Current Class

Kaliswa Brewster

Kaliswa Brewster (she/her) is a first-generation Liberian-American actress, producer, and educator based in New York City. Dedicated to using the arts to inspire change and build community, Kaliswa serves as President of the Board for Molière in the Park, a theater company that brings FREE, high-caliber productions to the LeFrak Center in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park annually. MIPs Spring 2024 production of “The Miser* had over 5,000 audience members from all walks of life sitting shoulder to shoulder together to watch the show. Passionate about the intersections of storytelling and justice, Kaliswa has produced anti-racism workshops with national faith and thought leader Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis, and co-produced a streaming Juneteenth special celebrating Black resilience and joy with Broadway director Charles Randolph-Wright. Kaliswa’s film and digital media producing credits include the short *Pagliacci* which screened at the Micheaux Film Festival, the podcast *Black Voices Past and Present,*and various social media projects. As an actor, Kaliswa has appeared onscreen in *Billions*, *Law & Order*, and *Paterno*, and has performed on stages at Off-Broadway and regional theaters across the country. An MFA graduate of the American Conservatory Theater, Kaliswa teaches “The Business of Acting” in the MFA program at Brooklyn College.

Brandon Brooks

Brandon Brooks is a drummer, producer, and entrepreneur from Greenville, SC. Since moving to NYC in 2020, Brooks has earned an MBA from NYU’s Stern School of Business, made his Broadway debut as a drummer with MJ: The Musical, and as an AGM with & Juliet. Other productions he’s worked on include Ohio State Murders, Pictures From Home, Shucked, Spamalot, Dungeons & Dragons The Twenty-Sided Tavern, and Invasive Species. He currently plays drums for Hell’s Kitchen and looks forward to joining the next TPOC cohort.

Mayah Lourdes Burke

Mayah “My” Lourdes Burke is a Queer Caribbean-American Producer and Director born and raised in NYC. She is dedicated to creating accessible film and theater that explores culture, identity, and mental well-being, aiming to inspire, heal, and spark meaningful conversations on inclusivity and wellness. Projects include: NAMT’s 37th Annual Festival of New Musicals (line producer); Bethesda (short film, executive producer); The Ghost Writers Festival (new works festival, lead producer); 54 Sings Jessie J at 54 Below (cabaret, lead producer); Magical Girl Play by Emmy Kupershmid (play reading, co-producer). Awards: Howard Gilman Performance Art Residency Cohort Grant recipient; Staten Island Youth Award for Contribution to Arts and Culture. Member: MTEAF, the Maker’s Ensemble, SDC, and the Dramatist’s Guild. Mayah is exceptionally grateful for the opportunity to be here and would love to give thanks to God and all the people who have supported her along the way. @mayahlourdes

Yide Cai

From Shenzhen, China, Yide Cai is a MFA in Playwriting candidate at Boston University, and a graduate of Emory University with a BA in Playwriting & German Studies. He is a poet, translator, and an award-winning playwright with plays that have been selected to festivals such as KCACTF, Kanini Fest, WTP Table Series, and NSYPF. He is a fellow of the Laboratory for Global Performance & Politics. He also works as a director and dramaturg in productions worldwide such as the assistant director of Prague Shakespeare, and the dramaturg of the China’s premiere of “The Book Of Will” which he translated.

Christie Chang

Christie Chang is an emerging theatre producer based in Hong Kong and co-founder of Deliberate Collisions, a company that creates cross-disciplinary productions exploring the intersections of culture, identity, and artistic expression, particularly from an Asian perspective. She holds a BFA in Drama from NYU Tisch with a minor in Business Entertainment Media and Technology. Christie has worked in New York, Shanghai, Hong Kong, and most recently produced Bright Light Burning for The Theatre of Others at UN COP28 in Dubai. She is committed to fostering global collaboration and creating theatre that deeply resonates with diverse audiences.

