PARTY MEMBERS
★APPHIA CAMPBELL (Fox) Apphia is so excited to making her New York Fringe Festival Debut in The Deciders. Apphia has been acting since the age of four,and at that very young age decided she wanted to be an actress when she grew up. She attended Florida International University where she received her Bachelors of Fine Arts Degree in Theatre. Some of her recent projects was Beehive, A Raisin in the Sun, and her own one woman show Empress of the Blues based on the life of Bessie Smith. In the future, Apphia plans to travel to Zurich, Switzerland in the fall to perform in their annual Christmas Show. She would like to thank God for her talent and his favor, her parents Leon and Celestine Campbell for always believing in her, her friends, and little naveen for giving her the push she needs to pursue her career completely.
★AMBER CARSON (Cindy) Amber is tickled to be a part of The Deciders in this year’s Fringe Festival. Now living in Astoria, Queens, she has been working regionally for the past two years. Having spent far too much time in sublets, Amber is thrilled to finish a show and go to her own apartment! Previous New York credits include the BMI Lehman-Engel Workshop of the musical, Broadway Baby. Favorite credits include: Estelle in The Full Monty (Phoenix Theatre), Donna in The Taffetas (Springer Opera House), Godspell (Prather Entertainment Group), and the national tour of A Christmas Carol (Nebraska Theatre Caravan). She is eternally grateful to her family for traveling by bus to see this show; Jesse & friends… “You’re PERF;” and special thanks to Jason, “Thank you for always loving me for me, I love you.” Enjoy the show people!
★DUSTIN CROSS (Reporter, Attorney, Ensemble/Choreographer/Costume) Celebrating his one-year anniversary of living in NYC, Dustin is pleased to continue his stay in the city with this production of The Deciders for the Fringe Festival. Regional Credits include – but are not limited to – Crazy For You (Bobby Childs), Titanic (Frederick Barrett), Jesus Christ Superstar (Peter), and Joseph… Dreamcoat (title role). Dustin has trained in the areas of tap, ballet, and jazz for 14 years and has also trained and taught alongside Radio City Rockette, Jeremy Eichorn. Productions choreographed by Dustin include: The Rocky Horror Show, Broadway Melodies, Chess, Can-Can, and Grease as well as production numbers for several female impersonators for The Miss Gay America System. When not seen on stage Dustin can be seen perfecting the visual designs for The Children’s Place. Dustin would like to thank Michael for putting up with his hectic rehearsal schedule and to his parents in their own (Non- Stage Parent) way for their incessant pushing for him to strive for the best. Enjoy!
★MAGGIE GLASSMAN (Fox) Maggie is ecstatic to be making her New York stage debut in The Deciders. She thanks the cast and crew for this amazing experience. She can be seen next in Songs for a New World at the American Theatre of Actors this fall. Love to my family and to Pat. To my incredibly supportive parents, “thank you.”
★ERIK HOGAN (Dubya) Erik is honored to portray, probably one of the most distinguished and respected, commander-in-chiefs to ever grace the oval office! On a side note, Erik’s favorite past times include sarcasm and writing about himself in third person. Mr. Hogan graduated with a BA in Music Theater from Kansas State University, and has been working regionally since then. He was recently in the world premiere of Marc Robin’s Treasure Island at The Fulton Theater and was seen as The Barber in the national tour of Man of La Mancha. Other favorite roles include Jerry in Sugar, Zoser in Aida, and Archibald in The Secret Garden. He is truly excited about being part of such an important and wonderful project! “This goes out to Mom and Dad…for whom I never would have been able to do any if this without their support, I love you dearly!” *Appearing courtesy of AEA, Equity Approved Showcase
★DANA IANNUZZI (Riverbend) Dana is thrilled and honored to be apart of this mind-blowingly important work. A native New Yorker, Dana earned a BA in Theatre Arts Performance Studies from Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pennsylvania. She is the co-founder of Stiletto Project, a burgeoning theatre company striving to put new work out into the mainstream. Favorite credits include Maria Elena Santiago Holly in Buddy!: The Buddy Holly Story, Mulan in Disney’s Mulan, Woman 1 in The Vagina Monologues, Psyche in Wake Her Up: A New Rock Musical, and Cory in Private Eyes. Dana would like to thank all her wonderful friends who inspire her to learn new things about herself and life and to her extraordinary family for their constant love and unwavering support.
