Experience the Experience of “ranney.” An exceptionally multi-talented artist (actor, comedian, poet, & more) “ranney” was recently star of 2023 Shakespeare & Company production of August Wilson’s Fences (as Troy Maxson) in the Berkshires. “ranney” has headlined internationally from Dublin’s Comedy Cellar and London’s The Comedy Store to New York’s The Apollo. He has opened for REO Speedwagon, The Sugar Hill Gang, Kathleen Madigan and Eddie Griffin; and, he has shared billing with Martin Lawrence, Chris Rock, and Paul Mooney.

“ranney” is an award-winning stage actor (3 Theatre Tampa Bay awards; a Creative Loafing Critics’ award; an Edinburgh Festival Fringe Stage award. He is currently nominated for outstanding lead actor by The Berksies, the coveted acting award in the vast and prolific professional New England theatre district). He is an award-winning poet (London’s Farrago Poetry Group). Also known as by nicknames given to him by fellow professionals including Mr. FunnyBlackMan, The Illuminatus of Comedy, Black Yoda, and Chocolate Gandalf, “ranney” has twice taken shows to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the largest performing arts festival in the world. He has mounted nine one man shows , including And the Horse You Rode In On (Projects Arts Centre, Dublin), Whatever (People’s Improv Theater, New York), Incendiary (The Straz Center, Tampa), and Cufflinks and Jolly Ranchers for Dummies (Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Scotland).

"Impeccable; he's a master of rhythms, of energy, of vocal dexterity, all artfully employed to compelling effect," says Steve Bennett of The United Kingdom's Comedy Chortle. "The way he uses language is unmatched...he passionately sets out his own world view, simultaneously apocalyptic and uplifting. It's complex, dizzying and cathartic, a universal theory attempting to make sense of all that's going on in the world."

Ranney has appeared at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company in Fences, All the Way, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, Hamlet, and The Amen Corner!

David Oxner was born in Toledo, OH to a 15 year old single mother while residing in Florence Crittenton House for teen moms.  As the oldest of 4 boys David found himself in a leadership role early in life.  When he was not playing sports and helping his mom take care of the house; David found an escape through writing poetry and short stories that detailed his experiences in a poverty stricken environment.  David's early work often discussed the realities and emotional traumas that come from growing up in a housing project full of hundreds of kids in the same circumstance. David left Toledo to attend The University of Cincinnati to study Communications and Public Relations.  It was during these formative collegiate years when David discovered his voice as an artist and his love for entrepreneurship.  He started his own event planning business to pay for his final two years of schooling and hosted open mic nights on campus.  Post graduation, David has enjoyed a successful career as a Regional Sales Manager, an entrepreneur, and a spoken word artist.  He is the father of 3 beautiful children Sydnee, Ariel, and David who inspire him to continue sharing his art with the world.

Tempest Tantrumz (He/They), is self-taught artist originally from Columbus, Ohio. Whether it be painting or through words, Tempest tries to create a story with their creative expression. Deeply painted depths or run on sentences, forming an image, both literally and figuratively that captivates whoever may be perceiving one of their pieces. Through their artistry, they heal their deeply rooted traumas and emotions while also trying to connect with others through their own vulnerability.