Creative Team
MELODY BROOKS (Co-Creator/Producer), founder and Artistic Director of NPTC, is an award-winning producer, director and dramaturg who has been working in the professional theatre and various educational institutions for 40 years. She has developed and directed a number of notable and award-winning original scripts and innovative classical productions with NPTC. She served as dramaturg and co-director for NPTC's OOBR award-winning production of The Taming Of The Shrew, and dramaturg for She Calls Me Firefly by Teresa Lotz, co-produced with Parity Productions and winner of OUTSTANDING SHORT PLAY in 2018 from the NY Innovative Theatre Awards. Brooks was also Producer and Dramaturg for How to Melt ICE by Amalia Oliva Rojas, co-produced with Boundless Theatre Company, which received 4 LATA Awards, including Best Play and 3 HOLA Award nominations, including Best Production. Brooks recently received the Lee Reynolds Award from the League of Professional Theatre Women, for a theatre woman "active in any aspect of theatre whose work for, in, about, or through the medium of theatre has helped to illuminate the possibilities for social, cultural, or political change." She received a "Trailblazing Women and Arts Institutions Award" from Rhythm Color Associates and a "Spirit of Hope Award" from Speranza Theatre for her career-long support of women theatre artists.
KATRIN HILBE (Co-Creator/Director) is an award-winning Director/Dramaturg working both in Opera and Theatre, in the US and in Europe. In the US, her production of R. Strauss’ Salome for New Orleans Opera won “Best Opera Production” and her production of Julia Pascal´s St Joan won the Hilton Edwards Award for best direction and adaptation at the Dublin Gay Theatre Festival. Select theatre credits: Extrawurst, All Is Plush, Identity Europe, Shooter, Fägfüür, In Bed With Roy Cohn, Breaking The Silence, A Midsummer Night´S Dream, Danton´S Death. Select opera credits: Die Zauberflöte, Die Fledermaus, Hänsel Und Gretel, Falstaff, Pelléas Et Mélisande. Hilbe is a past President of the League of Professional Theatre Women and the President of the IG Kunst und Kultur in Liechtenstein, a Board member of the International Theatre Institute Switzerland, member of SDC, DG, the Playwright Directors Unit of The Actors Studio, and Theater Resources Unlimited.
TESS HOWSAM (Co-Creator/Production Designer) is the Artistic Director of Culture Lab LIC and an accomplished international curator and director with over a decade of experience contributing to NYC's artistic landscape. Known for her innovative approach and cross-disciplinary collaborations, Howsam’s work explores themes of gender, audience engagement, and global artistic dialogues. Her theatrical work has earned a New York Times Critic’s Pick and a feature in New Yorker Magazine; in 2023, she was honored with The League of Professional Theatre Women’s Lucille Lortel Award. As Artistic Director, Howsam has spearheaded numerous exhibitions that walk the line of performative and visual. Highlights include “Instrumental: A Retrospective on the Life & Work of Ken Butler” (2024), “Luminous: The Art of Neon” (2023) and The Inevitability of Absence (2023), presented alongside “The Incomplete Collection” by Linked Dance Theatre bridging visual and theater arts. Deeply committed to international collaboration, she co-curated The Search for Utopia (2024) with Slovakian art center Malý Berlín and served as a jury member for Artiade: The Olympics of Art in Basel, Switzerland. In 2025, Howsam is thrilled to co-curate two exhibitions that foster creative exchange across borders. Art Exchange: America x Italy celebrates cross-cultural artistic collaboration and [Un]Framing Gender: From America to Pakistan explores gender identity and representation through a transnational lens.
SUSAN QUINN (Co-Creator) is the author, most recently, of Eleanor and Hick: The Love Affair That Shaped a First Lady. Among her previous works are A Mind of Her Own: the Life of Karen Horney and Marie Curie: A Life. Her work has been supported by grants from the Guggenheim Foundation and the Rockefeller Foundation. Her book Furious Improvisation:How the WPA and a Cast of Thousands Made High Art Out of Desperate Times (Walker Books, 2008) provided the inspiration for a joint undertaking with her husband, Daniel Jacobs. Together, they wrote early versions of what has become It CAN Happen Here!
