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Because It's Sunny in L.A. (Especially On Skid Row)
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Click here for more cast and crew information.
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| CAST (click photos for larger images) |
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ALIKHAN LOCHIN
Alikhan Lochin is a classically trained actor from Oakland, CA. He performed as Andre/Yellow/Son in USC’s production of Facing Our Truth: Ten Minute Plays on Trayvon, Race and Privilege, was nominated Best Actor in the 2017 Reel East Texas Film Festival, and received his Bachelor’s Degree from the School of Dramatic Arts at USC. He’s pleased to use his artistry to inspire change in L.A.’s unhoused humanitarian crisis.
Contact:
Chrystian Dulac (Manager)
Chrystiandulac@embraceyourcape.com
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LORINDA HAWKINS SMITH
("Costella" - Equity)
Lorinda Hawkins Smith is the author of the book and solo play series: Justice? Or… Just Me? The series is based on her journey as a domestic violence survivor. She is an actor, advocate, comedian, musician, award-winning playwright and filmmaker. Lorinda earned her MBA while transitioning from houseless to housed. Her work has been published in Cultural Daily, Spectrum 30 and Amazon. Connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and at lorindahawkinssmith.com
(AEA Member)
Contact:
Lorinda Hawkins Smith
lorindahawkinssmith@gmail.com
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THADDEUS NAGEY
("James" - Equity)
Hailing from showbiz since 1984, Thaddeus grew up backstage and is a Union Playwright, Composer, Actor, and Realtor in the Los Angeles Metropolitan area. He experienced over nine years of homelessness throughout his life, starting in childhood. He is also a disabled Jewish U.S. military veteran and holds a few college degrees, most recent, an M.A. in Theatre Arts from California State University, Northridge. He is a member of the Dramatists Guild, SAG-AFTRA, Actors’ Equity, ASTR, National Association of Realtors, C.A.R. & SRAR. www.thaddeusnagey.com
Contact:
Thaddeus Nagey
Telemedia.Enterprises@gmail.com
310-963-4317
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VEVE MELENDREZ
("Vanessa" - Equity)
Veve Melendrez is making her Los Angeles Theatre debut. Veve, a proud AEA member, had her first introduction to theater playing ‘James’ in James and the Giant Peach and has appeared since in Sprint for the National Queer Arts Festival, Basilosaurus for SPARC Theatre and countless other roles. You can catch her in music videos such as Leela James The Truth Band - That Woman and Flight of Ulysses - Blackout. Watch her career at vevemelendrez.com
Contact:
Vevemelendrez@gmail.com
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EMELLE
("Carmen" & "Disembodied Voice #1" - Equity)
An authority figure with a nurturing "edge", emelle is a blend of Frances McDormand, Toni Collette, and a pinch of Jane Lynch! Trained in the classics and musical theatre, she's also performed the lead role in a horror feature and produced 20 audiobooks for Audible, using a variety of fun accents! Everyone's favorite auntie, she teaches heart-to-heart hugging and often finds toddlers' bare feet irresistible to tickling! You can find her at https://imdb.me/emelle (AEA Member)
Contact:
emelle
emelle@emelle4real.com
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BETZI MARROQUIN
("Mother")
Betzi Marroquin was born and raised in Los Angeles. She is a classically trained actor with training in method acting and the Meisner technique and has been acting since 2007. Additionally she is a multi passionate artist who has dedicated her life to the empowerment of feminine voices and stories throughout all of her creative mediums. Though she studied economics, her calling has always been to give life to such stories.
Contact:
Betzi Marroquinn
betzimarroquincasting@gmail.com
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IRON DONATO
("Darryl" "Police Officer" & "Disembodied Voice #2")
He is a Skid Row Artist, Poet, Singer, Photographer, Dancer, Producer & homeless advocate. “For those in poverty that seek positivity, I dedicate my life to help those in need. Together, we mend wings, sing, & restore dignity. Embracing empathy, kindness, humanity, it’s my destiny.” - Iron Donato
Contact:
Iron Donato
iron4humanity@gmail.com
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RAY LEWIS
(Drums & Percussion)
Ray Lewis – African & Skid Row Drums and Percussion – Raymond Lewis has and is Transforming his life from, Lack of Knowledge of Self, Houseless, addiction and imprisonment to a life of service, healing and creating artistic expressions that brings unity. Ray Lewis is a survivor in the war on incrimination, disenfranchisement and imprisonment of a hysterical native people of “Turtle Island”, America. Parts of my Divinity as an Entrepreneur, Percussionist, Activist, Artist, Motivator, and Healer.
