Casting Associate ................................................................................. Richie Ferris

Assistant Director ............................................................................... Gaston Perez

Assistant Stage Manager ......................................................... Yasamin Eskandani

Assistant to the Producer ...................................................................... Renee Cash

Sound and Music Assistant ................................................................. Will Mahood

Social Media ...................................................................................... Ceebs Bailey

Scenic Painters ................................................. Orlando De La Paz, Marine Walton

Graphic Design ............................................................................ Brandon Devaney

Program Content Design ............................................... Brad Steinbauer, Plays411

Production Manager, The Odyssey Theatre ......................... Matt "Red" Rebelskey

Written by Carole Eglash-Kosoff and John Henry Davis

CEK Productions presents

A Guest Production at the Odyssey Theatre

Director John Henry Davis

Producer Leigh Fortier

Production Stage Manager Tiffany Thomas

Scenic Designer J R Bruce

Lighting Designer Leigh Allen

Costume Designer Michael Mullen

Casting Director and Consulting Producer Michael Donovan, CSA Media Relations Judith Borne

based on the novel When Stars Align by Carole Eglash-Kosoff

Music Director/Sound Designer Original Music and Arrangements

Christopher Moscatiello Choreographer Arthur L. Ross

Property Master Hallie Baran

Associate Producer Michael Abramson

Dialect Coach Kalie Quinones

Casey Holmberg - Banjo, Vocals Kaitlin Huwe - Guitar, Vocals Jada Wagensomer - Banjo, Vocals Eric Jorgenson - Fiddle

Pre-Show Musicians

The Cast

Violin Player, Gunner, White Man,Philipson, Twitchell ......... Eric Charles Jorgenson *

Rose, Woman in Brothel .......................................... Allison Reeves *

Henry, Josiah ................................................................ Nick Ballard *

Jedidiah, Deblanc, White Minister .............................. Veryle Rupp *

Sarah ....................................................................... Tamiyka White *

Thaddeus ....................................................................... Jason Woods

Tom, White Man, Doctor, Trunch ............................... Brad C. Light *

Faris, Black Minister, Charlie .............................................. Nic Few *

Amy ............................................................................. Haley McHugh

Elizabeth ....................................................................... Sarah Lyddan

Melanie, Slave ............................................................... Benai Boyd *

Slave, Jed ..................................................................... Camron Jones

Luther, Rufus ........................................................ Jacques C. Smith *

White Woman ............................................................... Kaitlin Huwe

Alternates Tom, Henry, White Men, Doctor, Trunch ......... Lucas Dean Peterson

Sarah ..................................................................... Ellana Barksdale *

Jedidiah ...................................................................... Richard Sabine

Jed, Thaddeus .......................................................... Xavier J. Watson

Amy, Elizabeth ............................................................... Kaitlin Huwe

Slave, Rose, Melanie, Woman in Brothel .................. Leilani Smith *

Luther, Rufus ............................................................ Jahmaul Bakare

* Member of Actors’ Equity Association,

The Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States

A Note from the Director / Co-Playwright “The past is never dead. It's not even past.” – William Faulkner

Every day working on this play I am reminded of this powerful quote. Since I signed on to be co-writer and director, I have been grateful to have the opportunity to help bring the characters in Carole’s novel to life on stage. There is so much at stake in America right now in the struggle for justice and equality. This project speaks to the present moment in a compelling voice.

There is another aspect in the particular tale of Thaddeus and Amy — the story of outsid-ers fighting a hostile environment. In my own life in growing up I felt different from oth-ers, and had to work hard to assert my individuality. Many of us working on this project share that same struggle. So in telling this story we’re all telling a part of our own story.

In conceiving this project on stage, I imagined a company relating to the audience in a total theatre experience — using live instruments, singing, and choreography to communicate the dynamics of this complex American history. It has been a joy to see that concept realized with this superior cast melded together into this powerful ensemble. I am also blessed to work with the superb theatre artists’ choreographer Arthur Ross and musical director Christopher Moscatiello.

We are proud to present this unique theatrical experience in making the past the present.

~ John Henry Davis (September, 2015)

A Note from the Co-Playwright (Original Novelist) Nearly five years ago Thaddeus came into my life as the lead character in my novel, an historical fiction set against the birth of our nation. In those decades, slavery was the economic engine that powered the southern states of our country. It was also a growing abomination in the north and most of the civilized world. This cauldron of anger finally boiled over into our Civil War where more than 700,000 Americans were killed or injured. Through war and the reconstruction of a nation, most people cherished the dream of freedom and equality.

The obstacles which complicated Thaddeus’ life, and formed the legacy of our country’s racial controversies 150 years ago, continue today. When we don’t learn from history, it repeats itself. Do we just wait, hoping that history will be changed when stars align?

