About

ABOUT

Transformation Theatre, Inc. (TT, Inc.) was incorporated as a non-profit 501(c)(3) company in April 2019 with the long-term goal of providing a venue for collaboration with up-and-coming and established theatre artists at various stages of development of their work. While TT, Inc will focus on original works of social relevance and/or adaptations, we encourage all playwrights to submit their work for consideration. TT, Inc. shall endeavor to promote/commission works from playwrights in the DC/MD/VA region, however, consideration will also be given to writers outside of that area, including those outside of the US.

MISSION: Transformation Theatre (TT) provides a collaboration venue with ‘up-and-coming’ and established theatre artists to focus on social relevant original, unpublished plays and adaptations celebrating underrepresented groups. TT typically promotes the works of playwrights in the DC/MD/VA region, however, playwrights throughout the country, as well as those outside the US may submit work for consideration. Through the live productions of these playwrights’ work, TT strives to enhance and stimulate an understanding of ourselves and others.

STAFF

CARL RANDOLPH, Founder/Artistic Director

Carl Randolph (He/Him) is the Founding Producing Artistic Director of Transformation Theatre. He is also a Director and an Actor. Carl has worked in many aspects of theatre and film including producing, directing, choreographing, acting, and FX Make-Up for over 35 years. Theatre performances include roles at the Kennedy Center (Shear Madness), Bobby in the 2nd National Tour of A Chorus Line, the Fulton Opera House, Fort Salem, Signature, MetroStage, Henlopen Theatre Project, Wayside, Round House (Helen Hayes Award, A Prayer for Owen Meany), Ford's, Washington Stage Guild, Imagination Stage and Olney Theatre (Helen Hayes Award, A Chorus Line). As a director/choreographer, his credits include the world premiere of Greg Jones Ellis' All Save One at the Washington Stage Guild and Audrey Cefaly's Consider the Ficus for the DC Queer theatre Festival, the US premiere of Futureproof by Irish playwright Lynda Radley, A Chorus Line, My Fair Lady, Guys and Dolls and Terra Nova (winner best director, Burlington Footlighter’s in NJ). Carl was choreographer and lead dancer with Illusionist John Bundy and Morgan in their Halloween special Spooktacular on Tour for over 6 years. Film credits include leading roles such as Gabriel Utterson in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Satan in Fall of the Morningstar, Devlin the Destroyer in Sorcerers of Stonehenge School, and Gordon in Nocturne. TV credits include lead roles in episodes of The Prosecutors on the Discovery Channel, Civil War Combat on the History Channel and Special Forces; GSG-9 on the Learning Channel. As owner of Dragon Fire FX (formerly Morphiage), he is an award winning make-up and effects artist. His make-up designs have been seen in productions of The Jungle Book (winner best make-up in NJ), The Wizard of Oz, Into The Woods, Spooktacular, national commercials including Chevy Trucks with Cal Ripkin, Jr. and numerous independent feature films , such as Never Dream the Beginning, Nocturne, The Suffering and Dark Therapy as well as the first season of AMC's The Walking Dead. He has served as the Producing Artistic Director for Footlighter’s Theatre in NJ (1997-99) and as Assistant Artistic Director for the Washington Stage Guild (2018) where he is now an artistic associate. Carl earned his MFA in Directing at Catholic University of America and his MA in Producing Film at American University. He is a proud member of SDC, AEA and SAG-AFTRA and served as the Balto/Washington AEA Liaison for six years.

HEIDI CASTLE-SMITH, Co-Founder/Associate Artistic Director

Heidi Castle-Smith (She/Her) is a Founding Member and Associate Artistic Director with Transformation Theatre. She holds a Ph.D. in Theatre History and Criticism from University of Maryland, College Park and an MFA in Set Design and Scenic Art from Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University. Heidi is currently an Adjunct Professor at Howard Community College in the Theatre department teaching both history and Intro to Design. She has presented papers on the construction of actresses identity through the use of portraiture in the Restoration period. Heidi has worked as both a set designer and scenic artist in and around the Washington DC area. Design credits include These Shining Lives for The Arts Collective @ HCC (made the "Best Of" list for DC Metro Theatre Arts in the category of Set Designer), Spring Awakening, A year with Frog and Toad, Peter Pan, and Dogfight (Red Branch Theatre Company), Assassins, Mother Courage and Lear’s daughters (Black Box Student theatre at University of MD), and multiple summer seasons for the Chesapeake Shakespeare Company.

