Anita Gonzalez (Book Writer), is a director and writer who views theatrical practice as a laboratory for artists and audiences to explore world issues at a personal level. Current writing projects include: THE LIVING LAKES, a collaborative dance-theatre performance with Joel Valentin-Martinez about Black/Native/Latino migrations along the Midwestern Great Lakes, the musical YBOR CITY composed by Dan Furman about Cuban cigar rollers, and the musical Liverpool Trading. Her directing and choreography has appeared on PBS national television and at Dixon Place, The Workshop Theatre, HereArts, Tribeca Performing Arts Center, Ballet Hispanico, and other venues. She has been awarded a residency at Rockefeller’s Bellagio Center (2003) and has completed three Senior Scholar Fulbright grants. Gonzalez earned her Ph.D. in Theater/Performance Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (1997). She is an Executive Board member of the National Theatre Conference, an Associate Member of Stage Directors and Choreographers, and a member of The Dramatists Guild. www.anitagonzalez.com
Errollyn Wallen (Composer/Lyricist), …’renaissance woman of contemporary British music’ (The Observer) – is lauded for her genuine, free-spirited approach to contemporary composition and eclectic musicianship. She read Music at Goldsmiths’, King’s College, London and King’s College, Cambridge. On becoming a full-time composer, she formed her own group Ensemble X with the motto ” we don’t break down barriers in music…we don’t see any.” Errollyn’s award-winning music includes many works for orchestra, ballet, opera, theatre, chamber music and film. Her work has been performed throughout the world, in outer space and recorded on many compilations. Errollyn was awarded an MBE in 2007 for services to music in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list, and was the first black woman to have her work performed at the BBC Proms and the first woman recipient of the Ivor Novello Award for Classical Music. Last year she was elected Honorary Fellow of Mansfield College, Oxford, in recognition of her achievements as a composer. She recently released her new orchestral album, PHOTOGRAPHY on NMC Recordings. www.errollynwallen.com
Richard Aellen (Co-Book Writer) is an award-winning playwright and author of five novels. His play NOBODY was a finalist at the O’Neill Playwrights Conference and was produced at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival in March of 2010. He is the librettist for the musicals WICKED MOON produced in March of 2011 at the 4th Wall Theatre and NO GUARANTEES currently in development with composer Cynthia Wong. One acts include Square One (Manhattan Punchline Theater) and Samuel French OOB finalist Right to Remain Silent (Actors Repertory Theater). Richard’s novel REDEYE was optioned by Warner Brothers for whom he wrote the screenplay. Awards and grants include the 2006 Stanley Drama Award (Farmers of Men), 2008 Charles M Getchell Award (Nobody), National Endowment for the Arts Grant (film Teenangel), Writers Guild of America/East Fellowship (Lost and Found), and Delacorte Prize (Ozzy on the Outside). In 2010 Richard was honored with the BMI Harrington Award for Creative Excellence. He is a member of Dramatists Guild, WGA East, and BMI Lehman-Engel Musical Theater Workshop.