~ Carole Eglash-Kosoff (September, 2015)

Special Thanks

Kevin Arkadie Matt Cook DOMA Theatre Company

Cory Eglash Graffiti Sublime Coffee

The Hudson Theatre (Elizabeth Reilly) Jon Jackson

Chuck Jonkey LA City Print Greg Marquette

Melinda McLeod Victoria Morris Adrian Paul

Drake Peterson Professional Drum Shop (Hollywood. CA)

Dr. Stanley Roopenian Strata Graphics

Jill Terrell Chandler Warren, Esq.

A very special thanks from Carole “to Zuri Alexander for all her work in converting an author into a playwright (not an easy task)

and along with Donald Squires, putting together an early staged reading of the material.

The play has evolved considerably since then, but I am indebted to their efforts and patience.

Also thanks to Arleen, Lauren, and Linda... friends who helped with early editing, and who have been so supportive.”

Thanks to Kevin J. Bailey and James J Mellon for generously lending the No Ho Arts Center for rehearsal for the staged reading

Thanks to the Joe Stern at the Matrix for his continued generosity

and

We want to thank everyone at the Odyssey Theatre for their warmth and cooperation,

with and an extra thanks to Ron Sossi and Beth Hogan

Our Story Takes Place at Moss Grove, a plantation north of Baton Rouge, in Louisiana,

in the mid-19th century when the labor of Negro slaves was used to grow cotton and the Civil war was imminent.

(There will be one 15-minute Intermission)

Who’s Who - Cast Jahmaul Bakare (Luther, Rufus - alternate) is very excited to be starring in When Stars Align. Previ-

ous shows include: Original the Musical: Janiva Magness Story (Andy), Part of the Plan (Max/Jackson/Minister), Into the Woods (Wolf/Prince Charming), Candide (Candide), The Tender Land (Martin), Porgy and Bess (Sportin’ Life), Patient Zero (Chaplain), Les Misérables (Enjolras), Madama Butterfly (B.F. Pinkerton), Rigoletto (Duca), La Boheme (Rodolfo), La Cantarina (Don Pellagio) La Traviata (Alfredo), Night of January the 16th (Prosecutor), Secret Garden (Fakir), Violet (Flick). www.bakarenow.com

Nick Ballard * (Henry, Josiah) is very excited to be a part of this new play. He recently performed in Vanya & Sonia & Masha & Spike at Portland Center Stage. Some other favorite performances include the LA premieres of Dog Sees God (GLAAD/LADCC/LA Weekly noms), Anita Bryant Died for Your Sins (GLAAD nom), and World Premieres of Heavier Than… and John Michael LaChiusa’s Sukie and Sue. You can currently see him in The Weinstein Company’s Operation Barn Owl and the Ron Howard/Brian Grazer produced The Rose Window. TV credits include Modern Family, recurring roles on Days of Our Lives and Holliston, also MTV’s Happyland, Bones, 90210, Cold Case, Clover’s Life (pilot), CSI:NY, and Valentine. He would like to thank his wife

Natalie for her never ending support. Ellana Barksdale * (Sarah - alternate). When Ellana was eight years old, she received her first

album, The Wiz, as a gift. She would spend hours in front of the mirror with a brush as her microphone singing the songs and pretending to be Dorothy. A Star was born!!! Ironically, Ellana’s first stage performance was that of Evileen in a high school production of The Wiz. Ellana is a native of Baltimore, Maryland where she attended and earned a degree in Radio, Television, and Film from Morgan State University. After graduating from college, Ellana continued her love affair with performing by playing such memorable roles as Sister Hubert in Nunsence, Armelia McQueen in Ain’t Misbehavin, Reverend Hightower in Batboy the Musical, and Sara

Lee in Daddy’s Dyin Who’s Got the Will to name a few. Since moving to LA, Ellana has been seen in sitcoms and a national commercial, and she has performed at Theater Theatre, The Stella Adler Theater, and The Egyptian Arena in Hollywood. Ellana dedicates her performance to God, because with Him all things are possible!!! www.ellanabarksdale.com Benai Boyd * (Melanie, Slave). Born and raised in Los Angeles, Benai has been blessed to perform

many various roles all over the world. Some of her favorites are (Mom) in the LA Times Critics Choice Dontrell Who Kissed the Sea, Gary Coleman in The 5-time LA Times Critics Choice and Ovation Nominated (2013) Avenue Q, Sister/Trouble in the World Premiere of Psyche, A Modern Rock Opera, Nellie in Jekyll & Hyde, The One who kissed the Frog in the West Coast Premiere of Disenchanted, Joanne Jefferson in Rent, Motormouth Maybelle in Hairspray. “To GOD the glory always!!!! To my 2 blessings Ashton and Riyah, Mommy loves you.”

