Ensemble — A Host of People

The Ensemble

The core ensemble has been collaborating consistently over many years and multiple projects; this group leads and guides the co-creation, evolution, and growth of A Host of People.

Hover or click on the photos for full bios!

Karilú Alarcón Forshee (she/her) - Co-Creator/PerformerKarilú Alarcón Forshee was raised in Juárez , México . She is an interdisciplinary artist who finds joy creating performances that blend experimental theatre and music; she finds profound inspiration in her roots, and the women in her family. She has been a Detroit based performer and teaching artist since 2011 and a member of the theater company A Host of People since 2013. Karilú currently works as a teaching artist for Living Arts Detroit, University Musical Society and Mosaic Youth Theater of Detroit and recently became a Detroit Kresge Arts Fellow. You can learn more about her artistic journey here. — **Karilú Alarcón Forshee (she/her) - Co-Creator/Performer**
Karilú Alarcón Forshee was raised in Juárez , México . She is an interdisciplinary artist who finds joy creating performances that blend experimental theatre and music; she finds profound inspiration in her roots, and the women in her family. She has been a Detroit based performer and teaching artist since 2011 and a member of the theater company A Host of People since 2013. Karilú currently works as a teaching artist for Living Arts Detroit, University Musical Society and Mosaic Youth Theater of Detroit and recently became a Detroit Kresge Arts Fellow. You can learn more about her artistic journey here.

Sherrine Azab (she/her) - Co-Director/FounderSherrine Azab co-conceives and directs AHOP’s productions as well as facilitates the ensemble’s day to day workings. She is a director, producer, and educator and has worked in Detroit, Seattle, New York, and Berlin. Sherrine holds a BFA from Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle and a postgraduate certificate from the Institute for Curatorial Practice in Performance at Wesleyan University, and was a member of the 2008 Lincoln Center Director’s Lab. She was a 2017-18 UMS Artist in Residence, a 2018 Kresge Arts in Detroit Fellow, and has worked with the Arab American National Museum (Dearborn), The Foundry Theatre (NYC), and the Network of Ensemble Theaters. She is a proud Associate Artist at both Target Margin Theater (NYC) and Ping Chong + Co (NYC). Beyond her artistic/theater life, but woven in and related to it, some additional training of note include participation in the Emergent Strategy Immersion Training in 2018 and as well as intensives with the International Institute of Restorative Practice. — **Sherrine Azab (she/her) - Co-Director/Founder**
Sherrine Azab co-conceives and directs AHOP’s productions as well as facilitates the ensemble’s day to day workings. She is a director, producer, and educator and has worked in Detroit, Seattle, New York, and Berlin. Sherrine holds a BFA from Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle and a postgraduate certificate from the Institute for Curatorial Practice in Performance at Wesleyan University, and was a member of the 2008 Lincoln Center Director’s Lab. She was a 2017-18 UMS Artist in Residence, a 2018 Kresge Arts in Detroit Fellow, and has worked with the Arab American National Museum (Dearborn), The Foundry Theatre (NYC), and the Network of Ensemble Theaters. She is a proud Associate Artist at both Target Margin Theater (NYC) and Ping Chong + Co (NYC). Beyond her artistic/theater life, but woven in and related to it, some additional training of note include participation in the Emergent Strategy Immersion Training in 2018 and as well as intensives with the International Institute of Restorative Practice.

Dorothy Melander-Dayton (she/her) - Co-Creator/DesignerDorothy Melander-Dayton is a theater maker and artist. She obtained her Bachelor’s in Visual Studies from the University of Pennsylvania in 2011 and her Master’s in Performance Design and Practice from Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London in 2014. Dorothy has been working as a designer and core ensemble member with A Host of People since 2015.In addition to working with AHOP, Dorothy is a freelance theater designer and artist, maintaining a practice that encompasses live and mediated performance, video, and installation. She has worked internationally in Greece, the UK, Germany, Japan, Taiwan, Italy, and Mexico. Dorothy shares her time between Detroit and Santa Fe.Website: surrenderdorothy.orgInstagram: dorothy505 — **Dorothy Melander-Dayton (she/her) - Co-Creator/Designer**
Dorothy Melander-Dayton is a theater maker and artist. She obtained her Bachelor’s in Visual Studies from the University of Pennsylvania in 2011 and her Master’s in Performance Design and Practice from Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London in 2014. Dorothy has been working as a designer and core ensemble member with A Host of People since 2015.
In addition to working with AHOP, Dorothy is a freelance theater designer and artist, maintaining a practice that encompasses live and mediated performance, video, and installation. She has worked internationally in Greece, the UK, Germany, Japan, Taiwan, Italy, and Mexico. Dorothy shares her time between Detroit and Santa Fe.
Website: surrenderdorothy.org
Instagram: dorothy505

