Bankhead Presents Program | March 2026
Sponsored in part by Jean King
Adventurer Peter Hillary: 70 Years of Everest
THU MAR 5 @ 7:30 PM
Peter Hillary was brought up in a household where adventure was always on the menu. His father, Sir Edmund Hillary, made the first ascent of Mt. Everest in 1953 with his climbing partner Tenzing Norgay. That expedition would launch his family on extraordinary journeys through the Himalayas and around the world, and inspire a life of philanthropy. The Hillary family never travels without doing good.
A true lifetime adventurer, Peter Hillary has been on 50 mountaineering expeditions around the world, including five on Mount Everest and the other six peaks of the world’s tallest peaks, the “Seven Summits.” He became the first second-generation summiteer to reach the top of the world’s highest mountain. He made his second ascent of Everest alongside “Mr. Everest” Pete Athans and Jamling Norgay, the son of Tenzing, in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of their fathers’ world-record-setting climb. Peter went on to create his own firsts, trekking to the South Pole on skis, forging a new route across the sensory deprived ice plateau of Antarctica.
Peter chairs the Himalayan Trust, a nonprofit organization his father founded to provide health, environment and education services for the people in the Himalayas. The Trust built 42 schools and hospitals at the foot of Mount Everest—all programs at the request of the local people with their cooperation—and now runs educational programs at 80 schools. About his life of adventure and hands-on philanthropy, Peter has written seven books, made numerous documentaries, including two for National Geographic, and leads adventure travel expeditions worldwide.
Kings Return
FRI MAR 6 @ 8 PM
Dynamic and soothing four-piece vocal group Kings Return take pride in crafting a diverse yet supremely cohesive a cappella sound: The blend of their unique vocal timbres is so rich and so smooth that, at times, it sounds more like a full choir than a mere four men. Discovered after posting a series of bare-bones stairwell performances that went viral, their music is a balm to the soul, laced with expansive harmonies that flex the agility and effortless range of their vocal talent.
Their sound has earned comparisons to iconic acts like Take 6 and Boyz II Men. But what sets Kings Return apart is their seamless integration of a wide range of genres and styles. Drawn to the flexibility of a cappella music, they take full advantage of the genre-mixing aspects of the tradition. Their brand of R&B is entwined with free moments of jazz, soulful bursts of gospel, and bright touches of pop—all built on a solid, classical foundation. Theirs is the kind of talent that makes virtuosic performance look (and sound) like sublime, effortless playtime, defying the constraints of any single genre to explore a myriad of sonic shades and textures.
Kings Return was first conceived in 2016, when Kunda asked some friends to perform with him for a college recital. The a cappella performance captivated the crowd and soon led to local gigs, where the group cut their teeth before finalizing the lineup in 2020. Composed of tenor Vaughn Faison, bass Gabe Kunda, tenor JE McKissic, and baritone Jamall Williams, the Dallas-based quartet has since captured the hearts of millions of fans in-person and online. They earned their first taste of fame that summer, when they arranged, performed, and posted a video of their soul-stirring, a cappella rendition of “God Bless America,” which went viral. The next year, they posted a more classical a cappella performance of “Ubi Caritas,” which also went viral, amassing over 10 million views. A pivotal moment for the budding act, Kings Return began to shift away from a strictly gospel focus to explore a more diverse musical repertoire. They dropped their debut EP in December 2021, a warm, jazz-leaning holiday album titled Merry Little Christmas, followed by the June 2022 release of their stunning Bee Gees cover “How Deep is Your Love” off debut LP ROVE, which earned a GRAMMY nomination for “best arrangement instrumental or a cappella.” Epic, expansive, and polished, ROVE was released in September 2022, showcasing a nuanced attention to detail and a remarkable fusion of four distinctive, classically-trained voices into one elegant and intricate whole.
The group’s name perfectly embodies their intentions as artists: “Kings” because they possess a charismatic power, moving forward with confidence to conquer whatever challenges arise. The “Return” signifies another important part of their mission: to give back to the communities that have supported them along the way.
“We don’t use any instruments, and it can feel very vulnerable to perform on stage alone, especially as Black men — with all stigma that entails” says Kunda. “When we come together to do this vulnerable thing called a cappella, it strengthens our bonds. It makes us tighter as a unit and as human beings. We want to be examples for other men like us.” Now poised to release their first full-length holiday LP, aptly titled We 4 Kings, in November 2023, Kings Return continues to defy expectations, charming audiences with their signature smoothness and sophisticated, down-to-earth charisma.
