WAR WORDS

ABOUT THE SHOW

War Words is a Pulitzer Prize nominated docu-play in the words of the men and women who served in the U.S. Military during the Afghanistan and Iraq wars. Based on the playwright’s interviews with veterans of the 20-year Long War and their families, War Words is composed of heroic and heartbreaking stories of the veterans, families, and allies of people who served: those who came home, and those who were left behind. The playwright and NewYorkRep have felt that there was always a need for civilians to better understand the motivation and sacrifice one makes to serve.

“War will break your heart…few movies or plays have ever captured all this for me as War Words.

War Words is an inspiring and entertaining work that gets right after this affinity gap” and serves the civic purpose for Veterans Day.”

- General David H. Petraeus, US Army (Ret.)
Partner, KKR & Chairman, KKR Global Institute

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LEAD CREATIVES

MICHELLE KHOLOS BROOKS (she/her; Playwright) Michelle is an award-winning playwright. Awards include: H*tler’s Tasters (Susan Glaspell Award, Best of Edinburgh Fringe-The Stage, Must Watch-LA Times), Kalamazoo (Riva Shiner Comedy Award), Hostage (Woodward/Newman Drama Award Finalist, The Fratti-Newman Political Play Contest and a Showcase Finalist-National New Play Network), Chair (2nd Place-Firehouse Theatre Festival of New American Plays). Her plays have been produced and/or developed at Skylight Theatre (Hostage) Centenary Stage (H*tler’s Tasters), Pacific Resident Theatre, Adirondack Theatre Festival, Bloomington Playwright’s Project (Kalamazoo), The Colony Theatre (Family Planning), Florida Rep, Boston Court, Road Theatre, Wordsmyth Theatre, Barrow Group, Bay Street, Venue 9, Wings Theatre, Laurel Grove, Drama West, Vox Humana Theatre, iTheatre Collaborative, New Light Theater Project, 59E59 Theaters, Greenside (Edinburgh Fringe), Adobe Rose, Electric Lodge. Publications include Dramatists Play Service, Room literary magazine and The Daily Beast. Brooks earned a B.A. from Emerson College and an M.F.A. in Fiction from Otis College of Art and Design. She is a member of The Dramatists Guild of America, The Playwright’s Center and Pacific Resident Theatre. In addition, she is a Nonresident Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council, Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security. MichelleKholosBrooks.com

SARAH NORRIS (she/her; Director) Sarah is an award-winning director based in NY. Favorite playwright collaborators include Michelle Kholos Brooks, Michael Aguirre, Ahsan Ali, Lisa Jill Anderson, Stephen Brown, Amina Henry, Ross Howard, Jayme McGhan, and Owen Panettieri. As a director, select credits include: H*tler's Tasters (TimeOut NY Critics' Pick, Best of the Edinburgh Fringe; featured in the NY Times, Chicago Tribune, LA Times and the BBC), Everything is Super Great (TimeOut NY Critics' Pick), This Wrestling Place (w/ Executive Producer Ben Folds), Picture Ourselves in Latvia (Best of Theater, The L Magazine). Other highlights include: New Light Theater Project, Guild Hall of East Hamptons, Pleasance Theatre (Edinburgh), Greenside Theatre (Edinburgh), Bottom Dog Theatre (Ireland), Adelaide Fringe Festival (Australia), 59E59 Theaters, LAByrinth Theatre, Working Theater, Electric Lodge (LA), Chicago Dramatists, North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, The Flea Theater, Zeiders American Dream Theater, Calliope Stage, Forestburgh Playhouse, and Pendragon Theatre. SarahNorris.org

CAST

*The actors and stage managers appearing in this production are members of Actors’ Equity

DAVID ALAN BASCHE (he/him; John) On stage, two of David’s most notable performances were starring in the Naked Angels production of the Drama Desk Nominated play SnakeBit, and performing for over a year with Eli Wallach in the original New York production of Visiting Mr. Green. Regional: Williamstown, Hartford Stage, New Jersey Shakespeare, Rhode Island Playwright’s Theatre, Iowa Shakespeare, Hartford Theatre Works, Yale School of Drama Cabaret, Boston Majestic Theatre, White River Theatre Festival. TV: 5 seasons playing Dr. Stuart Gardner on “The Exes”, “Lipstick Jungle”, “The Starter Wife”, “Oh Grow Up”. Other TV appearances: “Lioness: Special Ops”, “Bluff City Law”, “NCIS: New Orleans”, “Bull”, “The Blacklist”, “Blue Bloods”, “Chicago PD”, “Blindspot”, all of the Law & Order shows, and "the crab on the floor" for Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin in 30 Rock. Film: “Real Steel”, “The Adjustment Bureau”, “War of the Worlds”, “Full Frontal”, “UNITED 93”. You can also see David in the feature films “Equity & Egg,” which he produced with his wife Alysia Reiner, and despite that they somehow stayed married.