Kea McCoy, Executive Director

Kea McKoy (she/her) is excited to be joining the Transformation Theatre family in the role of Executive Director. She has a background in nonprofit management, strategic planning, and fundraising. She also has a love for the arts, having performed in numerous plays as a youth and is currently the Lighting Director at her local church. She is a native Marylander and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Elon University in Elon, NC.

BRIDGET ANDERSON, Dramaturg

Bridget Anderson (She/Her) is a Dramaturg for TT, Inc.. She is a doctoral student in Interdisciplinary Theatre Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Bridget holds an MA in Dramaturgy and Dramatic Criticism from Catholic University of America and a BA in Drama from Franciscan University of Steubenville. Recently, she was the research assistant to Mark Horowitz at the Library of Congress for his work on a new book of selected correspondence of Oscar Hammerstein II.
Dramaturg: 28 Light Years from Now (Br!nk New Play Festival), Chai (Transformation Theatre), These Arms of Mine (Transformation Theatre), As Ever, Oscar (The Library of Congress), Gas/Food/Lodging (Kennedy Center Page to Stage), The Last Catastrophist (Transformation Theatre), Antigone (Catholic University of America), The Spoken Word (Signature Theatre, Joe Calarco), Neverlanding (Catholic University of America), The Tempest (Three Spirits Theatre Company), Theatre Games (Voices Found Repertory Theatre). Directing: The Browning Version (Anathan Theatre). Acting: Titus Andronicus (Burbage Theatre Company), Gypsy (The Snug Theatre), The Bacchae, Taming of the Shrew, Love's Labours Lost, The Hollow (Anathan Theatre).

JAMES HOLBROOK, Dramaturg

JAMES HOLBROOK
(They/Them) Is from Miami, Florida and has lived in the D.C. area for five years. They received their BA in theatre from The Florida State University and their MA in Theatre History and Criticism form the Catholic University of America. They worked as a Dramaturge on Futurproof (CUA) and The Laramie Project(CUA). They also worked as an assistant stage manager for Mosaic Theatre Company on several shows, including Unexplored Interior, When January Feels Like Summer, and The Return. They stage managed Mosiac Theatre Company's production of Charm. James is excited to work with Transformation Theatre Company as a dramaturg and contribute to their mission of diversity and inclusion. As a Queer creator, it is amazing to work on project that provide representation and opportunities for their own community.

Katie Rey Bogdan, Dramaturg

Katie Rey Bogdan (she/her/hers) is an actor, director, and dramaturg in the DC area. She received her Bachelor's in Musical Theatre from the Catholic University of America and is currently working on her Master's in Theatre History and Criticism. Performance credits include Spring Awakening (Round House Theatre), Knight of the Burning Pestle (Baltimore Shakespeare Factory), and Three Cheers to Grace (Young Playwrights' Theatre). As a director and dramaturg, she has worked on Season of Light (Director, Silver Spring Stage), A Civil War Christmas (Dramaturg, 1st Stage), and Urinetown (Assistant Director, NextStop Theatre). She is excited to help support Transformation Theatre in their mission to uplift the voices of underrepresented cultures and people.

Jordan Young, Livestream Technical director

Jordan Young (He/Him) is thrilled to be joining Transformation Theatre's work of giving a voice to the previously voiceless as the Livestream Technical Director. He has long been a passionate advocate for and voracious consumer of, both high and low art. He has had a wide range of artistic experiences from poet to museum docent to orchestra member to video editor to author to filmmaker. He is currently a corporate webcast producer, and proud husband to Amanda and dad to Noah. He is a resident of the Hudson Valley in New York, with a degree in Ekphrastic Poetry, film, and literature from Susquehanna University .

joe Grimshaw, Graphic Designer

Joe Grimshaw is a graphic designer, illustrator and cartoonist with over 25 years of experience in both print and virtual media. As a designer, he has worked with gifted musicians such as Tiffany, Expose, Stacey Q and Drake Jensen, to name a few, designing everything from posters to CD packaging to social media banners and more. His work with Tiffany resulted in the design of six CD singles and two full-length releases, "Rose Tattoo" in 2011 and "A Million Miles" in 2016. His work with Drake Jensen dates back to 2016, and includes the design of full-length releases such as "Retro" from 2016 and "Sideshow" in 2018, as well as the design of many posters and banners for his social media. His work in branding is extensive, and includes logos for companies such as Dermatology of Philadelphia, Content Launch, SubOut Bar & Grill, and WTSB 105.5 FM, among many others. As an illustrator and cartoonist, his work has included caricatures for a number of people from all walks of life. He also created a panel cartoon, "Satellite Snickers", which was seen monthly in the trade publication "Satellite Retailer". His creations have been used by organizations such as Wise Monkeys Abroad, Rainbow Banquet Hall and Jenergy. He currently resides and works in upstate New York.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

