JEFF BAREHAND (Gila River/Navajo) has been had the pleasure of being in several musicals, including Hair, The Fully Monty, Buddy! The Buddy Holly Musical, The Man of La Mancha, Evita and Les Misérables.

Jeff also pursued screen acting but disillusioned by the lack of and types of roles offered Native Americans, he wanted more. He found guidance at a summer film workshop sponsored by ABC/Disney held at the Institute of American Indian Arts in Sante Fe , NM where he crewed four short film projects and produced and directed his own short film. He caught the bug for filmmaking and summarily studied screenwriting at Seattle’s Northwest Film Forum and eventually became a Sundance Film Fellow.

He founded the Olympia Film Collective (www.olyfilm.com) to provide a resource for local filmmakers to find likeminded individuals dedicated to developing the craft of filmmaking in the southwestern Washington.

When he’s not on stage, he owns and operates a successful production company, Sky Bear Media, traveling the states creating media for corporations, tribes, governments and organizations.

He is married with four children and resides in Olympia, WA.

XANDER CHAUNCEY (Shawnee/Mapuche) REGIONAL THEATRE: The Full Monty at Paper Mill Playhouse; Titanic at Hanger Theatre (B– Is deeply honored and grateful to continue to be a part of the Distant Thunder tribe and this ground-breaking piece! REGIONAL THEATRE: The Full Monty at Paper Mill Playhouse; Jekyll and Hyde and Mamma Mia! at Westchester B’way; Phantom and Joseph… Dreamcoat at The Alhambra; The Buddy Holly Story at Fulton Opera House; Footloose and Altar Boyz at Actor’s Playhouse; Spamalot at Arrow Rock Lyceum; A Funny Thing Happened… Forum at Riverside; Titanic at Hanger Theatre (Best Actor in a Musical, BroadwayWorld). OFF-BROADWAY: The Magdalene; Perfect European Man, Jack London: Love, Sex & Revolution. FILM: The Molok; It Is What It Is; Dropped Frames; 3AM. TELEVISION: The Good Cop; The Steve Harvey Show; Date Plate. OTHER THEATRE: Tenors of Rock; CATS; Beauty and the Beast. ADDITIONAL CREDITS: Acting and Directing Training, William Esper Studio; Founder, Matter/DarkMatter Productions.

www.TheMolok.com

RYAN DUNCAN– Broadway: Gettin’ the Band Back Together and Shrek. National Tour: Man of La Mancha. Off-Broadway: Nassim, Liberty, Altar Boyz (Drama League nom.), Soul Doctor, The Yellow Brick Road, The Fifth Column, it must be him, and My First Time. Regional Theatre: Passing Through, Goodspeed (CT), Beautiful Room/New York, Long Wharf (CT), Shrek, 5th Avenue (WA), Gettin’ the Band Back Together, George Street Playhouse (NJ), Striking 12, Good Theatre (ME), tick, tick…BOOM!, ATF (NY). Side Show, Signature (VA), 1776 & A Christmas Carol, Ford’s Theatre (D.C.), Hair, Studio Theatre (D.C.). Film/TV: In Stereo, Obits, Shrek the Musical, I Don’t Believe in That, Stand By , “Blue Bloods”, “He’s With Me”, “FreakMe”, “The Bunny Hole”, and “The Annex”. Ryan is working on a holiday show he wrote called A Gander Family Christmas. For Métis ancestors no longer invisible. We are, right now, because of those who came before us.
Website: Ryan-Duncan.com
Instagram: runyoncal

ANGELA GOMEZ– Originally from San Francisco, Angela is a mixed-race artist and educator of Yamaci, Ngäbe, Colombian, and Italian heritage. She is currently shooting the first season of Partner Track for Netflix. Other theatre credits include Dorothy Dark Eyes in Distant Thunder, Bernadette in Romeo and Bernadette, Cinderella in Into The Woods, Jasmine in Aladdin, and Beth in Merrily We Roll Along. Additional Credits: B.F.A. from New York University’s New Studio on Broadway and The International Theatre Workshop.