ABT Studio Company
FRI MAR 20 @ 8 PM
Max Barker began dancing at age five at the ABT Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School and has performed for many seasons with American Ballet Theatre at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City. He trained at the ABT JKO School for nine years and participated in the Prix de Lausanne in 2020, placing as a Finalist. Continuing his training, Barker privately worked at the Fabrice Herrault Studio for two years, after which he joined The Royal Ballet School in London. In 2023, he performed on The Royal Opera House stage with The Royal Ballet School and in Yondering for John Neumierer’s 50th Anniversary with the Hamburg Ballet. Barker joined ABT Studio Company in September 2023 under the artistic direction of Sascha Radetsky. In ABT Studio Company, he has created a role in Within the Sunset by Amy Hall Garner and performed in new ballets by Jamar Roberts, Houston Thomas, Lauren Lovette, and James Whiteside. Barker’s ABT Studio Company repertoire also includes the principal role “Country Gardens” from Twyla Tharp’s Brief Fling, the Diana and Acteon pas de deux, the Neapolitan Dance from Swan Lake, and a Don Quixote suite. He has performed in Alexei Ratmansky’s The Nutcracker with the main Company of American Ballet Theatre.
Maximilian Catazaro was born in Canton, Ohio and began his dance training at The School of Canton Ballet under the tutelage of Cassandra Crowley and his mother, Jennifer Catazaro Hayward. In 2022, he began training at Miami City Ballet School in Miami, Florida on full scholarship. While at Miami City Ballet, Catazaro danced featured roles in George Balanchine’s Four Temperaments and had the opportunity to perform with Miami City Ballet in John Cranko’s Romeo and Juliet. In May of 2022, he was named the Eleanor Pao Scholar at Miami City Ballet School. In the summer of 2023, Catazaro was accepted into the American Ballet Theatre Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School on a full scholarship. While at the ABT JKO School, he performed the grand pas de deux from Don Quixote in the spring school performance. He joined ABT Studio Company in September 2024 under the artistic direction of Sascha Radetsky.
YeonSeo Choi was born in Seoul, Korea. She started dancing ballet at age six and began her serious ballet training at age 10 at Mechowlah Art Center, under the coaching of JoonHa Kang. She went on to win several gold medal awards and scholarships in Korea’s top competitions. Choi was a Finalist at the Prix de Lausanne in 2022 and was offered a full scholarship to the ABT Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School. After participating in the ABT New York Summer Intensive in Summer 2022, she was invited to join ABT Studio Company in September 2022 under the artistic direction of Sascha Radetsky. In ABT Studio Company, she has created roles in ballets by Gemma Bond, Houston Thomas, and James Whiteside and performed in new ballets by Hope Boykin, Amy Hall Garner, and Lauren Lovette. Choi’s repertoire with ABT Studio Company also includes pas de deux from Paquita, Raymonda, Alexei Ratmansky’s The Seasons, and Diana and Acteon, and the Rose Adagio from The Sleeping Beauty. She has performed in Alexei Ratmansky’s The Nutcracker with the main Company of American Ballet Theatre.
Elijah Geolina discovered his passion for dance at the age of eight when he stumbled into a Latin Ballroom class when a little girl needed a dance partner. Geolina danced for Champion Ballroom Academy in San Diego, California with coach Olga Ginzburg for six years and holds Latin Ballroom Championship titles in Southern California and in Las Vegas, Nevada. Geolina has been featured on the shows So You Think You Can Dance Kids on Fox and Little Big Shots on NBC. At the age of 14, Geolina switched his focus to ballet. After three years of training with Raul and Cindy Salamanca at Golden State Ballet Academy, he earned a scholarship to the ABT Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School, where he trained for a year under Stella Abrera’s direction. Geolina joined ABT Studio Company in September 2023 under the artistic direction of Sascha Radetsky. In ABT Studio Company, he has created roles in ballets by Amy Hall Garner and James Whiteside and performed in new ballets by Jamar Roberts, Houston Thomas, Hope Boykin, Brady Farrar, and Lauren Lovette. Geolina’s repertoire with ABT Studio Company also includes the Neapolitan dance from Swan Lake and Alexei Ratmansky’s The Seasons pas de deux. He has performed in Alexei Ratmansky’s The Nutcracker with the main Company of American Ballet Theatre.
Daniel Guzmán began his training in Isle de Margarita, Venezuela under the direction of Martha Gomez, Artistic Director of Ballet de la Mar. He won numerous competitions in Venezuela and after graduation from Ballet de la Mar, Guzmán moved to the United States to continue his training. He was the gold medalist at the Youth America Grand Prix 2023 Finals for his performance of Flames of Paris, winning many scholarships nationally. He is also the 2023 Grand Prix Winner at the Universal Ballet Competition. Guzmán joined ABT Studio Company in January 2024 under the artistic direction of Sascha Radetsky. In ABT Studio Company, Guzmán has created a role in Young & Beautiful by James Whiteside and his other repertoire includes Within the Sunset by Amy Hall Garner, the Neapolitan Dance from Swan Lake, and pas de deux from Diana and Acteon and Don Quixote.
