The Quarantine Diaries 2: "On Hold"
Premiere: August 8, 2020
Premiere: August 8, 2020
THE WRITERS. THE ACTORS. THE DIRECTOR. THE CREW.
Celeste M. Cooper is an actor and creative producer, excited to make her directorial debut with The Quarantine Diaries 2: On Hold. She is an ensemble member at Steppenwolf Theatre Company and an ensemble member/ casting associate at Eclipse Theatre Company. Celeste has worked at the following theatre companies: Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Eclipse Theatre Company, Court Theatre, Goodman Theatre, Windy City Playhouse, Victory Gardens, The House Theatre, Strawdog Theatre, Collaboraction, Hypocrites, Citadel Theatre, Curious Theatre in Denver, Co, Adrienne Arsht Center in Miami, FL, and Kansas City Repertory in Kansas City, MO. Celeste’s TV/film credits include leading an indie feature called Range Runners, a recurring role on Chicago PD, Spike Lee’s Chiraq, Sense8, and various shorts and commercials. She has a B.A. in Speech Communications & Theatre from Tennessee State University and an M.F.A. in Acting from The Theatre School at DePaul University. In 2014, Celeste won The Phylicia Rashad - Most Promising Actress award from the Black Theater Alliance, in 2019 she won Best Actress for her work in Range Runners at the Twister Alley Film Festival, and in 2020 she was listed in the NewCity Stage Players magazine as one of the 50 people who really perform for Chicago. Celeste is currently represented by Paonessa Talent Agency.
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Barbara Hobart is a television writer/producer and playwright. She currently resides in Chicago, after a 27 year "stint" in Los Angeles. Of the various television scripts she wrote, she is most proud of her very first which won the AGLA Award (GLAAD) where she wrote one of the first lesbian characters portrayed in a positive light... 9 years before Ellen's coming out episode aired. When Barbara's not busy creating a virtual theatre company in the middle of a pandemic, she continues her 30-year history working with those incarcerated. She looks forward to attending the premieres of her two new plays when the pandemic is over and it is safe to return to seeing live theatre. She is a member of the WGA. She is excited to present the next episode in The Quarantine Diaries which is currently in the works.
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Reginald Edmund is currently the Founder and Managing Curating Producer for Black Lives Black Words International Project. Inspired by #blacklivesmatter, this project gives voice to some of the most contemporary political black writers from both the US, Canada, and the UK, asking them to explore the question 'Do black lives matter today? In addition he is a Resident Playwright at Tamasha Theatre in London, England and an Alumni Resident Playwright at Chicago Dramatists Theatre, an Artistic Associate at Pegasus Theatre-Chicago, and an Artistic Patriot at Merrimack Repertory Theatre, he was also a ‘10-‘11 Many Voice Fellow with the Playwrights’ Center. His play Southbridge was runner up for the Kennedy Center’s Lorraine Hansberry and Rosa Parks National Playwriting Awards, and most recently named winner of the Southern Playwrights’ Competition, the Black Theatre Alliance Award for Best New Play, and the Edgerton Foundation New American Play Award.
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Born on the South side of Chicago, Tanikia is an actress, playwright, and multi-hyphenate creative. She is the creator of Black Owned Chicago which is a resource for the city to support Black businesses. Her work has been featured on the TLC Network, ESSENCE, and Huffington Post, just to name a few. Tanikia attended Columbia College for Theatre, but was forced to become a college dropout after one semester, due to a lack of finances. She went on to receive her B.F.A. in Media Studies from North Park University with a minor in Africana Studies. During her time at North Park she was blessed to be able to lead a group of students on a mission trip to Zambia, become editor of the campus newspaper, and become the first African American homecoming queen. Immediately after graduating she interned in Jackson, Mississippi at the Spencer Perkins Center under Dr. John Perkins and transcribed his memoir "Love is the Final Fight". Tanikia recently created The Black Monologues that features Black actors performing pieces from Black playwrights which has been in partnership with Victory Gardens Theatre in Chicago. When she isn't writing or on stage, she's busy raising her 2-year-old daughter India and loving on her amazing husband, Stephen.