Aja Dier (she/her) - Co-Creator/Performer)Aja Dier (aka Salakastar) is a Detroit born and based actor, singer-songwriter, poet, and teaching artist working in theatre, television, film, and music. She earned her BFA and completed her classical acting training at the State University of New York at Purchase College. She is an artist-in-residence at Poetic Societies, a member of the touring company of I, Too, Sing America at the Michigan Opera Theatre and a founding member of iii Sisters, a Detroit-based feminist writing ensemble. Previous AHOP credits include Re-Release Party (The Golden Record), Neither There, Nor Here, and Cleopatra Boy. She is a 2018 Gilda Award Winner and a 2020 Kresge Artist Fellow in Live Arts awarded by the Kresge foundation. Outside of her professional artistic practice she loves fashion, spending time with her cat, listening to records, being an auntie, and making delicious vegan meals. Follow her on Instagram @shestoopstoconquer. — **Aja Dier (she/her) - Co-Creator/Performer**
Aja Dier (aka Salakastar) is a Detroit born and based actor, singer-songwriter, poet, and teaching artist working in theatre, television, film, and music. She earned her BFA and completed her classical acting training at the State University of New York at Purchase College. She is an artist-in-residence at Poetic Societies, a member of the touring company of *I, Too, Sing America* at the Michigan Opera Theatre and a founding member of iii Sisters, a Detroit-based feminist writing ensemble. Previous AHOP credits include *Re-Release Party (The Golden Record), Neither There, Nor Here, and Cleopatra Boy*. She is a 2018 Gilda Award Winner and a 2020 Kresge Artist Fellow in Live Arts awarded by the Kresge foundation. Outside of her professional artistic practice she loves fashion, spending time with her cat, listening to records, being an auntie, and making delicious vegan meals. Follow her on Instagram @shestoopstoconquer.

Jake Hooker (he/they) - Co-Director/FounderJake Hooker is a writer, director, projection designer, scholar, and educator. With A Host of People, his work ranges from generating text, including many poems, designing and creating video, projections, and technology, dramaturgy, co-directing, and even occasionally performing. With the company, his work has been seen at ArtlabJ, Detroit Contemporary, Play House, the Jam Handy, Light Box, Sidewalk Detroit, N'Namdi Center for Contemporary Art, and Andy, as well as elsewhere in the US and abroad. He is a 2018 Kresge Artist Fellow and an Associate Artist with Target Margin Theatre in NYC. Prior to co-founding A Host of People, his work had been seen in Seattle, New York, Berlin, and the UK at venues such as HERE, Dixon Place, The Chocolate Factory, La Mama, The Bushwick Starr, The Ohio Theater, Ida Nowhere and many others. He was the Company Manager and Assistant Director for Big Dance Theatre (NYC), as the recipient of a 2005-2007 TCG New Generations Grant. He holds a BFA in Original Works from Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, an MA in Performance Studies from the University of Wales and an MPhil in Theories of Theatre from the City University of New York Graduate Center where he is nearing completion of his PhD dissertation on contemporary performance practice in deindustrialized cities. He teaches in the theatre departments of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor and Oakland University. — **Jake Hooker (he/they) - Co-Director/Founder**
Jake Hooker is a writer, director, projection designer, scholar, and educator. With A Host of People, his work ranges from generating text, including many poems, designing and creating video, projections, and technology, dramaturgy, co-directing, and even occasionally performing. With the company, his work has been seen at ArtlabJ, Detroit Contemporary, Play House, the Jam Handy, Light Box, Sidewalk Detroit, N'Namdi Center for Contemporary Art, and Andy, as well as elsewhere in the US and abroad. He is a 2018 Kresge Artist Fellow and an Associate Artist with Target Margin Theatre in NYC. Prior to co-founding A Host of People, his work had been seen in Seattle, New York, Berlin, and the UK at venues such as HERE, Dixon Place, The Chocolate Factory, La Mama, The Bushwick Starr, The Ohio Theater, Ida Nowhere and many others. He was the Company Manager and Assistant Director for Big Dance Theatre (NYC), as the recipient of a 2005-2007 TCG New Generations Grant. He holds a BFA in Original Works from Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, an MA in Performance Studies from the University of Wales and an MPhil in Theories of Theatre from the City University of New York Graduate Center where he is nearing completion of his PhD dissertation on contemporary performance practice in deindustrialized cities. He teaches in the theatre departments of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor and Oakland University.