Nic Few * (Faris, Black Minister, Charlie). Nic Few: Brown University MFA in Acting/Directing, Clark

Atlanta University MA in Ed/Admin. Guthrie Theatre: A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Oberon/Theseus), Confluence (Death), A Christmas Carol (Ghost of Christmas Present). The Old Globe Theatre: A Midsummer Nights Dream (Demetrius), The Merchant of Venice (Morroco), Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead (Horatio). Theatre@ Boston Court: The Dinosaur Within (Eli). Los Angeles Shakespeare Cen-ter Theatre: Romeo and Juliette (Romeo) (Mercutio04, Tybalt05). St. Louis Black Rep. Romeo and Juliet (Romeo). Horizons Theatre: Black Birds (Jack). NY Theatre Workshop: Misanthrope. Push Push Theatre: Sex Acts (Via-Prada). Eugene O’Neil

Center: The Ballad of Emmit Till (Wheeler). Actors Express: The America Play (Boothe). Trinity Rep Theatre: A Christmas Carol (Topper), Cherry Orchard (Nicholi). Chatuaqua Theatre: Measure for Measure (Angelo). Television and Film: Major Crimes (Big Hazard), The Exes (Dusty), The Mulaney Show (Jones), The Chadwick Journals (Donovan), Purple Skinny Jeans (Bill), 11th hour (Lawrence), Balls to the Wall (Ice Man), Blotter (Officer Jim Carter), The Undying (Mark). Kaitlin Huwe (White Woman) (Amy, Elizabeth - alternate). Recently graduated from UCLA’s

School of Theater, Film, and Television with a BA in Acting. Theater Credits in-clude: Ellen/Lin/Mrs. Saunders in Cloud 9, Kate in Taming of the Shrew (Directed by Carly D. Weckstein), Ryann in Here’s the Thing (nominated for Best Comedy - Holly-wood Fringe Festival), and Kalina in The Pain and the Itch (directed by Jennifer Cham-bers Meyers). Film/TV: Cindi in Workaholics on Comedy Central and Karen in So Far So Good (Official Selection at the Pasadena International Film Festival). Kaitlin is also a singer-songwriter; she released her first EP, I’m Your Girl, in November of 2013. Earlier

this year, she composed and performed music for the US Premiere of Trash Story (written by award-winning playwright Magda Fertacz, directed by Monica Payne). Most recently, she scored six short films for In Winesburg, a UCLA/James Franco co-production at UCLA. Kaitlin also teaches yoga, at yogaraj, in West LA. For music, updates, and class schedule: www.kaitlinhuwe.com. Camron Jones (Slave, Jed). After finishing his first year at the University of Southern California in

the BFA Acting program, Camron Jones is thrilled to be back on stage and making his Southern California theatre debut with the cast of When Stars Align. His past performances include the sketch comedy television show Comedy@SCA Live, Aida (King of Nubia, Ensemble), Almost Maine (Phil), The Crucible (Reverend Hale), and a variety of roles in the musicals Ragtime, Oliver, Hairspray, and Little Shop of Horrors. He won his very first novice speech tournament and was immediately promoted to the varsity speech and debate team. Camron

qualified to compete in the Dramatic Interpretation category at the Golden Gate Speech Association’s state tournament, in which he placed fifth overall, and twice qualified to com-pete at the National Forensic League’s annual tournament. Camron placed first in the Per-forming Arts category during the NAACP National ACT-SO competition in Orlando, Florida, for his interpretation of Fences, acting both the Troy and Cory roles during his performance. Camron has been engaged in the performing arts for over seven years and hopes he can continue to grow in his craft here in Los Angeles. Eric Charles Jorgenson * (Violin Player, Gunner, White Man, Philipson, Twitchell). Eric is excited to

be back on stage after writing and producing two short films, Away with Childish Things, and Chasing Serenity. On the professional stage Eric has played The Man in 7 Stories, Edgar in King Lear, Young Clifford in Henry VI (2&3), Jeremy in Love Struck, and Tom Wilkes in the one character play Black and Blue. Beginning his artistic life as a musician, Eric played violin on stage as various characters in Jesus Christ Super-star, Playboy of the Western World, James and the Giant Peach, and A Little House Christmas. He most recently recorded violin solo work for the short film,

Homeless, in which he also acted in, playing, of course, a street musician. SAG-AFTRA/AEA Brad C. Light * (Tom, White Man, Doctor, Trunch). Brad C. Light was last seen on the Theatre of

NOTE stage in the hits Entropy and Niagra Falls. Since then he has performed Wallace Shawn’s updated version of The Fever at the Hollywood Fringe Festival. LA theatre: Geffen Playhouse - Break of Noon (understudy) and The God of Hell (understudy); Odyssey Theatre Ensemble - Threepenny Opera, Mr. Kolpert, and A Man’s a Man. Theatre of NOTE - ensemble member, many credits. Chicago Theatre: Goodman - Among the Thugs; Steppenwolf -Berlin Circle and Haymarket Eight; and many other Chicago credits. Regional theatre: Actors Theatre of Louisville – Dracula; Human Race - Proof. UK: The Traverse Theatre - The Spirit.