MAGGIE BOFILL (she/her; Jennifer) Maggie is an actor and playwright, founding member of LAByrinth Theater Company, and member of Ensemble Studio Theater. Theater: NYLON (BlockChain, Dir. Knudd Adams), The Last Days of Judas Iscariot (LAByrinth, Dir. Phillip Seymour Hoffman), American Mariachi (Alley Theater, Dir. KJ Sanchez), Laughs In Spanish (Denver Center, Dir. Lisa Portes, Henry Award Nominee), A Doll's House Part 2 (Long Wharf, Dir. Will Davis). TV: “Smash”, “High Town”, “The Path”, “Law & Order: SVU”. Short Film: “Cuban American Gothic” (featuring, written & co-produced by Maggie. Now streaming on Latino Public Broadcasting/PataDePerro Productions.)

DONALD CALLISTE (he/him; Nate) Donald is a United States Army Veteran who completed 4 years of service and unconventionally transitioned into a dynamic theater, television and film actor. With no prior experience, Donald’s first acting job was featured in a major hit film and after being on set with A-list actors, Donald started with a few acting workshops and then decided to commit to the Susan Batson School, completing the 4-year program and eventually putting up a one man show portraying Marvin Gaye. Donald then went on to act in many theater projects, perfecting and honing his skills. Along with being a martial artist and avid reader, Donald is also addicted to blueberry donuts. @DonCalliste

JOHN CONCADO (he/him; Matt) John is a native New Yorker & bilingual Argentinian-American with a soft spot for everything Lionel Messi. John is grateful to be part of such worthwhile and important work. He has been involved with War Words since an early reading on The Intrepid where he was honored by the presence of some of the brave soldiers represented in this play. Mamá, te adoro. Papá, portate bien y Emily, te quiero tanto. Recent Theatre: Romeo y Julieta, starring Lupita Nyong’o (The Public Theater); Jesus Hopped the 'A' Train (Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theatre); Anna in the Tropics (Barrington Stage); The Enclave (Rattlestick Theater); The Forest (O’Neill Theater Center); Locusts Have No King (INTAR). Recent Film: “Paris is in Harlem”; “Orgami”; “The Rainbow Experiment”; “42 Seconds of Happiness”; “Argentinian Intervention”. Recent TV: CBS’s “FBI: Most Wanted”; HBO’s “The Deuce”. Lots of voiceovers, commercials and video games like “Red Dead Redemption 2” and “Dead Space 3.” @concado JohnConcado.com

JENNEAN FARMER (she/her; Amy) Jennean is a proud Memphis, TN native. Jennean is an Operation Iraqi Freedom War Veteran and served eight years in the military. She later went on to receive her MFA in Acting from The New School for Drama in New York City. NYC Credits: Cullud Wattah, Ain't No Mo' (The Public Theater), Toni Stone (Roundabout Theatre). Regional: The Ripple, The Wave That Carried Me Home (Yale Repertory Theatre), Her Portmanteau (George Street Playhouse), Mlima's Tale (Westport Country Playhouse). Television/Film: “The Good Nurse”, “A Thousand and One”, “The Secret Art of Human Flight”, “Wu-Tang: An American Saga”, “Dead Ringers”, “Evil”, “That Damn Michael Che”, “New Amsterdam”, “FBI on CBS”, and “One Tree Hill”.

BETHANY GERAGHTY (she/her, Kimberly) Bethany is an award-winning actor with an MFA from The New School for Drama. Originally from Elmhurst, IL, Bethany came to New York via Ireland and is a Resident Artist with New Light Theater Project. Select credits include: Meaningful Conversation; Still Dance the Stars; Strange Country (NLTP), Fish Food for Feelings; Ampathy; Whiskey Pants (MTAE), Jump It (FringeNYC) and Brainpeople (Paper Rain Productions). Film/Web: Asunder: One Flesh Divided, MEET: the Webseries, Give It Time and Jane be Jane. BethanyGeraghty.com

BRANDON JONES (he/him, Steve) Brandon is thrilled to be amplifying War Words. Theater: Dr. Keith Griffith in The Waiting Room (Lyric Theater); Don Adriano de Armado in Love's Labour's Lost (Play On Shakespeare Podcast); Peter in According to the Chorus (New Light Theater Project/59E59); Alex in Kim’s Convenience (TheatreSquared); Orsino in Twelfth Night (KC Rep); Lt. Cutting in Valley Forge (First Flight Theatre Co.); Brother Boxer in The Amen Corner (Classic Stage Company); David in The Sting of White Roses (NC Black Rep); Pete/John in ReEntry (Actors Theatre of Louisville); King in The Mountaintop (Capital Rep); Marine in In The Soundless Awe, and Adam in meet you at the Galaxy Diner (New Light Theatre Project). Film/Television: Danny in “Same Same” (Webseries), Sterling in “Wildflowers” (Cantanto Films), Marcus Christianson in “Brothers Incorporated” (Tubi), Clare's Boyfriend in “Francis of Brooklyn” (Amazon). He holds an BFA in acting from the University of Cincinnati - College Conservatory of Music. For my son and best friend, Gavin.

