Cast and Team Bios

“Words That Made the Difference” Hosted by Unity Palo Alto Palo Alto, CA

FEBRUARY 11, 2023 at 7:00pm PT

CAST BIOGRAPHIES

Paul Bisesi (Attorney Jack Greenberg) is excited to return to Bay Area stages with this important project. Recent theatre credits include: The Elbisnopsers, When You Comin’ Back, Red Ryder?, and The Long Christmas Ride Home. When not acting, you can find Paul working on his own plays, stories, and short films, eating way too many carbs, or at his day job attempting to do science.

Bill Brobeck (Bailiff and Witness John Kane) has been a model in several commercials, has portrayed a corrupt president and a scientist and has been a voice-over artist for marketing pieces and as Dormammu in SPIDER MAN “MIMICS & MYSTICS¨ STOP MOTION episode, and has been an announcer and MC for high school sports, disabled athletes and community charities. WORDS is Bill’s first theatrical performance, but it won’t be his last! This performance is dedicated to and in honor of Elizabeth [Lum] Hudson.

Carrie Brobeck (Court Reporter) is a Canadian-born California transplant. She lives with her husband, daughter, and two dogs on a ranch in the rolling hills of Moraga. She is a professional organizer and event planner. In her spare time, she volunteers as a mentor with a student leader in Sierra Leone for Families Without Borders. WORDS is her first production.

Alan Coyne (Witness Wilbur Brookover) is a Bay Area actor, improviser, and writer who has previously performed with the Edinburgh Festival Fringe (2ELFth Night, Three Chords and the Truth), the San Francisco Shakespeare Festival (Pericles, Hamlet, Macbeth, Comedy of Errors), We Players (Psychopomp, Caesar Maximus), and Custom Made Theatre (The Braggart Soldier, Chess, Cloud 9). He has written for the SF Olympians Festival, PianoFight’s Short-Lived Competition, and Musical Cafe. You can see him next in Central Works’ production of Escape from the Asylum at the Berkeley City Club in March/April, and Lafayette Town Hall Theatre’s production of Antigone Performed by the Girls of St. Catherine’s this June.

Gloria Cunha (Plaintiff Alma Jean Galloway) is an educator and musician. She portrayed Alma Jean Galloway in the original staged reading of Words That Made the Difference.

Gene Kahane (Chief Justice Earl Warren) is a semi-retired teacher a former bookseller, an active actor, director and poet. Among the plays he’s directed are Angels in America, Nicholas Nickelby, Doubt, and Fences. Gene is also a man of ink with 25 tattoos, most of them reflective of his love of literature and Shakespeare. He spends much of his free time reading, writing and biking.

William Mahone (Attorney Lester Goodell) is thrilled to be part of Words That Made the Difference. He was last seen as Dr. Mills, Herb and Cheddarsofsky in the world premier of The Short and the Short of It by Bruce Karp. Prior to that, he was Reverend Peters in Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime at Players Circle Theatre in North Fort Myers. He plays Mr. Dunlap in the independent feature film, Reese Enterprises, scheduled to be released in late 2022 or early 2023. William trained at the Central School in London, and has worked in England, New York, Regional Theatre and Summer Stock, television and commercials. He wrote and produced the independent feature film, Ordinary Sinner with Elizabeth Banks and Jesse Tyler Ferguson. A million thanks to my amazing family for their love and support.

Frank De Martini (Judge Delmas Hill) is retired from the IT department at Stanford University. Since his retirement, he has become a volunteer in a Hospice organization and has become a serious photographer. This is his first experience in a live performance.

Samantha Mathews (Narrator 2) is a Bay Area actress, author and educator. She holds a B.A. Degree in Linguistics and speaks 5 languages. She has travelled to over 60 countries worldwide and has lived in 5 different countries pursuing a career in English education to students in Italy, Turkey, Poland, and Croatia. She is the author of two published sci-fi books under the pseudonym Sami Van Mathis, as well as runs a travel channel on YouTube. She has also grown to develop a love of film and theater acting and has appeared in commercials as well as feature films. Though she’s had opportunities to live in many countries world-wide, she will always consider San Francisco, California her home. https://samivanmathis.wixsite.com/rebelspencer https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzmwBH2u4oj1KttCXq4Pe9g

Jim Mitulski (Judge Walter Huxman) is the pastor of the Congregational Church of Belmont, CA. He has been a pastor in the United Church of Christ (UCC), the Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC), the Disciples of Christ, and The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries for the past forty years. He is a graduate of Columbia University, the Pacific School of Religion, the Harvard Divinity School and the Starr King School for the Ministry. He is a proud member of the ACLU and the NAACP and thinks you should be too.

Jeffrey Moon (Attorney Charles Bledsoe), a native San Franciscan, grew up in the Fillmore district where its rich Jazz and Blues history has introduced him to his artistic endeavors. Jeffrey has a strong interest in acting and music. He is a member of SAG-AFTRA and has been a part of various theatrical works, television shows, commercials, and movies. His most recent theatrical work apart from Words was Ragtime, a production at the Throckmorton Theatre.

Gary J Moore (Attorney Charles Scott) is a Bay Area writer, actor, and artist who began honing his skills in San Francisco’s Fillmore District. He is an alumni of San Francisco State University’s distinguished Theatre Arts Program and is currently studying acting for TV and film at First Take Acting School. Gary has had a deep passion for performance and storytelling since a young age and aims to continue his growth as an artist. He has performed notable roles in Shakespeare’s, A Midsummer’s Night Dream (Bottom), The Laramie Project (Jedadiah Shultz), and A Raisin In the Sun (Walter Lee Younger). Gary was featured as Scott in the Words international zoom version and he is honored to continue bringing diverse stories to stage.

Melzena Murphy (Narrator 1) Melzena René has always had a love and passion for the Arts. Her passion for the arts started at a very young age, and it has never stopped. Melzena has been performing in local plays for over 20 years. She has landed various roles in local Bay Area plays and commercials. In addition to acting, directing also brings her fulfillment. She is pleased to be working with Cindy Acker and team with Brown vs. Board of Education.

