Playwright & Performer | GRACE NELSON

Grace Nelson (she/they) is a junior studying Political Science, English, and Disability Studies at the University of Iowa. While their studies currently revolve around Congressional gridlock, 19th-century British Literature, and DisCrit, their first love and forever home is in the theatre. Grace is honored to lend her own stories to the broader movement to finally Crip Up the theatre industry. Grace is involved with disability and political advocacy across the local, state, and national levels. They have held roles such as President of Students for Disability at Iowa (SDAI), Disability Constituency Senator in the Undergraduate Student Government (USG), and Vice President of College & Young Democrats of Iowa (CYDI). Grace hopes to pursue a career in disability law and public policy. She hopes you enjoy the show and don't look too hard at her bangs.

Director & Producer ​| JASON VERNON

Jason Vernon (he/him) is a senior in Theatre Arts and Dance, completing his certificate in Social Justice and the Performing Arts, and making his directorial debut with this project. He has centered his last four years of study on Disability Studies and accessible modes of theatre innovation and devising. His previous work has included recurring performances with FAKERS CLUB (an international ongoing experiment in live-cinema and public performance), the re-staging of Trisha Brown’s Floor of the Forest at the Visual Arts Building, and many University of Iowa Theatre Arts and Dance productions. 

ASL performer | JENNIFER SMITH

Jennifer Smith (she/her) is an advocate and theatre ASL interpreter for the Deaf community but a performer at heart. Her favorite roles to date are; Barbara Fordham (August: Osage County), Macbeth (Macbeth), Brutus (Julius Caesar 1963), Inez (No Exit), and Lady Bracknell (The Importance of Being Earnest). She also directed the world premiere of Bury Me, (by Grant Freeman) which was performed entirely in ASL with voice interpretation. She continues her love for working with Deaf theatre and hopes that this show will encourage others to make their art more inclusive. Enjoy!

Audio Description performer | NIYATI DESHPANDE

Niyati Deshpande (she/her) is a recent graduate of the University of Iowa Theatre Arts program, and an active member of the greater Iowa City arts community. She is passionate about creating art that reflects real life, specifically theatre that digs into discomfort, values authenticity, and presents truth. Favorite credits include Lady in Orange in for colored girls… (UI Theatre), Connie in Dance Nation (UI Theatre), and Natasha in Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 (Riverside Theatre). Niyati is so honored to work alongside such a wonderful group of artists in Former Poster Child. Enjoy the show!

Production Stage Manager | MATTHEW TEPFER

Matthew Tepfer (he/him) is a first-year MFA candidate in the Stage Management program at the University of Iowa. He is deeply grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with such a talented and supportive team. Special thanks to Grace and Jason for allowing me to join their team and teaching me so much. Matthew recently earned his BA in Theater Design and Technology from Rutgers University–Camden. He looks forward to this next chapter and continuing his development as a dedicated and collaborative storyteller. Have fun and be well.

Designer | MARISA RODRIGUEZ

Marisa Rodriguez (they/them) is a third-year Theatre Arts major and Digital Arts certificate student. Their previous University of Iowa design credits are lighting and media design for Ten-Minute Play Festival 2025, sound design for salt tongue (written by Eli Campbell, directed by Kayla Adams) in the 2025 New Play Festival, lighting and media design for Drill Drill Drill (written and directed by Bridget Dieden), and sound design for How to Defend Yourself (directed by Meredith G. Healy). They’ve also stage managed and co-sound designed for Myocardium; Graphite (written by Eli Campbell, directed by Kayla Adams) with Dreamwell Theater. They have had a great time working on Former Poster Child and hope you enjoy the show!

Community Liaison & Talkback Host | T. (TALYA) MILLER

T. (Talya) Miller is a Midwest-based community worker and artist interested in the plurality of existence. As a fat, queer, disabled, and transgender individual, Miller doesn’t shy away from the complexities of identity. With 10+ years of experience, their projects have been featured regionally and nationally. While varying in medium and method, there is a unifying narrative of creative connection throughout their work in both physical pieces and community spaces.