CAST & CREW

Miriam Wasmund is an Alvin Ailey trained dancer living and creating work in NYC since 2001. She has had the great fortune to work with many inspiring choreographers and travel with dance which ultimately lead her to find her love for movement, creating and community as a choreographer and producer. Miriam is the Senior Artistic Director of DreamStreet Theater Company,  a not-for-profit performance company for adults living with disabilities. As well she also works in fitness as a Personal Trainer and a Group Coach and knows how important it is for us to live in our bodies, cultivate our passions and find wellness in sharing our spirit to its fullest. She is beyond grateful to her cast , contributors and long time supporters who have been by her side in all the good and all the struggle, and would like to say a very special thank you to Britton and Melena Fisher for the seed of opportunity to find herself in this again.

Carrie James is a performer, writer, and co-producer for Your Faithful Reader. Her theatre background and training is in experimental and movement-based performance. She earned her theatre degree from C.W Post and has done workshops with Teatro delle Radici and the Dah Theatre, the latter while attending the first US Magdalena Festival (an international group of female theatre makers). She has performed at the Edinburgh Fringe and the International Theatre Festival in Paphos, Cyprus. She joined the Your Faithful Reader team in 2019, a return to the stage after an extended break in which she studied international relations and law.

Rebekah is a writer and runner who spends her downtime going down bizarre research rabbit holes. When she’s not adventuring in a far-flung country or hunting down the world’s biggest wooden nickel you can find her at home, hanging out with her two cats, one dog and 55 plants. She’s very excited to be the Assistant Producer for this year’s production of Your Faithful Reader! You can find her random musings at franklyrebekah.com.

Mercedes Vasquez is an actress, dancer, director & creatrix of art. She is super excited to be apart of an amazing cast  for the second time and equally blessed to be working with the fabulous & talented Miriam Wasmund again. She is a member of 4th U Artivists, an organization that raises awareness to end gender-based violence and systemic oppression through the performing arts. She lives to inspire through her art, passion and experiences.

Priscilla Eugene Curtis is an Atlanta raised, NYC resident and performer of all sorts. She has toured the United States with the Mel Brooks musical The Producers and performed at numerous regional theatres and opera houses. Other favorites include, Disney+, New York Fashion Week, being an assistant to a Master Illusionist, and getting certified by the Society of American Fight Directors. When she is not performing Priscilla can most likely be found reading science fiction and/or playing with cats.

Sarah Sakita Mozeson is a Japanese/Jewish/American actor and NYC native who is thrilled to be returning to Your Faithful Reader. Film: Your Labs are Normal, Sid is Dead. Theatre: Syracuse Stage, New York Stage & Film. Sarah is an Associate Director and Teaching Artist for the DreamStreet Theatre Company, a Brooklyn-based non-profit organization that provides theatrical production opportunities to developmentally disabled performers with a passion for the performing and creative arts. Training: BFA, Syracuse University. Special thank you to Miriam! 

www.sarahmozeson.com

Anita Daswani is a returning cast member and writer, having made her Your Faithful Reader debut in April of 2023. She had a thrilling experience working with Miriam and her ensemble of like-minded artists who warmly welcomed her into the YFR family. Within the same year, Anita also had the privilege of working with Emmy Award winning writer, Anna Theresa Cascio—performing in her dark comedy play Well Hung (directed by the incomparable Riccardo Costa), acting alongside the prodigious Doc Dougherty and talented Rosie Allenson. Other noteworthy credits include her performance in the well-renowned Moisés Kaufman play, The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later, the Indie-theatre-hit The Shadow Box by Michael Cristofer, which was recognized by Broadway World for having an “expert cast.” Anita also achieved creative success as a first-time filmmaker with her 2022 short The Missed, which she wrote, starred in, and executive produced. The eight-minute drama received seventeen film festival awards from around the globe, including best cast and best original screenplay.

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www.anitardaswani.com

Abigail is thrilled to join the cast of Your Faithful Reader! Originally from Cleveland, TN she's lived and danced in NYC for the past 12 years. Favorite credits include Radio City Christmas Spectacular (Rockette), Disney's Beauty and the Beast National and Internat'l Tours, CATS, Shrek, and White Christmas. Endless love and thanks to Mom, Dad, and Jer.

Actor/Model/Advocate/Writer/Filmmaker. Graduate of The New York Conservatory of Dramatic Arts.  Television Credits include: CBS, ABC, HBO Max, and Starz. Off stage: Marc is a Multimedia specialist teaching impactful life skills to youth as well as a popular LGBTQ+ mentor and advocate.

Afternoons spent at the movies with his grandfather shaped Garrett Taylor's early years, resulting in a true love of the crafts of theatre and film. After graduation from the theatre 

program at Louisiana State University, Garrett spent time on stage in starring roles in iconic American plays such as 'Eddie' in Sam Shepard's 'Fool for Love' and 'John Williamson' in David Mamet's 'Glengarry Glen Ross'.

