Galveston, Texas, United States
Has directed theatrical productions including new plays, revivals of classic plays (including American classics), comedies of various styles and musicals. European theatre is a specialty. Theatrical writing include a "horror" play ("Blooddrinker"); a play with music ("Rebel Hearts"); books for two diverse musicals ("Loveless" with Henry Aronson and "Vanity Fells" with Steven Jamail). Completed two thirds of the trilogy novel, "The House of Atrreus". Has coached numerous plays and musicals in Period movement, manners and morés as well as contributed highly stylized stage movement. As a choreographer, has a deep field of experience in concert dance - running Manhattan Dance/Theater from 1984-2002. Manhattan Dance/Theater specialized in developing works with a strong linear storytelling element. Has choreographed Off Broadway, Regionally and Off Off Broadway. Functioned as a Producer and Artistic Director for the School of Performing Arts at the YWCA for the City of New York from 1994-1997. Supervised fifteen umbrella performance groups and produced concerts with outside professional artists. Specialties: Facility with works of diverse styles, high kinaesthetic acumen, keen text explication and deep concentration in creating the "world" of the play. Detailed background in setting, both geographical and historical. In choreography, as in direction, has an education, strong experience and great delight in world dance; Irish, Native American, Greek, Middle Eastern, Flamenco, Folk Dance, American Folk as well Historical dance and Classical Ballet (pas de deux, pointe work and variations). Former Associate Artistic Director of Boomerang Theatre Company. Former Artistic Advisor to New Light Theatre Project Board. Former Artist with Dionysus Festival of Athens, Former Resident Director of Texas Family Musicals. Former Founder/Artistic Director of Manhattan Dance/Theatre.
"Ireland... the dark ages... a Pagan King is slain, only to be risen from the grave by a Druid Priestess. He is re-interred only to rise again in 1969." Linda Nelson engaged as dramaturge Winter 2010. Developmental Reading at Ripley Grier 2010 with Aidan Redmond, Michael McGuirk, Bernadette Quigley, Warren Kelley, Jason Loughlin, Jaime West, Jennifer Larkin, Saluda Camp, Will Vought and Blake Lowell. First Flight Reading by Boomerang Theatre Co on March 27, 2009.
Currently working with the incomparable Linda S. Nelson. Almost finished a complete rewrite of the novel. "The House of Atreus" is inspired by Greek Tragedy in a contemporary setting. Opening with the birth of the narrator in 1962, the epic tale concludes with an uneasy fairy tale weddings in 2010.
Music and Lyrics: Henry Aronson Book and Direction: Cailin Heffernan inspired by William Shakespeare's "Love's Labours Lost" 2017 - premiere production by Boomerang Theatre Company. May 2016 Boomerang produced and presented a workshop with Rob Evan, Katie Rose Clarke, Jake Odmark, PJ Griffith, Kimberley JaJuan, Ryan Andes, Lily Tobin, Michael Castillejos, Nina Negron, Monique St. Cyr, Zane Phillips and Christine Jones. Steven Jamail is the MD. Won a spot in the 2012 Rhinebeck Writer's Retreat in August, culminating in a complete new draft. Demo of six new songs produced with the talents of Jarrod Emick, Brandon Wardell, Jenn Colella, Katie Rose Clarke, Sarah Glendening, Felicia Finley, David Larsen, Heath Calvert and Kelly Maier (Feb 2011). Industry presentation at the Peter Sharp Theatre at Playwrights Horizons Nov 24, 2010 with Robert Cuccioli, Jenn Colella, Brandon Wardell, Katie Clarke, David Larsen, Heath Calvert, Sarah Glendening, Amanda Lea LaVergne, Buzz Roddy, Lynne Halliday, Jason Loughlin, Kelly Maier and Kurt Elftmann. Produced by Boomerang Theatre Company in association with Big Fish, Big Pond Productions. Band: Jason DeBord, John Miller, Kenny Kosek, Gordon TItcomb, Frank Pagano and John Putnam. Developmental Reading at Shetler's Penthouse on July 16, 2010 with Jarrod Emick, Brandon Wardell, Jenn Colella, Katie Rose Clarke, Jason Wooten, Autumn Hurlbert, Derek Keeling, Jeremy Woodard,,, Produced by Big Fish Big Pond Productions in association with Boomerang Theatre Company. Demo of six songs made in 2007 by Terrence Mann, Robert Cuccioli, Jim Poulos, Jenn Colella, Brandon Wardell, Sarah Glendening... Presentation of two scenes by the League of Professional Theatre Women in 2006 with Rob Evan, Brandon Wardell and Cortnie Loren Miller. Reading of the book produced by Boomerang Theatre Company in 2005 with Jarrod Emick, David Ayers and Don Brewer.
Industry Presentation in 2013, directed by Linda S. Nelson, music directed by Henry Aronson with Nicola Murphy, Mick Mellamphy, Warren Kelley Jennifer Larkin, Jason Loughlin, Synge Maher, Paul Nugent, Anna Nugent, Jared Reinmuth, Chris Ryan, TImothy Babcock, Michael Russinik and Laura SIner. Boomerang Theatre Company presented a First Flight reading of "Rebel Hearts" on Nov 20, 2010 at New Georges’ The Room with Jaime West, Aidan Redmond, Max Darwin, Samantha Ives, Buzz Roddy, Jared Reinmuth, Brian O'Halloran, Paul Nugent, Hollis McCarthy, Kate Erin Gibson and Linda S. Nelson. Developmental reading October 13, 2010 at Ripley Grier. Cast included: Buzz Roddy, Aidan Redmond, Jason Loughlin, Saluda Camp, Samantha Ives, Paul Nugent, Jaime West, Jaret Reinmuth, Roger Clark and John Greenleaf. Broadway Theater Institute gave the piece a five day workshop in Fall of 2002. Cast included: Sean McCourt, Paul Vincent Black, John O'Callaghan, Warren Kelley, Farah Alvin, Lynne Halliday, Christopher Yates. Irish Consult - Brian Mallon. Music Direction by Judy Brown. Looking Glass Theatre and 92nd Street YM-YWHA awarded the piece a two week workshop in Summer of 2001. Irish consult - Brian Mallon. Dialect Coach Aideen Kelly. Music Direction by Judy Brown.