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                  OUR TEAM

          

GLORY SIMS BOWEN
Executive Director

Glory Sims Bowen has been an Artistic Director here in NYC for five years. She has directed over 50 productions. Among her most prominent directing credits are: Always Family (The Kirk Theatre at Theatre Row), North of Providence (Altered Stages), Serenading Louie (Stella Adler Black Box) Anomal (ATA-Off Broadway), Avalon (Looking Glass Theatre), The Tempest, Measure For Measure, The Snow Queen, Special Delivery, Foursome (HERE), Evening with Family (The Brick), Pillow Talk (The American Globe Theater) Jack or the Submission (The Bank Street Theater), tryin t' touch the sun (Raw Theater Space), Golem Stories (Chashama), Anything For You (440 Black Box Theater), Soccer Moms (Gilded Balloon, UK), and Shapeshifter (Barrow Group). She has been the recipient of the Meritorious Achievement Award in Direction from the Kennedy Center A.C.T.F. and the recipient of the Spotlight On Awards for Best Director of a full-length play. She is an alum of the Lincoln Center Directors Lab Classes of 2006 and 2007. She is also an alum of The Labyrinth Theater Company's Master Class. Ms. Bowen is an associate member of the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers.

Besides directing, Ms. Bowen is an actress and playwright. As an actress she has performed at the John Houseman Studio Theater, Roy Arias Theaters, 440 Black Box, and Chashama. Her work as a writer has been seen at The Looking Glass Theater, The Workshop Theater, Theater Row, and Chashama. She has had readings of her work performed at The Public Theater.

Outside of theater, Ms. Bowen has been an active supporter of her community. She works in a soup kitchen, leads a Girl Scout Troop in Harlem and has raised thousands of dollars for Breast Cancer research and other causes. Ms. Bowen is also part of The New Orleans Initiative and has traveled to New Orleans to work with Katrina survivors.

JENN BOEHM
Managing Director

Originally from North Dakota, Jenn currently serves as the Managing Director/Artistic Associate of The Looking Glass Theatre, where she manages all functions of Looking Glass spaces and the company as an artistic, creative not-for-profit organization focused on strengthening the voice of women in theater. From internship programs and space grants to rentals and each season's numerous productions, Jenn is at the forefront of Looking Glass business.

Also an actress, Jenn was most recently seen in What Happens to Women Here at Richmond Shepard Theatre (Stone Soup Theatre Arts). Other NYC credits: Stone Soups' world premiere of The Ghost Dancers at the Sanford Meisner Theatre and its return engagement at the June Havoc Theatre (MITF Award, Outstanding Supporting Actress), Shapeshifter at The Barrow Group Theatre; A Chicken Goes to Broadway (Samuel French Short Play Festival/Peter Jay Sharp Theatre), Young Jean Lee's Church at The Public Theater; and Always Family at The Kirk Theater on Theatre Row (Small Pond Entertainment).

Jenn also works at Trickle Up (http://trickleup.org/), an international nonprofit organization which empowers people living on less than $1 a day to take the first steps out of poverty, providing them with resources to build microenterprises for a better quality of life. She is also active in “50/50 in 2020,” a group sponsored by Women’s Project, New Perspectives Theatre and The League of Professional Theatre Women working proactively for parity for professional women theater artists. Strongly committed to community and causes, her past and present volunteer, fundraising and awareness efforts have been focused on domestic violence, homelessness, cancer research and HIV/AIDS programs.

In addition, she works as a freelance sportswriter and graphic designer.

CHANDA CALENTINE
Assistant Managing Director

Chanda Calentine is a graduate of Ohio University, holding a B.S. in Organizational Communication, with minors in Dance and Theater. Originally from Ohio, Chanda has been active in New York City's theater community as a performer, director, choreographer, teacher and arts administrator. Currently, she serves as the Development Director/ Artistic Associate at The Looking Glass Theatre where she most recently directed , “The Hope Chest” and is work shopping a new play. Recent NY directing credits include “All In My Head”, “Her Only Customer”, “Bite Your Tongue” (IMPACT Theater) , “In the Beginning”, and “Shards; Volume 1” (Horse Trade Theater Group).

Chanda also teaches after school programs including dance, theater, film, solar energy and marine biology to children in Brooklyn and Manhattan. She feels art education is extremely important in schools to help create character development, communication, problem solving and creative thought.

In addition, Chanda is a docent at the New York Aquarium, where she interacts with the public creating awareness of the importance of conservation and the preservation of species and the environment. She also volunteers at I.N.N. World Report, a non-profit non-partisan TV news show. She would also like to remind everyone to be a organ donor and support organ donation, it saves lives.

