Cast & Creative Team

Meet the sensationally talented cast and creative team of The 8th Light.

Maxine Wanderer (Caz) is an avid reader, writer and storyteller. She plays piano and the electric bass in her middle school Jazz band. Favorite roles include: Clara in “The Brooklyn Nutcracker” at The Kings Theatre. Film: "Sylphvania Grove" (winner

Maxine Wanderer (Caz) is an avid reader, writer and storyteller. She plays piano and the electric bass in her middle school Jazz band. Favorite roles include: Clara in “The Brooklyn Nutcracker” at The Kings Theatre. Film: "Sylphvania Grove" (winner of the Best Youth Actor Award) and upcoming short "Cut”. TV: "The Blacklist", "The Meredith Vieira Show" and "SNL". Voice Acting: Ruth Rose in “A to Z Mysteries: Clue Club” podcast series and Alessia in the animated TV “Super Wings!”

Jaiya Chetram (Dash) is an actor and musician from New York, who hopes to one day become a world-known performer and activist. You may have seen Jaiya in some tv appearances such as “Madame Secretary”, “Kevin Can Wait”, some international commercials

Jaiya Chetram (Dash) is an actor and musician from New York, who hopes to one day become a world-known performer and activist. You may have seen Jaiya in some tv appearances such as “Madame Secretary”, “Kevin Can Wait”, some international commercials for Lunchable and Google, the new movie “Marry Me” with Jennifer Lopez, as well as heard Jaiya in the critically acclaimed sci-fi podcast The Unexplainable Disappearance of Mars Patel, as Mars. Jaiya is excited to be part of 8th Light.

Ezekiel (Zeke) Wise (Huxley) is a student in eighth grade. He loves to act, sing, and perform on stage, having played Jack in Brooklyn Children’s Theatre production of Disney’s Newsies, and Gaston in BCT’s production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.

Ezekiel (Zeke) Wise (Huxley) is a student in eighth grade. He loves to act, sing, and perform on stage, having played Jack in Brooklyn Children’s Theatre production of Disney’s Newsies, and Gaston in BCT’s production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. He loves dogs, spending time with his friends and family, and staying up late. He is an avid writer, and spends much of his free time scribbling and sketching.

John Del Vecchio (Ben) is a writer, actor and director. His solo show Fearless was a part of the 18th NYC Fringe Festival. John has appeared in several Off-Broadway productions including Three at the Cherry Lane Theatre and Play/Date at Fat Baby. Joh

John Del Vecchio (Ben) is a writer, actor and director. His solo show Fearless was a part of the 18th NYC Fringe Festival. John has appeared in several Off-Broadway productions including Three at the Cherry Lane Theatre and Play/Date at Fat Baby. John is an excellent baker and in his spare time has been teaching Drama to elementary students in Queens for over 15 years. He is excited to be a part of The 8th Light.

Roberto Ramos Roberto (Leland) is an NYC based Actor and VoiceOver Artist. He is currently in The Fools & Kings production of Othello (Othello) and The AlphaNYC’s production of The Wizard of Oz (Lion).However, The 8th Light is his most highly anticip

Roberto Ramos Roberto (Leland) is an NYC based Actor and VoiceOver Artist. He is currently in The Fools & Kings production of Othello (Othello) and The AlphaNYC’s production of The Wizard of Oz (Lion).However, The 8th Light is his most highly anticipated project yet. He can’t wait to bring everything to the table for Leland & dog deep. Keep up to date with Rob ! @robraphram @voiceoverrob

Christopher-Rashee Stevenson (Marty/Arthur) is a freelance theatre artist from Baltimore. His reworking of Amiri Baraka’s cult classic “Dutchman” enjoyed a one night only showing at the Wild Project in November '18 and a limited run at the Tank in Fe

Christopher-Rashee Stevenson (Marty/Arthur) is a freelance theatre artist from Baltimore. His reworking of Amiri Baraka’s cult classic “Dutchman” enjoyed a one night only showing at the Wild Project in November '18 and a limited run at the Tank in February '18. An alum of Lincoln Center Theater Director’s Lab ‘18 and current Mabou Mines SUITE/SPACE Resident Artist '20, Stevenson's work as director and performer has been featured at The Performing Garage, The Tank, JACK, HERE Arts Center, Classical Theatre of Harlem, The Actor’s Studio, American Repertory Theater, Millennium Film Workshop, University Settlement, Lincoln Center, LaMaMa, the New Ohio and the Eubie Blake Jazz Institute.

