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2023 HOLLYWOOD FRINGE FESTIVAL CAST
Nick Blocha
(Larry Schwartz/Surgeon/Officer Raymond) SICK is Nick’s professional theatre debut, though he has worked in the commercial and production sector for 6 years. He graduated from Belmont University in Nashville, TN, earning a Bachelor’s of Arts with a major in Film and a minor in Theatre and Drama where he focused in writing, directing, and acting. Having studied Meisner, Stanislavski, Uta Hagen, and others, Nick looks for the moments of truth in all things and, while he loves a good drama, he’s focused on making life not just bearable, but fun, unique, silly, sustainable, and inspiring others to bring intention into their lives.
Keith Bush
(Charles Socarides) is a third-generation Southern Californian who’s been active in local theater for many years. Notable performances include Berowne in Love's Labour's Lost, Lopakhin in The Cherry Orchard, the title character in Dracula, both leading men in God of Carnage, and major roles in Much Ado About Nothing, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Laughter on the 23rd Floor, and The Laramie Project. Keith has also appeared in a number of independent films and enjoys creative writing, road trips, and nature photography.
Mikel Farber
(Ron Gold) started his stage career as a dancer, joining the California Ballet Company at age 16. He appeared in Coppelia, Dracula, Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, and San Diego Opera’s Salome. As a musician and songwriter, he has self-released two EPs and several singles, and has a long history as an independent concert producer and curator. Since 2015, he has been a part of the small production crew at Largo at the Coronet. Local & Regional theater credits include: How I Learned to Drive, The Music Man, 7 Brides for 7 Brothers, and Crazy for You. Mr. Farber is a graduate of The Second City Hollywood Conservatory, where he created many memorable characters, and is a proud member of SAG-AFTRA. Recent film & TV work has included a healthy dose of commercials, and a nice scene in an episode of The Offer on Paramount+. He is thrilled to be making his Hollywood Fringe debut in this wonderful play!
Maya Knell
(Barbara Gittings, Ma, Evelyn Hooker) is a queer actress, comedian, and multidisciplinary artist. A graduate of Bennington College and longtime theater performer, she is so excited to be making her LA stage debut with such an awe-inspiring play. She is also deeply honored to have the privilege of playing these incredible women and activists, and sharing their stories. Credits: TV: I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson. FILM: Reflect, Zombie Wedding. STAGE: Chebutykin, As You Like It, Circle Mirror Transformation, Daughters of Io, Fairy Tale, The Seagull, Top Girls, Romeo & Juliet, Circadian, Gravitas, and Almost Maine. @mayaknell | www.mayaknell.com
Daniel Kuhlman
(John E. Fryer/Robert Spitzer) is an actor, writer and producer originally from Cleveland, Ohio. After graduating from Carnegie Mellon University’s Mellon School of Drama, his career began in Chicago with numerous Jeff Award -winning productions, such as Famous Door’s The Cider House Rules: Parts I and II, A Red Orchid Theatre’s The Fastest Clock in the Universe, Next Theatre’s The Misanthrope, and at Northlight Theatre’s Mauritius. Relocating to Los Angeles, his credits now include General Hospital, The Young and the Restless, Murder Book, and the award-winning film Voodoo Macbeth. Most recently, his one-take thriller Failure! premiered at the Cannes Film Festival.
Robert E. Lee
(Dr. Lyle Quackenbush/Activist) is very thankful to be part of this production. While attending college, this Los Angeles native discovered that his real interests were in the entertainment field. He began taking dramatic and comedic acting classes, writing his own material, creating a diverse ensemble of characters, and performing in comedy clubs and other venues throughout the Los Angeles area. Robert starred as Christopher Rich in Shelly Garrett’s award-winning stage production Beauty Shop. The late famed award-winning playwright/director/producer Garrett said of Lee, “He is innately funny. He’s on it!’” The Dallas Examiner exclaimed, “Lee is relentlessly funny and leaves audiences in stitches!” while actor John Amos called Lee “a monster talent!” Other credits include: Reggie on BET's ComicView, The Blackberry Inn and Sparkle on Red Beans & Rice.
Kevin Michael Moran
(Irving Bieber/Freud) This is Kevin's 40th year in both SAG and Actors’ Equity. Originally from New York, he has traveled the country in several national tours, ultimately leading him to Los Angeles. Since retiring from teaching high school, he has gratefully worked steadily. Kevin professes, “it must be the white hair.” This summer at the South Pasadena Theatre Workshop, Kevin, will be performing in repertory, in The Seagull and The Cherry Orchard (June 24th - August 6th). Most exciting has been the release of his feature film entitled Tiny Cinema, a sci-fi flick that he co-stars in, streaming now on Amazon Prime. He would like to dedicate his performances to the activists and the LGBQT community for their courage and persistence in helping to change and overcome the stigma that was once associated with being gay.
