The Team
Lisa KEnner GRissom
PRODUCER/DIRECTORLisa Kenner Grissom is a Boston-born / LA-based writer/producer whose work explores complex social truths through intimate relationships. Her award-winning short film, TATTOO YOU, is based on her published one-act play of the same name, and has been screened at festivals nationally and internationally. Full-length plays include HERE COMES THE NIGHT, FOUR CHAMBERS (Winner, Jean Kennedy Smith Award, Kennedy Center Theatre Festival), and MOTHERLAND (Jewish Plays Project), among others. In addition, Lisa is the Special Projects Director for Yiddishkayt, an intercultural nonprofit based in Los Angeles. Perviously, she served as the LA Program Director for the innovative arts + culture nonprofit, Reboot. Lisa produces and curates cultural events - both live and virtual - and is passionate about writing stories and creating experiences that explore the resilience of the human spirit.
she/her/hers
Minita Gandhi
PRODUCER/DIRECTORMinita Gandhi was born in Mumbai, India and is an actor/writer/healer/activist based in LA. She can be seen on Chicago Fire and PD as Dr. Prospere, The Onion News Network as anchor Nina Shankar, and her voice can be heard on Disney’s, Mickey’s Mixed-up Adventures. Gandhi’s play MUTHALAND, was nominated for the 2018 Joseph Jefferson Award for best new play, and best solo-performance. It has toured nationally and was an official selection of the NNPN’s Women in Playwriting Festival 2019. There is an Emmy nominated documentary about the making of her play and its social impact entitled My Muthaland that was featured by The Atlantic. She is the founder and CEO of Minita Studio, providing healing, meditation, and manifestation. As an activist and speaker, Minita was the keynote speaker for Commit2Change in 2018, a former PBS Pledge Host. She builds leadership and mentorship programs for women and non-binary people, teaches workshops on artivism, and does work to support survivors.
she/her/hers
Wesley Middleton
PRODUCER/DIRECTORWesley Middleton is a queer writer and producer raised in Georgia, Maryland, and Virginia. She lived in Austin, Seattle, rural North Carolina, Detroit, and Brooklyn before discovering her true home in LA.
Her plays for young audiences have been commissioned and produced by theaters around the US. Selected works and productions include: TOMATO PLANT GIRL (Geva Theatre Center; Childsplay AZ); DEGAS’ LITTLE DANCER (The Alliance); UNSORTED (Metro Theater Company). In 2016-2017, her play #SUPERSHINYSARA was commissioned and premiered by LaJolla Playhouse for their annual POP tour in the San Diego schools.
After almost 20 years in theatre production, she now works as a producer on true crime series, including Twisted Sisters, Murder in the Heartland, and Betrayed. She is committed to telling authentic stories in compelling and unexpected ways.
she/her/hers
KAELAN STROUSE
SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNERKaelan Strouse is a storyteller, spiritual life coach, and performing artist. Originally from Chicago, he has taught yoga and meditation since 2008, lived in an ashram for seven years, and acted on stages and in media projects across the country. Globally, he has led workshops on mindfulness, connection, creativity, and empathy. He is a graduate of Northwestern University (magna cum laude) and currently resides in Washington, D.C. with his husband and rescue pup. kaestrouse.com ecstaticself.com
he/him/his
Benjamin BRIAN NICHOLS
SENIOR EDITORBenjamin Brian Nichols is an Emmy award watching writer, performer, and video editor who has studied at the Second City, UCB, and ComedySportz. He has performed comedy all over the country, and regularly pollutes the internet with silly, silly videos. In high school he was voted "Most likely to cite his high school yearbook."
he/him/his
MADeline NAGLER
EDITOR Madeline Nagler is currently a psychology and film major at Wesleyan University. She has produced two short documentaries. The first, My Name is Malik, is about a young transgender male who uses YouTube as a way to support other people who are transitioning. It was selected to over ten film festivals and won the Alumni Choice Award at the Trinity International Film Festival. The second, Gideon, is about an orphanage in Nkoaranga, Tanzania and will be released this winter. Outside the classroom, Madeline is a member of the women's track and cross county teams at Wesleyan University.
she/her/hers
Katery Gutierrez
INITIAL TITLE POSTER DESIGNERKatery is a Mexican actress/ dancer/ singer/ director who began her professional career at 14 acting in TV commercials, and balances her time between Mexico City and Los Angeles. Her interest in film, acting and directing led her to study Acting at La Salle University CasAzul where she graduated with honors. She has studied with Lesly Kahn, Luis Mandoki, Fernando Piernas and Rodolfo Obregón, among others. As a filmmaker, she has written, directed and edited music videos, commercials and short films with acclaimed producers Panthelion, Aca Films, The Lift, Rojo Films, Camaleon, Catatonia and Whiskey Films. As an editor, she has worked with the world-renowned McCann advertising agency. She plays the drums, ukulele and basic piano. fun fact, she knows how to fly drones.
Website: katery12.com IG: @katery12
Cora Vander Broek
WEB DESIGN CONSULTANTCora Vander Broek is a Los Angeles based actor. She was recently seen as “Jules” in Tracy Letts’ Linda Vista on Broadway after originating the role at Steppenwolf Theatre.
She was nominated for a Tony Award and An Ovation award for her performance in Linda Vista, has been named an Actor to Watch by the Chicago Tribune, received a Jeff Award Nomination for Actress in a Supporting Role and an After Dark Award for Outstanding Performance for her work in theatre in Chicago.
Television and film credits include Grace And Frankie; Law & Order: SVU; Chicago Fire; Where We Started; Of Minor Prophets and Blur Circle. Cora is represented by Justice & Ponder.
Website: www.coravanderbroek.com IG: @coravanderbroek
she/her/hers