The Last Day
Katie Booth, Playwright
Katie Booth (actor, writer) was raised in Las Vegas, Nev., and has spent the better part of her existence learning to appreciate the desert. As a rebellious youth she studied journalism, political science and environmental issues. These subjects remain close to her heart and are a constant source of inspiration, study and strife. *Also loves her cat, Bo. Acting credits include CBS All Access Strange Angel, Victor Crowley and Tell Me How I Die. Screenwriting credits include two short films, Miss and fluent., currently in consideration at festivals; the last day. marks Katie's first produced play. Most sincere love and thanks to Kelly O'Malley, Rick Peters, her mom and dad and Stella Adler--a constant source of inspiration and community. To the people who inspired and contributed to this story - my forever love to you (special thanks Lauren Paglini). You can connect with Katie on Instagram @boothk2 or Twitter @whatthehellKB
JJ Mayes, Director
JJ Mayes is a Member of Sacred Fools theater where he will be Directing the World Premiere of Peter Fluet's Tangerine Sunset this Spring. This past summer he Directed HFF18's Top Solo Show The Word and Top Comedy Nominee Night of the Rootbeer. He directed last year's Hollywood Fringe award winning show Definition of Man which performed in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival this summer. You can find his dog on Instagram @king_renly_the_chug
Meet the Cast
Meg Hyeronimus, Nikki
Meg is an Australian actor who began studying at Stella Adler Los Angeles in June of this year. Meg is also a 2017 graduate from the Academy of Film, Theatre and Television (AFTT) in Sydney, Australia. Shortly following her graduation, she flew to Los Angeles to perform the short play of ‘Arthur and Marilyn’ at the Short+Sweet Festival in Hollywood, originally performed in the Sydney Short+Sweet Festival in January 2017. Meg won the festival’s Best Actress award for her role as Marilyn Monroe, and later reprised this role in the full length production in May 2018 in Sydney’s Blood Moon Theatre.
Meg’s other theatre credits include Jazz in Death Comes for Breakfast (dir. Romney Stanton, Short+Sweet Sydney 2018), Various Roles in Love and Information (AFTT; downstairs Belvoir), Juliet and Benvolio in Romeo and Juliet (AFTT), Judy in Women of Manhattan (AFTT) and Olga in Three Sisters (AFTT).
Meg’s short film credits include the lead role of Joe in Cry of the Silverback (2017) and Gretta in Fragments (2017).
Meg is extremely passionate about mental health awareness and is honoured to be a member of this cast.
Ryan Rickard, Jon
Ryan is excited to be making his LA Theatre debut outside of school! Originally from Northern Virginia, Ryan has acted in numerous school and community productions. After three semesters of college, he moved to Los Angeles and enrolled at the Stella Adler Academy, where he still studies. Short Film credits include Soundproof (LA Film School) and Separated (LA Film School). Theatre credits include Mike in A Lie of the Mind (dir. Rick Peters), Arther Roeder in Radium Girls (dir. Ed Monk), and Earl Williams in The Front Page (dir. Ed Monk).
Jessica Dowdeswell, Young Nikki
Jessica Dowdeswell is honored and excited to be a part of a Light in Dark Places Jessica is currently in rehearsal for the show ‘Year of the Woman’ to be performed at the Stella Adler theatre, and is also a current member of the Neo Ensemble Theatre and recently got to let loose and show of her comedic talents in the ensemble show ‘inappropriate’. Jessica Dowdeswell studied acting at Griffith University, TAFTA and NIDA before moving to Los Angeles to pursue her career, since moving to Los Angeles Jessica has studied at TVI, UCLA and UCB amongst others. Jessica is an avid reader and cross stitch enthusiast. Jessica wishes to thank the entire cast and the whole team surrounding this production
Rick Peters, Mr. Burnham
Hi my name is Rick Peters, I am a proud Stella Adler alumni and I have been fortunate to work as an actor for the past 26 years. I have worked primarily in television, which has brought me to Canada, New Zealand, Italy, and all over the U.S. I am honored and humbled to be a part of "A Light in Dark Places". Suicide, sadly touches many of our lives, including mine, and it is devastating. I hope our contribution inspires people of all ages, and socio-economic backgrounds to listen and reach out to those of us suffering with depression, It's a dark lonely place, and the light is human compassion. I would like to dedicate my part in this production to Leelah Alcorn, and David Maddocks. I love and miss you Dave, I think about you often, especially when I listen to anything from 10,000 Maniacs, or OMD!
