Next Stop...The Artist Co-op!

THe June Salon: Art + politics

Join us Wednesday, June 20th at 7:00pm

at The Artist Co-op (500 W. 52nd St. #3W)

The Salon is happy to bring its next Pop-Up to The Artist Co-op--a new co-working space just for artists where you will feel right at home.

At this month's Salon, meet three artists who fuse their art with their activism to make their voices heard.

featured artists

Richard E. Pelzer II--Executive Producer of the short film 90 DAYS

A riveting story of love, integrity, and compassion, 90 DAYS explores a beautiful couple's relationship and their life-altering decision after ninety days of dating.  Fueled with gripping performances by an extraordinary cast of actors led by Teyonah Parris and Nic Few, 90 DAYS  is a groundbreaking cinematic piece of art that confronts the human experience of overcoming one of life's greatest perceived challenges.

Written by Nathan Hale Williams and directed by Williams and Jennia Fredrique Aponte, the film is entertaining, authentic and a visual masterpiece. Based on a true story, 90 DAYS is a film that will touch hearts while navigating the definition of ultimate compassion.  Executive Producers: Jussie Smollett, Nathan Hale Williams, Richard E. Pelzer II & Sol Aponte.

Website: 90daysthefilm.com                 Trailer: vimeo.com/193563311

Cheryl McCarron--Costume Designer and Shark Conservationist

As a designer, Cheryl McCarron has designed costumes for over 125 theatre, dance, and film productions. As a shark conservationist, the number of sharks she has saved is impossible to count. She has been fortunate to be able to combine her two passions and use her creativity to help further the cause of animal welfare and conservation. She is the Campaigns & Outreach Director for Shark Angels.

websites: www.cherylmccarron.com, www.sharkangels.com

Instagram: @designer_cheryl, @sharkangels         Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cheryl.mccarron.3, https://www.facebook.com/thesharkangels/

Is It Here Yet?

Whether the weather map reads 73 or 33 degrees, we can definitely say... it's time for the Spring Salon!

Join us for an evening bringing together all disciplines of art - from different forms of music to design, humor, theatre and visual art. We are building a community open to all the arts--high-brow, low-brow, popular, classic, traditional, experimental, and everything in between--and committed to audiences' exploration and exposure to different viewpoints and experiences.

The Salon will be held April 26th at a loft in DUMBO at 7:00pm. RSVP below and the address will be sent to you the week of the event.

Featured Artists:
Lauren Sullivan--Academic
Understanding the Conversation Around Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the American Theatre

Lauren Sullivan is the Executive Director of The Salon and the Marketing Assistant for Walker International Communications Group. She is pursuing her MA in Theatre History and Criticism at Brooklyn College. She formerly worked as Literary Manager and Dramaturg for the B Street Theatre and California Stage Theater Co of Sacramento, CA, and is a proud member of the Literary Members and Dramaturgs of the Americas. Lauren is happy to have found a community that shares her passion for honest curiosity, diversity, free expression, and unbounded thought. She looks forward to building and expanding The Salon's bright future.

Nandini Vehlo--DS Wildlife Biologist

Erik La Prade--Poet

Erik La Prade has a B.A. and M.A. from City College. Some of his writing has appeared in The Brooklyn Rail, ArtCritical, TETHER #3, THE SIENESE SHREDDER, Art in America, THE OUTLAW BIBLE OF AMERICAN ART, 2016, CAPTURED: A History of Film and Video on The Lower East Side.  His current book of poems is NEGLECTED POWERS.  LAST WORD PRESS.  2017. 

Damien Olsen--Multimedia Artist

American Multidisciplinary Artist based in NYC. Born to an immigrant Russian family and moved to Brazil where resided until the late 90s. Although never formally studied Art, he started selling drawings and paintings at a very young age and later on developed professionally as a sculptor and photographer. In the middle 70s, while being a student of Psychology and Contemporary dance he worked as a photographer assistant and advertising designer. After few years of college he dropped Psychology school to pursue a career in contemporary dance that lasted for near 12 years. At the time studied Zen and Taoism at a Zen Center commanded by Robert Aitken Roshi and trained Capoeira in several academies in the Brazilian state of Bahia.