DANIEL JACOBS MD (Co-Creator) is a Training and Supervising Analyst at the Boston Psychoanalytic Society and Institute, where he served as President and as Director of the Hanns Sachs Library and Archives. He is currently Director of the Center for Advanced Psychoanalytic Studies at Princeton, N.J. He has authored over forty publications that include three essays on Tennessee Williams and a novel, The Distance from Home. It CAN Happen Here! is his first play.
LISA RENEE JORDAN (Costume Designer) Selected design credits include: Fetes de la Nuit (Ohio Theatre);* Drama Desk Nomination – Outstanding Theatrical Experience; World Premiere - Jose Rivera’s The Hours Are Feminine (INTAR Theatre); *HOLA Awards Nomination – Outstanding Achievement -Theatrical Design; Or/Born with Teeth (Santa Fe Playhouse); Theatre Will Not Prepare You For Death (La MaMa); World Premiere - Jose Rivera’s Lovesong, Imperfect (Theater at 14th St Y); Shesh Yak (Rattlestick); Ominous Men, Temple of the Souls, Comida de Puta (MultiStages); Romeo & Juliet (Bryant Park Shakespeare); Boy in the Bathroom, Castronauts (NYMF); Witching Hour/ Triangle (Williamstown Theatre Festival); Neglect, and Thicker than Water (EST); Lysystrata (Edinburgh Fringe); Film/TV Credits include: Assistant Costume Designer for "Greatest Beer Run Ever" (Film), "Plot Against America" (HBO Series) Member of United Scenic Artists Local 829. http://www.lisareneejordandesigns.com
Cast
Theresa Rose- Hallie Flanagan
Theresa Rose is grateful to be a part of this vital piece of theater history. Past credits include Buzzkill, Katoya, Adults Only, From the Mixed-Up Files of My Background Check, The Deciders, The Street, Daddy Was the Biggest Stagemother in Texas, and Love and Class in Connecticut. She would like to Thank the cast and creative team for making her feel so welcome in this new space.
Max Bank- Ensemble
Max Bank is a New York City-born, raised, and based actor and improviser who grew up about fifteen minutes away from this very theater. Recent credits include Tad in The Best Seats in the House (New Perspectives Theatre), Juror Eight in Twelve Angry Men (City Gate Productions), and Max in The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) (Hudson Classical Theatre Company). He also played Chase in Le Parrot, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival last year. He co-hosts Cage Match, New York's third-longest-running improv show, at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre every Thursday at 10 p.m. and performs with his improv team, Clippy, every other Tuesday at 10 p.m. (also at UCB). Find him online at maxwellbank.net or on Instagram at @thatmaxperson.
Allie Beltran- Ensemble
Allie’s Credits include NYC: Golem Owned a Tropical Smoothie (Assistant Choreographer). Regional: 42nd Street (Maltz Jupiter Theatre), August: Osage County (Palm Beach Dramaworks), Billy Elliot (Maltz Jupiter Theatre), Fireflies (Hippodrome Theatre), A Christmas Carol (Hippodrome Theatre), I Miss All My Entrances (Hippodrome Theatre), Michael Feinstein and the Palm Beach Pops (Kravis Center), and Our Town (Palm Beach Dramaworks). You also may have seen her in some play readings at the Actors Studio! Film: Picturesque, Manic Pixie Dream Girl, Val and Taylor’s F*ck It List, and Haunts. Thank you to this wonderful team. Love you, Betty. Hi, Donna! IG: @allie.beltran.
DJ Davis- Ensemble
DJ Davis is an actor, writer, director, and producer with a passion for storytelling that entertains, challenges, and inspires. You may have seen him in productions such as Stupid F*cking Bird, The Bridge, Pride and Prejudice, and many more. As the founder of Outside Entertainment, DJ is dedicated to creating bold, original work that sparks conversation and pushes creative boundaries. He’s thrilled for you to experience this new and inventive show. “The atmosphere in our world is not conducive to a stress-free life. So, for the next hour or so, I hope you can sit back, relax, enjoy the show, and walk away feeling just a little different than when you came in. I love you, God loves you—namaste.”
