Meet the 'Mystic Conversations' Team
JULIA BARRY BELL
Playwright
Julia (she/her) known as “The Mom,” is the playwright behind Mystic Conversations, an original Off-Broadway production premiering in Spring 2025. Presented by New Light Theater Project, the play grew from Julia’s deeply personal experience, first shared through a blog that sparked discussions on life's mysteries. These reflections later evolved into a novel before taking their current form as a play. With a multifaceted background in illustration, graphic design, and journalism – including work as a stringer for The Associated Press – Julia brings a unique perspective to her storytelling. Her creative journey shapes the heartfelt narrative of Mystic Conversations, which explores spirituality with both insight and wit. The play delves into a wide range of intuitive abilities to promote respectful dialogue around psychic phenomena, particularly in children. This poignant and thought-provoking work aims to shed light on the unseen realities that shape our lives.
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NLTP debut.
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JOEY BRENNEMAN
Director
Joey (she/her) is a curious and creative beast who explores her artistry through a variety of media. She is thrilled to be working with New Light Theater Project. Directing credits include Vestments of the Gods and The Timing of a Day (by Owen Panettieri), Truth Values (by Gioia DiCari), Two Girls (by Gabrielle Maisels) and Better Left Unsaid which Joey also wrote. Joey’s other playwright credits include Uncorked, Off, Fast Break and Of Loss & Grace. Joey will be taking a new play, Escape the Noise, to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe which she devised with a group of young actors at The Shoreline Theater Academy. Recently, Joey performed in Tea Artistry’s Being Chaka at Burning Coal Theater in NC. Favorite acting credits include Three Days of Rain (Nan/Lina) Proof (Catherine) and Collected Stories (Lisa)
Joey is also a co-host and lead writer on the podcast, Before We Die. Love to her family and so much gratitude for the Mystic Connections team. joeybrenneman.com
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For NLTP: A Burial Place
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JENNY STRASSBURG
The Mom
Jenny (she/her) Off Broadway: Kowalski (The Duke on 42nd Street) ,Sideways (Peccadillo Theatre Co), Life Sucks (Wheelhouse Theatre), Echoes of the War (The Mint), Macbeth (NY Classical Theatre). Selected regional credits: Shakespeare in Love, Sex with Strangers, Venus in Fur (Capital Rep); The Great Gatsby, Taming of the Shrew, The Miracle Worker (Alabama Shakes. Fest.); A Streetcar Named Desire (VA Stage), Pride and Prejudice (Pioneer Theatre Co), Tender Rain (Syracuse Stage). TV/Film credits include: “FBI: Most Wanted,” “The Equalizer,” “Bull,” "Law and Order: SVU," "The Best Man". Love to Willa, Jack, Loren, and Penny.
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NLTP debut.
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BRENDA BRAXTON
The Mystic
Brenda (she/her) Tony Award nominee and Grammy winner for Broadway’s Smokey Joe's Café. Other Broadway credits include Velma Kelly in Chicago The Musical, Jelly’s Last Jam, Cats, Legs Diamond and the original production of Dreamgirls. Her TV credits include “Nurse Jackie”, “Smash” and Partner Madeline Gilford on "The Good Fight" on Paramount +. She is the author of The Little Black Book of Backstage Etiquette.
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NLTP debut.
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LINCOLN COHEN
The Boy
Lincoln (he/him) is ecstatic to be in New Light Theater Project‘s production of Mystic Conversations after playing The Boy in the reading of the play. He made his Broadway debut in the Tony winning production of Appropriate (Ainsley). Other recent credits include: “PBS/Sesame Street’s Together We Can,” Fun Home 10th Anniversary Concert (John Bechdel), Shabbat on Broadway, Showtime’s “Matt Rogers: Have You Heard of Christmas?” and readings of Millions, The Member of the Wedding, Judgment Day, and Stork Derby. He was a winner of the 2023 Hal Leonard Vocal Competition (Children’s Musical Theatre) and is a member of the Broadway Youth Ensemble. When not performing, Lincoln enjoys playing basketball and cheering for the NY Knicks for whom he sang the national anthem at Madison Square Garden.
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NLTP debut.
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BRANDON JONES
The Father
Brandon (he/him) is thrilled to be back on stage with his New Light family. His credits include Dr. Keith Griffith in The Waiting Room (Lyric Theater); Don Adriano de Armado in Love's Labour's Lost (Play On Shakespeare Podcast); 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). Film/Television credits include Danny in Same Same(Webseries), Sterling in Wildflowers (Cantanto Films), Marcus Christianson in Brothers Incorporated (Tubi), Clare's Boyfriend in Francis of Brooklyn (Amazon). His feature-length documentary directorial debut The Weight On Our Shoulders (White Hawk Films/Big Buffalo Industries) is scheduled for release this spring. He holds an BFA in acting from the University of Cincinnati - College Conservatory of Music. His work in this show is dedicated, as always, to his son, Gavin.
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For NLTP: War Words, According to the Chorus, meet you in the galaxy diner, In the Soundless Awe
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FRENIE ACOBA
The Sister
Frenie (she/her) is honored to work with this cast and crew! Theatre credits: Matilda (Original Broadway cast), Runaways (Encores! New York City Center), South Pacific (National Tour), Judy (New Ohio), The King and I (Dallas Summer Musicals), Mother Jones (NYMF). TV credits include: FBI, Gossip Girl, Tony's, David Letterman, The View, Good Morning America, the 2013 Macy’s Day Parade. Other special appearances: 54 below, NAAP New music concert, US Open Opening ceremony National Anthem Singer, UNICEF Spokesman. Recent graduate of NYU Tisch. Thank you to Calli Company, Carson Kolker, Stephanie Klapper Casting, and my family!