BRENT FLORENDO SITWALLAPUM (Wasco, Yakama, Warm Springs) Oregon Shakespeare Festival: Grandfather and Ensemble in Off the Rails. HYH in Yellow Face, Along the River; Oregon Cabaret Theatre: Bear in Full Circle, Rogue Music Theatre: Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Southern Oregon University: Ghost of Agamemnon in Elektra, Amigos in Candide), Anchorage Civic Opera:  Lucia de Lammermoor and La Traviata, Alaska Light Opera Theatre:Society Max, Cubanos dancer in Guys and Dolls, Pier One Theatre Rapid Robert in Ballad of Kenai, Riff in West Side Story, Dance: Oregon Dance Theater: ensemble, Robin Bryant Dance Company: lead male dancer, Playwright: Raccoon Earns His Stripes (performed at Southern Oregon University). Currently – Oklahoma Lyric Theater: Old Man, cultural consultant, World premier Musical – Distant Thunder postponed April 2020 due to pandemic to be continued April of 2021.

CHAVA FLORENDO (Wasco) is a powwow dancer, singer/drummer, and artist living in Ashland, Or. She has performed on many stages with the family drum Dancing Spirit.  She currently is focusing her career on providing  opportunities for Indigenous youth and artist through collaborative programs and considers herself a door holder. In addition to raising her three kids, she has taught traditional arts for many years. Chava is extremely excited to share the stage with both her father and son.

MATOAKA LITTLE EAGLE (Tewa, Apache, Chickahominy) –  First time actor with Lyric Theater. Long time Native singer, dancer, storyteller, educator. Acting: Winnetou’s Snake Oil Show from Wigwam City with SpiderWoman Ensemble. Short film: Indian Camp-Brian Edgar; Documentary film: Mystic Voices-The Story of the Pequot Wars-Guy Perrotta. Performance venues include: Lincoln Center, Symphony Space, Juilliard School of Music, the National Museum of the American Indian plus many other prestigious venues, schools, and colleges. She has toured in the U.S., Canada, Austria, the Netherlands, and Germany. Collaborations include: John Cage, The Thunderbird American Indian Dancers, Pura Fe, Pete Seeger, David Amram, and Native jazz vocals with Gus Mancini and the Sonic Soul Band. She resides in New Paltz, New York.

JONATHAN LYNCH – Originally from the Southwest, Jonathan attended Eastern New Mexico University where he studied Voice. From there he studied Music Theater at Oklahoma City University. At present, he is happy to call OKC home. He cannot wait to share Distant Thunder with the world. REGIONAL THEATRE: The Tempest at Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park. OTHER THEATRE: Anything Goes at Oklahoma City University and Camelot and A Grand Night For Singing at Eastern New Mexico University. ADDITIONAL CREDITS: MM from Oklahoma City University, BS from Eastern New Mexico University. Jonathan is a member of the Navajo Nation, a third generation Spanish American, and a descendent of the Oneida Nation.
Instagram: @jonfinluis

KATIE McCOLLUM – Katie is making her Lyric Theatre debut. REGIONAL THEATRE: Company at The Hawaii Performing Arts Festival. OTHER THEATRE: A Little Night Music, Little Women, War of the Worlds, Seussical, Oklahoma City University. She is proudly descended from the indigenous peoples of Texas.

KARSTEN TATE is an actor/singer/dancer. She is Diné (Navajo) and was born and raised in Arizona. She moved to Oklahoma to attend Oklahoma City University where she obtained her BFA in Acting. Some of her favorite credits include Hunchback of Notre Dame, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Exit the King, and A Christmas Carol. When not acting, she performs in an aquarium, swimming alongside sharks. She is so excited and honored to be a part of Distant Thunder. Karsten would like to thank everyone involved in this production as well as the support and love from her family, friends, and God.

AIDEN ŁE:LDIN ROGERS (Wasco/Hupa) is a fancy dancer and singer with his family drum Dancing Spirit. Aiden has performed since he could walk, including for the Oregon Shakespeare Festival Green Show, and travels to do presentation for schools and programs with the family. Aiden is excited to join his mom and grandpa on stage and dance for the people.