Awurama Obleton (Witness Katherine Carper) is a 6th grade student who loves singing, dancing and doing karate. She lives in Oakland with her mother and two younger brothers. She last played in her school’s adaptation of Maria Montessori The Musical (Alessandro Montessori).

Jennifer Orlick (Witness Darlene Watson/Laura Holt) is originally from Los Angeles and now calls the Bay Area her home. She has studied improv with Comedy Sportz, San José and acting with the Bay Area Acting Studio. She has worked in education for over a decade and is excited to be part of this important production to build awareness about desegregation and to showcase a critical milestone in our nation’s history.

Billie J. Simmons (Lena Mae Carper) is a native of Oakland, California. She received her B.A. in Dramatics and Speech from Fisk University, Nashville, TN. Ms. Simmons has recently completed two short film project; The Color of Autumn and Metamorphosis. When not performing, Ms. Simmons is advocating for the unhoused, working with her husband Pastor Simmons to develop affordable housing in her community.

Curtis Walker (Attorney Robert Carter) is a fast rising, entertainment jack-of-all trades based in beautiful Orlando, Florida. Known for having one of the deepest, baritone voices in the industry, he is also a lifelong artist, writer, actor, vocalist and much, much more.

Paul Wcislo (Judge Arthur Mellot) is a retired marketing executive who’s a long term member and leader of Unity Palo Alto Spiritual Center. He’s been in thespian endeavors as the Wizard of Oz in grade school to chorus in The Pajama Game in college. A longtime Bay Area resident from Chicago, he’s embraced running as a pastime and has completed marathons in 50 states as well as the Great Wall of China, Berlin and Paris and just returned from completing the White Continent Marathon in Antarctica.

Russ Whismore (Witness Hugh Speer) is thrilled to be working on this marvelous project! Originally from Sacramento, Russ spent over 20 years on the road in the United States and Europe as an actor-director with Covenant Players, International, working in English and French, planning and developing topical and interactive programs as well as communication workshops for all corners of society, including schools, retirement centers, churches, and the U.S. military throughout Europe. Most recent Bay Area credits include AmiosWest/ShotzSF (live and online), The Fantasticks(Landmark Musical Theatre), The Odd Couple (Ross Valley Players), Humble Boy and Bright Star (Contra Costa Civic Theatre), and The Deception of Kathryn Vask (Altarena Playhouse online production). When not trodding the boards (or riding the waves of Zoom), he does improv with Made-Up Theatre in Fremont.

Amos White (Thurgood Marshall) is an awarded American haiku poet and author, producer, and civil rights activist. He is recognized for his vivid literary imagery and breathless poetic interpretations. Amos is published in national and international reviews and anthologies. He is founder and host of the Heart of the Muse creative’s salon, Executive Producer and host of Beyond Words: Jazz+Poetry show, President of Bay Area Generations literary reading series, board member with the Black Speculative Arts Movement and with the AfroSurreal Writers Workshop-Oakland. This is his third production of Words.

Tory Williams (Plaintiffs Oliver Brown/Silas Fleming) is an actor from Little Rock, Arkansas, looking to make big waves in movies and television. He has appeared in the short film, Twitched, and acted in The Fall of an Influencer, Freddie Slater: Blazing Vengeance, and Scot Murray: Blissful Ignorance. He enjoys boxing, going to the movie theater, and an occasional game of Tekken.

PRODUCTION TEAM BIOGRAPHIES

Dr. Cindy Acker, Ed.D. (Playwright and Director) is a five-time award-winning educator, author, and playwright. She was vocally trained by the late Johnny Land, and has sung with the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir, the Glide Ensemble, Unity In Marin, and the MCC Worship and Praise Choir of San Francisco. She has led and toured three choirs, performing in the Governor’s chambers on behalf of marriage equality. Cindy has produced an Emmy award-winning feature entitled Creative Parenting, and has written several plays, performed in the US and a Canada, including an award-winning musical entitled, In Our Hands.

Sarah McArthur LeValley (Historic Researcher) spent her career in theatre and feature animation at the Mark Taper Forum, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Walt Disney Feature Animation, Pixar Animation Studios and Lucas Animation. She loves the collaborative process! Sarah is excited to use her skills in the work of social justice and is now working as the Director of Social Justice at The Child Unique Montessori School.

Miesha Lampkins (Assistant to the Director) was born and raised in Oakland California. Lampkins, a Communications and Events Director/Coordinator, has a degree in Social and Behavioral Sciences and in Hospitality, Tourism, Lodging, Resort, and Club Management. She loves communicating and connecting the dots, and is very excited to be working along side the Playwright/Director in this astonishing production.

Steve Shlisky (Sound Design) is a 39-year veteran of Bay Area television (KTVU, KICU, KNTV) producing, directing, and editing local programs from PSAs, promotion, and news features, to full length entertainment and documentary programs. Among his many honors, Steve has received 14 local Emmy® Awards (based on sixty nominations). Since 1999 Steve has lectured at San Francisco State University (in their BECA program) and at Oakland’s Laney College where, since 2011, he co-chairs the Media Communication Department. Steve recently termed out as the local Chapter president the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (the people behind the Emmy Awards) and is currently the Programs & Activities Committee Chair.

———————–PAST PRODUCTIONS——————–

“Words That Made the Difference” at the Montessori Foundation & International Montessori Council’s 26^th Annual International Montessori Conference St. Petersburg, Florida

November 4, 2022 at 2:45pm ET

CAST BIOGRAPHIES

Michael Anderson (Judge Delmas Hill) is neither an actor nor Montessorian, he’s a two-time Purple Heart recipient, USPS retiree, avid tennis player, master Honey-doer and grandfather to four adorable granddaughters and two of the best stepdaughters possible.

Addison Carter (Witness Katherine Carper) Hello, my name is Addison Carter. I am in the fourth grade. I like cooking, acting, drawing and playing. I love little kids and have an older brother, Braxton.

Gloria Cunha (Plaintiff Alma Jean Galloway) is an educator and musician. She portrayed Alma Jean Galloway in the original staged reading of Words That Made the Difference.