Dante jones — **Dante Jones (he/they)**
Danté is an actor, singer, and mover best described as multifaceted. Danté began his creative journey at the Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit and the Detroit Repertory Theatre. He then went on to earn his BFA from Wayne State University where he studied abroad at the Moscow Art Theatre School.With his degree and certification, Danté began to work in the creative community from whence he came with arts organizations such as, Shakespeare in Detroit, The Ringwald Theatre, and Detroit Public Theatre. He's grateful that his journey has been intwinted with A Host of People from *The Harrowing*, to the touring company of *Cleopatra Boy*, *Dot's Home*, and now excitingly as an ensemble member

Amanda Grace Ewing (she/her) - Co-Creator/Dramaturg/Production ManagerAmanda Grace Ewing has spent much of her career collaborating with community driven arts organizations such as AHOP and BoxFest Detroit, a women's directing festival where she is the Artistic Director. She is the Director of the University of Michigan's Educational Theatre Company, an applied theatre company that uses educational theatre to teach students about issues they might encounter during their college career. Amanda works primarily as a director, dramaturg, and production manager. She has a Master of Arts from King’s College, London in Theatre & Performance Studies, is a third generation Arab American, and is based in Dearborn, MI.Website: https://amandagraceewing.comBoxFest Website: https://boxfestdetroit.comETC's Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/etcUM/ — **Amanda Grace Ewing (she/her) - Co-Creator/Dramaturg/Production Manager**
As a long time AHOP fan, Amanda is thrilled to be a part of the Core Ensemble. She is an educator, director, dramaturg, and intimacy choreographer. She is the former Director of the University of Michigan's Educational Theatre Company (ETC) and former Artistic Director of BoxFest Detroit. Amanda’s current creative work is parenting - she tells stories, plays pretend, and problem solves every day. She has a Master of Arts from King’s College, London in Theatre & Performance Studies, is a third generation Arab American, and is based in Dearborn, MI. Selected credits include: *Fire in the Theatre* (Dramaturg, AHOP), *Kayak* (Director, Matrix Theatre Company), *Detroit ‘67* (Intimacy Choreographer, Detroit Public Theatre)
Website: https://amandagraceewing.com
BoxFest Website: https://boxfestdetroit.com
ETC's Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/etcUM/

Chris Jakob (they/them) - Co-Creator/PerformerChris Jakob is a queer, interdisciplinary performance artist born, raised and based in Detroit, MI. Holding a BA in Theatre from University of Detroit Mercy, he is an actor, singer, dancer, poet, playwright and teaching artist focused on the creation of fresh, thought-provoking, experimental work. He has performed at Detroit Repertory Theatre, Ringwald Theatre, Jewish Ensemble Theatre, Planet Ant, Shakespeare in Detroit, and Matrix Theatre. Recent work includes the world premiere of Cleopatra Boy with AHOP in Detroit; previews of LOGOS, his new solo-performance-choreopoem, at Sidewalk Festival 2019; and the tour of his play, I, Too, Sing America, produced by the Michigan Opera Theatre.IG: @chris.o.jakob // www.chrisjakob.com — **Chris Jakob (they/them) - Co-Creator/Performer**
Chris Jakob is a queer, interdisciplinary performance artist born, raised and based in Detroit, MI. Holding a BA in Theatre from University of Detroit Mercy, he is an actor, singer, dancer, poet, playwright and teaching artist focused on the creation of fresh, thought-provoking, experimental work. He has performed at Detroit Repertory Theatre, Ringwald Theatre, Jewish Ensemble Theatre, Planet Ant, Shakespeare in Detroit, and Matrix Theatre. Recent work includes the world premiere of *Cleopatra Boy* with AHOP in Detroit; previews of *LOGOS,* his new solo-performance-choreopoem, at Sidewalk Festival 2019; and the tour of his play, *I, Too, Sing America*, produced by the Michigan Opera Theatre.
IG: @chris.o.jakob // www.chrisjakob.com

