Wally & His Lover Boys at Black Box at Diversionary Theater

Travis Land is an actor, writer and film director. Travis came to acting late in life after he was inspired by a friend to "take a few classes" which turned into a near-obsessive pursuit of acting and filmmaking. Travis has since written and starred in the pilot Cyclone Country and has written the feature films On Deaf Ears, Screens and The Christmas Special. Travis directed the short horror film Deadfall, which recently premiered at FilmOut. He will direct and play Henry in his latest film Shuttered, which is scheduled to begin filming in 2024.

Cody Dupree has been performing around town for over two decades and is excited to bring Charlie’s spice, charm, and wit to life in Wally and His Lover Boys! Some of Cody’s favorite roles include Spike in Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike (Lamplighters), Raheem in Air Turbulence (PowPAC), and Lil’ Jackie Sparks in A 1940’s Radio Christmas Carol (PowPAC). Cody would like to thank his husband, Miguel, for letting him spend so much time away from home to be on stage. To his friends and family, oops, he is doing it again. To the cast, break everything!

Peter Armado is excited and grateful to work with Compulsion Dance & Theatre once again (having previously appeared in Tabled Manners as Travis). Credits include: Ride the Cyclone (Mischa), The Rocky Horror Show (Rocky), Spring Awakening (Melchior), Next to Normal (Henry), Altar Boyz (Luke), and SLAY, Loud Fridge Theatre Group’s all-POC burlesque series. Peter trains at The Rehearsal Room Acting School in San Diego.

Kevin is grateful to be a part of Wally & His Lover Boys here at Diversionary Theatre and to continue working with Michael Mizerany. He has most recently starred in the short film Deadfall also with Michael. His most notable stage roles are Jack/Rapunzel’s Prince; Into the Woods (New Village Arts), Brad Majors; The Rocky Horror Show (OB Playhouse), St, Jimmy; American Idiot (Southwestern College). He has received awards for his performances in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying and American Idiot (Patio Playhouse). Kevin’s grateful for the support of his loved ones.

Claudette Santiago (she/her) is excited to revisit the fabulous Aunt Patty in this production of Wally and His Lover Boys with Compulsion Dance & Theatre! She is a San Diego-based actor who has worked in local theatre and short films for a little over ten years, with companies like Playwrights Project, Bocón Arts, La Jolla Playhouse, Asian Story Theater, OnStage Playhouse, and Blindspot Collective, to name a few. She wants to thank Michael, the cast, the crew, and YOU, for supporting live theatre.

Michael Mizerany is an award-winning dancer, choreographer and playwright based in San Diego, CA. Cygnet Theater (selected): Spring Awakening (Craig Noel nomination), Shockhead Peter, Stupid Fucking Bird and The Last Five Years. Diversionary Theater (selected): Altar Boys (Craig Noel nomination), bare: a pop opera (Craig Noel nomination). Michael has won four LA Stage Scene Awards for Outstanding Choreography for Altar Boyz, Shockhead Peter, A New Brain and bare: a pop opera. He has won two Aubrey Awards for Outstanding Choreography for Altar Boyz and Green Day’s American Idiot. He was also nominated for two Broadway World Awards for his direction and choreography for The Rocky Horror Show. As a playwright, Michael’s work has been produced in San Diego, Fort Lauderdale and Los Angeles. In 2016, he was the recipient of the Outstanding Writing Award at the San Diego International Fringe Festival for his one act play, 20 Minutes and Counting. Recently, his play Marry Me, Dennis Branigan received seven 2022 San Diego Broadway World Award nominations including Outstanding New Play and Outstanding Direction of a Play. That same year, his play A Twisted Bargain also received five 2022 San Diego Broadway World Award nominations including Outstanding New Play and Outstanding Direction of a Play. Most recently, A Twisted Bargain received four 2023 Los Angeles Broadway World Award nominations including Outstanding New Play and Outstanding Performer in a Play. In October, his short horror screenplay, Deadfall, premiered at Filmout San Diego. His second screenplay, Johnny & Babs vs The Apocalypse, will be shooting in March 2024.

Many thanks to Michael for this opportunity! Much love to his husband Joey for his endless support. Some past lighting designs include: Chalk Circle Collective—The Turn of the Screw (2023). Coronado Playhouse—Mamma Mia! (2019, ACT Aubrey Award), Fly by Night (2017, Blue Ribbon Award), Hamlet (2016), Frog and Toad (2015, Blue Ribbon Award). OB Playhouse—Rocky Horror Show (2018). OnStage Playhouse—Heathers the Musical (2017). Thanks for supporting the arts!