Staff, Crew, Actors, Directors, & Playwrights
Louis Johnson
Playwright
Louis was a 2020 Finalist for the 2020-2021 Maison Baldwin Writer-in-Residence Program presented by Les Amis de la Maison Baldwin. Her films have screened around the world and are represented by Flourishing Films. Short and feature scripts have official selections at Slamdance, Silent River Screenplay Competition, and the Cindependent Festival.
Maria Judice
Playwright
As a graduate of CalArts M.F.A. Film/Video program, M is a visual storyteller working in cinema, writing, photography, and public art. Her films and writing combine a fictional and documentary narrative approach. Wired magazine called M a "filmmaker provocateur." PALM TREES DOWN 3rd ST. won the Adrienne Shelly Award and was called "a masterpiece" by Film Threat. The award-winning sci-fi MOONLESS was reviewed by Stigmart/Videofocus13.
Her films have screened around the world and are represented by Flourishing Films.
Mason Van Gieson
Actor — “Heather O’Brien” in FREIDA or THE RED, BLUE & BLACK
NYC: Pigeons Mate for Life (Theatre Now), Summoned (Dramatic Question). UMich: The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui, Mr. Burns. Production: Broadway’s The Sound Inside. A cappella credits include GMA, 54 Below. Love to Mom, Dad & Colin. Proud Michigan native, UMich grad. @masongvang www.masonvangieson.com
Maya McEntyre
Actor/Musician — Lt. Freida Armstrong
Maya McEntyre (Lt. Freida Armstrong) is a rising sophomore Acting major at the University of Michigan and an alumna of Mosaic Youth Theatre. This is her first show at OTF and she’s so excited to be here! She wants to thank her family for always supporting her.
Michael Dinwiddie
Submission Panelist
Michael Dinwiddie is an Associate Professor of Dramatic Writing at the Gallatin School of Individualized Study, New York University. His plays have been produced in New York, educational and regional theatre. A consultant for the Black Theatre Network (BTN), Michael was an inaugural Disney Fellow (Touchstone Pictures). He was a staff writer for the ABC-TV sitcom “Hangin’ With Mr. Cooper.” Honors include an NEA Playwriting Fellowship, HBO Honorable Mention for Short Script, and Sundance Finalist. Member, American College of Theatre Fellows. DG, WGA, ASCAP, BMI.
Morgan Heyward
Playwright
Morgan Elizabeth Heyward is an Albany area actress and theater creative. After graduating from Russell Sage College with a BA Heyward set out to create opportunities for black actors in the Albany area by starting , Illuminate, A theater Cabaret series. With the support of the community Illuminate Theatre has become a full fledged production company. Heyward has also made made several capital region appearances as an actress, including"For colored Girls who have considered suicide when the rainbow is enuf" at the Albany Barn , "Milk like sugar" with Callaloo and most recently "The Most Spectacularly Lamentable Trial of Miz Martha Washington" with Black Theatre Troupe of Upstate NY, Inc. Heyward returned to Russell Sage this past fall where she co-produced and starred in her first original one act play, Dear Lil’. She is excited for Dear Lil’ to have life on a new stage with the Obsidian theatre Festival and looks forward to possibility of future productions on stages all over the country.
Lulu Fall
Actor/Musician
LULU FALL is a singer, award-winning songwriter, actor and visual artist from DC. Theatrical highlights: HAIR (Nat’l tour, Broadway); Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812 (Broadway, off-Broadway); Hadestown (off-Broadway). TV credits: Random Acts of Flyness (HBO); The Last O.G. (TBS); The 71st Tony Awards (ensemble performance for Great Comet).
Mike Sandusky
Musician/Actor — Dear Lil’
“Lil Shorty”
Mike Sandusky is thrilled to be returning to OTF for the second time to share and promote black talent. Since last gracing the OTF stage, Mike was in RENT as Tom Collins and cabarets across Michigan. Beyond the stage, you can find Mike teaching elementary music for DPSCD and furthering his education at Teachers College at Columbia University.
Morgan Listenbee
Actor — Miss Education “Roxanne Waters”
Morgan Listenbee (she/her/hers) is super excited to play Roxanne Waters in Miss Education!!! She recently graduated from Wayne State University with a BFA in Theatre Performance! She would love to thank her cast and creative team for giving her something to look forward to each day! Morgan would also love to thank her family and friends for always supporting her dreams :)
Nate John Mark
Actor — Makin’ Bond
“Fig Newman AKA Bond James Bond”
I am originally from Grand Rapids, MI. I attended Western Michigan University where I pursued a degree in Organizational Communication. I have always had a passion for performance and poetry which I satiated by hosting events on campus to create platforms for artists like myself to be heard and seen. After undergrad I began an Audience development assistantship at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival where I was later introduced to performing Shakespeare with the OSF school tour. I have since joined Universes theatre ensemble, performed in Shakespeare tours around the country and am now living as an actor and playwright in Detroit, MI.
MJ Rawls
Actor
MJ is excited to collaborate with Obsidian Theatre/ Ghostlight Productions on this project! Chicago credits include: Chicago Shakespeare Theatre (Madagascar; A Midsummer Nights Dream), Mercury Theater (Pippin), MadKap Productions (Man of La Mancha), Kokandy Productions (The Wiz). Regional credits include: Creede Repertory Theatre (Peter and the Starcatcher; Little Shop of Horrors), Coachella Valley Repertory (Chess The Musical). She is a proud member of the Actors Equity Association. She is represented by Big Mouth Talent. She is a trans rights activist and hopes that this project expands the theatre community.
Instagram: @aquarius_0125
FB: MJ Rawls
Marvin Thompson Jr.
Music Director
Marvin Thompson Jr. is a producer, musician, and recording artist from Detroit MI. He has written and produced several stage productions, including Two Chairs, as well as smooth jazz releases on his DecemberSky label. Marvin is the recipient of the John Lennon Songwriting Award and the Billboard Songwriting Award.
Maya McEntyre
Actor "The Underground Color Wheel" OTF'23
Maya McEntyre is a rising Junior BFA Acting major at the University of Michigan. She is also an Alum of Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit. She’s excited to be back at OTF for a second year- it’s such an amazing experience to get to work with the creatives of Detroit!
Melanie Payne
Playwright "Color Blind" OTF'23
Melanie Payne is a playwright and actor. She lives in Tampa, Florida where she holds down a day job as manager and executive producer for the Emmy Award winning I-Team at ABC Action News. Melanie is a native of Cleveland, Ohio and a graduate of Wellesley College.
Mollie Cardella
Actor "The Last Gatekeeper" OTF'23
Mollie Cardella is a recent graduate of Eastern Michigan University with a B.A. in Musical Theater and Dance. This is her Obsidian Theatre Festival debut! She would love to thank her friends, family, voice teacher, and partner for their never ending support.
Mykai Eastman
Playwright
Mykai Eastman is a director and playwright currently based in Denver, Colorado.
He dedicates his career to giving a voice to the voiceless. With a B.A in Theatre, and an M.A in Professional Communication, Mykai takes a multi-disciplinary approach to theatre that pushes the boundaries of what is expected onstage.