Morgan Hutson (she/her) - Co-Creator/PerformerMorgan Hutson is Supercoolwicked, a freedom-focused interdisciplinary artist finding joy as a singer, actor, dancer, teaching artist, and proud member of A Host of People. She made her debut with the show, Cleopatra Boy, in 2019. Her layered identities have manifested into various art forms in diverse spaces ranging from opening up for Jack White at the Detroit Bernie Sanders rally, a feature in the Dazed, Carhartt WIP, and Motown documentary “Showing Up Showing Out”, collaborating with Grammy Winner Esperanza Spalding and other Detroit artists for the 2020 Allied Media Conference, and gracing the cover of the “2020 Bands to Watch” edition of The Detroit Metro Times. Morgan is also a proud Artist in Residence at Assemble Sound. Be sure to follow the fire @Supercoolwicked on Instagram and find Morgan on the world wide web at WWW.SUPERCOOLWICKED.COM. — **Morgan Hutson (she/her) - Co-Creator/Performer**
Morgan Hutson is Supercoolwicked, a freedom-focused interdisciplinary artist finding joy as a singer, actor, dancer, teaching artist, and proud member of A Host of People. She made her debut with the show, Cleopatra Boy, in 2019. Her layered identities have manifested into various art forms in diverse spaces ranging from opening up for Jack White at the Detroit Bernie Sanders rally, a feature in the Dazed, Carhartt WIP, and Motown documentary *“Showing Up Showing Out”*, collaborating with Grammy Winner Esperanza Spalding and other Detroit artists for the 2020 Allied Media Conference, and gracing the cover of the “2020 Bands to Watch” edition of The Detroit Metro Times. Morgan is also a proud Artist in Residence at Assemble Sound. Be sure to follow the fire @Supercoolwicked on Instagram and find Morgan on the world wide web at WWW.SUPERCOOLWICKED.COM.

Chantel Gaidica (she/her) - Co-Creator/Producer/Lighting Designer)Chantel is proud to be a part of AHOP's Core Ensemble, she serves as both the company's producer and lighting designer. She is a graduate of New York University, Tisch School of the Arts and feels incredibly lucky to be working in with incredible artists in Detroit, New York, and elsewhere whenever possible. Selected lighting credits include Cleopatra Boy (AHOP), Hedwig and the Angry Inch (Detroit Public Theater), The Moors (Aquinas College), Fred (On The Rocks/Dixon Place), Neither There, Nor Here (AHOP), and Re-Release Party: The Golden Record (AHOP). She is honored to work alongside the artists of AHOP. Her work is dedicated to her amazing partner Charlie, and their incredibly funny and boisterous kiddos Lucelenia & Claudia. www.chantelgaidica.com — **Chantel Gaidica (she/her) - Co-Creator/Producer/Lighting Designer**
Chantel is proud to be a part of AHOP's Core Ensemble, she serves as both the company's producer and lighting designer. She is a graduate of New York University, Tisch School of the Arts and feels incredibly lucky to be working in with incredible artists in Detroit, New York, and elsewhere whenever possible. Selected lighting credits include *Cleopatra Boy* (AHOP), *Hedwig and the Angry Inch* (Detroit Public Theater), *The Moors* (Aquinas College), *Fred* (On The Rocks/Dixon Place), *Neither There, Nor Here* (AHOP), and *Re-Release Party: The Golden Record* (AHOP). She is honored to work alongside the artists of AHOP. Her work is dedicated to her amazing partner Charlie, and their incredibly funny and boisterous kiddos Lucelenia & Claudia. www.chantelgaidica.com