Rob Leitch (Judge Arthur Mellot) is making his acting debut in St. Petersburg. He has spent his career in the hospitality industry which has prepared him well for this role. Rob is officially retired, an avid golfer, and a theater lover.

To Be Cast (Lena Mae Carper)

Melzena Murphy (Narrator 2) Melzena René has always had a love and passion for the Arts. Her passion for the arts started at a very young age, and it has never stopped. Melzena has been performing in local plays for over 20 years. She has landed various roles in local Bay Area plays and commercials. In addition to acting, directing also brings her fulfillment. She is pleased to be working with Cindy Acker and team with Brown vs. Board of Education.

Rebecca Pingree (Narrator 1) (she/her) was last seen onstage as Judge 1/Mr. Putnam in Michael Moran’s ensemble staging of The Crucible at Oakland Theatre Project, hot on the heels of her run as Bridget Potter in the original cast of The Kilbanes’ The Code with the ACT YC. Recent credits also include The Baker’s Wife in Berkeley Playhouse’s production of Into the Woods and Paulina in Jenn LeBlanc’s Winter’s Passage at SPARC Livermore. She’s been seen on stages throughout the Bay Area, including TheatreFirst, Shotgun Players, Ray of Light, Napa Valley Conservatory, Marin Theatre Company, and Perspective Theatre. She is also a longtime member of PlayGround’s Acting Company, and has been an active member of BAARJ (Bay Area Artists for Racial Justice) since fall of 2020. She’s taught mask making at The School for Theatre Creators in Padova, Italy, coached Puppeteering for Berkeley Playhouse, and has a physical comedy class coming up at StageBridge this Winter. She holds an MFA in Collaborative Theatremaking from Rose Bruford in London, and co-founded Analog Theatre.

Jonathan Wolff (Judge Walter Huxman) is a Montessori school consultant, leadership coach, teacher educator, and author, who brings to his work 40 years of experience in Montessori education as a classroom teacher and school administrator. He is the author of numerous educational publications including, The Self-Awakened Child – Character Education Program. Jonathan holds a Bachelor of Science in Secondary English Education from Temple University and a certification as a Primary guide from the Association Montessori Internationale. He studied with Mother Isabelle Eugenie, an early student of Maria Montessori.

PRODUCTION TEAM BIOGRAPHIES

Liam Kirk (Assistant to the Director) is an artist from San Jose, CA. He wrote and directed the short film WRITER’S INFERNO and the stage-play POLICIES & PROCEDURES. Liam has also worked as a stage manager and production assistant on a handful of theater productions.

“Words That Made the Difference” at Altarena Playhouse, Alameda, CA

July 9, 2022 at 8:00pm and July 10, 2022 at 2:00pm

CAST BIOGRAPHIES

Adora Bailey (Katherine Carper) is an up and coming actor from the San Francisco Bay Area, trained in dance and acting. She has played roles from Professor Willard in Our Town to Mrs. Peacock in the theater production of Clue. On screen, Adora was featured in “Stop the Bleed” a public service announcement. As a competitive dancer, she is trained in lyrical, contemporary, jazz, and musical theater.

Kevin Berndt (Judge Walter Huxman) Kevin Berndt (Judge Walter Huxman), was born in Berkeley and lives in El Cerrito. The California State University San Francisco Radio and TV Graduate is honored to have the opportunity to be a part of this meaningful production. Kevin’s acting career includes feature, short and student films, sizzle reels, commercials, multi-media campaigns, industrials, web and streaming series. He and his bride of 41 years Victoria have two children and four grandchildren. Kevin has dedicated this performance to his parents Patricia and Kenneth Berndt who were very active in the Contra Costa Civic Theater in El Cerrito.

Paul Bisesi (Jack Greenberg) is excited to be on tour for this important project. Recent theatre credits include: The Elbisnopsers, When You Comin’ Back, Red Ryder?, and The Long Christmas Ride Home. When not acting, you can find Paul working on his own plays, stories, and short films, eating way too many carbs, or at his day job attempting to do science.

Bill Brobeck (Bailiff and Witness John Kane) is a voice-over artist and model for marketing videos, YouTube channels and websites. He portrayed a corrupt president in Diljit Dosanjh’s Lover music video, has been a play by play announcer for high school sports and wheelchair basketball/soccer programs, and an MC for community charities. WORDS was Bill’s first theatrical performance, followed by Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing. He will soon portray the Ghost in Hamlet and the Royal Army of Oz in Baum’s The Marvelous Land of Oz. This performance is dedicated to and in honor of Elizabeth [Lum] Hudson.

Brian Brown (Attorney Lester Goodell) is a third generation Bay Area native. Brian grew up making movies with his best friend. His first big break was being cast in the middle school production of Oliver as Mr. Bumble. He was hooked. As a teenager Brian was drawn towards circus performing and spent the summers studying: juggling, improv, unicycling, stilts, and the flaming ball of death.Brian graduated from Miami University in 2006 with a degree in Creative Writing. After many years of the corporate grind Brian has decided to return to his creative roots.

Alan Coyne (Witness Wilbur Brookover) is a Bay Area actor, improviser, and writer who has previously performed with the Edinburgh Festival Fringe (2ELFth Night, Three Chords and the Truth), the San Francisco Shakespeare Festival (Pericles, Hamlet, Macbeth, Comedy of Errors), We Players (Psychopomp, Caesar Maximus), and Custom Made Theatre (The Braggart Soldier, Chess, Cloud 9). He has written for the SF Olympians Festival, PianoFight’s Short-Lived Competition, and Musical Cafe. You can see him next in Lafayette Town Hall Theatre’s production of Antigone Performed by the Girls of St. Catherine’s this June.

Gloria Cunha (Plaintiff Alma Jean Galloway) is an educator and musician. She portrayed Alma Jean Galloway in the original staged reading of Words That Made the Difference.

