Ann K. Flynn (Ghost Marie) is excited to be a part of the inaugural BNPI. She has been a featured cabaret and burlesque artist for over a decade, headlining and emceeing at venues and festivals across the country, including Teaserfest (New Orleans) and the DragonCon Nerdlesque* Showcase (Atlanta).  As her burlesque persona, Vieux Carré, she starred in the title role of Sherlock Holmes and the Hound of the Burlesquerville (Naked Theatre Company)**. Vieux has hosted the headlining night of the Colorado Burlesque Festival in 2024 & 2025.  Ann is also the creator of Sound Box, an improvisational singing ensemble known for blending harmony and humor. She’s delighted to bring her flair for character and comedy to this production. Ann received her Bachelor of Arts from Baylor University.

Austin Terrell (Dick) is a dynamic stage actor and immersive performance designer whose work spans classical theatre, contemporary plays, original works, and film. Austin's regional theatre credits include performances with the Colorado Shakespeare Festival, Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company, Arvada Center Black Box Rep, The Catamounts, and Buntport Theatre. He has portrayed a range of characters, including Lord Clifford in Henry VI, Part III, Ajax in Troilus and Cressida, and Stephano in The Tempest.

A graduate of Baylor University with a BFA in Theatrical Performance, Austin has trained in stage combat, Suzuki/Viewpoints, and various audition techniques. He also holds certifications in theatrical firearms and unarmed combat. In addition to acting, he is skilled in musical improvisation, dialect work, and immersive storytelling design, including collaborations with Meow Wolf. Austin currently works with the Denver Museum of Nature & Science in Denver, Colorado, serving as Adult Programs Coordinator for new experiences & lectures. 

Drew Wall (George) is a local artist, actor, designer, and musician.  Currently he works for Zero Productions in Dallas, TX making window displays and art installations for luxury fashion companies.  His work (on and offstage) includes productions at Dallas Theater Center, Second Thought Theatre, Kitchen Dog Theater, Theatre Three, African American Rep, Undermain Theater, Stage West, Shakespeare Dallas, and the Ensemble Studio Theatre.  Drew received his BFA from Baylor University.  He would like to thank his friends and family for their constant support, but especially his incredible wife Abbey for her boundless patience and love.

Jackson Rogers grew up in Dallas, Texas and is now a Senior BFA Major in Theatre Performance at Baylor University. He has previously been seen on the Baylor Main Stage in The Tempest (Iris), The Thanksgiving Play (Ensemble), Describe the Night (Feliks), and in the Baylor New Play Initiative’s production of I, Will (Stephen). Jackson’s greatest passion in telling stories of all forms, and is as such planning on return to Dallas after graduation to pursue that passion both on stage and in the voice over booth.

John-Michael Marrs is an assistant professor of acting in Baylor University's Department of Theatre Arts. He teaches courses in audition technique and the business of acting, period styles of performance, realism, Viewpoints, and the intersections of Christianity and Western Theatre. Additionally, he is a faculty member in the Baylor Interdisciplinary Core. John-Michael received his Master of Fine Arts in Acting from the University of Alabama/Alabama Shakespeare Festival, and is a proud alumnus of Baylor University, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Theatre.

Upon completion of his studies, John-Michael lived and worked as a professional actor in New York and various regional markets. Off-Broadway, he has performed with the New York Classical Theatre (Richard III) and the Ohio Theatre (Hater with Merritt Wever*). Regional credits include the Shakespeare Theatre Company (Julius Caesar; Antony and Cleopatra, director Michael Kahn**), the Denver Center*** (The Liar+, The Taming of the Shrew), the Denver Center's Colorado New Play Summit (The Hand of God, director Pam MacKinnon++), Pioneer Theatre Company (Dracula), and two seasons with the Alabama Shakespeare Festival (numerous productions including Heracles; Treasure Island; Twelfth Night; Man of La Mancha; The Three Sisters; The Illusion; Disney's Beauty and the Beast; Henry VI, pts. 1, 2, & 3; Richard III; and Doctor Faustus). Television and voiceover credits include Mystery of Matter (PBS; director, Muffie Meyer+++) and Vital Voices' 2011 Fatema Akbari Tribute at the Kennedy Center. Locally, John-Michael has performed with Amphibian Stage Productions (Cyrano•; Freud’s Last Session) and WaterTower Theatre (Kate Hamill’s Pride and Prejudice+; The Gospel According to Thomas Jefferson, Charles Dickens, and Count Leo Tolstoy: Discord+; One Man, Two Guvnors; and The Explorers Club+ (a coproduction with Stage West Theatre in Ft. Worth).

