MS. BLAKK FOR PRESIDENT

Tarell Alvin McCraney is Artistic Director of Geffen Playhouse. His script In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue is the basis for the Oscar–winning film Moonlight directed by Barry Jenkins, for which McCraney and Jenkins won an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay. McCraney created the critically acclaimed Peabody Award–winning OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network drama “David Makes Man,” which was executive produced by Michael B. Jordan and Oprah Winfrey. McCraney also wrote the film High Flying Bird which premiered on Netflix and was directed by Steven Soderbergh. McCraney’s plays include We Are Gathered, Ms. Blakk For President, The Brother/Sister Plays trilogy, Head of Passes, Wig Out!, and Choir Boy, which was nominated for four Tony Awards. McCraney is the recipient of a MacArthur Fellowship “Genius Grant,” the Joyce Award, the Whiting Award, the Steinberg Playwright Award, the Evening Standard Theatre Award, the New York Times Outstanding Playwright Award, the Paula Vogel Playwriting Award, the Windham Campbell Prize, and a USA Fellowship Award. He is a lecturer at the UCLA School of Theater, Film, and Television; an associate artist at the Royal Shakespeare Company, UK; an ensemble member at Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Chicago; and a member of Teo Castellanos/D-Projects, Miami.

TINA LANDAU has created original works including the Broadway musicals Floyd Collins (book, additional lyrics, director), Redwood starring Idina Menzel (book, co-lyrics, director), and The SpongeBob Musical (conceiver, director), as well as written and directed the musical Dream True (book/lyrics, at the Vineyard), Space (Steppenwolf, Taper, Public), Beauty (La Jolla) and more.  Her additional directing work on Broadway includes Paula Vogel’s Mother Play, Tracy Letts’ Superior Donuts, and the revival of Bells Are Ringing, while her Off-Broadway productions include Bill Irwin and David Shiner’s Old Hats, Chuck Mee’s Big Love and Iphigenia 2.0, Paula Vogel’s A Civil War Christmas, and Tarell McCraney’s Head of Passes, In the Red and Brown Water, and Wig Out! (also at The Vineyard.) Since 1997, Tina’s been an ensemble member at Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago, where her 20 productions include Ms. Blakk for President, McCraney’s The Brother/Sister Plays, The Wheel, The Time of Your Life, The Tempest, and more. She’s been recognized by the Tonys, Drama Desks, Drama League, Outer Critics, Lucille Lortel, and Obie awards, and is the recipient of a United States Artist Fellowship. Tina is the co-author, with Anne Bogart, of The Viewpoints Book.  

Vineyard Theatre: scenic design for THE AMATEURS. Broadway: scenic design for BECKY SHAW, LIBERATION, STEREOPHONIC, FUNNY GIRL, THE MINUTES, DIANA, TORCH SONG, and THE HUMANS; scenic and costume design for CHOIR BOY, BOYS IN THE BAND, SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS, AMELIE, FUN HOME, and THE LAST SHIP; costume design for DOLL’S HOUSE PART 2, AIRLINE HIGHWAY, and XANADU.  Recent Off-Broadway: THE SAVIORS (Atlantic), PRINCE FAGGOT (Playwrights Horizons), ANTIGONE…(Public Theater), SATURDAY CHURCH (New York Theater Workshop). Regional and International: A.C.T, A.R.T., Berkeley Rep, Old Globe, La Jolla Playhouse, CTG, Steppenwolf, Guthrie Theater, Yale Rep, San Francisco Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Santa Fe Opera, Glimmerglass Opera: West End, National Theatre and Young Vic (UK), Theater Basel, and the Berlin Staatsoper. Tony, Obie, Drama Desk, Hewes awards.  

Ari Fulton is a New York–based costume designer for stage and film. Off-Broadway credits: Covenant (Roundabout Underground), Confederates written by Dominique Morisseau (The Signature Theatre NY). Regional Credits: Disney’s Frozen, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Rent!, L’Amant Anonyme, Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Musical, and Off-Broadway directed by Robert O’Hara. Film credits include: Nigerian Prince, Ella, Disney Television Discovers: Talent Showcase (ABC Entertainment), and Ricky, winner of the Sundance Best Directing Award (2025). Education: MFA in Design for Stage and Film from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. www.arifultondesigns.com

Vineyard Theatre Debut! Broadway: Lempicka, Water for Elephants (Tony, Drama Desk nom), How to Dance in Ohio, Fat Ham (Tony nom), Flying over Sunset (Tony nom, Drama Desk award), Hadestown (Tony Award), Great Comet (Tony Award). Off Broadway: The Winter’s Tale, Twelfth Night (Public Theater – Delacorte), Baker’s Wife (CSC-Drama Desk nom), Ginger Twinsies (Orpheum), Goddess (Public-AUDELCO nom), We Live In Cairo (NYTW), Little Shop of Horrors, many others. MFA, NYU. Bradley is a proud parent, labor activist, and union leader. www.bradleykingld.com
Insta/Bluesky: @bradleykingld 