KEVIN LOREQUE (he/him, Dan F.) Recent TV: “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”, “Godfather of Harlem”, “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert”, “Daredevil” and “Pose”; a lead role in the feature film, “Small Time” on Amazon Prime. Theatre: I Am My Own Wife (Tour: Africa, UK, USA), Broadway tours of Cats (Rum Tum Tugger) and How the Grinch Stole Christmas (Papa Who). Regional Theatre: The Elephant Man, Sleuth, Year One, Beautiful, Cabaret, A Man of No Importance, Spamalot, Man of La Mancha. Represented by the Bloc Agency.

MATTHEW NIKITOW (he/him, James) Matthew is honored and thrilled to be making his Off-Broadway debut in War Words. Television credits include NBC’s “Law & Order Special Victims Unit”. Recent films include “How it Goes” (Dir. Ryan Espinosa). He is also a graduate of the prestigious Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, England. Nikitow was born and raised in Denver, CO.

HAYTHEM NOOR (he/him, Janis) Haythem is a New Yorker originally from Cairo, Egypt. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the City University of New York and has honed his craft studying the Meisner acting technique at Esper Studio under the tutelage of William Esper. TV: “Ramy”, “Homeland”, “Madam Secretary”, “Law & Order”, “Without a Trace”, “Third Watch”, and “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit”. The NYT called his performance in Misha Schulman's Desert Sunrise "haunting and caustic.” Additionally, Noor's extensive volunteer work as an interpreter for refugees over the past decade has provided him with profound understanding and empathy, qualities that he seamlessly brings to his portrayal of Janis in this extraordinary production, War Words. He feels both thrilled and honored to be a part of this exceptional play.

ALYSIA REINER (she/her, Emily) Best known as Fig on 7 seasons of “Orange Is the New Black” (SAG award), and for originating Agent Sadie Deever in 2023 Emmy Award nominated “Ms. Marvel". 5 seasons as Sunny on “Better Things”, 2 seasons as Kiki on “The Deuce”, 2nd season as Kathryn in “Shining Vale” with Courtney Cox & Greg Kinnear premiering on STARZ now. Films currently making the festival circuit: “The Feeling That The Time for Doing Something Has Passed” (Cannes,TIFF, NYFF 2023), Stampede Ventures' feature film, “Going Places” (Cinequest 2023), & “Ramona At Midlife”. Other highlights include Oscar winning “Sideways”, “Broad City” (Emmy winning episode), “How To Get Away with Murder”, etc. Alysia has performed on stages from The Royal Court Theatre (UK) to the Apollo Theatre in Harlem to the Edinburgh Festival (where she won a Critics Choice Award). Select NY theatre includes: An Oak Tree with Tim Crouch (Special Obie Award). My H8 Letter to the Gr8 American Theatre (The Public), Jesus in Manhattan (EST), Pentecost (Barrow Group). Alysia dedicates this performance to the real Emily & Brie Coger who taught her “our job is not to hunt down people or be part of the problem, EOD is part of the solution... it’s our job to make sure everyone is safe, and that is a burden, but I can’t imagine having it any other way”

JOSHUA DAVID ROBINSON aka JDR (they/he, Nash) is humbled and honored to be a part of bringing War Words into the world. Broadway: The Minutes. Off-Broadway: Arden of Faversham (Red Bull), The Unbelieving (The Civilians), X: Or Betty Shabazz vs The Nation (St. Clements), Sense of an Ending (59E59 Theaters), The Convent of Pleasure (Cherry Lane), Twelfth Night (TFANA) Regional: The Lehman Trilogy (The Huntington Theatre), JQA (Arena Stage), Sherwood: Adventures of Robin Hood, Three Sisters, (PlayMakers Repertory), Love’s Labour’s Lost (The Folger), Secret Hour (Capital Repertory), A Connecticut Yankee (The Guthrie), All the Way (Cleveland Playhouse). Podcast: When Crit Happens, Omagoshakee High. They are a member of The Actors Center and hold an MFA in acting from NYU Tisch. They are always working to use the art of storytelling as a means to engage with their community and as a vehicle for social change. @JDRloves_U.