Paloma Livellara was born in Mendoza, Argentina. She discovered her interest in dance in Buenos Aires at the age of three after unintentionally passing by a ballet class, sparking a passion that has never faded. She initially trained in a variety of styles, deciding to focus on ballet at the age of eight when she auditioned for the Teatro Colon Ballet School. Throughout her ballet training, she had the pleasure of working with teacher Barbara Yacovone, who helped her grow until she left Argentina to study abroad. Livellara has been a Youth America Grand Prix Finalist three times, most recently in 2019, when she accepted a full scholarship from Luca Masala, director of the Académie de Danse Princesse Grace in Monaco. She left Argentina at age 14 to continue her studies across the ocean. Livellara spent five valuable years studying in Monaco, where she had the opportunity to work with many renowned teachers, artists, choreographers, and company directors. In February of 2024, she competed at the Prix de Lausanne, placing as a Finalist, Prize Winner, and winner of two additional prizes. Livellara joined ABT Studio Company in September 2024 under the artistic direction of Sascha Radetsky.
Kayla Mak grew up in Rye Brook, New York and is of Japanese, Chinese, and Cuban descent. Her inspiration for dance sparked at the age of four after seeing ABT’s production of The Nutcracker. She trained at Westchester Dance Academy and Ballet Academy East and is currently studying at The Juilliard School in New York City, earning her BFA in dance under the direction of Alicia Graf Mack and associate director Mario Alberto Zambrano. She soon became involved in competitive dance, gaining additional exposure to stage performance. She was fortunate to participate in various television shows such as NBC’s World of Dance and to play the role of Clara in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Mak also developed a love for concert dance, working and performing with Juliano Nunes in projects for summer festivals in Switzerland and Mexico for two years. She joined ABT Studio Company in September 2024 under the artistic direction of Sascha Radetsky.
Aaron Marquez was born in Mexico and began his dance training in Córdoba, Veracruz. After years of training, he won and participated in numerous national and international ballet festivals and performed in Billy Elliot: the Musical. After graduating from the Fernando Alonso National School of Ballet and participating in the Youth Grand Prix Mexico semifinals in 2021, he won a scholarship to the ABT Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School. Marquez traveled to New York City to continue his training at the ABT JKO School under the direction of Cynthia Harvey and later Stella Abrera. He joined ABT Studio Company in September 2024 under the artistic direction of Sascha Radetsky.
Nicholas Mihlar trained at Goh Ballet in Canada, where he was fortunate to perform lead roles in Peter and the Wolf, The Nutcracker, Cinderella and Coppélia. He transferred his experience to the Tanzolymp International Dance Festival in 2020, bringing back gold for Canada. Mihlar’s triumph at Tanzolymp was a gateway to international training and choreographic exploration, leading him to choreograph Rotting Strawberry, a solo that led to his selection as a Finalist for the Prix de Lausanne Young Creation Award and was performed at the Dance Basel Gala in 2023. Mihlar is a graduate of Tanz Akademie Zürich and toured with London City Ballet following his 2024 graduation. With London City Ballet, he performed works including Eve by Christopher Marney, Larina Waltz by Ashley Page, and Five Dances by Arielle Smith. Mihlar joined ABT Studio Company in September 2024 under the artistic direction of Sascha Radetsky.
Sooha Park began her ballet journey at the age of eight, and by ten decided to fully dedicate herself to the craft under the guidance of coach Joomi Hyun. She graduated from Sunhwa Art Middle School and completed her studies at Sunhwa Art High School. During this time, she was a member of the Junior Company of Universal Ballet, one of Korea’s leading ballet companies. Park was a Finalist at the Prix de Lausanne in 2023 and was offered a full-year scholarship to the ABT Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School under the direction of Stella Abrera. While studying at the ABT JKO School, Sooha had the opportunity to perform in Alexei Ratmanksy’s The Nutcracker with the main Company of American Ballet Theatre. She also performed as a trainee with ABT Studio Company, participating in the company’s spring 2024 tour. Her repertoire included the Don Quixote grand pas de deux, Rose Adagio from The Sleeping Beauty, and Young & Beautiful by James Whiteside. Park joined ABT Studio Company in September 2024 under the artistic direction of Sascha Radetsky.
Natalie Steele, born in San Diego, California, discovered her love for dance at the age of two. By six, she found her true passion for ballet, training with Dmitri and Jennifer Kulev at the Dmitri Kulev Classical Ballet Academy in Orange County, California. Under their guidance, she excelled at the Youth America Grand Prix competition, winning both the Youth Grand Prix and the Grand Prix awards. At YAGP finals, Steele won the gold medal in her junior year and the silver medal in her first senior year. With YAGP, she showcased her talent in galas worldwide, including in New York City, Mexico, and Italy. In 2020, Steele won Music Center Spotlight’s grand prize in ballet. She joined the ABT Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School in 2023, training under Stella Abrera’s direction. That same year, she performed in Alexei Ratmansky’s The Nutcracker with the main Company of the American Ballet Theatre. Most recently, in 2024, Steele competed at the Prix de Lausanne, where she was a Finalist and honored with a prize from the Maurice Béjart Foundation. She joined ABT Studio Company in September 2024 under the artistic direction of Sascha Radetsky.
