Seasonal Holiday Shorts LIVE Cast

Player (Kira )
Kira Player is a New Jersey based actor who has worked all along the East Coast. As a teaching artist, she has worked with students of all ages. Past work with Speranza includes Walk by the Way of the Moon and Votes for Women. Past credits include Inside Siberia (Rootbeer Occasion Theatre Co), And Then They Came for Me (Alabama Shakespeare Festival), Belleville (Company of Fools), and more. She received her BFA in Acting from Montclair State University in 2019. kirajordanplayer.com
Nicholas Radu-Blackburn (multiple roles)
Nick Radu-Blackburn is an Ohio-born actor, writer and director living in Queens, NY. Nick began his acting education at Kent State University, and after a brief intenstive at the New York Film Academy, fell in love with New York City. He received his BA in Theater from Queens College and has been collaborating with other artists in the Tri-State area and beyond ever since. Nick loves to create with other artists, in any capacity. In addition to working on his numerous writing projects, Nick is currently working on his board game, The Enchanted Kingdom, a project that is just as fulfilling as it is challenging. Nick is excited to be back at camp with Speranza and is looking forward to being creative in person with other teaching artists and, of course, the students!
Kafka (Mikaela)
Mikaela Kafka has been working in many capacities since coming to NYC in 1992. Since then as an actress she performed on Broadway, Off-Broadway, Regionally (The Arden, Montgomery, Centenary Stage, and Garage Theatre where she was nominated for Best Actress 2006 for THE MAIDS by Jean Genet). Mikaela’s true passion is ‘New Works’. There is nothing better than working with a playwright in bringing their words to the stage. She has been involved with The NY International Fringe Festival since its inaugural year as a director and has continued involvement as either an actress, adjudicator, and\or producer in every consecutive year till the present. She is also an 8 year member of Centenary Stage Company’s Women Playwright series as an adjudicator and director. She has had the honor to work with such playwrights as Catherine Castellani, Michelle Aldin-Kushner, Sonya Sobieski, Shleh Wolpe, Cheri Magid, and most recently Jennifer Fawcett. ‘Apples in Winter’ was produced this Spring under Mikaela’s direction starring Colleeen Smith-Wallnau. Mikaela also workshopped and directed “Wendy’s Shadow” by David Maglione at Hamilton Stages being awarded the NJACT PERRY Award for ‘Best Original Musical” 2016. Other directing credits include Rosencrants and Guildenstern are Dead (Circle Players), Murder on the Nile, The Selfish Giant, and The Unexpected Guest (The Players Theatre NYC). Working with Speranza Theatre Company, she has helped develop and directed Women Rising:Stories of Hope, Unveiling Liberty, History Alive, and will be directing their site specific Historical play this Fall to commemorate the anniversary of the Suffragette movement. You can see all production shots and more information on her website. www.kafkaexperiment.com
Jacqueline Kennedy (multiple roles)
Jacqueline Kennedy is an award-winning filmmaker, director, producer, writer, actor, and author. The founder of The Kennedy Project, she is the creative force behind many projects in New York and North Carolina. Kennedy wrote, produced and directed the one woman show Reflective Minds, which was produced in New York City. The writer, director and producer of the short film '1 Out of 8' she has won the Best Director Award at the Georgia Documentary Film Festival, Finalist at the Charlotte Black Film Festival and has received several official selections at other Film Festivals. Kennedy has appeared in several commercials including Burger King, Sprite, Honda, Lens Crafters, Panasonic, and Best Western. Her film credits include, Joyful Noise, Tower Heist, Girl 6; Television credits - Blue Bloods, The Good Wife, Law and Order; and Theatre: Credits Leader of the Pack(Ronnette), Ms. Evers Boys (Ms. Evers) and as well as, children's theatre and international theatre tours. Kennedy is also Co-owner of Break a Leg Talent Management, LLC where she assists cultivating talent - actors, musicians, singers, poets. She is also an accomplished children's book author, penning the wonderful stories of Shoop-Doo-Bee-Doop and Cake I Bake and Foxy and Henny. A SAG-AFTRA member, she earned her BA in Communications from UNC-G and Musical Theatre Certification from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy NY.