In this original story, a famous scientist with magic powers brings a friendly dinosaur to life. When the dinosaur wanders away from home, he discovers a wonderful world full of creatures that light up the darkness and help him find the true meaning of love.
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Ian Carney
MANAGING DIRECTOR & CO-CREATOR
Eleanor Carney & Corbin Popp
ROAD MANAGER
Tyler Scifres
MUSIC DIRECTOR
Jay Weigel
CAST
Tyler Scifres
Jesse Forcha
Kevin Chick
Omeed Simantob
Calvin Rowe
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
Barry Mendelson
For Booking information, contact Bailiwick Arts Management bailiwick.biz@gmail.com
IAN CARNEY (Artistic Director, Ensemble) is best known for his long run in Billy Joel and Twyla Tharp’s musical, Movin’ Out on Broadway. Born in New Hampshire and raised in New Orleans, he started dancing as a child, studying Ballet in New Orleans and in New York City. He danced lead roles in The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty and many other Ballets. He has been a guest dancer, teacher and choreographer in companies across the United States. While still performing, Ian earned a degree in English Literature from Tulane University. He is the co-creator of the family shows that continue to delight audiences around the world - Dino-Light, The Ugly Duckling, Lightwire the Show and A Very Electric Christmas. Ian has appeared on television with Lightwire Theater on America’s Got Talent, TF1’s The Best Show in France and as the 2014 winner of Tru TV’s Fake Off.
ELEANOR B. CARNEY (Managing Director, Ensemble) Originally from New Orleans, Eleanor began her dance training with Harvey Hysell and Joseph Giaccobbe. She graduated from Southern Methodist University with a B.F.A. in Dance and a B.A. in Anthropology. She has danced professionally with Indianapolis Ballet Theater, the Lexington, Northwest Florida , Delta Festival and Montgomery Ballet. Career highlights include dancing Aurora in Sleeping Beauty, Desdemona in The Moor’s Pavane, the title roles in Romeo and Juliet, Cinderella, Giselle and Coppelia and, of course, the Sugarplum Fairy in The Nutcracker. Mrs. Carney is delighted to have appeared with Lightwire Theater on America’s Got Talent, France’s new hit show The Best on TF1 and as the 2014 winner of Tru Tv’s Fake Off. She is eternally grateful to work besides her husband, Ian, and share their art with the world.
CORBIN POPP (Co-Creator, Technical Supervisor) is from Lincoln, Nebraska. He earned a degree in biochemistry at University of Nebraska-Lincoln, while also studying math, physics and dance. Opting for dance, Corbin performed in The Phantom of the Opera, Billy Joel and Twyla Tharp’s Movin’ Out on Broadway. He has toured throughout the United States with many shows and all over Europe with Tharp’s dance company. Corbin speaks German, studied in Germany on a Fulbright scholarship and recently graduated from dental school, yet still continues to perform and collaborate with Lightwire Theater.
TYLER SCIFRES (Road Manager) is originally from New Orleans and has been with Lightwire Theater since 2014. It is his extraordinary electrical knowledge that helps to keep the company glowing around the world! Tyler has also worked with Southern Repertory Theater in set design and has taught stilt walking and puppetry for Country Day Creative Arts for the past 10 years.
JESSE FORCHA (Green Dinosaur) ) is a seasoned veteran of the New Orleans theatre community. He was last seen in Hoofing for Hero’s at the New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts and also at the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas as a magician’s assistant for the world renowned magician, Rob Lake. Other favorite credits include 42 Street (Andy), A Chorus Line (Mike), Curtains (Billy), Grease (Danny), The Sound of Music (Rolf), The Wizard of Oz (Tin Man) and many others. Jesse is part of the Gulf Coast Theatre on Tap where he does what he loves best, tap dancing. He is also a skilled clarinet, flute and saxophone player. He would like to thank his parents and sisters for always encouraging his dream and a special thanks to his Aunt Kat.
KEVIN CHICK (Ensemble) is a puppeteer and clown standup comedian. Most notable credits include: The Jim Henson company, The Kimmel Center of Philadelphia, The Guthrie of Minneapolis, Southern Colorado repertory theater, educational theatre throughout South America Mexico and Argentina, Coca-Cola zero commercials and political activist puppet videos with daily show writer Lizz Winstead. Kevin's hails from Iowa and received his BA in theater from the University of Iowa. Most recently he accomplished one of his dreams by blasting across the United States on his motorcycle. He would like to say a big thank you to his family for their continued love and support.
OMEED SIMANTOB (Ensemble) began dancing in 2001, training under the Jabbawockeez and Junior Boogaloo. In 2005 he formed The Body Poets, a dance company that became a Youtube sensation with millions of views and has appeared on NBC’s America’s Got Talent, and Tru TV’s Fake Off , where he first met Lightwire Theater. He is now part of the company, bringing his years of dance experience to the Lightwire stage.
CALVIN ROWE (Ensemble) a native of Muscatine, IA, he began dancing professionally in 2007 with Of Moving Colors Productions, Baton Rouge’s premier modern dance company, working with such choreographers as Christine Chrest, Garland Goodwyn Wilson, Scott Putnam, Pavel Zostiak, Netta Yerushalmy, Irine Rampino and Gina Bashour. Mr. Rowe has also been a guest artist with Baton Rouge Ballet Theatre, as well as TALK Dance Co., a contemporary dance company based in Pueblo, Colorado, under the direction and choreography of Stephen Wynne. Mr. Rowe danced three seasons with Ballet Quad Cities, performing in such ballets as Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and Dracula by choreographers Courtney Lyon and Deanna Carter, and he has toured internationally with FLOCK dance, and the world renowned Lightwire Theater.
Lightwire Theater has been featured as the winner of Tru TV’s Fake Off (Season One), semi-finalists on America’s Got Talent (Season 7) and as finalist on My TF1’s, The Best Le Meilleur Artiste in Paris.
Internationally recognized for their signature brand of electroluminescent artistry and poignant storytelling, Lightwire Theater is based in New Orleans and continues to create and deliver innovative theatrical experiences to audiences worldwide including: Hong Kong, Taipei, Estonia, Brazil, Russia, Europe, Belarus, China and Abu Dhabi.
Mendelson Entertainment Group LLC, proudly manages and represents Lightwire Theater.
A very special thanks to The Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts, who commissioned and premiered Darwin The Dinosaur on October 13, 2007, Detroit, Michigan.
The Duffy Family
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