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Winners of the San Francisco Comedy Competition
SAT MAR 21 @ 8 PM
Gary Michael Anderson, acclaimed for his charming and introspective humor, has captivated audiences far and wide. Crowned winner of the 2023 San Francisco International Comedy Competition, Gary’s comedic path began on college night at a local comedy club. Drawn by the lure of student discounts, the club became a tradition for him and his teammates. While the headliners dazzled, it was the openers who caught his attention. Their raw, unpolished performances made Gary think, ‘I can do this, and maybe even better.’ What he initially mistook for professional acts were, in fact, open micers. This discovery didn’t discourage Gary; it motivated him. The first time he took to the stage, he experienced an adrenaline rush reminiscent of his football days.
After honing his skills in San Francisco’s renowned comedy scene, Gary now resides in Los Angeles, fueled by a passionate goal: to have someone else write his bio in third person, rather than writing it himself, in third person.
Wyatt Cote is a former chemistry student turned one of the country’s top young touring headliners. His ultra clever rapid fire style has landed him on the podium of nearly every major comedy competition in America. He’s been a winner of the World Series of Comedy, runner up in the San Francisco Comedy Competition, and a finalist in the Seattle International Comedy Competition. His stand up has appeared on Laughs on Fox and ABC News.
Natalie Diaz is a stand-up comedian originally from rural Northern California. She’s quickly made her mark on stages like Cobb’s Comedy Club, Punch Line San Francisco, and Punch Line Sacramento. She’s been a featured performer at SF Sketchfest and the San Francisco Comedy Competition, and she uses comedy as a pressure cooker for authenticity. Offstage, she firmly believes rocks have powers and refuses to elaborate.
Rodger Lizaola has been pretty awesome at telling jokes to complete strangers since 2003. Has played at some of the most prestigious venues and with some of the biggest comics in the country. Also some dudes basement.
He has worked with some of the best comics in the business such as Louis C.K, Mike Epps, Jimmy Dore, Theo Von , Donnell Rawlings, Andrew Schultz, Nikki Glazer, Russell Peters and Paul Rodriguez. Also has performed with such musical acts as Good Charlotte, Black Eyed Peas, Rhianna, Pussycat Dolls, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Baby Bash, & the Backstreet Boys.
Recent champion of the Renton Comedy Competition. Where he won 100$. A “I love Renton” T-shirt and the admiration of 47 strangers. Since then he has gone on to be a 2X finalist in the San Francisco International Comedy Competition. 3X finalist in the Seattle International Comedy Competition. Has performed for the Seattle Mariners at Spring Training As well as an Invitee Great American Comedy Festival. Semi-Finalist in the NBC/Universal Nation Wide Talent Search. 2023 Winner of The Big Sky Comedy Festival.As well as performing at the Moon Tower Comedy Festival. Made his television debut by performing on the show Laughs on Fox & has appeared on ADD-TV on MTV2.
LVA Sponsor
LVA Sponsor
LVA Sponsor
Natalie MacMaster & Donnell Leahy and The Celtic All-Stars
SUN MAR 22 @ 3 PM
Canada’s Celtic superstars Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy invite some of the world’s finest Celtic musicians for an unforgettable evening of music and celebration! This extraordinary musical journey will showcase true all-stars of the Celtic world—from Ireland, Scotland, Canada, and beyond. Together, Natalie and Donnell will explore the deep connections between Celtic traditions across nations, tracing the music’s ancient roots to its vibrant modern evolution.
Joining them on stage is a lineup of exceptional special guests including vocalist Karen Matheson OBE of Capercaillie, four-time All-Ireland Champion banjo player Enda Scahill, critically acclaimed Scottish piper Ross Ainslie, and Natalie and Donnell’s multi-talented daughter Mary Frances. Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind night filled with fiery fiddling, electrifying energy, and the heart and soul of Celtic music!
Celtic Superstars and power-couple Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy are back on the world stage for the first time since their marriage in 2000.
The early 2000’s saw both Natalie and Donnell busy raising their 7 children (all world class musical talents in their own right), running a fully operational farm, and building a thriving Farmers Market in Lakefield Ontario – all while still playing over 75 shows a year in North America. With most of the children now in their early to late teens, it’s time to spread their wings again and bring their electrifying live performances to audiences everywhere.
Natalie MacMaster’s virtuosic skill and effortless charm saw her inducted into the Order of Canada in 2006, win 2 JUNO Awards, 19 East Coast Music Awards, and release 3 Gold Albums. Combine that with the energy and incredible stage presence of Donnell Leahy, whose leadership earned his acclaimed Celtic family-band “Leahy” Double-Platinum status, 3 JUNO Awards, and an Academy Award as the subject of the 1985 documentary “The Leahys: Music Most of All” and you have the most exhilarating duo in Celtic Music!