Jacqui Guillén (Sarah) is a New York based actor from Mexico. Some past NYC theater credits include: “ 72 Miles to Go…”(Roundabout Theater),“Then They Forgot About the Rest” (INTAR), "Play/Date" (3LD). She lends her voice to KCRW's radionovela Celest

Jacqui Guillén (Sarah) is a New York based actor from Mexico. Some past NYC theater credits include: “ 72 Miles to Go…”(Roundabout Theater),“Then They Forgot About the Rest” (INTAR), "Play/Date" (3LD). She lends her voice to KCRW's radionovela Celestial Blood/ Sangre Celestial, now available for streaming on iTunes. Her TV credits include “The Good Cop”, “Bull”, “Orange Is the New Black”, “Search Party”, “Blue Bloods”. Films: “Get My Gun” & “The Dreamer/La Soñadora.” Jacqueline-guillen.com

For years, Marshall Davis Jones (The Big Wave) relied on words alone. As a performance artist and spoken word poet, he thought having the right words was enough. But after exploring movement practices and researching the connection between sound and

For years, Marshall Davis Jones (The Big Wave) relied on words alone. As a performance artist and spoken word poet, he thought having the right words was enough. But after exploring movement practices and researching the connection between sound and listening, he discovered that to change your life, you have to change your voice. MindBodySpeak is his unique approach to communication, going beyond words and conflict resolution to address the real power behind voice— combining body language and tone of voice to create BodyTone.He’s trained law enforcement, corporations, college students and martial arts instructors, and has spoken on numerous TEDx stages.

Jeffrey Emerson (Paulie Perkins & Others) can currently be seen on Netflix as Warden Kilpatrick on Season 2 of Happy! with Chris Meloni and Patton Oswalt. He recently worked on The Plot Against America, produced by David Simon for HBO. In New York C

Jeffrey Emerson (Paulie Perkins & Others) can currently be seen on Netflix as Warden Kilpatrick on Season 2 of Happy! with Chris Meloni and Patton Oswalt. He recently worked on The Plot Against America, produced by David Simon for HBO. In New York City, he has acted at Lincoln Center, The Cherry Lane, The Ohio, The Flea and many more. He is thrilled to join the cast of The 8th Light.

Lilah Heller (Ruth) is a New York based actress who looks forward to studying Drama at the Professional Performing Arts School in Manhattan. Notable theatre credits include: Gumshoe (Trusty Sidekick Theatre Company), Urinetown (Imagine Works Youth Th

Lilah Heller (Ruth) is a New York based actress who looks forward to studying Drama at the Professional Performing Arts School in Manhattan. Notable theatre credits include: Gumshoe (Trusty Sidekick Theatre Company), Urinetown (Imagine Works Youth Theatre), Cinderella JR. (iTheatrics) and Technology’s Touch (Salk School of Science Drama Department). Lilah is a Young Deviser with the Trusty Sidekick Theatre Company. She is thrilled to be a part of The 8th Light!

Jacqueline Salvador (Dot) is a Virginia-native actor living in New York City. She made her Off-Broadway debut with Atlantic Theatre in their production of James and the Giant Peach, where she played “Spider.” She has played an assortment of musical t

Jacqueline Salvador (Dot) is a Virginia-native actor living in New York City. She made her Off-Broadway debut with Atlantic Theatre in their production of James and the Giant Peach, where she played “Spider.” She has played an assortment of musical theater characters; “Bonnie” in Anything Goes, “Carla” in In The Heights and “The Stepmother” in Cinderella: The New Musical. Lastly, she has found a new creative outlet in portrait photography and knitting!

Natalie Ballenger is a California native currently based in NYC! Past Credits include: Centennial Tour of West Side Story (Maria), Beauty & The Beast (World Tour), New York City Opera (Lincoln Center), IHeart Radio (Featured Voice Talent), My Fair La

Natalie Ballenger is a California native currently based in NYC! Past Credits include: Centennial Tour of West Side Story (Maria), Beauty & The Beast (World Tour), New York City Opera (Lincoln Center), IHeart Radio (Featured Voice Talent), My Fair Lady (Eliza Doolittle), Guys and Dolls (Sarah Brown), Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol (Actors Fund), Dialogues of the Carmelites (Blanche), Lotte Lenya Competition Winner. Follow her travels at: www.natalieballenger.com IG: @natalieballenger

Aryn Mello Prior (Lorraine) is a New York actor working across theatre, film, and voice. Having started in Shakespeare, Aryn fell into voice acting almost by accident, and loves bouncing between media on different projects. Aryn also has a particula

Aryn Mello Prior (Lorraine) is a New York actor working across theatre, film, and voice. Having started in Shakespeare, Aryn fell into voice acting almost by accident, and loves bouncing between media on different projects. Aryn also has a particular interest in science fiction and mystery stories, so when the two came together in The 8th Light, it was an opportunity too good to pass up.

