Cast Announcement: SaFronia's Daughter

We are thrilled to announce the cast for the reading of India Nicole Burton’s play SaFronia’s Daughter. The reading will take place at the Phoenix Theatre Cultural Centre on January 9 at 7pm. Reservations are required for this free event, and can be made here.

PsyWrn Simone (Ballou “Bee” Rufus)

PsyWrn Simone is a multi-talented Creative Powerhouse from Indianapolis, IN. Shifting seamlessly from Vocalist to (song)Writer, to Lyricist, to Spoken Word Artist, to Actor, to Teaching Artist—her intersectional work functions as a critical cultural audit, intending to instigate progress and change! Additionally, she is the Associate Artistic Director for the Asante Art Institute of Indianapolis.

Jonathan Studdard (Jefferson “Jinx” Rufus)

Jonathan is ecstatic to tell this beautiful story penned by a black woman! Favorite credits include Lola (Kinky Boots), Lumieré (Beauty & The Beast), The Preacher (Color Purple), Wayne, Tiny Joe Dixon (Dreamgirls) and Rexy (The Legend of Georgia McBride) Outside of performing, Jon enjoys working in Hospitality Management and running his styling business, J Studdy Styles! God, I thank you! Spread kindness!

Austin Hookfin (Jethrow “Fool Boy” Rufus)

Austin Hookfin is a proud graduate of North Central High School. Austin is an Encore award winner and Broadway World Indianapolis award nominee. Favorite roles would include Tom Collins in Civic Theatre’s production of RENT, LeRoy in Betty Rage Productions’ The Bad Seed and Crooks in Westfield Playhouse’s Of Mice and Men. Austin is also member of Indy’s ComedySportz.

Tracy Nakigozi (Sepsy Jo Rufus)

Tracy Nakigozi is pleased to make her debut with the New Harmony Project family. Her recent credits include Oak by Terry Guest with Phoenix Theatre, and Stew by Zora Howard with NAATC. She is grateful for the New Harmony Project team, and Phoenix Theatre, for their support and belief in her artistic journey. She is also thankful for her parents, and close friends for their love and support.

Jamaal McCray (Deacon “Peppa” Baptiste)

Bio coming soon.

Alex Oberheide (Lawrance Rufus Jr.)

Alex Oberheide is excited to be making his New Harmony Project debut. Recent credits include: Red Speedo with American Lives Theater and Dinner with Friends at Theater Wit Chicago. Alex received his MFA in Acting from UCLA. Love to mom, dad, and brother for the continued support and encouragement on this artistic journey.

Emily Bohannon (Edwina Beauviee Rufus)

Emily has entered stage left and is happy to be here! She has performed at the Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre, Beef and Boards, ATI, and has worked as a performer and choreographer for Defiance Comedy and the Indy Fringe Festival. She is also a member of ComedySportz Indianapolis.

Dena L Toler (SaFronia Rufus)

Actor, director, writer, artistic visionary for two decades, Dena L Toler works with several theaters in the city. Most recently Asst. Directing, Indianapolis Black Theater Company's The Mountaintop and Directing can I touch it at Fonseca Theatre. "I am honored to work with the New Harmony Project and blessed to share this beautifully written, magical tale".

Cara Wilson (Stage Directions)

Cara Wilson was born in Indianapolis, Indiana. She is a film and theatre graduate from Goshen College. Cara has been in plays like Panther Women, Pride and Prejudice, Your Love Will Be Judged, A Skeptic And A Bruja, Judy’s Life Work, Ain’t No Mo, and most recently A Very Pheonix XMAS! She is super excited and honored to return to NHP to participate in a reading of SaFronia’s Daughter!!

Cast Announcement: Hireath, or when Pluto was a Planet

We are thrilled to announce the cast for the reading of Hireath, or when Pluto was a Planet by Jayne Deely. The reading will be on November 8 at 7pm, and free ticket reservations can be made here.