This powerhouse couple have sold out over 1000 shows in North America! Their combined careers have seen them record with a star-studded list of collaborators including Yo-Yo Ma, Micheal McDonald, Allison Krauss, Thomas Dolby, The Rankin Family, Rhiannon Giddens, Johnny Reid, Nickelback, and more. World class performers in their own right, each has found time to tour and perform with some of the biggest names in music including The Chieftains, Faith Hill, Carlos Santana, Don Henley, Béla Fleck and more. Showing no signs of slowing down, Natalie and Donnell keep up a tireless touring schedule and continue to build on their reputations as must-see live performers.
Sponsored in part by
Matthew Morrison Presents Show Up
THU MAR 26 @ 7:30 PM
Matthew Morrison is a versatile actor who is recognized for his work on-stage and on-screen. He has been nominated for Tony, Emmy and Golden Globe Awards.
Morrison made his debut on Broadway in Footloose but his big break came when he was cast as heartthrob Link Larkin in the hit Hairspray. Morrison was later nominated for a Tony Award for his role in The Light in the Piazza, and received a Drama Desk Nomination for Outstanding Actor in a Musical for 10 Million Miles. He also starred in the Tony-winning revival of South Pacific at Lincoln Center Theater in New York. He also starred as “J.M Barrie” in the musical Finding Neverland. Morrison received two Drama Desk nominations for his role, and won the category of Favorite Actor in a Musical in the Broadway.com Audience Awards.
In addition to his Broadway tenure Morrison is probably best known for starring in Fox’s musical comedy series Glee, where he played the director of the glee club, “Mr. Schuester.” The show was created by Ryan Murphy and received the Golden Globe award “Best Television Series – Comedy or Musical” in 2010 and 2011. Morrison was also nominated for Best Actor those years.
Morrison has many other iconic roles on TV/Film, but most notably on the hit CBS show The Good Wife, where he played the role of U.S. Attorney, Conor Fox, through the series finale, and as Paul Stadler throughout Season 13 and 14 of ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy.
Morrison has released four studio albums. His debut, self-titled album through Mercury Records in 2011, which featured an A-list lineup of guest artists including Sting, Gwyneth Paltrow and Sir Elton John. And most recently, Where It All Began, which is a Broadway standards record that was produced by the legendary Phil Ramone.
Sponsored in part by
Created, Written, and Performed by Sylvia Milo
Directed by Isaac Byrne
Music Composed by Nathan Davis and Phyllis Chen
Additional Music by Marianna Martines, Leopold Mozart, and W. A. Mozart
Sound Design: Nathan Davis
Period Style Movement Directed by: Janice Orlandi
Costume: Magdalena Dąbrowska and Miodrag Guberinic
Lighting Design: Joshua Rose
Hair Design: Courtney Bednarowski
Stage Manager, hair and makeup: Kodi Lynn Milburn
The Other Mozart is the true, forgotten story of Maria Anna (Nannerl) Mozart, the sister of Amadeus – a prodigy, virtuoso and composer, who performed throughout Europe with her brother, to equal acclaim, but whose work and story faded away, lost to history. The play is based on facts, stories and lines pulled directly from the Mozart family’s humorous and heartbreaking letters.
The Other Mozart had a critically acclaimed Off-Broadway run at HERE Arts in NYC and in London at St. James Theatre. The play has been presented in Austria by the Mozarteum Foundation at the Mozart Wohnhaus in Salzburg (inside the Mozarts’ apartment), in Vienna at the Mozarthaus Vienna (inside Amadeus’ Domgasse apartment), at the Pasinger Fabrik in Munich, in Hong Kong, Estonia, and Toronto, and continues touring theaters and universities across the US.
Bankhead and Little Matchstick Factory present:
Bankhead and Little Matchstick Factory present:
The Other Mozart
SUN MAR 29 @ 7 PM
BIOGRAPHIES
Creator, Writer, Performer (original Performer) Sylvia Milo www.sylviamilo.com
An award-winning theatre artist, actress, playwright and director, originally from Poland, based in New York City. Milo wrote, starred in, and self-produced (crowd-funded) her solo play, The Other Mozart, for which she received the New York Innovative Theater Award for Outstanding Solo Performance and nomination for Outstanding Full Length Script, and Off Broadway Alliance nomination for Best Solo Performance during its Off-Broadway run. Milo was commissioned by The Guardian to write an article about The Other Mozart and its cultural impact, which, in turn, inspired the creation of a documentary film on Nannerl Mozart. Sylvia and the play are featured in the Mediastockade PBS’ 2024 documentary, “Mozart’s Sister”, currently opening in movie theaters worldwide.
Sylvia also created the character of Bob Dylan in the OBIE Award-winning The West Village Fragments by Peculiar Works, and as a member of the Bats at the Flea Theater she co-wrote and starred in Seating Arrangements, directed by Eric Pold of Gob Squad. She adapted and directed an all-female version of Hamlet and starred as Ophelia at the Mark Morris Center. In NYC she has performed at La Mama, Ontological-Hysteric, Theatre For the New City, Dixon Place, Cherry Lane, The Ohio Theatre and at MoMA.