Reservations for When Stars Align www.plays411.com/starsalign (323) 960-7738

He has been in many independent feature films including the recently released A Marine Story, Love and Distrust, and Silver Case. He was also a recent guest star on Criminal Minds, and will also be appear-ing in the new Ryan Murphy project American Crime Story airing on Fox this coming winter. Sarah Lyddan (Elizabeth) is delighted to return to the Odyssey Theatre for When Stars Align. Sarah

studied with the California Shakespeare Theater, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, and the Oregon Shakespeare Festival before earning her BA at UCLA’s School of Thea-ter, Film, and Television. UCLA credits include among others Georgie Porgie, Bre-men Freedom andDesire Under the Elms with the late Gary Gardner. Since grad-uating, Sarah has worked through Play DTLA, the Odyssey Theatre Ensemble, the City Shakespeare Company, the Freud Playhouse, Theatricum Botanicum, the Actor’s Co-Op, and LATC. Most recently, Sarah collaborated under the

direction of J. Ed Araiza with the Future Storytelling Institute to explore green screen, mo-cap, and the crossover between virtual and theatrical performance. She is so grateful for the welcoming LA theatre community that continues to awe and empower her. She thanks her friends and her gypsy family who make her laugh and smile. Sarahlyddan.com Haley McHugh (Amy) is overjoyed to be a part of telling this beautiful and powerfully resonant

story. A proud graduate of the UCLA School of Theater, you may have seen or heard her as the spokesperson for the LA County Fair, and will see her soon as a cliff jumping gymnast in the pilot Gift of Fear. Theater credits include Erika in the recent world premiere of Dontrell, Who Kissed the Sea (LA Times Critic’s Choice), the title role in Lily Dale, and Lucy in The Country Wife. Haley would like to thank Michael Donovan, Todd Eskin, the Studio Talent Group team, her family, friends, and not so forbidden love, Nick.

Lucas Dean Peterson (Tom, Henry, White Men, Doctor, Trunch – alternate). Lucas is pleased to join

the Odyssey Theatre for this production of When Stars Align. Lucas has most re-cently appeared in Macbeth (directed by Larry Carpenter), A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and the original play Love the One’s You’re With. Prior to graduating from the University of Nevada, Lucas collaborated with Eric Rasmussen (Royal Shakespeare Company’s dramaturge) and Ben Crystal (authority on Shakespeare’s Original Pronunciation) on the first production of Hamlet performed in Original Pronunciation in 400 years. After graduating, Lucas worked closely with the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival and Idaho Shakespeare Festival and is proud to have

been in productions of The Two Gentlemen of Verona and Twelfth Night. Off the stage, Lucas is currently working on co-writing and producing his second short film with Ethan Leaverton. Allison Reeves * (Rose, Woman in Brothel) is thrilled to be back at the Odyssey Theatre Ensemble

and working with Carole Eglash-Kosoff once again. She is an MFA graduate of The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Allison was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. Theater credits include: The Human Spirit at The Stella Adler Theater and Odyssey Theatre Ensemble; The Bluest Eye at Playmakers Rep Theater where she was directed by Tony-Award winner Trezana Beverley; Twelfth Night at PRC2 and The Piano Lesson at The Workshop Theater in NYC. Television/Film credits include: Ferguson (Theatre Ver-ite); One Life To Live (ABC/Disney); Celebrity Ghost Stories where she portrayed the

legendary Chaka Khan (Biography Channel); and G.I.R.L. (A Vokel Productions). Ms. Reeves is a proud member of AEA and SAG/AFTRA. Allison would like to thank her family and friends for being so supportive throughout her career and through her recent transition to the West Coast.

Veryle Rupp * (Jedidiah, Deblanc, White Minister) has performed in roles from Shakespeare to Tennessee Williams. He has worked in such New York theaters as the Brooklyn Academy of Music, NYC Opera, Soho Rep., and Women’s Interart, as well as a command performance for the late President Vaclev Havel of Czechoslovakia in the play Morass produced by Paul Newman. He was trained in the classics at Webber Douglas Academy, London, England and holds a BFA in Theater Arts. Veryle is currently filming Wolf Mother with Tom Sizemore. He is a lifetime mem-ber of The Actors Studio. His work can be seen at ruppv.com.

Richard Sabine (Jedidiah - alternate) was born, raised and theatre trained in New York City. He

relocated to Los Angeles in 2006, to pursue his dream of being an actor. His acting credits range from Shakespeare to stand–up comedy and from daytime soaps to award-winning independent films. He has been seen on House, M.D., NIP/TUCK, and Happily Divorced. Richard is honored to be a part of this produc-tion of When Stars Align. Enjoy the show!

