Janielle Kastner, Writer

Janielle Kastner is a playwright and actress based in Dallas, TX. Believing art-­making to be an efficient means of changing the world, she considers herself an artist + activist, or “artivist” with particular interest in gauging the success of a community by the stories and experiences of its young women. Recent projects include the world-premiere of OPHELIA UNDERWATER, PROJECT: GIRL a trans-media installation, and the solo piece GIRL:andotherbeautifulworksoffiction. Janielle is a founding member of the arts incubation group The Tribe, and an inaugural member of the Dallas Playwrights’ Workshop at Dallas Theatre Center. Favorite stage credits include "Decline of Ballooning" with The ­In Laws, "The Firestorm" at Kitchen Dog Theatre, "A Midsummer Nights' Dream" with Shakespeare in the Bar, and "Uncle Vanya" with Dallas Actors' Lab. Janielle received her BFA from SMU Meadows School of the Arts.

Devon M. Schwartz, Director

Devon M. Schwartz has directed nearly 30 plays over the years, as well as various short films and other creative projects. He relocated to Los Angeles from New York with “Mortal Coil,” an award-winning drama he produced here at the Stella Adler Theater and later directed at multiple other venues. 

Favorite NYC directing credits are Henry Becque’s "Woman of Paris" for Chain Lightning Theatre, the world premieres of Steven Fechter's “Intimacies” for EST’s OctoberFest, “Night Travel” at the Trilogy Theatre, and “Enter Attendant Disguised or What You Willy” at both Expanded Arts and Theatre-Studio Inc.

Since moving to LA, directing highlights include "Who Made Robert DeNiro King of America" by Jason Katims, “The Straight Bozo” by the Adler's own Tim McNeil, "What the Butler Saw" by Joe Orton, "Raised in Captivity" by Nicky Silver, and Julianne Grossman’s critically acclaimed “From Bonkers to Botox,” which was chosen to be part of HBO’s U.S. Comedy Festival in Aspen. 

Devon is also a writer and working actor, making guest appearances on numerous popular TV series, including "House," “Monk,” "Numbers" and "Without a Trace." He is perhaps best known for his recurring role as Bill on the hit CW show “Gilmore Girls.” More recently he played the prime antagonist in a Hallmark film and received rave reviews starring in Wicked Lit's "The Fall of the House of Usher." 

Lauren Murphy, Writer

Lauren Murphy currently teaches voice at the Stella Adler Academy of Acting and at the University of Southern California’s School of Dramatic Arts. She received her MFA in Acting from Columbia University and her BA from Tufts University. She is a Designated Linklater Voice Teacher, trained by world-renowned Master Teacher and creator Kristin Linklater. Recent collaboration and devised works have included The Money Show, a play with music about the financial crisis of 2008 (HERE Arts Center, NY), and As We Go, a play about California's drought crisis (Lounge Theatre, LA). She is thrilled to be a part of this festival and is a passionate advocate for suicide awareness.

This is for Adam. 

Alain Villenueve, Director

Alain studied dramatic arts from 1996 to 1998 in Montreal at Studio 101. He moved to the USA in 1998 and traveled with Cirque Du Soleil until he reached San Francisco, California where he stayed until 2001 studying with Jane Shelton at the Shelton Theater. He moved to Los Angeles in January 2005 to study at Stella Adler Academy of Acting - Los Angeles. Alain is an actor, writer, director, and filmmaker. His last play was at the Stella Adler Academy of Acting where he portrayed The Ghost of Hamlet’s Father in Hamlet (dir. Tim McNeil). Other theatre credits include Beach Play by David Darmstater, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey, Waiting for Godot (Estrogen) by Samuel Becket, Miss Julie (Jean) by August Strindberg, and many others in Montreal, Canada. Alain has produced and directed two indie movies in which he also acted, LEILA (2013) and NON EXITUS (2016), as well as many other projects. 

Allie Costa, Writer

Allie Costa works in film, TV, theatre, and voiceover as an actor, writer, director, and singer. Her acting credits include Spring Awakening, 90210, Hamlet, and You Me & Her. Her plays have been produced internationally, including Femme Noir, How I Knew Her, A Taste of the Future, and Can You Keep a Secret? This is the world premiere of A Moment of Silence, which had a staged reading at 13th Street Rep in New York earlier this year at the first-ever In Her Name festival. This play is dedicated to the memory of Leelah Alcorn. http://www.alliecosta.com

Rick Peters, Director

Hi my name is Rick Peters, I am a proud Stella Adler alumni and I have been fortunate to work as an actor for the past 26 years. I have worked primarily in television, which has brought me to Canada, New Zealand, Italy, and all over the U.S. I am honored and humbled to be a part of "A Light in Dark Places". Suicide, sadly touches many of our lives, including mine, and it is devastating. I hope our contribution inspires people of all ages, and socio-economic backgrounds to listen and reach out to those of us suffering with depression, It's a dark lonely place, and the light is human compassion. I would like to dedicate my part in this production to Leelah Alcorn, and David Maddocks. I love and miss you Dave, I think about you often, especially when I listen to anything from 10,000 Maniacs, or OMD!

Jonathan Kuhn, Writer

Jonathan Kuhn received both his BFA in Writing for Screen and Television and his Master of Professional Writing degree from the University of Southern California, where he studied under playwright Prince Gomolvilas. In 2015, Jonathan’s play “Ex Communication” (which he also directed) was part of the Hollywood Fringe Festival. He has performed multiple times at The Moth, including one LA GrandSLAM. Last year Jonathan was a member of PlayGround LA, and he was recently selected to participate again this year. 

Blake Lewis, Director

Blake recently had his directorial debut in theater staging the world premier of his play, Adam and Eve, at Theatre of NOTE for the Hollywood Fringe Festival.  He is honored to have the opportunity to contribute to "A Light In Dark Places", as it is a wonderful stepping stone toward having the necessary conversations.  He would like to thank Kelly for her heart and determination in making this event possible.  She is a rockstar.