Man in Cage with Friend
Jim Kuenzer, Writer
As a kid, Jim wrote short stories to occupy the long winter days in Fargo and Detroit, in hopes that he would one day be the next Franklin Dixon. In college, he was exposed to the theatre and everything changed. He has since acted, directed, built sets, swept, and anything else it takes to ensure the show goes on. But his first love is writing. Though, he no longer thinks he’ll be the next Franklin Dixon. His work has been part of the One-Minute Play Festival, the Festival of Independent Theaters, and the Nouveau 47 Holiday Play Festival. He’s also written for The City Life Supplement, Queertown, and the Texclectic Radio Hour. Jim lives in Dallas with his wife and their scores of children.
Ale Fips, Director
Ale is a multifaceted performer hailing from Guadalajara, Mexico, with a rich tapestry of experiences in the entertainment industry. She began her career at a very young age, starring in beloved musicals like "El Príncipe Rana" and "Peter Pan," along with Mexico's rendition of Disney’s "High School Musical." Her talent transcended stages onto screens, gracing Spanish TV shows like "Código Paranormal" and "La Rosa de Guadalupe," and making her mark in films such as "El Buchon" and “Ciudadano Buelna”. Training at the Stella Adler Academy of Acting LA expanded her skills, leading to memorable performances in New York City productions like "Judgment on a Grey Beach," which she also produced,"Seucy and Boto," and “Undefined Fraction” at La Mama ETC. Also, she contributed to several short films that have been official selections of renowned festivals and award winners. In addition, she lent her voice to the award-winning immersive exposition "Viva la Vida" as Frida Kahlo, which has traveled the world. Offstage, Ale's versatility is evident as she led the management of Riverdance's 2023 Mexican tour and directed plays for "A Light in Dark Places" since 2020. Dedicated to nurturing theatrical and cinematic excellence, she also serves on play and screenplay selection committees for various festivals. Ale recognizes the profound impact of the arts and the transformative power of storytelling, believing wholeheartedly in their ability to change lives.
Meet the Cast
Claire Fountain, Issues
Claire Fountain is a DFW-based actor, playwright, and intimacy director. She holds a BFA in Acting from The University of Oklahoma. She most recently performed in a staged reading of a play she wrote, Stressor, at Sundown Collaborative Theatre on March 16th. Other recent roles include Actor 5 in I'm Still a Theatre Kid directed by Mies Quatrino and The Guinea Pig VI with Flexible Grey Theatre Company. She would like to thank the team at ALIDP for creating such an important piece of theatre and would like to thank her mom for her endless love and support.
Isabelle Culpepper, Friend
Isabelle Culpepper is so excited to be part of A Light in Dark Places again this year. She first participated in 2019, in I’ll Tell You at Sunrise, and last year in Hope Springs A Turtle. Isabelle tries to stay active in the DFW community whenever she has time. You may have recently seen her as Cora/Tailor/Widow in Taming of the Shrew in Living Black and WhiteTM (Plague Mask Players /Elevator Project). Favorite roles include Gabriella in Boeing Boeing (Mainstage Irving Las Colinas), Madge in Games Afoot (Richardson Theatre Center), and Jayne Mansfield in Dead Wait (Festival of Independent Theatres). She especially loves any show she gets to work on with her multi-talented husband, Jared. As is the case with so many of us, Isabelle has had some experience with friends and family dealing with suicide or suicidal thoughts, and fully recognizes the importance of support and prevention, and believes ALIDP can help make a difference, and is so proud to be part of it.
Cheyenne Hayes, Me
Cheyenne Haynes is thrilled to be working with A Light in Dark Places this year! She has recently been seen as Antigone (Antigone/Stolen Shakespeare Guild), Ensemble (The Manic Monologues/WaterTower Theatre), Ada Byron Lovelace (Ada and the Engine/ Mainstage Irving) and Lydia Wickham (The Wickhams/Stolen Shakespeare Guild). She is incredibly thankful to be given the opportunity to help start a conversation that is near to her heart and often hard to approach in a way that both respects and brings light to it. She would like to thank her good friends Cory and Jule from the bottom of her heart for being her Light in a Dark Place when she needs the support, her parents for being her biggest fans and reminding her to never give up, and God for always putting her exactly where she needs to be.
Dylan Ray Owen, It
Dylan Ray Owen is thrilled to return to Dallas theatre as It in Man in Cage with Friend! Dylan was most recently seen on stage in 2018 as Laurie in Little Women (Firehouse Theatre) and Henry in The Skin of Our Teeth (Collin Theatre Center). Offstage, you may recognize Dylan from his voiceover work in commercials, animation, and video games, or his work on screen in film and television. Dylan would like to thank his friends, family, and his partner, Tatum, for their kindness and patience throughout his own mental health battles. He'd like to thank A Light in Dark Places for their amazing work, and most importantly, he'd like to thank his very perfect dog, Pumpkin.