Our idea of a guild is an inclusive collective of people connected to nature, community, and culture who share ideas and help one another, working together in collaboration of artistic pursuits and a dedication toward casting light into our experiences through art.
Our doors are always open, please contact us if you have an idea to nurture or would like encouragement on a project and are interested in being a part of the Guild.
Leadership Circle
Courtney is a director, writer and educator based in Massachusetts:
“Up until eleven years ago, my artistic goals were primarily set around standard musical theatre education and production. Then I saw the West End play, War Horse, with its harmonious marriage of vision, tech, music, projections, and puppetry. I had never seen anything like it before in a straight play. It felt bold without being spectacle and everything served to elevate the story. It is a memory I keep coming back to when I think about the theatre practitioner I want to be.
I am so excited to be a part of Alight Theatre Guild and I look forward to exploring the myriad of ways we can tell stories together.”
Courtney Bottomley
she/her
Tony is a creative producer and actor from Richmond, VA. His earliest memory of theater was watching his older brother in a production of Guys and Dolls, he knew then he wanted to bring stories to life.
“As we are at a point “where history and evolution meet”- André De Shields, he hopes Alight Theater Guild creates space for individuals to witness the power of community by leaning into stories different from their own.”
Tony Harris
he/him
NYC Queer Playback Theater CONDUCTOR & MENTOR, was a founding member of Asheville Playback Theatre in 1995. He has remained active in playback since then, and has led dozens of playback workshops for queer people around the USA and internationally. He served on the Board of the International Playback Theatre Network as Treasurer for 8 years. He's thrilled that a seed he planted in a workshop almost 5 years ago is growing so strong in NYCQPT. Mountaine lives in queer community in Tennessee, and loves self-compassion, empathy, intentional dance, ceremony, and opera!
Mountaine Jonas
mostly he
C0-FOUNDER NYC Queer Playback Theater & GIVE LOVE NY
Jamie is an actor, writer and theater practitioner originally from San Diego:
“I was baffled by the precision of Andrew Schneider's YOUARE NOWHERE. The limitlessness of the multimedia concept, and stage magic were jaw-dropping. Plus, he invited everyone to stay after the performance and just hang out with him onstage.
I love the idea of a Guild being a place where artists of many disciplines can collaborate and build an idea together. To create holistically with designers, writers, actors, directors, activists, etc. etc. etc. together from conception has the potential to create something extraordinary.”
Jamie Roach
he/him
CO-CREATOR & HOST of TREE SPEECH PODCAST
Dori is a director, writer and educator from Boston.
“Years ago I saw a production of The Merchant of Venice at the ART (American Repertory Theatre) which highlighted both Shylock and Antonio's otherness, just before the lights fell. This comparison was a completely new thought to me, and left me glued to my seat with a head full of questions. That was the moment I realized the power theatre has to spark ideas, transformations, and stir emotions.
My hope is that Alight will amplify theatre makers who are still developing their voices. Through my work with Alight, I hope to normalize the idea that we ourselves are the work-in-progress, one that is both valuable and heartening.”
Dori Robinson
she/her
RESIDENT MUSIC DIRECTOR, holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Berklee College of Music Boston, MA as well as a degree in mechanical design from SUNY Corning, NY. He studied theater with Charles Combs at Berklee and also trained at Dell'arte school of physical theater in Blue Lake California. Dave has been composing, performing and recording in the NYC avant garde music scene since 2002 releasing numerous albums as a leader and side man. He is the recipient of a Boston Music award and has played at Lincoln Center, Kennedy Center for the arts in Washington, DC and Vision Festival, NYC with artist Henry Grimes, William Hooker, JD Parran, Jason Hwang and many others. Dave is the author of a US patent and has designed and built many unique instruments including the patent pending Outar. He is a passionate music tinkerer. He instantly fell in love with the ability to combine sociological change with improvisational theater, acting and music through the live foley and on the spot scoring that is required in Playback theater. Dave is also owner and CEO of Gleefulwellness LLC which brings uplifting services to the community through art and wellness. Dave is honored to be a proud member of Big Apple Playback Theatre since 2019. You can find him on Spotify and @ Gleefulwellness.com
David Brandon Ross
he/him
CO-FOUNDER GIVE LOVE NY
“Theatre that creates connection inspires me. It is especially beautiful when you can see it happening in the space right there with you. This is one of the many joys of "Give Love New York"! I have also had the gift of bearing witness to this through "Safa's Story" a Forum Theatre project I created and that has been touring since 2018. "Safa's Story" invites audiences into dialogue and action around racial justice. Over the course of the 90-minute play, audiences stop the play and replace the protagonist and the potential ally characters to practice choices that offer a better outcome to the story. Watching people of all ages overcome their nerves and become impassioned to make change, stepping up and into the play gives me such hope.
I believe that if Alight leads with courage and joy, that the possibilities are infinite!”
Catherine Hanna Schrock
she/her
ALIGHT THEATER GUILD FOUNDER
Jonathan is a director, producer and puppet-maker originally from Wisconsin.
“A theatrical experience that had an impact on me was seeing the Knee-high production of BRIEF ENCOUNTER and being moved by the use of source material, music, staging and devised story-telling that represented all I had known and wanted theater to include. I loved every moment.
For me, Alight represents the fine-art’s ability to distill inspiration, creativity and collaboration into something real: a bit of light that lands and illuminates and enhances our everyday experiences with universal truth.”
Jonathan Zautner
he/him