★CARLA EUPHRATES KELLY (Condi) This is Carla’s first time in an established production after spending many years as a vocalist and performance artist. Carla is truly a renaissance woman in terms of artistic endeavors. An alumna of La Guardia High School of Music and Art, the Bronx-born Carla was a flutist with the Bronx Borough-wide Band performing at Carnegie Hall. She eventually transitioned into both instrumental and singing with the All-City High School Chorus Concert and Jazz Ensembles, and NARAS-sponsored Regional Jazz Vocal Ensemble, performing at renowned venues, including St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Alice Tully, Avery Fisher and Carnegie Halls, even touring as a soloist in Barcelona, Spain. Carla spent seven years with NYC Background Beat, before deciding to step into the foreground with her own music, Carla & B. WonderfulSound: All of the Above due September 2008.; She is also trained in ballet and modern dance. Carla dedicates her performance to her brother, Sgt. Clarence LaVon Floyd of 101st Airborne Infantry, killed on December 10, 2005 in Taji, Iraq.
★MOMO KAJIWARA (Fox) Momo is originally from Tokyo, Japan, where she was a professional singer/songwriter. She appeared in many concerts, radio & TV shows and was a winner of the Japan Composers Association competition. As part of the folk duo “Pikomako,” she released the CD Photograph from Universal Music Japan. She also performed regularly in U.S. army facilities in Tokyo as a singer and pianist. Recently, she moved to N.Y.C. to pursue a career in musical theater. In June 2008, she starred as Mary Magdalene in the Brooklyn Association of the Performing Arts production of Jesus Christ Superstar. She can be seen in the TV commercial for CNBC’s On The Money this summer. Momo would like to thank her husband, Andrew, for his love and support. Visit links: momomomo.livedoor.biz & www.myspace.com/momokajiwara
★PAUL SADLIK (Saddamn) Paul is thrilled to be back in New York City after spending the past year as a singer in the show, Jubilee, at Bally’s Casino in Las Vegas. Paul hails from Utica and is a die- hard Red Sox fan! Paul holds a BFA in Music Theatre from the Hartt School in Hartford, CT. Regional credits include Ali Hakim in Oklahoma and Thomas McKean in 1776 (Prather Family Theatre), Julian Marsh in 42nd Street (Shawnee Playhouse) Gregory in Flattery Will Get You (Connecticut Rep) Sweeney Todd (Connecticut Rep). Paul would like to send thanks to all the men and women who have fought so bravely overseas and his family and friends for their love and support. Obama 08!
★JOHN STILLWAGGON (Dick) Theatre: The Sound of Music (Paper Mill Playhouse); As You Like It, Tartuffe (National Tours); Twilight (Boomerang Theatre Company); The Last One Left (Midtown International Theatre Festival); The Music Man (Harold Hill); The Odd Couple (Oscar); Death of a Salesman (Happy); Joseph… (title); Evita (Che); Sweeney Todd (Tobias); West Side Story (Riff); Wonder of the World (Kip). TV/Film: Disney’s When in Rome; Law and Order; CSI:NY; Chappelle’s Show; The Corporate Knobs. John is the founder and director of Brooklyn’s Act-Out! Acting School, and a graduate of the Brooklyn College M.F.A. Acting Program, where he has also taught. John would like to thank God, his friends and family for their love and support; he would also like to thank everyone involved with The Deciders for their talent, their inspiration and their friendship. As John has long credited (along with his parents) the experience of portraying Che Guevara as a watershed moment that first got him fired up about progressive politics, he fears what may happen to him after playing his current role (just kidding). He is also a proud volunteer for the Barack Obama Presidential Campaign. Yes We Can!
★MICHAEL RUOCCO (Judge, Reporter, Ensemble) Mike returns to the Fringe Festival after creating the role of Nat Kessler – age 18 in the premiere of The Wisdom That Men Seek. He couldn’t have asked for a better follow up. The Deciders is proving to be one of the most controversial and thought-provoking pieces of art he has been part of. After being a part of such a wonderful cast and crew his view on the war in Iraq has changed, and he believes it will change for you as well. Mike is active in the Brooklyn arts scene including a short film, part of The 48 Film Project. Favorite stage roles include: Hot Blades Harry (Urinetown), Marcellus Washburn (The Music Man), Rooster Hannigan (Annie), and Noah Claypole (Oliver!) Infinite thanks to Jay, Mitch, and David for giving him this opportunity; and to the rest of the cast and crew for being a great team of minds and talent. Love and thanks to his family and friends as always. He hopes that you will enjoy the show, but even more he hopes that you will learn something from it.