In the late 90s moved to New York and continued to work in many forms of visual arts and music. Initially supported by Art dealers Mr. Ivan Karp from the Ok Harris Gallery; and the expert in Constructivism, Mrs. Cecilia de Torres. From 2003 to 2006 he studied music composition and Jazz improvisation with ECM Artist, the Finnish Guitar Player and Composer Raoul Bjorkenheim.

Through over 4 decades of permanent activity Damien Olsen developed a consistent and vast body of work that features paintings, artist books, collected objects, assemblages, photographs and sculptures. His series of shelves or cabinets of curiosities for instance resemble geological/anthropological samples with no subtle or merely symbolic allusions to Architecture, Philosophy, Sexuality, Psychology, Paleontology and Natural History.

Since 2000 he has been creating Abstract Paintings and Sculptures from a technique that he call “ Involuntary Action" where he leaves practically free action to nature, gravity, climatic conditions and time to affect a blend of antagonist substances and different types of paint that by using water spry as a brush, the resulting images suggest imaginary maps, geographical accidents and aerial views.

http://www.damienolsenarts.com/

Rescheduled: Next Stop...The Artist Co-op!

THe June Salon: Art + politics

Join us Wednesday, June 20th at 7:00pm

at The Artist Co-op (500 W. 52nd St. #3W)

The Salon is happy to bring its next Pop-Up to The Artist Co-op--a new co-working space just for artists where you will feel right at home.

At this month's Salon, meet three artists who fuse their art with their activism to make their voices heard.

featured artists

Richard E. Pelzer II--Executive Producer of the short film 90 DAYS

A riveting story of love, integrity, and compassion, 90 DAYS explores a beautiful couple's relationship and their life-altering decision after ninety days of dating.  Fueled with gripping performances by an extraordinary cast of actors led by Teyonah Parris and Nic Few, 90 DAYS  is a groundbreaking cinematic piece of art that confronts the human experience of overcoming one of life's greatest perceived challenges.

Written by Nathan Hale Williams and directed by Williams and Jennia Fredrique Aponte, the film is entertaining, authentic and a visual masterpiece. Based on a true story, 90 DAYS is a film that will touch hearts while navigating the definition of ultimate compassion.  Executive Producers: Jussie Smollett, Nathan Hale Williams, Richard E. Pelzer II & Sol Aponte.

Website: 90daysthefilm.com                 Trailer: vimeo.com/193563311

Luis D'Elias--Contemporary South American Fusion Music, with Vocalist Raquel Quinones-Rivera

Right at the crossroads between Venezuelan folklore and contemporary music lays the soul of the Luis D’Elias Ensemble (LEDens for short). The New York based multi-cultural ensemble has dedicated its musical craft to developing a true blend of modern jazz harmonies, classical structures, rock and roll energy and Latin grooves, having South American and Venezuelan folklore as the melodic and rhythmic anchors of the ensemble’s repertoire. Founded in 2012 within the melting pot of Boston, the group is conformed by Venezuelan composer and guitarist Luis D’Elias; pianist and composer Evan Waaramaa; drummer and percussionist Brendan Pajak; and bassist P.J. Duffy, all hailing from the New England. The ensemble is also known to feature a wide range of guest musicians from around the world, being able to expand its color palette with horns, Latin percussion, strings and vocals. This blend of American and Venezuelan musicians is integral to the unique fusion of modern jazz, rock and pop idioms with folkloric South American rhythms.

http://artistecard.com/ledensemble#!/bio

Join us again at The Chipped Cup

The February Salon: Loss and Connection

Wednesday, February 28th @ 7pm

The Chipped Cup: 3610 Broadway, Manhattan

The Salon is happy to bring its next Pop-Up to The Chipped Cup! How do we lose our relationships, our cultures and ourselves? How do we reconnect? See how our three featured artists answer these questions and more.

Chipped Cup food and drink will be available until 8pm.

