2026 Mentor Program Cohort

Proud Baltimore Native Terrell Chambers is a Creative Multi-hyphenated Artist.

Kenneth came to acting three years ago after careers in military service, Peace Corps in Romania, and software engineering.

Alexis Renée Jefferson is an actor, director, and poet from Maryland.

Chandler Jordan is a DC native, recording artist by the name Chancellor Jay and CEO of Uncut Artistry LLC.

Youri Kim is a director, playwright, and teaching artist based in the DMV region.

Miele Murray is an alum of the University of Maryland, College Park, thriving in theatre arts, creative writing, music, and design.

Drew Okoye is a MD/DC based non-union performer with a BA in theatre and psychology from the University of Maryland, College Park.

Leah Packer is a Jewish actor, artistic administrator, and educator based in the Washington, DC area.

Bella is an emerging playwright from the Washington, DC area.

Hellen Paredes-Jeronimo is a Guatemalan-American aspiring entrepreneur.

Maeve Reilly is a proudly queer, Irish-American arts administrator, director, and casting professional currently based in Washington, DC.

Nandini Sen is an engineer and technologist, an elected Commissioner in Washington, DC, and a disruptor of tradition and instigator of action.

Michelle Shin is an emerging DC-based Korean-American artist dedicated to building a more inclusive and representative DMV arts scene.

As a performer, director, and writer, Melissa Shohet is drawn to the comedy in the smallest of things.

Margarita Syrocheva is a Russian-born scenic designer and multidisciplinary artist.

Cody Von Ruden is a Theatre Artist based in Washington DC.

G. Weiss is a queer, neurodivergent theatre artist and designer operating in the DMV area.

Seshat Yon'shea Walker is a writer, founder and certified country girl.

Theo Yu is a DC-based director, producer, and dramaturg.

Aysha Zackria is a queer Pakistani-American dramatist, writer, and musician.

Multidisciplinary artist from the DMV and Helen Hayes Award-nominated actor. Director, bilingual theater educator, and solo performer centering underrepresented...

James J. Johnson (J. J.) is a professional actor, writer, and educator whose career spans nearly 30 years.

Deidra LaWan Starnes, Associate Artistic Director at 1st Stage, is an actor, director, writer, and Learning and Engagement Facilitator.

Savina Barini is a theatre maker and educator based in Washington DC.

Elizabeth Dinkova is a Bulgarian director, adaptor, and collaborative creator.

Matt Reckeweg is a multi-disciplinary Director & Teaching Artist who focuses on creating highly visual new works involving a blend of puppetry, mask, & dance.

KANYSHA is a Washington DC area singer, songwriter, actress, and performer.

Danica Rodriguez is a Washington D.C./New York-based casting director & theatremaker dedicated to celebrating the voices of the historically underrepresented.

Tristan B Willis is a playwright exploring trans and queer stories, distanced performance, and the intersection of theatre and games.

Saraniya Tharmarajah is an interdisciplinary theater/film artist and public health researcher.

Aria Velz is a director and producer born and raised in NOVA.

Sivagami (“Shiva”) Subbaraman currently serves as Adjunct Faculty in the Department of Performing Arts at Georgetown University.

Sarah Anne Sillers is a Helen Hayes Award-nominated singer and actor specializing in musical theatre in the Washington, DC region.

Tracey Erbacher is a director, producer, and artistic director with a passion for fierce, intersectional, feminist theater.

Daniel Pinha is a scenic designer, educator, and interdisciplinary artist whose work bridges theatre, film, television, and immersive environments.

Originally from Oklahoma City, both of his parents grew up on farms and taught him the value of hard work and good company.

PARIS FRANCESCA is a Costume Designer and Stylist based in the Washington, DC, area.

Dr. Nina Angela Mercer is a multidisciplinary artist and scholar.

Ethan Heard is a director, producer, and teacher who makes theater to build community and foster love.

Lauren Halvorsen is a dramaturg and writer based in Washington, DC.