Michael Garcia Otavo
(Dalton/Young Ron) SICK is Michael’s Hollywood Fringe Festival debut. He received his BFA in Theatre from Adelphi University in Long Island, NY. He is currently enrolled at Anthony Meindl’s Acting Workshop in Hollywood. Michael can be seen in Another Time, a short film currently streaming on Amazon Prime. He is represented by BAM Management. IG: @michaelgarciaotavo. www.michaelotavo.com
Gregg Rogen
(Understudy Ron Gold) is an actor and DJ/music producer from N.Y.C., currently living in L.A. His film credits include: The Pitch, directed by Tommy O' Haver and Entourage creator Doug Ellin, co-starring David Schwimmer and Ernie Hudson. Liar's Poker, co-starring Flea (of the Red Hot Chili Peppers). Most recently, Rogen can be seen in the comedy Dinner With the Hoffmans, which will be released summer 2023. Rogen’s television credits include: Criminal Minds, 90210, Columbo Goes to College (with Peter Falk), General Hospital, Days of our Lives, and California Dreams. He can also be seen in numerous commercials including Diet Pepsi (with Eva Langoria, P-Diddy, Wilmer Valderrama), MAACO (with Burt Reynolds), Nissan, McDonald’s, Michelob Ultra Beer, Supercuts, Miller Genuine Draft, Labatt’s, Jordache Jeans, and many others. Rogen also produces unique electronic sway music under the name the SeXxY RoBoTs.
2023 HOLLYWOOD FRINGE FESTIVAL TEAM
Robert Besner
(Producer) is a Toronto- based psychologist with interests in psychoanalysis, Buddhism, infant mental health, and dance. He is a longtime follower of Dahn Hiuni’s career and has been a co-producer of Dahn’s earlier work. Rob has been a supporter of Dancetheatre David Earle in Canada, and created a COVID fund for its dancers. He has conducted the Esther and Bernard Besner Infant Mental Health Project since 2012. Dahn’s play SICK documents an essential historical shift in the recognition of gay rights in mental health and the normalization of same-sex love. It touches on Rob’s concerns for human development and human rights.
Peggy Burt
(Associate Producer) has an extensive background in dance, theatre and musical theatre as a teacher, choreographer and performer. She is a member of the Lineage Performing Arts Center Board of Directors and a former Lineage Dancer. She is also a yoga and meditation teacher with Spiral Heart Yoga and Yoga House in Pasadena. Previously, Peggy was the producer for Pippin at Lineage, Next to Normal with Lineage at the Gamble House, and The Curiosity Tales. She also supported the production of The Spitfire Grill at the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center in 2022. Peggy helped produce After Roe for Lineage, which explored a world in which access to women’s healthcare is greatly restricted. Peggy’s most recent production at Lineage was A New Day: A Love Letter to Those We Lost honoring those impacted by HIV/AIDS with two runs in 2022-2023. Peggy is thrilled to be supporting this production of SICK.
Desiree Staples
(Assistant Director/Dramaturg) is a producer, filmmaker, and actress experienced in theater, film, and television. She is a proud Alumna of Northwestern University, and the receipient of the Sarah Siddons Award Scholarship 2014. Desiree has performed across the country at the Marriott Lincolnshire (On The Town), The Cherry Lane Theater (Kafka's The Trial), Windy City Playhouse (A Recipe for Disaster), Boho Theater Company (Urinetown-Jeff Award Nomination for Best Musical) and The Broad Stage (Empire Burlesque) among others. For film/television, Staples produced CIRCUS PERSON, a Tribeca NOW 2020 showcase selection and winner of Best of Festival Top achievement at Catalyst Content. Her dramedy pilot IT'S WHAT SHE WOULD HAVE WANTED was a prestigious selection in the 2021 Tribeca Creators Market and winner of “Best Ensemble Cast” at the Catalyst Film Festival. Staples produced the feature film TAKE ME TO TARZANA, a Gold Remi Winner at Worldfest Houston. Her comedy pilot, THE INFLUENCERS, has screened at over 25 festivals around the world. Most recently, Staples served as lead actress and executive producer for the upcoming feature film, MY DIVORCE PARTY, alongside Rumer Willis and Laith Ashley. Desiree is a proud member of SAG-AFTRA, and co-founder of the Female Filmmakers Forumon Clubhouse.
@Desireestaples (Instagram)
@Desireestaples (Instagram)
Miranda Stewart
(Lighting Designer) is currently in her final semester at CalArts, where she is pursuing an MFA in Film Directing. She is so grateful for this opportunity to return to her first love, theater! She is passionate about working in the theater whether she’s lighting, directing, producing, stage managing, running a board, or sewing curtains. Currently, she is in post-production on her thesis film, which adapts the final tablets of The Epic of Gilgamesh with a female protagonist. Prior to attending CalArts, she directed a feature film, Fishbowl, and several short films. Her theater directing credits include Eleemosynary (Hollywood Fringe Festival), Catalyst (Loft Ensemble), ‘Tis Pity She’s a Whore (Archway Theatre, an LA Weekly Pick of the Week), A Part and Funeral Party (Hollywood Fringe Festival), Old Times (Occidental College), The Ash Girl, Little Shop of Horrors, and Metamorphoses (all at Caltech, where, in a previous life, she studied biology.)
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