Andrew Braner (Mayor) is a graduate of Baylor University, class of 97.  After graduating, Andrew went to the Mountains of Colorado, obtaining an M.A. in Philosophy of Religion from Denver Seminary, and a degree in Apologetics from Oxford University.  After 20 years of people to people peace work, Andrew moved to Washington DC to work in the U.S. House of Representatives, and is currently the Managing Partner at The Main Street Partners in Washington DC.  Working on issues of conservation, energy, and promoting new technologies to Capital Markets, Andrew still finds time for the Kennedy center and local arts in Washington DC.  

Ashley Riccardi (Julienne) is a performer, poet, and playwright originally from San Antonio, Texas, now based in Toledo, Ohio. Notable stage credits include Ship (Nell), Moon Man Walk (Petrushka), Sweat (Cynthia), and Amélie (Lucien). She earned her BFA in Theatre Performance with a Concentration in Musical Theatre from Baylor University in 2024.

Bryan Pitts (Isaac) is honored to be a part of the Baylor New Play Initiative and tell this story of the Freeman family. His credits include,  Northlake College: The Crucible, Gunfighter: A Gulf War Chronicle. Shakespeare Dallas: Comedy of Errors, Twelfth Night and numerous readings. WaterTower Theatre: As You Like It, Bread, As You Like It. Jubilee Theatre: The Mountaintop, Piano Lesson, Detroit 67. Second Thought Theatre: Defiance, Civil War Christmas. Cara Mia Theatre: Alicia in Wonder Tierra. Kitchen Dog Theater: Raw Vision, Safe at Home. Ebony Emerald Theater: Streetcar and Other Desires. Theatre Arlington: A Raisin in the Sun.  Undermain Theatre: Box and We Are Proud to Present a Presentation. Dallas Theater Center: Henry IV, Midsummer Night's Dream, Our Town. Lyric Stage: Cabin in the Sky. He studied at Northlake College and the University of North Texas. Proudly represented by the Kim Dawson Agency. He spends most of his days working in IT for a plastics manufacturer. Thanks Baldwin and Washington.

Christiön Dior Draper (Sloan) is thrilled to be part of Baylor New Play Initiative. A dynamic musical theatre performer with a rich background in both opera and musicals, Christiön has portrayed standout roles including Coalhouse Walker Jr. in Ragtime, Kerchak in Disney’s Tarzan, and the Voice of Audrey II in Little Shop of Horrors. He has also performed with The Dallas Opera in productions such as Carmen, Moby Dick, and The Flying Dutchman. Christiön is deeply grateful to God for his gifts, to his family, and wife Melissa for her support, and to his daughter Aria for inspiring new motivation. He thanks BNPI for this incredible opportunity!

Felicia Bertch (Mayor’s Wife) is honored to be a part of the inaugural year of the Baylor New Play Initiative. She holds a BA in English from Wheaton College and an MFA in Acting from The University of South Carolina. She studied physical theatre arts and devising at L’Ecole Internationale de Theatre Jacques LeCoq in Paris and has continued her training with master teachers in Chicago, Philadelphia, L.A., NYC, and Italy. Felicia has taught, directed, devised, and choreographed at various institutions, including Wheaton College, The University of South Carolina, The University of Chicago, and Columbia College as well as in Tanzania, East Africa. Felicia is currently on faculty and the Head of the BFA Acting Program at The University of Texas at Arlington. She has lived and worked professionally as an actor, director, clown, and model all over the country and abroad. She continues to work as a professional theatre artist in the Dallas/Fort Worth area where she is represented by Kim Dawson Agency, and in Chicago, represented by Lori Lins Ltd. www.feliciabertch.com

Laura Meier Marx (Old Liza) has been active with The Waco Civic Theatre for over 20 years. She is excited to be part of BNPI.

Nash Ferguson (Washington) is an Austin-based actor currently working across stage and screen. He was most recently seen at ZACH Theatre in The Inheritance by Matthew López. On camera, Nash recently appeared in an incubator TV pilot currently in post-production, which premiered at the ATX TV Festival. A proud former BFA Theatre Performance student at Baylor University, he is represented by Collier Talent.

Patrice DeGraff Arenas (LaRonica) a native of Miami, Florida holds a BFA from FSU and MFA from the University of Pittsburgh. Regional Theatre credits include: Skeleton Crew (Gablestage, FL.), Gidion's Knot (New Theatre, FL.), Tempest (New Theatre FL.), In Darfur (Mosiac, FL.), Working (Lyceum, CA.), Hair (Wadsworth, CA.), TV and film credits include: "David Makes Man," OWN and "The Jackson's an American Dream." Performance and teaching have been rewarding experiences through MDCPS (American High), mentoring future film artists at NYFA Miami Campus, leading the Masterclass: "Act Out, Scene Study" for ABFF Miami 2024, 2025, and ABFF London 2025. Acting on stage offers the opportunity to connect with the story, and feel the presence of an audience in real time. The journey from script to performance is electric! Many thanks to my family, found tribe, and students!

 Sky Williams (Josette) is so excited to be a part of the inaugural Baylor New Play Initiative. Williams is an award winning actor and honor's graduate from SFASU where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Theatre and ASL Educational Interpreting. Williams has had the honor of being in many theater productions across the DFW metroplex. Some of her favorite credits include: The Hatmaker’s Wife, and Artemisia (Circle Theatre); Into the Breeches, What to Send Up When it Goes Down, and Grand Horizons  (Stage West); Egress (Amphibian Stage); Godspell (WaterTower Theater); In the Next Room (or the Vibrator Play), and The Revolutionists (Imprint Theatreworks); The Cake, and The Legend of Georgia McBride (Uptown Players); Hot Mikado, and Avenue Q (Theatre Three); as well as two National Tours for Dallas Children’s Theater, along with many others.