Chesray Dolpha

Chesray Dolpha is a dynamic South African-born theater maker, director, and storyteller with a passion for creativity, joy, and social impact. She is the founder of StoryBridge Consultancy, which champions storytelling as a force for equity, connection, and community transformation. Chesray’s recent credits include Tina: The Tina Turner Musical on Broadway, Push Party, Bricks the Musical, Fabulation, Voices of Gen Z, Homecoming, and Spirit Songs. With experience as the Director of Education at the Classical Theatre of Harlem and Artistic Director of the Broadway Advocacy Coalition, Chesray has employed theatre as a tool to center marginalized experiences. Her clients include organizations like Columbia University’s Center for Justice, where she supports formerly incarcerated women in reclaiming their narratives, and the Arts Office, helping schools integrate arts to enrich educational experiences. As an Oprah Winfrey African Women Public Service Fellow, Chesray earned her Master’s in International Development and Non-Profit Management at NYU. She also holds a BA with distinction and an Honors degree from the University of the Western Cape in South Africa. Through StoryBridge, Chesray is dedicated to creating a just and vibrant world, one story at a time.

Abby Espiritu

Abby Espiritu (she/her) is a Filipino American on-camera, theater, and voiceover actor based in Los Angeles. Her face and voice have been seen and heard by millions of people in TV shows on Disney Channel, video games from popular Japanese media franchises, and an appearance speaking at Los Angeles Comic Con 2024. Select acting credits include – Theatre: Into the Woods (Little Red), A Chorus Line (Connie), …Spelling Bee (Marcy Park), Take the Lead – Equity Reading (Styx [Originated Role]). Film: Barbie, The Idea of You, The First Slam Dunk. TV: Yu-Gi-Oh! SEVENS, Re:Zero, Hamster & Gretel, Pokémon. Video Games: Genshin Impact, NIKKE, Aether Gazer. In addition to over 15 years of performance, Abby has experience directing and producing and has worked in multiple casting and production offices in NYC, including The Telsey Office (formerly Telsey + Company), Robert Ahrens Productions, and Impossible Casting. Having graduated from Brown University with a Bachelor’s Degree in American Studies focusing on “Asian American Representation in the Media,” she’s always been passionate about increasing diversity and creating more equitable opportunities in the entertainment industry for underrepresented identities. Feel free to check out her website at abbyespiritu.com or follow her on Instagram/Twitter/Twitch at @missabbyespirit.

Danilo Gambini

Danilo Gambini is a director and producer originally from São Paulo, Brazil. He is currently the Associate Artistic Director at Studio Theatre. Recent directing credits include the world premieres of Ni Mi Madre (Rattlestick Theater/ OBIE Award Winner, Drama Desk Nom., NYT Critics Pick), and Stravinsky’s The Rake’s Progress at Yale Opera. Upcoming: Tchaikovsky’s Iolanta at Yale Opera, Aurora Real de Asua’s WIPEOUT at Studio Theatre, and the development of Arturo Luíz Soria’s Sin Padre at Rattlestick Theater. His production of Agreste at Spooky Action Theater in DC has received six Helen Hayes Awards Nominations, including Outstanding Director. Other credits: Fun Home, The Tempest, Rock Egg Spoon (Yale School of Drama), Agreste (Drylands), Bakkhai, The Swallow and the Tomcat, Truck (Yale Cabaret). Opera: Don Giovanni, Ariadne Auf Naxos, Eugene Onegin (Theatro São Pedro). He has developed work at The Public Theater, Joe’s Pub, The Old Globe, Ars Nova, Milwaukee Rep, Chautauqua Opera, Yale Opera, Gulfshore Playhouse, Latinx Playwrights Circle, amongst others. Education: MFA in Directing from the Yale School of Drama; BFA in Film and Television and a graduate from the School of Dramatic Art (Escola de Arte Dramática – EAD) both from the University of São Paulo. danilogambini.com

Chandler Gregoire

Chandler Gregoire is a multiracial (Black, Korean, and white), NYC-based theater artist who cares deeply about representation and elevating diverse stories. After graduating from LaGuardia Arts High School and Yale University, she spent seven years working as a professional actress. She has performed in the Backstage Critics’ pick play Hotel Savoy, narrated the audiobook Society of Lies by Lauren Ling Brown (Reese Witherspoon book club pick), and worked on new plays like A Brief List of Everyone Who Died by Jacob Marx Rice. During the actors’ strike Chandler realized she would be better positioned to create the long-term, meaningful change she hopes to see in this industry as a producer. She is currently in her first semester of an MBA program at Columbia Business School focusing on entertainment, the arts, and nonprofits. As a producer, her goal is to elevate—and maintain the artistic integrity of—BIPOC stories, make theater more accessible to diverse audiences, and make art that changes how people view their world.

