Meet the Creative Team
MICHAEL AGUIRRE
Playwright
Michael began his career in Chicago working with Steppenwolf, the the Windy City Players, Chicago Dramatists, and First Folio. Regional credits include: The Wilma Theater (Philadelphia), the Hexagon Theatre (South Africa), Red Barn Theater (Indiana). New York: Theatre (City Center), Signature Theatre, Waterwell, Snorks and Pins, and The Acting Studio/Chelsea Rep Lab, which produced his original play Almost A Fantasy at the 2012 NYC Fringe Festival. Michael was a 2011 Wide Eyed Productions Playwright Apprentice and a semi-finalist for the Neil Labute New Play Fest. He is a graduate from Indiana University. Founding member of New Light Theater Project. For more information, visit his website: MichaelAllenAguirre.com.
KYLE C. NORRIS
Composer & Lyricist
Kyle is an active music director, composer, and musician. Credits include: Broadway: Rocky, Pippin, First Date, Cat On A Hot Tin Roof (w/ Ashley Judd); Broadway Tours: 1st National – Legally Blonde (Music Director); 1st National – West Side Story; Las Vegas: Spamalot (w/ John O’Hurley), Hairspray (w/ Harvey Fierstein), Avenue Q (w/ John Tartaglia), and Mamma Mia.
SARAH NORRIS
Director
Sarah is the Artistic Director of New Light Theater Project. Her work has been seen both around the country (New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Fresno, Las Vegas, Minneapolis, Maine & Alaska) and around the world (Australia, England, & Ireland). Select New York companies: Playwrights Horizons, LAByrinth Theater Company, Disney Theatrical Productions, BAMA Theatre Company, The Flea Theater, The Gallery Players, Fresh Produce’d. She has an MFA in Directing from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and a BA in Theatre from the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa. For more information, please visit her website: www.SarahNorris.org.
YURIY PAVLISH
Associate Director
Yuriy is an Actor, Director, Playwright, Singer/Songwriter, and producer of both theater and music. His first experience in Marketing and Public Relations was in College, when his dance company, SC, leveraged their loyal following to negotiate an exclusive performance contract at the school’s Mainstage Theater, generating a profit margin large enough to donate up to $6000 a year to local and global charities. An actor and director at La Petite Morgue Theater Company, and a producer for several music acts in New York City, Yuriy is dedicated to innovation and driven by creativity.
DARCY BERT
Set Designer
Darcy is a New York based Properties/Scenic Designer and Fine Artist. She has traveled the U.S. and internationally as Head Props with tours of Peter & The Starcatcher, The Adams Family, Spamalot, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Fame & Grease. Favorite past Scenic Designs include: The Marvelous Wonderettes (Allenberry Playhouse), The Rocky Horror Show (Forestburgh Playhouse), The Glass Menagerie (Forestburgh Playhouse) and Myths and Hymns (University at Buffalo). Darcy is a graduate of The University at Buffalo with a dual B.A. in Theatre & Studio Art.
SAMANTHA ROSE LIND
Costume Designer
Samantha graduated from Rutgers University with a BFA in Theatre Design. She has worked as an assistant costume designer for the Young Vic Theatre in London, Premiere Stages at Kean University, and the Papermill Theatre in New Hampshire. As head designer she has worked with FAPC’s Theatre Fellowship production of Broadway Bound and A Murder is Announced; The New School’s production of The Judith of Shimoda and Snapped Productions’ Much ado About Nothing.
MICHAEL O'CONNOR
Lighting Designer
Michael’s recent work includes: Oxbow (BAM), Douglas Carter Beane’s Fairycakes (Lester Martin), While Chasing the Fantastic (AADA), Last Days of Cleopatra (Urban Stages), Mary Poppins (Forestburgh Playhouse), Bleed (BAM), Morgan James CD Release (Le Poisson Rouge), The Tunnel Play (Kraine Theater), Beauty of the Father (AADA), The Turn (City Center), Fruits Unheard Of (Chashama), Who’s Your Daddy? (Irish Rep), Blue Room (NYLA), The Morons (Cell Theater), Red Valley (New 45th Street), Next to Normal (CAP 21), A Celebration of Harold Pinter (Irish Rep), American Clock (AADA), Jimmy Titanic (Drilling Company), Lend Me A Tenor (Gallery Players). Michael is the resident Lighting Designer for the American Academy of Dramatic Arts NYC and Tere O’Connor Dance.
ELLE EMERSON
Production Stage Manager
Elle is originally from Southeast Missouri. She graduated from Arkansas State University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre. Elle is an actor, director, writer, and stage manager that has recently worked with companies such as: The Seeing Place, The Actors Project, Alpha NYC, and Gia Forakis & Co. Elle is excited to be a part of New Light Theater Project's production of Rex.
CONNOR WHEATON
Props Master/ASM
Connor is an actor and designer, and this is his debut into professional theatre. He couldn't be more thrilled to be working on REX with New Light Theater Project.
COURTNEY KNYSCH
Dramaturg
Originally from Chicago, Courtney graduated from DePaul University with a BFA in Theatre Arts, a second degree in International Relations, and a minor in Religion. Courtney was the resident Casting Associate at Caffeine Theatre and also had the pleasure of working with Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, GreenMan Theatre, and Lily’s Talent Agency. As a freelance artist, she has experience in assistant directing, stage managing, dramaturgy, & performance with various companies over the city.
TREVOR PIERCE
Associate Music Director
Trevor is a New York-based music director, accompanist, and vocal coach, and has worked at regional houses across the east coast in many different musical capacities. Select credits include: Eagle Theatre (Catch Me If You Can, Philadelphia Premiere), Forestburgh Playhouse (My Fair Lady, Mame with Loretta Switt, La Cage Aux Folles), Allenberry Playhouse (The Marvelous Wonderettes), New Candlelight Theater (Legally Blonde), 11th Hour Theater Co (Lippa's The Wild Party), Walnut Street Theater (Millie Jr.). A recent Philadelphia transplant, Trevor has worked with the Arden Theatre Co, University of the Arts, Montgomery Theater, and many others. He holds a BA in Theatre Arts and Music from the University of Pennsylvania. www.trevompierce.com