His screen credits include roles in 'Queen Sugar', 'Evil Lives Here', 'Titans: The Rise of Wall Street' and most recently, the starring role of whiskey titan, Jack Daniel, in the History Channel series, The Booze, Bets and Sex that Built America.

Continuing to find his stride in New York, Garrett seeks to better understand the complex layers of our shared human experience which shape us into who we are and who we ultimately become. For that reason, he is excited to embark on the exploratory journey that is Your Faithful Reader, a theatre piece that blurs the lines between theatre, dance, and our daily lives. 

Melanie Holm is a soprano and dancer reframing standard opera repertory through a movement-driven lens. Recent performances include premiering choreographed arias with WaxWorks, Fertile Ground at GreenSpace, and guest appearances with Reaction Dance Company and Borne Dance Company. Melanie is also an Assistant Teaching Artist at the Mark Morris Dance Center, and an Intern with Alexandra Beller/Dances.

www.melanieholmsoprano.com

Casey is so excited to be back onstage thanks to Miriam and the YFR team! Originally from Brooklyn, BFA from CCM, proud member of Actor’s Equity Association. She has been seen on stages and screens across the country, including NYMF, Arena Stage, Shakespeare Theatre DC, and more. Casey now works in medical education and with DreamStreet Theatre Company. Love to her family, Paul, and Bert!

Sarah is a committed Brooklynite, a passionate traveler, and a lifelong student of creative expression. She started her career working in children’s theater for TADA! and City Lights Youth
Theatre, and then took a sharp detour into the business world where she works as a marketing consultant. She performed improv comedy for several years with Gotham Underground, and has volunteered in various capacities around NYC bringing arts to underserved audiences (including Dream Street Theatre Company where she currently serves as a teaching artist). Sarah is very grateful to Miriam and YFR for the chance to perform with this inspiring
community. Training: Sarah studied theater and dance at Williams College.

Nick Disla is an NYC-based actor who grew up in a vibrant Hispanic and Latin community in sunny South Florida. He then moved to Norman, Oklahoma to pursue an education in Acting. He then went on to receive my BFA in Theatre in 2022. Since graduating, Nick moved to New York City to further pursue his artistic endeavors, and has been constantly working to tell stories and entertain on multiple platforms. He would not be who he is today without the love, support, and care of his family.  Everything he has accomplished and strives for is not only for himself, but also for those in his life who have had his back since the beginning.

Liz Dutton is a Brooklyn-based actor, hailing originally from Rochester, NY. She studied theater at the National Conservatory of Dramatic Arts and has appeared in many productions and readings in New York, DC, Virginia, and Pennsylvania—from Shakespeare to devised works to farce, and just about everything in between. Recent credits include The Concertmaster (Borrowed Landscape), Rabbi (The Minotaur), Clytemnestra (Iphigenia), and Eva (Collaborators). Thanks to Miriam and Robert and the whole YFR team for the opportunity to work with this wonderful and supportive cast!

Callie is thrilled to be part of the YFR cast, having previously contributed as a writer in YFR 2023. Although Callie uses theatre in her everyday life, it has been a long time since she’s performed, and she couldn’t be more excited! Callie is a drama therapist, using her love of storytelling and theatre to provide therapeutic support in an inpatient psychiatry setting. Callie holds an MA in Drama Therapy from NYU and a BS in Psychology from Loyola University Chicago, where she could also be found onstage in both main stage and second stage theatre performances. In addition to her role as a drama therapist, Callie is a teaching artist with DreamStreet Theatre Company, which provides theatre opportunities for performers with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Callie would like to extend sincere gratitude to Miriam for creating this magical project focused on storytelling and the power of human connection. Love and hugs to her family, friends, and the entire YFR crew!

Kristi Donna Ng is an award-winning screenwriter, actress, producer, and hula dancer. Her short films have been screened at the Boston Asian American Film Festival, Syracuse International Film Festival (1st Place Winner), The Barrow Group's 48 Hour Film Festival (Two-time Audience Award Winner), and The Sparrow Film Project where she was nominated for a Best Supporting Actress Award. Select theatre credits: Heartstrings (Atlantic Theater Company), Joker (National Queer Theatre), Same Time Next Week (Joust Theatre Company), Love/Sick (PaperKids Theatre Company). Thanks to Miriam, Colston, Robert, Banji and Lola. For Tory.

Carol is very excited to join the amazing talented YFR crew. She has a long history of community theater involvement. Her recent credits include Acid Queen in Tommy and Joanne in Rent. She has also sung in various bands. Carol is a family nurse practitioner in Brooklyn and mother of two girls who are burgeoning triple-threats in their own right. 

