Luna Alexander (Director)
Luna Alexander is a Michigan director and actor, telling new stories and devised works that re-imagine traditional roles between performer and audience. Co-founder and Artistic Director of The Ibis Theatre, a multimedia theatre organization focused on theatrical shadow work and devised theatre serving Black and Brown communities in Detroit, she is passionate about exploring the complexities of human connection while making theatre equitable and accessible for all. For the past ten years, she has performed and worked in theatres across Michigan and is currently working on a devised piece serving restaurant industry workers in the Detroit Metro region with the Ibis Theatre: Gratuity Not Included, to be featured in Summer of 2021. For more information, check out more at: https://shadowoftheibis.com/
Meg Berger (Playwright)
Meg Berger is once again thrilled to work with Open Book. She has been part of the Metro Detroit theatre community for the last decade as an actor, writer, stage manager, costumer, and director. Her one-acts have been performed at the Rosedale Community Players One-Act Festival, Ridgedale Community Players One-Act Festival, St Dunstan’s Virtual One Act Festival, and BoxFest Detroit. When she isn’t writing scripts, she toils away on her untitled romance novel. All her love to JB, A, and C.
Lindsey Brown (Director)
Lindsey Brown is a recent graduate from Eastern Michigan University, where she received two bachelor’s degrees; one in Theatre Arts and one in Political Science. She is an Ypsilanti based director and actor. Recent credits include The Sentinels and Richard III at Eastern Michigan University. She is excited to get to work with other artists despite the circumstances.
Daniel DeRey (Playwright)
Daniel DeRey is a professional actor, singer, playwright, and producer currently based in Clinton Township, Michigan. He graduated from Rochester University in 2018 with a Bachelor of Science in Theatre. Since graduation Daniel has appeared in several professional shows at Uncovered Theatre Company (Rochester Hills), Riverbank Theatre (Marine City) and Monster Box Theatre (Waterford). As a writer, Daniel has written ten full length plays and eight one-act plays. Most recently, Daniel was the writer, co-director, and star of the virtual Don’t Feed the Sandworms: A Dune Spoof which he produced under his independent theatre banner “Mystic Heroes Theatre.” This is Daniel’s second time writing for Open Book’s Weekend Wonders festival, the first was back in February when he wrote the spiritual sci-fi romance “The Time We Have Left” with David Moan and Monica Spencer. Daniel is excited to continue working with Open Book as well as move forward in his mission of bringing creativity, energy, and new ideas to the theatre world in Michigan.
Maurizio Dominguez (Performer)
Maurizio Dominguez is thrilled to collaborate with Open Book Theatre for the first time! An avid fan of movies since childhood, Maurizio enjoys all things theatre and video production. He was first introduced to acting through Matrix Theatre, and has since continued to study acting and film production. Some of his major roles include Pablo in the Riverbank’s production of Sister Act, and Coyote in Raven’s Seed at Matrix. He is excited for the theatre industry to reopen and be able to share stories on stage and in person soon! Maurizio works as a cinematographer/editor, and most recently worked with Black and Brown Theatre for their upcoming film Mirror on the Wall. He loves zumba dancing and singing karaoke in the car (yes, he pinky swears he still drives safely.)
Craig Ester (Playwright)
Craig Ester hails from Detroit, Michigan and is an alumnus of Cass Technical High School where he studied with Tony Award-winning educator Marilyn McCormick. He is also an alumnus of the B.F.A Acting Program at Ball State University and the Mosaic Youth Theater of Detroit’s Acting Company. He is grateful to Open Book for the opportunity! He especially wants to thank his family and friends for their love. Recent professional credits include Macbeth (Macbeth) and The Last Cupcake (Baker) with Shakespeare Festival St. Louis, Othello (Othello) with Hoosier Shakes, Much Ado About Nothing (Don Pedro) with Shakespeare Royal Oak, King Lear (Edmund) with Portable Folio Productions, and Macbeth/Romeo and Juliet (Macduff/Seyton/Lord Capulet) with Michigan Shakespeare Festival’s Education Tour.
Kenneth Foster (Performer)
Kenny Foster (He, Him, His) is a Technical Director, Lighting Designer, and Cat/Bearded Dragon dad based out of Chicago, IL. He has been the Lighting Supervisor and Technical Director at The Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire, IL for the last 5 years. In the before-times, he was an avid karaoke tune spouter, mediocre bowling aficionado, and minigolf par striver. A jack of some trades, and master of unknown, he has filled many roles in many places, such as Lexington Children’s Theatre, The Santa Fe Opera, Glimmerglass Opera, Stagedoor Manor, Totem Pole Playhouse, and The Clarence Brown Theatre. He is excited to be a part of this whirlwind of artistry and friendship and hopes beyond hope he can remember his lines. He asks that you always consider your local animal shelter when looking for a new furry companion, and that you always strive to be excellent to each other.