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Cajardo Lindsey (Kwame): is a Colorado actor, filmmaker, attorney, and award winning screenwriter. His screenplay “BLACKFACE: the story of nobody” was a semifinalist for Austin Film Festival’s 2019
Screenwriting Competition (top 2% of nearly 12,000 scripts submitted). Selected theatre credits include: Denver Center Theatre Company: ALL THE WAY, Just Like us, A Raisin in the Sun; Curious Theatre: Skeleton Crew, Detroit ’67, The Brother Sister Plays, The Whipping Man, Fences; Arvada Center: To Kill a Mockingbird, Wait Until Dark, A Raisin in the Sun. He is a Denver Post Ovation, Best of Westward, Colorado Theatre Guild Henry Award-winning actor. Selected film credits include: Shot Caller, MacGruber, Infinity Chamber, Silver City, Force of Execution, and the soon to be released Deadly Illusions. Selected tv credits include: Crash, Medium, In Plain Sight. Instagram: @Cajardo, @blackfacemovie; info: https://blackfacemovie.com, https://imdb.me/Cajardo, https://Cajardo.com. |
Charin Alvarez’ theatre credits include: “I am not your perfect Mexican daughter”, “La Ruta” , “ Infidel”, “Ordinary Yearning”, “Fermi”@Steppenwolf Theatre “Lettie”, “Mojada”, “Oedipus El Rey”, “Anna in the Tropics”, “A Park in the House” at Victory Gardens Theatre; the Scene” @ Writer’s theatre; “2666”, “Pedro Paramo”, “El Nogalar”, “Dollhouse” & “Electricidad”at Goodman Theatre; “ In the time of the Butterflies”, “Our Lady of the Underpass”, “I put the fear of Mexico in ‘em”, “Dreamlandia”, “Another Part of the House”w/Teatro Vista; “Water by the Spoonful” at Court Theatre; “Work of Art” at Chicago Dramatist Theatre; “The Clean House” w/ Remy Bumppo Theatre; “What We Once Felt” w/About Face Theatre; “Kita & Fernanda” w/16th Street theatre; “Esperanza Rising” w/Chicago Children’s Theatre; “Two Sisters and a Piano” at Apple Tree Theatre; Generic Latina w/Teatro Luna; “La Casa de Bernarda Alba” w/Aguijon Theatre. Film/TV credits include: “Easy”; “Shameless”; “Chicago Fire”; “Mob Doctor”; “Boss”; “Chicago Code”; “Approach Alone”; “Rooftop Wars”; “Arc of a Bird”; “Were the World Mine”; “Chicago Overcoat”; “First and Only Lesson”; “Dogwalker”; “Rogers Park”; “Olympia: Manual on how to live your life”, “Signature Move”; “En Algun Lugar”; “Princess Cyd”; “Single File”; “Teacher”; “Hala”, “Saint Frances”
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Marie Weiss credits include a guest star role on CHICAGO MED (NBC) and the understudy role of Marian at two of TimeLine Theatre’s productions of The Apple Family Plays. She is a graduate of The Theatre School at DePaul University where she received an MFA in Acting. Past professional theater experience includes two seasons of A Christmas Carol at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis, MN. You may recognize Marie from her viral YouTube video from The Onion’s “Who’s F$@*?”, a parody of The New York Times’ wedding announcement column. She is represented by Paonessa Talent. https://youtu.be/K5lgwopmKMw
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ANDREW GUERDAT is a film and television writer-producer whose credits include the series Archie Bunker’s Place; Mork & Mindy; Head Of The Class; Sister, Sister; Boy Meets World; Empty Nest; and Herman’s Head, which he co-created. His films include Fourth Story and Dance ‘Til Dawn. He currently writes animated television series for Disney Junior and Nickelodeon. His play, Red Remembers, starring David Garrison and directed by John Rando, premiered at the Berkshire Theater Festival.
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Yao Dogbe founder of 2nd Century Productions is an actor/ writer/ producer. After he graduated with his Masters from the University of Houston, he entered the regional theatre circuit. During that time, Yao was made an honorary member of the theatre fraternity Alpha Psi Omega. He was working on Northlight Theatre’s production of Intimate Apparel, when the pandemic hit. Yao has been able to produce two of his original plays, one of which debut at DC’s Black Theatre Festival. You can currently see a 14- minute preview of his one- man show called “Identity” on YouTube.
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Abie Irabor is a Los Angeles born--Inland Empire raised first generation Nigerian-American emerging playwright and poet, actress and teaching artist. Her working short play “Here We Are” was featured in Restoration Art’s 50in50:Writing Women in Existence (2017) at the Billie Holiday Theatre in New York. She is currently participating in the Speakeasy’s Write Side by Side writing project course and is an In House Resident Artist at Free Street Theatre in Chicago.
