Katie Bender (Writer & Performer) is a playwright, performer, and theater maker. Recent performance credits include Instructions for a Séance at Amphibian Stage, The Alley All New Festival and The Playwrights’ Center and NEXT YEAR PEOPLE at Fusebox Festival. Her plays include Judith, SHE WOLF, The Survivors/Los Sobrevivientes, Instructions for a Séance and Howling, Texas. Katie’s work has been developed and produced all over the country. She was a Jerome Fellow and is currently a Core Writer at The Playwrights Center. She received her M.F.A from The University of Texas.
Lily Wolff (Director) is a British-American director, dramaturg, and producer of new work. She’s the Literary Manager at InterAct Theatre Company in Philadelphia and New Works Associate at Chautauqua Theater Company. Formerly the Literary Manager at Houston’s Alley Theatre, Lily has developed plays with Sharyn Rothstein, James Anthony Tyler, Vichet Chum, CA Johnson, Tea Alagíc, Hilary Bettis, Chisa Hutchinson, Duncan Sheik and Kyle Jarrow, Jiehae Park, Theresa Rebeck, Isaac Gómez, and Sharr White, among many others. She has directed plays across the US and Europe including in London and at the Edinburgh Fringe. Lily is a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin, the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, and pandemic parenthood.
Lauren McPherson (Set Designer) is a set designer and scenic artist from the Oklahoma City area. She has designed for Tulsa Opera, Oklahoma City University, The University of Central Oklahoma, Arizona Opera, and Oklahoma Children's Theatre. After having painted for four seasons at OKC Rep, Lauren is very excited to design her first show for the company. She would like to thank David and Emily for giving her the opportunity to design alongside such a wonderful and creative team.
Clara Starkwell (Lighting Designer) is passionate about storytelling through the expression of color and design. She has been honored as a recipient of KC/ACTF National Barbizon Award for Excellence in Lighting Design. Her credits include, RepFest (OKC REP); GREY SKIES BLUE (The Kennedy Center, DC); A CHRISTMAS CAROL (Theatre Silco); LOVE'S LABOUR'S LOST, ROMEO AND JULIET (Oklahoma Shakespeare); SILENT SKY, THE CHINESE LADY (Southern Plains Productions); RIDE THE CYCLONE, ADA AND THE ENGINE (Oklahoma State University); ALL MY SONS (Citrus College); LEGALLY BLONDE (Oklahoma Opera & Music Theater); A BRIGHT ROOM CALLED DAY (TheatreOCU).
Jacob Henry (Sound Designer)
Lauren Brooks (Stage Manager) is a Graduate from Oklahoma City University with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and Performance, Double Minor in Stage Management and Directing, with a Certificate in Non-Profit Arts Administration. She has worked in the Oklahoma Theatre Community since 2018, her most recent credits are CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF (Jewelbox),CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHTTIME (Lyric Academy), and FROG AND TOAD (Lyric Academy). Lauren is thrilled to be a part of the PRIMARY TRUST team and thanks Emily and David for bringing her onboard!
David Pilchman (Production Manager) was born and mostly raised in OKC. After graduating from OU, he Production Stage Managed for The Crown Uptown Theater (Wichita, KS) and several Norwegian Cruise Line shows. David became a Production Manager in NYC working on World Premieres such as THE VIEW UPSTAIRS, SMALL MOUTH SOUNDS, Mike Birbiglia's THANK GOD FOR JOKES, and CLINTON THE MUSICAL. Since moving back home in 2020, he has had the pleasure of working with many local organizations such as Oklahoma Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra, OKC Ballet, Painted Sky Opera, RACE Dance, SPARK! Creative Lab, Theatre Crude Fringe Festival, and Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center. Recently, David ran as the Independent candidate for OK-State Senate District 46, and is currently the president of the League of Women Voters of Oklahoma County. He wants to encourage you to VOTE at every chance you get. Not just “the big ones.” Thanks to everyone creating and supporting theater in his hometown. You can check your Voter Registration at okvoterportal.okelections.gov
Emily Comisar (Executive Artistic Director) has been a theater person her entire life, but on staff at OKC Rep since September 2022. She has worked in fundraising and management positions at Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma, MCC Theater, and Pipeline Theatre Company. She was the General & Company Manager for the commercial off-Broadway world premiere of THE VIEW UPSTAIRS, and has produced in festivals including FringeNYC, SheNYC, and the Game Play Festival (The Brick). Emily has also spent many years as a playwright and independent producer. Her full length work includes THE CAMPAIGN (Theatre Crude Fringe Festival 2024), DUMPSTER FIRE (She NYC Festival 2018), UNDROWN'D: SEEKING ASYLUM (co-written with Benita de Wit, Columbia Stages), SWITZERLAND (Lone Star Theatre Co.), MOONLIGHTING (Lone Star Theatre Co.), TRACK TWELVE (FringeNYC), and THE LAST HURRAH (Northwestern University). She is currently an instructor in the OU Online MA in Arts Management program. Emily holds a Bachelor of Arts in Performance Studies from the Northwestern University School of Communications, with specialties in critical studies, adaptation of narrative for the stage, and multimedia performance. She also holds a Master of Arts in Italian Language and Media from Middlebury College and a Master of Fine Arts in Theatre Management & Producing from Columbia University.