Creativity in Captivity

Lindsey Ferrentino is a prolific playwright who writes with, according to The New York Times, “a muscular empathy which seeks to enter the minds of people for whom life is often a struggle of heroic proportions”. