The new Trump administration has, through coercion and brute executive force, practically outlawed D.E.I initiatives in the United States. These programs have existed for years to bring America closer to an equitable country.
The removal of these programs is the start pf bringing the United States back to a bygone era.
That’s why this year’s theme focuses onD.E.I
Playwright
Allie Costa is an actor, writer, director, and singer working in film, TV, theatre, and voiceover. Her credits include Spring Awakening, 90210, Alien vs. Musical, Future Shock, Slayers: A Buffyverse Story, and You Me & Her. She's also appeared in commercials and podcasts, narrated audio books and documentaries, and lent her voice to video games and animated projects. Her work has been produced internationally, including the critically acclaimed Two Girls, Don't Shoot the Messenger Pigeon, Music of the Mind, Boxes Are Magic, and Can You Keep a Secret? Occasionally, she sleeps. http://www.alliecosta.com http://imdb.me/alliecosta
Director
Arnaldo Galbán is a Cuban-born director, actor, and drama teacher based in NYC. He uses theater as a tool for social change, creating work that sparks dialogue and amplifies marginalized voices. His journey has taken him across six countries, where he’s taught and devised theater with immigrant and underrepresented communities. Now in the U.S., he continues to focus on bold, human stories that challenge systems and inspire connection.
Cast
Barbara Moreno as Rush
Barbara Moreno is a Brazilian-Japanese actress and recent graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts—still a little amazed she gets to do this for a living.
She’s drawn to characters who are unapologetically human, raw, and full of heart—and to stories that help people feel a little less alone. Her first original play, which she co-wrote and starred in, was recently selected for the Chain Summer One-Act Festival, reminding her just how much she loves building something meaningful with people she admires.
When she’s not acting, she’s probably making something weird (and hopefully funny) for her 700K+ TikTok followers. She cares deeply about the work—and the people making it.
Say hi if you do too.
IG: @barbara.ssp
TikTok: @babsemoqfazer
Giselle Muise as Lyons
Giselle Muise is a NYC-based actor, singer and songwriter. Theatre: The Threepenny Opera (Polly
Peachum), Sweet Charity (Nickie), 9 Parts of Desire (Layal), Shruti Gupta Can Totally Deal (Shruti),
Badlands (Alma), Full: The Musical (Emily), Stupid Fucking Bird (Nina). Voiceover: Dear Neighbor,
McIntosh. Education: University of South Florida. Vulnerability is cool. Love to mom and O.
@giselle_my_bell
Peachum), Sweet Charity (Nickie), 9 Parts of Desire (Layal), Shruti Gupta Can Totally Deal (Shruti),
Badlands (Alma), Full: The Musical (Emily), Stupid Fucking Bird (Nina). Voiceover: Dear Neighbor,
McIntosh. Education: University of South Florida. Vulnerability is cool. Love to mom and O.
@giselle_my_bell
Playwright
Katelin Wilcox is an actor, playwright, and parent-artist based in New York City. She was a Top 12 Finalist in the Samuel French Off Off Broadway Short Play Festival, a Semi-Finalist for the WP Lab program, and has had work published and licensed by Stage Partners. Her plays have been produced at FringeNYC and the Fringe Encore Series, Left Edge Theatre (CA), Off-Broad Street Short Play Festival (GA), Southeast Missouri State University (MO), United Solo Festival (NYC), Sandgate Theatre (Australia), among others. She is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame, Associate Artistic Director at The CRY HAVOC Company, and a proud member of Actors Equity and the Dramatists Guild. www.katelinwilcox.com
Director
Jaye Hunt (they/them) is a multidisciplinary theater artist. They are the Literary Manager of Parity Productions, where they are largely responsible for the annual Parity Development Award. They have collaborated with playwrights on developing many new plays and have extensive experience serving as assistant director on both new works and works in the American theatrical canon. Their main focus is creating equity onstage and backstage. www.jayehunt.com
Cast
Zoe Bentley as Tig
Zoe Bentley (she/her) is thrilled to be returning to Blank Page’s New Works Festival for the third time! She is an actor and singer based in NYC. Originally from Philadelphia, she graduated with a BA in acting and vocal performance from Muhlenberg College. Select stage credits include Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley (Mary Bennet) at Old Academy Players, Crimes of the Heart (Babe Botrelle) at The Stagecrafters Theater, and Freezing Antarctica (Amelia Earhart) at SPQR Stage Company.