ANDI COHEN
Assistant Associate Director

Andi Cohen recently produced two shows for her company, Hip Obscurity, of which she is Artistic Director. She has worn every hat there is to wear in the theater. Her favorites are that of stage manager and director. She graduated in 2007 with a BFA in Drama from NYU, having spent her years there at Playwrights Horizons Theater School, focusing on directing and lighting/sound design. Directing: Overnight (Estrogenius 2009), This Production Brought to You BuY (Hip Obscurity), ROCK (Misfit Toys), My Date With A Zombie(Endtimes Productions), LINE (13th St. Rep), The Madness of Lady Bright (NYU), and many others. Stage Management: The House of Bernarda Alba (Full Circle Productions), Mixed Signals (Misfit Toys), The Second Tosca, True West (Dreamscape Productions), and many others. She has been an active participant in AIDS Walk New York for the past several years and routinely donates her time to various causes in the community.

AMADA ANDERSON
Associate Director (Special Events / Lounge Coordinator)

Amada is a graduate from the University of Miami and has a B.A. in Music with a double major in Theatre. As a website designer she has donated her time creating sites for various shows such as Bubby's Shadow, The Breakfast Club Project, Combing Through Life's Tangles as well as modernized updates for BoogieManGeorge.com and HairstylistsForHumanity.org. Having just moved to New York in 2008 she began working backstage for various theatre companies which include working as an Assistant Director/ Website Designer for Bubby's Shadow (White Rabbit Theatre and Mo Pula Productions), Assistant Stage Manager for The Marathon 08 (Ensemble Studio Theatre), and stage manager for The Painter as well as Torrents (The Barracuda Theatre Club). As an actress she has over 30 stage credits from 15 different theatres including a touring production of The Unsinkable Molly Brown in the U.K. She recently made her NY debut in Crimes of the Heart as Lenny (Rockaway Theatre Company). For more info see her professional website www.amadaanderson.com. She's a member of the South Florida Theatre League, Women's Theatre Project and is an official public notary for the state of New York. She has donated her karaoke equipment from time to time for various fundraisers and just happens to hold the title of Karaoke Queen of Florida. In addition to everything else, she is an event organizer for thrill the world and hopes to raise money and peoples spirits through dancing thriller in October of 2009 Click here for more info.

AMBER GALLERY
Associate Director

Amber Gallery studied acting at Mason Gross School of the Arts under Barbara Marchant. Her favorite regional stage credits include: Tia in Fitting Rooms (world premiere); Olivia in Twelfth Night; Babe in Crimes of the Heart; and Corie in Barefoot in the Park. New York stage credits include Carol in North of Providence and Erin in Hiding Behind Comets, directed by David Mogentale and Amy and Angela in a stage adaptation of Francis Ford Coppola's The Conversation. Amber has also assistant directed, performed, and stage managed with Radiotheatre NYC and Howling Moon Cab Company. Amber served as the Associate Producer for trip. theater company and is a member of 29th Street Repertory.

Amber has performed with Mental Health Players, an organization that teaches children in public schools about social issues through improvisational discussions. She participated in both the Revlon Walk for Women's Cancer and AIDS walks in New York City. Amber has volunteered at the ASPCA and Stray from the Heart, a dog shelter on the Upper West Side. Two weeks after 9/11, Amber volunteered at Ground Zero with Outback Steakhouse and helped cook bagged lunches for the rescue teams. Amber is a supporter and donates yearly to The Innocence Project and the ASPCA.

CHAZ GRAYTOK
Assistant Manager

Chaz Graytok is a graduate of Wheeling Jesuit University, holding a B.S. in Business Management. Mainly working in arts administration, Chaz has previously worked for Manhattan Theatre Club in the Business Office and currently occupies his time working for Blue Man Group in the Finance Office.

As an actor, Chaz has been seen in a variety of shows. Some of his credits include: All In My Head (Looking Glass Theatre), Into the Woods (Regional), Little Shop of Horrors (Regional), and Midsummer Nights Dream (Regional). Also a stage manager, Chaz has managed Layla and Harley Best Friends Forever(Howling Moon Cab Company - part of Planet Connections 2008), Garden of Forked Tongues (Operating Theater Company), and Nunsense (Regional). Aside from being an administrator, performer and stage manager, Chaz expresses his technical side and will occasionally operate sound and light boards during a performance.

IAN HINZ
Marketing / Promotions Director

Ian Hinz is an accomplished new media, business development executive specializing in creating publisher side distribution, cobranding and white label partnerships. He has over a decade of experience working with non-profit, sustainability-minded, problem-solving organizations, and is committed to catalyzing transformative cultural impacts through creativity, innovation and doing more with less by thinking globally and acting with integrity in the moment.