Leah Fox (Performer)
Leah Fox is looking forward to the fast-paced challenge of Weekend Wonders, and thanks Open Book for planning this unique event! Leah was last seen in the Croswell Opera House production of Every Brilliant Thing. Other favorite performances include A Little Night Music (Charlotte), Sweeney Todd (Ensemble), and Assassins (Emma Goldman/Ensemble) with Encore Musical Theatre Company, and She Loves Me (Amalia) and Mary Poppins (Mary Poppins) at the Croswell Opera House. Music Direction credits include Violet, Next to Normal, Big Fish, and Edges. During the COVID shutdown, Leah has managed to distract herself with puzzles, accordion, and yoga…but is aching for live theater to be back in action. Please show your support and donate to your local arts organizations so they can return stronger than ever! She sends all her love to Ashley and Elias.
Margaret Gilkes (Performer)
Margaret (Maggie) has appeared on stage at Open Book twice before. In Good People as Dottie and in Doubt as Sister Aloysius. She was slated to be in Marjorie Prime in the summer of 2020… but you know. Other favorite parts are “A” in Three Tall Women and A Doll’s House Part 2 as Anne Marie. At Farmington Players she was last seen as Abby in Ripcord. Looking forward to this 48 hour play. Something she has never done before. Enjoy the show.
Maya Gangadharan (Performer)
Maya Gangadharan returned to the stage in 2015 after a 20-year hiatus from dance, music and theatre throughout high school and college. Favorite roles include Noor in Hamtown Races (Planet Ant), Navigation in the Daedalus 2 Mission (Planet Ant), and Narrator in Murder Ballad (Penny Seats). She is excited (and terrified) for this challenge and stoked to be working with Open Book Theatre for the first time.
Forest Hudson (Performer)
Forest began his acting journey as a student at the Detroit Repertory Theatre Actors Workshop. Acting and Theatre started out as a hobby, now they are his passions. His credits include Preying Wolves Pray, The Devil’s Funeral, Satin Doll The Musical, Broadz on Broadway, Matrix X Detroit/Gentrification Nation, Beating All Odds/A Miracle of Enchantment, Love and Justice, Alive at Five, Everyday Woo Woo, and Existence.
Taylor Morrow (Director)
Taylor is so excited to be (virtually) returning to Open Book! Taylor was previously seen on the Open Book stage as Sonia in Life Sucks and Molly in Peter and the Starcatcher. Other previous roles include #8 in The Wolves (Flint Repertory Theatre), Anne in The Diary of Anne Frank (Jewish Ensemble Theatre), and Jessica/Jolene in Hand To God (Ringwald Theatre). Taylor has been working as a teaching artist and instructor for OpenSpot Theatre Company for 8 years, and is the director of the drama program at Hazel Park High School. All my love to Kyle, Georgie, and Baby Girl! #theluckyfew
Danielle Peck (Performer)
Danielle is delighted to be back for a second round of Weekend Wonders with Open Book. She has performed with several companies across Southeast Michigan. Some of her notable credits are Karen in The Interference at Matrix Theatre and Malvolio in Twelfth Night with Shakespeare in Detroit. Since the pandemic hit, Danielle has appeared in The Crowded Hour, a radio play with the Michigan Irish Rep, and in Theatre Nova’s Zoom Play Series’ River’s Message. In addition, she directed and produced a podcast version of Macbeth with a talented group of students GP South High School. She also teaches English to high school students and acted as a Teaching Shakespeare Through Performance Fellow at London’s Globe Theatre. Her website is: daniellecpeck.com
Kez Settle (Performer)
Kez is excited to be back at Open Book Theatre Company as a part of the Weekend Wonders series. Kez was last seen on Open Book’s stage as Anabella Byron in Ada and the Engine and Mrs. Bumbrake in Peter and the Starcatcher. She has also appeared in a number of productions around Southeast Michigan, and some of her notable credits are Detective O’Dell in the Wild Award Critic’s Choice Award winning production of The Interference (Matrix Theatre Company), and Annie in Kayak (Matrix Theatre Company) which garnered her a Wilde Award Nomination for Best Lead Actress. When not on stage, Kez has been spending her time directing; most recently at Tipping Point Theatre’s Sandbox Play Festival. She is a proud graduate of The School at Steppenwolf in Chicago. Chase your dreams. It’s good cardio.
Sara Vazquez (Director)
Sara is an eclectic theatre artist currently based in the Chicago area. As a Michigan native who graduated from Grand Valley State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre, Sara is delighted for the opportunity to (virtually) create in her home state again! Sara has previously directed for New American Folk Theatre in Chicago, the American Shakespeare Theatre in Virginia, and Lexington Children’s Theatre in Kentucky, among other wonderful companies. She has also directed countless young people in theatre classes and workshops across the country and treasures helping young artists find their voice. She also has extensive professional experience as a stage manager and theatre technician. Sara is grateful to Maria Tejada and Open Book Theatre Company for innovating and facilitating new avenues of creative expression for us all to engage in!
Daniel Williams (Playwright)
Daniel Williams is from Norfolk in England and has lived in Michigan for the last 11 years. He’s been scribbling poems, songs, and short stories since a teenager. He has two novels, three novelettes, several short stories, all awaiting a publisher. He self-published a trilogy of Green Cat Books for his daughter, one of which won an award. He’s spent the last few years studying and understanding the workings of storytelling to improve his work. His current project is Huron City Radio, a fictitious Radio Station providing an outlet for his writing to be made into Radio Shows and sent out into the world. The Huron City Radio Podcast has been downloaded in 6 continents, 12 countries, and 21 states so far. Huroncityradio.com Danielwilliamswriter.com