Arcadia Squires as Izzy
Arcadia Squires is an actor based in Brooklyn. Her recent work includes various short films premiering at festivals in NYC, online, and around the US. Her most recent project “Permanent Scar” (dir. Ally Betker) will be having its world premiere at Green Point Film Festival, and she would love to see you there:). Theatre credits include “Cockroaches” by Emma Schiallage at The Chain, “Jessica’s 10th Birthday Bash” by Molly Babos, “Pink” by Stacy Davidowitz and more! She has worked with various theatre companies, including Clubbed Thumb, Cry Havoc, Breaking and Entering, and The 24 Hour Plays. Find her on instagram @ar.cadia!
Playwright
Cris Eli Blak’s work has been produced and performed around the world. He is a staff writer on the hit series Power Book III: Raising Kanan. He is the inaugural winner of the Black Broadway Men Playwriting Initiative, the 2024 Charles M. Getchell New Play Award, and the Atlanta Shakespeare Company’s inaugural winner of the Muse of Fire BIPOC Playwriting Festival. He is currently an artist-in-residence with Abingdon Theatre Company, a 24-2027 Core Writer with The Playwrights Center and a member of the Evolving Playwrights Group with Circle X Theatre Company. He was previously an artist-in-residence with Ojai Playwrights Conference, The State University of New York - Oswego, Liberation Theatre Company, La Lengua Teatro en Español/AlterTheater Ensemble, Fosters Theatrical Artists Residency, Paterson Performing Arts Development Council, and Quick Silver Theatre. He was the recipient of the Emerging Playwrights Fellowship with The Scoundrel & Scamp Theatre Company and an inaugural fellow with the Black Theatre Coalition. His work has been published by Smith & Kraus, Inc., Ghost Light Publications, 1319 Press, Flowersong Press, YOUTHPlays, Applause Books, The PlayGround Experiment, New World Theatre, Breath of Fire Latina Theater Ensemble, and in the Black Theatre Review.
Director
Jeffrey Steele is a determined, imaginative, and emotional director, designer, and performer. He was raised in the South Suburbs of Chicago with his family, who is constantly proving that people do spontaneously burst out into song and dance. He graduated from Phillips Academy Andover in 2020 and graduated from Yale in 2024 with a B.A. in Theater, Dance, and Performance Studies. He is interested in work that is emotionally moving, shaking our perceptions of what we know, and, when possible, encourages us to literally move, shake, and dance. Jeffrey is thankful for his family and friends who have stood by him through the highs and the lows.
Cast
Mia Forman as Emma
Mia Forman is a theatre and film actor from Los Angeles, California. A recent graduate of T. Schreibers one-year conservatory, she most recently showcased her talents working on Lanford Wilson’s The Rimers of Eldritch and Noel Coward’s Hay Fever. She is thrilled to bring her background and passion to this production, and is excited to explore the depth and importance of Impact Turn with the cast and creative team!
Logan Mckenzie as Chelsea
Logan Mckenzie is a New York–based actor originally from North Carolina. She is a graduate of the William Esper Studio’s Professional Acting Program, where she trained under the brilliant Barbara Merchant. Logan gravitates toward stories rooted in vulnerability, emotional nuance, and the quiet human truth, including her most recent work in Timings (Gracie). She is so thrilled to be joining the cast of Impact Turn and helping to bring this story to life.
