About Us :

Artistic Director, Playwright

Jodi founded the Drama Mamas in 2002. She is an experienced teacher, drama therapist, playwright, actor, and director. She holds a M.A. in Drama Therapy from the California Institute of Integral Studies, a B.A. in Theatre Performance and English Literature from Washington University in St. Louis, and post-graduate training from the British-American Drama Academy in London.  

As a writer, she has created a full-length adaptation of The Phantom Tollbooth, many monologues, many 10 Minute plays including Murder Is The Top Killer For Pregnant Women (sympathetic to the murderer) and How To Become A Better Person In 5 Easy Steps.  Her most recent plays are Stretch Marks: Growing Into Motherhood, which has received 45 sold-out productions and counting, and America’s Next News Anchor.  She is currently creating a new full-length play commissioned by the Drama Mamas entitled Multiverse. Her writing/acting/directing work has been seen at the Bunberry Theatre and the Kentucky Center for the Arts In Louisville, KY; in Chicago, IL, at places like Renegade Theatre, Raven Theatre, and the Organic Theatre; and here in the Bay Area at the EXIT Theatre, the Phoenix Theatre, the Marsh, the Next Stage, and the Dean Lesher Center for the Arts.

 
She trained with directors and writers Henry Shvey, Norman Ayrton, Mark Wing-Davy, Stephen Unwin, and Arthur Kopit through whom she gained grounding in traditional theatrical structures (Shakespeare, Ibsen, Chekhov and the like).  More recently, she studied with explorative and post-modern directors and writers Dijana Milosevic from Dah Theatre, Kent Nicholson of Theatre Works, Erik Ehn, and Liz Duffy Adams. In addition, she has delved into Improv (both long-form and short), Clowning, Action Theatre, Suzuki Theatre, Viewpoints, Theatre of the Oppressed, and Playback theatre.

Currently she is Literary Director for the International Center for Women Playwrights, a member of Theatre Bay Area, the Dramatists Guild, and Americans for the Arts.   

Jodi proudly comes from a diverse background of Jewish, French Canadian, and Native American ancestry and lives in the Bay Area with her husband and two young children.

Jade Raybin holds an MA in Women's Spirituality, and an MFA from the Experimental Performance Institute at New College of California. Her eclectic artistic background includes extensive training in Action Theater, Theater of the Oppressed, Playback Theater, Clowning, Release Technique, Contact Improv, Middle Eastern, Hip Hop, North African, Persian,
Jazz, Central Asian, and Modern dance forms.

Currently, Jade teaches dance and drama at Saint Elizabeth High School in East Oakland. She has worked as an adjunct faculty member at New College of California and acted as an educational theater consultant for Planned Parenthood Golden Gate, University of Oregon's Sexual Wellness Advocacy Team, New Conservatory Theater Center's YouthAware
Program, and Revelation Law Firm.

Her writing, directing, and choreography credits include America's Next New Anchor (Drama Mamas), Wake Shop Die Love America (Emerging Choreographers Open Showcase), Knowledge On My Back & 14 Times in Two Weeks (Experimental Performance Institute), Blindspot, F.I.N.E., & The Importance of Being Sexual… or Not (Teens Teaching Through Theater), I Dream Reality & Operation Cool (Conservatory Theater Ensemble) and Fishbowls (ActionWorks).

Jose Saenz, known to some as “Flipchild”, has worked with Manila Actor’s Studio, Pacific American Repertory, and the hereandnow theater company in Los Angeles.  During his time in the Bay Area he has done work with Kul-Arts (POMO), Alleluia Panis Dance Theater (Heroes), and Bindlestiff Studio (Anak ti Diablo, Santos Trilogy, FOB Troupe, Shadows Trilogy). You may have also seen him in Banyan (Asian American Theater Company), My Friend Morty (Bay Area One Act Festival),  Tsimis (w/Sean San Jose for POMO 2006), and America’s Next News Anchor (Drama Mamas).  His film credits include The Flip Side, an official selection of the 2001 Sundance Film Festival. He is also part of the poetry/performance collective SONS. Jose will be starring in Low Hanging Fruit and is scheduled to direct and original play with the Drama Mamas in fall of 2008.

Gabe is glad to be back in the groove after more than a year away from the stage. You may have been lucky enough to catch his past work with Theatre Rhinoceros in "Amnesia" or "Not About Nightingales," or perhaps you were one of the many rolling on the floor laughing at "Impact Brief's 7" with Impact Theatre in Berkeley. Or maybe, you were one of the lucky to see one of his many shows with the UC Berkeley Theatre Department. And if you weren't one of the lucky, sit down, hold on, and make sure you hold onto your socks.