★RASHAD WEBB (Secret Service, Attorney, Ensemble) Rashad is thrilled to be making his Fringe Festival debut in such an exciting and stirring production. Originally from Dallas, TX, Rashad studied opera, jazz, and theatre voice at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA, where he earned his B.M. in voice performance. Favorite past credits include Mr. Black in The Wild Party (Lippa), Daniel in Once On This Island, and Paul in Kiss, Me Kate. He was also fortunate enough to be a featured background singer for Ms. Patti Labelle on a televised Independence Day concert on ABC. Rashad has recently been chosen to join seven other singers this winter to travel to Zurich, Switzerland, and perform gospel music in a traditional Christmas themed circus called, Canelli da Capo. He would like to thank the creative team of The Deciders for this tremendous opportunity as well as his family and friends for their continued love and support.
★Ashley Baier (Band) Percussionist/drummer Ashley Baier is currently pursuing a Masters of Music degree in Orchestral Percussion at Mannes College of Music. A native of Cumberland, Maryland, Baier relocated to the metropolitan Washington, D.C. area in 2003 in order to earn a Bachelors of Music degree from the University of Maryland. Ashley performed throughout the D.C. region with various orchestras, chamber groups, and jazz combos, and performed regularly in musicals at The Theatre Lab, Signature Theatre, Rockville Musical Theatre, and the Cumberland Theatre. Currently, Baier is a part of a new experimental-rock project, Just Puppets, as well as the percussion duo, The Double A Consort. Ashley freelances regularly throughout New York City and teaches private percussion and drumset lessons.
★Paul Hemmings (Band) Viewing music through a wide-angle lens, guitarist Paul Hemmings blends elements of jazz, rock, and free improvisation to create a style that has been called “bold, beautiful, and full of promise.” He fronts The Paul Hemmings Trio, with three albums on Leading Tone Records, including In & Out with saxophonist Eric Alexander and Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (Live!). His most recent recording, Letter From America, features avant garde saxophone pioneer John Tchicai and led All About Jazz to write “Hemmings’ mixture of cultures, influences, and genres, exploring the edges of harmony and rhythm, is remarkably fresh and a complete success.” Aside from leading his own trio, Paul performs in a variety of different musical situations, from session work to off-Broadway shows, while also writing music for film and television. More information online at www.paulhemmings.com.
★Eric Milano (Band) Based in New York City, Eric is a musician, singer and sound designer for film and television. Though he has had trouble in the past with both making decisions and deciding to make decisions, he is proud to currently be a Decider. www.ericmilano.com
THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION
★MITCH KESS (Book, Music & Lyrics) Bronx native, Mitch Kess’ first rock musical, The Last American: The Mind Viewing Machine was produced at Baby Jupiter. Part 2: The Universal Mind, was produced by Dixon Place at the Vineyard Theater. A concert version – uniting both parts – was produced by The Public Theater at Joe’s Pub before Tom O’ Horgan, Broadway director of Hair & Jesus Christ Superstar directed its latest incarnation in 2003. Mitch’s latest political rock musical The Deciders is the third part of a trilogy beginning in 2004 with Saddamn The Musical Parts 1 and 2. A Village Voice Choice and featured in the Sunday New York Times, Saddamn‚ was produced by the 92nd Street Y at the Makor and performed to standing room only crowds at the Medicine Show Theater. The music of The Deciders has reached New York audiences from political rallies in Union Square Park to downtown and uptown rock clubs. The Deciders was presented at The Triad in April 2008. Mitch has performed with numerous bands and as a singer-songwriter. He studied guitar with Dave Van Ronk. Bass player for The Deciders, Mitch plays in a wide range of styles some of which you will hear at the show.
★ALICE UHL (Dramaturg) Alice’s life of theater, writing, and travel have been intertwined since her first trip overseas to England. She studied drama, text, and performance at Cambridge University, Gonville & Caius College. She earned a Master’s Degree in English Literature and Drama at New York University. Believing “all the world’s a stage,” Alice decided to experience more of it. She has traveled and written about Turkey, Japan, East & Southern Africa, Egypt, Peru, the Galapagos Islands, the Amazon and Europe. She has produced off-off Broadway plays and readings in New York City. Alice directed The Last American in Concert produced by The Public Theater at Joe’s Pub. She is proud to be co-producer of Julia The Musical currently playing in the West Village.