JOHN SICILIANO (he/him, Pete) John is originally from Pittsburgh, PA, where he studied Theater and Journalism while serving as the captain of the soccer team at Point Park University. A car accident, in which he was a passenger in a jeep, resulted in the amputation of his right leg above the knee. Two years later, he broke the 200-meter Record and represented Team USA in the 1996 Paralympics in Atlanta. Upon returning to LA, he pursued his MFA at The University of Southern California on The Swim with Mike Scholarship and authored a play about his life titled Siciliano. The play ran in Maine, NYC, LA, and was featured on 60 Minutes, People Magazine, USA Today, Wired, and The Fox Family show Courage. He most recently appeared at the Bristol Riverside Theater for the World Premiere of A Leg Up. TV: “ER”, “Bull,” “The Young and The Restless,” “Law and Order SVU”, “The Rookie”, “Grey’s Anatomy”, “Blue Bloods”, “FBI”, “Heels”, “Workaholics”, “Over There”, “NCIS”, “NCIS Los Angeles”, “Sleeper Cell”, “Days of Our Lives”, “Scrubs”, and “LAX”. Film: SpongeBob SquarePants The Movie, End Games, The Chair, and Absolute Dominion, which will be released on Netflix. He has also hosted shows on Planet X, Guys Night Out, and Reel Hollywood. In addition to his acting career, he works with numerous non-profits, giving back and teaching running clinics with The Challenged Athletes Foundation, The Angel City Games, ASPIRE, Camp No Limits, DS USA, and The Wounded Warriors.

JAKOB VON EICHEL (he/him, Danny) Jakob von Eichel was born in Toronto, raised in Washington DC, educated at Sarah Lawrence, escaped to Russia, fled to Berlin, and finally returned to New York City where he lives in Brooklyn with his family. TV: “The Blacklist”, “Blindspot”, “Person of Interest”, “White Collar”, “Pan Am”, “The Americans”, “Madam Secretary”, “Elementary,” HBO's ”Doll & Em”, “Spanish Class”, “B.U.T.S”, “Poker Face.” Film: “Daytime Noon.” Theater: The Clearing (59E59 Theaters), Superior Donuts (Dorset Playhouse), Poker Face (Access Theatre), The Agony of I.B. (Rip Torn House). He is a founding member of the theatre company Primitive Grace. Voiceover: “Fierce: Stories of Women Who Changed the World”, “Supreme: The Battle for Roe”, “James Patterson’s Coldest Case.” Jakob is presently concluding his master’s degree at NYU in drama therapy and is honored to be a part of this original production as he believes in the absolute importance of sharing these stories.

CREATIVE TEAM

MARIANA RAMIREZ (she/her; Percussion Orchestration) Mariana is a NYC based freelance percussionist who began her music studies at the National Conservatory of Mexico in Mexico City. She went on to receive her Bachelors of Music in Percussion at Rutgers University. In addition to Broadway, she has performed in Europe, Asia, and Mexico playing with Mexican Traditional Music bands, Symphonic Ensembles, Chamber Orchestras and Pop Bands. Mariana also founded the Percussion Quartet Excelsis. Mariana has performed with orchestras in Mexico and the United States, including the National Symphony of Mexico, Orquesta de Minería, Dartmouth Symphony, South Florida Symphony, the first all-women Orchestra of Mexico, New England Ensemble, Fairfield Orchestra, and most recently with The Dessoff Choir. Broadway: New York New York, Once on This Island, Ain’t Too Proud, Head Over Heels. Off-Broadway: Merrily We Roll Along, Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish. Mariana is currently the percussionist of Six on Broadway. @mariana_drums MarianaPercussion.com

ANDREW BEALL (he/him, Percussionist) Hailed by NYClassical Review as “Spectacularly Virtuosic,” international composer/soloist Andrew Beall’s work has been performed in Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa, and the Americas. Grammy-winning Broadway Records released albums of his musicals, Song of Solomon and Platinum Girls, both of which have been produced on the international and domestic stage, and Goodbye NewYork, a commission by NewYorkRep, will receive its London premiere in 2024. Recent commissions: “This Is Your Show” for Compassion & Choices and “Jennifer’s Lullaby” for the feature film Four Cousins and a Christmas. Broadway: Les Miserables, West Side Story, The Lion King, In The Heights, Beetlejuice, Aladdin, Six, Spiderman, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder. Twice Mr. Beall has appeared as a soloist with the Siberian Symphony Orchestra, performing his percussion and marimba concerti. He is the orchestra manager of Parlando, a graduate of Manhattan School of Music andNew York University, and the owner of Bachovich Music Publications