Playwright
Danielle Frimer's plays have been performed and developed at the Brick, the Flea, the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival, CoHo Lab, the Rosendale Theatre, and the Morgan Wixson Theatre, among others. As a conversation designer, she created the Emmy-nominated interactive audio game "Esme and Roy," and the Cannes Grand Prix-winning "Westworld: The Maze." Danielle is the winner of the Fresh Fruit Festival's 2023 Short Play Contest, a 2023 Tennessee Williams Scholar at the Sewanee Writers Conference, and a member of HOWL playwrights. She lives in New Paltz, NY, with her wife and dog. BA: Yale; MFA: American Conservatory Theatre. daniellefrimer.com
Director
Zakk Ottmers (He/Him/His) is the Co-Founder and Co-Artistic Director of Blank Page Theatre Co., where he has directed and produced several new works. Zakk’s work is inspired by the unexplored, the ether, the thing sitting in the corner of your room that you cannot explain. He is interested in how theatre as a form can challenge an audience’s perspective and continue a conversation after they have left the space.
Through his work with his company, Blank Page Theatre Co., Zakk has been able to direct and produce several new works with artists from across the nation over a wide array of socially relevant topics. Blank Page’s mission to raise questions about our social climate to facilitate conversations about the world that we find ourselves living in today is a pillar of Zakk’s fundamental principles when creating and working in this industry.
Credits include: Exit, Pursued by a Bear, BFFL, Coding Issues, The Care and Feeding of Small Animals, The Senator and His Wife Go On Retreat, Say Gay; Sisters, and Riding Lessons, A Rehearsal for a Live-Action Adaptation of an Episode of “Tom and Jerry,” and Queen in the Key of D.
Cast
Donovan Fowler as Em
Donovan Fowler a New York City based actor. He is so excited to be a part of Blank Page’s New Works Festival again! Born and raised in the Washington, D.C. area, he fell in love with preforming at an early age. Donovan has been a proud member of SAG-AFTRA for over 20 years. He has trained at Morgan State University (BA), American Conservatory Theatre, and the Actors Studio Drama School at Pace University (MFA). Some of his favorite roles include Serge (Art), Eli (Weekend from Hell), and Simon (Exit, Pursued by a Bear). He is so blessed that his family for their never-ending love, support, and encouragement. He's also eternally grateful to Leo, Seyi, and all of his friends for always making sure that he’s ready to put his best foot forward. You can find Donovan on Instagram @donovanfowler_
Jeremy Ingraham as Fi
Jeremy Ingraham is thrilled to be making his Blank Page debut and getting to work on this powerful piece with this team! Favorite select credits include: Bob Gaudio in Jersey Boys (Pacific Repertory Theatre and Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre) Younger Brother in Ragtime (5 Star Theatricals), and Rod in Avenue Q (Chapman University). When not performing, Jeremy can be found harmonizing with his barbershop quartet, Top Shelf. BFA from Chapman University. Thanks and love to Emily and Daisy for their unending love and support!
Stage Manager
DaShaun Williams is very excited to be working with Blank Page for his third summer festival! DaShaun is a passionate theater professional who thrives both on stage and behind the scenes. While pursuing his love for performing as a singer and actor, he also honed his skills in stage management, earning a Bachelor's Degree in both Musical Theatre and Design & Technical Theatre. His versatile skill set allows him to contribute to the success of productions in every way possible. for more about DaShaun visit dashaunwill.com
Executive Producer
Lauren Shields (she/her) is a New York-based director and multi-hyphenate artist. Her directing work has been seen all over New York in festivals and Off-Off Broadway spaces. Lauren's artistic endeavors center on amplifying underrepresented voices while challenging the audience's societal position, moral contradictions, and self-awareness, with the goal of expanding their perspective beyond their everyday lives. She is a founder of Blank Page Theatre Company, the founder of Audition Checkup - an acting and vocal coaching company, and a Co-Founder of 151st Productions - a film company. She received her Undergraduate degree at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Musical Theatre, and her MFA in directing at The Actors Studio Drama School. Check out her previous work and what’s to come on…
Website: laurenashields.com | auditioncheckup.com
Instagram: @laurenashields | @auditioncheckup
Social Media Manager and Projection Designer
Helen Brown is a Brooklyn based social media manger and projection designer. Originally in the advertising world, her love of the arts and theater brought her back to the stage. She'd like to thank Lauren and Zakk for the opportunity to create amazing worlds and to help build Blank Page online. Email: helenbrown923@gmail.com