Arts: Theatre; term

Brandi Eaton is a playwright. Her ten-minute play “A Telegram in the World of Smartphones” was the first-place winner at the 2014 8×10 TheatreFest held at Weathervane Playhouse and went on to be performed at the 2016 Short + Sweet Festival in Sydney, Australia. A showcase of six of her ten-minute plays was staged at Western Reserve Playhouse in August 2017. Her current work-in-progress is “Matt’s First (Real) Thanksgiving” which has been performed as a ten-minute play at Western Reserve Playhouse and as a thirty-minute play at the 2018 Summit StageFest. The ninety minute version had a Staged Reading at Western Reserve Playhouse in December 2017 and the full two-act version will be having a Staged Reading at The Rialto Theatre in October 2018.

Mary-Elizabeth Fenn

Artist for Hire: Commissions; Performing Arts: Dance, Performance Art, Theatre; term

Mary-Elizabeth Fenn, a Wisconsin native, has trained at Milwaukee Ballet School, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, Joffrey Ballet School-NYC, BalletMet, and Point Park University. She has a BFA in Dance from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Professional dance experience includes; featured soloist with Spinal Tap and appeared as a soloist in Kanye West’s concert summer series in 2011. Mary-Elizabeth has performed in New York City with Anabella Lenzu/DanceDrama, Amalgamate Dance Company, Yoo & Dancers, Caitlin Dutton, and London artist Eddie Peake in Performa 13. In New York, she presented her own work through Fenn & Company at Triskelion Arts Split Bill Series, Comedy in Dance Festival, Triskelion Presents, and NYC10. Mary-Elizabeth is currently dancing with Neos Dance Theater and is their resident choreographer. She has served as an adjunct faculty member for University of Akron’s Dance Department and teaches for various dance studios throughout Ohio.

Timi Funk

Artist for Hire: Commissions, Private Events; Performing Arts: Actor/Actress, Music, Performance Art, Theatre, Vocal; term

Timi Funk delivers a high quality and customized performance you can enjoy at any event. With offers ranging from an intimate acoustic or piano service to a larger 8-10 piece big band, Timi will provide the perfect entertainment option that will dazzle your clients, patrons, or guests. Timi’s sultry stage presence, humor, and vocal range has the power to rock the house or set a mood. Whether you’re laughing, falling in love, or in tears, you will be funkafized!

Kyle Jozsa

Artist for Hire: Education, Private Events, Programming; Arts Administration; Performing Arts: Actor/Actress, Director, Performance Art, Spoken Word, Storytelling, Theatre, Vocal; term

Drawing on a work ethic derived from his path to Eagle Scout, Kyle Jozsa co-founded the physically oriented theatre company, Wandering Aesthetics. Kyle serves as Wandering Aesthetics’ Co-Artistic Director, Education Director and primary Storyteller. His responsibilities include: shaping the vision of the company, devising and performing new pieces of theatre and designing, implementing and teaching curricula. Kyle participated in an intensive summer training program at Double Edge Theatre in Asheville, MA. He recently made the transition to solo performer with Wandering Aesthetics’ “Mountain Cycle” – a series of 3 one-man performances about his hike of the 2,186-mile Appalachian Trail. Kyle has been teaching children ages 2 – 14 for the past 5 years, they constantly inspire him. One of the most significant aspects of Kyle’s life journey is his personal training, a spiritual approach to the actor’s craft.