GAMA VALLE (él/him, Casting Director) Gama is a New York based director, playwright, screenwriter, children's book author and casting director. He holds an M.F.A in Directing from The New School and a B.A. in Drama from University of Puerto Rico. His Spanish language debut picture book, PITU LE BAILA AL AMAR (Pitu Dances to the Sea) is an International Latino Book Awards winner. He is a recipient of the Van Lier Directing Fellowship at Repertorio Español. Gama received the First Prize in playwriting from Puerto Rico’s Institute of Culture for his play “Queishd&Dilit”. Casting credits include: The American Tradition, The Great Novel, Split Second, I Wanna Fuck Like Romeo and Juliet, among others. Directing credits include: The Lesson, L’Amfiparnaso, I Catch You Dreaming, Among Who, Whom and Ever, Jump It, In Love but Discreet, The Girl Who Used to Die Often. @gamavalle

SARAH GRACE HOUSTON (she/her, Movement Choreographer) Sarah is a NYC based dancer, actor, and choreographer. Born and raised in Dallas, TX, she trained extensively in classical ballet but always held a passion for storytelling. While attending the Fordham University and Alvin Ailey BFA Program, she had the pleasure of dancing with and learning from some of the world’s most brilliant choreographers while studying how human beings move. Sarah Grace met director Sarah Norris while choreographing for the award-winning Pendragon Theater and is thrilled to be working with her again on War Words.

BRIAN DUDKIEWICZ (he/him, Scenic Designer) Brian is an award-winning designer whose work has been seen all over the United States, Canada, and in Asia. He is thrilled to be joining the War Words Team! Previous credits include many productions with Sarah Norris and New Light Theater Project, and designs for the Abingdon Theatre, TheatreworksUSA, Orlando Rep, St. Petersburg Opera, the Westin Playhouse, Mirvish Productions, Theatre Calgary, and Drayton Entertainment, just to name a few. Brian holds an MFA in Set Design from the Yale School of Drama and a BSc in Architecture from McGill University. @briandud1 BrianDudkiewicz.com

DANIELLE PECCHIOLI (she/her, Assistant Scenic Designer, Property Master) Danielle is a NY-based scenic and properties designer. Her recent projects include The Lights Are On (Theatre Row), Friends With Amenities, The Muppet Cabaret, Sleeping Beauty, Sort Of. (Pendragon Theatre), and Mr. Burns, A Post Electric Play (Adelphi University). Adelphi University BFA Theatre Design and Technology ’26. @danielleptech wwww.daniellepecchioli.wixsite.com/mysite

JULIA SQUIER (she/they, Costume Designer) Julia Squier is an NY/NJ based costume designer with a BFA in Theatrical Costume Production and Design from Marymount Manhattan College. Recent costume design Credits: Our Town; Sleeping Beauty: Sort of; The Muppet Cabaret (Pendragon Theatre); Lysistrata; Mr. Burns; Urinetown (Marymount Manhattan College); My Father’s Play (Alchemical Studios); Let’s Dance! (Transcendence Theater Co.); The Winter’s Tale (NY Shakespeare Exchange). Other credits include assistant costume design for (pray) (Ars Nova) and costume coordinator for Hamlet, The Harder They Come, A Raisin in the Sun, Fat Ham (The Public Theater). JuliaSquier.com

ALEX WOLF (he/him, Costume Assistant) Alex is a Costume Assistant and Dressmaker based in NYC. A recent graduate of Marymount Manhattan College, his Assistant credits include Self-Defined Circuits (HERE Performing Arts Center), and Urinetown: The Musical (Theresa Lang Theatre). He also works as a stitcher at John Kristiansen New York to create costumes for a variety of theatre productions. Recent dressmaking credits include Nova (Edinburgh Fringe), Six (Brooks Atkinson Theatre) and Bad Cinderella (Imperial Theatre).

ELAINE WONG (she/they, Lighting Designer) Elaine is from Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, and received her MFA in Lighting Design from Rutgers University’s Mason Gross School of the Arts. She is currently a Project Manager with MossLED, a freelance lighting designer, and the resident Lighting Designer with Resolve Productions NY. Previously, she served for four seasons as the Resident Lighting Designer for the Pagosa Springs Center for the Arts, and for five years as a Faculty Master Electrician for Montclair State University’s Department of Theatre and Dance. Her previous design work has been seen with Resolve Productions, New Light Theater Project, Box Period Productions, Thingamajig Theatre Company, Mile Square Theatre, The Flea, Snapped Productions, American Theater Group, The State Repertory Opera of NJ, The Princeton Festival, Access Theatre, Black Angus Productions, LSNelson Productions, and others. www.elainewong-lx.weebly.com

THE ROLY POLYS (Sound Designers) The Roly Polys are Janet Bentley (they/them) and Andy Evan Cohen (he/him). NLTP credits: According to the Chorus, The End Of Hester, Calendar Girl, Brecht: Call and Response, and many others. Other select credits: the orchard (Off-Broadway/Baryshnikov Arts Center), Candlelight (Nylon Fusion), (a)loft modulation (american vicarious – Audelco Awards Nomination for Sound Design), Basement (nominated for two NYIT Awards), Mr. Chekhov and Mr. Porter (Medicine Show), The Big Funk (Nylon Fusion Theatre Co). Film & streaming: “We Dissent: Voices For Reproductive Rights” (ReproFreedom Arts), “Less Than Or Equal To” (Fair Housing Justice Center), “Jewish Plays Project” (2020-2022 seasons). RolypolyProductions.com