SHAUN TAYLOR -CORBETT I’Pyooksisstsiiko’om is proud to be a mixed-race artist of Amskapi Pikunni (Blackfeet), Scandinavian, and Black heritage as well as being a member of the Kaa Nux Im mii Taaks (Blackfeet Crazy Dog Society). He was in the original production of In the Heights on Broadway covering the roles of Usnavi, Sonny and Piragua Guy, and closed the show in the role of Sonny. He played Frankie Valli in the 2nd National Tour of Jersey Boys, Juan in Altar Boyz Off-Broadway, and Usnavi and Sonny from In the Heights on the First National Tour. He performed in Bedlam Theatre Company’s acclaimed production of The Crucible, as well as playing the role of Slender/Duke of Burgundy/Bassanio in Bedlam: the Series. His original Indigenous musical, Distant Thunder, will receive its first production in March, 2022 with Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma at First Americans Museum, Oklahoma City. The show is based on Shaun’s deep connection with the Blackfeet community in Browning, MT. He is a proud company member of Native Voices at the Autry, and performed with the Oregon Shakespeare Festival for three seasons. Shaun co-narrated “There There” by Tommy Orange which was nominated for an Audie Award in 2019, and recently narrated “The Only Good Indians” by Stephen Graham Jones, also nominated for an Audie Award in 2020. TV/Film: Hi-5, Discovery Kids, Supremacy, Gamer’s Guide, All My Children. 

Instagram: @shauntc37

CHELSEA ZENO– Chelsea’s ancestors are Taino! Tainos make up the Caribbean. We are part of this world. We are not extinct like many believe. Past shows include Hunchback of Notre Dame with Fuse Productions (Esmeralda), In the Heights at TUTS (Vanessa), The Other Shore at Sonnet Rep (Anita Berber/Helga Weiss), Spring Awakening at Revision Theatre (Thea), and Priscilla Queen of the Desert First National Tour (Cynthia/Diva U/S). She also sings nationally with the Disney coverband The Little Mermen. Thank you Distant Thunder for reminding me that by embodying my Boriqua ancestry, living in my truth, and speaking up about the past, I will keep the Taino legacy alive!

Instagram: @chelsea_zeno

E.B. BROOKS (Costume Designer) The Industry: Sweetland (Grammy Award Nominated) Invisible Cities. Oregon Shakespeare Festival: Manahatta, Off The Rails. Geffen Playhouse: The Legend of Georgia McBride (2018 Ovation Award Large Theater, Drama Critic Circle Award, and NAACP Nomination), Mysterious Circumstances, Bad Jews, Choir Boy,  Wait Until Dark, and Good People. Marin Theater Company: Sovereignty. Perseverance Theatre: Winter Bear Project (2020 and 2019 Tour), Franklin, Will Inc. and They Don’t Talk Back. Los Angeles Theater: Hit The Wall (L.A. LGBT Center 2016 Best Costume Design Nominee). Native Voices at The Autry: Lying with Badgers, Pure Native, Bingo Hall, Stand Off at Highway #37, Birdhouse, Playwrights Retreat 2013-2020 as design respondent for over 24 new original works by Native American, Alaska Native, and First Nations Playwrights. In addition to Stage, E.B. also designs for film, television, commercial, music video, and events. E.B. has taught/ lectured at USC, CalTech, Willamette University, and Caldera Arts. Member of United Scenic Artists 829 and Costume Designers Guild 892. M.F.A. California Institute of the Arts. www.ebbrooks.com

BRIAN LAWTON is a dancer, instructor, choreographer, and director. He has an eclectic background in ballet, jazz, and modern as well as Latin and Ballroom dances with a specialty in the vernacular jazz dances of the 1920’s-1940’s. Brian most recently performed in Sw!ng Out at the Joyce Theatre. He has also performed on Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Shakespeare in the Park’s Comedy of Errors, with the Red Hot Chili Peppers at Madison Square Garden and in their recent music video “Go Robot”, and Swing! at Gateway Playhouse. He has traveled around the world teaching vernacular jazz, Charleston, and Lindy Hop. He was the Choreographer and Resident Director of the A Charlie Brown Christmas National Tour and is a Resident Choreographer for Norwegian Cruis Line. He was also the Assistant Director/Choreographer of the new musical Part of the Plan (TPAC) as well as Associate Director of Distant Thunder (Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma) both alongside Lynne Taylor-Corbett.