John-Michael has trained and devised work with Anne Bogart and the SITI Company and is a certified actor combatant with the Society of American Fight Directors. John-Michael is a member of Actors' Equity Association. In addition to his theatrical pursuits, he has worked in both recruitment and development with the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts and Yale University, respectively.

*Emmy Award (Winner), Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: Nurse Jackie

**Inductee, American Theatre Hall of Fame; 2012 Tony Award (Winner), Outstanding Regional Theatre Award: Shakespeare Theatre Company; 1986 Tony Award (Winner), Outstanding Regional Theatre Award: American Shakespeare Festival; 1976 Tony Award (Nominee), Best Direction of a Musical: Show Boat; et al.

***1998 Tony Award (Winner), Outstanding Regional Theatre Award

+Regional Premiere

++2013 Tony Award (Winner), Best Direction of a Play: Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf?; 2012 Tony Award (Nominee), Best Direction of a Play: Clybourne Park

+++Director, Emmy Award-Winning Documentaries Grey Gardens (1975), and Benjamin Franklin (2002); Directors Guild of America (Twice Nominated)

*World Premiere

Kayland Jordan (Luce) is excited to make her first appearance at BNPI. She previously worked with Emily Scott Banks on Poor Clare (Stage West) and is proud to again be under her direction. Other credits include Rosalind in As You Like It, Weird Sister in Macbeth, Ruth Younger in A Raisin In The Sun, Helena in A Midsummer Night's Dream (all four at The Utah Shakespeare Festival), Camae in The Mountaintop, The Storyteller in The Figs, Carmen in This Girl Laughs, This Girl Cries, This Girl Does Nothing (all three at American Stage), Mayme in Intimate Apparel (MainStage Irving- Las Colinas), Mirrors (New York Theatre Workshop), Fancy Maids (Teatro SEA). TV credits include: Desiree in “Betty” (HBO) and Valerie Anderson in “Entitled” (Amazon). She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting from Pace University.

Marrissa Cauley (Mary) is a junior majoring in Theater Performance at Baylor University, with a concentration in Musical Theater. She is thrilled to be part of the Baylor New Play Initiative's inaugural festival. This marks Marrissa's debut on the MainStage. She would like to express her gratitude to the incredible faculty at Baylor Theater and her amazing, supportive family.

Sonny Mauldin (Bobby) is a Baylor Alum who has recently moved to New York City where he plans to continue his acting career. Promptly after graduation Sonny began working with Lagniappe Productions where he performed in wild west stunt shows at Six Flags as well as various shows in Louisiana. While at Baylor he led newer works such as The Thanksgiving Play, where he played Jaxton, and The Grown-Ups, as Lukas. Other roles such as Ron in Recent Tragic Events, and Solyony in Three Sisters also mark Sonny’s resume. Sonny wants to give thanks to Jesus Christ, Mom, Dad, Lauren Meece, and Stan Denman for always giving him the constant encouragement, guidance, and confidence he needs to keep on moving. 

Steven Pounders is a Professor of Theatre Performance in the Department of Theatre Arts, teaching undergraduate acting courses and directing plays for the Baylor Theatre. He is a member of the graduate faculty, and mentors graduate student directors. Steven joined the Baylor faculty in 2002. In 2008, he organized the Fine Arts Living Learning Center in the North Village Residence Halls for students of Theatre Arts, Film & Digital Media, Art and Art History, and Music; and he continues to serve as the Faculty-in-Residence for the Fine Arts LLC. In 2015, he received the Baylor Outstanding Faculty Partner Award for his service to students. In coordination with a Summer Sabbatical studying Meisner Technique with master teacher Larry Silverberg, he received the Baylor Centennial Professor Award in 2016. 

Steven is a professional actor and director with membership in Actors Equity Association. His professional performances have included the Off Broadway Premiere of Craig Wright's The Unseen at the Cherry Lane Theatre in NYC (produced by the American Actors Company) and a number of productions at Theatre Row in downtown NYC as a company member of the Resonance Ensemble. He has also worked in numerous regional productions with other theatres including the Zach Theatre in Austin; Casa Manana, Circle Theatre, and Stage West in Fort Worth; the Oklahoma Shakespeare Festival; Theatre Three, Uptown Players, and the WaterTower Theatre in Dallas. He received his MFA from the actor training program at UNC-Chapel Hill, and there he performed as a member of PlayMakers Repertory Company in the premiere of David Hammond's original Nutcracker, Romeo and Juliet with Kyle MacLaughlin, and other plays. In addition to directing numerous university productions, he also directs professionally for regional theatres. Steven is a member of the Society of American Fight Directors, a certified teacher of Meisner Technique and a certified teacher of Knight-Thompson Speechwork.