Janice Amaya (Kap)

JANICE AMAYA (they/them/elle) Recent theatre: Orlando (Signature Theatre Company), Shhhh (Atlantic Theater Company), A Necessary Killing (Clubbed Thumb), Mushroom (People’s Light Theater Company), Cartography (John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts). Film: God's Lonely Magician (Tribeca 2025). They are a Co-Director at Pipeline Theatre Company. MFA, Harvard University/Moscow Art Theater.

Arturo Luíz Soria (Ish)

An Obie and Offie Award-winning actor and writer, Arturo's solo show Ni Mi Madre premiered off-Broadway and went on to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival earning much acclaim. Theatre: The Inheritance, Wet Brain, Hit the Wall. TV/Film: The Blacklist, East New York, Found, CIA, and Mermaid (upcoming feature). MacDowell Fellow; Hillman Grad Mentorship (TV writing); MFA from Yale; BFA from DePaul.

Clair Wilcher (Sam)

Claire Wilcher (she/her) is so excited to be joining Playfest! She's an actor, intimacy director, and educator based in Indy. Favorite roles include Perkins in The Play That Goes Wrong and Mrs. Peacock in Clue (IRT), Bottom in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (IndyShakes), Trekkie Monster/Lucy in Avenue Q (Phoenix Theatre). Claire is also a certified intimacy director with IDC Professionals.

Kelsey VanVoorst (Mel)

This is Kelsey's first project with Playfest Indy! They have been performing as an actor and improviser in central Indiana for the past 15 years. Some of their favorite recent credits include Dromio of Daytona in IndyShakes Summer 2025 production of Comedy of Errors and Defiance Comedy's Dysentery: The Musical, which was a best-selling show at the 2025 Indy Fringe Festival.

María José Garcés Vela (Em)

María José Garcés Vela (she/her) is a junior Musical Theatre major in Ball State University from Mexico City who also loves sports and watching shows and movies. She most recently appeared in Songs for a New World and Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812. She wants to thank her teachers, her supportive family and her incredible older sister who has always been her biggest inspiration.

Emily Bohannon (Stage Directions)

Emily has entered stage left and is happy to be here! She has performed at the Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre, Beef and Boards, ATI, and has worked as a performer and choreographer for Defiance Comedy and the Indy Fringe Festival. She is also a member of ComedySportz Indianapolis.

ONE PARTY CONSENT Cast Announcement

We’re thrilled to announce the cast for the September 12 reading of One Party Consent, by Omer Abbas Salem!

Omer Abbas Salem (Fola)

Omer Abbas Salem is a Chicago-based actor and playwright whose work has been developed or produced by Steppenwolf, Goodman Theatre, Jackalope, About Face, and more. His play Mosque4Mosque premiered at About Face in 2022, and Happy Days are Here (Again) was named one of Chicago Tribune’s Top 10 Plays of 2024. He’s the recipient of the 3Arts Award, the Cunningham Commission, and First Floor Theatre’s Blueprint Commission. Current commissions include new works for Steppenwolf, Audible Theater, and Goodman Theatre’s New Stages. He is represented by Gray Talent and is an ensemble member with Steep, Jackalope, and First Floor.

Julie Dixon (Dean Ellen Healy)

Julie Dixon is so excited to be working with American Lives Theatre and The New Harmony Project on this play! A Connecticut native, she has worked on both the East and West coasts before ending up in Indiana where she teaches at Indiana State University. 

Kelli Thomas (Sandra/Ms. Brite)

Kelli Thomas is a dedicated community leader and theatre advocate.  She is an alumnus of the University of Indianapolis's Department of Theatre. Her most recent acting credits include:
Comedy of Errors (Indy Shakespeare Company), FLEX (Summit Performance), and Julius Caesar (Indy Shakespeare Company). When she isn’t on stage, she operates her business, Act Well - Theatre & Nonprofit Consulting.

Shelbi Berry Kamohara (Stage Directions)

Shelbi Berry Kamohara is an Indy local, currently based in NYC. She is known primarily as a musical theatre actor, performing at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre. She has also performed in musicals/plays at Actors Theatre of Indiana, Fonseca, The Phoenix, and for independent companies. She is excited to learn from those around her as she participates in a different aspect of bringing a story to life.