Alexandre Marr

Artist for Hire: Commissions, Education, Private Events, Programming; Performing Arts: Director, Music, Radio/Television, Theatre, Vocal; term

Alexandre Marr began his studies in piano from age 10, focusing on classical and contemporary piano solo repertoire under soprano and pianist, Victoria Auth. Following several debut concerts in the Northeast Ohio area, he went on to formally pursue an undergraduate degree in piano performance at Case Western Reserve University and The Cleveland Institute of Music, moving on a year after to study at Kent State University. While under the mentorship of Gerardo Teissonnière and Dr. Donna Lee, Alexandre won both the Case Western and Kent State Concerto Competitions, performing Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor with the Kent State Symphony Orchestra in 2012. Among recent appearances, he was honored to have performed at the 2014 “Rach Fest” held at New York City’s Steinway Hall, as well as Steinway-sponsored masterclasses in the Cleveland area. Alexandre currently serves as music director and pianist for Temple Israel in Canton and Lakemore United Methodist Church in Akron. In 2016, he took on music directorship of The Akron Civic Theatre’s Millennial project, a venture in providing the Akron community with high quality, minimalist interpretations of widely performed stage productions. He has also recently begun a private studio out of his home in Akron taking students on a limited basis. Alexandre has been featured as both sololist and accompanist at weddings, cocktail hours, showers, private parties, orchestral performances, and on television advertisements. He works closely with clients to ensure that the music is customized to both their individual taste and the atmosphere of the occasion. Alexandre enjoys maintaining a booked schedule and is available for consultation on any occasion.

Nathaniel Montgomery

Artist for Hire: Education; Performing Arts: Actor/Actress, Comedy, Director, Theatre; term

I am an improv life coach. I have a background in acting, directing, improv, art and writing. I’ve been an artist since I was five years old. I help people realize their full creative potential. Coaching from the inside out, I use spiritual principles and the principles I learned from acting and improv. I believe that we are the writers, directors, and actors of our own life-plays. I empower people – from stand-up comedians to business owners – to unleash their inner Shakespeare and make their lives a masterpiece.

kix nicole

Artist for Hire: Commissions, Education, Private Events, Programming; Media; Multi Arts; Performing Arts: Music, Performance Art, Radio/Television, Spoken Word, Theatre; Visual Arts: Ceramics, Conservation/Restoration, Constructions/Collage, Crafts, Earthworks, Film, Functional and/or Decorative, Glasswork, Graphic Arts, Illustration, Jewelry, Media and Visual Communications, Mixed Media, Murals, New Media/Technology, Painting, Performance Art, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture, Textiles, Visual Arts Instructor, Works on paper; term

Kirsten Nicole (KIX) Kix, from Akron, Ohio, is a mixed media artist whose love of art has opened doors to diverse and exciting opportunities. She has collaborated with most of Akron’s alternative theatre companies (New World Performance Lab, Wandering Aesthetics, Ma’ Sue Productions, The Center for Applied Drama & Autism)– and many others across Northeast Ohio. Her visual art is often displayed in locally-owned shops and galleries. Though her artistic medium may change, Kix’s style is distinctly her own.

David Obney

Performing Arts: Actor/Actress, Music, Spoken Word, Theatre; term

David Obney is a certified Michael Chekhov Acting Technique instructor, actor, and director. David has been teaching at Tallmadge High School for 21 years, where he currently teaches students enrolled in the Theater Arts Career Academy. He has appeared onstage at Cleveland Public Theater and The University of Akron, as well as on screen and in print ads for regional commercial work. David has directed over twenty different productions, including: plays, variety shows, poetry slam competitions, and independent film projects. David has experience emceeing events for large audiences, as well as DJ-ing weddings.

Santino Palma

Performing Arts: Music, Radio/Television, Theatre, Vocal; term

Santino Palma is an independent singer-songwriter and musician. From an early age, Santino began playing guitar with his instructors singing for him during live shows. Eventually, when he stopped guitar lessons, Santino faced the choice of either finding a new singer for live shows, or just doing it himself. Choosing the latter, Santino began performing frequently on his own and never regretted it. Taking influence from many genres and artists over the years, Santino has developed a unique style of his own. This sound blends together Blues, Country, Jazz, Pop, and Rock. His style is showcased in the songs he writes, mostly alone, but occasionally with the help of his good friends. Santino writes upbeat songs both about having a good time, and about other things that really matter to him. So just sit back, listen, and enjoy!

