Phil Hughes (John D’Agata) feels privileged to be a part of his first production at Open Book Theatre, and to collaborate once again with his friend, Kez Settle. He has acted on stage with various local professional theatres, including Planet Ant, Detroit Ensemble Theatre, and Water Works. Some of Phil’s favorite acting experiences have included performing in writer/director Pat Moug’s original plays, Captain Buffalo and The 59ers; being a part of Riverbank Theatre’s opening musical production Mame; and most recently participating in the Midwest premiere of Tim McNeil’s play Anything with Detroit Theatre Collective. Phil looks forward to sharing the humorous and poignant The Lifespan of a Fact with Open Book’s audiences.
David Najam Liskow (Jim Fingal) is from Ypsilanti, Michigan. He has recently graduated with a B.A. in Theatre Arts Cum Laude from Eastern Michigan University. David’s favorite stage roles include Cliff Bradshaw in Cabaret (EMU Theatre), Willam Shakespeare in Shakespeare in Love (PTD Productions), Mr. Connell in Northstar (EMU Theatre), The Messenger in Silent Cinderella (Black and Brown Theatre), Dr. Pinch in the Comedy of Errors (EMU Theatre). David’s favorite filmed/streamed productions include Sir Willam Catesby in Richard the Third (EMU Theatre), Mark in EMU’s 2021 Virtual One Act Festival, and Drew in Graven Images (Theatre NOVA). David also wrote The Sticker Collection for EMU’s 2021 Virtual One Act Festival and Assistant Directed EMU’s filmed musical cabaret In My Shoes (unreleased).
Krista Schafer Ewbank (Emily Penrose) is thrilled to be back on stage after a 2 year hiatus guiding the theatre through a global pandemic as Artistic Director. She was last seen onstage in Open Book’s production of Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune. Krista has received the Wilde Award for her performance in Emilie and direction of The (Curious Case of the) Watson Intelligence. Additionally at OBTC she has appeared in Sylvia, Independence, Kimberly Akimbo, The Shadow Box, Who Am I This Time?, Calypso’s Corner, Boy Gets Girl, Time Stands Still, Wonder of the World, and Fool for Love. A native Michigander, Krista holds a degree in theatre from Northwestern University and has worked in theatres across the country acting, teaching, and directing. Krista believes that stories matter, and volunteers each week in a first grade classroom where the students read stories to her.
Kez Settle (Director) was last seen as Beth in This Random World, and is excited to be back at Open Book Theatre this season making her debut working on a production from the ‘other side of the table.’ She last directed Angie & Vera, a one act Zoom play, for Open Book’s Weekend Wonder series in 2021. She has also directed productions for BoxFest Detroit, Theatre Nova’s Playwright Festival, Detroit Repertory Theatre’s Playwright Festival, and The Tipping Point Sandbox Play Festival. She has also appeared in a number of productions around Southeast Michigan, and some of her notable credits are Anabella Byron in Ada and the Engine (Open Book Theatre Company), Detective O’Dell in the Wilde 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. She is a proud graduate of The School at Steppenwolf in Chicago. Chase your dreams. It’s good cardio.
Samantha Silva (Stage Manager) is delighted to Stage Manage The Lifespan of a Fact. This is technically her third experience with Open Book, once earlier this year with This Random World and once when she got married in the building in 2017. She would like to thank her husband, Mario, for sharing her love of the stage; her family and friends for understanding her crazy schedule; and Krista, Maria and all of Open Book for the warm welcome! Many more thanks to the cast, crew and audiences that are keeping theatre alive in this crazy new world. Lastly, to her son, Xander, thanks for making her a better Stage Manager and a better person every day.