Nicole Burdett is a dancer, actress, model, host, and choreographer who began her career after completing the Dance Theatre Conservatory at AMDA in NYC. Some of her favorite credits include working for Norwegian cruise line, performing with the Second Avenue Dance Company in the contemporary Nutcracker, and backstage hosting the America Loves to Dance Awards for Showstopper Dance Competition. In addition to her dance career, Nicole has modeled in both Milan and New York Fashion Week. Her most recent detox mask campaign with body basics brand “Curie” can be seen in Walmarts nationally. Nicole’s most passionate and fulfilling work is done with the children she gets to teach and inspire in her classes along the East Coast. She would like to whole heartedly thank Mariam Wasmund and the Your Faithful Reader cast for welcoming her into the community with open arms as this experience has been life changing! 

Christine Bermudez is an NYC-born actress, working in theater, film, TV, commercials, music & voice over. She recently wrapped a pilot for Love, Sex and Menopause and stars in the 2022 suspense thriller Cipher, which has been accepted as the official selection of over 13 film festivals in 2023 and has won several awards thus far. She loves learning languages & is a self proclaimed Mother of Cats! She is beyond honored & excited to make her debut performance alongside Miriam, and members of the Dream Street Theatre Company as well as some new & long time friends & fellow artists she considers familia! "A tremendous thank you to Miriam Wasmund of course for welcoming me into her home & heart with such love and also those of my castmates who have all embraced me with open arms as i join the legacy of such a tight knit community of like minded artists who crave to create as we celebrate 5 beautiful years of Your Faithful Reader at this year's Gala. "Shout out to mi manito, Robbie Maisonett, for connecting me to this magical group of souls. I'm forever grateful to you all for coming into my life in divine timing during this era of healing in my life."

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​www.christinebermudez.com

Rebekah is so excited to be a part of this exciting and impactful project! Originally from the Washington, DC Metropolitan area, or the DMV for short, Rebekah has lived and worked in NYC for over 10 years. Favorite Credits include: SCANDUSICAL at THE PIT (Olivia Pope), BARE: A Pop Opera at The Barrow Group (Tanya Garrett), Little Rock at The Sheen Center (Minnie Jean Brown/Gloria Ray) and Pride and Prejudice at Hudson Classical (Mrs. Gardiner). She is a proud alum of Howard University and NYU. Rebekah gives thanks to God, her family (both immediate and extended), her friends, cast mates, and the production team.

Jessica Kelly is thrilled to be a part of Your Faithful Reader. She has various classical, dramatic, and musical credits across NYC and assorted regional theaters. Recent credits include Henry V (Katherine), My Fair Lady, and less recent credits include Rooftops with the Wreckio ensemble in this space! Currently seeking representation. 

Michaela is thrilled to be joining the cast of Your Faithful Reader for the first time! She recently moved to Manhattan after graduating college and comes from a background in gymnastics and jazz dance. She is also a teaching artist at Dream Street Theatre Company, a nonprofit that provides performance opportunities to adults with developmental disabilities. In her free time, she enjoys designing clothes, taking classes at steps on Broadway, running, swing dancing, and doing backflips. She studied Musical Theatre at Miami University. Recent Credits include Jekyll and Hyde (Dance Captain), and Legally Blonde (Pilar).

Chelsea is very excited to be joining the cast of Your Faithful Reader. Chelsea is an NYC-based performer whose background can best be described as a bohemian artist. A professional dancer with 20+ years of experience, they also take the stage as an actor, shadowcast performer, and their drag persona Cross Beaux. Their most recent production was RescuePoetix's Beneath the Light of the Ghetto Moon directed by Summer Dawn as part of the Downtown Urban Arts Festival. They are also a board member of Gay Geeks of New York, which recently mounted a Buffy the Vampire Slayer sing-along production fundraiser with proceeds going towards The Trevor Project. They are so grateful to Miriam, Robert, and the entire YFR cast for their welcoming and encouraging energy. It has been a true honor and pleasure!

Charlotte is a NYC Native with Classical, Contemporary, and Musical Theater experience. She had her Off Broadway debut in No Mercy, a wrestling play at the DR2 Theater. She recently voiced all the female parts in Extension, which won best student animated film at the Raindance Film Festival. Other credits include 5 star rated Are You Alice? A New Wonderland Tale (Edinburgh Fringe Festival), dance theatre piece suicide.chat.room (Washington DC), and The Seagull (Shapiro Theater). She is a previous member of the Vanessa Long Dance Company and is SAFD certified. MFA Shakespeare Theatre Academy, BFA University of Michigan.

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www.charlottevaughnraines.com

Colston is thrilled to join the YFR family. He is a stage manager, singer, and composer based in New York. Credits include Honor (OB). He earned a BA in Choral Music from USC in 2021. He thanks all his friends and family for their undying support!