Whether it is volunteering as a swimming and diving coach, building houses with Habitat for Humanity or raising money to help find a cure for cancer Ian is committed to being an active participant in his community.

Ian has worked professionally as a Playwright, Production Manager, Development Assistant, Actor, Director, Stage Manager, Technical Director, Master Electrician, Tour Manager, Acting Teacher, Director of Operations, and Minor League Baseball Club House Manager. He has worked for Ensemble Theatre of Cleveland, Columbus Children’s Theater, DOBAMA Theater, Cain Park Amphitheater, The Jerome Schottenstein Center at The Ohio State University, Ohio Valley Summer Theater, The Toledo Mudhens Baseball Club, Loraine County Community College, St. Charles Theater, and Bodhisattva Improv Theater, among others.

Ian holds a BA in Theater from Ohio University with an emphasis in Playwriting and minors in Political Science and Business.

RON IDRA
Web Design / Development

Ron Idra is a web developer, entrepreneur, and the designer/developer of the Planet Connections Festivity website. He is the founder of Promotion for Professionals (www.pfpFirm.com), a firm combining unique website design and development, as well as online promotion for businesses, artists, and arts productions.

In the arts, Ron produces online presences for performers, directors, and theater groups. He has also designed and created advertising, show postards and flyers, presentation packages, as well as theater programs for a number of Off and Off-Off Broadway productions. His program for Bubby's Shadow was nominated for "Outstanding Program" in a 2008 theatre festival. Ron is also a co-producer of the Off-Broadway production of Stone Cold Dead Serious, by playwright Adam Rapp (Clurman Theater, Feb. '07), a presentation of Small Pond Entertainment.

As a former lawyer, he has advised writers, artists, and musicianas on their intellectual property rights, and worked with nonprofit organizations such as The Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts and The Creative Coalition. Ron is also the author of "The Complete Licensing Kit," published by Sourcebooks, Inc. (2007), a book helping individuals better understand intellectual property law and the field of licensing.

NATHANIEL KENT
Assistant Associate Director (Special Events / Lounge Coordinator)

Nathaniel Kent, a Bay Area native, is excited to be working at Planet Connections. He is the Managing Director and founding member of Shelby Company, who in their first year has produced four original plays in five states, including New Beulah at last year's festivity, winning 5 Festivity Awards. His acting credits include New Beulah (Best Ensemble, PC 2008), Say Say Oh Playmate (New Orleans Fringe), Three Sisters (Rebellious Subjects), and Bonfire Night (Playwrights Horizons). New Beulah at the festivity last year won the Activism Award for benefitting Democracy Now!

KAIRA KLUEBER
Assistant Manager

Kaira is thrilled and delighted to be a part of Planet Connections 2010. This will be Kaira’s second year involved and she is excited to join this year’s staff as Assistant Manager. Ms. Klueber graduated with her B.A and B.S in Theatre and Marketing respectively, and a minor in International Business from The Pennsylvania State University. While completing her degrees, she had the pleasure of studying in Rome, Italy and has enjoyed extensive international travel.

Ms. Klueber received her training from Penn State University's School of Theatre B.A program, Actor’s Theatre of Pittsburgh, and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre. She has been fortunate to pursue a professional career in New York and Pennsylvania in areas of stage, voiceovers, commercials, and on-camera work. Some of her stage credits include: Feast of the Flying Cow, Over the River and Through the Woods, The Nerd, Parachute Jump, and from last year’s Planet Connections, Layla and Harley Best Friends Forever.

In addition to her artistic pursuits, Kaira's other endeavors include working on the marketing team of a phenomenal California based non-profit organization, Universal Giving. Universal Giving is a nonprofit organization whose vision is to "create a world where giving and volunteering are a natural part of everyday life."™ Visitors of Universal Giving’s website have the opportunity to search for projects, gift packages, or volunteer opportunities by issue--such as the environment, education, or region.

AMANDA MARINO
Assistant Director of Green Coordinator / Charities Liaison

Amanda E. Marino is a graduate of Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, holding a BA in Fine and Performing Arts and minors in Arts Management and Spanish. Amanda is a Substitute Teacher as well as a part time Administrative Assistant at Pelham Memorial High School. Amanda also worked at a Summer Theatre Arts Camp with the Garden Road School.

Also an actress, Amanda was seen last summer in Layla and Harley Best Friends Forever with Planet Connections. Amanda’s other credits include: Rhinoceros (Mighty Theater Company- Paramount Center for the Arts); Recovery (Blueberry Pond Theatre Ensemble); The Actors Nightmare and Business Lunch at the Russian Tea Room (The Studio Theatre Project); Zachary Zwillenger Eats People (The Looking Glass Theatre); Blood Wedding (Venable Theatre, MA); and Trumpet in the Land (Trumpet in the Land, OH). Amanda has also appeared in various independent films and is part of the Blueberry Pond Theatre Ensemble as well as The Mighty Theatre Company.