Gene Kahane (Chief Justice Earl Warren) is a semi-retired teacher a former bookseller, an active actor, director and poet. Among the plays he’s directed are Angels in America, Nicholas Nickelby, Doubt, and Fences. Gene is also a man of ink with 25 tattoos, most of them reflective of his love of literature and Shakespeare. He spends much of his free time reading, writing and biking.

John Knox-White (Judge Arthur Mellot)

Bonni Maxwell (Lena Mae Carper) is a singer, songwriter, screenwriter and educator, who lives in Oakland. Bonni was raised on a farm, in Michigan, by social activist parents. She attended, University of Michigan, Interlochen and California Jazz Conservatory. Her Album “Get Your Ticket, is a reflection of historical injustices and resilience of those who fight against them. As a screenwriter, she continues to be dedicated to culturally underrepresented stories. Bonni was also featured on OWN – Oprah Winfrey Network, “Tanya’s Kitchen Table”. Bonni enjoys, swimming in warm water oceans, farming her family’s Hemp farm and travel. bonnisongs.com

Jeffrey Moon (Charles Bledsoe), a native San Franciscan, grew up in the Fillmore district where its rich Jazz and Blues history has introduced him to his artistic endeavors. Jeffrey has a strong interest in acting and music. He is a member of SAG-AFTRA and has been a part of various theatrical works, television shows, commercials, and movies. His most recent theatrical work apart from Words was Ragtime, a production at the Throckmorton Theatre.

Melzena Murphy (Narrator 2)

Jim Oddie (Judge Delmas Hill )

Rebecca Pingree (Narrator 1) (she/her/hers) recently appeared as The Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods with Berkeley Playhouse, with SPARC in Livermore as Paulina in Jennifer LeBlanc’s Winter’s Passage, and Helga in Diane Samuel’s Kindertransport. She holds an MFA in Collaborative Theatremaking from Rose Bruford in London, and co-founded Analog Theatre (analogtheatre.org). Catch her June 27th in the Mask Monday series at Standard Deviant Brewing in SF, and August 4-7 in the new Kilbanes musical The Code at ACT’s Strand Theatre.

Dedrick Weathersby (Attorney Robert Carter) is a Longview Texas native, and a proud member of Actors Equity Union. A 2022 Emmy Nominee for Interview Discussion with Theatre Corner on KPBS/PBS, Dedrick was a 2021 Broadway World Awards Winner for Best Lead Actor in a Musical and Best Musical/Script for Remembering James The Musical (The Life and Music of James Brown). Dedrick is an accomplished author of five published books; his latest success entitled, “Fabrics” a 20-day affirmation book, available on all digital store platforms. He is Executive Director/Founder of Super Bad Theater Company. Dedrick is a firm believer, if you remember those humble beginnings, you can use each moment for future endeavors. www.dedrickweathersby.com

Tory Williams (Plaintiffs Oliver Brown/Silas Fleming)

Tory is an actor from Little Rock, Arkansas, looking to make big waves in movies and television. He has appeared in the short film, Twitched, and acted in The Fall of an Influencer, Freddie Slater: Blazing Vengeance, and Scot Murray: Blissful Ignorance. He enjoys boxing, going to the movie theater, and an occasional game of Tekken.

PRODUCTION TEAM BIOGRAPHIES

Dr. Cindy Acker, Ed.D. (Playwright and Director) is a five time award-winning educator, author, and playwright. She was vocally trained by the late Johnny Land, and has sung with the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir, the Glide Ensemble, Unity In Marin, and the MCC Worship and Praise Choir of San Francisco. She has led and toured three choirs, performing in the Governor’s chambers on behalf of marriage equality. Cindy has produced an Emmy award-winning feature entitled Creative Parenting, and has written several plays, performed in the US and a Canada, including an award-winning musical entitled, In Our Hands.

Nyah Edington (Assistant to the Director) recently graduated, receiving her B.A in Cinematic Arts and Technology at Cal State Monterey Bay. Through time, she has become emerged in her profession, being a part of multiple capstone productions during the past four academic years. With this newfound passion, they want to go full-throttle and gain work experience in everything they can in the film industry and beyond. When it comes to production roles, they never liked having one profession as it limits the production experience and connections.

Robert Paine (Theatrical Consultant) is a former artistic director and a founding member of Virago Theatre Co. He has worked as an actor, puppeteer, writer and director. Originally from Portland, Oregon, Robert directed Virago productions of Orphans, La Boheme, Madama Butterfly and many others including several world premieres. Robert can be seen on film in Kings of the Atlantic (selected for the 2022 golden state film festival). Robert wrote and directed An Original Christmas Carol to benefit Altarena Playhouse and Frankenstein, the Modern Prometheus for the 2001 San Francisco Fringe.

Steve Shlisky (Sound Editor) is a 39-year veteran of Bay Area television (KTVU, KICU, KNTV) producing, directing, and editing local programs from PSAs, promotion, and news features, to full length entertainment and documentary programs. Among his many honors, Steve has received 14 local Emmy® Awards (based on sixty nominations). Since 1999, Steve has lectured at San Francisco State University and at Oakland’s Laney College where, since 2011, he co-chairs the Media Communication Department. Steve recently termed out as the local Chapter president the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (the people behind the Emmy Awards) and is currently the Programs & Activities Committee Chair.

“Words That Made the Difference” at Dunphy Park, Sausalito, June 12, 2022

CAST BIOGRAPHIES

Bill Cosden (Court Reporter) Bill is a lawyer and native San Franciscan, who is a graduate of UC Berkeley and the University of San Francisco School of Law. For over 25 years he has done PA Announcing, MC’ing and provided stadium and arena music for a variety of sports and civic events. He has done PA announcing for professional Rugby matches and international tournaments. Additionally, he is a past president of the Alameda County Lawyers Club and past president of the San Francisco Bay Are Chapter of the Association of Corporate Counsel.