**Vanessa Mukes, Stage & Ensemble Manager (she/her)**
Born from parents who excelled in Wayne State University’s Theater program, Vanessa was enthralled with the finesse of stage production from a young age. She started working in stage production at her local church theater, gaining hands-on experience during a production of A Christmas Carol designing and building sets. She also headed the design and building of unique sets for sermon series at her church’s behest. Recently, she has started the exciting journey of becoming the new Stage and Ensemble Manager at A Host of People, touring with them for their production of Cleopatra Boy. Vanessa really enjoys being part of a team and a creative process that entertains people and is passionate about supporting work onstage from behind the scenes.

Ensemble Members At Large

Ensemble members have been working with us in deep collaboration over the last couple of years, and ensemble members at large are folks that have been undeniably important to the creation of this organization and body of work and are connected to us no matter where in the world they may be.

Torri Lynn Ashford (she/her) - Co-Creator/Performer has performed with local ensemble-based theaters including; A Host of People, The Hinterlands, Matrix Theatre, PuppetART Theater and CMAP to name a few. She has also been a teaching artist with Living Arts and Detroit Wolf Trap (2017-2019). She headed children’s puppet workshops and summer camps at PuppetART Theater (2012-2017). In 2017, she was awarded a New Leaders grant from the Michigan Council for Arts & Cultural Affairs from her work leading CMAP’s Community Outreach Initiatives for their Detroit commission and residency of the world-renowned Bread & Puppet Theater. At present Torri Lynn is a resident company member and puppeteer with Bread and Puppet Theater (Glover, VT). — **Torri Lynn Ashford (she/her) - Co-Creator/Performer** has performed with local ensemble-based theaters including; A Host of People, The Hinterlands, Matrix Theatre, PuppetART Theater and CMAP to name a few. She has also been a teaching artist with Living Arts and Detroit Wolf Trap (2017-2019). She headed children’s puppet workshops and summer camps at PuppetART Theater (2012-2017). In 2017, she was awarded a New Leaders grant from the Michigan Council for Arts & Cultural Affairs from her work leading CMAP’s Community Outreach Initiatives for their Detroit commission and residency of the world-renowned Bread & Puppet Theater. At present Torri Lynn is a resident company member and puppeteer with Bread and Puppet Theater (Glover, VT).

Corinne Donly (they/them) - Co-Creator/Performer/Dramaturgy Corinne Donly (they/them) has had the honor of creating theater with A Host of People since 2009, having collaborated on Fire in the Theater!, The Modern Woman, The Harrowing, and several earlier pieces. Based within the traditional territory of the Munsee Lenape (Brooklyn, New York), Corinne is a playwright, an educator, and a lover of all that is liminal. — **Corinne Donly (they/them) - Co-Creator/Performer/Dramaturgy**

Corinne Donly (they/them) has had the honor of creating theater with A Host of People since 2009, having collaborated on *Fire in the Theater!*, *The Modern Woman, The Harrowing,* and several earlier pieces. Based within the traditional territory of the Munsee Lenape (Brooklyn, New York), Corinne is a playwright, an educator, and a lover of all that is liminal.

Carolyn Mraz (she/they) - Designer)CAROLYN MRAZ (she/they) Carolyn is a set designer and educator. She loves inventive yet dramaturgically sound uses of space for performer and audience alike, and spectacular yet utilitarian visual methods of story-telling. In these particular times of COVID, racial justice uprising, and political unrest, Carolyn is most interested in how we can all hear unheard stories more clearly.With AHOP, designs include: The Harrowing, and Life is Happening to Us Again.An Oberlin alum with an MFA from NYU/Tisch, Carolyn is an USA 829 union member and teaches at Williams College.www.cmraz.com — **Carolyn Mraz (she/they) - Designer**
CAROLYN MRAZ (she/they) Carolyn is a set designer and educator. She loves inventive yet dramaturgically sound uses of space for performer and audience alike, and spectacular yet utilitarian visual methods of story-telling. In these particular times of COVID, racial justice uprising, and political unrest, Carolyn is most interested in how we can all hear unheard stories more clearly.
With AHOP, designs include: *The Harrowing*, and *Life is Happening to Us Again*.
An Oberlin alum with an MFA from NYU/Tisch, Carolyn is an USA 829 union member and teaches at Williams College.
www.cmraz.com