Amanda is a strong believer in helping the planet and is excited to be working as Green Coordinator and Charities liaison! Amanda has raised money for Cystic Fibrosis and the American Cancer Association, has been a part of Community Clean ups and a Volunteer at the Fred S. Keller School. Most recently, she participated in a midnight run with the Pelham School District. Amanda would like to remind everyone about the importance of recycling; every little bit helps!

RYAN METZLER
Technical Director/Festival Rep. Plot Designer

Ryan Metzler is a freelance light designer based in New York City. His work has been featured in dozens of productions, both in the city and regionally. Formerly the Lighting Designer in Residence at the Looking Glass Theatre, Ryan has also designed at Theatre Row, the WorkShop Theatre, Altered Spaces, Shetler Studios, chashama, and in numerous festivals. Selected New York credits include: La Boheme (Inwood Shakespeare Festival); shapeshifter (Barrow Group); Serenading Louie (Stella Adler Studios); Stone Cold Dead Serious (Clurman Theater); Season's Greetings (2econd Stage Uptown); and So She Said (Dorothy Strelsin Theater at the Abingdon).

In addition to his creative work for his alma mater, Connecticut College, Ryan has been active in designing benefit productions in the tri-state area to serve worthy charitable foundations. Last year, he lighted Hear Our Song in Nyack and Scarsdale, two engagements that benefited the Children's Brain Tumour Foundation and the Rett's Syndrome Foundation. This past November, he worked with Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS on One Night Only at the Loews Theater Jersey City.

CARLY ROBINS
Associate Director (Green Coordinator / Charities Liason)

Carly is an actor living in NYC having performed in numerous productions which include Everybody Dies and The Dead Walk In Brooklyn both with Edible Productions. Other favorite roles include Judith in The Possibilities, and Young Grandma in Manhattan Theatre Source's Magic Metro Card. She was accepted and studied at the esteemed William Esper Studio with Bill Esper in their 2 year Meisner training program with a 1-year master class. This past summer, she had the privilege to be accepted into the LAByrinth Theater Company's Master Class. Carly can be seen in two current webisode series with On The Leesh Productions Headhunters and I'm Sorry Melissa. She also co-produced UTVS: A Woman's Film Festival in association with Eve Ensler's VDay. She is a current junior board member with The Crown Point Festival and has worked with Edge Theater and MCC Theater. Carly was also on an episode of the Style Network's Married Away where her devotion to being kinder to the environment and whole body health and nutrition was featured and is excited to reach more people with this festival. She has also performed for several Christmases at the New Foundling Children's Hospital in Manhattan.

KATIE ROSIN / KAMPFIRE FILMS PR
Marketing / PR

Off-Broadway: Another Man’s Poison, Jay Sharp Theater; Swimming With The Polar Bears, 45 Bleecker Street; Glimpses of the Moon, Algonquin Hotel; Elizabeth Rex, Center Stage; Mother Load, Sage Theater; Wasps in Bed, Beckett Theater; Anaïs Nin: One Of Her Lives, Beckett Theater; Triple Threat: 2007 Drama Desk Nominee (mis)UNDERSTANDING MAMMY: The Hattie McDaniel Story, Theatre 5. Ms. Rosin was instrumental in the launch of the Broadway musical Brooklyn and the National Tour of Mother Load. Clients include: Astoria Performing Arts Center, New York Innovative Theatre Awards, Nicu's Spoon, and Planet Connections Theatre Festivity. Ms. Rosin teaches Arts Marketing at NYU. Katie has a long history of volunteer work, starting with Walk America (22 miles) when she was in fourth grade, a story her father loves to retell. Recently, she has dedicated her film Speed Grieving in loving memory of her mother-in-law Ruth, and the proceeds from the film will be donated to Gilda's Club, East End Hospice, and other grief and cancer charities.  www.kampfirefilmspr.com

ALLISON WHITTINGHILL
Assistant Manager

Allison Whittinghill is so excited to be a part of Planet Connections Theater Festival 2010! As an intern the previous year, she gained experienced in the everyday operations of the box office and witnessed the great atmosphere of the festival. While attending the University of Texas, she worked with the Gobotrick Theatre Company, the New Works Festival and Frontera Fest. Always up for helping and collaborating with colleagues, she was one of the founding members of the Experimental Theatre Project, in which actors write, cast, and produce original work in a group setting. In New York, she has gotten great joy and fun from working with the Sanctuary Playwrights group, the Anthropologists, and the Wellesley Project. Allison is thrilled to be working for an organization that is eco-conscious, where people can learn that even the smallest changes can improve their carbon footprint!