Featured Artists:

ROSA--Traditional Serbian Vocal Group with Aleksandra Denda, Shilpa Ananth, Astrid Kuljanic, Eleni Arapoglou

Traditional Serbian Vocal Group ROSA is a NYC based, all-female ensemble that unites singers from 3 different continents with a mission to preserve and nurture the authentic form of traditional, non-tempered singing from Serbia.  ROSA performs endangered form of Serbian folk songs that were conceived and carried by women through centuries of  hardship.

The group was formed by Marija Stojnic, documentary filmmaker and traditional Serbian music vocalist, and Aleksandra Denda, vocalist, composer and Berklee College of Music Alumna. The concept of the ensemble was inspired by Marija's documentary titled Girl Who Opposed the Sun.

Since its inception in 2013, ROSA has performed at numerous and critically acclaimed venues and events including Carnegie Hall, MoMA, Boston University Theater, The Collective School of Music, Mendocino Music Festival, Festival Zlatne Uste. The group also participated in benefit concerts organized by Leitmotiv Arts and Cambridge Global Arts, supporting Serbian/Balkan communities in need. New York Folklore Society (NYFS), East European Folklife Center (EEFC), Brooklyn Arts Council (BAC) and Cambridge Global Arts have endorsed ROSA.

Andrea Amanda--Venezuelan Mixed Media Artist
http://www.andreaamanda.com/

Molly Powers Gallagher--Screenwriter
DRIVING WITH YOUR EYES CLOSED!
Excerpt will be directed by Robert Stevenson
Performed by Vicky Finney, Molly Powers Gallagher, Sean Hinckle, Jessica Vera, plus one TBD

Molly Powers Gallagher is a New York City-based writer, performer, and teaching artist. She was recently commissioned by Urban Stages to write and perform in THE MIGHTY PATSY MINK!, a solo show about the first woman of color elected to Congress, and THE MYSTERY OF THE 12 CURIOUS COUSINS, a modern adaptation of THE 12 DANCING PRINCESSES by the Bros. Grimm. Her new play for young audiences MALLORY LI AND THE KINGDOM OF WIT & WONDER is a current finalist for The Growing Stage's New Play Festival. As an educator, Molly has worked with Girl Be Heard, Wingspan Arts, Boston University, among others. She has also had the pleasure of performing with Trusty Sidekick Theater Company/Classic Stage Company, Open Arts Alliance, and Honest Accomplice Theater.  Molly has been a Finalist in the New Plays for Young Audiences competition and awarded the BU in LA Comedy Writer Grant. MFA: Boston University BA: Fordham University Lincoln Center. www.mollypowersgallagher.com

Announcing...our next Salon!

Graphic Design by Alex Weinstock

It's time for the Winter Salon, an evening joining together all disciplines of art - from different forms of music to design, humor, theatre and visual art. We are building a community open to all the arts--high-brow, low-brow, popular, classic, traditional, experimental, and everything in between--and committed to audiences' exploration and exposure to different viewpoints and experiences.

The Salon will be held January 25th at a loft in DUMBO at 7:00pm. Exact address will be provided to those who RSVP.

Featured Artists:

Patrick Thomas McCarthy--Author of VARIED LIVES

Actor, director, playwright, former high school English teacher, Patrick McCarthy, AEA, SAG/AFTRA, Dramatists Guild, DO40 Dancers Over 40, plays Scrooge in CHRISTMAS CAROL whenever & on whichever continent he is allowed.  His frequent work on stage, film & TV  complements his award winning playwriting. A Midwesterner at heart, he now proudly calls New York City his home. http://ptmcplaywriting.weebly.com/

Jennifer Haley's NEIGHBORHOOD 3: REQUISITION OF DOOM--Director Kevin Ray and Projection Designer Michael Redman

Kevin Ray is a theater director, applied theater practitioner and theater educator. Most recently, Kevin directed Neighborhood 3: Requisition of Doom by Jennifer Haley at Rattlestick Playwrights Theater and Scenes from Family Life by Mark Ravenhill at Brooklyn College. He has directed productions of Twelfth Night, Macbeth, Monty Python’s Spamalot, and The Chrysalids (David Harrower’s adaptation of John Wyndham’s novel). He has also worked with the CAT Youth Theater program at The Creative Arts Team/CUNY, supporting young people in devising original theater inspired by themes and issues important to them. In his work as a teaching artist, Kevin facilitates arts enrichment programs that deepen young people’s experiences of performances at Lincoln Center Theater and The New Victory Theater. Kevin has received grants for his work from Brooklyn Arts Council and was a 2017 recipient of the Tow International Research Stipend which supported his experience attending La Mama International Directors’ Symposium in Umbria, Italy. Kevin holds an MA in Applied Theater from CUNY School of Professional Studies and is an MFA directing student at Brooklyn College.