CARL randolph, President

Carl Randolph (He/Him) is President of the Board of Directors with Transformation Theatre. He is also a Director and an Actor. Carl has worked in many aspects of theatre and film including producing, directing, choreographing, acting, and FX Make-Up for over 35 years. Theatre performances include roles at the Kennedy Center (Shear Madness), Bobby in the 2nd National Tour of A Chorus Line, the Fulton Opera House, Fort Salem, Signature, MetroStage, Henlopen Theatre Project, Wayside, Round House (Helen Hayes Award, A Prayer for Owen Meany), Ford's, Washington Stage Guild, Imagination Stage and Olney Theatre (Helen Hayes Award, A Chorus Line). As a director/choreographer, his credits include the world premiere of Greg Jones Ellis' All Save One at the Washington Stage Guild and Audrey Cefaly's Consider the Ficus for the DC Queer theatre Festival, the US premiere of Futureproof by Irish playwright Lynda Radley, A Chorus Line (winner best director/choreographer, Ritz Theatre in NJ), My Fair Lady, Guys and Dolls and Terra Nova (winner best director, Burlington Footlighter’s in NJ). Carl was choreographer and lead dancer with Illusionist John Bundy and Morgan in their Halloween special Spooktacular on Tour for over 6 years. Film credits include leading roles such as Gabriel Utterson in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Satan in Fall of the Morningstar, Devlin the Destroyer in Sorcerers of Stonehenge School, and Gordon in Nocturne. TV credits include lead roles in episodes of The Prosecutors on the Discovery Channel, Civil War Combat on the History Channel and Special Forces; GSG-9 on the Learning Channel. As owner of Dragon Fire FX (formerly Morphiage), he is an award winning make-up and effects artist. His make-up designs have been seen in productions of The Jungle Book (winner best make-up in NJ), The Wizard of Oz, Into The Woods, Spooktacular, national commercials including Chevy Trucks with Cal Ripkin, Jr. and numerous independent feature films , such as Never Dream the Beginning, Nocturne, The Suffering and Dark Therapy as well as the first season of AMC's The Walking Dead. He has served as the Producing Artistic Director for Footlighter’s Theatre in NJ (1997-99) and as Assistant Artistic Director for the Washington Stage Guild (2018) where he is now an artistic associate. Carl earned his MFA in Directing at Catholic University of America and his MA in Producing Film at American University. He is a proud member of SDC, AEA and SAG-AFTRA and served as the Balto/Washington AEA Liaison for six years. Currently, he is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Maryland Baltimore County.

DAVID M. SMITH, treasurer

David M. Smith (He/Him) is Treasurer of the Board of Directors with Transformation Theatre. Gross School of the Art at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ. David M. Smith has worked as a Set Designer, Lighting Designer and Technical Director in New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, DC. Recently his work in lighting design has been seen in the Conservatory at MGM National Harbor and for both TedX MidAtlantic and TedX Bethesda.

HEIDI CASTLE-SMITH, Vice President

Heidi Castle-Smith (She/Her) is Vice President of the Board of Directors with Transformation Theatre. She holds a Ph.D. in Theatre History and Criticism from University of Maryland, College Park and an MFA in Set Design and Scenic Art from Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University. Heidi is currently an Adjunct Professor at Howard Community College in the Theatre department teaching both history and Intro to Design. She has presented papers on the construction of actresses identity through the use of portraiture in the Restoration period. Heidi has worked as both a set designer and scenic artist in and around the Washington DC area. Design credits include These Shining Lives for The Arts Collective @ HCC (made the "Best Of" list for DC Metro Theatre Arts in the category of Set Designer), Spring Awakening, A year with Frog and Toad, Peter Pan, and Dogfight (Red Branch Theatre Company), Assassins, Mother Courage and Lear’s daughters (Black Box Student theatre at University of MD), and multiple summer seasons for the Chesapeake Shakespeare Company.

