MATTHEW LEAVEITT ( DIRECTOR )
Matthew Leavitt is an award-winning playwright, director, librettist, and co-artistic director of The 6th Act. Selected directing credits include Hamlet (winner of Best Director of a Play’ Stage Scene LA Award), Legally Brunette (World Premiere – The Garry Marshall Theatre in Los Angeles, 54 Below in NYC), Sonnets From Suburbia (World Premiere – Edinburgh Fringe Festival, 59E59 in NYC, Hollywood ndependent Theatre Festival), Double Play (World Premiere – Stephanie Feury Theatre), The Scorpion and the Frog: a time killer (World Premiere – Hollywood Fringe Festival), Barfly Shakespeare (The 6th Act), Twelfth Night (Village Green Productions), The Taming of the Shrew (Village Green Productions), Arrival (Sci Fest LA) and Goes The Weasel (Ammunition Theatre Company). Playwriting credits include The $5 Shakespeare Company (LA Times Critics’ Choice) and The Boomerang Effect (published by Concord Theatricals), which has enjoyed numerous productions throughout the US and UK. His new play Sukkot recently premiered at The Skylight Theatre in Los Angeles. He has been commissioned twice by LA Opera to write the librettos for two new operas, Orpheus and The Wreck of the Miranda (both collaborations with classical and film composer Nathan Wang). For more information visit www.the6thact.com.

MADGE WOODS ( EXECUTIVE PRODUCER )
Madge Woods is a woman who loves to help her friends. Over the years, that is precisely what she has done in myriad ways, supporting some with artistic endeavors—one-person shows, musicals, and publishing endeavors; Madge has been instrumental in supporting her friends in getting nonprofits off the ground (and beyond); and she supports folks in ways to numerous to list. Madge is delighted to have the opportunity to produce a play written by her friend Dennis Danziger. Months ago, Dennis invited Madge to hear a reading of The Brothers Abelson, a casual affair. The moment the reading began, Madge was hooked. She laughed, she cried, she gasped. Later that night, unable to sleep, she decided The Brothers Abelson Since 1946 needed to be on stage because she wanted everyone to have an opportunity to see it. This is the first full-length production Madge has produced—though likely not the last. She knows that everyone can identify with a family struggling, and she promises you all a moving and memorable evening with The Abelson Family.

SAMI KOLKO ( PRODUCER )
Sami has a diverse background spanning film, television, and theatre. This year, three of her short films were showcased at prestigious festivals, including the Tribeca Film Festival, LA Shorts International Film Festival, and HollyShorts. In 2018, she produced the critically acclaimed production of Time Stands Still by Donald Margulies, a poignant drama that delves into the emotional complexities of war journalism. She is currently in pre-production on two feature films, further expanding her creative portfolio. Sami is thrilled to return to the theatre world as part of the team producing the world premiere of The Brothers Abelson since 1946 by Dennis Danziger.

Andy zicari ( STAGE MANANGER )
ANDY ZICARI, proud to come from the nation’s second-largest theatre district in Cleveland, Andy got started managing stages at Oberlin College and Conservatory. After dozens of productions in Ohio, he has transplanted to Portland Oregon, but is beyond thrilled to make his west-coast debut here in the City of Angles! Andy is infinitely grateful to the Electric Lodge team and especially Dennis; as well as to his boyfriend and cat for letting him be away from home for so long.
JANE HAMOR ( PROPS MASTER/SET DRESS )
Originally from Los Angeles and a recent MFA graduate from the Scenic Design program at CalArts. As a trained dancer, Jane brings instinctual knowledge of choreography and movement into her designs to create kinetic spaces that fuse the audience, performer, and architecture into a unified experience. Jane enjoys designing for various performance mediums; including theater, film, dance, and site-specific installation. Select credits include: UCSB School of Dance, CalArts Schools of Dance, Theater, Music and Film, Heidi Ducker Dance Festival, The Lobero Theater, Human Resources, The Zephyr Theatre, The Loft Ensemble, Stella Adler Theater, Hollywood Fringe Festival and USC School of Cinematic Arts.
DAVID OFFNER ( SCENIC DESIGN )
David Offner received his MFA from CalArts, and a BFA from the University of Florida. Some of his credits include, Famous (Ovation Nominee) at the 11:11 (Dir. Michael Leoni), 4:48 Psychosis (Ovation Nominee) at Son Of Semele (Dir. Matthew McCray), Beth Henley’s Laugh at LMU (Dir. Dana Resnick), Bad Jews at Odyssey Theatre Ensemble (Dir. Dana Resnick), Tartuffe at LMU (Dir. Katharine Noon), The Ghost Road’s Super Duper (Dir. Katharine Noon), Ken Roht’s Same-O, A 99cent Show (Dir. Ken Roht), Four Chords and A Gun (Dir. Jessica Hanna) at Bootleg Theater.
W. ALEJANDRO MELENDEZ ( LIGHTING DESIGNER )
W. Alejandro Melendez is an LA-based Latiné lighting designer working in theatre and opera. Recent credits include a disability-affirmative production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream for Phamaly Theatre Company at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts and the world premiere of Stockade for Local Theatre Company. Alejandro was recognized as an Emerging Creative at USITT 2024 and holds an MFA in Experience Design & Production from CalArts. To connect with Alejandro and see more of his work find him on Instagram @wamelendez.
NICK NEIDORF ( SOUND DESIGNER )
Nick Neidorf has been the resident sound designer for The Porters of Hellsgate Theatre Co. since 2010, working on virtually all of their productions since then. Highlights of his work with the Porters include Troilus & Cressida, Pericles, Cymbeline, and Henry IV, Pts. 1 & 2. He is grateful for all of you supporting live theater.
HANNAH SCHATZLE ( COSTUME DESIGNER )
Schatzle is a costume designer and stylist working in various mediums. She trained at NYU Tisch and in the apprentice program at the Santa Fe Opera. Her most recent credits include assistant costume designer on Josh Safdie’s feature Marty Supreme, and costume designer on the short film “Ghost Walker” directed by Abraham Amkpa. Other credits include work as a costume buyer on the upcoming feature History of Sound, and the FX series Clipped and as a styling assistant on music videos for artists Olivia Rodrigo, Beyoncé and Kacey Musgraves. This is her third time designing costumes for a play by Dennis Danziger.
KENNY BARELA ( GRAPHIC DESIGNER )
Kenny is a creative director based in Los Angeles. He grew up in Santa Fe, which has influenced his love for art and design. He has spent 20 years as a graphic designer, artist, creative director, and his true love is being a dog dad to his two pups, Mika and Banjo.