Sharon Counts (Co-Creator/Director/Producer) is an arts education and community engagement innovator who has worked in education, theater and live entertainment for over 20 years. Sharon has directed and produced numerous productions including severa

Sharon Counts (Co-Creator/Director/Producer) is an arts education and community engagement innovator who has worked in education, theater and live entertainment for over 20 years. Sharon has directed and produced numerous productions including several shows for the Young Arts Foundation in Miami, LA and at The Kennedy Center. Sharon directed Fearless at the NYC Fringe Festival for which she received the “Best Of" Fringe Award. She also produced and performed in Play/Date, an immersive theatrical production at Fat Baby in NYC. Sharon is currently working towards her Doctorate in Education Leadership & Innovation at New York University.

Max Silverman (Composer) is a NYC and Colorado based Composer, Sound Designer and Online Technical Director. He holds a BFA from Westminster College of the Arts. NYC credits include Atlantic Theatre Company, MCC Theatre, Inproximity Theatre Co, Theat

Max Silverman (Composer) is a NYC and Colorado based Composer, Sound Designer and Online Technical Director. He holds a BFA from Westminster College of the Arts. NYC credits include Atlantic Theatre Company, MCC Theatre, Inproximity Theatre Co, Theatre For a New Audience, Brooklyn Academy of Music, New York Deaf Theatre, American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Columbia University, Heartbeat Opera, Epic Players, Actionplay, Manhattan Repertory Theatre, 5th Floor Theatre Co, Encores! Off-Center and Juilliard. Regional credits include Williamstown Theatre Festival, MA, Quintessence Theatre Group, PA, Trinity Rep., RI, Hartford Stage, MA, Penguin Rep., NY, Cara Mía Theatre Co., TX, 4th Wall Theatre, NJ, Princeton University, NJ, Local Theater Co., CO, Cherry Creek Theatre, CO, The Catamounts, CO, Hoodoo Berlin and CLB Berlin. Max has also written music for several podcasts, advertisements and short films.

Marshall Grupp (Lead Sound Designer) is a 30+ year post-production vet. Marshall was one of the first artists to establish sound design as a distinct discipline in advertising production, and he remains committed to bringing work to the next level. O

Marshall Grupp (Lead Sound Designer) is a 30+ year post-production vet. Marshall was one of the first artists to establish sound design as a distinct discipline in advertising production, and he remains committed to bringing work to the next level. Over the course of his illustrious career, the AICP/MoMA, Clio, Yellow Pencil and Cannes Lion Awards winner, has sound designed more than 7,000 commercials, as well as countless movies and television shows, each time applying the same imagination and dedication to his craft that continues to place him at the forefront of his field.

Pat Christensen (Engineer) has engineered recording sessions for Sound Lounge’s Film+Television division since its inception in 2010. Previously, he devoted seven years to Sound Lounge as an assistant, editor and mixer of radio and television commerc

Pat Christensen (Engineer) has engineered recording sessions for Sound Lounge’s Film+Television division since its inception in 2010. Previously, he devoted seven years to Sound Lounge as an assistant, editor and mixer of radio and television commercials before becoming the Film + Television’s ADR Mixer. On weekends, this hockey fanatic can be found playing roller hockey or using his smoker to whip up a variety of meaty treats. Clients and co-workers alike can get a slice of Texas style brisket or Carolina pulled pork on the right day.

Anthony Cappellino (Engineer) After graduating from SUNY Fredonia, Anthony joined the Sound Lounge team as an intern with our Film + Television Division. Quickly moving up to an Assistant Mixer, he now helps record, edit, and mix projects including t

Anthony Cappellino (Engineer) After graduating from SUNY Fredonia, Anthony joined the Sound Lounge team as an intern with our Film + Television Division. Quickly moving up to an Assistant Mixer, he now helps record, edit, and mix projects including two recent feature length films.

Pete Crimi (Mixer) is a bright, talented mixer, and a gifted sound designer. With his innate ability to work creatively with sound, he’s a rising star in the industry. Pete has mixed and sound designed several award-winning short films, as well as ep

Pete Crimi (Mixer) is a bright, talented mixer, and a gifted sound designer. With his innate ability to work creatively with sound, he’s a rising star in the industry. Pete has mixed and sound designed several award-winning short films, as well as episodic podcasts. He has also worked on ad campaigns for numerous leading brands, including Nike, Amazon Go, Comcast, and Domino’s Pizza.

Drew Petersen (Co-Creator/Writer) is a creator, writer, and director of multi-media and live theatrical experiences for young audiences and their families. He has been commissioned and presented at Lincoln Center, The Kennedy Center for the Performi

Drew Petersen (Co-Creator/Writer) is a creator, writer, and director of multi-media and live theatrical experiences for young audiences and their families. He has been commissioned and presented at Lincoln Center, The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, New Victory Theater, Park Avenue Armory, Trusty Sidekick, Kinzoo, and multiple venues across the United States.