The Contemporary American Theater Festival (CATF) at Shepherd University is pleased to announce their 2010 company, boasting outstanding theatrical credits ranging from small independent productions all the way to Broadway, television, and film. "We have assembled another cast of extremely talented individuals this year," stated Ed Herendeen, Founder and Producing Director of CATF. "We welcome several returning actors and production staff, as well as some new faces to CATF this year."
The 2010 CATF Season, running July 9 through August 1, is celebrating its 20th season this year. They are: The Eelwax Jesus 3-D Pop Music show, a World Premiere with Book and Lyrics by Max Baker and Music by Lee Sellars; Inana by Michael Lowe; Lidless a first production by Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig; Breadcrumbs, also a World Premiere, by Jennifer Haley; and White People by J. T. Rogers. The 2010 Company includes:
· Barzin Akhavan, performing as Yasin in Inana and Bashir in Lidless, has numerous theater credits including starring in several productions at the Lake Tahoe and Colorado Shakespeare Festivals, including The Three Musketeers. Akhavan has also been on the television show Law & Order: Criminal Intent and in the film Anniversary produced by Mercury Motion Pictures.
· Helen Jean Arthur, performing as Alida in Breadcrumbs and Mrs. Worthington in Eelwax, has performed on Broadway, including Send Me No Flowers, for which she also did the national tour. She also starred in a Fox Studio film, Grand Rapids and was featured in a new series on NPR.
· Zabryna Guevara, performing as Shali in Inana, and Riva in Lidless had roles in films such as Marley and me, The Rebound, and Hotel Manor Inn. In addition, Guevara has guest starred in The Sopranos and is a CATF veteran having performed as Shaharazade in the play 1001.
· Michael Goodfriend, performing as Lucas in Lidless and the Waiter/Dominic in Inana, has many theatre credits from New York to Los Angeles including Intimate Apparel produced by the City Theatre and A Midsummer's Night Dream by the East L.A. Classic Theater. Goodfriend also co-starred in the show Monk on USA and had a recurring role on CBS's show The District.
· Eva Kaminsky, performing as Alice in Lidless and Beth in Breadcrumbs, studied at Boston University's School of Theatre Arts. Her regional theatre credits include The Glass Menagerie performed at the Delaware Theatre Company. Kaminsky's television credits include ER and Ugly Betty, as well as a film appearance in Tie a Yellow Ribbon.
· Gregor Pasalawsky, performing as Emad in Inana, has numerous credits in regional theatre, such as The Kite Runner produced by the Arizona Theater Company and Hamlet performed in the North Carolina Shakespeare Festival. Pasalwsky's has also performed in New York theatre productions such as Not Knowing and The Phantom Lady.
· James Rana, performing as Abdel in Inana, has performed on Broadway, off Broadway, and in regional theater. His credits also include Late Night with Conan O'Brien and numerous voiceovers including Intel, Panasonic, and the Major League Baseball.
· Jonathan Raviv, performing as Mohammed/Messenger in Inana and James in Eelwax Jesus 3-D Pop Music Show, attended Vanderbilt University for his training. He starred in Fiddler on the Roof as performed at the Drury Lane Theatre. In addition, Raviv has performed jazz, ballet, and social dances by the Gus Giordano Dance Company.
· Clare Schmidt, performing as Meredith in Eelwax Jesus 3-D Pop Music Show, returns to CATF to make her main stage debut. Her other credits include a spot in Northwestern University's God: A Vaudeville and spots on both television and in film. Clare has had been trained in theater and dance at Otterbein College.
· Lee Sellars, performing as Ignatz in Eelwax Jesus 3-D Pop Music Show and Alan in White People is a staple of the CATF acting company. He wrote the music for The Eelwax Jesus 3-D Pop Music Show. Sellars has been in the film Groundhog Day and television shows such as ER, Chicago Hope, and Law & Order. In addition, Sellars received a postgraduate degree from the Drama Studio in London.
· Margo White, performing as Esme in Eelwax Jesus 3-D Pop Music Show and Mara Lynn in White People, has performed in numerous Broadway productions, including When They Speak of Rita (a World Premiere) and The Seagull. White has been seen in the television shows Ugly Betty and Law & Order. She was trained at the London Academy of Performing Arts.