MADELEINE BLOSSOM (she/her, Production Stage Manager) Madeleine Blossom is a New York-based AEA stage manager and actor originally from California. She holds a BA in Theatre Arts from Drew University and a certificate of Mental Health First Aid from The National Council. Madeleine also studied with Intimacy Directors and Coordinators through their Stage Managing Intimacy course, along with similar workshops relating to safety and well-being while making art. Off Broadway: According to the Chorus (New Light Theater Project), Ink’dWell (New Light Theater Project). Regional: Sweeney Todd, Kings, & The Velveteen Rabbit (South Coast Repertory), Fly By Night, Evita, & God of Carnage (Southern Colorado Repertory Theater.)

OLIVIA FLETCHER (she/her, Assistant Stage Manager) Olivia is a freelance stage and company manager based in NYC. She holds a BFA in Technical Production from Texas State University. She recently worked with The Juilliard School as the Production Stage Manager for Future Stages and as the PSM on Silverglass Productions showing of alt Hamlet at The Players Theater. She is excited to be working with NewYorkRep on this production of War Words after being part of the reading for it in April 2023. She looks forward to continuing work with NewYorkRep in the future!

KLEO MITROKOSTAS (she/her, Production Manager) Kleo is a NYC based actor and producer. Recent performance credits: Off-Broadway: According to the Chorus (59E59 Theaters). Regional: Circle Mirror Transformation, The Muppet Cabaret, Our Town (Pendragon Theatre); Sweet Charity (Cotuit Center for the Arts). Recent producing credits: Off-Broadway: Friends with Amenities (59E59 Theaters); The Lights Are On (Theatre Row). NYU BFA Drama ’24. KleoMitrokostas.com

KAYLINE KELLIN (she/her, General Manager of NewYorkRep) Also known as Kaylin AK, Kaylin is an NYC-based multi-hyphenate specializing in producing, management, and social media marketing. Her recent credits include The Cottage (Broadway), Golden (Worksession), ROOM (Broadway), Harry Potter, and The Cursed Child (Broadway) Embrace the Season Gala (Drama League). A co-founding member of BlackLight Community, a non-profit helping POC in the arts. Sending joy. @kaylin_ak kaylinak.com

GAYLE WAXENBERG (she/her, Executive Director of NewYorkRep) Gayle’s career began on Wall Street where she managed the marketing and corporate communications for a premiere investment bank. She later started her own marketing consulting firm, Waxenberg & Associates. A born advocate, she left the for-profit sector and committed herself to raising awareness for those less fortunate. She launched the Telling Company in 2012 as a forum for telling real-life stories influencing social change through art. She has now brought The Telling Company to NewYorkRep. Her first play, A Bitter Pill, premiered in 2016 at the Hudson Guild Theater, as part of the Venus/Adonis Theater Festival. Gayle also produced the multi-award winning film Influence, and the London production of Stalking the Bogeyman, which received an Off-West End nomination for best production and direction. Produced readings included Ben Elton’s Olivier award winning play, Popcorn, starring Sharon Stone and Stacey Keach. Gayle is also a Board Member of The Graham School Education Foundation and of Danza Espanza, The American Spanish Dance Theater. She is a member of the Dramatists Guild of America, the Off Broadway Alliance, Theater Resources Unlimited and a member of the League of Professional Theater Women.

NewYorkRep (Producer) NewYorkRep develops and produces new plays and musicals that inspire and compel social change by telling stories that expose our humanity. By illuminating social and ethical questions through art, we strive to create provocative theater that promotes empathy, compassion, and inclusion. In order to increase access to the stories we tell, NewYorkRep, produces content across artistic mediums.

NEW LIGHT THEATER PROJECT (Associate Producer) New Light nurtures a collective of artist-practitioners through the presentation of compelling stories across theatrical genres. Since 2013, New Light has mounted over 40 productions which have received critical praise including a Drama Desk nomination (According to the Chorus), Sold Out Run and ‘Best of EdFringe 2019’ (The Stage for H*tler’s Tasters), Best of Theater 2014 (The L Magazine for Picture Ourselves in Latvia), TimeOut NY Critics’ Pick (H*tler’s Tasters, Everything is Super Great, The American Tradition, Breeders, and Bubba), resident company of 59E59 Theaters and past recipients of The Flea Theater’s Anchor Program, Theatre Row Residency Program, Woodstock Byrdcliffe Residency Fellowship, Chicago Dramatists Grafting Project, and the Access Theater Residency Program. New Light is a 501(c)3 organization. NewLightTheaterProject.com

