VILLAIN MEDIA RELEASE

Villain - An American Story

— MEDIA RELEASE —

HOLLYWOOD, CA — From The Gut Creations Productions presents the World Premiere of VILLAIN, An American Story at the Hollywood Fringe Festival. Two families, the Clark Family and Thompson Family, are forever linked together through the tragedy of an act that has a devastating impact on both families. A black teenage boy is shot by a white police officer.

VILLAIN, written by Michael James Kelly and Kailena Mai, is, an American Story. Devon Clark, age 16, is shot by Officer William P. Thompson in Long Beach California, early one fall evening. When there is an action, there is always reaction and, two-sides to every story. In this case, both families try to deal with the aftermath of this shared tragedy during a 24-hour period. Michael James Kelly and Kailena Mai’s modern day play examines the culture that portrays African American men as dangerous criminals and the consequences that it carries in the justice system.

This explosive, heart wrenching story, is directed by, Bernadette Speakes, who earlier this year, directed the sold out play, The Watson Go To Birmingham-1968. VILLAIN, An American Story, is told through an excellent ensemble cast of actors; Azizi Donnelly, Michael James Kelly, Frederick Koehler, Sonia Jackson, Kailena Mai, Monty Montgomery, Shaw Purnell, John Thomas, Richard Warren and Taissa Zveiter.

VILLAIN is a 90-minute play, featured through the Hollywood Fringe Festival and Preview’s June 3, 2018 at 4 pm, in the Stephanie Feury Theater, located at 5636 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, CA. Other performances in June are the 10th at 7:30 pm, 13th at 8:30 pm, 16th at 11 am, 17th at 6 pm, 21st at 7pm and June 24th at 2:30 pm. Ticket price is $17.00.

Michael James Kelly (Writer and Producer) — Michael James Kelly is an actor, writer, director, originally from Philadelphia. After graduating Temple University with a BA in Theatre, he moved to New York City where he studied under Susan Batson and Carl Ford at Susan Batson Studios. In New York, Michael worked in commercials, television and off- Broadway productions, which led him to relocate to Los Angeles where he currently resides. Michael’s theatre credits include: “Going After Caciatto”, “The Blue Room” and “The Meeting”. Television credits include: “Grey’s Anatomy” “Lights Out” and “All My Children.”


Kailena Mai (Writer and Producer) — Kailena Mai is a Seattle native and University of Washington – School of Drama graduate, who now resides in Los Angeles. She grew up in a family of artists who impressed upon her, the value of self-expression. At the ripe age of seven, Kailena discovered a place that she could express herself where people would pay attention: the stage. She continued to find herself in the world of theater until she moved to Hollywood and was introduced to film.  She has studied at UCB and Anthony Meindl’s Actor’s Workshop, and with Shanga Parker (Tisch) and Howard Fine.  Now, she writes, produces and acts in film and on the stage. 
Past stage credits include: Red Velvet (Atwater Playhouse), A Christmas Carol (Freemont Center Theatre in Pasadena), ‘Til Death Do Us Part (The Avery Shreiber Playhouse), First Encounters of the Human Kind (Girls on Top Theater Company), Wag Your Tail (The Los Angeles Children’s Theatre Company), Marisol (The Penthouse Theatre Company – Seattle), Oliver Twist (C.A.S.T.T. – Seattle), Rapunzel (C.A.S.T.T. – Seattle), The Vagina Monologues (W.A.C. – Seattle) TV credits include: Criminal Minds, The O.A., and Ismo

Bernadette Speakes (Director) — Bernadette Speakes has spent years being an actor on stage. Most recently she completed a successful run as a Director, staging the West Coast Premiere of The Watsons Go to Birmingham-1963, at the Hudson Backstage Theater. Well, Bernadette is back at it again! This time for the 2018 Hollywood Fringe Festival, she’s directing a relevant piece, Villain. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre from the University of Georgia; and presently continues to hone her craft, at various acting studios around the Los Angeles area. Bernadette was a part of the Producing Queens of The Trunk Show…that brought its own uniqueness in the world of storytelling. She is also the creator and producer of Get Up Stand Up…Clean Comedy 4 A Change. A Comedy Showcase, that bridges the gap of laughter and charity together. Bernadette has also appeared in several acclaimed shows, such as, Tituba, in The Crucible during the 2013 Hollywood Fringe Festival. The Elephant Theater’s, North Plan, In Arabia We’d Be Kings, and The Fountain Theater’s West Coast Production of Direct from Death Row, The Scottsboro Boys. She’s performed at the Steppenwolf Theater, Goodman, Washington D.C.’s Kennedy Center, and the Matrix’s LA Premier of An Evening with Shakespeare featuring Taraji P. Henson. Awards include an Emmy Nomination for A Stage of Our Own, with James Earl Jones, and the 1997 Sundance Festival Winner, Love Jones, which was also honored in 2017 at the ABFF AWARDS for its contribution as a cinematic classic in African-American films. Other Film & TV Credits include, The Soloist, Seal Team, Heroes, Parenthood and To Sir with Love II with Mr. Sidney Poitier.
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Contact:
Bernadette Speakes, Director
VILLAIN, An American Story
Phone: 818-482-1121
Email: [email protected]