Alan Coyne (Witness Wilbur Brookover) is a Bay Area actor, improviser, and writer who has previously performed with the Edinburgh Festival Fringe (2ELFth Night, Three Chords and the Truth), the San Francisco Shakespeare Festival (Pericles, Hamlet, Macbeth, Comedy of Errors), We Players (Psychopomp, Caesar Maximus), and Custom Made Theatre (The Braggart Soldier, Chess, Cloud 9). He has written for the SF Olympians Festival, PianoFight’s Short-Lived Competition, and Musical Cafe. You can see him next in Lafayette Town Hall Theatre’s production of Antigone Performed by the Girls of St. Catherine’s this June.

Gloria Cunha (Plaintiff Alma Jean Galloway) is an educator and musician. She portrayed Alma Jean Galloway in the original staged reading of Words That Made the Difference.

Elizabeth Jones (Narrator 2) grew up in the Bay Area and is a graduate of Howard University with a BFA in Theatre Arts. Elizabeth was recently seen as Claudette in Theatre Rhino’s How Black Mothers Say I Love You, Nancy/Boz in A Christmas Carol (Center REP), Radio in Caroline or Change (Ray of Light) and Motormouth Maybelle in Bay Area Musical’s production of Hairspray. Some other theatre credits include, Lady O in The Right Note (Spare Stage), Darlene in Dance of The Holy Ghosts (Ubuntu Theater Project), Deloris Van Cartier in Sister Act! (Berkeley Playhouse) Ronnette in Little Shop of Horrors (Contra Costa Musical Theatre). Elizabeth sends love to her daughter Caira and thanks God, family and friends for their support. Next up: The Code this summer at A.C.T. Follow Elizabeth on instagram @elizasenoj

Tom Theodores (Judge Arthur Mellot) is a retired attorney and former City Council member and former Mayor of Sausalito.

Tory Williams (Plaintiffs Oliver Brown/Silas Fleming)

Ray Withy (Judge Delmas Hill ) was trained as a scientist, receiving a PhD in Biochemistry, and was a faculty member at the Caltech. He subsequently spent over 30 years in the Biotechnology industry developing medicines to treat life-threatening diseases such as cancer. After retirement, he was elected to the Sausalito City Council, serving for two terms and is a former Mayor.

PRODUCTION TEAM BIOGRAPHIES

Rhythmix Production, February 26, 2022

CAST BIOGRAPHIES

Adora Bailey (Katherine Carper) Trained in dance and acting, Adora is an up and coming actor from the San Francisco Bay Area. She has played roles from Professor Willard in Our Town to Mrs. Peacock in the theater production of Clue. On screen, Adora was featured in “Stop the Bleed” a public service announcement. As a competitive dancer, she is trained in lyrical, jazz/contemporary and musical theater.

Kevin Berndt (Judge Walter Huxman) graduated from El Cerrito High School and California State University San Francisco with a B.A. in Radio/TV. He started his acting career in 2019 as an extra in feature films, multi-media ad campaigns, commercials, student and industrial films. He has acted in With Prejudice, The Curse is Broken, Scouts and Camera Obscura. This is his first return to the stage since childhood. He and his wife Victoria just celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary. The high school sweethearts have two children and four grandchildren.

Paul Bisesi (Jack Greenberg) is excited to return to Bay Area stages with such an important project. Recent theatre credits include: The Elbisnopsers, When You Comin’ Back, Red Ryder?, and The Long Christmas Ride Home. When not acting, you can find Paul working on his own plays, stories, and short films, eating way too many carbs, or at his day job attempting to do science.

Gene Kahane (Chief Justice Earl Warren) is a semi-retired teacher a former bookseller, an active actor, director and poet. Among the plays he’s directed are Angels in America, Nicholas Nickelby, Doubt, and Fences. Gene is also a man of ink with 25 tattoos, most of them reflective of his love of literature and Shakespeare. He spends much of his free time reading, writing and biking

Bonni Maxwell (Lena Mae Carper) is a singer, songwriter, screenwriter and educator, who lives in Oakland, California. Bonni was raised on a farm, in Michigan, by social activist parents. She attended, University of Michigan, Interlochen and California Jazz Conservatory. While raising her children in Oakland Public Schools, she became an educator creating a curriculum, “Girls Group” for high risk girls, establishing the importance of, academics and “Conflict Resolution”. Her Album “Get Your Ticket, is a reflection of historical injustices and resilience of those who fight against them. As a screenwriter, she continues to be dedicated to stories that are culturally underrepresented. Bonni was also featured on OWN – Oprah Winfrey Network, “Tanya’s Kitchen Table”. Bonni enjoys, swimming in warm water oceans, farming her family’s Hemp farm and travel. bonnisongs.com

Jeffrey Moon (Charles Bledsoe), a native San Franciscan, grew up in the Fillmore district where its rich Jazz and Blues history has introduced him to his artistic endeavors. Jeffrey has a strong interest in acting and music. He is a member of SAG-AFTRA and has been a part of various theatrical works, television shows, commercials, and movies. His most recent work was with Ragtime, a production at the Throckmorton Theatre.

Emily Newsome (Narrator 2) is thrilled to be a part of such an important piece of theater. An LA native, she received her BFA in Acting from University of California, Santa Barbara. Emily is a proud co-founder of Berkeley’s Berkeley Shakespeare Company. Most recent credits include Macbeth (Director, Berkeley Shakespeare Company), Taming of the Shrew (Kate, Avalon Players), and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Hermia, Shakespeare on the Deck).

Robert Paine (Judge Arthur Mellot) is former artistic director and a founding member of Virago Theatre Co. He has worked as an actor, puppeteer, writer and Director. Originally from Portland, Oregon, Robert’s acting filmography includes Under a Black Cloud, Quiet Murders, Justified Force, King Street, Kings of the Atlantic, and with Ohlone College as . Matamore in Tony Kushner’s The Illusion, and Dr. Spivey in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.” Favorite roles include Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet, Porter\Murderer #2 in Macbeth, Angelo in Measure for Measure, Richard in The Lady’s Not for Burning, Oberon\Theseus and Bottom in Midsummer Night’s Dream, John in Scotland Road, Roger in The Hermit Bird. Robert wrote and directed An Original Christmas Carol to benefit Altarena Playhouse and Frankenstein, the Modern Prometheus for the 2001 San Francisco Fringe. For Virago, Roberts directed Orphans, La Boheme, Madama Butterfly, Crooked and the original productions Dan Brodnitz- Mankind’s Last Hope, John Byrd, The Death of Ayn Rand, and Zombie Vixens from Hell – The Musical, and Miles Pawski’s The Edge of the World. Robert can be seen as Dogberry in the upcoming production of William Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing directed by Gene Kahane for the Alameda Food Bank players on April 23, 24, 30 and May 1 in Alameda.

