nspicsbios

L.A. theater as social dialogue

Jayk Gallagher directed for Centerstage and Shadowboxing Theater Company while earning his BA in Acting and Directing at Emerson College ('04) in Boston. His favorite production was Christopher Durang's "Titanic" in which a lady feeds crackers to a seagull kept in her nether regions. An actor, director, writer and producer, Jayk has starred in TV shows on the E! Network and MTV, a cornucopia of national commercials (Jeep, Diet Dr Pepper, Yellowpages, Wendy's, Wienerschnitzel, etc.), and internet/mobile series hosted and produced for Current TV, Atomic Wedgie/Fremantle Media, Sun Microsystems and his own KillHollywood Productions. His sociopolitical pinball machine of a solo show "Flesh Eating Leftists" received rave reviews from the Boston Globe. A published poet, produced playwright, freestyle rapper and completely insane person, Gallagher's personal mission to create comedic art as a catalyst for positive social change is fulfilled as a Resident Artist with needtheater. He is deeply grateful to make his Los Angeles stage directorial debut with such a gifted, talented cast in Eric Coble's "Natural Selection."

Janet Colson (YOLANDA), aka Janet Ehrlich Colson the last time she ventured onstage, is completely thrilled and even shocked to be appearing in Natural Selection. After being in the business of increasing the surplus population, Janet decided to create her own planet, "Planet Janet" and figure out a way to move there. needtheater has been the much-needed link to earth along the way. Glimpses of Planet Janet will be beamed via youtube (janetcolson) as well as a pending website. Janet can also be seen on television commercials for delicious and high quality products. Janet would like to thank her family for their support, Richard Lawson for putting her back in the ring, and both Renee and Jayk for giving her some balls.

(PENELOPE/FJELDSTAD) Abigail is truly passionate about theater and finds it wonderful to be part of a production where people feel the same. Abby got her start in singing and can still be found crooning through out the Los Angeles area. Her favorite stage productions include: 'Miss Julie', 'Hamlet', 'Closer', 'The Last Five Years', 'Pirates of Penzance', 'Alone With Others', and 'The Last Days of Judas Iscariot'. Her favorite TV roles include 'Close to Home' and 'Life on Mars', where she got to work with one of her favorite directors, Thomas Schlamme. To all the people who deserve thanks...you know who you are so..thank you. Please support your local food bank!!

Adam G (ZHAO MARTINEZ) This role brings Adam G. back to his original love of acting in the theater. Having spent most of his time doing Film and Television, you have probably seen him on many different shows. From E.R. to Buffy to Family Law to Walker Texas Ranger, Adam has played every type of Latino or Indian criminals, soldiers and cops. You might have seen him recently as the angry Indian gas station attendant in the dark comedy feature film, “Wristcutters, A Love Story”. You may have also heard Adam G. playing the part of Andar, the young Indian brave sidekick to Turok (voiced by Native American film star Adam Beach) in the current animated DVD, “Turok, Son of Stone”. Adam is thrilled to be on stage again in such an incredible play with such an amazing role and working with the most passionate director and theater company in Los Angeles.

Joel Huggins (HENRY CARSON) A prototypical preacher’s kid from St. Louis, Joel is an alumni of the Second City Conservatory where he performed in an abundance of sketch and improv shows. Joel has appeared in a number of national commercials and tv shows, including the CW’s Everybody Hates Chris and NBC’s Scrubs. He invites you to check out his passion project at fishoutofwater.tv. Joel is profoundly grateful to Jayk Gallagher, Matt Wells, and needtheater for inviting him to be a part of this wonderful play, to his castmates for being so loveable and great, the crew for taking on such a challenging show and doing a great job, to his wife for enduring the rehearsal process, and to YOU for coming. Joel will be giving out free hugs after the show.

Marie Lively (SUZIE CARSON) is a southern girl with a northern bite. RAAR! After receiving a B.A. in Acting from Emerson College, she left Boston and headed west to launch her career. She is an Alumnus of the Improv Olympic and currently studies acting with the brilliant Karen Austin. Her recent L.A. stage credits include When Men Are Scarce directed by John Ennis, and The Birthday Knife (ACToberfest). She has also been seen on The History of the Joke with Lewis Black (History Channel), and is involved with webisode series online at sweaterpants.com and theavclub.tv. She is also an artistic partner with New Renaissance Theatre. Marie is honored to be working with needtheater and this talented cast and crew. MANY thanks to her friends and family for their continued support and sense of humor.

Taj Speights (TERRANCE CARSON) was born in Woodland Hills, CA on September 1st, 1997. Since birth, Taj has loved the spotlight! He started modeling at 18 months for such brands as Honda, GQ, and many others. Last year, Taj shot his first television pilot for NBC called “ZIP”, playing the rambunctious rich kid, “Darwin”. In a typical week you can find him battling in a Breakin’ or Hip Hop cipher or taking Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Tap, Acro or Contemporary classes. In the dance world Taj is known as “Krash”, which fits his explosive personality. Oh…. and he is an aspiring writer and artist as well!

Josh Zagoren (ERNIE HARADWAY) has a serious addiction to pizza and is proud to finally be able to admit that. He has worked as an actor, writer and puppeteer for four years in the Chicago theater scene and has most recently and notably performed the role of JUDGE IRVING KAUFMAN in Academy Award Nominee John Hancock's premiere production of THE BROTHER. He has worked with SECOND CITY as a Musical Director, Actor and Writer and is currently the Artistic Director and Head Writer of THE HOBO JUNCTION COMPANY. He has just moved to Los Angeles and can currently be seen as a pink bird puppet in the online series THE ADVENTURES OF BRAD AND CHAD. While he does miss his colleagues in Chicago and periodically goes back to drink with them, he is very happy and excited to be working on this production and loves the Los Angeles weather.

Janet Colson    (Yolanda)

Abigail Eiland    (Penelope/Fjeldstad)

Adam G    (Zhao Martinez)

Joel Huggins    (Henry Carson)

Marie Lively    (Suzie Carson)

Taj Speights   (Terrance Carson)

Josh Zagoren   (Ernie Haradway)

Jayk Gallagher    (Director)