Contact:
Ray Lewis
rayrush99@yahoo.com
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MARCOS MAYES
(Drums and Percussion)
Marcos Mayes expresses himself through modeling, song writing, spoken word & drumbeats made directly from his hands. Check out his music as the theme song for the reality show "Beauty and the Geek." He is also featured on the reality show "Charm School 2" on Vh1 as the sexy rock-n-roll drummer. Marcos has performed with reggae sensation Ms. Triniti,Bonafied, Pursian super stars "Afshin" and Carlos Venti, Jazz musician/Actor Malcom Jamar Warner of The Cosby Show/, Shock G of Digital Underground, & ''''the queen of underground music'''' Medusa. Marcos’ drumming is available on Tupac Shakur''''s poetry CD "The Rose II", track "And 2morrow" & recently performed in front of the great Muhammad Ali at his birthday.
Contact:
marcosmayes2000@yahoo.com
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| PRODUCTION STAFF (click photos for larger images) |
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KARESA MCELHENY
(Director)
Karesa McElheny* (Director) Karesa has directed over 45 Los Angeles productions. Favorites include Cyrano de Bergerac, The Lion in Winter, Amadeus, Assassins, (Knightsbridge Theatre) The Pirates of Penzance (Opera Pasadena), Angels in America (NoHo Arts Center) and Dancing at Lughnasa (Attic Theatre). She was a founding member of the Ironbound Theatre in Newark, NJ and the Tamarind in Hollywood; previous posts include Artistic Director of the Attic Theatre, Board Member and Co-AD of Open At the Top. Also an actress and audiobook narrator, she is currently co-writing a play with her husband; We Play Us. SAG AFTRA/AEA. www.karesamcelheny.com
Contact:
Karesa McElheny
karesa.mcelheny@gmail.com
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GARTH HERBERG
(Musical Director)
Co-founder and Head of Music at Spectrum Laboratory, a nonprofit serving neurodiverse artists, and owner of The Anything Box Recording Studio in North Hollywood. Garth has worked as a music director since 2012 in Los Angeles, developing productions for The Visceral Company, The Miracle Project, The Forge, and his own original work. Outside of LA's theater row, he has over 20 years of experience working as an educator, composer, arranger, music producer and multi-instrumentalist.
Contact:
gherberg@gmail.com
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TIM POULIN
(Composer & Sound Designer)
Tim Poulin – Composer - He holds a master’s in music from San Diego State University and is a passionate composer and music teacher based in West Yellowstone, Montana. He enjoys regularly composing orchestral and electronic music while simultaneously avoiding Grizzly Bears and dangerous thermal pools.
Contact:
Tim Poulin
tim.poulin@gmail.com
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THADDEUS NAGEY
(Executive Producer, Playwright & Co-Composer)
Contact:
Thaddeus Nagey
Telemedia.Enterprises@gmail.com
310-963-4317
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AWILDOUN
(Poster Art/Graphics Designer)
AwildOun – Graphics Artist and Poster Art - Is an African American and Scandinavian Heritage Artist based in Polson, Montana. She is a multi-medium artist who enjoys creating murals, poetry, Jewelry, and fabrics. She is an honorable disabled Air Force Veteran and has had extensive art training in the Southwest. She has lived and sold her art across the U.S. and deeply cares about issues of homelessness and housing insecurity as it has affected her, and her family’s lives. “This art collaboration was formed from my enlightenment of the need for advocates for the underserved. The poster logo is just the beginning of long overdue misrepresentation of the people living on Skid Row” – AwildOun Contact: AwildOun@gmail.com
Contact:
awildoun@gmail.com
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DIANE PROZELLER
(Artist)
It has been a journey to develop the art style and focus that I now work in. My art has been described as surreal. My paintings often
express my observation of the world around me. Elements of my art include words which can be powerful and repetition with slight
variations to show connection and separation. I enjoy the process of seeing my art evolve from the direction that I first envisioned it.
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ELLIE RODRIGUEZ
(Director of Choreography)
Elizabeth (Ellie) Rodriguez has been a performing artist since the age of three. She is a singer, dancer, & actor with 50 shows & events credited to her name, including performances at the Inland Empire’s annual showcase “Puttin’ On The Ritz”, D23 Expo, The Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival, KCON LA, & various musical theatre productions. At the age of 5, she discovered her passion for musical theatre and aims to debut on Broadway in the near future. She holds a BA in Communications from California State University, Northridge with experience in PR, Special Projects, a& Entertainment Marketing.
Contact:
ellierrodriguez@gmail.com
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| SPECIAL THANKS (click photos for larger images) |
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ADAM KREINDEL
(Audio Book/Voiceover (Prerecorded))
Adam has been involved in voice-work throughout the years doing character voices in various mediums both live and recorded. He enjoys world travel and culture, nature, music, adventures, and is a consummate foodie. When he grows up, he would like to be very, very old.
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