Jacques C. Smith * (Luther, Rufus) was most recently seen on stage in LA as Lord Windermere in Chalk Rep’s Lady Windermere’s Fan. He has appeared on Broadway as Benny in Rent. He has performed at the La Jolla Playhouse, The Old Globe, Goodman Theater (BTAA Award, Joseph Jefferson nomination – Best Actor in a Musical), South Coast Repertory, Pasadena Playhouse (FRED Award, NAACP nomination – Best Actor), Cleveland Playhouse, Arizona Theatre Company, and Paper Mill Playhouse, among others, as well having toured international-ly. His television credits include series regular on Oz (HBO), Eagleheart, Issa

Rae’s The Choir, General Hospital, CSI: Miami, American Masters, Law & Order, and The Division. He received his MFA from University of California, San Diego and his BA from Princeton University. Leilani Smith * (Slave, Rose, Melanie, Woman in Brothel – alternate). Born in Osan City, Korea,

she is a black belt martial artist with over 12 years training and studying at Lifebook under Allen Levin. Played Fannie Mae in ICT's 2014 Flyin’ West featured in LA Times and recently off stage from ETC’s Intimate Apparel as Mayme, receiving rave reviews in Santa Barbara. Currently in the 3rd Season of the hit web series Classic Alice and Season 1 of Love Handles picked up by TVOne’s site as well as producing/starring in her own first, created short film JANE, and making an appearance opposite Sally Field and Tyne Daly in the

upcoming 2016 film Hello My Name is Doris. “I am truly humbled to work through Michael Donovan again, as well as being at The Odyssey under John Henry Davis and am excited to be a part of this amazing cast/crew/production.” Xavier J. Watson (Jed/Thaddeus - alternate) is humbled to make his Odyssey Theater debut

with this extraordinary cast! He graduated from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and received the Charles Jehlinger Award for Excellence in Acting, the institution’s highest honor. He is also a graduate of the world -renowned South Coast Repertory’s Acting Intensive Program which led to a role in their annual production of A Christmas Carol. This summer Xavier played Seaweed J. Stubbs in Hairspray at the Chance Theater in Anaheim, which garnered him critical acclaim. Aside from singing and dancing, he is

also an accomplished Shakespearean actor having played roles such as Othello and Paris in Romeo and Juliet. Other performances include Ruined and A Raisin in the Sun. He has appeared in commercials, short films, and TV shows. Xavier would like to thank his family, friends, and teachers for their undying love and support.

Tamiyka White * (Sarah) is very excited to be making her Los Angeles theatrical debut. She was the Co-Founder and Managing Director of Renaissance Performing Arts Center, a non-profit arts organization founded in 1991, which she ran for 10 years in her hometown of Houston, Texas. Her performances included Fire and Brimstone, Doubt, The Bluest Eye, A Raisin in The Sun, Miss Witherspoon, The Crucible, Jar the Floor, and Before It Hits Home; Mississippi Gulag. Her film credits include: The Boots (short film), White Rabbit, The Saint (short film), and Fifth Ward. In 2011, she wrote a short film called No Mercy. Recently, she wrapped the music video

Over My Head by Jade Hendrix, a national commercial and a radio drama called Maintenance Man. She has written two scripts and is currently researching Big Mama Thornton. Ms. White is a member of AEA. She dedicates the show to her mother, the late Willie Rae King. Jason Woods (Thaddeus). A Los Angeles native, Jason grew up playing sports and dreaming of

playing them professionally. After a freak high school injury that sidelined sports plans, Jason turned to acting as an outlet for his frustration. That initial distraction has become his passion. Although When Stars Align is Jason’s first foray into legitimate theatre, he has worked in various smaller shows around LA for the last five years. He has also been accumulating film credits, most recently playing an unintentional action hero in Asylum’s San Andreas Quake and a convict seeking redemption in Keep the Faith. Jason’s love of comedy and improvisation has been showcased on the

YouTube channel OddKiddsOut. Jason is represented by House of Representatives.

Who’s Who - Production Team Carole Eglash-Kosoff (Co-Playwright) lives and writes in Valley Village, California. She graduated from UCLA and spent her career in business, teaching, and traveling. She has visited more than seventy countries. An avid student of history, she researched the decades preceding and following the Civil War for nearly two years, including time in Louisiana, the setting for When Stars Align. It is a story of bi-racial love. It is a story of war, reconstruction, and racism, but most of all, it is a story of hope. This was her second book. In 2006, following the death of her husband, she volunteered to teach in South Africa. Her first book, The Human Spirit – Apartheid’s Unheralded Heroes, tells the true life stories of an amazing array of men and women who have devoted their lives during the worst years of apartheid to help the children, the elderly, and the disabled of the townships. These people cared when no one else did and their efforts continue to this day. Her third book, Winds of Change, was released in 2011 and follows the characters of When Stars Align into the decades that closed out one century and led us into the next, decades that saw the automobile, the airplane, the Spanish-American War, and World War I. Mrs. Eglash-Kosoff has also established the …a better way! Scholarship program, which provides money and mentoring for worthy high school students for both their first and second year of college. John Henry Davis (Director/Co-Playwright) is known for directing premieres of plays and musicals in theatres all across the country, including Playwrights Horizons, The Mark Taper Forum, the Kenne-dy Center, The Dallas Theatre Center, The Philadelphia Drama Guild, and Baltimore Center Stage. In television and film, he credits include Oz for HBO and numerous documentaries. Recently in the Los Angeles area he directed Bagels! The Musical at NMI, Trying and End of the Rainbow at ICT, and Dr. Anonymous at the Zephyr Theatre. In New York, Mr. Davis directed the world premiere pro-ductions of the plays Papa and Mountain starring Len Cariou for tour and Off-Broadway, as well as the opera Golden Gate for Rose Studio. In musical theatre, he also directed the world premiere of the musical Eleanor - an American Love Story at Musical Theatre West and Babes in Toyland at Avery Fisher Hall in Lincoln Center. Mr. Davis is the husband of Game Show Network television executive Amy Introcaso Davis, and is the proud father of Sean, Bonnie, and Christopher.

