RE: Social/Divide

Andrew Coopman (HE/THEY) is a Seattle-based Storytelling Interdisciplinary Artist who wears many hats, and is currently is a 3rd Year Master of Fine Arts in Directing candidate at the University of Washington School of Drama, graduating in April 2021. After getting a BA Degree in Community-Based Theater and Performance from Whitworth University in Spokane, WA, he went on the road and around the world with Missoula Children’s Theater before moving to New York City where he pursued a Master of Arts in Educational Theater from New York University. As a Director, Choreographer, Devisor, Performer, Playwright, and Teaching Artist, they have worked in a variety of theaters around the country including Seattle, New York City and Chicagoland area, and is very proud as a new member of Cooperative Performance to add Milwaukee to that list. As an avid Instagram & Facebook user and newly addicted TikTok user, Andrew is thankful for the ability to connect socially and use these mediums to amplify the voices of marginalized communities during these unprecedented times. Highlight Directing Credits include: LOVE & INFORMATION, FROZEN: A PLAY, MACHINAL, BODY AWARENESS, 4 DOGS & A BONE (UW), INTO THE WOODS (Studio East), WILDE TALES (Seattle Opera), JAMES & THE GIANT PEACH (Village Theater), LITTLE WOMEN THE MUSICAL (SMT), Disney’s BEAUTY & THE BEAST (EDP), and the premier of THE SUNFLOWER SISTERS (Eclectic). Choreography credits include ONCE ON THIS ISLAND (Studio East) and IN THE HEIGHTS (Village Theater). Andrew would like to especially thank each of the Creative Humans who helped make RE: SOCIAL/DIVIDE come to life as his directorial devising premier and showed up with their creativity and resilience because, in a time when making art is a challenge, they were a dream to work with. He would also like to thank the University of Washington School of Drama & Cooperative Performance, especially Alan Piotrowicz, for making this project a reality and his husband, Jamey Cheek, who continually supports them and makes their dreams a reality. Up next, Andrew will direct I AND YOU online with Burien Actor’s Theater and Henrik Ibsen’s ROSMERSHOLM online as his thesis project. AndrewCoopman.com

Aria Caldwell is very grateful to be a part of this virtual devising experience. Times are different, but theatre still lives! In this time of live theatre being shut down, she has had the honor of performing in a few virtual performances here and there, but overall is super stoked to return to a live audience, so please keep wearing your masks!! Shout out to her cat, Bandit for putting up with all of the Zoom show-and-tells. @arithetechie

Ashley is honored to be a part of her first devised show. This was a new and challenging experience for her and she is grateful to have taken part. Most recently, Ashley appeared in a virtual performance of Jody Hirsh's seder play, ELIJAH. Some of her favorite past roles include Mary Tilford in Outskirts Theatre's THE CHILDREN'S HOUR and Mary Jo Kincaid in Cooperative Performance's A PIECE OF MY HEART. Offstage she works as an American Literature and Theatre teacher at Oak Creek High School where she is currently directing THE GREEK MYTHOLOGY OLYMPIAGANZA: ONE-ACT. Other favorite activities include writing poetry and figure skating. She would like to thank Andrew for providing a creative outlet during these isolated times. All her love goes to Ben, Miracle, and Gus - as always.

Ben is a NY-based actor, voiceover actor, and singer born and raised in Chicago and studied at Belmont University in Nashville, TN. Recent credits include CAMELOT with Dutch Apple, and the upcoming web series “Angels of Uptown” as Officer Schneider. You can find him on Facebook, YouTube and Instagram @that_big_loud_guy.

George Lorimer is thrilled to be a part of RE: SOCIAL/DIVIDE. George is a Milwaukee based singer and actor and this is his first show with Cooperative Performance. Previously George has worked with The Ohio Light Opera, First Stage Children's Theatre, Music Theatre of Madison, and Outskirts Theatre Co. He also has worked as an assistant director, teaching artist, and church musician. He would like to thank his parents, Kathleen and Charlie, for their constant love and support.

Julia Gorordo is a voice, music, and drama teacher from Snohomish, Washington. She (virtually) graduated from the Frost School of Music last Spring, and has been teaching online ever since. Some of her theater credits include Gina in THE DEAD GUY and Glinda in THE MARVELOUS LAND OF OZ. She's a big fan of cows and dinosaurs, and hopes you enjoy the show!

Julia Gorordo also served as pianist and music producer for this production.

Kayla was born in Detroit, grew up in Phoenix, but finally feels at home here in Chicago. She earned her BFA in Music Theatre from Illinois Wesleyan University, and has since been performing, directing, choreographing, and teaching dance/theatre/yoga in the greater Chicago area. Teaching accessible yoga and making art are her two great loves, and she is moved by this and every opportunity to elevate her community.

Masha is an actor and model, completing her final two quarters at the University of Washington in Seattle with BAs in Drama: Performance and Political Science this spring. She was last seen in LOVE & INFORMATION directed by Andrew Coopman in October 2020 and Brenda/Lorraine in THE BEST OF EVERYTHING directed by Valerie Curtis-Newton in February 2020. Other student credits include Miranda in THE TEMPEST directed by Andrew Coopman, Polonius in HAMLET directed by Kristie Post-Wallace, and Margaret/Borachio in MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING directed by Daphne Sage Gomez. Outside of UW, she is represented by TCM Models and Talent and was seen in THE PLATINUM PROJECT directed by Clara Hillier and Matthew Zrebski at Portland Center Stage. Masha would like to thank Andrew for their trust in her abilities and appreciation of her humor, Emily for such great organization and kindness, the cast for their playfulness and bravery, and her friends and family for their love and patience. Thank you so much to the audience for joining us on this exploration! @agirlyouoncemetnamed_maria
https://www.tcmmodels.com/talent-women/1500874/masha-r

Originally from Ahmedabad, India, Niv is a second-year Communication student at the University of Washington, Seattle. As a newbie to the devising world, Niv would like to pass on her heartful thanks to Andrew Coopman and the entire cast of RE: SOCIAL/DIVIDE, for the smooth entry into this. You can find her on social media (@niveditajoshii) showcasing her culinary skills and meme favorites. If you want some good The Office references, you know who to contact now.

Sarina Shane is a designer that sometimes makes mixes. Her work is rooted in mixed media, often involving writing, light, color, acrylic, photography, performance, and sound. Check out her website at sarinaashane.com. IG: @whatsbringingyoujoy

Emily is a recent graduate of Marymount Manhattan College where she completed her degree in Producing and Management. Education Credits: THIS EVENING, TONIGHT WITH MORIARTY JONES, James Baldwin's BLUES FOR MISTER CHARLIE, STARLIGHT EXPRESS, KILLING TIME, and HALF-TIME. Regional Credits: CABARET, GREASE, A CHORUS LINE, A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN (Ivoryton Playhouse), re-NOV-ate: A DANCE COLLECTION (Alchemical Studios). Virtual Credits: STILL PUTTING IT TOGETHER: A Virtual Concert to Raise Funds For Maestra, SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS, LOST IN TRANSLATION and THE SOCIAL DIVIDE. Emily is also a skilled headshot and dance photographer, and loves to cook! @emily_lafreniere_photography @what.em.cooks