Carolyn Dunn is an American Indian artist of Cherokee, Muskogee Creek, and Seminole descent on her father’s side, and is Cajun, French Creole, and Tunica-Biloxi on her mother’s. Her life as a storyteller encompasses both poetry and playwriting with works about family, grief, resilience, and the landscape in all genres in between. In addition to the award-winning Outfoxing Coyote, her books include Through the Eye of the Deer (with Carol Zitzer-Comfort, Aunt Lute Books, 1999), Coyote Speaks (with Ari Berk, H.N. Abrams, 2008), Echolocation: Poems, Stories and Songs from Indian Country: L.A. (Fezziweg Press, 2013), The Stains of Burden and Dumb Luck (Mongrel Empire Press, 2017), and more. Her plays The Frybread Queen, Ghost Dance, and Soledad have been developed and staged at Native Voices at the Autry in Los Angeles. She received her Doctorate in American studies with a focus on American Indian Literature and Theater from the University of Southern California. She is now an assistant professor at California State University, Los Angeles and the Artistic Director of Oklahoma Indigenous Theatre Company in Oklahoma City. Her current work in progress is a play entitled Chasing Tailfeathers. Stage acting credits include The Bingo Palace, Citizen, Neechie-itas, Sliver of a Full Moon, and Missing Peace.

CHRISTINE LaDUCA has been a part of Distant Thunder since its first NYC reading in 2013. The journey has meant the world to her, and this cast/creative team has become her family – in the truest sense of the word. Off-Broadway: Rothschild & Sons (York Theatre Company; Cast Recording), The Piper (Irish Rep). National Tour: Cats (Bombalurina). Favorites: A Chorus Line (Diana), West Side Story (Anita u/s), Evita; NY workshops: Distant Thunder, a Native American Musical; The Countess of Storyville. Christine is honored and proud to be a part of this important and beautiful story.
Instagram: @nottheshoes
Twitter: @LaDucaChristine
Piiwk tsi tsii koom!

OLIVIA ESPINOSA (Azteca) is a bilingual actor, singer, playwright and director. As a member of Native Voices at the Autry Artist Ensemble she contributes all these skills to the organization. One of her favorite projects was originating the role of Shareen in the first workshop of Distant Thunder at Native Voices. In 2017, Olivia received Oregon Shakespeare Festival’s most prestigious award- The Phil Killian Directing Fellowship where she was assistant director to Artist Director, Bill Rauch on Off the Rails, an adaptation of Measure for Measure highlighting the stories of Native Americans during the U.S. Indian Boarding School movement. Acting credits include American Mariachi (Denver Center New Play Summit; The Astronaut Farmworker; A Lonely Boy’s Guide to Survival… (La Jolla Playhouse); Azul (Diversionary Theater, San Diego).
www.OliviaEspinosa.com

Robert Owens-Greygrass/Tagni Kokipesni (1954 to 2013) Of mixed ancestry, Robert identified with his Lakota roots, while also Cherokee, French and Irish. He had an uncanny way of bridging the many worlds and cultures, inside him, and in the world. He was a sun dancer, counselor, father, grandfather, and life coach. He conveyed sensitivity, a fantastic sense of humor and timing, music, and “good medicine” wherever he went.

Robert performed professionally for more than twenty years as a storyteller and actor. His body of work included Lakota and other tribal stories, poetry, short stories, theater, film, and stand up comedy.

He was chosen best actor of the year in Ashland, OR in 1993 for his performance as Crazy Horse in Black Elk Speaks and 1994 for his portrayal of John Merrick in The Elephant Man. He performed as a company member of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and their school tour program from 1995 to 1997.

He performed and led workshops for the United Nations Anti-Racism Conference in Sydney Australia in 2001.

