ABOUT US

Director of Advancement

Ninette Ayala

Ninette Ayala is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) with over 15 years of experience as a grant writing and fundraising professional for nonprofits throughout Los Angeles County. Ninette‘s commitment to supporting children and youth from marginalized communities stems from her own experience as a Central American immigrant youth growing up in Los Angeles. She is a founding member of the Refugee Children Center and continues to serve as a volunteer member of the Advisory Board. As a member of AWOKE’s Board of Directors, Ninette provides administrative support and technical assistance on compliance, establishing policies, securing funding, and developing programs in response to emerging community needs. Ninette earned a Master of Arts degree in Psychology from Pepperdine University and collectively has over twenty years of experience in the nonprofit sector. Ninette believes that all youth should have access to the arts and theatre and is excited to join The Unusual Suspects Theatre Company.

Teaching Artist

Christopher Baker

Christopher Baker, the rising star in the entertainment and theatre industry. With a BFA in Acting and a Minor in Education, Christopher has honed his craft through years of experience in community, regional, and educational theatre. Originally from Florida, Christopher’s passion for storytelling led him to Los Angeles where he’s making waves as a resident teaching artist at Dramatic Results, The Advot Project, Improv it Up, and recently joined the team of The Unusual Suspects. His dedication to his craft and infectious enthusiasm have gained him a reputation as one of the most personable and talented performance artists in the industry. Keep an eye out for Christopher Baker, as he continues to make his mark on the entertainment world.

Program Coordinator

Marcus Baldwin

Marcus Baldwin earned a BFA in acting from the California Institute of the Arts in 2020 and went on to successfully pursue acting full-time in Los Angeles, appearing in a variety of projects across Film, Television, and New Media. His experience as a Program Manager for Sages & Seekers and as a Marketing Assistant for HartmanBaldwin Design/Build both provided him with vital skills in outreach, program development, and social media management. But his first introduction to administrative work, as well as to education and social justice, began with an internship for The Unusual Suspects back in 2019. Since then, he has been a frequent supporter, Volunteer Mentor, and Teaching Artist for the company, and looks forward to making a greater impact in this new role as a Program Coordinator. Above all, Marcus is passionate about serving under-resourced and incarcerated youth, and hopes to be instrumental in carving out a path for their future success in the arts and beyond!

Teaching Artist

Michael Bauer

Michael Bauer is an actor, writer and producer with an MFA in theater from UCLA and a BFA from NYU Tisch School of the Arts. Michael is a founding member of the international theater company, “Loom Ensemble,” as well as the circus company, “Svindelic Circus Troupe.” He has been teaching drama, sports, and circus arts for over ten years and currently teaches acting at UCLA. Michael is a published playwright, professional actor, award-winning filmmaker, and producing showrunner of the soon to be released kids show, “Space Lightning.” 

Executive Director

Abiram Brizuela

Abiram Brizuela is a Venezuelan-born arts executive and a multidisciplinary artist whose work straddles theater, film, music, and themed entertainment. Before joining The Unusual Suspects Theatre Company as its Executive Director, Abiram served as Director of Artist Community at the Sundance Institute, overseeing a community of over 20,000 independent artists emerging from the world-famous Sundance Film Festival as well as the institute’s ongoing programs, grants, and funds.

Since 2007, Abiram has worked as a Director and Composer on more than 30 international productions, including Wartime Stories to Sleep in Peace by Karin Valecillos, winner of the Municipal Theatre Award for Best Original Score in 2008, and an ambitious adaptation of Jules Verne’s Journey To The Center Of The Earth, winner of three Municipal Theatre Awards for Best Director, Best Original Score, and Best Children’s Play in 2010.

Since relocating to the United States in 2010, Abiram has led multiple arts education programs, including Miami Music Project, MusicWorks, and The Harmony Project, has served as an advisor and keynote speaker for the Los Angeles Philharmonic and El Sistema USA and continues his support for diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in the arts through his work with Peter Golub at the Film Music Lab as well as Antigravity Academy with actor Kelly Marie Tran and Academy Award nominee, Carlos Lopez Estrada.

Teaching Artist

Chris De La Cruz

Chris De La Cruz is an Afro-Latino comedian, storyteller, and educator. He’s hosted for The Moth, SoulPancake, and Spotify’s morning show “The Get Up”, but the only thing his students care about is that he once handed a bunny to Kevin Hart on The Tonight Show. In 2021, he won the Yes, And Laughter Lab with his show “Getting Schooled with Chris De La Cruz,” the news satire talk show for young people about what’s wrong with school and what they can do about it. Outside of his work in comedy, he has taught theater and storytelling in every borough of New York City, was a Keynote Speaker at SXSWEdu, and was a high school teacher at South Bronx Community Charter High School. Now pursuing acting and comedy in Los Angeles, he was featured in the HBO Max Pilot Presentation “Sherlock Homies” and is a regular performer at the UCB Theater.

Program Coordinator

Arcadia Eckmayer

Arcadia Eckmayer is a passionate arts advocate and Southern California native. She graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with a BA in Social Welfare and minors in Theatre and Education. While she first engaged with theatre via acting, she quickly grew impassioned about theatre education and its intersections with social justice. She began her work as a Student Ambassador with Center Theatre Group and later served as an Intern at the San Francisco Opera.

Teaching Artist

Erik Escobar

Erik Escobar is a professional comedian, actor, and teaching artist born and raised in Los Angeles. He began his journey with The Unusual Suspects in 2010 as part of the Los Angeles County Arts Commission’s Internship Program, and has been a regular teaching artist with the organization since 2012, providing in-depth theatre-arts education and mentorship to middle- and high-school students, as well as incarcerated and system-engaged minors. During this time, Erik has also taught with a variety of additional local arts organizations and schools, such as Center for the Arts Eagle Rock, University of Portland, and Spokane’s The Blue Door Theater. He is a comic who currently performs all over the United States at clubs, colleges, and festivals, both individually, with the Almost Asian Comedy Tour, and opening for acts such as Rex Navarette and Jerry Seinfeld. You can hear him tell jokes on NBC’s Last Comic Standing, Comedy Central, and Vh1. Erik has a B.A. in Film, Theatre, and Management from Whittier College and is currently working toward his M.F.A. from Goddard College.

Director of Communications

Carina Gavino

Carina Gavino is a graduate of the University of California, Santa Cruz with a BA in Psychology and Sociology. She has been involved in social justice work as a researcher, programs assistant, educator, project coordinator, and was awarded the UC Art & Design Placemaking Initiative Grant for the collaborated photo-voice project “We Belong”. Carina is passionate about bringing together social justice work and art as a tool to learn, express, and advocate.

Teaching Artist

Jeanette Godoy

Jeanette Godoy is an Interdisciplinary Artivista (Actor, Costume Designer, Director, and Social Justice Educator). She was raised in Inglewood, California, and received her BA in Liberal Studies with a Specialization in Chicana/o Studies from San Diego State University.  In addition, Jeanette holds a BCLAD Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and an MFA in Theater with a double focus in Acting and Costume Design from UCLA’s School of Theater, Film, and Television. Jeanette is the founder of TIZAPAPALOTL Productions, which works with community and professionals in film, television, and theatre to create content that promotes healing through the understanding of cultura (culture), community, and decolonization in order to create social and systematic change, and owner of LA PACHUCADA, which specializes in vintage and recycled clothing. You can follow her work via IG: @misskahlo.

Teaching Artist

Jessie Goodman

Jessie Goodman is a licensed therapist and an AEA actor who received her BFA in Acting from Shenandoah Conservatory and her MSW from the University of Pittsburgh with a certificate in Mental Health. She has performed in independent film, tv, theatre, and commercials in Los Angeles, New York, and regionally around the U.S. She recently completed the post-graduate screenwriting program at UCLA and is writing feature films.

Sr. Director of Operations

Michael Halpin

Michael has been a longtime supporter of The Unusual Suspects and has a fierce belief that the arts are an important piece in a child’s development of confidence, collaboration, and success – no matter where their future takes them. For many years he has been involved in the Los Angeles arts community as an actor, singer, and long ago, a dancer. Michael has also been active, as a volunteer, with the non-profit organizations; Hearts In Motion and Meals on Wheels.

His business background comes with more than 20 years’ experience in Operations and Facility Management, and he is a certified LEED AP (Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design). He began his career as general manager of a wholesale bread manufacturing company where he was eventually promoted to VP of Operations, then moved to a software telecommunications company, and recently worked at a global, commercial real estate organization. Joining The Unusual Suspects is the perfect place to share his passion for the arts and experience in business management.

Director of Community Partnerships

Anisa Hamdan

Anisa A. Hamdan is a passionate teacher, director, producer, and actor. As an educator, she enjoys creating innovative arts experiences for youth to empower them to be themselves, use their voices and make choices. Recently, she directed arts-integrated leadership workshops for teens to develop their social-emotional skills. As the Program Manager at Inner-City Arts, she was delighted to work with dedicated and talented Teaching Artists, supportive schoolteachers, and curious students who gained confidence through the programming. After graduating from UCLA School of Theatre, Film, and TV, she became the California Science Center’s Education Theatre Director and produced a touring Spanish bi-lingual musical. Her vast experience comes from running multiple theaters and developing youth programs for the City of Los Angeles. She is a recipient of a HERO award presented to her by LA Mayor Eric Garcetti for service to the Los Angeles community.