Sylvia is also a violinist (acoustic and electric violins – Irving Plaza, Knitting Factory, CBGB’s, Joe’s Pub) and has composed scores for dance and theater (Merce Cunningham Studio, La Mama). She is a graduate of New York University, with extensive training at the Stella Adler and Lee Strasberg Theatre Institutes, and at The Grotowski Institutes in Poland and Pontedera in Italy.
Her new play on Mary Magdalene, 7 MAGDALENES, was developed at her fellowships at the Bogliasco Foundation in Italy and at the Baryshnikov Arts Center in New York, premiering Off-Broadway at HERE Arts in 2024.
Director Isaac Byrne www.isaacbyrne.com
Isaac is a playwright, director, and acting teacher. He has been awarded the New York Innovative Theatre Award for Outstanding Direction twice and productions he has directed have been nominated for a Drama Desk Award, an Off Broadway Alliance award, 24 NYIT awards, and 6 Planet Connection Awards. Credits include: The Other Mozart (NYIT Outstanding Solo Performance, Nominated for Director), In Vestments (NYIT Outstanding Premier of a New Play), To Nineveh (NYIT Outstanding Production), Tar Baby (DR2, PS122), 52 Man Pick Up (Ars Nova, Edinburgh Fringe), The New Normal, I Used to Write on Walls, Grimm Reality (Co-Production with Bryant Park), and Hazard a Little Death (Planet Connection Best Original Script).
Composer (and Sound Designer) Nathan Davis www.nathandavis.com
Nathan Davis “writes music that deals deftly and poetically with timbre and sonority” (NY Times). His opera/ballet “Hagoromo” was produced by American Opera Projects and premiered at the 2015 BAM Next Wave Festival with the International Contemporary Ensemble, the Brooklyn Youth Chorus, choreographer David Neumann, and dancers Wendy Whelan, and Jock Soto. Lincoln Center presented the premiere of “Bells”, a site-specific work for ensemble, multi-channel audio, and live broadcast to audience members’ mobile phones. Nathan received other commissions from GMEM and Ensemble CBarré (Marseille), FringeArts and the Pew Center for Arts & Heritage, Donaueschinger Musiktage (Germany), Yarn/Wire, Claire Chase, Ekmeles, Miller Theatre, Ojai Music Festival, the Calder Quartet, and Third Coast Percussion – with premieres at Tanglewood, Park Avenue Armory, Guggenheim Museum, and Carnegie Hall. His music has been released on Starkland, Tundra, New Focus, and Bridge. Nathan is the co-creator (with Sylvia Milo) and the live musician of the music-theatre piece “I am the utterance of my name: Divining Mary Magdalene”.
The 2018 Aaron Copland Fellow at the Bogliasco Foundation, Davis received awards and fellowships from the Camargo Foundation, New Music USA, NYSCA, Meet The Composer, Fromm Foundation, Jerome Foundation, American Music Center, MATA, and ASCAP. He and Phyllis Chen won an NY Innovative Theater Award for their score to Sylvia Milo’s play “The Other Mozart”, for which Davis also received a Drama Desk nomination for Outstanding Sound Design. Also an active percussionist and member of the International Contemporary Ensemble, he appeared as a concerto soloist with the Seattle Symphony, Tokyo Symphony, and Nagoya Philharmonic. A graduate of Rice, Yale, and a Fulbright Fellow at the Rotterdam Conservatory, Nathan currently teaches composition at The New School College of Performing Arts.
Composer Phyllis Chen www.phyllischen.net
Described by The New York Times as “spellbinding” and “delightfully quirky matched with interpretive sensitivity,” Phyllis is a composer, pianist and sound artist whose music draws from her tactile exploration of object and sound. She has performed her music at Lincoln Center, Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago, Abrons Arts Center, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston, Los Angeles County Museum, Baryshnikov Arts Center and numerous other places.
Phyllis has received commissions by ensembles and organizations such as the International Contemporary Ensemble (ICEensemble), A Far Cry, Baryshnikov Arts Center, Claire Chase Density Project, Opera Cabal Opera SHOP, Singapore International Festival of the Arts, the Roulette-Jerome, Look & Listen Festival, Jacob Greenberg, and others. She has received grants from New Music USA, Foundation for the Contemporary Arts, NYSCA (via Concert Artists Guild and Look & Listen Festival), Fromm Foundation and the Pew Heritage Trust via Christ Church of Philadelphia. “Through The Thicket of Stars,” a multi-layered toy piano piece based on an original scroll painting by children’s author/illustrator Grace Lin, premiered at Kaufman Center Piano Dialogues in April 2022.