Carolyn Harrison

Carolyn Harrison is a NYC theater arts educator and producer. Her training includes work for the John Houseman Acting Company under the direction of Margo Harley, the development of new works for youth at the Carpetbag Theatre under the direction of Linda Parris Bailey, freelance Stage Director, and Theater Arts consultant for schools in Detroit, MI, Spokane, WA, and Knoxville, TN, and administrative leadership as Department Chair for two private schools. Carolyn’s career includes the creation of theater curricula for secondary and post-secondary institutions, as well as show production history of 30+ plays and musicals. As Founder and Executive Producer of Good Light Productions, LLC (GLP), Carolyn collaborates with underrepresented theater artists to create liberating and illuminating theatre.

Candice Hatakeyama

Candice Hatakeyama is a multi hyphenate artist originally from Honolulu, Hawaii, now based in NYC. Select performance credits: Funny Girl (Broadway), Anything Goes (MUNY), “Sally Bowles” in Cabaret (Hangar Theatre), and “Irene Roth” in Crazy For You (Asolo Theatre). She holds a BFA in Musical Theater from Syracuse University, and is a VPA Scholar and Young Research Fellow. Her research culminated in writing a musical-adaptation of Ruth Ozeki’s novel, A Tale for the Time Being, and she produced and edited a virtual hour-long presentation of the musical that debuted on Facebook Live in fall of 2020. She now co-owns a production company, Next Stop Creatives, that focuses on reels for performers, concept video production, business content creation, and live productions. Recent Next Stop Creatives productions in NYC: Make Yourself At Home by Alexa Belli, The Queen of England by Kate Crabtree, and Object Lesson by Brea Glosson.

Yulidal Hernandez Kin

Yulidal Hernandez Kin is a producer, actress, and writer based in New York City. With a background in theater production she has the honor of being a former Development and Production Management Intern for Docu-series Wild Hope, was a Radio Assistant for SWB Radio, and was a Production Management Fellow at New York Theatre Workshop where she supported the production and planning of Merry Me, I Love You So Much I Could Die, and 2024 Pulitzer Finalist Here There Are Blueberries. Yulidal was born and raised in the boogie down Bronx which she proudly represents; she even worked as a Production Assistant on a docu-series, The X, a docu-series which discusses the history of her beloved neighborhood. Eager to share stories on stage, Yulidal produced a one-act called False Prayer at a virtual play festival; reported and published a story about the shutdown of Broadway publicated by the HarlemView; and was also a participant for the Possibility Project, a not-for-profit organization allowing youths to use their life stories as an opportunity to create theater. Graduating from City College with a bachelor’s degree in Theater and Journalism she strives to use the arts as a way to bring awareness to a new generation that is demanding their stories be told.

HyoJu Hong (Ju Hong)

HyoJu Hong (Ju Hong), originally from Seoul, Korea, began her career as a traditional Korean dancer before transitioning into theater management. She earned a second bachelor’s degree in Theater from CUNY Hunter College and a master’s degree in Arts Administration from CUNY Baruch College. Since 2010, she has worked in the NYC theater industry in various management roles, including Stage Management, General Management, Company Management, and other roles across both nonprofit and commercial sectors. HyoJu has made significant contributions to the Korean theater industry as well, serving as a Production Stage Manager on productions such as The Lower Depths, The Crucible, and Kim Soo-Ro’s Project Workshop, and as the U.S. Line Producer for Fly to Tomorrow with JooDa Culture. She currently holds the position of Associate Producer at Studio Vibe Stones and JooDa Culture in Korea.

Cooper Howell

Cooper (they/their/theirs) is a Director, Producer, and Actor of Black, White, and Native American heritage from Salt Lake City, Utah. The child of a theater critic and an actress, Cooper has been a theater anarchist since youth. They made their New York directing debut last summer as the associate director of “Cats: The Jellicle Ball” at the Perelman Performing Arts Center. Other regional directing credits include “RENT”, “Carousel”, “A Streetcar Named Desire”, “The Scottish Play”, “Les Liaisons Dangereuses”, and the regional premiere of the musical “The Color Purple”. As an actor, Cooper has appeared in six Off-Broadway productions, including “Penelope” at York Theatre Company, playing Lin-Manuel Miranda as Hamilton in “Spamilton: An American Parody”, and the Smiling Face with Sunglasses (“Sunny”) in “Emojiland the Musical”. They proudly serve on the artistic collective board of National Queer Theater and recently co-founded Project 88 with producer Deejay Gray, a new production company specializing in the radical retelling of queer stories and othered people. Project 88 will debut in 2025 with “Baldwin et Lucien” by R. Jahan.