My website: www.abieirabor.com Rep: Firestarter Entertainment (COMM) |
Malinowski is an actor, playwright and Deaf/disability activist whose 5 award-winning solo shows have been produced in venues across the county and internationally. She has is a recipient of 3Arts/UIC Arts in Disability culture and semi-Finalist for O”Neill and Blue Ink for her writing. In addition to her TV and film work (Some of it good- a lot of it bad) she has worked at the Goodman and Victory Gardens. She teaches writing and is a Resident Playwright at Chicago Dramatists. arlenemalinowski.com
I am hopeful that art will thrive after this pandemic. |
Tiffany Oglesby is originally from Atlanta, GA. She received her BFA in Performing Arts from The Savannah College of Art and Design and her MFA in Acting from The Theatre School at DePaul University. During her time in Chicago, Tiffany worked in tv, theatre, voiceover, and writing. Recent tv credits include: Empire and a national Credit Karma commercial. Recent theatre credits: Byhalia, Mississippi, Flyin' West, and The Light. Writing credits include the play Where Have They Gone? which went on to have a number of public readings throughout Chicago, as well as a list of monologues used for public artistic events and fundraising benefits. Tiffany currently resides in Los Angeles. Representation: Grosman & Jack Talent and KMR Talent Agency. Instagram: @tiffany.oglesby
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Sandra Delgado is a Colombian-American writer and actor best known for her smash hit play La Havana Madrid, featured in the New York Times and CNN/CNÑ. Also a respected veteran of the stage, her acting highlights include work at Steppenwolf and The Goodman Theatre in Chicago and The Public Theatre in New York. She is a member of Collaboraction and Teatro Vista and is one of the twenty iconic women of Chicago arts and culture honored in Kerry James Marshall's mural Rushmore on the facade of the Chicago Cultural Center. She is currently writing The Boys and the Nuns, centering on the fight for LGBTQ and women's rights in 1980s Chicago. www.sandradelgado.net
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Sheppard, is best known as a Chicago-based, international actor. She’s starred on CHICAGO FIRE and THE MOB DOCTOR. As a writer, her poetry has been published on The Hopeful Shepp blog. As a playwright, she’s produced works with The Suitcase Shakespeare Company (OTHELLO’S FURIES, Chicago Fringe Festival Viewer Favorite 2011; THEY FIGHT, co-writer), and The Quarantine Diaries 2: On Hold (SERVICE UPDATE). In addition to creating the WISHs web series, she’s also in development for her original SciFi military drama television Sister Series, BLACKWELL (WARRIOR DANCE, table reading). She’s currently included on Northwestern University’s Open TV Network Prospective Writers roster.
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Michael Davidoff is a television writer and producer whose credits include creating and executive-producing the sitcom “Working” for NBC, serving as a writer and co-executive producer on the Emmy-Award-winning “Nurse Jackie” on Showtime, and writing on staff of a dozen network and cable comedies.
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Joslyn Jones, Theater Credits: Flyin’ West (American Blues Theater Co.) Steel Magnolias (Theatre at the Center); Intimate Apparel (Theatre Squared); ANDROMEDA (Theatre Squared); The Project(s), (American Theater Company) Jeff Nomination, Best Production; The Delany Sisters: Having Our Say - The First Hundred Years (Fleetwood Jourdain Theatre); Once On This Island (Marriott Lincolnshire Theatre); 12 Ophelias (Trap Door Theatre); Weekend (TimeLine Theatre), Bourbon At The Border (Eclipse Theatre) BTAA Nomination, Film: Cherry, directed by the Russo Brothers. Television: The Chi (Showtime); South Side (Comedy Central); Chicago PD (NBC). Represented by Big Mouth Talent: Chicago.
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MELANIE LOREN Film & TV: Undercover Brother 2, Heaven on Seven, Call Center, The Rhythm and The Blues, Chicago Med (NBC), APB (FOX), The Chi (Showtime), Chicago P.D. (NBC). Victory Gardens Theater: The First Deep Breath. Drury Lane Theatre: The Color Purple, Little Shop of Horrors. First Folio Theatre: The Firestorm. Pegasus Theatre Chicago: Shakin’ The Mess Outta Misery (Black Theater Alliance Award, Jeff ensemble nomination). Porchlight Music Theatre: Porchlight Revisits: Minnie’s Boys. Open Door Repertory Company: Clara. Historical Perspectives for Children: Mary McLeod Bethune. Touring: Canamac Productions’ The Defamation Experience (Atty. Allen). Melanie can be found on social media @iammellodrama.
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Victor Musoni Chicago credits include: La Havana Madrid (The Den Theater); Luck of the Irish, The Q Brother’s Rome Sweet Rome, Back The Night (UIC); Fun Harmless War Machine (The New Colony); No child (Definition Theatre Company); Blood at the Root (Jackalope); Columbinus (Steppenwolf/The Yard); The Toilet (Haven Theatre); How We Got On (Haven Theatre u/s). TV/Film: Chicago Med, 6x9. Web Series: Brujos. Music videos: Young Lost Love, Sinner. Endless love to Mom, Ama, and loved ones for holding it down always and forever. Victor is represented by Paonessa Talent Agency.
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Scott Duff is a Chicago-based actor, comic, and radio host. A graduate of Northwestern University, he is an Artistic Associate of About Face Theatre, having appeared in over 15 AFT productions, and has performed all over Chicago including work with the Goodman, Steppenwolf, Theater Wit, Windy City Playhouse, Lookingglass, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, iO, and American Theatre Company. Mr. Duff is the host/producer of OUT CHICAGO, a live weekly talk show for the LGBT community airing Sundays on WCPT, Chicago’s Progressive Talk AM & FM. He is represented by Grossman & Jack.