Joe Pine

Performing Arts: Actor/Actress, Storytelling, Theatre; term

Joe has been an Ohio Shakespeare Festival company member as an actor and carpenter for 8 years. With the addition of the Greystone theatre, OSF is finally able to make many of the “maybe someday” dreams of its company members a reality. For Joe, that dream was to provide educational outreach in the form of Shakespeare productions and workshops for students. He believes strongly that ShakesFEAR sets in when students are first exposed to Shakespeare in English class, sitting and reading Will’s scripts as novels. Imagine your favorite film or TV show and the joy you experience watching it. Now imagine yourself sitting quietly and reading the screenplay. Is there any chance that would be nearly as engaging? Probably not. It’s no different with these plays. Shakespeare’s text was never meant to be read–it was meant to be experienced live. Joe is passionate about bringing live, exciting Shakespeare into schools across Ohio. As education coordinator, Joe is responsible for reaching out to educators and schools, letting them know the kinds of programs we offer, and putting together a package that works best for each school’s needs. Joe also performs in the Student Matinee Series and teaches one of workshops. As associate producer, Joe acts as head carpenter, building sets and props as needed. Apart from the Student Matinee Series workshops, Joe also teaches some of the resident Weekend Workshops, most recently a two-day physical comedy workshop focusing on the classical commedia dell’arte traditions. Joe is beyond thrilled to have such an active role in the exciting new programming OSF is now able to produce.

Benjamin Rexroad

Literary Arts; Multi Arts; Performing Arts: Comedy, Director, Performance Art, Spoken Word, Storytelling, Theatre; term

“I am from this great land of liberty From pirates’ sunken glory days From a guy signing for our independence From red-faced natives And from whatever happened to be cheapest at the liquor store I am from blackberry brandy kissey faces And dill pickle memories” In all seriousness though, and with a little more polish than pizazz, I am a theatre artist with a passion for poetry, travel and community. Through teaching, volunteering, hosting events and creating performances designed to actively engage my community, I am driven to be a source of positive energy in the world. I have trained with John O’Neal of Junebug Productions (Color Line Project), SITI Company (2010 Skidmore Summer Intensive) and was one of 25 international directors selected to participate in the 2014 Directors Lab North in Toronto. Since establishing Heads Up Productions six years ago (which evolved into Wandering Aesthetics), I have produced or directed 65 performances/events. In 2011, I was presented with the Akron Arts Alive Award in the Rising Young Star/Leadership category. The same year, I helped found Akron’s only African-American theatre company and received a grant to tour a role-playing workshop about racism, poverty, class and social status. In 2013, my partner and I completed a thru-hike of the 2,185.9-mile Appalachian Trail. In the last year, I’ve begun collaborating with several businesses across Akron to transform their unused spaces into low-cost arts venues.

Nici Romo

Artist for Hire: Education, Private Events, Programming; Media; Performing Arts: Actor/Actress, Comedy, Director, Performance Art, Radio/Television, Spoken Word, Storytelling, Theatre, Vocal; Visual Arts: Crafts, Film, Graphic Arts, Media and Visual Communications, Performance Art, Performers and Writers, Photography, Sculpture; term

Nici Romo is a Theater Artist, Director, and Theater teacher here in the Akron area. She has been performing for over 30 years in various venues all over Northeast Ohio. Nici has a degree in Theater, Art, and Design from the University of Akron and has had the privilege of working with some of the best theater companies in Akron, including the Knights Arts Challenge winning company, Wandering Aesthetics, and the critically acclaimed Ma’Sue Productions. She is looking forward to launching some of her own projects this year and beyond. Nici is available for performing, directing, and teaching theater to multiple age groups in Akron and the surrounding areas.

