Between Riverside and Crazy at Interact Theatre Company

Adriàn Gonzàlez (He/him/his). LA THEATRE: Arrowhead (IAMA Theatre) Kiss of the Spider Woman; Argonautika; Othello (A Noise Within); Tar (Playwright’s Arena); Fixed (Echo Theatre); Lord of the Underworld’s Home for Unwed Mothers (Skylight Theatre); Colony Collapse (Boston Court); Lorca in a Green Dress (CASA 0101). FILM/TV: With Love (Amazon); The Garcias (HBO Max); Vida (Starz); Superstore (NBC); The Affair (Showtime); Kevin From Work (Freeform); Your Family or Mine (TBS); The Bridge (FX); as well as smaller roles on NCIS, NCIS LA, and The Mentalist (CBS) EDUCATION: Northwestern University, BS in Theatre and Psychology.

Celebrating a career that has spanned over 50 years, Frankie Faison continues to push the boundaries and possibilities of art and interpretation in film, television, and theatre. He is an incredibly versatile actor who is comfortable with a wide range of material. From comedy classics such as Coming to America and White Chicks to more recent dramas, Till and The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain. The films Ragtime, with the late James Cagney and Spike Lee's Do the Right Thing were career-defining. He is also the only actor to have the distinction of being cast in all four Hannibal Lecter Films. From the groundbreaking '80s television show True Colors, to more recent series like Marvel's Luke Cage, Cinemax’s Banshee, NBCs The Village, ABCs The Rookie: Feds, and the Apple+ series Hello, Tomorrow!, Frankie's career has continued to flourish. He’s also guest-starred countless times across primetime shows. His theater performances include the original production of August Wilson's Fences on Broadway, The Shadow Box, Death of a Salesman, King Lear, Macbeth, The Iceman Cometh, Two Trains Running, and Between Riverside and Crazy. Frankie regularly performs with the social impact company Theater of War, which utillize the plays of Shakespeare as well as the Greek Tragedies to speak on public health and social justice issues. Frankie would like to thank his amazing wife, Samantha, who provides much love and support.

Sofia Yepes is a talented actor, producer, and podcaster known for her compelling performances on stage and screen. Born in Medellin, Colombia, and raised in Queens, New York, Sofia's passion for storytelling began early in life. Sofia made her acting debut in the award-winning Columbia University thesis film, “St. Paul,” portraying a young pregnant teenager. Her performance garnered critical acclaim and set the stage for future endeavors. Currently, Sofia is in post-production for "The Low End Theory," a film she produced alongside Atomic Features, where she also stars. In addition to her work in film, Sofia is the founder of "Sana Sana SingleMama," a podcast dedicated to supporting single mothers on their journey to healing. With credits that include appearances on the acclaimed Showtime series, “Ray Donovan,” and a memorable performance in the theater production, "Danny and The Deep Blue Sea," Sofia continues to captivate audiences with her authenticity and talent. As she continues to explore new projects and opportunities, Sofia remains committed to her craft and to telling stories that resonate with audiences worldwide.

A vocalist, dancer, actor, musician, director, producer, and writer, Tezz studied musical theater and music at The Boston Conservatory and Berklee College of Music. Broadway, touring, and stage credits include: After Midnight, Andrew Lloyd Webber's Starlight Express, Five Guys Named Moe, VEGAS! The Show, Priscilla: Queen of the Desert, Suenos, Weird Romance, Dames at Sea, Doubletyme with Gregory Hines and Savion Glover. Film & TV credits include: Disney’s Mère et Fille , Showtime’s Dice, and Victor Crowley (Hatchet franchise). Soul Desire, his original musical act, headlined at New York-New York Hotel and Casino on the Las Vegas Strip. A multi-instrumentalist, Tezz also starred in and provided the music score and vocals for the independent films Heroes and Malevolence, and is currently producing the soundtrack to his original screenplay Full Circle at his own Soul Sanctuary Studios in Los Angeles, CA.

Meeghan has performed in over seventy plays across the country. Beth in the Off-Broadway production of Dinner With Friends, Sylvia in Sylvia, Brooke in Noises Off and Mme. Thenardier in Les Miserables are among her favorites. She originated the role of Florence Greenberg in the Broadway musical, Baby It’s You! and appeared in Through The Eye Of A Needle by Jami Brandli, and, most recently, Mercury by Steve Yockey at The Road Theatre. TV appearances include Scandal, Desperate Housewives, Two & A Half Men, Everybody Loves Raymond, Law & Order, and NCIS, with recurring roles on Criminal Minds, Grey's Anatomy, and ABC Family's Switched At Birth. She is in Holidate and About Fate on Netflix, and recently played a robot in the movie Boy Makes Girl.

Steven Culp has spent the last several decades working extensively in theatre, television, and film. Notable theatrical credits include THE PARISIAN WOMAN, DR. CERBERUS, ART, RAISED IN CAPTIVITY (South Coast Rep); ANGELS IN AMERICA, BLACKBIRD, THE QUALITY OF LIFE (American Conservatory Theater); HANDJOB (Echo Theater Co.); THE CITY OF CONVERSATION (The Wallis); OLD TIMES (Shakespeare Theatre Co., D.C.); SLAVS!, TRIP’S CINCH (Actors Theatre of Louisville); IF MEMORY SERVES (Pasadena Playhouse); LIGHT UP THE SKY (Ahmanson Theatre); HIGHEST STANDARD OF LIVING (Playwrights Horizons); SWEET SUE (Williamstown Theatre Festival). TV: Regular and recurring roles on DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES (two SAG awards, Outstanding Ensemble in a Comedy), BOSCH, THE RESIDENT, THE ROOKIE: FEDS, THE LAST SHIP, AS WE SEE IT, GRAY’S ANATOMY, REVOLUTION, THE WEST WING, JAG, ER, STAR TREK: ENTERPRISE, among many others, plus numerous miniseries, MOWs, and guest stars. Films include THIRTEEN DAYS, THE EMPEROR’S CLUB, SPARTAN, THE LAST WORD, FIREHOUSE DOG, THE SISTERS, NURSE BETTY, JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH.

Cheryl Umaña is a graduate of the UCLA School of Theatre Film and Television and of the LACC Theatre Academy. She has had the pleasure of working with various theatre companies throughout LA, some of which include, The Latino Theatre Company (Mother of Henry), Company of Angels (This Land), Artists at Play (In Love and Warcraft) and Center Theatre Group (Alma). Most recently, she played an ousted ex-presided of Ecuador, in Middle of the World with Rogue Machine Theatre Company. She has also appeared in several commercials and is a dedicated voice over artist. Cheryl is excited to be working with Interact Theatre for the first time reading and celebrating the wonderful works in our theatre!

Ken has been associated with Interact since he first came to L.A. In addition to acting in The Cherry Orchard, he directed readings of Two Solitudes, That Championship Season, and For Nina for Interact. In Los Angeles: Directed Skylight by David Hare at Fremont Centre Theatre, Gary Richards’ The Root at The Ark, Loyalties and What Happened Was at Alliance Theatre Co., Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? with special permission from Mr.Albee, Waiting At The Malibu Diner at PRT’s co-op, Othellox3 and Mlle. Colombe at the Classical Theatre Lab, All I Really Need To Know I Learned In Kindergarten at The Acme, The Volunteer at West Coast Ensemble, and in New York, My Fifteen Minutes Off-Off B’Way. As an actor, Ken appeared On, Off, and Off-Off B’Way and in major regional theaters across the country in plays as diverse as the American premieres of David Hare’s Plenty, Orton’s Funeral Games, The Flight of the Earls, and Mamet’s Oleanna, (all in New York). Regionally: Bonjour la Bonjour, St. Joan, Oleanna (two more times), Three Sisters, Design For Living, Romeo and Juliet, Bent, Mrs. Warren’s Profession, The Merchant of Venice, The Cherry Orchard, Death of a Salesman, Ardele, The Cocktail Party, Star Spangled Girl, Butterflies Are Free, and Twelfth Night, among others. TV: Recurring roles on the current HBO series, Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers, Without A Trace, Station 19, Days Of Our Lives, and All My Children. Roles on S.W.A.T., Seal Team, Hawaii Five-O, Grey’s Anatomy, Mad Men, Medium, Cold Case, Shark, Criminal Minds, Crossing Jordan, The Practice, ER, West Wing, LAX, Numbers, Judging Amy, X-Files, The Cosby Show. Films: Lansky, Carman the Champion, and Walt Whitman, a Kosmos for PBS. Ken was the voice of Seneca in The Holy Roman Empire, and Derek Wildstar in the anime classic, Star Blazers. Ken was a long-time member of The Classical Theatre Lab here in L.A. as well as the chair of their Director’s Wing.