http://www.thehumanspirit-thebook.com/

Leigh Fortier (Producer). Plays produced by Leigh have garnered over 20 LA Weekly Awards (including LA Weekly best musical, Medea, the Musical), over 10 NAACP Awards (16 Nomina-tions), three of the five GLAAD Media Awards nominations for Best Play in one season (including award recipient Medea, the Musical), and numerous Backstage West Awards. Highlights include multiple award winning plays The Talented Tenth directed by Oz Scott and starring Robert Guillaume at the Hudson Avenue Theatre, Up The Mountain by Kevin Arkadie (numerous producer awards and LA Times 10-Best), and Kathy and Mo: The Dark Side starring Kathy Najimy and Mo Gaffney at the Henry Fonda Theatre. Along with Burn This (directed by Jessica Kubzansky at the Odyssey Theatre), The New Bozena (directed by Rainn Wilson), Walking the Blonde (presented by Kathy Bates and Sharon Gless), Snakebit by David Marshall Grant (nominated for GLAAD Media Award), and Pope Joan for Broadway producer Michael Butler (HAIR), Leigh produced and co-created (with multiple award-winning playwright Claudia Allen) the hit musical A Gay Christmas Carol (GLAAD Media Award nomination for Outstanding Production), and produced the award winning smash hit The Very Worst of Varla Jean Merman, and Streamers, both at the Hudson. Leigh produced Room 105 (about Janis Joplin) starring Sophie B Hawkins and Emily’s Song (written and directed by New York Times best-selling author Chet Holmes). Most recently, Leigh produced the critically acclaimed Serrano The Musical (directed by Joel Zwick with Book and Lyrics by Madeline Sunshine) at the Matrix Theatre. Leigh's upcoming project is the new “Dog Opera” - Rebel (With a Cause). Tiffany Thomas (Production Stage Manager). Tiffany’s recent production stage manager credits include the musicals Recorded in Hollywood, Serrano, Visionary Man, Shuffle Along, Joey McIn-tyre’s The Kid, The Pied Pipers of the Lower East Side, as well as the NAACP critically acclaimed The Good Negro. She has also developed a name for herself in Hollywood. As a result, she helped produce the documentary Defending the Homeland: Native American in the Armed Ser-vices, for which she earned her first Emmy Award. Tiffany is extremely grateful to come on aboard to When Stars Align crew and work with such a talented team. Gaston Perez (Assistant Director). Gaston is a recent graduate of UCLA’s School of Theater, Film, and Television specializing in acting, directing, and playwriting, and his career spans across thea-tre, film, and commercials. Professional acting theater credits include Matt in The Grand Central Theatre’s production of Red Light Winter, and the Geffen Playhouse’s Saturday production of Tall Tales, Myths of Magical Trees, and he will be appearing in Boston Court’s Seven Spots on the Sun this fall. Film credits include leading, writing, and directing the film V-LOG that premiered in Quentin Tarantino’s New Beverly Cinema, as well as leading and writing The Love Guru in Florence, a short film that premiered in Florence, Italy. Gaston founded the Treehouse Theatre Company that focuses on site specific theatre, and he directed their debut production of Crimes of the Heart set in an LA apartment. Gaston thanks John Henry and Carole for bringing him on this adventure! Arthur L. Ross (Choreographer) from Costa Mesa, CA, is currently in New York. A past Adjunct Faculty Member at Cypress College’s Theatre/Dance Department (teaching tap, hip-hop, choreo-graphing for Faculty Dance Concerts/Musical Theatre Productions). MFA Acting from the Univer-sity of Nevada, Las Vegas, BA in Communications (BAC) specializing in Directing/Choreography from Bowling Green State University, he also trained at South Coast Repertory Theatre’s Profes-sional Acting Conservatory. Director/Choreographer: Rent, Big River, Seussical, Beauty & the Beast, and West Side Story. Choreographer: Rex, Ragtime, West Side Story, Seussical, The Wiz, Full Monty, Hairspray, The Wedding Singer, Sound of Music, Joseph…Dream Coat, Pride & Preju-dice, and Faculty Dance Concerts. Asst. Choreographer: I Love Lucy Live and Ragtime. Specialty Choreography Projects: City of Lake Forrest 4th of July Parade & Heritage Festival, Costa Mesa High School Choir Concerts, Cirque du Soleil’s Cirque du Monde Summer Youth Concert Series, Bedazzled Productions Concerts/Special Events.