He wrote and performed his two original one-man plays Walking on Turtle Island, and Ghostlands of an Urban NDN in countless venues; including the National Museum of the American Indian, universities, theatres, festivals, prisons, reservations, and urban centers across the United States, Canada, Australia, Germany, and England. He was chosen Storyteller of the Year by Wordcraft Circle of Native Writers in 1999.

His poems and short stories were published in Native Anthologies in 1998, 2000, and Yellow River Review in 2007. He self-published his chapbooks “WordMaker” and “Old Man Dream Song”.  He also self-produced 2 CDs; Excerpts from Walking On Turtle Island, and For the Women’s which offered his native american flute playing & poetry.

He was a SAG & AEA actor and proud company member of Native Voices at the Autry for 9 years, until his passing.  At Native Voices, he played a medicine man/storyteller in Kino & Teresa,  Wolfert in Salvage, he brought his tour-de-force solo performances in Walking on Turtle Island and Ghostlands of an Urban NDN, and lastly, his lonesome Indian cowboy, Rope, in The Bird House.

He performed in Culture Clash’s Palestine, New Mexico at the Mark Taper Forum in LA 2009-2010; and in Cherrie Moraga’s New Fire – described as “ceremony and performance at once” at San Francisco’s Brava Theatre in 2012.

His TV appearances included featured roles in The History Channel’s Andrew Jackson and Thermopylae.

In film, he was Writer/Actor/Producer of the short film “Walking on Turtle Island” shown at Ashland Independent Film Festival in 2009 and LA Skins Festival. He was also featured lead in the movie A Foundling; had co-starring roles in “Good Neighbor Policy”, “3:52”, “Mad World”, “Grizzly Mountain”, and “Ricochet River”. The Work, a 2017 American documentary film, posthumously depicted the wellness work he conducted for prisoners at Folsom.

NOAH HUNT is a singer-songwriter, actor, and sound designer from Washington State.

While living in Los Angeles for the past 10 years, He has accomplished many of his dreams from the stage, screen and studio alike. He found his passion behind the scenes and is currently a successful sound designer for film and television while operating a private music studio.

GERALDINE (GERI) KEAMS is a Dineh actor, storyteller, chanter, who grew up in Navajo land.

She is currently a supporting actor in Rutherford Falls, as council member, Rayanne.  Also, a supporting role in Reservation Dog, as Elora Danan’s grandmother.

Her recently completed project is Dark Winds, for AMC.

Geri has been in many films and television shows, she has worked onstage, and has traveled throughout the world as a storyteller.

KALANI QUEYPO is a founding member of SAG-AFTRA’s National Native Americans Committee and serves on the Advisory Council for Native Voices Theater at the Autry.

Kalani is an award winning screenwriter for Ancestor Eyes, his self-directed short film that played at nearly 40 festivals, winning 14 awards.

Kalani is the recipient of the 2019 Native Voices Playwrights Retreat, 2020 Rhinebeck Writers Retreat, and the 2021 Johnny Mercer Writers Grove at Goodspeed Musicals. His latest project, Missing Peace, was presented this past fall in NYC at the prestigious Festival of New Plays with NAMT.

Kalani can be seen acting in the Oscar-nominated film, The New World, Steven Spielberg’s Emmy winning Into the West and Slow West (Sundance GRAND JURY PRIZE). Television credits include Jamestown, Fear the Walking Dead, Mad Men, Hawaii Five-0, Nurse Jackie, and Bones. Kalani is currently starring in the new CW series, Trickster.

MARISA QUINTALLA a dedicated performer, visual artist, & creative producer, Marisa Quintanilla’s most recent work includes a guest starring role alongside Steve Buscemi in Season 3 of the cult hit comedy Miracle Workers (TBS/HBO-NOW).

A graduate of Brown University, the National Theater Institute, and the St. Petersberg State Theatre Arts Academy in St. Petersberg, Russia, Marisa has enjoyed a multifaceted career on both stage and screen. She has performed as a professional vocalist in both the United States and Mexico, and originated the role of “Dorothy Dark Eyes” at the first workshop of Distant Thunder at The Autry Theater in Los Angeles.