Bairton Brown (he/they) is a multiracial, award-winning filmmaker and theatre practitioner. A 2023 Next-Up Playwriting Fellowship at Congo Square Theatre, Bair’s full-length play, “THE PLAY GROUNDS, or MOMENTO VIVIERE” received staged readings in Chicago, Denver, and Hollywood Fringe Festivals. Bair currently works as a writer and first AD for the web series BLACKSIDE. Bair also works as head writer for Syllble Studios’ multimedia series, BLACKTOPIA. Book One will be published on Amazon in 2024. BFA from DePaul University, MA from New York University. Media: @BairtonBrown | Bairbrown.com | stonehavenstudios.org

Stephen Adly Guirgis is a longtime member of NYC's LAByrinth Theater Company. His plays have been produced on five continents and throughout the United States. They include: the extended, sold-out run of THE LAST DAYS OF JUDAS ISCARIOT, OUR LADY OF 121st STREET (named one of the ten best plays of 2003; Lucille Lortel, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle Best Play Nominations), JESUS HOPPED THE A TRAIN (Edinburgh Fringe First Award, Olivier Nomination as London's Best New Play, Barrymore Award, "Detroit Free Press" Best Play Award), and IN ARABIA WE'D ALL BE KINGS (Ten Best of '99, "TimeOut New York," critics pick, "TimeOut London"). All four plays were originally produced by LAByrinth, directed by Philip Seymour Hoffman, and are published through Dramatists Play Service and by Faber & Faber. Stephen was awarded a 2004 TCG fellowship, attended the 2004 Sundance Screenwriter's Lab, was named one of the 25 New Faces of Independent Film by "Filmaker Magazine," and appeared in "Entertainment Weekly’s" 2005 Summer Must List. He has received new play commissions from Manhattan Theater Club and South Coast Rep, is a member of New Dramatists and the MCC Playwright’s Coalition, and has contributed to "ESOPUS" magazine. Television writing credits include “NYPD Blue,” “The Sopranos,” David Milch’s CBS drama “Big Apple,” and Shane Salerno's NBC drama “UC: Undercover.” As an actor, he has appeared in Brett C. Leonard’s GUINEA PIG SOLO, produced at the Public Theatre in New York, and played leading roles inTodd Solondz's "Palindromes," and Brett C. Leonard's award-winning "Jailbait," opposite Michael Pitt. Currently, he is developing a project with Mos Def and HBO, and is writing his first feature film for Scott Rudin Productions, to be directed by George C. Wolfe. He lives in New York City.

Most recently, Heins produced and directed the hit Los Angeles premiere of Aaron Posner's "Life Sucks." at the Broadwater Main Stage to wide critical acclaim, earning a coveted spot on the Charles McNulty's (Los Angeles Times') "Top 9 List of 2023," and nominated for seven L.A. Drama Critics Circle awards. A graduate of The Juilliard School and alumnus of The Acting Company, he has appeared on Broadway and Off-Broadway, at leading regional theaters across America, and in film and TV. Los Angeles stage credits include "Much Ado About Nothing" at the Ford Theater (Drama-Logue Award, Outstanding Performance) and the critically acclaimed ITC productions of "Counsellor-At-Law" with John Rubinstein (Ovation Award, Best Ensemble), "Other People's Money," and the West Coast premiere of the Mark Rylance/Louis Jenkins comedy, "Nice Fish." He has worked extensively as a voice-over artist, lending his talents to everything from film trailers to political ads, and has been a dialect consultant on Broadway and for PBS. Heins has served on the faculties of several professional actor training conservatories, including NYU Tisch School of the Arts/Playwright's Horizons Theater School and SUNY Purchase College. His producing credits at Interact include curating three multi-month staged readings programs for Los Angeles Public Library's LA Made cultural enrichment program: "The Tony Award® Winners," showcased worldwide on BroadwayOnDemand.com during the pandemic, and two Pulitzer Prize-winners series (dir: "You Can't Take It With You," "The Great White Hope," and "Driving Miss Daisy"). Heins produced and directed two impactful short films for ITC, "Faultless" and "Just Another Birthday in Bedlam," which garnered international recognition and multiple honors at prestigious film festivals, including a 2021 Bronze and 2022 Gold Telly Award. Both films can be enjoyed on ITC's official YouTube channel, @InteractTheatreCompanyLosAngeles.

Kristen is thrilled to continue her work with ITC as the new Managing Director. While she is a trained Actor first, Kristen has served as operational support for theatres across the county for the past 15 years. She has also produced, written, and managed multiple productions on stage and film. As a graduate of Cal State University, Northridge with a BA in Theatre Arts and a minor in Chemistry, her well-rounded education has combined her love of theatre with her organizational business skills. After working and studying with multiple theatre companies back east, she returned to Los Angeles to dive further into her roles as an actor and operational consultant, with an emphasis on nonprofit organizations. Kristen has aided in administratively supporting and developing multiple theatre and community programs. Her 20 years of experience in management and hands-on roles in accounting, data analytics, editorial writing, and operations management have created her specialty in working with small businesses and nonprofit organizations to develop business practices and streamline financials. A background in industries outside of the theatre world includes environmental research and services, federal and state government services, manufacturing, and GIS data services.