Charles Jackson Jr.

Charles Jackson Jr. (he/him) is a critically acclaimed producer and director from Fort Worth, Texas, currently based in Brooklyn. He is deeply committed to producing works that champion the voices of marginalized communities. Charles received his undergraduate degrees from Southeastern Oklahoma State University and his Masters from Regent University. He served as the inaugural Producing Apprentice at Amphibian Stage Productions and previously held the position of Vice President of the Dallas Theater Center Young Professionals Board. In 2023, while serving as the Associate Producer at Jubilee Theatre, Charles was honored with the Bill Garber Young Theatre Artist Award by the Live Theatre League of Tarrant County. He recently served as the Black Theatre Coalition Producing Fellow at Alchemation and was the BTC Producing Fellow at ShowTown Theatricals for Oh, Mary! (Broadway). Charles is a Co-Producer of the upcoming Broadway revival of Othello and a proud member of the BMP 2024 Producer Academy Cohort. charlesjacksonjr.com

Denzell Jobson

With a background in business operations and a passion for the performing arts, Denzell is excited to join the Theatre Producers of Color community through the Producing 101 course and contribute to a more inclusive, representative and interesting theater community.

Jasmine A. Mitchell

Jasmine A. Mitchell is a producer, director, and arts administrator focused on social change and community engagement. As an anti-racist theatre practitioner and woman of God, she is driven to produce work that creates space for Black women and marginalized groups to heal and be joyful. Jasmine is a proud descendant of immigrants from Dominica, raised in the DC/Maryland/Virginia area — and has the ultimate foodie list to prove it. Jasmine is currently working as the Black Theatre Coalition Artistic Director Fellow at New York Theatre Workshop. She has also worked at theaters throughout the DC area such as Woolly Mammoth, Mosaic, Rorschach, Young Playwrights Theatre, Kennedy Center, and the University of Maryland. Jasmine is a proud alum of “The 24 Hour Plays: Nationals” and earned her Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from the University of Maryland, College Park. @jasmineamitchell

Malia Munley

Malia Munley is an actor and producer from Honolulu, HI now based in NYC. She graduated from Yale University in May where she double majored in History and Theater. She is particularly passionate about producing new works and shows that provide opportunities to center the artistry and stories of Asian and other BIPOC creatives. Some of her favorites projects include Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 (Natasha, producer), Gypsy (Louise), Pride and Prejudice (Jane), Sweeney Todd (Johanna), Grimly Handsome (producer), and I And You (director, YSD Cabaret). She is so excited to be a part of this incredible cohort and learn from those who have and will continue to change the industry.

Rosette Nteyafas

Rosette is a seasoned producer, Festival and arts manager with over 12 years of experience coordinating, managing, and producing arts events, festivals, and capacity-building programs in Uganda and across Africa. She currently serves as the Line Producer for Tebere Arts Foundation and the Kampala International Theatre Festival, where her expertise in arts management has significantly contributed to the growth and visibility of these cultural platforms. Rosette’s extensive experience includes key international roles such as serving as an International Jury Member at the 2023 Zürcher Theater Spektakel in Zurich, Switzerland, and as an International Mentor at the Les Practicables Festival in Bamako, Mali 2023. She has also been recognized as an Alumni Leader at the Atelier Festival Academy in Kampala (2022) and is an alumnus of the Atelier Festival Academy in Malta (2019). During her eight-year tenure with the Bayimba Foundation as the Director of Bayimba Academy, Rosette played a pivotal role in managing and producing the Bayimba International Festival of the Arts and the East African Performing Arts Market, DOADOA. Her leadership and innovative approach have left a lasting impact on the creative arts sector in Uganda and the East African region. Rosette’s passion for the development of the creative arts sector in Uganda and Africa is evident in her dedication to mentoring young artists in production management and arts administration. She is also a talented poet, known for her soulful and inspiring poetry that resonates with audiences. Rosette holds a Bachelor of Arts in Tourism from Makerere University, and her diverse skill set, coupled with her commitment to nurturing the next generation of artists, makes her a vital force in the African creative arts landscape. Rosette continues to shape the future of arts and culture in Africa through her leadership, mentorship, and creative endeavors.