The featured solo musician in Stephin Merritt’s Off-Broadway musical Coraline, Phyllis is one of the founding members of the International Contemporary Ensemble and the founder of the UnCaged Toy Piano, a composition competition to further expand the repertoire for toy piano. A strong interest in interdisciplinary work led her to collaborations with video artist and electronic musician Rob Dietz with whom she created multimedia works such as The Memoirist, Pearlessence, Chroma, and Carousel. She attended Oberlin Conservatory as a recipient of the Dean’s Talent Award Scholarship, Masters Degree from Northwestern University and DMA from Indiana University. Her piece Chimers, based on Papageno’s magic bells from Mozart’s Magic Flute, was premiered at the Lincoln Center’s Mostly Mozart Festival in 2011, and a program of her music was featured at the festival in 2013. 2019 Cage-Cunningham Fellow, 2022 Guggenheim Fellow. “On The Nature of Thingness” (Starkland) a collaborative album featuring the chamber works of Phyllis and (The Other Mozart’s) Nathan Davis, was awarded the Independent Music Award for Best Contemporary Classical Music Album.
Period Style Movement Director Janice Orlandi www.actorsmovementstudio.com
A movement specialist in period styles, historic dance, psychophysical techniques, character transformation and physical dramaturgy. Trained and co-taught with Loyd Williamson and Richard Schechner. Recent directing credits include: Bette Davis Ain’t for Sissies (Five Stars at Edinburgh Fringe Festival, St. James Studio London; Theater Row, Laurie Beechman, 59E59), Garbo Dreams (Red Room NYC). Movement Director: The Contrast (Mirror Repertory Company St Clements), An Ideal Husband and Tartuffe (Sonnet Repertory NYC). A certified teacher of Michael Chekhov and Williamson Technique. Period style specialist of Elizabethan and Restoration, Baroque, Regency, Victorian, Edwardian, 1920’s-1970’s. Artistic director at Actors Movement Studio NYC, faculty at TISCH School of the Arts, Atlantic Theater Company, University of the Arts Philadelphia, Rutgers University, New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts. Her work as an educator, director, actress and movement coach has been seen at Williamstown Theater Festival, State Theater School Denmark, Lindenberg Center for Culture Netherlands, Princeton Repertory Shakespeare Festival, Classic Stage Company, Circle Rep Lab. Founding Member of Shakespeare in the Parking Lot. Featured in BACKSTAGE and the AMERICAN THEATER MAGAZINE on current “Trends in Movement Training” in theater.
Costume Designer Magdalena Dąbrowska (the dress) www.innimoda.pl
A versatile Polish designer whose projects include fashion, theatrical costumes and set designs, Magdalena is a graduate of Łazarski University in Warsaw and of the Cracow School of Art and Fashion Design. Her designs have been finalists at such prestigious competitions as Oskary Mody, OFF Fashion, and Złota Nitka. She participated in joint shows organized during the International Millinery Competition in France. She designed costumes for the plays, Idiota, Burza, Taksówka, Zaćmienie, Starucha, Rewizor, W starych dekoracjach, Wariat i Zakonnica, Spacerowicz, Arabela, Młodzik, Życie towarzyskie i uczuciowe (dir. I. Gorzkowski), Platonow, Antyhona, Sońka, Król Lear (dir. A. Korytkowska), Bulwar Zachodzącego Słońca (dir. M. Znaniecki) She also designed sets and costumes for Obchód Teatru, Czyli Kim Jest Wojciech B.? at the National Theatre of Poland and for the opera: „O Genowefie” (dir. I. Gorzkowski), Hamlet (dir. I. Garcia), Carmina Burana (Israel), Szekely Fono (Budapest), Księżniczka Czardasza, Maria de Buenos Aires, Czarodziejski Flet (dir. M. Znaniecki). She also runs INNI – a fashion and costume design studio.
Costume Designer Miodrag Guberinic (the pannier/corset sculpture) miodragguberinic.com
He grew up in Serbia and graduated from the FPU in Belgrade with a BFA in costume design, then from Northwestern University in Chicago with an MFA in costume design. His designs have been worn by Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Scarlett Johansson, B Akerlund and Bianca Del Rio among others. His costume artisan work has been featured on numerous Broadway productions including ones currently on Broadway: Frozen, Head Over Heels, Mean Girls, Pretty Woman; TV shows: Mrs. Maisel, The Tick and last season of Gotham. He created accessories for fashion campaigns for Estee Lauder & Shiseido and small-scale costumes, crafts, and puppetry work for the iconic retailers’ windows of Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdales, Tiffany & Co., Macy’s, Lord & Taylor and Prada. Mio was also responsible for the creation of the iconic headpieces & armor for Madonna’s World Rebel Heart Tour and has collaborated with luminary designers including Anne Roth, Gregg Barnes, Arianne Phillips, and Michael Wilkinson.Today, Mio resides in Brooklyn where he owns the design company Mio Design NYC focusing on the highly innovative design and artisan projects, using the newest cutting-edge materials and technology on a wide range of Costume and Wearable Art projects. Most recently he started sharing his experiences as a lecturer and guest designer with students of Carnegie Mellon University, Long Island University, Parsons School of Design and Princeton University.