PRESS

PIX11 MORNING NEWS, 11/10/23
LIVE, IN-STUDIO INTERVIEW
WATCH HERE

FOX5 TELEVISION, THE NOON, 11/10/23
LIVE TV INTERVIEW WITH JAMES DALY: Anchor Chris Welch interviews Donald Calliste and Michelle Kholos Brooks about War Words in-studio at Fox5’s midday newscast

BROADWAY TO VEGAS, 11/5/23
INCLUSION IN THEATRE COLUMN: “Now Playing”
READ MORE

SAYS ME SAYS MOM, 11/5/23
INCLUSION IN WEEKLY BLOG ROUND-UP: “Sunday Scoop Week of 11/5/23 What's Happening This Week and More”
READ MORE

WBAI PACIFICA RADIO 99.5 FM, 11/4/23
ON AIR TICKET PROMO: David Rothenberg speaks about WAR WORDS on his “Any Saturday” broadcast
LISTEN HERE

TDF STAGES, 11/3/23
INCLUSION IN ROUND-UP: “17 Shows to See Off Broadway in November”
READ MORE

STRAUS NEWSPAPERS, 9/2/23
FEATURE: “Drawn from the recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the playwright tells of the anguish, hopes and fears of soldiers, interpreters and loved ones through straightforward monologues in a new play that debuted Off Broadway for a one month run at the A.R.T. Theater.”
READ MORE

WBAI PACIFICA RADIO 99.5 FM, 10/28/23
ON AIR TICKET PROMO: David Rothenberg speaks about Make Me Gorgeous! on his “Any Saturday” broadcast
LISTEN HERE

WBAI PACIFICA RADIO 99.5 FM, 10/16/23
ON AIR TICKET PROMO: David Rothenberg promotes War Words - and his upcoming interview with Michelle - on his “Any Monday” broadcast
LISTEN HERE

BROADWAY BRIEFING, 10/10/23
CASTING ANNOUNCEMENT: “’Real U.S. Military Veterans Will Take the Stage in War Words Off-Broadway’ by Playbill's Logan Culwell-Block”
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MILITARY.COM, 10/9/23
FEATURE: “Max and Michelle Brooks: From 'World War Z' to ‘War Words’”
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PLAYBILL, 10/6/23
EXCLUSIVE CASTING ANNOUNCEMENT: “Real U.S. Military Veterans Will Take the Stage in War Words Off-Broadway. NewYorkRep is launching the world premiere production by Michelle Kholos Brooks in November.”
READ MORE

FOX5 TELEVISION, GOOD DAY STREET TALK, 9/16/23
IN-STUDIO INTERVIEW SEGMENT: Host Antwan Lewis sits down with Gayle D. Waxenberg & Stephen Tyrone Williams to discuss NewYorkRep and its upcoming production, War Words.
WATCH HERE

THEATER PIZZAZZ, 9/12/23
ANNOUNCEMENT IN THEATER NEWS ROUND-UP: “War Words is a docu-play in the words of the men and women who served in the U.S. Military during the Afghanistan and Iraq wars…”
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TALKIN BROADWAY, 9/11/23
OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE POSTING: “NewYorkRep presents WAR WORDS, a new play by Michelle Kholos Brooks. Performances Veteran's Day weekend, Nov. 10”
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BROADWAY BRIEFING, 9/8/23
EXCLUSIVE NEWS ANNOUNCEMENT: “NewYorkRep, in association with New Light Theater Project, will present War Words, a world premiere production of a new docu-play by Michelle Kholos Brooks. The six-week engagement, directed by Sarah Norris, launches November 10 at A.R.T./New York.”
READ MORE