Devi Peot

Devi Peot (she/her) is a New York City-based Producer, Casting Professional, and CEO. Recognized for transforming challenges into opportunities, she approaches each project with creativity and adaptability. As the founder and CEO of South Asians on Broadway LLC, her company is dedicated to celebrating and amplifying the rich diversity and cultural heritage of South Asians through the power of theater. Devi is currently producing MAYA, set to debut in London this spring. Her casting credits include A Wonderful World (Broadway), My Best Friend’s Wedding (Ogunquit Playhouse), Frozen (Ogunquit Playhouse), Life of Pi (Tour), Chicago (Broadway/Tour), GATSBY (A.R.T.), and Peter Pan (Tour) at Casting by ARC. She also served as an assistant producer on the film Land of Gold (HBO Max), which won the 2022 AT&T Untold Stories Award at Tribeca Film Festival. Committed to fostering new talent with a focus on equity and diversity, Devi strives to inform every aspect of her career with these values. @devipeot | @southasiansonbroadway.

Patrick B. Phillips

Patrick B. Phillips (he/him) is a NYC-based music director, orchestrator, and producer specializing in the collaborative cultivation of new musical theatre from inception to the stage. Described as energetic with a fervent attention to detail, Patrick is particularly interested in the possibilities of intersectionality in musical theater in regards to social justice, race, sexuality, and identity. He is proudly a son of immigrants from the Philippines and Barbados and is a member of the LGBTQ+ community. He has experience as a pit musician, conductor, and music director on Broadway, Off-Broadway, and at the regional level. He is a proud alumnus of Rutgers University. www.patrickbphillips.com @patrickthepianist

Jhansi Rajgarhia

She is a lyricist at the BMI workshop, and the newest cast member of the USA based comedy group : Broad Comedy! She is currently developing the first ever Desi Musical Theatre Songbook, a collection of songs that reflect all facets of the South Asian experience, to be used by the diaspora for auditions, recitals etc.

Mandi Samek

Mandi Nyambi Samek is a creative scientist and passionate theater investor with a unique background in tech and business. Holding degrees in Human Nutrition from Columbia and Human Developmental and Regenerative Biology from Harvard, Mandi currently works in Business Development focused on autonomous vehicles at Uber. Her theater investments include the Tony-winning An Enemy of the People and the record-breaking Romeo+Juliet directed by Sam Gold. Mandi is eager to bring her strategic expertise in business development and partnerships to the theater industry, aiming to create productions that are both creatively rich and financially successful.

Annys Whyatt

Annys Whyatt (she/her) is a creative producer and facilitator based in the UK. She previously trained at The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. As a producer, she has worked across prestigious venues in London such as the Lyric Hammersmith, Old Vic and Almeida Theatre. Her freelance work has involved producing workshops, research and development projects and productions of new work alongside a diverse array of artists and creatives. Currently she is working in creative development at ATG Productions.

Elisha Xin-Yii Beston

Elisha is a Theatre for Young Audiences performer and producer based in Singapore. After earning her BFA in Musical Theatre she joined Bay Area Children’s Theatre as a resident actor, teaching artist and administrator where she was fortunate enough to perform on a National Tour and also serve as their Business Manager. Upon returning home to Singapore, she founded the non-profit Freddo Children’s Theatre (FCT) in late 2022, aiming to produce American-style theatre infused with local culture for young audiences. Elisha advocates for diversity on stage, supporting emerging artists and promoting representation across gender, race, and body types. Committed to elevating professional standards in children’s theatre, Elisha seeks to create engaging, dynamic performances that resonate with young viewers, while fostering equitable opportunities in the local theatre industry.

Ricky Zhao

Ricky’s passion for theatre began in middle school when his English teacher returned a Les Misérables DVD from London, sparking a lifelong love for storytelling. In college, he joined the drama club, performing twice, and realized his true calling lay in producing and shaping narratives. Ten years ago, after moving to the United States, he began attending musicals regularly, and his growing career allowed for frequent trips to New York City, deepening his appreciation for Broadway. His partner, a theatre practitioner, expanded his connection to the community, introducing him to local and national networks. As a Strategy and Ops consultant, Ricky was privileged to collaborate with cultural institutions and theatres on strategic initiatives. Watching countless shows over the years, he was moved by stories that made him think, brought him to tears, and lifted him to his feet. Ricky aspires to produce theatre that inspires audiences, continues to explore the human condition, and takes people on imaginative, emotional journeys.