Alesyn “Al Wu” McCall

Theatre Production Assistant (OTF '23)

Alesyn is an OTF OG! She appeared in both Seasons 1 and 2 as an actor.
WE OWN EVERYTHING -- "Lil' Bug" (OTF '22)
MOTHER'S BOYFRIEND IS AN ASS -- "Loretta"

Alexis Primus

FOH Manager (OTF '22)

Alexis Primus is excited to be a part of the Obsidian Theatre Festival this year. She is from Washington, DC, but currently lives in Detroit and is excited for the new and thrilling works that will debut for audiences.

Alton James

Composer -- THE CHICKEN NEVER CROSSED (OTF '22)

Alton actively publishes scholarly articles, fiction, and creative writing (mostly poetry) as well as composing music for television and film. He refers to himself as a “Sonic Storyteller.”

Amber Gray

General Manager

Amber Gray (She/Her/Hers) is a Theatre Producer, Administrator, Director, Choreographer and Performer. She received a BFA Musical Theatre degree from Rockford University and she is a very proud Texan. Currently Amber is back in her hometown of Houston performing, Associate Producing the national Black Motherhood and Parenting New Play Festival and Assistant Directing High School Play; A Nostalgia Fest at the Alley Theatre. She is excited to be joining the OTF crew! For more information about Amber, please visit her website at www.amberdgray.com.

Andrew Strano

Field Producer

Andrew (they/them) is an Australian musical theatre writer, teacher, performer and Fulbright scholar living and working in NYC.

Ann Eskridge

Playwright

Ann E. Eskridge has a passion for African American history and culture. She is developing two musicals: Satin Doll, and Echoes Across the Prairie about the founding of a fictional all-black town in Oklahoma.

Artun Kircali

Actor "The Underground Color Wheel" OTF'23

Artun Kircali is thrilled to be a part of the Obsidian Theatre Festival this year!
It has been a privilege bringing this new work to life with this incredible director and cast. Thank you!

Alex Lugo

Actor
DEAR LIL’ -- “Lil” (OTF '21)

Alex Lugo (She/Her) is an NYC based singer, actor, and dancer by way of Miami, Florida.
While a Sophomore at New York University, Alex joined the third year company of the RENT 20th Anniversary US/ASIA Tour as Alexi Darling and Mimi Marquez u/s with its original creatives Tim Weil (Music Direction) and Marlies Yearby (Choreography).After completing her year-long journey, she returned to the concrete jungle to continue to hone her artistic craft through the New Studio on Broadway at Tisch School of the Arts; becoming a proud alumnus in 2020.
For Ben, always.

Alexis Sims

Artistic Consultant & Submission Review Committee Chair (OTF '23)
Associate Artistic Director (2020-2022)

Alexis Sims is a black, creative storyteller from Birmingham, Alabama, and alumni of the University of Michigan’s prestigious Musical Theatre program. She is passionate about creating safe spaces geared towards engaging the minds and hearts of our community and is thrilled to join the Obsidian Theatre Festival team as its Associate Artistic Director.

Amanda Buchalter

Actor "The Underground Color Wheel" OTF'23

Amanda Buchalter is an award-winning stage, film, and audio drama actor. She also enjoys directing, and stage management. Amanda is thrilled to join the Obsidian Theatre Festival for its third season among many outstanding artists. Recently, she performed as Benvolio and other roles in the Michigan Shakespeare Festival Interstate Tour.

Amisha Datta

Film Production Coordinator OTF'23

Amisha Datta is a writer, director, performer, and die-hard Red Wings fan. She is passionate about stories; the way they tell us who we are, who we can become. Amisha believes in art that breaks the rules and is honored to be part of the Obsidian Theatre Festival.

Anetria Cole

Playwright "Rent Party" OTF'23

Ms. Cole is an award-winning playwright from Pontiac, Michigan. The writings of American playwrights, Lorraine Hansberry (A Raisin in the Sun) and August Wilson (Fences) deepened her passion for writing and her work is a continuation of the impact the Great Migration had on black southerners adapting to city life.

Anna Lipski

Stage Manager "Back To Black: An Obsidian Cabaret" OTF'23

Anna Lipski (she/her) is a senior BFA Stage Management undergraduate student at Wayne State University, and is thrilled to join the OTF Team for their third annual theatre festival this year. She is incredibly thankful and excited for this opportunity to work with the OTF Team doing what she loves!

Aseneth Peek Parker

Playwright

Aseneth Peek Parker is
a writer, director, author
and actor. In 2001 Aseneth created the Jennings Family, a loving dysfunctional Detroit family experiencing the issues of a “blended family living underneath the same roof”. The pilot episode entitled “The Jennings First Christmas” warmed the hearts of those listening to the Dr. Womack Show that year on WGPR-FM.

Alexis Pratt

Actor "The Last Gatekeeper" OTF'23

Alexis Pratt has just received her BFA in Acting and minor in Musical Theater from Wayne State University, and she is delighted to be participating in Obsidian Theater Festival for the first time! Her recent credits include Sally Bowles in Cabaret, Philoclea in Head Over Heels, and Revolt. She Said. Revolt Again, for which she received a KCACTF “Distinguished Performance by an Actor” award.

Alicia Barclay

Admin — COVID Advisor (OTF '21)

Dr. Alicia Barclay hails from the Bronx, New York. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Stony Brook University and worked in Fortune 500 companies before pursuing her calling of becoming a medical doctor. She subsequently graduated Magna Cum Laude from the City University of New York with a BS in Anthropology-Biology-Chemistry and attended the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, where she earned her medical degree. After completing medical internship in New York, she continued her residency in Anesthesiology at Wayne State University which she will complete in June 2021. After graduation, Alicia plans to return to New York City for work.

Amara Janae Brady

Playwright "Manic Pixie Dream Girls Aren't Black" OTF'23

Amara (She/Her/Hers) is a generative artist & cultural dramaturg. Her artistic ethos is to show the humanity and divinity of Black women. Current fellow of WP Theater’s Playwrighting Lab (2022-2024) & The Public Theater’s Devised Working Group (2023-2024). All Power to all people. Ashé.
Website:https://linktr.ee/ajbrady

Andre Bottesi

Sound Mixer

Michigan based Location Sound Mixer. Own and operate my own equipment.

Angela Davis

Actor/Musician — “Marie”

Angela Davis, a Detroit Native, is one of Detroit’s most accomplished singers/performers.

She has shared stages with various national acts including The Temptations, Beach Boys, Keith Washington and many more! She has been the featured singer at prestigious events including The Special Olympics, The Ford Fireworks, and America’s Thanksgiving Parade.

Angela has had the distinct honor of performing in the 2018 All Star Tribute to Aretha Franklin at the recently renamed Aretha Franklin Amphitheater (formerly known as Chene Park). She is also a passionate songwriter and has written multiple songs on all four of her projects.

April Amara

Playwright "The Underground Color Wheel" OTF'23

April Amara is a Nigerian-American playwright and performer based in the Baltimore-Washington Area. Her plays include Dinner with a View (Fade to Black Festival, Dragon Productions Theatre), TINY RUINS (Theatre Alliance, Fearless New Play Festival) and Black Women Anonymous (University of Maryland, Kennedy Center’s Page to Stage Festival), among others.