Celebration Theatre to Host Reading of MAKING MICHAEL

CELEBRATION THEATRE presents as part of its New Works Reading Series MAKING MICHAELA by Micahela Irvi and directed by Samantha Kern.

Making Michaela follows Michael from childhood discovery and bullying to family life and transition. When he springs upon his wife and three children his need to transition it is very much a surprise- which each family member handles in their own way. The play takes you through their experience as a family, as well as Michaela's unique journey as she ventures out into the world to find "herself."

MICHAELA IVRI (Playwright) was born Michael, in the Bronx, New York. At 21, Michael founded the first of two highly successful business ventures. He served as President of a national franchise association for nine years. He became involved with state politics in Sacramento on numerous business issues. At 24, he married and with his wife raised three children, now 22, 28 and 30 years old. Michael was a superb athlete and outdoor adventure enthusiast. He coached baseball, softball and soccer for his children's teams.
For more than five decades, he kept his gender identity a secret from his friends and family. When suppressing the secret finally became too much to bear, he "came out" to his family and eventually to his friends at age 54. Michael began taking hormones and began a transition that would include feminization surgeries and eventually "gender reassignment." Michael began living full-time as Michaela at age 55. The first few years were very difficult as Michaela attempted to shed a lifetime as a traditional, somewhat macho male. She struggled to find her "true identity" while experiencing erosion in relationships with her children, other family, and friends. But with perseverance, Michaela has found happiness as she has accepted and integrated both her feminine (and masculine) aspects.

Now as Michaela, she leads the life she once could only dream of. She is again close with her older children and former spouse. With her current partner, she is a mother to a 15-month old boy, Isadore. She is a public speaker on LGBT issues, appearing regularly at middle and high schools, colleges, universities, medical schools and the Museum of Tolerance. She is an activist and writer for the Transgender community. Michaela has acted as a special consultant on two theater and film productions. First was for the lead character in a Los Angeles revival of the play "Returning to Normal" and more recently, for the writing of the transgender character of the hit Netflix show, "Orange is the New Black." She has recently begun exploring stand-up comedy and a career as a lifestyle and fitness model at age 62.

SAMANTHA KERN (Director) an Oklahoma native, is an Ovation-nominated producer in Los Angeles and executive at Sidney/Kern L.L.C.- a motion picture and theatrical production company. Samantha holds a Bachelor's Degree in Theatre Arts from The University of La Verne (Cum Laude) and graduated with a post-graduate certificate from The Guildford School of Acting (UK) with a M.F.A. from The University of Surrey (UK). Samantha sits on the board of Celebration Theatre Company. Film credits include: Surviving Cliffside- co-producer (SXSW 2014)-; Manson Family Vacation (2014 Canon Filmmaker award winner)- executive producer; G.B.F. (Tribeca 2013)- co-producer; Zombies and Assholes (Best Short- Atlanta Underground Film Festival 2011)- writer/producer. Theatre credits include: The Homosexuals (Celebration Theatre, LA- 2013)- associate producer; What's Wrong with Angry? (Celebration Theatre, LA- Ovation nominee- Best Production 2012)- producer; Take Me Out (Celebration Theatre, LA- 2011)- executive producer.

The cast of Making Michaela will feature: Michael O'Hara, Gina Torrecilla, Casey Sullivan, Constance Jewell Lopez, Denise Grayson, Gino Marconi, Summer Shirey, Eric Henry, David Tran, Alex Dawson, Maury Morgan, Michael C. Kricfalusi

PRICING
Admission is free... with donations gratefully accepted.

Celebrating New Works is produced by Celebration Theatre's Literary Manager Nathan Frizzell.

Celebration Theatre is headed by its Co-Artistic Directors Michael Matthews and Michael A. Shepperd, along with its Executive Director Michael C. Kricfalusi.

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