Naema

Her performing credits include:The Love Space Demands: A CONTINUING SAGA by award-winning author, Ntozake Shange of for colored girls who have considered when the rainbow was enuf, along with Jar the Floorand Before It Hits Home; Keith Antar Mason’s Mississippi Gulag. Other productions include: Cat on Hot Tin Roof, Praise the Lord, and Raise the Roof, ‘Night, Mother, Ties, The Man Who Came to Dinner, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, Shadow & Substance, Picnic, You Can’t Take It With You, and Grapes of Wrath. Tamiyka White was the Co-Founder and Managing Director of Renaissance Performing Arts Center, a non-profit arts organization founded in 1991, which ran for 10 years in Houston, Texas. She is also a poet and director. She continues to write and build her poetry collection- it seems to me,  Ms. White is a graduate of the University of Houston’s School of Theatre.

Christina Lowery performs around the Bay Area as a proud member of El Gato Del Diablo Theater Company and Artface physical theater company. She dances, acts, performs spoken word and creates costumes. In her spare time Christina Go Go dances for the monthly electronic music party known as The Fix and models. Low Hanging Fruit is her first production with the Drama Mamas and WHOA is she excited about it!

Since a child, Reina has used the arts as a therapeutic outlet for herself and now uses expressive arts techniques as a counselor for others. In 1999, she moved her focus from 2-dimensional art to movement. Her first love was salsa dance but her aggressive yet non-competitive nature drew her to belly dance, where she wasn't led by someone on the dance floor nor felt the heat of competition in many salsa clubs; plus belly dance just feels right to her. Belly dance with a popular Bay Area dance theatre company fostered introspection and her more aggressive and shadow side, which she belies with her usual sweet smile. She dances a tribal neo-fusion style of belly dance that incorporates many dances, including Hip Hop, Burlesque, Latin, Middle Eastern forms. Reina almost loves teaching belly dance more than she loves to perform. She taught and performed on the East Coast and for a Bay Area dance company, and now teaches and performs independently.

Since making her home in the Bay Area, Julie has performed with Crowded Fire Theater Company (in the critically acclaimed Anna Bella Eema), San Francisco Shakespeare Company, 42nd Street Moon, Berkeley Playhouse and The Mountain Play. Her improv and comedy work with Cassandra’s Call can be heard on RadiostarNetwork.com podcasts. She trained at ACT and holds a degree from Whitworth University. More info.

Locally, Emily was last seen as Adeline Wheeler in Love is a Dream House in Lorin with Shotgun Players. She also recently had the opportunity to perform in a benefit run for East LA Repertory Theater. Other local credits include work with San Jose Repertory Theatre, California Shakespeare Theatre, Theatreworks, Bare Bones Theatre, Broadway By the Bay, C.A.F.E., Impact Theatre, New Conservatory Theatre, Opera San Jose, PlayGround, Warehouse Repertory Theatre, Woman's Will and the San Francisco production of Shear Madness. Her dance credits include performing with Mark Dendy Dance and Theatre, N.Y. and the Limón West Dance Company among others.

Sara is thrilled to be working with the Drama Mamas for the first time. Sara has been working in diverse capacities all around Bay Area theatres for over 10 years. Some of her favorite credits include Maggie Jones in 42nd Street, Reno Sweeney in Anything Goes, Carol in Laughter on the 23rd Floor, Ronette and the Voice of Audrey II in various productions of Little Shop of Horrors and with her stint as Assistant Theatre Director at James Logan High School in Union City, California from 1998 – 2001. Most recently you may have seen Sara in The Willows Theatre’s production of Jesus Christ Superstar as a Soul Sister. By day you can find Sara managing the Redwood City Office for DPR Construction, Inc, a National General Contractor.

Wylie is excited to return to the Drama Mama stage, having most recently been seen in America's Next News Anchor two years ago. Past theatre projects in the bay area include Killing My Lobster, Cowboy Vs. Samurai, A Midsummer Nights Dream, improvising as a resident company member of Lila Theatre, and several shows with No Nude Men Productions, including the 2006 San Francisco Theatre Festival debut of Less Miserable (a 30 minute version of Les Mis where he played 6 characters at once.) This summer, keep your eyes peeled for Wylie on television as Frank Lee Morris in, True Stories: Alcatraz Escape, a historical re-enactment on the History Channel.

Lawrence is a member of Crowded Fire Theater Company, and was last seen in their production of Big Death & Little Death. He also appeared in CF's production of Juan Gelion Dances for the Sun, directed by Rebecca Novick. Other theater credits include productions for Golden Thread, Marin Theatre Company, Brava! For Women in the Arts, and The Exit. He is also an on camera and voiceover actor with a number of credits in film, television and radio.