Michael Redman is a designer and theatre-maker drawn to new works and collaborations that explore the intersections of technology and story-telling. Michael is the Assistant Technical Director for Brooklyn College's Department of Theatre while simultaneously pursuing his MFA in Design. Before moving to New York in Fall 2016, Michael was the Production Manager at Georgetown University and a freelance designer and technician for many producing companies in Washington D.C. In 2015, he was nominated for DC’s Helen Hayes Award for Lighting/Projections Design for his work on Theatre Alliance’s NPN Rolling World Premier of Dontrell Who Kissed the Sea. In addition to supporting Brooklyn College's esteemed program, Michael has worked on several exciting projects in the City, including designing Projections for Brooklyn College’s Production of Jennifer Haley’s Neighborhood 3: Requisition of Doom at Rattlestick Playwright’s Theatre and Llama Theatre's The Woman Who Shed Her Skin that performed at Dixon Place, HERE Arts Center and the Brighton Fringe Festival (UK).  Michael is excited to expand and explore his awareness and engagement with the communities and artists in New York and beyond. 

John Walter--Creator of True Mirror

At a social event way back in 1982, John Walter was feeling great as he went into the bathroom. However, upon seeing his reflection in the large mirror, once again he felt fake and self-conscious, becoming instantly self-critical.  But where the medicine cabinet mirror met the full-sized wall mirror at just the right angle, he saw something totally new: his true reflection. Unlike the person from before, this genuine self was full of joy, free of those same crippling self-judgments. Transformed by this realization, John founded True Mirror in 1992, perfecting the optics, discovering the science behind the true reflection, and then bringing this uplifting discovery to the world. 

Stephen Lyons--Musician/Actor/Songwriter

Stephen Lyons is a Musician/Actor and songwriter based in Harlem.  His voice has drawn comparisons to Jeff Buckley, Morten Harket, Bono, James Taylor and Freddie Mercury. Stephen is the frontman for NYC based Bonfire Falls featuring the Broadway talents of Ryan McCurdy, Erikka Walsh ('Once The Musical').  The band features a diverse sound combining Broadway Rock, Indie and Progressive Rock.  They released their debut EP, 'LIFETIME' in May of 2016.  As a solo Artist in 2007 he released Album ‘Fall’ in 2007.  He is currently working on material for a new solo album and a new album with his band.   

Our Raffle!

This time, we will be raffling off an original [Create the Culture] embroidery kit from November Pop-Up Salon Featured Artist Krystle Collins.

                      ENTER TO WIN

Check out [Create the Culture] HERE

Our November Pop-Up is Just around the corner...

The Salon is happy to bring its next Pop-Up to the Chipped Cup! Join us Friday, November 10th at 7:30pm to explore how the people who come before and after us impact our art and our lives. Chipped Cup food and drink will be available until 8pm.

Featured Artists:
Gloria Rosen--Actor/Playwright performing a selection from her one-woman show LISTEN...CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?

GLORIA ROSEN (∫Playwright/Performer) is an award winning playwright and actor. Her solo show, Listen…Can You Hear Me Now?played to sold out houses at the United Solo Theatre Festival in NY, was awarded 2016 Best Autobiographical Script and had a United Solo Encore performance in 2017; was also awarded Best of Hollywood Fringe and played to sold out houses at The New York International Fringe Festival and the Jersey City Theatre Center. She has appeared in numerous plays by award winning playwright Duncan Pflaster, most recently Lights and Noise and Bees and Boys for the Red Fern and TOSOSTheatre Companies. She created the role of Emily in Hidden Beauty at the NY EstroGenius Festival; Bubby in Bubby’s Shadow at Planet Connections, and The Mother in the Indie Film – How to Break Up With Your Mother which has been screened at the following: Los Angeles Comedy Festival; LA Indie Music & Film Summit; The Art of Brooklyn Film Festival; New Film Makers NY Festival and numerous other venues. She also participates in the Effective Arts program as an actor - using improvisational techniques to aid in the training of clinical professionals in the field of organ donation. Gloria has performed at the Actors Studio; the Samuel French Festival; Manhattan Rep and in readings at Primary Stages. She can also be seen in numerous College Humor episodes. FB: Listen…Can You Hear Me Now?  gfr723@gmail.com 

