Staff, Crew, Actors, Directors, & Playwrights
Nicole Hunt
Actor — 20/20
“Her”
Nicole Marie Hunt is an Esper Studio, Meisner-trained actor, writer and activist from New York and Washington D.C. She relocated to the Midwest to be closer to her family, the equally artistic Hunts . In winter of 2018, Nicole made her Detroit stage debut in the role of "Abigail Caldwell" in the Detroit Repertory Theatre's production of Evidence of Things Unseen, directed by Lynch Travis.
Phanésia Pharel
Playwright
Phanésia Pharel is a playwright from the great state of Florida and even greater city of Miami!! Grounded in poetry and Afrofuturism she often writes about the divine metaphysical dilemma of colored girlhood. Her plays span revolutions, islands, and explores futures built on love by centering women’s pleasure, safety, and joy. AKA hopeful and magical survivor stories for the young, poor, women, colored, and those audacious enough to be all of the above.
Rebecca Eaddy
Actor "The Last Gatekeeper" OTF'23
Rebeca Eaddy oversees the day-to-day office management at WolfBrown. Prior to arriving at WolfBrown, she worked as the Vocal Music Teacher at John R. King Academic and Performing Arts Academy in Detroit and works closely with the Director of Education as a curriculum writer for Detroit Opera. She has experience writing PR, press releases, grant research and writing, public speaking and performance, and networking. Rebecca specializes in multi-cultural and individualized education. She holds a master’s in music from Bowling Green State University and a bachelor’s in music plus teacher certification from the University of Michigan.
Outside of her work at WolfBrown, Rebecca sings professionally. She has appeared in the roles of Adina (L’elisir d’amore), Madame Goldentrill from Mozart’s The Impresario with the Bowling Green State University’s Opera Theater and as Clara in the BGSU Festival Series’ “Selections from Porgy and Bess.” She has also sung the role of Annina in Verdi’s La Traviata with the Toledo Opera, been a featured soloist with the American Spiritual Ensemble, a critically- acclaimed professional group composed of operatic voices from around the country, during their Winter tour in Ireland & France, and covered the role of Clara in Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess with New York Harlem Productions’ Winter tour in Switzerland, the Netherlands and France. Rebecca enjoys practicing all aspects of the music industry and was recently accepted into the Chorus America Executive Leadership Academy inaugural cohort. The program focuses on developing and unlocking the abilities that every participant possesses, and provides training to enhance and hone these existing leadership talents.
Reyana Patterson
Wardrobe/Prop Supervisor
Reyana Patterson is delighted to be working with Obsidian Theatre Festival. She has previously done assistant costume design for Detroit '67 at Detroit Public Theatre, and Men on Boats at the University of Michigan's School of Theatre, Music, and Dance. She is a recent graduate of the University of Michigan and Director of Impact and Partnerships at non-profit, Diverso.
Sarae Daniels
Arts Education Manager
Sarae Daniels was born and raised in Detroit, MI where her family instilled the love of the performing arts. She attended Cass Technical High School where she developed her vocal ability and acting skills. Sarae continued her education at Michigan State University where she achieved a B.A. in Education with a focus on English Language Arts. Since that time, Sarae has taught both English and Drama classes to students through the years. It is Sare’s mission to improve the lives of young people by building literacy instruction through the performing arts - marrying her two passions perfectly.
Sealoyd Jones III
Actor "Color Blind" OTF'23
Sealoyd Jones III can often be found teaching and facilitating Social/Emotional Learning workshops and classes when not expressing his art through singing, acting, and production management.
Recent roles include Gbenga Ezie and Benny Perkins, in a local productions of Nollywood Dreams and Hands on A Hardbody, a performer in the Obsidian Theatre respectively.
He is excited and grateful for the opportunity to create with such talented artists.
Shashone Lambert Short
Playwright
Shashone Lambert Short was born and raised in Staten Island, N.Y., and has performed in theatre, independent films, and television. Not one to complain about the lack of work, Shashone began writing. She has been accepted into the writing program at the Writers Guild Foundation. Her
full-length play Holy Intervention was invited to be a part of the Playwrights of Color Summit with Quicksilver Theatre Company, National Black Theatre Staged Reading Series, Atlanta Black Theatre Festival Reading Series, and New African Grove Theatre Company New Works Series.
Nyah Pierson
Actor "The Last Gatekeeper" OTF'23
A Metro Detroit local artist, Nyah is a graduate from the University of Michigan’s - Theatre & Drama Department and the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts. Since graduating, Nyah was an associate artist in Northville at Tipping Point Theatre for their 14th Season. During her time at TPT, she was a carpenter for the production of The Play That Goes Wrong, a prop designer for the production of The Baxter Sisters, and the stage manager for the co-production with Williamston Theatre of Tracy Jones. Outside of her theatrical work, Nyah is a musical artist as well. She released her debut single, Love Myself, on all platforms last year and has gone on to work with some of the hottest writers & producers in the music industry to date. Find Nyah in your local theatre or on your local stage today.
Preston Crowder
Playwright
Preston’s past productions include DON’T LOOK BLACK (Tennessee Playwrights Studio), BREAK YOUR CHAINS (The Juilliard School), and FLAMES (University School of Nashville). Preston holds a BFA from Oberlin College (’16) and will receive their MFA from The New School of Drama in May ’22.
Sarae Daniels
Arts Education Manager
Sarae Daniels is excited and humbled to serve as the Arts Education Manager for the Obsidian Theatre Festival. Born in Detroit, Michigan to an artistic family of educators and musicians, she has always had a passion for both the performing arts and empowering youth. As a performer, writer, and instructor with over a decade of teaching experience, she has endeavored to use the arts as a vehicle to teach core curricum. In her current position, Sarae now endeavors to create and provide quality arts instruction to youth who have been historically barred from equitable access to resources. The mission is to create a school to career pipeline for youth into the artistic sphere.
Sean Paraventi
Actor — A Rodeo Clown “Thomas Rice”
Sean Paraventi is an actor, playwright and stand-up comedian who resides in Redford, Mi. He is the cofounder of Assembly Line Theatre Company in Detroit. Sean is pleased to be part of this amazing festival and play and he is grateful to everyone involved and everyone who supports live and virtual theatre.