Daughters of Troy Mentor Spotlight: Orange is the New Black's Amanda Stephen and Folk Wandering's Jordan Tyson

Orange is the New Black's Amanda Stephen has joined Daughters of Troy as a theatre-making mentor. She is paired with mentee Jordan Tyson, who is currently appearing in Pipeline Theatre Company's Folk Wandering. Daughters of Troy launched its 2017/2018 Apprentice Company last fall.

Stephen is a New York-based actress from Canada. A graduate from the University of Central Florida, she is also formed Board Chair of Wide Eyed Productions. Though best known for her role as Alison Abdullah on Netflix's Orange is the New Black, she has also appeared in several short films, television shows, and plays around the country. Stephen's mentee, Tyson, an up-and-coming musical theatre actress, appears in Folk Wandering soon after her Off-Broadway debut starring in Signature Theatre Company's Sweetee last summer. Originally from Long Island, Tyson has worked extensively as a vocalist, as well as an actress around New York City.

Stephen said she decided to become a Daughters of Troy mentor because she "believes giving back is essential for a full and fulfilled existence, especially for artists. My hope is by sharing my experiences, fostering confidence and positivity, it will change the perception and reality of the acting industry for my mentee." Tyson, when asked about her relationship when Stephen, added "Amanda has helped me build more precise, but all-encompassing goals for myself both as an artist and a young woman. We both willingly make time to support each other, and that's golden."
Daughters of Troy is a female-focused company of theatre and visual artists led by

Aubrey Saverino and Brooke M. Haney in partnership with international art organization RE:ARTISTE. We use classical text, visual art, music, dance, poetry and storytelling to create theatrical installations inspired by archetypes in mythology and folklore. We believe that the collision of art and theatre can illuminate these ancient stories in unique and exciting ways that reflect our current society, and foster discourse and connection in our communities.

Since its official inception in 2016, Daughters of Troy has been granted two artist residencies on Governors Island through Barton Booth's Make Room Initiative, developed seven short plays-- several of which were presented at Dixon Place in November 2016, and worked with over two dozen visual and performing artists from all over the world. In addition, the company is currently devising a new piece titled Persephone Rises.