Playwright/Director | ANN KREITMAN

Ann Kreitman is a second-year MFA candidate in directing. Ann has presented work in Chicago, New York City, and Philadelphia, and with an artistic focus of using theatre to share queer history. She is an associate member of the Stage Directors and Choreographer's Society and formerly served as the Co-Artistic Director of (re)discover theatre. Her portfolio can be seen at annkreitman.com. In addition to her work at the University of Iowa, she is the Associate Director of the LGBTQ Iowa Archives and Library. This play is dedicated to every queer who came before us.

Scenic Designer | EDWARD MATTHEW WALTER

Matthew Walter's first design assignment, when pursuing his MFA in theatre design here at the UI, was for the Directors Showcase in 2003—a two-show evening of one-acts directed by fellow MFA directing candidates. He is honored to be back for this reimagined four-show showcase now called Iowa Directors Festival.
 
Originally from New York, Matthew has been working as an independent theatre designer or teaching since 2001 with various regional theatres, including Timeline (Chicago), FilmAcres Productions, and Kansas City Actors Theatre.

Costume Designer | KAELEN NOVAK

Kaelen Novak is a second-year MFA student pursuing costume and scenic design here at the University of Iowa. They recently costumed the production of Effective and An Unsettled Body at the University of Iowa, a visual album for Southeastern Louisiana University, Slips Away, and a documentary of the process, The Play That Never Opened. They are excited to start staged theatre productions again and looks forward to designing more for UI in the future and to explore this new world of theatre in the post-COVID era.

Lighting Designer | ALASTAIR SIGALA RAMIREZ

Alastair Sigala Ramirez received his associates in theatre from Amarillo College and his BA from Texas Wesleyan University. He is a second-year design graduate focusing on lighting and costume design. Previous work with University of Iowa includes lighting design for A Plant and Generation Candyland: A Fable, as well as costume design for 6 by 6: Collected Perspectives on Social Justice, Wild, Wonderful, and Our Lady of 121st Street.

Sound Designer | KATIE POLASCHEK

Katie Polaschek is a fourth-year University of Iowa student graduating with a BA in enterprise leadership and a Certificate in Public Digital Arts, with a sound design track. She is originally from Dickens, Iowa. Last spring, she was the sound designer for Blue Whale Variations by Dakota Parobek. She would like to give special thanks to the mentors who have supported her journey in the world of sound!

Dramaturg | NATE FERGUSON

Nate Ferguson is currently in his last semester of the MFA program in dramaturgy and in literary translation here at Iowa. Previous productions he has worked on in the university: Effective, Doctor Vysarius, MERRILY, We All Were Sunflowers, Three Sisters, Still Life, and Three to Five Days. He is anticipating a very exciting Iowa New Play Festival and final round of workshop readings and hopes your hearts break for England's Splendid Daughters as much as his did.

Choreographer | MICHAEL LANDEZ

Michael Landez is originally from San Antonio, Texas, where he began his training in ballet and tap. He enjoys performing, making, and teaching about dance through active participation with those that want the experience. He holds a BS in biology, certification through the American Ballet Theatre National Teacher Training Curriculum (Pre-Primary - Partnering), and is currently a MFA candidate in dance at the University of Iowa. He is a co-founder and current member of the Dance Farm Collective and Ballet Master for the Alamo City Performing Arts Association.

Assistant Director | JESSIE SHAW

Thank you for coming to the virtual lobby! This is Jessie Shaw’s second time directing a production for the University of Iowa! She previously directed come back written by THE Jivani Rodriguez. You have also seen her previously in The Honey War and HOW CAN I KEEP FROM SINGING. She would like to thank her friends and family for helping her steadfastly hold onto her dreams, Ann, the daughters, and Kyle Schindler for holding down the emergency contact fort.

Assistant Costume Designer | EMILY PAJAZETOVIC

Emily Pajazetovic is a senior at the University of Iowa graduating this Spring 2022 with a BA in biology and theatre arts, with an emphasis in costume design. During her time at Iowa, Emily has costumed shows for the university, City of Coralville, and Iowa City Community Theatre. Emily has more shows coming up this semester and plans to continue costuming even after graduation.

Assistant Lighting Designer | JULIA D. CORBETT

Julia D. Corbett is an entertainment designer, with most of their work in lighting and sound design. Their key credits at the university include lighting and sound design for Where Are You Going, Holler Greene?, sound design for Bigfoot Takes A Walk, and lighting design for All the Yellows. They also served as the assistant lighting designer on the mainstage production Three Sisters.