Emma Sarah Davis- Ensemble
Emma Sarah Davis is an actor and theatre maker with a BFA from Emerson College. She just finished the run of the NYC premiere of her show Roominate (previously in The Philadelphia Fringe Festival ‘24). She is beyond grateful to NPTC and Culture Lab LIC, and would like to thank Melody and Katrin for trusting them to tell this story. Emma also extends her gratitude to every actor in this ensemble for their creativity and dedication. A big thank you to her parents and brothers for their constant loving encouragement. She also thanks her partner and friends for keeping her afloat and filling her days with joy. This play is about the fight for art in times of hardship—even when the government may be against you, never stop creating truthful art. “Don’t just watch—witness… speak up, interrupt power.” —Adrienne Maree Brown
Chase Lee- Ensemble
Chase Lee is delighted to be making his debut with New Perspectives Theater Company. Recent credits include Macbeth (Shakespeare in the Woods), Romeo & Juliet (Arachne Theater Company), and The Shylock and The Shakespeareans (Untitled Theater Company No. 61). He also recently starred in the short film Echo and in the vertical miniseries My Billionaire Ever After. Chase has trained at Trinity University and the Atlantic Acting School. To check out more of his work, visit chaseleeacts.com and follow him on Instagram @chaseleeacts.
Megan Lomax- Ensemble
Megan Is thrilled to be a part of this collaboration! She was seen on Broadway in the Tony award winning show Skin of Our Teeth at the Vivian Beaumont. Other theater credits include: Small Town Icons (The Tank), No Good Things… (A.R.T/New York) Best Seats in the House (New Perspective Theater), The Great Bluffer (New Perspective Theater), 24 Hour Plays: Nationals, Rosie Revere, Engineer (TheaterWorks National Tour) Kudzu (AL Shakespeare Festival). T.V: City on a Hill (Showtime). Instagram: @megan_lomax_
Jomack Miranda- Ensemble
Jomack Miranda is a Brooklyn-bred actor who studied in Europe. His interest in Hallie Flanagan began in 11th-grade history, where he was inspired by her vision of a world where regular artists are paid a living wage—much like a bus driver would be—ensuring legitimate pay for those who hold the mirror to society. He is very happy to be part of this talented ensemble and deeply commends the writing team for curating this experience. He thanks Melody Brooks for always being in his corner, Katrin Hilbe for her precise and free direction, and his family for putting up with him. Love. @jomackmiranda.
Nick Radu-Blackburn- Ensemble
Nick Radu-Blackburn is an Ohio-born actor, writer, director, teaching artist, and all-around collaborator living in Queens, NY. Nick has been busy teaching acting and playwriting to students ranging from eight to eighteen years old in schools and studio classes with Speranza Theatre Company, where he is also the Education Coordinator. He has been working on new musicals with Across A Crowded Room at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts. He is currently working on his musical Lonely Moon and is hard at work on his board game, Nekérwin's Revenge. Nick is excited to be back on stage and is grateful to Katrin, Melody, Tess, and everyone at New Perspectives Theatre Company and Culture Lab, LIC, for allowing him to play and stretch his acting muscles. And, as always, Nick is most thankful for his Cutie.
Cheyenne Springette- Ensemble
Cheyenne Springette (she/her) is a Pittsburgh-born actor, writer, and filmmaker who currently resides in New York City. She loves all things comedy, lyrical, and brings her knowledge of the craft everywhere she goes. Co-founder of Dartboard Production Company, a non-profit producing new work that aspires to inspire with each coming season, Cheyenne always brings her sense of community and individuality to any role she plays. She takes pleasure in turning nothing into something and believes that now, more than ever, is the time to innovate. This ensemble is full of thinkers who wish to incite change, and Cheyenne couldn’t be happier to be a part of it. Thank you to all producers and creatives of It CAN Happen Here. Special shoutout to Anna Weinstein, PK Delay, and the ones she calls family! She hopes to meet you, color with you, and find inspiration together.
Jade Anderson- Understudy (Hallie Flanagan)
Congratulations to the fabulous cast and crew of It CAN Happen Here, and thank you to Katrin and Melody for the opportunity to be included in this magical show! Subscribe to Jade on Apple Podcasts for film and TV reviews, and visit Jade’s YouTube channel (@JadeAndersonActor). Links available at Jade-anderson.com.