Shooting Star: A Rock and Roll Journey Through Cancer at The Actors Company - Other Space Theater

Joe Salazar (Ed, Writer & Director) As a teenager, Joe was fortunate to be able to study in and perform as tons of wayward teenage characters on the NYC stage. It was a love that couldn’t be explained, but it sure that this would be how he would spend the rest of his life. Joe has been the Co- Artistic Director for the McCadden Place Theatre (Los Angeles) from 1995 - 2008. As a Director, Joe has received the Dramalogue Award-Directing for the American premiere of Caryl Churchill's "Three More Sleepless Nights" starring Frances Fisher, as well as Aven’U Boys, Jinx Mulrooney, and The Id and Bob. As a playwright, Joe’s full length plays include To Live, Love & Get Loaded, Free Bird, Block Party, (coming soon!) and Shooting Star: A Rock & Roll Journey Through Cancer. He has written many Short Plays include: A Child of Tennessee & Most Likely To, I Do - Whatever, Home Sweet Home, Under The Christmas Wedding, Day Pass, The Final 3 Roses, Fortunate Son, Dare to Question, It’s Just The Wind and Sue Happy. Joe currently teaches acting in Hollywood at The Actors Company, which he and his wife, Lawrin own, in Los Angeles. Joe is presently the Head of Programming for the Los Angeles Film Festivals which is comprised of 14 Film Festivals. Joe thanks all of the actors he works with for surrounding him with people who have a dream and continue to strive for it! A blessing! Speaking of blessings. Much love & thanks to Lawrin, (for EVERYTHING!), Sam & Sadie for inspiring me all the time and to my 98 year old Mom who is cheering me on from New Jersey. Tons of thanks also to Kaleb Brand, (a terrific actor with a big heart). And to Patty, because you are Patty!

Tamara is thrilled to be playing the role of Tinain Shooting Star: A Rock & Roll Journey Through Cancer. She was aTheater Major at Cal State Long Beach and a member of theElephant Off-Main Theatre Company, that was created by her friendsand classmates from CSULB. Tamara appeared in various Elephantproductions including Search and Destroy, Halfway There and Lurker.Tamara has also performed in the leading roles of Anna in Burn This,Florence in North Shore Fish and Betty Neal in Snacks at varioustheaters throughout Hollywood. Joe Salazar (the writer, director andactor playing Ed) was Tamara’s first acting teacher after college andbecame a lifelong friend. She is deeply honored and excited to beboth directed by him and sharing the stage with him 30 years later.

Brandy was born in Corpus Christi, Texas,but raised in Los Angeles, California. Brandy began her journey into the arts through dance. At the age of 12 she became a professional dancer performing in music videos, on Award Shows, and WorldTours with Mariah Carey, Shakira, Chris Brown, Usher, PharrellWilliams and many others. She also appeared She also appeared in the Step Upfranchise films. Brandy has trained as an actor with Joe Salazar at the Actor’s Company, The Groundlings, and master class studies with Ivana Chubbuck at The Ivana Chubbuck Studio.

Matthew is a Los Angeles–based artist and actor who proudly identifies as a process-driven performer devoted to the craft of acting. He first gained wide recognition in the early ’90s as “The Hairy Guy” in the iconic Clothestime commercials, earning nominations for both the Belding and Cleo Awards. Over the years, he has trained with some of L.A.’s most respected acting coaches, beginning with John Sarno, continuing at the Ivana Chubbuck Studio under Chris Holder, and now calling Vincent Spano his creative home. Matthew has a profound love for bringing the written word to life, and this production marks his stage debut. When he’s not acting, he can often be found in his home studio screen-printing fabric or painting on organic surfaces. He is deeply grateful for the opportunity to give Jimmy his voice in this incarnation of Shooting Star: A Rock & Roll Journey Through Cancer. Cheers.