Brionna Acker Robinson (Narrator 2 and Plaintiff Alma Jean Galloway) began serious acting at eight years old, as Dorothy in a local performance of The Wiz. She is a graduate of The New York Film Academy and studied acting in the U.S., England, and the Netherlands. Brionna has performed in Canada, as well as with SF’s American Conservatory Theater, and with Berkeley’s Black Repertory Theater. She is a choir singer, and is happy to return to the stage for Wordsthird production.

Terrance Smith (Soloist/Understudy for NAACP Attorneys) had the honor of working at Town Hall Theatre, where he won a Shellie Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance as Sam in Brooklyn Bridge. He has received Shellie nominations for Best Supporting Actor in a Musical for his work in Town Hall’s production of A Civil War Christmas and Best Actor for his performance of Helena in B8 Theatre’s gender swapped take on A Midsummer Night’s Dream. For fans of the hit Netflix cartoon series, “Go Go Cory Carson,” Terrance provides the voice for Roll Train’s DJ Train Trax… Instagram: @yountsmith23

Dedrick Weathersby (Attorney Robert Carter) is a Broadway World Award Winning actor, and very thankful to be among this talented cast, telling the enriched story of a part of America’s history. Dedrick continues the tour of his original musical, titled “Remembering James” – The Life and Music of James Brown, starring as Mr. James Brown with Journey Downtown Theater on March 19, 2022, and then in Meridian, Mississippi. Favorite roles include: Regional/National Tour: Jimmy Early in Dreamgirls, Coalhouse Walker Jr in Ragtime, Angel in RENT, Benny in In The Heights, Harold Hill in The Music Man, El Gallo in The Fantasticks and Seaweed in Hairspray. A proud member of The Dramatist Guild, A union for professional Playwrights and SAG-AFTRA, a union for film and television professionals. www.dedrickweathersby.com

Russ Whismore (Witness Hugh Speer) Russ is thrilled to be working on this marvelous project! Originally from Sacramento, Russ spent over 20 years on the road in the United States and Europe as an actor-director with Covenant Players, International, working in English and French, planning and developing topical and interactive programs as well as communication workshops for all corners of society, including schools, retirement centers, churches, and even the U.S. military throughout Europe. Most recent Bay Area credits include AmiosWest/ShotzSF (live and online), The Fantasticks (Landmark Musical Theatre), The Odd Couple(Ross Valley Players), Humble Boy and Bright Star (Contra Costa Civic Theatre), and The Deception of Kathryn Vask(Altarena Playhouse online production). When not trodding the boards (or riding the waves of Zoom), he does improv with Made-Up Theatre in Fremont.Women – A Love Story, Fences, On Golden Pond, A Raisin in the Sun, Never Too Late, Talk Radio, and others.

Tory Williams (Plaintiffs Oliver Brown/Silas Fleming) Tory is an actor from Little Rock, Arkansas, looking to make big waves in movies and television. He has appeared in the short film, Twitched, and acted in The Fall of an Influencer, Freddie Slater: Blazing Vengeance, and Scot Murray: Blissful Ignorance. He enjoys boxing, going to the movie theater, and an occasional game of Tekken.

PRODUCTION TEAM BIOGRAPHIES

Dr. Cindy Acker, Ed.D. (Playwright and Director) is a five time award-winning educator and playwright. She was vocally trained by the late Johnny Land, and has sung with the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir, the Glide Ensemble, Unity In Marin, and the MCC Worship and Praise Choir of San Francisco. She has led and toured three choirs, performing in the Governor’s chambers on behalf of marriage equality. Cindy has produced an Emmy award-winning feature entitled Creative Parenting, and has written several plays, performed in the US and a Canada, including an award-winning musical entitled, In Our Hands.

_________________________________________________

Zoom Production Cast June, 2021

CAST BIOGRAPHIES

Cianna Castro (Katherine Carper) is an aspiring actress from Newark, NJ. Currently a Junior at Temple University, Cianna has appeared in several short films and theatrical productions. She is the recipient of the GIIF Mental Health Awareness award and the recipient for the Best Lead Actress award for her role of Sam in Mishandled. When schoolwork isn’t piling up, Cianna enjoys cooking and doing yoga.

Paul Chamberlain (Wilbur Brookover), a New York City-based actor originally from Bowie, MD, is also an accomplished singer and pianist. He studied abroad at the London Dramatic Academy, and earned his Bachelor of Music from Catholic University in DC. Favorite roles: Thoroughly Modern Millie (Trevor Graydon), Little Shop of Horrors (Seymour), Ragtime (Younger Brother), and the original production of The Land Where The Good Songs Go (creative team: Stafford Arima, Christopher Gattelli, David Loud). www.paul-chamberlain.com @paulywog2

Magaly Chavez (Narrator 2) has been interested in theater and acting for over a decade. She is particularly interested in productions and roles focused on social justice. She holds a Masters of Public Policy from UC Berkeley and has dedicated her career towards equity and justice. This project is an extension of her commitment and passion for social justice. This is her first Zoom production.

G.G. Crawley (Lena Mae Carper) has enjoyed acting since age 4. She is now a retired social worker with many years of experience in mental health, children and family services, as well as aging and adult services. Currently, she is sharing her experiences and knowledge with social work students as an instructor at California State University San Bernardino. Acting brings so much joy and she has had the opportunity to be a part of The Baby Shower, The Bacchae, Trojan Women – A Love Story, Fences, On Golden Pond, A Raisin in the Sun, Never Too Late, Talk Radio, and others. She is so pleased to be a part of such an educational and historic play.

