A Doll’s House Part 2 

Wendy Katz Hiller
Director

Wendy Katz Hiller (director) is thrilled to be back at Open Book, having worked with them since their first season! At Open Book, she has directed Georgiana and Kitty: Christmas at Pemberley, Marjorie Prime, Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune, Doubt, Time Stands Still, as well as the Zoom production What Brought me Here. As an actress, Wendy has performed in four shows at Open Book, most recently as Hazel in The Children. Wendy has appeared with various Michigan theatres including The Jewish Ensemble Theatre, The Matrix Theatre, The Dio Theatre, The Encore Musical Theatre Company, and The Michigan Shakespeare Festival where she received a “Wilde Award” for her performance as Mrs. Malaprop in The Rivals. She would like to thank Krista for giving her this wonderful opportunity, her cast and crew for their talent and hard work, and Steve for his support.

Shardai R. Davis
Stage Manager

Shardai R. Davis is a classically trained actor, dancer, musician, and stage manager who has performed and been behind the scenes in many different mediums from plays and shorts films, operas, and even traditional Hula Luaus. Shardai received her Bachelors of Science in Individualized Studies Degree w/Concentrations in Kinesiology, Theatre, and Music from Eastern Michigan University in 2014. Some of her performances include: Polonius in Hamlet, Calpurnia in To Kill A Mockingbird, Kitty Duvall in The Time of Your Life, Athena in The Odyssey, and as Mrs. Walker in Tommy. She has stage managed at DDC Dances, Puzzle Piece Theatre, Marquis Theatre, Open Book Theatre, and at the historic Ford’s Theatre in Washington D.C. Davis has a high level of proficiency in piano, martial arts, directing and scenic design, and has won several accolades for her skills and techniques in the traditional Korean martial art of Tang Soo Do. She would like to give a shout out to her Mom & Dad for always supporting her and inspiring her to live her dreams!

Harley Miah
Lighting Designer

Harley Miah (Lighting Designer) is a freelance artist for theatres, nightclubs, concerts, and festivals across the country, as lighting designer for IKO Global Productions. He has been Open Book’s resident lighting designer since its inception, earning Wilde Awards for Best Design – Lights for Open Book's production of RED in 2014, and THIS RANDOM WORLD in 2022. Harley's work has recently been seen at The Ringwald, Tipping Point, Detroit Public Theatre and the newly opened Inspired Acting Company in Walled Lake. Harley also designs lights for "Detroit Presents: Live from Marygrove" on Detroit Public TV, which airs Wednesdays at 7:30 on WTVS and St George's Academy in NYC. Harley spends spare his time with his loving partner Reyna spoiling their cats, traveling, and seeing as many shows as they can in this great theatre community we have in Southeast MI. He hopes you do the same.

Mary Liz Valesano
Costume Designer

Bio Coming Soon

Ashley Somers
Co-Scenic Designer, Builder, Painter

Ashley currently serves as the Facility & Operations Manager at the Allen Park Center for the Arts, as well as co-owns Spectrum Staging, an independent technical theatre company. With over 16 years of theatrical experience, Ashley considers herself a jack of all trades and is versed in directing, costuming, choreography, lighting, properties, set construction, production management, stage management, and more. She has an extensive dance background, and was a competitive ballroom dancer at her alma mater, Michigan State University ('12). In her free time, she enjoys relaxing with her partner Valerie and their menagerie of animals.

Valerie Compau
Co-Scenic Designer, Builder, Painter

Valerie is a self-taught Broadway World Award winning lighting designer, and is knowledgeable in a multitude of technical theatre elements. She has over 7 years of experience in lighting alone, and even more in general stage work. Her creative designs have been credited with a number of local theatre companies, both professional and amateur, including Shakespeare in Detroit and Obsidian Theater Festival, as well as various community theatres and high schools. Although Val specializes in lighting design, she has also been known to run soundboards, design sets, stage manage, and direct. She has a passion for teaching young minds the technical aspects of theatre and the importance of the backstage crew. Val co-owns Spectrum Staging, an independent technical theatre company, with her partner Ashley.