MITCHELL SCOTT LEWIS has been a professional astrologer in New York City for more than two decades. His specialties include medical chart interpretations and financial astrology. Throughout the 90’s he worked on the floor of the New York Mercantile exchange as an astrological trader and market analyst. In “Living By Starlight”, his ongoing monthly newsletter, and in his lectures and numerous appearances on national radio and TV he has accurately predicted a number of world events, including 9/11, the unprecedented rise of oil prices in the 90's and early 2000's, the exact collapse of the housing market and the ‘08 stock market crash, which he precisely foretold within days of its occurrence more than a year in advance.

As a regular guest on Coast to Coast A.M. with George Noory, he appears several times a year to discuss astrological issues regarding the economy, politics, and the future of our society.

Mitchell lectures on astrology and the financial markets throughout the U.S., most recently at the NCGR National Conference in Baltimore February 2017.

He is the author of the Starlight Detective Agency books, an ongoing series featuring protagonist astrologer/detective David Lowell, published by Poisoned Pen Press. The books are based in New York City, and are available everywhere. The third novel in the series, Evil in the 1st House, has recently been released.

KRYSTLE COLLINS is a native of Louisiana, currently living and working in New York, NY.

A self-taught artist, her interest began at a young age and has been cultivated over the years.  Growing up in a small Southern church inspired her to capture the intimacy of the human figure.  Studying the emotion-filled faces, the slightest turn of a body, and even the careless placements of a hand, sparked her curiosity about the forms that surround us daily.

Her work explores the direct relation between the observation and interpretation  of love, pain, joy, power, melancholy, anxiety and stimulation. The subjects, often female, are portrayed in a light that embodies strength, with a sense of familiarity that allows the audience to connect.  Using bold lines, shapes and posture to depict her vision, Krystle’s work captures and appreciates the beauty in identifying  the outer expression of our inner nature.

A Big Thank You & Monday Screening

Thank you so much to everyone who came out last night! It's is so encouraging and energizing to be in a room full of such graciousness and generosity.  

If you are interested in Brian Yang's screening, which was announced last night, he can be reached at PRODUCTION@SNAKEHEADMOVIE.COM. Check out his website.

See you at our pop-up on November 10th at The Chipped Cup and our Winter Salon on January 25th!

Our next Salon!

Graphic Design by Alex Weinstock

Join us at our usual location in DUMBO, or RSVP to receive the location.

We will be featuring:

BOTANICAL SHAKESPEARE: AN ILLUSTRATED COMPENDIUM
By Gerit Quealy and Illsutrated by Sumie Hasegawa-Collins

Gerit Quealy began her career as an actor, most notably in Ryan’s Hope on ABC & in Shakespeare onstage understudying Phoebe Cates at the Goodman Theater in Romeo & Juliet & herself in the title role opposite Robert Sean Leonard in New York. She turned to writing & research almost 25 years ago where she lit upon the Renaissance tenet of "Learning through Delight" which is the core of all her projects.
                  As a journalist, she’s covered everything from dollhouses, birdhouses, beauty, brownies, & brides, in outlets such as the New York Times, Country Living, Woman's Day, NBC’s ...and an array of gardening magazines. She’s a passionate paleographer & just discovered, and published an academic article on, a handwritten letter from Philip Herbert, one of the brothers that the Shakespeare First Folio is dedicated to.