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Namir Smallwood joined the Steppenwolf ensemble in March 2017, where he has been seen in Bug, True West, Steppenwolf for Young Adults’ Monster, Christina Anderson’s Man In Love and The Hot L Baltimore. Other Chicago credits include The Lost Boys of Sudan (Victory Gardens Theater); the world premiere of Philip Dawkins’ Charm (Northlight Theatre); The Grapes of Wrath (Gift Theatre) and East Texas Hot Links (Writers’ Theatre). Regional credits include Marin Theatre Company, Pillsbury House Theatre, Dominique Morisseau’s “Pipeline” and Antoinette Nwandu’s ”Pass Over” at Lincoln Center Theatre, Ten Thousand Things and Guthrie Theater. Television credits include Chicago Fire, Betrayal, Elementary, Pipeline (Live From Lincoln Center) on PBS.
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Erik is a Chicago Based actor and Musician. Recent theatre credits include The Mousetrap at Court Theatre and Lindiwe at Steppenwolf. Other Chicago credits include: Familiar, and The Burn at Steppenwolf; Harvey, One Man Two Gov’nors, The Misanthrope, Proof (Jeff Nom.), Comedy of Errors, The Mystery of Irma Vep (Jeff Nom.), and Arcadia at Court; Smart People and Marjorie Prime at Writer’s Theatre; Miss Bennet (Jeff Nom.) and Lost In Yonkers at Northlight Theatre; and Luna Gale at the Goodman. Along with his wife Jessie Fisher, he co-created the Erik and Jessie and Everyone You Know Variety Show that has played sold out shows at Steppenwolf and the Den Theatre of Chicago and La Poisson Rouge in NYC. Film/TV work includes The Dark Knight, Walden, The Chicago Code, Boss, Betrayal, Chicago Fire, Chicago PD, The Good Fight, Fargo and as Johnny Carson on the FX show Mrs. America.
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Sara Sevigny is a Chicago bred actor, singer, improviser, and playwright who is best known as Edna Bunnin on EMPIRE (FOX). Sara is also half of the comedic duo, "Corri and Sara," whose YouTube series, GET IN THE CAR, is available here. Their new series, CORRI AND SARA ARE FAMOUS, shoots in 2019. Sara also starred as Grace in the film ROGERS PARK (Critic's Pick New York Times, 100% Rotten Tomatoes). Other credits include PopTv's HOT DATE, and Comedy Central's SOUTH SIDE. A proud member of SAG-AFTRA and Actor's Equity, Sara theater credits include Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Lyric Opera, and Paramount. You can find Sara at Actor's Training Center, audition-coaching and teaching on-camera classes, or at the dog park with her pups and her hubs. Sara is repped by Gray Talent Group and Artists First. She also likes unsweetened green tea lemonade, in case you wanted to get her one. It tastes like sunshine.
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SHARIBA RIVERS is a Chicago-based actor who has a new love--writing. But…not so fast! She still has major insecurities about it, so don’t ask her to write too much too soon. She is an ensemble member in three companies: First Floor Theater, The New Colony, and MPAACT, where she is also the casting director. In addition to theater credits, Shariba has TV, commercial, film, web, and audio credits. She recently won an AudioVerse award for her work as Lily Harper in the audiodrama Unwell: A Midwestern Gothic Mystery. She is represented by Gray Talent Group. More at www.sharibatheactor.com.
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In 2002 Matt Powers graduated The Art Institute of Philadelphia with a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Animation. After a successful internship with a small production company in Philadelphia his boss asked him to move to Los Angeles to be his Production Assistant / Animator for exercise videos. He gladly accepted with extreme naiveté as to how friggin’ expensive it was to live there. A few years later he left that job and became an editor for E! Matt has now edited shows for Netflix, USA Network, OWN, Discovery Studios, TLC, Lifetime, Oxygen, National Geographic, and History Channel. Even with 2020 being the shit-show it is Matt is extremely grateful that he is able to work from home and spend a lot more time with his son. He has also become quite the pastry chef / bartender along side his loving (and very tolerant of having to spend so much time in close quarters with him) girlfriend Johanna. His dog is also appreciative of the extra attention during these times.
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Rebecca Marquardt (@RebeccaLoops she/her) is a creator, producer, and performer who studied comedy, writing, and acting in Chicago and now calls New York City home (her mother will remind you that she's from Texas). She works as a freelance technical director building and running live streams online, and her solo videos and music covers have over a million and a half views across all platforms. This summer she's launching two new projects- @GayOrNayPodcast: diving into alleged queers of history, and @FriendsOfAndyTV, a production company streaming live comedy shows, talks, and events that aim to bring people together.
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