Jeremy Okai Davis
Next up in our Chapel Theatre Winter Play Festival lineup for DANNY AND ROSE…!
Introducing Jeremy Okai Davis, a newcomer to the world of acting. Davis was born in Charlotte, NC but has resided in Portland, Oregon since 2007.
With a background in the arts, Davis has always found inspiration in various forms of creative expression. From painting and photography to poetry and music, their artistic journey has been enriched by breathing in several influences.
In addition to his artistic pursuits, Davis is a devoted parent, along with his partner Brittany, of two amazing children, Runey & Rhye. Parenthood has added a depth and richness to his life that has led to a desire to tap into human emotions and relationships through acting.
Jeremy is excited to make his debut at the Chapel Theatre and is thankful for the opportunity. He would like to thank his co-star Cecelia Shroyer, director Laura Handke and the amazing writer Michael Kurt.
Michael Kurt
Michael Kurt is an author, artist, and the co-founder of Berm magazine. From 2014 to 2021, Michael co-hosted the podcast Talking to Ghosts, which interviewed creatives about their lives and ran on a bi-weekly schedule. In 2021, Michael also self-published his first chapbook of fiction, called Heaviness Leaves The Body. After ending the Talking to Ghosts podcast, Michael and Wes went on to found Berm Magazine. In 2023, the video art piece In Distance Time Moves was selected to be shown at Moscow Contemporary, in Moscow, Idaho as part of the Timescape(s) group exhibition. In 2024, Michael’s short play Danny And Rose will be featured in the Chapel Theater Play Fest.
Laura Handke
Laura Handke is an inspirational and energetic facilitator, writer, speaker and certified Transformational Voice® teacher, committed to helping others express themselves fully in the world. She teaches voice and piano. Laura is the author of Six Degrees to Your Dreams, an iUniverse Editor’s Choice award recipient, The Ten Tenets of Authenticity, and How Abella Found Her Voice. (Transformational Voice® is a registered trademark of Transformational Voice® Training Institute, LLC, and Linda Brice.) DANNY AND ROSE is her directorial debut.
Next up…the show I’m acting in that almost didn’t happen…
TOAST
There’s a story behind this show.
I received notice that I would be acting in TOAST, written by Nanette Gatchel, the same time as I learned about directing DANNY AND ROSE. Yet somehow days went by without a first meeting or any scheduled rehearsals. My co-star and I were available on different days. His schedule for a film he was shooting was becoming heavier and heavier. We two, the director, and the writer, all live on completely different sides of Portland (which isn’t exactly a small, quaint hamlet.) And then a snow and ice storm hit, power and internet went out, trees fell, and the whole city became Cancellation Central. My co-star reluctantly dropped out, and then the director did as well.
I had been working on my lines and was over 90% off book (not needing to hold the script to remember lines) by then, so I just sat back and waited to see what would happen.
What happened was the co-owner of the theatre company, Corinn DeTorres, decided to direct the show herself and the actor who quit recommended a film actor friend of his to take over the role of Bill. (It’s a two-person show; I play Katherine, Bill’s wife.)
We met on ZOOM last Thursday. Had five rehearsals between Friday and Tuesday. Dress rehearsal is Wednesday night, and the show opens on Friday.
Those of you who’ve been involved in the theatre know that’s a short, tight time frame in which to put a show together. Especially one with complicated blocking (physical movement on stage.) I’m exhausted and my brain is full. True story: Yesterday, after rehearsal, I drove to the mall to get a costuming piece for the show. I had to go to four different stores to find something that would even remotely work; it was like the size goblins had come in and taken out virtually every knee-length nightgown and robe that would fit me. I finally found a black robe and decided to use a tunic-style tank top I already had on hand as the nightie.
Chaos! Mayhem, I tell you!
I literally walked out of three different JC Penny doors (it’s a big store) before I got to the parking lot where I had parked my car. I got completely turned around. It felt like that Viola Davis moment in the film EAT, PRAY, LOVE, when she said, “I can’t keep two thoughts in my head.” My brain is filled with dialog and blocking; there’s no room for anything else.
Yet, somehow, we’re a great team and we’re having a lot of fun!
So, it’s with great pleasure I introduce my dedicated, hard-working, energetic co-star, Dan Kyle…who is definitely getting the theatre bug!
Dan Kyle
Dan Kyle was born on April 24, 1972 in Portland, Oregon, USA. He is an actor and writer, known for Jason Rising: A Friday the 13th Fan Film (2021), South of Heaven: Episode 3 – The Long Walk Home (2019) and V-Force: New Dawn of V.I.C.T.O.R.Y. (2017).
I’m feeling confident now that this will be a show I can be just as proud of as I am my DANNY AND ROSE cast. If you’re in Portland and enjoy live theatre, come see the shows!