★J. MICHAELS (Director) J. is thrilled to be part of this exciting endeavor, his third time with The Fringe (directing The Comedy of Terrors in 2005 and starring in Robert Liebowitz’s The Wisdom That Men Seek in 2007); second time with political theatre (Cradle Will Rock starting the list) and his maiden voyage with Within Reach, Mitch, Alice, Elyse & David. A stage director recognized in the SSDC National Quarterly, Theatre World, and American Theater, his credits include Hamlet, Macbeth, Richard III, Sweeney Todd, Romeo & Juliet, War of the Worlds, Guys & Dolls, The Music Man, with new works, including Coulda Woulda Shoulda (The Homefront), Maggie’s Daughters (American Playwrights), Tea Time and PLAY (French Festival), and Sandcastles: the story of The Beach Boys (Mazer Theatre). An event producer with a specialty in marketing, his credits include: Bronx Opera’s 40th anniversary season; first contract season of None of the Above Theatre; inaugural seasons of The Chelsea Opera and The Alliance’s Mazer Theater; events for Broadway’s Cats, Damn Yankees, Guys & Dolls, Big; national tours of Les Miserables and Edwin Drood; a Town Hall showing of The Vagina Monologues; events honoring Gerald Schoenfeld/Shubert Organization and Fran & Barry Weissler; The Ross Awards hosted by James Earl Jones; and film showings, including Bluebird Films’ Twelve Fingers and Heart of the Community (a short film on Time Warner mogul, Steven J. Ross). In 1998, he and Mary Elizabeth MiCari founded Genesis, a non-profit art & education organization dedicated to making the creative voice accessible to new audiences. In 1999, he became Genesis’ first artistic director and today, he sits on its board of directors as a producing partner. He thanks Mary, his partner in life and crime, for support and abundant patience. Mr. Michaels was recognized in Crain’s Who’s Who and is a member of AEA, SSDC, AFSCME, and PSC-CUNY www.JayMichaels.info
★DAVID FLETCHER (Music Director/Keyboards) David has served as music director for numerous productions in the Washington DC and NYC area including Bigger Fish to Fry, Triangle, Pacific Overtures, Into the Woods, Chicago, Jesus Christ Superstar and Candide. He earned a Master of Arts in African history, before starting his career in music education. David was formerly the Director of Bands and Choruses at Georgetown University and is currently the proprietor of Washington’s Best Musicians, Photo & Video.
★PETER D. LEONARD (Lighting Designer) Peter has designed over 250 productions for theaters and dance companies nationwide. New York designs for original musicals: Saddamn: The Musical for Smoke That Thunders, pre-Broadway workshop of In My Life for Joe Brooks, Dorian Gray: The Musical at NY Musical Theatre Festival, The Last American at Joe’s Pub, Belles of the Mill at MITF, Clark Gesner’s Animal Fair NY premiere. Perry Award nomination: Children of Eden MOC Musicals. Multiple US and European tours lighting Dance Theatre of Harlem.
★ELYSE HYDE & WITHIN REACH ENTERTAINMENT (Producer) Within Reach is an emerging production company with a commitment in seeking new and varied talent. Its mission is to provide artists in all domains of culture with the support to develop, refine, and grow in their craft. The company serves as liaison between the energy and passion of its artists and assisting in the achievement of their dreams. WRE maintains promotion and rise of the unique prowess of our artists. As founder of Within Reach Entertainment Ltd, Elyse Hyde is a member of The Commercial Theater Institute, The New Producers Alliance, and The Entertainment Industry Expo. Enjoying a career as a school administrator, Elyse shares a lovely life with husband, Matthew Hyde, D.D.S, and their two grown children.
★RAKEL TERCENO (STAGE MANAGER) Originally from San Sebastian, in the Basque Region of Spain, Rakel Terceño has lived and worked in New York for over seven years. Graduating in classical piano, Audivisual Comunication and film, Rakel moved to New York City and became a music and art journalist. She loves The Deciders, not only because for it’s satire, but because of her deeper involvement in politics. Rakel grew up in the harsh and violent context of the Basque Country’s political situation, therefore a longing for peace has existed in her heart since she was just a child. She learned very early on, the tough way that you may want to be indifferent about politics but politics are not indifferent about you, which is why she became politically active by age 20 and why she’s thrilled to be part of The Deciders! Rakel Terceño continues being an active journalist and photojournalist, and featured in four artists’ CD’s released since March 2008. She’s also director, performer and arranger of upcoming show Re-Versed, Music about Poetry about Music about…, a jazz and poetry performance that will see the stage by Fall 2008. www.myspace.com/rakelterceno