A. Lorraine Robinson, secretary

A. Lorraine Robinson (She/Her) Secretary, is a free-lance Director and Dramaturg who has worked with various DC area theatres. Recent Projects include: Dramaturg for TopDog/Underdog
(WSC Avant Bard), Director for A Raisin in the Sun (Sitar Arts Center)and Piano Lesson (Sitar Arts Center.) She received the Central Ohio Theatre Critics Circle Award: Best Director & Best Production for The Laramie Project (Contemporary American Theatre Company in Columbus, Ohio.) In 2017, 2018 and 2019 she received Tony Award: Excellence in Theatre Education Honorable Mention Awards for her work at Sitar Arts Center. Previously, she was the
Co-Founding/Artistic Producing Director of MuseFire Productions. She is currently the
Senior Director of Artistic Programs and Strategic Partnerships at Sitar Arts Center.

Pradnya Halipur

Pradnya Haldipur (she/her) is a philanthropic strategist and fundraiser in the non-profit space. Pradnya has a critical role in providing strategic leadership, direction, and management for organizations of all sizes in both executive and board roles.
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Pradnya has more than 24 years of development and management experience in myriad national and international settings. Throughout her career, she has focused on uniting philanthropists, corporations, and foundations with strategic projects and priorities. She is an experienced and creative development professional who excels at building big ideas and strong relationships.

She comes to Transformation Theatre with experience from prestigious academic medical institutions such as Children’s National Medical Center in Washington DC, Mount Sinai Health System in New York City, and Boston Children’s Hospital, as well as think tanks, global development organizations, and the arts. Over the course of her career, she has raised more than $145M to support medical research, capital projects, endowment, operations, and programmatic projects.

Pradnya was born in Mumbai, India but grew up in Bloomfield, New Jersey. She resides Silver Spring, MD, with her husband Joe Clemons, their children, Mirza Cate (age 7) and Xavier Anant (age 5) and their two rascally dogs, Hawkeye and Natasha Romanoff.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/pradnya-haldipur/

Sonya Hall TURNEr

Sonya Hall Turner (She/Her) is a member of the Board of Directors. She holds a B.A. in English from University of North Carolina at Greensboro, an MBA and M.S. in Contract Management and Procurement from University of Maryland, University College, as well as a Paralegal Certificate in Business Finance/Corporate Law. She has over 25 years of legal experience and has worked both for and with in-house corporations and at a law firm. Sonya is currently the Vice President, Contracts for a company in Rockville, Maryland, where she manages inception to close-out of the company’s commercial, Federal and State government contracts. She serves as a board member for the Bernie Scholarship Awards Program and is a certified Interior Decorator, avid art collector, has performed in several productions through her church’s Theater Arts Ministry, and was previously the volunteer Drive Outreach Coordinator for Swab a Cheek, Save a Life, formerly a Gift of Life campaign.

Carmen Arregocés de Radke

Carmen Arregocés de Radke (She/Her) Originally from Bogota, Colombia, Carmen Arregocés de Radke has been working in the non fiction television and film industry for over 10 years. She has worked on award-winning long form documentaries like Into Okavango and The Last Ice for National Geographic Society, as well as television documentary films like Monster Squid: The Giant Is Real for Discovery
Channel. Carmen has extensive experience in non-fiction television’s series that have aired on Discovery Channel and National Geographic Channel, and short-form films that have been distributed through National Geographic Society's digital platforms.
Carmen has recently been working on the launch of the digital streaming service for Discovery Networks, Discovery +, which hosts television's popular non-fiction brands such as HGTV, Food Network, TLC, ID, and Animal Planet.
Her passion for science and exploration took her to work on the non-profit side of National Geographic, as the Production Manager for the Pristine Seas team as well as the Impact Media team, working on The Last Wild Places initiative, a decade-long initiative to help protect the places that sustain life on Earth. Besides being the Production Manager, Carmen was in charge of the application of the team’s short films in the film festival circuit, submitting films in festivals like the Environmental Film Festival, at the nation’s capital, and Jackson Wild Media Awards “the nature equivalent to the Oscars.”
Carmen is very passionate about social justice and believes in the equal access to opportunities and privileges within a society. She can usually be found spending the weekends exploring and hiking with her husband, daughter, and dog in the beautiful Great Smoky Mountains around Knoxville, Tennessee, her current home state.