Kayla Farrish is a Black American Director merging dance-theater, filmmaking, narrative, and sound score. Her commissions include Limon Dance Company, Whim W’him, Ririe Woodbury, Armstrong Now!, Danspace, Little Island, Harlem Stage, American Dance Festival and beyond. She creates live works, films, site-specific/immersive pieces, and collaborations with musicians such as  Esperanza Spalding, Trixie Whitley, Moor Mother, and Melanie Charles. Presenting spaces include Lincoln Center, Park Avenue Armory, Symphony Space, and National Sawdust, Joyce Theater, among receiving support from Works & Process, Brooklyn Filmmakers Collective, Baryshnikov Arts, La Mama Theater, and others.

She received the Sundance Uprise Grant for Emerging BIPOC Directors, Bessie Awards for December 8th and NYLA’s “Motherboard Suite”, New York Times Top 2021 Dance Performances “Roster” and “Breakout Star.” She is a recipient of the Harkness Promise Award for 2022. She premiered reimagined archival work for Limon at Joyce Theater (2024). She toured “Put Away the Fire, dear” supported by NEFA National Dance Project. She received Watermill Center’s Baroness Nina Von Maltzahn Fellowship and the Ellis-Beauregard Foundation Choreographer Award (2023).  She is a 2025 CUNY Dance Initiative Artist, NYFA/NYSCA Choreography Fellow, 2026 NY Support for Artists Grantee, and Danse Mirage Foundation Choreography commissioned artist.

Skyler James Bailey is a New York City based actor. Born in The Bronx, NY. THEATER: One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest Dir. Francisco Solorzano (Studio 17 2026) Thoughts Of A Colored Man Dir. Tremane Harris (651 Arts 2025) Lions Don’t Hug Dir. Stella Sacca (Winterfest 2020, Brooklyn Art Haus Residency 2023), Black Magic Dir. Tony Jenkins (Fringe Festival Winner 2016), Serials at The Fled Dir. Crystal Sky Williams. WORKSHOP: BAM Residency Workshops (2024) Dir. Postell Pringle. FILM: Uptown The Way God Intended Dir. KarynRose Bruyning (Vimeo Staff Pick 2022, Webby Award Honoree 2023), XXVisible Dir. Bobby Yan (Best Drama Short Coney Island Film Festival 2022). TELEVISION: Only Murders In The Building (Hulu 2024), Law & Order (Peacock 2025).

SHEILA Brown Kinnard is self- described artist of words and song. A retired drama teacher she was recently appointed to the Wichita Board of Education. She is an avid reader and community arts supporter. Enjoy this evening's staged reading of PRESERVES!

In theater circles, Rob has co-starred twice in the hit show “Five
Guys Named Moe,” most recently appeared as Ol’ Mister in Roxy’s The
Color Purple Musical and has starred or co-starred in more than ten other
shows over the years.
Rob is also a singer/songwriter, storyteller/author, and
educator/trainer who directs music for contemporary worship at College
Hill UMC, provides lead and background vocals and percussion for local
band, Blue Eyed Soul, and works as a teaching artist with Arts Partners.
In his work as a professional storyteller with the Wichita Griots he has also
written, co-produced and directed fourteen (14) original stage productions.
A website at www.positiverhythm.org provides more information.

Hello, I’m Karen Wright, a life-long resident of Wichita, Kansas. As a native of Wichita, I
attended Kansas State University, following high school graduation. I later transferred to Wichita
State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in Speech Communication, followed by a Master of
Education at Newman University. I’m involved in the Wichita community as a member of
ARISE Incorporated, The Urban League of Kansas, and the N.A.A.C.P. I also serve on the board
of directors for The Kansas Food Bank, Newman University Alumni Board and a proud member
of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated. I’m excited to play the role of LaShawn, in this
production of PRESERVES. Hope you enjoy!

Justin Noel Hall is elated to be stepping into this role as Logan! He got his start in stageacting through community theatre with “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike,” as the titular, Spike, back in 2021. Justin’s most recent work, and first opera, was portraying Duke in Gilbert and Sullivan’s “Patience,” with Opera Kansas. His most exciting role so far was hosting Disney’s “D23: On The Road;” a national tour celebrating iconic Disney films through immersive screenings (A Goofy Movie and Home Alone!) Outside of theatre, he works as a music director, producer and composer, commercial actor, singer and piano accompanist. Justin really is a jack of all trades, and a master of fun.

Emmanuel Cockrell is an actor from Junction City, KS but currently lives in Wichita, KS. Emmanuel has been acting for 17 years having his start in theatre. His best know roles are Gaston in Beauty and the Beast, Martin Luther King Jr. in The Mountaintop, and King Triton in The Little Mermaid to name a few. 

While living in Wichita, Emmanuel got into film and TV. He has been apart of several local commercials as well as short films and industrials for different companies. Cockrell's film credits include PPP Loan Gone, Snooze, Arrive Alive, 495, Trap 48, and Big Dog. All can be found on Amazon Prime and Tubi.

Emmanuel has theatre training from Emporia State University in Emporia, KS as well as on camera training from Vagabond School of the Arts in Chicago. 

Anjelica Breathett is a classically trained vocalist from Charlotte, North Carolina, whose versatility spans classical, jazz, gospel, and musical theatre. Her career has included touring across the United States as a featured soloist, performing at the Kennedy Center and the Grand Ole Opry, winning Washington, D.C.'s 105.9 FM "The Voice" Competition, and being selected for Kim Burrell's masterclass, as well as appearing on PBS's American Voices hosted by Renée Fleming. She earned a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance and Musical Theatre from North Carolina A&T State University before relocating to Los Angeles to pursue music and television opportunities. Today, Anjelica continues to perform, write, compose, and collaborate with fellow musicians while sharing her passion for music with audiences in Wichita and beyond.

Hanna Watson is a poet, theologian, and preacher based in Atlanta, GA. A Kansas native, she holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary. Hanna is the Founder and Executive Director of Poiema Ministries, Inc., which seeks to create spaces beyond the four walls of the Church for people to experience the beauty of God through the literary arts. Outside of poetry and ministry, you may find Hanna baking, reading, playing with dogs, or enjoying a great cup of coffee with friends.