Christopher Moscatiello (Music Director, Sound Designer, Original Music and Arrangements). Recipient of the 2015 Stage Raw award for Sound Design, Christopher Moscatiello is also a compos-er, music editor and music director for theater, television, and film. Recent TV credits include The Walking Dead (AMC), Psych (USA), Eureka (Syfy), Human Target (Fox), The Cape (NBC), Caprica (Syfy), and Trauma (NBC). He has scored full series, specials and promos for HBO, BBC, NBC, National Geographic, The Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, The History Channel, The Learning Channel, and oth-ers. Other theater credits include The Kennedy Center, Arena Stage, The Folger Shakespeare Theatre, Rogue Machine Theatre, Pacific Resident Theatre, The Odyssey Theatre Ensemble, The Road Theatre, Skylight Theatre Company, and he served as assistant conductor on the national tour of The Phan-tom of the Opera. Before residing in LA, Chris was the Associate Artistic Director and Conductor of the Boston Chamber Ensemble, and during that time, wrote a ballet commissioned by the Kirov Ballet Academy that had its world premiere in Washington, DC. JR Bruce (Scenic Designer) is a Los Angeles-based scenic designer. Current Projects: Homefree (Road Theatre) and Failure: A Love Story (Coeurage Theatre). Selected Los Angeles projects in-clude: Trouble with Words (Coeurage Theatre), Woman of No Importance (Sacred Fools), Trying, Other Desert Cities, Master Class, and RED (International City Theatre). Selected Regional and National credits: 2015 North American Tour of Chugginton Live! Great Rescue Adventure (Lifelike Touring), Intimate Apparel (Ensemble Theatre Company, INDY Award winner), Lonely Boy’s Guide to Survival and Werewolves (La Jolla Playhouse), The Sound of Music (San Diego Musical Thea-ter). JR is the adjunct professor of scenic design at Vanguard University of Southern California. MFA - University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, BA - Graceland University. See his portfolio at www.JRBruceDesign.com Leigh Allen (Lighting Designer). Leigh is a recipient of the Los Angeles Drama Critics’ Circle Award for Career Achievement. Accolades include: Ovation, Best Production and Lighting nomination Dying City; LADCC award, Production One Night in Miami; Garland Award Cousin Bette; LA Weekly Award Treefall; Ovation, Production of the Year Killer Joe; GLAAD Award Like a Dog on Linoleum; Macy Award The Secret Garden; and LADCC and LA Weekly Awards Johnny Got His Gun. Other lighting design credits include the world premieres of Boise, USA (Matrix Theatre) and Flim Flam: Houdini and the Hereafter (Malibu Playhouse), both written by Gene Franklin Smith. Leigh has also toured with Masters of Illusion, Live! and has designed for cruise lines, musical theater companies, regional theaters, universities, and many more. In her spare time she teaches at Santa Monica College. Michael Mullen (Costume Designer) is an actor, costume/fashion designer, writer, and avid eater who lives in Hollywood with his dog, Wally. He has performed in and costume designed several productions both on stage and on film throughout Los Angeles. He has been honored with some StageSceneLA awards for his acting as well as for his costume design work including being named 2012-2013 Costume Designer of The Year and 2013-2014 Costume Design of the Year (Individual Production) for Dorian’s Descent. For his work on Dreamgirls, produced by DOMA Theatre Company, he was honored with the 2012-2013 LA Stage Alliance Ovation Award for Costume Design - Intimate Theatre, a 2013 Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award for Cos-tume Design, the 2013 BroadwayWorld Los Angeles Award for Costume Design (Local Produc-tion), the 2013 LA Weekly Theatre Award for Costume Design, and the 2013 NAACP Theatre Award for Best Costumes (Local). He received three 2013-2014 Broadway World Los Angeles nomi-nations for his costume design work on Dorian’s Descent, Moon over Buffalo, and God’s Gypsy. Michael would like to thank everyone involved with When Stars Align for being awesome, his par-ents Patrick and Celeste Mullen for their always wonderful support, and you for coming to see this moving show! :) Hallie Baran (Property Master). Hallie is a graduate of UC Santa Barbara and Trinity College Dublin and holds a degree in Stage Management, Technical Theatre, Writing, and Directing. As a props master, Hallie has designed and coordinated props for several Los Angeles area productions includ-ing DOMA Theatre Company’s award winning production of Dreamgirls and Avenue Q in addition

