[NoHo Arts District, CA] – THE ROAD THEATRE COMPANY and Founder/Artistic Director Taylor Gilbert are thrilled to announce that the award-winning theatre company is turning 34 this year and celebrating by presenting the first show of its 2025-2026 season, the world premiere of OTHERKIN, written by N.T. Vandecar and directed by Christina Carlisi.
About OTHERKIN
Olive is 14 years old and identifies as a dragon. It’s three weeks till the end of the world and all hell has broken loose. Olive is searching for her biological mother, just met her biological father and his husband, and, on top of everything, she is visited by three “Elemental Guardians” who inform her that she’s the one who must save mankind.
The Cast
The cast of OTHERKIN features: Nychelle Hawk as “Olive,” Stephanie Erb as “Vivian/Grael,” Justin Lawrence Barnes as “Lucas,” Andre G. Brown as “Darren/Fafnir.” and Arthur Hanket as “Howy/Naelyan.”
The Team
N.T. VANDECAR (Playwright) is a graduate of Webster University. He has interned at La Jolla Playhouse’s Education and Outreach Department as a Youth Advisor to “Pop Tour” children’s shows, which have traveled all over San Diego County. In February 2023, he became a Dramatist Guild Member. His historical fiction play, The Great Comic Book War Of 1954 was a finalist in ScreenCraft’s 2020 national playwriting competition, ranking in the top 15 out of 1000 entries. His modern dramedy play, Cuddle Buddy, was a semifinalist in New Art City Theatre Festival, placing in the top 15 out of 175 entrees. Otherkin was originally developed at The Road Theatre’s 2024 SPF Festival.
CHRISTINA CARLISI (Director) makes her directorial debut with The Road Theatre Company’s production of Otherkin. She has directed numerous readings, including The Road’s Summer Playwright’s Festival in 2022, 2023 & 2024 and Interact Theatre Company’s series of Pulitzer Prize-winning/Tony Award-winning plays Art and God of Carnage by Yasmina Reza, and Dinner With Friends by Donald Margulies. She recently appeared in The Road Company’s productions of Mercury by Steve Yockey and The Totality of All Things by Erik Gernand. She is the recipient of multiple acting awards, including Best Solo Play 2019 and an Ovation nomination for her portrayal of the legendary modern dancer Martha Graham, in Martha, here in LA. Tina’s acting career includes dozens of local and regional plays, numerous guest star TV appearances, feature, independent and short films.
The Design Team is as follows: Scenic Design by Justin Kelley-Cahill; Lighting Design by Derrick McDaniel; Projection Design by Nick Santiago; Sound Design by Matthew Richter; Costume Design by Sue Makkoo; Properties Design by Ann Hearn Tobolowsky. The Production Stage Manager is Maurie Gonzalez.
OTHERKIN is produced by Danna Hyams and Taylor Gilbert.
