Carmen Mirachian

Production Assistant

Carmen Mirachian is a recent graduate of Wayne State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Media Arts and Studies with a minor in Film. With experience as a director, producer, and entertainment host, Carmen is determined to showcase her creativity and personality to inspire her respective communities.

Chanice Chism

Admin

Loving the rhythm of music and watching how directors & producers manifest their visions to life is where it started. At a young age and being the only child, Chanice had a lot of time on her hands. Being an early 90s baby and growing up in the middle of the evolution of technology, Chanice really got a chance to see first hand old vs new Entertainment & Technology.

Chelsea King

Actor/Musician (title pending) OTF'23

Chelsea Waddles-King is a proud native Detroiter. As a child of the arts, she has always had a love for all things music and theatre having had exposure to both at an early age. She studied theatre at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, MI as well as The American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Los Angeles, CA. She has a husband and two children whom she adores.

Cyrus Cohen

Stage Manager "Color Blind" OTF'23

Cyrus Cohen just finished their 1st year as a Theater Technology/Design Major at Northern Michigan University and is thrilled to be a part of this year's festival! Some of their most recent productions include Grease, Holiday Double Feature, and Woodland Sky. They would like to thank everyone for making this show a fantastic experience.

David Moy

Actor "and god made man" OTF'23

I am a Detroit native and live in the city with my wife Sarah. I am a middle school drama teacher and just finished my stage debut at the Detroit Rep in Transfers as David De Santos.

Doran Berger

Actor/Musician — “Officer Paul Miller”

Doran is so honored and excited to be apart of The Obsidian Theater Festival’s Second Season. A graduate from Oakland University who loves bringing stories to life, and who can’t wait for everyone to see the fantastic work that Obsidian Theater has to offer.

Douglas Lyons

Guest/Teaching Artist

Douglas Lyons is an actor, writer, director, composer, and playwright. Writing - TV: Fraggle Rock (Apple TV). Theater: Polkadots (Off Broadway Alliance Winner Best Family Show, Atlantic Theater Company), Chicken and Biscuits (Queens Theatre), Sunshine (Long Wharf Theatre), Pete(Her)Pan (Pace New Musicals), Five Points(world premiere Theater Latte Da), now directed by Hamilton's Andy Blankenbuehler, Fatigue with Jodi Piccoult, We The People (TheatreworksUSA) and The Hamlet Remix. Acting - Broadway: Beautiful (Original Cast) and The Book of Mormon. Tours: Rent, Dreamgirls and The Book of Mormon 1st National. Douglas is also the founder of The Next Wave Initiative, a scholarship program dedicated to supporting the future of Black Theater artists. @chocolatehipster

Carmia Lowe

Actor

Carmia (She/Her) is a Michigan native in her junior year at Ball State University pursuing a BFA in Acting with a minor in New Works for the Stage. She has been in several productions at Ball State; some of her favorites include: She Kills Monsters: Virtual Realms (Agnes), The House of Bernarda Alba (Amelia), and Borrowed Babies (Shelly). She is so excited to be working with the Obsidian Theatre Festival and wants to thank her mom and family for always supporting her, and the talented cast and production team of all black women for allowing her the freedom to be her fullest authentic self. Follow along with Carmia on social media @carmiaimani

Chanice Chism

Admin

Loving the rhythm of music and watching how directors & producers manifest their visions to life is where it started. At a young age and being the only child, Chanice had a lot of time on her hands. Being an early 90s baby and growing up in the middle of the evolution of technology, Chanice really got a chance to see first hand old vs new Entertainment & Technology.

Courtney Harge

Host Committee

Courtney Harge is a nonprofit executive, theater director, and entrepreneur originally from Saginaw, MI who has been working in the service of artists for the last fifteen years. Her current role is the CEO of OF/BY/FOR ALL. For more information go to www.courtneyharge.com.

Dan Johnson

Actor — Papa Jennings is Gone
“Morris”

DAN JOHNSON has worked steadily as an actor, writer and theatre person in SE Michigan since graduating Eastern Michigan University in 2011 with a degree in Communication and Theatre Arts, including roles in Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley (2020 Wilde Award Winner - Best Supporting Actor in a Play), Man of La Mancha (2020 Wilde Award Winner - Best Supporting Actor in a Musical), Tales from the Mitten (also co-author), Assassins, Kill Move Paradise (co-winner, 2019 Council Cargle Wilde Award), Buzz (winner, 2015 Detroit Repertory Theatre Subscriber Award for Best Supporting Male Actor) and Firepower (nominee, 2017 Wilde Award and BroadwayWorld Detroit Award for Best Supporting Actor).