Sumie Hasegawa trained as a concert pianist — drawing was one of the few hobbies open to her, to keep her hands from harm. After recovering a prize in graphic design she moved from Japan to New York City where she eventually trained as a textile designer at FIT. While designing costumes for a roving Shakespeare production, her husband was performing, the flowers kept beckoning to her, prompting her to pick up the paint-brush once again. Ophelia’s garland speech led to a passion to paint all the plants in the canon!

Hank H. Kim, filmmaker
Hank H. Kim is the Creator, Writer & Co-Director of “Laying Low,” a half-hour dramedy pilot for a series chronicling the adventures of its protagonist, David Estrada, a thirtysomething Filipino-Chinese American, newly released from prison after serving 5 years for trafficking Meth and MDMA (Molly). Dave isn’t your typical small-time drug dealer; he was a Harvard Phi Beta Kappa on the partner track at one of Wall Street’s most prestigious corporate law firms before his life was derailed. “Laying Low” tracks Dave as he embarks on his 2nd chance in life, a life in which he is determined to be spiritually and emotionally invested. Each of the complex and colorful characters that truly represent the gamut of New Yorkers will serve to either contribute to Dave’s redemption or knock him off his path.


Mark Loewenstern, playwright
Mark Loewenstern is a three-time finalist for the Heideman Award and a winner of the Sam French OOB Festival among others. Plays: Parish Dunkeld, Carnality, One is the Road, The Bloomingdale Road, The Slightly Exaggerated True Story of Civic Virtue, The Nastiest Drink in the World. Films: 6 Love Stories (w. Alicia Witt), Holiday Rumble. He is currently researching a play about real-life 60-year old serial killer Dorothea Puente.


Jeffrey Greenberg, piano
Jeffrey Greenberg is a jazz pianist based in Reston, Virginia, near Washington, DC. While he has retired from a successful career as a neurological surgeon, music has always been his first love. During college he worked as a drummer on contract with Columbia records. He soon became devoted to piano and jazz standards, formed a band, and appeared in numerous public and private events around Washington. Recently, he has played at the prestigious Arena Stage in Washington DC, and performed and collaborated with national recording artist Rich McCready, member of the Missouri Music Hall of Fame and 2016 Josie award-winning Male Songwriter of the Year. He's also performed with the recording artist and jazz bassist David Finck, who worked extensively with Andre Previn noted jazz pianist and conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra for many years. Earlier, Jeffrey has enjoyed playing for Margaret Thatcher during her U.S. visit, and for George W. Bush, at the noted Manhattan Piano bar Arturo's, and at the 5-star Greenbriar Hotel in West Virginia. You may find him playing at the Tysons Galleria, a premiere shopping, dining, and entertainment venue in McLean VA, and in restaurants and cafes in the greater Washington DC area.

A historical reading from 1851 Sacramento by our very own Megan Cooper

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Join us for our August Pop-Up!

Did you know you could paint? Write a haiku?

Find the artist within you or explore new creative paths with us Sunday, August 27th 11:30am-1pm under the tent on Central Park's Great Hill (103rd St. entrance)

Our salons are free to attend but not free to put on--please consider giving a donation

Meet the Artists!

Kori Burkholder is a Certified Professional Life & Career Coach, artist and facilitator of Self-Discovery Creative workshops. As a Career Transition Coach, she works with mid-career professionals who want to transition into a new direction that’s more meaningful and rewarding. Kori has an extensive background in the creative/marketing/entertainment field and has transitioned careers many times over the last 20 years. Kori believes that work should be fun, fulfilling and rewarding. As an Inspirality workshop leader, she’s been bringing groups of people together since 2012 and has been helping each person take away some nugget of self-awareness, knowledge, or just plain joy. http://koriburkholder.com/

Caley Vickerman--The Guerilla Haiku Movement is a Creative Place-making/Public Art Experience that has traveled to over 60 cities nationwide since April 2011, joining communities in spontaneous interaction and dialogue through the succinct and powerful use of haiku.  Together over 13,000 participants have shared their stories across the country.  Actor, Educator, and Community Builder, Caley Vickerman, is the founder of Guerilla Haiku.  Her passion for experiential education, commitment to community arts programming, creativity and enthusiastic facilitation are key to the success of Guerilla Haiku’s programs.   http://www.ghm575.com/

Next up...