BROADWAYWORLD, 9/8/23
NEWS ANNOUNCEMENT: “NewYorkRep to Present New Play WAR WORDS by Michelle Kholos Brooks. Performances begin Veteran’s Day weekend, November 10, and run through Dec. 17 at A.R.T./New York.”
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WHATS UP FORT WORTH, 11/12/21
INCLUSION IN EVENTS ROUND-UP: “Stage West Theatre celebrates Veterans with War Words”
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BEAT, 11/11/21
REVIEW BY ROBERT MASSIMI: “WAR WORDS”
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THE PHILADELPHIA CITIZEN, 11/11/21
FEATURE: “War Words - This Veterans Day, Philly’s InterAct Theatre is among seven U.S. venues to stage a play culled from real vets’ stories about life in, and after, service to our country”
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TIMES SQUARE CHRONICLES, 11/11/21
EVENT COVERAGE: “War Words…Shit Happens, And Then You Drive On”
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CALENDAR.TIME.LY, 11/10/21
FEATURED CALNDAR LISTING: “War Words”
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NBC MIAMI, 11/10/21
TV FEATURE: “‘War Words' in Miami Brings Experiences of Veterans to the Stage. Playwright Michelle Kholos Brooks based the play on her conversations with veterans”
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SYRACUSE.EDU, 11/9/21
FEATURED CAENDAR LISTING: “Events for November 9, 2021”
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LAIST, 11/8/21
INCLUSION IN EVENTS ROUND-UP: “The Best Things To Do In LA And SoCal This Week: Nov. 8 - 11”
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WAER NEWS, 11/8/21
NEWS FEATURE: “The Words of Iraq & Afghanistan Veterans Make-up Moving Stage Play Presented in Syracuse Tuesday Night”
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BROADWAY TO VEGAS, 11/7/21
INCLSUON IN EVENTS ROUND-UP: “War Words is a fully produced Staged Reading In honor of Veterans' Day taking place…”
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CULTURE SHOCK MIAMI 11/7/21
NEWS FEATURE: “War Words by Michelle Kholos Brooks Presented by the Arsht Center and City Theatre”
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BERKSHIRE FINE ARTS, 11/6/21
NEWS FEATURE: “War Words - What Does 'Thank You for Your Service' Really Mean”
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ISLANDER MEDIA GROUP, 11/6/21
NEWS FEATURE: “One Night Show ’War Words' Playing this Wednesday”
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BROADWAY RADIO, 11/5/221
STREAMING RADIO INTERVIEW: “Special Episode: Michelle Kholos Brooks on Seeking Out Service Members with ‘War Words’”
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NNY 360, 11/5/21
NEWS FEATURE: “Syracuse Stage to present reading of play based on experiences of Iraq, Afghanistan veterans”
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AARP, 11/1/21
EVENT LISTING: “War Worlds, Knight Concert Hall”
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ALL EVENTS, 10/29/21
EVENT LISTING: “War Words: A Veterans Day Celebration”
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CULTURE MAP, 10/30/21
EVENT LISTING: “Stage West Theatre presents War Words”
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BROADWAYWORLD, 10/29/21
NEWS ANNOUNCMENTL: “Syracuse Stage Honors Veterans With A Reading Of Pulitzer Prize Nominated Play 'War Words,' based on the real life experiences of those who served in Iraq and Afghanistan.”
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DATES CLOUD, 10/29/21
EVENT LISTING: “War Words”
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NEAR SOUTHSIDE CALENDAR, 10/29/21
CALENDAR LISTING: “War Words”
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WHAT’S UP FORT WORTH, 10/29/21
EVENT LISTING: “War Words”
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THEATER PIZZAZZ, 10/28/21
NEWS ANNOUNCEMENT: “War Words to Honor Veteran’s Day”
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NBD MEDIA, 10/27/21
MICHELLE KHOLOS BROOKS RADIO PODCAST: “War Words Pulitzer Nominee”
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MIAMI AND BEACHES, 10/27/21
EVENT LISTING: “War Words”
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WWNY TV, 10/27/21
NEWS ANNOUNCMENT: “Award Winning Play - About the Veteran’s Experience”
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ART & SEEK, 10/26/21
FEATURED EVENT LISTING: “War Words - Stage West”
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BROADWAYWORLD, 10/25/21
NEWS ANNOUNCEMENT: “Special Event WAR WORDS Announced At Stage West. The play is a work of docu-theatre, which chronicles the funny, strange, heroic, and heartbreaking stories of military service people.”
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BROADWAY BRIEFING, 10/20/21
INCLUSION IN DAILY E-NEWSLETTER: “First In The Briefing: The Atlantic Council, NewYorkRep, and The United States Veterans’ Artists Alliance will present War Words, a docu-play by Michelle Kholos Brooks, in honor of Veteran's Day. Presentations will be held November 9 at 7:30 p.m. at The Intrepid in New York and November 11 at 7:30 p.m. at The Actors’ Gang Theater in Los Angeles. Both presentations are free and open to the public.”
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BROADWAYWORLD, 9/20/21
NEWS ANNOUNCEMENT: “Veteran's Day Week Presentations of Pulitzer-Nominated Play, WAR WORDS to Be Presented In NYC, L.A. & More - In addition to the New York and Los Angeles presentations, War Words will also be presented in Forth Worth, TX, Miami, FL, Philadelphia, PA, and Syracuse, NY.”
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PLAYBILL, 10/20/21
INCLUSION IN REGIONAL THEATER NEWS ROUND-UP: “In the News: Get a Sneak Peek at Shakespearean Rock Concert Macbeth in Stride, War Words Will Play NYC and L.A.”
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TIMES SQUARE CHRONICLES, 10/20/21
NEWS ANNOUNCEMENT: “The Pulitzer Prize Nominated Play War Words Live On Both Coasts”
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