Broadway: Slave Play (Tony nominations for Best Score and Best Sound Design of a Play), The Nap, Bronx Bombers, and A Time to Kill. Off-Broadway: Privacy (The Public Theater), Bootycandy (Playwrights Horizons), Feeding the Dragon (Primary Stages), Top Secret (New York Theatre Workshop), and many others. Regional: Guthrie Theater, Center Stage, American Conservatory Theater, Hartford Stage, Alliance Theatre, Goodman Theatre, Arena Stage, Old Globe Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Steppenwolf Theatre, and many others. International: Stratford Festival (Canada), Royal Shakespeare Company (UK), and many others. Audio dramas: Marvel, Audible, Next Chapter Podcasts, award-winning “The Imagine Neighborhood.” Film/TV scoring: HBO Films’ A Note of Triumph (2006 Academy Award for Best Documentary, Short Subject) and over 30 other films. He is the co-chair of the Theatrical Sound Designers and Composers Association and teaches Composition for Theatre and Music History at the University of North Carolina School Of The Arts.  www.lindsayjones.com  

Off-Broadway: Little Rock (Sheen Center). Regional: Mr. Wolf, The Book of Grace, MS. BLAKK FOR PRESIDENT, La Ruta, The Brothers Size, The Burn, You Got Older, BLKS (Steppenwolf); Revolutions, The Color Purple, Betrayal, Lucha Teotl, Fannie (Goodman Theatre); Cadillac Crew, Cymbeline (Yale Repertory Theatre); Dream Delivery Service, Frankenstein, Lula Del Ray, Fjords (Manual Cinema). International: Edinburgh Festival, Ningbo Dance Theatre, B-Floor Theatre. Concerts: “The March to Liberation” (David Geffen Hall) “A Hundred Years On” (Mann Center) “Die Kathrin” (Logan Center for the Arts). Education: MFA Yale School of Drama.  

Vineyard Theatre Credits: Scene Partners, Gloria, Good Grief, Harry Clarke, GIGANTIC. Broadway credits: Cats: The Jellicle Ball, Bug, Marjorie Prime, Liberation, Art, Pirates! The Penzance Musical, English, Cult of Love, Romeo + Juliet, Mother Play, Doubt, The Sign In Sidney Brustein’s Window, The Thanksgiving Play, Leopoldstadt, Birthday Candles. Recent Off Broadway: Well, I’ll Let You Go, The Unknown (Studio Seaview), The Least Problematic Woman In The World, Vanya (Lortel). Nickelodeon. Walt Disney Productions. SNL. Henry Hewes Design Award.

Ashley Wise is a native New York Hair and Wig Designer and Supervisor with extensive experience across Broadway, national tours, and regional theater. Recognized for her collaborative spirit and keen eye for detail, Ashley views hair design as a powerful storytelling tool. Her commitment to inclusive and impactful work drives her ongoing pursuit of meaningful artistic partnerships. Follow her creative journey at @Hair_ashley. 

La Sonya Gunter is a New York City–based, Emmy-nominated celebrity makeup artist with more than 20 years of experience across film, television, editorial, red carpet, and Broadway. Her credits include Pose, The Godfather of Harlem, The Gilded Age, Jesus Christ Superstar Live (Emmy nomination) and Legendary, where she served as makeup designer and department head. On Broadway, she served as associate designer for The Rose Tattoo and she served as makeup supervisor for the Broadway shows Kinky Boots and La Cage aux Folles. Her iconic Billy Porter “Egyptian Sun God” Met Gala look for 2018, led to their collaboration on the film Anything’s Possible. La Sonya is also a member of I.A.T.S.E. Local 798 makeup and hairstylist union.  

Steven Cuevas (he/him) is a Filipino American music director, musician, orchestrator, and arranger based in NYC. Vineyard: debut. Broadway: Mamma Mia!; Operation Mincemeat; The Lion King; The Notebook; The Who’s Tommy; Days of Wine and Roses; New York, New York; Dancin’; & Juliet; Moulin Rouge!; Tina: The Tina Turner Musical; Once On This Island; Anastasia; Kinky Boots. Off-Broadway: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Teeth, The Connector, Hell’s Kitchen, Kinky Boots, Little Shop of Horrors, Closer Than Ever. Regional: Eighty-Sixed (Diversionary Theatre), Macbeth in Stride (A.R.T.). Education: Emerson College. @StevenMCuevas 

Kristy Norter’s Music Coordinator credits include: The Lost Boys, The Outsiders, Merrily We Roll Along, Death Becomes Her, Operation Mincemeat, Queen of Versailles, Some Like It Hot, Cabaret, Hell’s Kitchen, SUFFS, SIX, Beetlejuice, Water For Elephants, and Back to the Future.  