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NLTP debut.
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NICKY TORCHIA
Spirit Child
Broadway: King and I, Kinky Boots. National Tour: Elf, A Christmas Story. TV/Film: The Goldfinch (WB/Young Tom Cable/Dir. John Crowley), Law & Order: Organized Crime (NBC Uni/Eli Stabler - 5 Seasons), Black Mirror (Netflix/Dir. Jodie Foster), Bull
(CBS), Forever (ABC). Nicky is a graduate of William Esper Studio and a Finalist at The Actor's Studio. He greatly appreciates Mom and Dad’s support, his team’s energy and commitment, and his cat Chet.
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NLTP debut.
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CAT COPELAND
Wardrobe Supervisor
Cat (she/they) bio coming soon.
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For NLTP: Night Sings Its Songs, Room 1214, Tracks
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BOBBI RENEE FULLERTON
Lighting Designer
Bobbi (she/her) is a New York City based lighting designer and electrician. Lighting Design: The Little Mermaid (Pendragon Theatre), Straight Forward (Theatre Row), Best Friends (Rattlestick Theatre). Assoc/Asst. Lighting Design: Sheltered (The Cell Theatre), Theatre Will Not Prepare You For Death (La Mama), Fish (Theatre Row), the bandaged place (Roundabout Underground). Bobbi holds a B.A. in Theatre Design, Technology & Management from Wagner College.
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For NLTP: Night Sings Its Songs (ME), The Greatest Hits Down Route 66 (ME)
ALLISON HOHMAN
Assistant Stage Manager
Allison (she/her) bio coming soon.
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NLTP debut.
STEPHANIE KLAPPER
Casting Director
Stephanie (she/her) Stephanie’s award-winning work is frequently seen on Broadway, off-Broadway, regionally, on concert stages, film, television, and streaming media. Select recent credits include Mint Theater, Primary Stages, New York Classical Theatre, Arena Stage, Capital Rep, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Clarence Brown Theare and more as well as Elf Quest, audio movie, Ranked, the musical/HBO Documentary; Lazytown for tv. SKC is known for their limitless imagination and creativity, as well as connecting creative, caring people to each other to make extraordinary things happen. SKC is committed to expanding diversity, education, equity, and inclusion in the business. Member: Casting Society; Board Member: Casting Society Cares, Preliminary judge Jimmy Awards. www.klappercasting.com
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For NLTP: Arthur and Esther
ROLY POLYS
Sound Designers
The Roly Polys are Janet Bentley (they/them) and Andy Evan Cohen (he/him). Select credits: the orchard (Off-Broadway/ Baryshnikov Arts Center), Candlelight and The Big Funk (Nylon Fusion), (a)loft modulation (american vicarious – Audelco Awards nomination), Basement (nominated for two NYIT Awards), Mr. Chekhov and Mr. Porter (Medicine Show). 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
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For NLTP: Room 1214, According to the Chorus, The Lights Are On (Henry Hewes Design Awards nomination), Calendar Girl, Brecht: Call and Response, and many others.
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NICOLE POWELL
Child Guardian
Nicole (she/her) has most recently been the Child Guardian for Ashes & Ink (AMT Theater) and JOY: A New True Musical (Fall 2024 Reading). You may have run into her at A Beautiful Noise on Broadway, where she was the VIP Concierge “Caroline.” She currently works as a Marketing Associate and VIP Concierge for JOY: A New True Musical, running Off-Broadway this summer! Proud AEA member. www.nicoleabarcapowell.com
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NLTP debut.
CAROLINE RAGLAND
Production Stage Manager
Caroline (she/they) bio coming soon.
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For NLTP: ReWombed
GHISLAINE SABITI
Costume Designer
Ghislaine (she/her) is a Congolese-born French American multidisciplinary artist and costume designer. Raised on the outskirts of Paris, she graduated from the Atelier Chardon Savard Fashion School, where she studied glass and fine art. In New York, Sabiti was nominated for the Brooklyn Fashion Academy and won an award at the Dupont De Nemours hosiery design competition for DIM Company. Her opera credits include Amore Opera’s Rigoletto, Elixir of Love, La Bohème, Don Giovanni, and Hansel and Gretel. Her Off-Broadway projects feature productions with the Apollo Harlem Club, Labyrinth Theater Company, and the New York International Fringe Festival. Her film and stage experience in both Paris and New York include serving as the wardrobe supervisor for the films Dinner Guest Teaser and Running Dog, as well as being the Costume Designer for Tarab, Found in Time, and One Last Time, Illusions and Mirrors, SuiYork.
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NLTP debut.
DANA WEINTRAUB
Scenic & Props Designer
Dana (she/her) is a Scenic and Props designer working in and around New York City. Dana received her BA from SUNY New Paltz and her MFA from Carnegie Mellon University. Set
design credits: A Christmas Carol (Theatre Row, EPIC Players), Margaritaville (Forestburgh Playhouse), and Entertaining Mr. Sloane (The Gene Frankel Theatre). Prop design credits: Dear
Jack, Dear Louise (59E59), Steel Man (Penguin Repertory Theatre) and Seussical (upcoming; EPIC Players).
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NLTP debut.