Spotlight on the cast of CARBON BLACK

Carbon Black by Terry Gomez (Comanche)
Friday, June 26, 8p @ Autry National Center
* Reception occurs at 7p *

For Carbon "Inky" Black:

Michael Drummond is 15-years old and a high school freshman. He loves acting, surfing, photography, painting, and journalism. Favorite roles include Puck in A Midsummer Nights Dream (Old Globe Theatre's Shakespeare Festival) and Orson in An American Christmas over the past four holiday seasons (Lambs Players Theatre). Television credits include Everybody Hates Chris, Veronica Mars, and several commercials. He is thrilled to be a part of Native Voices.

Native Voices: What drew you to the theatre?
Michael Drummond: I did a lot of community theatre when I was younger and loved it. I can perform and be creative.

NV: What are some of your favorite projects?
MD: Puck in A Midsummer Nights Dream at the Old Globe; the films Winged Creatures and Surfer Dude; and the TV show Everybody Hates Chris.

NV: Who would you interview from the past?
MD: I would interview my Grandpa. I never got to meet him and everyone tells me what a great man he was.
NV: What's the longest standing item on your "To Do" List?
MD: This will stay on till my 18th birthday--to go skydiving.

NV: What's your greatest indulgence?
MD: One of my favorite activities is eating, so I would say food!

NV: Fill in the blank: It's not theatre if it's not ______.
MD: It's not theatre if it's not passionate.

NV: Where do you think theatre will be in the next 10 years?
MD: It does seem that with the economy and growth in TV/film that theatre could be negatively affected, but I still think in ten years theatre will be thriving. Everyone needs a little theatre in their lives.

For Sylvie Black:
Sheila Tousey (Menominee, Stockbridge Munsee) has acted in film, television, Broadway, Off-Broadway, and in regional theaters across the country. Some of her favorite directors she has worked with include: Michael Apted, Sam Shepard, Joe Chaikin, Dan Sackheim, Lisa Peterson, David Esbjornson, Betsy Theobald, Livieu Ciulei, Tony Taccone, Maria Vail, JoAnn Akalitis, and Robert Woodruff. She was Artist-in-Residence at The Public Theater in NYC in 2006 and 2007 where she, along with Maria Vail, and in collaboration with Sam Shepard, adapted The Bottle House, a play based on the short stories and poetry of Sam Shepard. Training: MFA NYU Graduate Acting Program.

For Tucker Bodell:

Stephan Wolfert left a career in the military for a life in the theatre after seeing Richard III. Since leaving the Army as an Infantry officer he has: received his Master of Fine Arts degree in Theatre from Trinity Rep Conservatory; created and directed the military segments for Twyla Tharp/Billy Joel’s Tony-award winning Broadway musical Movin’ Out; created the largest touring Shakespeare Company in New England; and taught acting and Shakespeare at Cornell University. Stephan is the founding director of the Veterans Center for the Performing Arts and a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association.

For Lisa Yellowtree:

Tonantzin Carmelo (Tongva/ Gabrielino, Mexica) was previously seen in Native Voices at the Autry's world premiere productions of Please Do Not Touch the Indians, Jump Kiss, Teaching Disco Square Dancing to our Elders; and was a participant during the 2007 Playwrights Retreat and Festival of New Plays. Recent film credits: Thunder Heart Woman in Into the West; and the lead in the feature films Imprint, Unearthed, Periphery, and Shadow Heart. She was also a guest star on CSI: Miami. Represented by Talent Works. SAG/ AEA/ AFTRA