Leah is thrilled to be working with Drama Mamas! She was most recently seen in Woman's Will's 24 Hr Playfest. Other Bay Area credits include Mill Valley
Shakespeare, Renegade Theater Experiment, Bitter Sauce Theater, the Performing Garage and readings at the Magic and Aurora. NY credits include 78th Theater Lab, Wings, Blunt Theater, Westbeth and Upright Citizens Brigade. Catch her this summer in Brookside Rep's production of "Franz/Kafka." Leah is also a playwright and is Artistic Director of the brand new Working Actors
Studio West. Thanks to the Mamas for calling her in for this project!

Mr. Hamid has performed theatrically at The Studio Theatre (Wash. D.C.), Melrose Theatre (LA), Sideline Players (NYC), Brava! Theatre (S.F.) and many others. His Television credits include roles on the E-Ring (NBC) and Angela's Eyes (The W.B.). His lead role in the film IRAN received many awards at film festivals across America during 2006-2007. He has hung up his acting hat for the most part and is now attending UC San Diego pursuing a career in Cognitive Science. However, he is thrilled to be able to tread the boards one more time!

Phil thrives by keeping his hands dirty in many aspects of theatre, from production and stage management to bookkeeping to acting and directing. He has appeared on the stages of Lamplighters Music Theatre, Willows Theatre, Central Works Ensemble, Dreamweavers Theatre, the Russian Chamber Ensemble, the Tech Museum of Innovation, and in science-based educational musicals for Bay Area schoolchildren with Claire the Loon productions. He is also very active as a director, mostly of musicals, operas and operettas, for the Lamplighters (Candide, A Little Night Music, and La Perichole), North Bay Opera (Eugene Onegin and Macbeth), the Altarena Playhouse (Merrily We Roll Along, Cabaret, Company) and Pocket Opera (Offenbach? The Bandits, opening in June).

Phil holds a BA with Honors in Theatre and Music from Lewis & Clark College, and an MA in Dramatic Arts from UC Berkeley, with emphasis on directing, but he managed to keep his theatrical and musical interests separate until the early 1990?, when he co-founded Berkeley Contemporary Opera, and served as its Artistic Director and Producer for three dense and exciting years.

Working with the Drama Mamas on this new play is an honor and thrill!

Kenneth Grady Barker is a visual and performance artist currently residing in Brooklyn, NY. Raised in Indiana, he recieved his degree from Indiana University and a Masters of Fine Arts in sculpture and performance at San Francisco Art Institute. Over the past two years, Barker has worked primarily as a sculptor, contributing work to juried exhibitions at the Exit Art, Side Show, and Holland Tunnel galleries in New York City, as well as creating the celebrated Christmas windows for Saks Fifth Avenue, Macy?, and Lord and Taylor in Manhattan, Chicago, and San Francisco. Barker has directed, choreographed and performed at numerous performance venues in the Bay Area, including Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, Intersection for the Arts, and the San Francisco Fringe Festival. He is pleased to be returning to San Francisco to be a part of the creative team for Low Hanging Fruit.

Dan Cantrell began composing at age 11. Since that time he has continued performing and writing music of all kinds. His main instruments, the piano, the accordion, and the musical saw have given way to a unique stylistic voice that is eloquent, eclectic and hauntingly harmonious.

In recent years his attention has been focused on the study of folk and popular music from Eastern Europe, as well as composing for film dance, and theatre. He has composed music for over thirty films, several plays, a variety of dance pieces and other eclectic performance events.

In 2002, Dan earned an Emmy award for his composition work on the KQED documentary ?ome Front? The same year his score to Divided Loyalties earned him the Golden Gate award at the San Francisco International Film Festival.

His rich arrangements are known for their acoustic instrumentation and creative experimentation. His extensive jazz, classical, and modern musical training, paired with years of work and study of folk music and tradition give him the ability to compose original music that humbly outshines traditional forms.

It is Dan? personal belief, that live musical integrity, creative experimentation and a clear dialogue for collaboration are vital components of good compositional work.

As a performer, Dan is focused on his own musical projects (the Toids, People? Bizarre, and others) and visits local artists and songwriters for collaborations in live performances and recordings. His performances range from Folk music and many expanses of World Music, to Jazz, New Music, Rock and Hip Hop. In 2001, Dan co-founded the record label Odd Shaped Case, an organization that features some of the best and most unique Bay Area artists and musicians.

A sincere love of music compels Dan to seek out as many new areas of collaboration as he can. Some of Dan? myriad current projects include performing for Greek Folk Dancers, collaborating on a multimedia dance piece, touring with his ensemble the Toids, accompanying puppet shows, and recording with Tom Waits.