Lighting Designer Joshua Rose www.joshuarosedesigns.com
A graduate of the stage design program at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, Joshua resides in New York City and designs lighting for a variety of projects all over the world; from intimate solo shows to full operas, from architectural installations to modern dance. Some designs of note include The Edge of Some World, choreographed by Jonathan Fredrickson and premiered in Beijing; The Blue Frog jazz club in Mumbai; A Celebration of Music and Dance with The Limon Dance Company and Simon Bolivar National Youth Choir of Venezuala at Lincoln Center. Recent Designs include Tar Baby by Desiree Burch, La Boheme for The Bronx Opera and and Madame Butterfly for the Martina Arroyo Foundation.
Hair designer Courtney Bednarowski
An emerging hairstylist residing in Brooklyn. Originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, she graduated from the Aveda Institute, completed an assistant program at Mizu Salon in NYC, and decided to expand her skillset into barbering at Freeman’s Barbershop. Courtney has styled for countless fashion events, film and theater, print and online publications (including VOGUE), and is now working for DIOR as the lead wig stylist. (In The Other Mozart Courtney sculpted Sylvia’s hair – it is all her real hair!)
Hairstylist and Stage Manager Kodi Lynn Milburn kodilynnmilburn.com
Kodi Lynn Milburn, dubbed as the “Swiss Army Knife of Theater,” embodies a fusion of creativity and activism. As a mixed indigenous neurodivergent queer, Kodi’s artistry resonates with a commitment to justice, harmony with nature, amplifying lost voices, and reflecting contemporary issues, echoing the ethos of the Jester’s Privilege. Kodi’s work has been described as “inspired” (Alix Cohen, Women Around Town), “amazing” (Travelanche), “lush compositions and evocative soundscapes…a fantastic collaborator: creative, proactive, generous, organized, versatile, and indispensable” (Nathan Davis, Drama Desk Nominated Sound Designer)
Cross-discipline credits include: Treaty (The Foundry), Funny Guy (59e59, London, Edinburgh Fringe), Talking With Angels (TheaterLab), Faust (Baruch Performing Arts), Salome (Irondale Theater), AMP (HERE), Tussaud/Antoinette (IRT), Big Wave (TaDa!), My Onliness (The New Ohio), Chess (American Theater for Actors), Uta Hagen Centennial Salon (Lincoln Center), Heart Strings (Atlantic Theater Co), 7 Magdalenes (Baryshnikov Arts Center, TheaterLab, HERE), Sparkle Spa (BMI), Ewalt & Walker (54 Below), Mary & Max (Bobby Cronin & Crystal Skillman), Voyage en Chanson (National Sawdust), L’autre Mozart (Fringe North, Halifax Fringe), Rhinoceros (Atlantic Acting School) and more. Kodi is a New York Foundation for the Arts Music Fellow.
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UNCLE Credit Union Art Gallery at the Bankhead Theater
MODERN CURRENTS: Contemporary Asian Voices
Art at the confluence of memory, tradition, and transformation.
Thru March 8, 2026
New Hours Thursdays — Saturdays, 12 pm — 5 pm*
FREE & OPEN to the Public
*PLEASE NOTE: The Art Gallery is CLOSED Sundays through Wednesdays, as well as on Saturdays when matinee performances take place at The Bankhead.
This exhibition brings together contemporary artists with Asian backgrounds whose works explore the layered intersections of heritage and modernity. Through painting, sculpture, and mixed media, these artists reflect on ancient traditions, personal and collective memory, and the rapidly shifting landscapes of their homelands. Modern Currents also opens space for dialogue with neighboring cultures across Asia—highlighting shared histories, spiritual motifs, and evolving identities in a globally connected world. The Reception for “MODERN CURRENTS,” also free and open to the public at the UNCLE Credit Union Art Gallery, was on Saturday, January 17, from 1 pm to 3 pm. Learn More …
Presenting Splendid Surroundings in Watercolor
Mar 12 thru May 10, 2026
Thursdays — Saturdays, 12 pm — 5 pm*
FREE & OPEN to the Public
*PLEASE NOTE: The Art Gallery is CLOSED Sundays through Wednesdays, as well as on Saturdays when matinee performances take place at The Bankhead.
California Watercolor Association artists draw inspiration from the places they’ve explored and the people who’ve left a lasting impression. This exhibition features a wide range of watercolor paintings inspired by those experiences, from vibrant landscapes and peaceful still lifes to expressive portraits, figures, and abstracts. Together, the works offer a colorful and personal look at the moments, memories, and scenes that spark creativity—and invite visitors to slow down, look closely, and enjoy the journey. The Reception for “Presenting Splendid Surroundings in Watercolor,” also free and open to the public at the UNCLE Credit Union Art Gallery, is on Saturday, April 11, from 1 pm to 3 pm. Learn More …
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