Harley Miah (Lighting Designer) is a freelance lighting designer/programmer for theatres, nightclubs, concerts and festivals across the country and the primary lighting designer for IKO Global Productions. He has designed the lights for all of Open Book’s indoor productions, designed sound for Boy Gets Girl in 2017, and earned a Wilde Award for Best Design – Lights for Open Book’s 2014 production of Red. Most recently, you may have seen his lighting designs of Puffs at the Ringwald Theatre, The Play That Goes Wrong at Tipping Point Theatre, and Detroit Presents: Live from Marygrove on Detroit Public Television, which airs Wednesdays at 7:30 on WTVS. He has also recently served as Lighting Designer and Master Electrician for the Detroit Public Theatre and St George’s Academy in NYC. Harley spends his spare time with his loving partner Reyna spoiling their cats, loitering in museums, and seeing as many shows as they can in this great theatre community we have in Southeast Michigan. He hopes you do the same.
Alexander Trice (Scenic Designer), originally from Oxfordshire, England, is a Director, Performer, Designer, etc. He has Directed productions for The Light Bulb Factory, BYOT, and ArciText at the Arc Theatre (Chicago, IL); New-Fangled Opera (New Orleans, LA); Slipstream TI (Ferndale, MI); Portable Folio Productions, Detroit Fringe, and Detroit New Works Festival (Detroit, MI); Theatre Nova (Ann Arbor, MI); Ridgedale Players (Southfield, MI); and TLC Productions (Canton, MI). He has performed with The Lyric Opera of Chicago, Michigan Opera Theatre, Flint Rep., Shakespeare Royal Oak, Mind-The-Gap, Monster Box, Box-Fest Detroit, Detroit Fringe, etc. Alex has worked as a Stagehand and on set crews at PuppetArt, The Berman Centre for the Performing Arts, and Meadow Brook Theatre; his designs have previously been seen at The Ringwald, art4artillery Theatre Co., etc. He is currently resident Scenic Designer with the Professional Youth Theatre of Michigan in Ypsilanti, and Technical Director of Mind-The-Gap in Ann Arbor / Saline. Alex is also scenic designing Spamalot with Burns Park Players at The Michigan Theatre in Ann Arbor, MI in the Spring of 2022.
Cheryl Zemke (Costume Designer) is a Multi Award winning Fashion Designer, Artist, and Owner of C. Creations Custom Sewing & Design. Her store, Cheryl Zemke Boutique, located at 2934 in downtown Wyandotte, creates a modern approach to a classic service oriented shopping experience by offering styling and alterations on site mixed with handmade art, fashion, and gift items. Zemke was born and raised in southern Michigan, received a B.S.B.A. from Lawrence Technological University, and earned an Associate Degree in Merchandising at the International Academy of Merchandising and Design, graduating as class Valedictorian. Zemke has been a part of the Open Book team since 2017, this show will mark her 10th as a costume designer. She has particular enjoyed costuming plays Lauren Gunderson, saying it “allows me to use many of the skills that I have acquired from classes in Fashion History and learn more about history, especially where it concerns women.” Contact Cheryl Zemke via her email czcreations@hotmail.com, website www.cherylzemke.com, Facebook or Instagram @cherylzemkeboutique.
Patrick Hanley (Fight Choreographer) is excited to be back starting fights. He previously worked at Open Book on Fool for Love. Patrick is the production manager at Detroit Public Theatre, where he previously stage and house managed. He continues his involvement with DPT’s Shakespeare in Prison program as a facilitator and fight choreographer and is the former Education Director of Shakespeare Royal Oak, directing both the Teen Ensemble and KidsAct! programs. Patrick holds a BFA in Theatre from Wayne State University. His other credits include productions with Matrix Theatre Company, Shakespeare in Detroit, the Elizabeth Theatre, and numerous shows with Planet Ant.
Jayda Gonzales (Projections Assistant) works with scenic designer Alexander Trice at the Front Desk of the Sonesta Select Detroit Auburn Hills, and is excited to be involved with theatre for the first time since Middle School! She is a loving wife and devoted mother to two (almost three)!
Maria Tejada (Production Manager) is a professional stage manager who has worked with several Michigan theatres including Water Works Theatre, Planet Ant and six years at Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington, DC even traveling to Macao, China with the production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Maria graduated from Grand Valley State University with degrees in Theater and Spanish. She is a facilitator with Detroit Public Theatre’s Shakespeare in Prison program, the Company Manager for Roustabout Theatre Troupe and she is so excited to now be a part of Open Book Theatre Company!