Amy Spencer

Artist for Hire: Commissions; Media; Multi Arts; Performing Arts: Actor/Actress, Dance, Music, Performance Art, Theatre, Vocal; Visual Arts: Film, Graphic Arts, Mixed Media, Painting, Performance Art, Photography; term

Co-founder of Amazing Suspense Productions with her partner Kurt Brown, she is a movie producer, editor, and actor, among the other hats she occasionally wears. Amy is a multi-tasking performer and thus a member of two bands. Be sure to check out the cosmic horror rock opera stylings of Church of Starry Wisdom (established April 2016) and the inde-folk alt-rock singer-songwriter allure of Light of the Loon (established November 2011). On rare occasions, her smaller one-woman, one-lizard show Amy vs. Godzilla rears its head to entertain folks with video game and animation soundtrack nostalgia, storytelling covers, and strange vocal affectations.

Shane Stahl

Performing Arts: Actor/Actress, Comedy, Director, Theatre, Vocal; term

Shane M. Stahl is a performing artist local to the Akron area. Primarily a stand up comedian, he also has extensive experience in theatre performance/direction/technical direction.Recent theatre credits include: The Foreigner, Three Men on a Horse, Over the River & Through the Woods, Grace and Glorie, and Social Security (all at Coach House Theater), Wait Until Dark (Broadview Heights Spotlights), and The Man Who Came to Dinner (Cassidy Theater).As a comedian, Shane placed 3rd in 2013's second Best Amateur Comedian competition at Funny Stop Comedy Club in Cuyahoga Falls. As an opener, he has worked with Thomas Dale, Bill Squire, Craig Gass, Owen Thomas, Josh Volchko, Devin Conner, Juanda Mayfield, and Mary Santora.

Cody Stanley

Artist for Hire: Education, Private Events, Programming; Arts Administration; Performing Arts: Actor/Actress, Comedy, Director, Performance Art, Radio/Television, Spoken Word, Storytelling, Theatre, Vocal; Visual Arts; term

Cody Stanley is a jack of all trades and a master of none. Cody is very active in the Northeast Ohio community theater world, most notably as a member of the Dynamics Community Theater board of trustees and Executive Director of the Next Generation Players. Some of his favorite acting credits include Cogsworth in Beauty and the Beast and Radar O’Reilly in M*A*S*H. He is also co-host of the Spoils of Akron Podcast which is all about the art, culture, and eccentric residents of THE Rubber City. Cody acts as the manager of, the local Akron cover band, Copper Pennies, and sometimes likes to dress up in nerdy costumes while he assists in running Rubber City Cosplay. He also is very proud to be an assistant coach of Speech & Debate, and assist with the Drama Department, at Norton High School where he graduated from in 2012. As if he wasn’t busy enough already, Cody also enjoys spending some of his evenings serving at The Winery at Wolf Creek. Cody looks forward to the many adventures still ahead of him in life, and is excited for what the future holds!

Brian Westerley

Artist for Hire: Education, Private Events, Programming; Performing Arts: Actor/Actress, Director, Radio/Television, Theatre; term

Experienced Theater Director with a demonstrated history of working in the performing arts industry. I have also spent an extensive amount of time working in Human Resources in both LA & Ohio. Strong arts and design professional skilled in Microsoft Word, Excel and Strategic Planning. I currently serve as a Regional Adjudicator for the Ohio Community Theatre Association (OCTA). In the past, I have guided collaborative efforts with Portage Path Behavioral Health (while directing “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”) to further community outreach on the subject of mentail illness and will be doing the same with the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) for “bare.” I have previously directed productions of “Tuck Everlasting” at Carnation City Players, “The Country House” at Chagrin Valley Little Theatre, “The Spitfire Grill” at Stow Players, “A Few Good Men” at Hudson Players, “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” at Brecksville Theatre on the Square, “Pilots of the Purple Twilight” at Broadview Heights Spotlights, “Lend Me a Tenor” at Brecksville Little Theatre, and “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” “Night of January 16th,” “Love Letters,” “The Senator Wore Pantyhose” and “Scotland Road” at Western Reserve Playhouse. I took “Other Desert Cities” and “Confessions from the Ladies Room” (Wolf Creek Players) and “Thumbs” (Hudson Players) to the Regional and State OCTA competitions, winning 12 awards total over the last three years. I think at this point, I can safely say that I’m well on my way to the Tonys!