to Young Frankenstein (LA Times Critics Choice), Jesus Christ Superstar, and American Idiot. In addition, she designed the props for Resurrection of the Ants at the Hayworth Theatre and Its the Biz at the Promenade Playhouse. Most recently, Hallie stage managed the long running hit Is There Sex After Marriage at the Two Roads Theatre and God’s Gypsy at the Lillian. As a Director, Hallie received critical acclaim for her work on Xanadu (LA Weekly Go), Actor’s Nightmare, Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All for You, The Who’s Tommy, Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris (Sceneie Award Winner), Pippin, Much Ado about Nothing, Measure for Measure, Laundry and Bourbon, Closer, Snowbound (world premiere), and Love and Human Remains. Mike Abramson (Associate Producer): An award-winning Producer, Mike has successfully pro-duced about a dozen shows in the Los Angeles area. Such notable productions include Jekyll and Hyde (LA Weekly Critic’s Pick of the Week), Xanadu (LA Weekly GO), Avenue Q (LA Times Critics Choice, nominated for six 2013 Ovation Awards including Best Musical Intimate Theatre), Dreamgirls (LA Times Critics’ Choice, winner of five NAACP Theatre Awards, three LA Drama Critics’ Circle Awards in-cluding Best Revival and four LA Weekly Theater Awards including Best Musical Production of the Year), Is There Sex After Marriage (6-month run, Recommended, Top 10 - Stage Raw), The Pokemusical (8-month run, Winner DOMA sponsored award for Best Musical), Rent (NAACP Theatre Award winner), and Nocturne. Mike is currently the in-house Marketing Director for Chromolume Theatre and works as a Theatre Manager for the famed Hudson Theatres. Yasamin Eskandani (Assistant Stage Manager). “I was born in Tehran/Iran to Azeri parents, therefor I speak four languages. I was 13 years old when my family and I moved to the United States of America. Undergrad student at California State University of North Ridge. Studying Physical Anthropology and Biology. Theater and stage lighting is my passion and I have Santa Monica College’s theater department and Leigh Allen to thank for everything they have taught me. I’ve been credited at Santa Monica College’s plays such as Elephant’s Grave Yard and 25th Anniversary Putnam Spelling Bee as the second master electrician (student), board operator and programmer. Spring of 2015 I was teacher’s assistant for stage lighting. I was fortunate to be a part of a great team as the follow spot operator for Serrano The Musical. And now I’m truly happy and grateful to be on this wonderful journey When Stars Align with such talented cast and an incredible production team as the assistant stage manager. So much gratitude and apprecia-tion for all the great opportunities given to me by Leigh Fortier, Carole Eglash, John Henry Davis, Leigh Allen, Tiffany Thomas, Mike Abramson, and many others.” Ceebs Bailey (Social Media Manager). Ceebs is the Creative Director of CoconutMilk Creative, a marketing, branding, and social media agency based in LA. Hop on that smart phone right now and “check-in” on Facebook at When Stars Align — be sure to tag the people you came with, as well. Please also “Like” our Facebook page and tell all your friends, co-workers, and neighbors what an amazing time you had this evening and how you were so very smart to come see this theatrical event. (Word of mouth is still Queen.) If you want a savvy marketing team that walks the walk, get in touch. imthirsty@coconutmilkcreative.com Michael Donovan, CSA (Casting Director/Associate Producer). Michael is a six-time recipient of the Casting Society of America’s Artios Award, given for Outstanding Achievement in Casting. Michael casts for film, TV, theatre, and commercials. His theatre credits include shows produced at the Hollywood Bowl, Pasadena Playhouse, the Geffen Playhouse, the Kirk Douglas Theatre, International City Theatre, La Jolla Playhouse, La Mirada Theatre, Laguna Playhouse, the San Francisco Symphony, Arizona Theatre Company, Cleveland Playhouse, the Alliance Theatre, Ken-tucky Shakespeare Festival, and many more. Current and upcoming theatre productions include Carrie The Musical (The Los Angeles Theatre), I’m Still Getting My Act Together (Laguna Play-house), Fences (I.C.T.), Seven Spots On the Sun (Theatre @ Boston Court), and Café Society (also here at the Odyssey). Michael has also cast numerous films including the recent Saturn Returns. Michael’s many TV credits include the current series Blood Relatives, and he has also cast over 1,200 commercials.

A Word about Words...

Words can give rise to a range of emotions. As an author and playwright I under-

stand that words can inspire or anger as easily as they can generate love or hate.

Racially tinged words are especially worrisome. Their use gives rise to long memo-

ries of being insulted... degraded... marginalized. The word nigger is particularly

troublesome in today’s society. It was as demeaning in the 19th century as it is

today, yet it was a word in common use in the years in which our play takes place,

along with darkie, colored, and coon. The words black and African-American would not replace them for nearly a century. When Stars Align is a novel and a stage play

but its events are historically accurate and it was critical to use those words that the

people of that era used to express themselves.

Other Projects by Carole Eglash-Kosoff

BOOKS

The Human Spirit – Apartheid’s Unheralded Heroes www.thehumanspirit–thebook.com

When Stars Align www.whenstarsalign-thebook.com

Winds of Change www.windsofchange-thebook.com

By One Vote www.byonevote-thebook.com

Sex, Drugs, & Fashion www.sexdrugs&fashion-thebook.com

PLAYS

The Human Spirit When Stars Align

DOCUMENTARY FILM

The Life & Art of David Labkovski

The video and/or audio recording of this performance by any means whatsoever is strictly prohibited.

sublime coffee

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