Desmond Williams

Stage Manager

Desmond Vincent- Edward Williams (He/Him) is an Actor, Musician, Stage manager, Fashion Designer, Film maker, Writer, Poet, Activist, and Director From Detroit, MI. He briefly studied at Oakland community college and Academy of Art in San Francisco for Theater. His recent projects include Detroit ‘67 at the Detroit Public Theatre. He started producing, mixing and mastering his own music, which started his music career. He later found his way into other creative ventures through connections and friendships. Desmond has worked with multi-platinum producers, filmmakers, and musicians around the country. Much thanks to Mom, Dad, Brian Marable, and Ron Recasner.

Doran Konja

Stage Manager "and god made man" OTF'23

Doran Konja (he/him) - Doran is a Theatre Artist and Grant Writer based in Detroit. Previously this year he stage managed for Detroit Public Theatre and is more than happy to continue his work in the city here at OTF!

Dr. Rashida Harrison

Director of Education & Professional Development

Rashida L. Harrison, Ph.D. is a Black Feminist mama, activist, mentor, and community-centered educator. Her work involves curriculum design, facilitation, research, writing, and storytelling. Rashida is guided by a frame of Freedom, Justice, and Love of Black and Brown people. She believes education should be accessible to all, and that the beauty and creativity of Black people provide the most valuable lessons.

Rashida is committed to building a world where Black children and families are healthy, valued, and empowered.

Carollette Phillips

Playwright

Carollette Phillips is a native Detroit artist, currently based in Los Angeles. She earned a BA in Mass Communications from Miami University of Ohio and as well as an MFA in Theatre from Wayne State University including a summer semester abroad at the Moscow Art Theatre School in Russia.

Charity Sanders

Stage Manager "The Last Gatekeeper" OTF'23

Hi! My name is Charity Sanders. I am very excited to be partnering with the Obsidian Theatre Festival this year! Theatre is a love of mine as well as being part of a community. Can’t wait to see the magic we’ll make!

Cris Blak

Playwright "The Underground Color Wheel" OTF'23

Cris Eli Blak's work has been produced around the world. He is the winner of the Black Broadway Men Playwriting Initiative and is currently the artist in residence at the State University of New York - Oswego and the recipient of the Emerging Playwrights Fellowship from The Scoundrel & Scamp Theatre.

Daniel J. Watts

Guest/Teaching Artist

Daniel J. Watts is a 2020 Tony Award nominee and Outer Critics Circle Award Winner for his portrayal of Ike Turner in the hit Broadway musical TINA. He has appeared in nine Broadway shows including Hamilton, Memphis, and After Midnight. He received the Barrymore Award (People’s Light) and the LA Ovation Award (Geffen Playhouse) for best featured actor for his portrayal of Sammy Davis, Jr. in “Lights Out: Nat King Cole” opposite Dulé Hill.

Devion Ross

Actor — Mother’s Boyfriend: “Jonathan”

Devion Ross (Johnathan) is beyond blessed and grateful for the opportunity to be a part of such an amazing team and to tell such an important story. Devion is a local to Michigan and in his junior year of pursuing a BFA in Acting at Ball State University where his greatest challenge so far has been taking on the role of Clay in Amiri Baraka’s Dutchman. You can find out more about his work and who he is at
https://devionross.com or on instagram @devionross

Doug K. McCray

Actor — Makin’ Bond
Calvin Coolbreeze AKA Black Jack Nasty”

Doug K. McCray who appears as ‘Black Jack Nasty’ is a veteran stage and screen actor. His performances include ‘The Owl Killer’ at The Zeitgeist Theatre. ‘Top-dog/Underdog’ for the African Renaissance Theatre, ‘A lesson before dying’ at the Detroit Repertory Theatre, ‘La Rondine’ at the Michigan Opera Theatre, ‘Dearest Angela’ at the Plowshares Theatre Company, ‘A Raisin In the Sun’ at Hope Repertory Theatre.