She was born in Maryland, grew up in Lebanon, Jordan, and Kuwait, and as a teen came back to California where she connected to her Mexican heritage and learned to speak Spanish. As a seven-year-old, she fell in love with the community of theatrical artists who gave her confidence to always be herself. Today, her focus is on serving the larger community by providing exceptional experiences that connect people, bring awareness and have a positive impact.

Teaching Artist

Bonnie Kaplan

Bonnie S. Kaplan is an educator, poet, and artist born and raised in the San Fernando Valley. She is thrilled to begin her journey with The Unusual Suspects in the VIP Program. Bonnie has over two decades of experience working full-time as a teacher with programs of parole and probation in California. She believes art and acting are central to healing in individuals and communities. She has studied improv and storytelling with Ann Randolph and character-based comedy with Steve and Barb North. She has performed comedy with the Valley Rep at LA Connection and produced and starred in a series for Public Access Television. She holds an MFA in Performance Art from California College of the Arts (formerly CCAC, Oakland). As a Writer in the Schools for Redhen Press, she currently teaches poetry to middle schoolers.

Teaching Artist

Gloria De Leon

Gloria De Leon is an actress and writer, from Santa Paula, CA. She graduated from UCLA School of Theater, Film, and Television with a degree in theater and has performed bilingually in Spanish and English in LA and Ventura counties. She is a founding member of the sketch comedy team FATCH, and you can hear her voice-over work on Netflix’s El Chapo, Gentefied, and Nailed It!. Gloria LOVES the DRAMA, and she is the producer and host of Noveleando, a podcast all about telenovela fandom.

Teaching Artist

Lea Madda

Born and raised in the San Fernando Valley, Lea Madda (she/her) is a theater artist, educator, and voiceover actor. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Classical Voice Performance from Boston University and an MFA in Acting from the UCLA School of Theater, Film, and Television. Lea is extraordinarily passionate about sharing her love for theater and the arts with the next generation of Angelenos. She instructs Theater History and Movement at the Theater of Arts Hollywood Acting School as well as Scene Study and Shakespeare at UCLA. Lea has taught workshops and masterclasses at A Place Called Home, HOLA, and the Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum. In addition to teaching, Lea performs regularly in the Los Angeles area, prioritizing storytelling that reflects our ever-evolving social landscape. Proud member of SAG-AFTRA and AEA.

Advancement Coordinator

Sierra Marcks-O’Neill

Sierra Marcks-O’Neill is a theatremaker, voice actor, and mother. She serves on the Board of Directors for Theatre of Note and has performed there, as well as numerous other theatres in NYC and LA. Her passion is working on new plays and being a part of the development process for new theatre works. She received her BFA in Acting from Marymount Manhattan College and holds a Bookkeeping Certificate from Santa Monica College.

Teaching Artist

Alaji Marie

Alaji is a revolutionary teaching artist expanding the hearts and minds of her students through Theatre,
Meditation, and Creative Writing. She was born and raised in Detroit, making her an authentic spirit who
is easy to connect with in any space. Alaji is on a lifetime mission of breaking generational cycles with
the power of storytelling & community building. Alaji is at true alignment when teaching, she believes art
opens the door to healing, powerful peace, and transformation.

Teaching Artist

Natasha Mercado

Natasha Mercado is an actress, director, producer, writer, and theatre arts educator. She moved to Los Angeles, became a clown and the rest is history. You can see her on Adult Swim, Amazon, HBO, TBS, and stages across LA. She created “Send in the Clowns”, the first monthly clown show at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre and is currently touring her award-winning solo show “Tree” —which was called “one of LA’s
Top Ten Shows” and “a must-see” by Stage Raw and the Times Colonist.  She has virtually taught adults and children at Stomping Ground Comedy Theatre along with a workshop called “Playful Mindfulness” sponsored by the National Alzheimer’s Association to implement improv into the world of caregiving. In 2020, she was named
an “Emerging Content Creator” by the National Association of Latino Independent Producers. She was a director and producer for branded events at UCB and brought customized comedy programs to groups across the country including improv, sketch, storytelling, and public speaking intensives.

Teaching Artist

Nabra Nelson

Nabra Nelson is a community organizer and theater creator from Egypt, Nubia, and California. As a teaching artist, playwright, director, dramaturg, and consultant she works with theaters, schools, universities, and community organizations across the nation to strengthen community and amplify under-heard voices. She is a founding company member of the Seattle-based MENA theater company, Dunya Productions, a founding company member of the Milwaukee-based womxn-of-color performance troupe Heard Space Arts Collective, leads the Nubian Foundation for Preserving a Cultural Heritage, and is the co-host of the Kunafa & Shay Theater Podcast (produced by HowlRound Theatre Commons). Previously, she was the Director of Arts Engagement at Seattle Rep, and the Community Engagement Associate at Milwaukee Rep. She is a professional DEI consultant with Avent Diversity Consulting and a graduate of the University of California, Santa Barbara. She is a voracious reader, enjoys cooking and eating equally, and has a lovely dog named Ashriya!