Gloria Cunha (Alma Jean Galloway) had her first acting experience in the 2019 production of Words That Made the Difference. As a tenor, singing in the UIM choir keeps her spirit thriving. She currently teaches pre-school at Ross Academy Montessori in Mill Valley, CA. Gloria’s recipe for Happiness: Love Children, Nature and the Arts!

Katie Elman (Darlene Watson) is a NYC based actress and is honored to be telling one of the most important stories of our history. Recent credits: She Kills Monsters: Virtual Realms (Agnes) – All in Theatrics, Cabaret (Lulu) – Peregrine Theatre Ensemble, The Proxy Marriage (Gillian) – Goodspeed Festival of New Musicals, Pericles (Marina) – Capital Classics. Educational: Sweet Charity (Charity), Little Women (Beth), The Children’s Hour (Catherine/Agatha). Upcoming Virtual Reading: Mendocino (Julie) – Planet Connections Theatre. BFA in Musical Theatre from The Hartt School. You can find her at www.katieelman.com or @katie_elman!

Daniel Holme (Jack Greenberg) an award-winning actor and film maker. NYC Theatre credits: Poet/Nest (by Akin) at Lincoln Center, Andrew/Breakfast Play at Secret Theatre, John/Inside Danny’s Box at Origin’s First Irish Festival, Epstein/Holy Day at New Ohio Theatre. Regional Credits: Emcee/Cabaret, Clarence/Richard III, Simeon/Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Olivier/As You Like It all at Scranton Shakespeare Festival. Radio Plays: Henry IV, The Real Housewives of Windor, Salome, We Carry On and Rogue Waves. Daniel trained at American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Co-founder of FAT CONTENT Theatre. Co-Founder Daniel & Daniel Film. More info: www.DanielHolme.com @DannyBoysHere

Charselle Hooper (Lester Goodell) is a performance poet, writer, actor and artist. She has been an Individual Artist Grant Recipient from The Marin Art’s Council, recognized by The World March for Peace and Nonviolence, and the 8th World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates for her relational artwork, Peace Poem Project. She is honored to be involved in this important work.

Jerry Hyppolite (Oliver Brown) is a Brooklyn, NY raised actor and poet. He is an organic creative who is passionate and driven by the metaphor of acting. He’s been in theatre, film and commercial productions across the country. Most recently appearing in two features, Footprints of an Angel produced by Anthony Mealings and Under Punches produced by Goa Yang to name a few. As a passionate nuanced based actor, he is continuing to build his actor’s portfolio training in stunts and accents. He has studied in St.Francis and John Jay College honing his skills in performing arts and currently resides in Westchester, NY.

Gene Kahane (Chief Justice Earl Warren) is a retired teacher and active bookseller, actor, director and poet. Among the plays he’s directed are Angels in America, Nicholas Nickelby, Doubt, and Fences. Gene is also a man of ink with 23 tattoos, most of them reflective of his love of literature and Shakespeare. He spends much of his free time reading, writing and biking.

Salvatore Langella (Judge Delmas Hill) grew up in southern Spain with an American Mother and Italian father. He always had a passion for creating and design. He studied Marketing in Spain and Denmark, then moved to New York City where he worked in retail and bartending. He eventually moved to Los Angeles and created his own business. There he had a first glimpse at acting and it planted a seed. A few years later, when Covid hit, he lost most of his business and made the decision to drop everything and start acting. An undeniable passion that had been growing in him for years….because if not in the middle of a pandemic, then when?

Gary Mason (Judge Walter Huxman) is a Northern Virginia based actor/voice actor who is honored to be involved in this important project. Recently retired after serving in the United States Navy for the past 40 years as both an active duty sailor and Navy civilian, he is now pursuing a fulltime career as a performer. Recent work includes two commercial voice over spots and a Zoom reading of Agatha Christie’s “Murder on the Links”. Gary is presently working on a limited series television show and a feature film as well as this project. You can find him at www.audiomaticvoice.com @audiomaticvoice.

Jesse Marsh (Judge Arthur Mellot) has 51 acting credits, 3 IMDb acting credits, 20 singing credits, and is the Visual Theater Playwright for 22 short plays performed at Dixon Place, NY. He directed Comedy Night in New York; Series 1, Episodes 1, 2, 3 and 4 for Paper Plane Entertainment on Amazon Prime plus You’ve Got To Put Them Out Of Their Misery by, Paul K. Smith: a dramatic 10 minute play with shadow theater technique at Players Theatre, NY; BOO Festival. Jesse is also a Puppet Fabricator for 10 short plays and an award winning Scenography Artist.

Jim Mitulski (John Kane) is the interim pastor of Island United Church In Foster City CA. He has been a pastor in the United Church of Christ, (UCC) The Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC), the Disciples of Christ, and The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries for the past forty years. He is a graduate of Columbia University, the Pacific School of Religion, the Harvard Divinity School and the Starr King School for the Ministry. He is a proud member of the ACLU and the NAACP and thinks you should be too.

Gary Moore (John Scott) is a Bay Area writer, actor, and artist who began honing his skills in San Francisco’s Fillmore District. He is an alumni of San Francisco State University’s distinguished Theatre Arts Program and is currently studying acting for TV and film at First Take Acting School. Gary has had a deep passion for performance and storytelling since a young age and aims to continue his growth as an artist. He has performed notable roles in Shakespeare’s, A Midsummer’s Night Dream (Bottom), The Laramie Project (Jedadiah Shultz), and A Raisin In the Sun (Walter Lee Younger). He is honored to have the opportunity to continue bringing diverse and refreshing stories to stage.

Brionna Acker Robinson (Narrator 1) began serious acting at eight years old, as Dorothy in a local performance of The Wiz. She is a graduate of The New York Film Academy and studied acting in the U.S., England, and the Netherlands. Brionna has performed in Canada, as well as with SF’s American Conservatory Theater, and with Berkeley’s Black Repertory Theater. She is a choir singer, and is happy to return to the stage.