John Del Gaudio (he/him) - Co-Creator/Dramaturgy/President of the Board of Directors)John Del Gaudio is a theater producer/maker living in NYC. With A Host of People: The Harrowing and Re-Release Party. Other collaborators have included William Burke, Kate Benson, Clare Barron, Corinne Donly, Lee Sunday Evans, Julia Jarcho, Haruna Lee, Carolyn Mraz, Daaimah Mubashshir, Aya Ogawa, Sarah Cameron Sunde, and Jillian Walker. He is an associated artist of Target Margin Theater and Reading Series Co-Curator (and former Producing Director) at The Bushwick Starr. — **John Del Gaudio (he/him) - Co-Creator/Dramaturgy/President of the Board of Directors**
John Del Gaudio is a theater producer/maker living in NYC. With A Host of People: *The Harrowing* and *Re-Release Party*. Other collaborators have included William Burke, Kate Benson, Clare Barron, Corinne Donly, Lee Sunday Evans, Julia Jarcho, Haruna Lee, Carolyn Mraz, Daaimah Mubashshir, Aya Ogawa, Sarah Cameron Sunde, and Jillian Walker. He is an associated artist of Target Margin Theater and Reading Series Co-Curator (and former Producing Director) at The Bushwick Starr.

Collaborators

Collaborators are artists that we work with consistently and deeply on a project by project basis.

Charlie Gaidica (he/him)Charlie Gaidica, a Metro Detroit native, is an Architect, Scenic Designer, and Educator. Before returning home to pursue his M.Arch at the University of Michigan he worked in New York, serving as Technical Director for NYU’s Playwrights Horizons Theater School for three years. During this time he managed hundreds of student productions, taught professional collaboration, and designed work for the NYC Fringe Festival, Te Ilum Theater & Arts, and MultipurposeRoom. He is currently a Senior Designer for Fielding International, a global leader in innovative educational and architectural services, but seeks opportunities for experiential design in all that he does. — Charlie Gaidica (he/him)
Charlie Gaidica, a Metro Detroit native, is an Architect, Scenic Designer, and Educator. Before returning home to pursue his M.Arch at the University of Michigan he worked in New York, serving as Technical Director for NYU’s Playwrights Horizons Theater School for three years. During this time he managed hundreds of student productions, taught professional collaboration, and designed work for the NYC Fringe Festival, Te Ilum Theater & Arts, and MultipurposeRoom. He is currently a Senior Designer for Fielding International, a global leader in innovative educational and architectural services, but seeks opportunities for experiential design in all that he does.

Renee Willoughby (she/her)Renee Willoughby is a multimedia artist living in Hamtramck, MI. Her work centers around collage, ghosts + telematics.Web: reneekindling.comIG: @_renalien_ — **Renee Willoughby (she/her)**
Renee Willoughby is a multimedia artist living in Hamtramck, MI. Her work centers around collage, ghosts + telematics.
**Web:** **reneekindling.com**
**IG: @_renalien_**

Billy Mark (he/him)Billy Mark is an interdisciplinary artist who lives and works in Detroit. He’s married to fiber artist, Sarah Mark. His areas of exploration lately have been embodied poetics, experimental liturgies, site-specific music and poetry, and the creative and spiritual resources found in monasticism. Billy has performed in AHOP's show Life is Happening to Us Again, and created sound and music for The Harrowing, Re-Release Party (The Golden Record), and Neither There, Nor Here. — **Billy Mark (he/him)**
Billy Mark is an interdisciplinary artist who lives and works in Detroit. He’s married to fiber artist, Sarah Mark. His areas of exploration lately have been embodied poetics, experimental liturgies, site-specific music and poetry, and the creative and spiritual resources found in monasticism. Billy has performed in AHOP's show *Life is Happening to Us Again*, and created sound and music for *The Harrowing*, *Re-Release Party (The Golden Record)*, and *Neither There, Nor Here.*