Teaching Artist

Marie Osterman

Marie Osterman (they/she) is a multidisciplinary theatre artist and teacher based in LA, and thrilled to be part of this team! After graduating from UCLA’s acting and directing program, they have stayed in Los Angeles, working as an actor, movement director, and teaching artist. They are also a longtime collaborator and associate managing director of Project Nongenue. Marie’s generative art combines her classically-trained background in theatremaking and her contact improvisation practice with the mission of facilitating intimate and playful creative spaces. They believe in a generous theatrical space that has room to hold what needs to be held and ignite conversation and community. Marie’s dream is a kind of artmaking that allows us to shed learned ideas and sense that magic within and between us– or just have some fun!  Other passions include birds, making silly shapes with their body, and looking at the moon.

Manager of Institutional Giving

Grafton Reyes Doyle

Grafton has eight years of experience in development and advancement as a grant writer, producer, and event planner/fundraiser (for Playwrights’ Arena, Pop-Up Theatre, USC, and Actor’s Fund). He is also an accomplished playwright, screenwriter, and director. His previous theater work includes critically acclaimed, site-specific productions at Culver Studios, The Beverly Hills Hotel, and Palm Springs Art Museum. His play, Dope Queens, premiered at The Hudson Theatres and was adapted to film, marking Grafton’s directorial film debut (dopequeensmovie.com). Last year, his play, Kept Men, held its concert reading at the Pasadena Playhouse, directed by Luis Alfaro. His work straddles themes of queer incarceration, recidivism, and chosen family blending gritty realism with elements of glamour. Grafton holds a BA in Narrative Studies & Screenwriting and an MFA in Dramatic Writing from the University of Southern California.

Program Director

Joe Samaniego

Joe Samaniego holds a BFA in Acting from UC Santa Barbara, an MFA in Playwriting from UCLA, and a Diploma in DEIA Leadership from Stanford. As a playwright, his plays have been published through Samuel French and have premiered on stages such as The Rattlestick Theater in NYC, Aspen Playwright’s Festival, as well as several National and International tours. With a passion for the community-building and transformative potential of the arts, Joe has worked for the better part of the last decade educating and building curriculum to inspire and empower young people, and to create a more equitable landscape in arts education.

He most recently held the role of Director of Education where he served hundreds of students to create individualized learning plans and help close educational gaps caused by Covid-19 learning loss and subsequent resource scarcity. He continues to volunteer with initiatives such as the People’s Voice Theater which works with young women in the juvenile justice system on the explorative power of writing, as well as several other organizations that support first-generation college students at UCSB and UCLA. He is grateful to be a part of The Unusual Suspects and to continue to make an impact in the communities we serve.

Teaching Artist

Dani Schlenker

Dani has been a dedicated teacher of the performing arts for the last year and a half, working with companies like Theatre 360 in Pasadena and STAR Education in Santa Monica and Marina del Rey. While studying theatre and biology at Whitman College she had the opportunity to expand her education at the National Theatre Institute, and later worked as an Associate in their Theatremakers program. She’s thrilled to be a part of the Unusual Suspects Theatre Company!

Teaching Artist

Julian Smith

Julian Smith is a Los Angeles-based actor, writer and singer. He is originally from Daytona Beach, Florida, and has developed his résumé working in film, television, community, regional and educational theatre. After receiving his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre, he moved to Los Angeles to make an impact in the entertainment industry. When Julian is not performing, he is a resident teaching artist in the Los Angeles area, where he shares his knowledge, experience, and passion for theatre with children and young adults.

Teaching Artist

Monique Sypkens

Director of Institutional Giving

Nick Williams

Nick Williams is an actor, producer, and proud father. He was store director at Hollywood Video’s flagship store in Los Angeles and is the former art board President at Theatre of NOTE in Hollywood, where he still acts on a regular basis. Some of his recent performances at NOTE include Rio Hondo, Entropy (Scenie Award), I Wanna Hold Your Hand (two Scenies Awards), What May Fall (Broadway World Awards nomination), The Pity of Things (two Broadway World Awards nominations), Skeleton Stories, Nibbler and Kill Me, Deadly (Ticket Holder Awards’ Best Supporting Actor nomination). Among several non-NOTE performances in Los Angeles, his portrayal of Chris Keller in All My Sons at the Raven Playhouse was recognized for “Best Performance by a Lead Actor / Drama” (Stage Scene LA). He holds a BA in Acting from Willamette University. Nick has worked in Development for The Unusual Suspects since 2012 and is honored to play a small role in bringing the transformative power of theatre to our most underserved communities.