Brian M Rosen has worked with a diverse number of theater and music groups in the Bay Area including the San Francisco Symphony, Cinnabar Opera Theater, 42nd Street Moon, Playhouse West, and the Punk Rock Orchestra. In addition to performing, Brian has served as music director for Theatre Rhinoceros, Shotgun Players, and Goat Hall Productions. He is also a writer and composer, his solo show was featured in the San Francisco Solo Performance Festival and his original songs and arrangements can be heard in the debut album from the Richter Scales, "We Hate A Cappella". Most recently his song "I Got Mail" was nominated as Humorous Song of the Year by the Contemporary A Cappella Society of America. Brian was educated at Princeton University and Interlochen Arts Academy.

Photon is a Flute Beatboxer, Experimental Musician, Poet, Playwright and Director. Photon uses live-looping technology to fuse traditional styles of hip-hop, scat and storytelling with elements of funk and jazz to address issues surrounding activism and social change. Cody is classically trained in Bel canto voice method as well as Suzuki piano. He holds an M.A. in Performance Activism from the Experimental Performance Institute at New College of California and is working toward his M.F.A. which he will receive in 2007.

Official Website

Born in Los Angeles, Nick has been a self-proclaimed musician since his formal, classical piano studies at age seven. His early facility and training helped pave the way for rich and diverse musical experiences and achievements, from the L.A. jazz clubs, to formal classical competition. In 2000, he left for Paris on a four-year stint that culminated in a conservatory degree at École Normale de Musique.

The rich diversity of Paris fed his hunger for music further, exposing him to electronica artists, DJs, filmakers, painters, many of whom became collaborators. Since his return in 2007, he has been composing, recording, and performing with local artists. He also tours with his band The Culprits including all original compositions and arrangements for piano, drums, bass, laptop, and a three-piece horn section.

A graduate of the University of Kansas with a BFA in Theatre Design, Deniz has costumed numerous original, contemporary shows as far afield as London, Los Angeles, and St. Louis. She won a Kennedy Center honor for her costume designs for "Picasso At The Lapine Agile". Low Hanging Fruit is Deniz's second production since moving to San Francisco in 2002, but only her first for 2006. Look out for her work later this season on The Music Man at Hillbarn. She has been enjoying a hiatus from costumes while living it up with her husband and graphic artist Tim Twelves, and her cats Melon and The Kitten.

Email: deniz12s@sbcglobal.net
URL: www.the12s.com

When not smashing things, cutting stuff and banging bits of wood together in his day job, Tim Twelves moonlights - literally - as an Illustrator and Graphic Designer. He has worked with numerous Theatre Companies on producing the graphics for dozens of plays. This is only the third time he has ever had to put his wife Deniz' name on a flier, though!

He also produces illustrations for Hot Rod Magazines and Horror Comics, websites, and designs tee-shirts and greetings cards.

Tim originally comes from London, and has lived in the US for over 7 years. He doesn't have an accent, though he might think that you do.

email: the12s@gmail.com
URL: www.the12s.com

Rebecca Novick is a theater director and dramaturg, with a focus on new, experimental work. She was the founder of Crowded Fire Theater Company and served as its Artistic Director for ten years, during which time she produced twenty-three plays and directed fifteen including such highly successful world premieres as 'Maid by Erik Ehn, One Big Lie by Liz Duffy Adams, and Juan Gelion Dances for the Sun by Dominic Orlando.

In the Bay Area she has also worked with Intersection for the Arts, the Bay Area Playwrights Festival, the Magic Theatre, the Aurora Theatre, the San Francisco Shakespeare Festival, the Exit Theatre, Shotgun Players, Berkeley Opera, Playground, and Woman's Will. Her work was recently seen at Theatre Emory's Brave New Works Festival in Atlanta. Her directing has been recognized with many awards including the SF Bay Guardian's Goldie Award for Outstanding Local Artists and she was a finalist for the TCG/NEA Director Fellowship. She has a BA in Theater from the University of Michigan and trained at the Royal Court Theatre with Ian Rickson. More info.

Ginny earned her undergrad degree at Northwestern University, a Masters in Irish Theatre from Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland and has been a theatre and literature teacher at schools across the country. She has received Dean Goodman Choice awards for Bay Area directing projects and has worked with: Actors' Theatre of Sonoma (Boy Gets Girl; The Real Thing); Aurora Theatre; Brava Theatre; Cinnabar (Playboy of the Western World); Lunatique Fantastique; Magic Theater (Mrs. Sweeney / Festival of Irish Women Playwrights); Mark Taper Forum; McCarter Theatre; Pear Avenue; PlayGround; Playwrights Foundation; San Jose Rep.; Second Wind (Topdog / Underdog); Shakespeare's Associates (Proof); TheatreWorks; Univ. of San Francisco (Top Girls); Woman's Will (The Importance of Being Earnest); and as co-founder / director with The Shee Theatre (Becca & Heidi; Ladies & Gentlemen; Augustine: Big Hysteria).