It's time for the Summer Salon, an evening joining together all disciplines of art - from different forms of music to design, humor, theatre and visual art. We are building a community open to all the arts--high-brow, low-brow, popular, classic, traditional, experimental, and everything in between--and committed to audiences' exploration and exposure to different viewpoints and experiences.

The Salon will be held July 27 at a loft in DUMBO at 7:00pm. Exact address will be private messaged to those who responded "yes" closer to the date of the event.

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Meet the Artists:

Sabrina Bianca Guillaume--Costume Designer: A Brooklyn girl to the core! Sabrina Bianca Guillaume was born, raised, and resides in Brooklyn, New York. From an early age she fantasized over costumes and fashion and its ability to tell a story. Working as a freelance costume designer for dance, theatre, and film in New York City, and wherever else her projects takes her. She has and continues to push the mark in working with fellow artists. She credits the beginning of her journey to be dressing in her Sunday best for church and designing costumes for her dance group as a teen.
     Learning the basics of sewing in her costuming class at Edward R. Murrow high school, she continued on in receiving her BA in English and Theatre Arts at CUNY John Jay (2014). Most recently she received her MFA in Theater, with a concentration in design and technical production from CUNY Brooklyn College (2017).
     Often working on world premieres of productions she lives for making ever costume rememberable. See Sabrina's work at www.SabrinaBianca.com

Olive B. Persimmon--Author, Speaker & Communcation Coach: Olive Persimmon is an author, speaker, writer and everyone's favorite celibate. Mostly, because there’s a very small number of publicly-outed accidental celibates (for a reason).  Her first book is called Unintentionally Celibate and She's currently working on her second book, The Coitus Chronicles. When she's not writing or speaking,  she teaches public speaking, comedic storytelling, and improv for communication. In her free time, she enjoys writing letters to friends and coming up with new speeches. You can learn more at olivepersimmon.com or by adding her on Facebook.

Chris Harcum --Playwright/Lead Actor for Elephant Run District's Martin Denton, Martin Denton: Chris Harcum is an award-winning actor, playwright, and Indie Theater Hall of Fame inductee. His solo play, “Green,” was published in the “Best of 2011 Collection” on Indie Theater Now.Since moving to New York City in 2002, over 20 of his works have been seen on NYC stages. His full-length plays include “Trading Lunches,” “Rabbit Island,” “Milk & Shelter,” “Instant Gratification,” and “The Devil in Ms. Spelvin.” Chris co-adapted and played the title role in a modern version of Moliere’s “The Hypochondriac.” He has performed in nearly 200 projects as an actor. As a solo performer, he has created and performed “American Gun Show,” “Some Kind of Pink Breakfast,” “Gotham Standards,” “Anhedonia Road,” “Mahamudra,” “The Preservationist,” “Things Your Don’t Know,” “Weight and Weightlessness,” and “American Badass (0r 12 Characters in Search of a National Identity),” which was published in the Plays and Playwrights 2009 anthology. Many of these pieces, along with his plays “Rabbit Island” and “We Haven’t Told Anyone About This,” are published on Indie Theater Now. Chris served as Managing Director for the League of Independent Theater for three years. He is the recipient of the Leading Lights of Independent Theater Award for his ongoing advocacy and support of Off Off Broadway. www.chrisharcum.com.

Vanisha Gould--Jazz Vocalist and Composer: Vanisha Gould has burst onto the New York Jazz scene and, with a voice reminiscent of Billie Holiday, has carved out a fierce reputation for thrilling audiences. She was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA and finished her Professional Music Degree at Berklee College of Music. She moved to New York in 2015.  Listen in at https://soundcloud.com/vanishagould

Evan Nachimson--Vocalist: Evan Nachimson believes the power of the voice is not in how you sing, rather, what you say. Born in Baltimore, enlightened in Nashville, and toughened in New York, Evan Nachimson's music is all-American. Inspired by revolutionaries like Bob Dylan, John Lennon and Bob Marley, Evan Nachimson's music blends the honesty of folk, with the energy of rock and roll, and style of R&B. Find out more at https://www.evannachimsonmusic.com/