Eleni Theodora Zaharopoulos (she/her) Eleni Theodora Zaharopoulos has an interdisciplinary practice that spans the literary, visual, and performing arts. She draws inspiration through collaboration and dialogue, often creating relational work shaped… — **Eleni Theodora Zaharopoulos (she/her)**
Eleni Theodora Zaharopoulos has an interdisciplinary practice that spans the literary, visual, and performing arts. She draws inspiration through collaboration and dialogue, often creating relational work shaped by friends, family, and lived experience. Projects, schemes, and ideas-in-general are born from a place of curiosity and approached intuitively. Born to Greek parents, she was raised a First-Gen Americana in Queens, NY. Check out her work at happyabandon.com.

Maddy Rager (she/her)Maddy Rager is a Metro Detroit based performer and teaching artist who received her BFA in Dance with a minor in Performing Arts Management from the University of Michigan in 2014 and graduated from the Interlochen Arts Academy in 2010. Maddy began working with A Host of People in 2016 as a stage manager and now collaborates with the company as a choreographer/dance director. Maddy is ½ of the performance duo Thank You So Much For Coming alongside Scott Crandall, and is also a co-founder of the dance organization Collective Sweat Detroit. Maddy is originally from Bellaire, MI.thankyousomuchforcoming.com | collectivesweatdetroit.org — **Maddy Rager (she/her)**
Maddy Rager is a Metro Detroit based performer and teaching artist who received her BFA in Dance with a minor in Performing Arts Management from the University of Michigan in 2014 and graduated from the Interlochen Arts Academy in 2010. Maddy began working with A Host of People in 2016 as a stage manager and now collaborates with the company as a choreographer/dance director. Maddy is ½ of the performance duo Thank You So Much For Coming alongside Scott Crandall, and is also a co-founder of the dance organization Collective Sweat Detroit. Maddy is originally from Bellaire, MI.
thankyousomuchforcoming.com | collectivesweatdetroit.org

Sam Watson (they/them) - Co-Creator/PerformerSam Watson (They/Them) is a performer and farmer. They have been working with A Host of People since 2014, as a performer/creator in Life is Happening to Us Again, The Modern Woman, Re-Release Party (The Golden Record), and Neither There, Nor Here. They worked as a performer, creator, and community engagement producer on The Harrowing, which is when they discovered that their other calling is to grow food. If interested in building radical, sustainable, intersectional, anti-racist, queer community in deep relationship to land and food, please reach out to them at sam@ahostofpeople.org. — **Sam Watson (they/them) - Co-Creator/Performer**
Sam Waylon Watson (They/Them) is a performer, gardener, builder, and adventurer. They received an MA in Performance Studies from King’s College, London in 2013, and started working with A Host of People pretty immediately upon their return in 2014. They worked as a performer/creator in Life is Happening to Us Again, The Modern Woman, Re-Release Party (The Golden Record), and Neither There, Nor Here. They worked as a performer, creator, and community engagement producer on The Harrowing, which is when it really hit home that they want to spend the bulk of their life outside with as many plants and bugs as possible. If interested in building radical, sustainable, intersectional, anti-racist, queer community in deep relationship to land and food, please reach out to them at sam@ahostofpeople.org.

Board of Directors

John Del Gaudio, President, Producer, Mercury Store, Brooklyn, NY

Sherrine Azab, Treasurer, Co-director, A Host of People, Detroit, MI

Jake Hooker, Secretary, Co-director, A Host of People; Leo Lecturer, University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre, and Dance, Detroit, MI

Brooke Harris, Voting Rights Manager, Michigan League of Conservation Voters, Detroit, MI

Lindsey Robillard, Fund Development Officer, TechTown, Detroit, MI

Salakastar, A Host of People Ensemble Representative, Detroit, MI

Advisory Board

Ryah Aqel, Curator of Education & Public Programming, Arab American National Museum, Dearborn, MI

Diana Konopka, Institutional and Major Gifts Director, Minnesota Opera, Minneapolis, MN

Imani Mixon, Journalist, Detroit, MI

Tony Pascente, CPA, Houston, TX

The photos featured on this page were taken by Garret MacLean, Andrew Miller, Dustin Drankoski, and Baraa Ktiri