BRANDON JACKSON (he/him) is a sought-after composer, orchestrator and musician in NYC. He is excited to open MS BLAKK FOR PRESIDENT! B’way/Off B’way: Wicked, La Cage Aux Folles; Regional: Beloved King: A Queer Bible Musical, Connected: A New Musical, Purlie Victorious, Ceilidh, 1001 Nights, Influenced, Wilderness. Film: I’m With You, I’ll Be There. Education: Berklee College of Music ‘22. @branmuzsick 

ANNIE TAYLOR SLOAN (she/her) is a New York City–based jazz guitarist, theater musician, producer, and songwriter. She is currently a sub guitarist for Broadway’s SIX (Lena Horne Theatre) and was guitar chair for Elephant Shoes (Two River Theater). Featured by American Songwriter, KCRW, and Premier Guitar, she has toured with acclaimed artists and appeared on NPR’s Tiny Desk as well as major festivals nationwide. Annie is also the creative force behind the indie project Slark Moan, whose music blends angular indie-rock hooks, colorful chord progressions, and virtuosic jazz solos. She maintains an active presence throughout New York City’s jazz and theater communities. 

A recipient of the Princess Grace Choreography Fellowship Award & the SDC’s Joe A. Callaway Award for Excellence in Choreography. Darrell Grand Moultrie’s work includes DADDY (Vineyard Theatre & The New Group), the Pulitzer Prize winning play FAT HAM (Broadway & The Public), New York Theater Workshop’s SATURDAY CHURCH, and The Public Theater’s GODDESS for which he earned a Lucille Lortel Award Nomination for “Outstanding Choreography”, as well as an Outer Critics Circle Award Nomination for “Outstanding Choreography” for both productions in the same season. Additional credits include TWELFTH NIGHT (Shakespeare in the Park), GOOD BONES (The Public Theater), Disney’s new revival of AIDA in the Netherlands for which he received a Netherland Musical Awards “Best Choreography” Award nomination, MERRY WIVES (Shakespeare in the Park), SPACE DOGS (MCC), WITNESS UGANDA (American Repertory Theater), SUGAR IN OUR WOUNDS (MTC), INVISIBLE THREAD (Second Stage), GODDESS (Berkeley Repertory Theater), REDWOOD (Portland Center Stage Theater), EVITA (Kansas City Repertory Theatre), and EL PUBLIC (Teatro Real – Madrid).

With offices in both New York and Los Angeles, The Telsey Office casts for theatre, film, television, and commercials. The Telsey Office is dedicated to creating safe, equitable, and anti-racist spaces through collaboration, artistry, heart, accountability, and advocacy. Please visit thetelseyoffice.com for our credits.

860; An American Daughter; The Book of Mormon; Disruption; Frozen (Stuttgart, Korea); Galileo; The Imaginary Invalid; Mix and Master; Operation Mincemeat (Broadway, Tour); PETRA; The Full Monty; The Play That Goes Wrong; Aurora has been providing technical supervision and production management to the entertainment industry since 1989.

JASON AGUIRRE is a queer, Mexican-American director, bookwriter, and choreographer. Jason has developed and presented work at Ars Nova, Vineyard Theatre, Roundabout Theatre Company, Williamstown Theatre Festival, Joe’s Pub, HERE Arts, EST, Mercury Store, Judson Arts, The Tank, Pete’s Candy Store, and the Maker’s Ensemble. He has been a SDCF Fellow mentored by Susan Stroman, a member of the Directors Group at Roundabout Theatre Company, an Artistic Producing Fellow at Vineyard Theatre, a Boris Sagal Fellow at Williamstown Theatre Festival, and is a graduate of the George and Joy Abbott MFA in Musical Theatre Collaboration at Temple University, where he was a Future Faculty Fellow. Jason was recently an Artist-in-Residence at Ars Nova, a member of the 25/26 Civilians R&D Group, and is currently a member of the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop. As an associate and assistant director, he has worked with Rachel Chavkin, Anne Kauffman, and Tina Landau. As a producer and artistic leader, Jason is the Founding Co-Artistic Director of The Dive Musical Incubator, a not-for-profit dedicated to supporting writers of marginalized communities, and serves as the Associate Artistic Director of Tony Award-winning Vineyard Theatre.

Broadway credits include: Illinoise, Funny Girl, Head Over Heels, Michael Moore: The Terms of My Surrender, An American in Paris, Act One, & War Horse. New York credits include: Radio City’s Christmas Spectacular, Soundtrack of America at The Shed, & Monkey: Journey to the West for Lincoln Center Festival. Regional: Kings (The Public Theater), Nobody Loves You (A.C.T.), Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (Bucks County), American Psycho (Houston Broadway Theatre), The Old Maid and The Thief (Spoleto Festival, USA). International Tours: An American in Paris (Geneva & China). For my husband, Aldo.

Cello Blanks is a stage manager, production coordinator, and proud AMC A-Lister based in Brooklyn, New York. Graduating in 2021 from NYU Tisch School of the Arts, some favorite works include: ||:Girls😐|:Chance😐|:Music:|| (Vineyard Theatre), Sleep No More (Punchdrunk, Emursive), Come From Away 2nd National Tour (NETworks Tours), and Dungeons & Dragons: The Twenty-Sided Tavern National Tour (Meandering Bison, LLC). Love is the power and all power to the people. celloblanks@gmail.com