John L. Shortt (Dr. Hugh Speer) is an actor and singer based in New York City, originally hailing from the Oregon Coast. After attending Portland State University on vocal scholarships, Mr. Shortt embarked upon an operatic career that took him all over North America and Europe as a leading dramatic tenor in the most heroic, intensely strenuous and iconic roles of the standard Italian, French and German romantic repertory (most frequently as the lead or title role in Pagliacci, Otello, Carmen, Samson et Dalila, Fidelio, Die Walkure, Aida, Il Trovatore and Turandot). Mr. Shortt has appeared extensively throughout the US with many opera companies, theater and musical organizations (including The Metropolitan Opera Club and Guild, the San Francisco Opera, the New York City Opera Guild, the American Symphony Orchestra at Avery Fisher Hall and The Carnegie Hall ‘Artist’s in Concert’ series). He has added to his growing list of theatrical roles (Death of a Salesman, 12 Angry Men, Mandela) and music theater roles (televised shows include Fiddler on the Roof, Kiss Me Kate, Man of La Mancha, South Pacific, Carousel, The Vagabond King), by recently expanding into the realms of film (PinkCity, The Call, Chad and Stacy: A Modern Day Love-Story, Agents Of Influence, and the soon to be released, The Bell Affair), virtual productions (The SS Robin, Brown VS The BOE) of plays and screenplays, commercials, as well as entering the field of voice-over, contributing portrayals in several of the categories above, in addition to the realms of video game (Transient) and podcast endeavors (Wordtastic and the upcoming March). Future projects include many leading, supporting, antagonist and outright villainous roles, while adding song recordings, voice-over and narration in a wide variety of musical, theatrical and film genres.

Saskia Baur (Louisa Holt) is an American actor of Dutch and Italian descent, born and raised in Los Angeles. Named after the Dutch painter Rembrandt’s wife, Saskia began her career as a Ballet dancer with Ms. Eileen Locklin and later went on to study Theatre Arts in Los Angeles and the Bay Area. She is represented by Joan Spangler at LOOK Talent and her website is www.saskiabaur.com

Will Taylor (Silas Fleming) Born in Illinois, raised in California and Tennessee, Will Taylor moved to Las Vegas to pursue his calling of acting, including everything from Macbeth, voice over work and spoken word. Will is prayerfully optimistic that Las Vegas is the place where his new life chapter begins.

Eric Ward (Robert Carter) Eric Ward is a native son of San Francisoc and has plied his trade in the Bay Area theater and visual arts for many years. Mr. Ward’s numerous contributions include serving as Musical Director of San Francisco Recovery Theater for seven years and being named “Best Crooner” by San Francisco’s landmark Cabaret venue, Martuni’s. Through his association with John Aiello’s Electric Review, Mr. Ward’s illustrations have been published over 150 times in print and web media.

Amos White (Thurgood Marshall) is an awarded American haiku poet and author, producer, and civil rights activist. He is recognized for his vivid literary imagery and breathless poetic interpretations. Amos is published in national and international reviews and anthologies. He is founder and host of the Heart of the Muse creative’s salon, Executive Producer and host of Beyond Words: Jazz+Poetry show, President of Bay Area Generations literary reading series, board member with the Black Speculative Arts Movement and with the AfroSurreal Writers Workshop-Oakland.

PRODUCTION TEAM BIOGRAPHIES

Dr. Cindy Acker, Ed.D. (Playwright and Director) is a five time award-winning educator and playwright. She was vocally trained by the late Johnny Land, and has sung with the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir, the Glide Ensemble, Unity In Marin, and the MCC Worship and Praise Choir of San Francisco. She has led and toured three choirs, performing in the Governor’s chambers on behalf of marriage equality. Cindy has produced a feature entitled Creative Parenting, and has written several plays, performed in the US and a Canada, including an award-winning musical entitled, In Our Hands.

Sarah McArthur LeValley (Producer / Historic Researcher) spent her career in theatre and feature animation at the Mark Taper Forum, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Walt Disney Feature Animation, Pixar Animation Studios and Lucas Animation. She loves the collaborative process! Sarah is excited to be turning her skills to the work of social justice and is now working as the Director of Social Justice at The Child Unique Montessori School.

Steve Shlisky (Editor) is a 39 year veteran of Bay Area television (KTVU, KICU, and KNTV), producing, directing, and editing local programs from PSAs, promotion, and news features, to full length entertainment and documentary features. Among his many honors, Steve has received fourteen local Emmy® Awards. Since 1999, Steve lectured at San Francisco State University (in their BECA program) and at Oakland’s Laney College where, since 2011, he co-chairs the Media Communication Department. Steve recently termed out as the local Chapter president of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (the people behind the Emmy Awards) and is currently their Programs & Activities Committee Chair.

Bryan French (Technical Assistant) was born in Santa Cruz, California. He moved to the bay area in 2013 to study the recording arts. He graduated from Ex’pression College in 2016 with a BA in Sound Arts. Bryan has been working in the Live Events industry for six years and has worked on many high profile events ranging from tech conferences for Microsoft and NASA to musical acts like George Benson.

George W. Markham (Lighting) GWMarkham Consulting provides technical, logistical, production and program support for live and virtual events. Markham has 30+ years of experience producing broadcast, stage and corporate events. Currently, his focus has been supporting non-profits organizations holding live and virtual events.

“Words That Made the Difference” Hosted by Unity Palo Alto Palo Alto, CA

FEBRUARY 11, 2023 at 7:00pm PT

“Words That Made the Difference” at the Montessori Foundation & International Montessori Council’s 26th Annual International Montessori Conference St. Petersburg, Florida

November 4, 2022 at 2:45pm ET

“Words That Made the Difference” at Altarena Playhouse, Alameda, CA

July 9, 2022 at 8:00pm and July 10, 2022 at 2:00pm

“Words That Made the Difference” at Dunphy Park, Sausalito, June 12, 2022

Rhythmix Production, February 26, 2022

Zoom Production Cast June, 2021

Share this:

Like this:

“Words That Made the Difference” at the Montessori Foundation & International Montessori Council’s 26^th Annual International Montessori Conference St. Petersburg, Florida