Her stage work also includes producer, director, and performer credits in Off-off Broadway presentations of Going Home, Elsewhere, and William Saroyan’s The New Play.

Over the years, Marisa has portrayed memorable characters in popular TV shows like Sons of Anarchy (FX), Longmire (A&E), Private Practice (ABC) among others, and is most often recognized for her role as “Huilen” – a pivotal character in “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2”, directed by Oscar Winner Bill Condon.

COURTNEY REED is best known for originating the role of ‘Princess Jasmine’ in Disney’s smash Broadway hit Aladdin, in which she received a Grammy Nomination. She was last seen in Lauren Yee’s award winning play Cambodian Rock Band at The Signature Theatre. She also had the honor of being a part of the closing company of the Tony Award Winning Musical In The Heights, in which she played ‘Carla,’ u/s ‘Nina’ and ‘Vanessa.’ She made her Broadway debut in Mamma Mia! She will soon be leading the North American Tour launch of the recent Tony Award Winning musical Moulin Rouge as Satine starting in February. Favorite Regional: ‘Andrea’ in Once on This Island at Papermill Playhouse directed by Thomas Kail. Television: Liza on Demand, Search Party, The Affair, Law & Order: SVU, White Collar, NYC 22, and CSI: NY. @RhodesReed

DAVID REDBOY SCHILDT was born in Killeen, Texas. He is enrolled in the Blackfeet Tribe at Browning, Montana.

A competitor for twenty eight years, he coached high school and college rodeo, taught rodeo schools, judged, competed in events (such as the wild horse race), and specialized as a bull rider and a bareback rider.

He began performing at Cowboy Songs programs in 1990 and the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, Nevada. He performed at the Smithsonian in New York City 2004.

He participated as an actor in the Native Voices at the Autry’s 2012 Playwrights Retreat and 14^th Festival of New Plays as part of the cast of Distant Thunder: A Native American Musical.  The musical’s Book is by Shaun Taylor-Corbett (Blackfeet) and Lynn Taylor-Corbett, with Music and Lyrics by Shaun Taylor-Corbett (Blackfeet) and Chris Wiseman.

Dave continues writing and performing songs of Western Folklife.

KODIAK TARRANT (Shinnecock/Hopi/HoChunk) hails from the Shinnecock Indian Nation of Long Island, New York. He began dancing and performing at a young age. He comes from a long line of Fancy Dancers and New York City Indigenous performers. Kodiak continues to dance Men’s Fancy on the powwow trail and beyond. Kodiak enjoys skateboarding, biking, painting, and drawing.

MICHAEL WISE was an original company member of Distant Thunder in our writer’s retreat presentation at Native Voices at the Autry. He helped craft the role of White Feather and brought tremendous heart and talent to our show. Michael was a key figure in Native Voices at the Autry. He was often cast in shows and became an uncle to the young artists in the company trying to make their way in Hollywood. Michael played a pivotal role in Kino and Teresa at Native Voices at the Autry, which was a retelling of Romeo and Juliet set during the 17th century Pueblo Revolt. He helped launch the theater company on a path to success. According to Randy Reinholz, co-founding member of NVA, “Michael possessed that rare combination of power, presence, strength, and love. Through the years we knew we could count on Michael in any circumstance.” His work in film included, Road House (1989), Tesla the Superman (2009) and CBS Summer Playhouse (1987).

ROMAN ZARAGOZA is a TV, Film, and Theatre actor and is currently finishing his degree in film production. He most recently shot a pilot for CBS called Ghosts and ended a three-season run at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, including playing Orlando in As You Like It. You can also see him on the ABC hit show, Stumptown, as well as in Those Who Can’t, Austin & Ally, and Shadow Wolves. Other theatre credits include Usnavi in In the Heights (Valley Performing Arts Center); Nick in They Don’t Talk Back (La Jolla Playhouse, Native Voices). He is proud to be of Akimel O’odham, Mexican, Taiwanese, and Japanese descent.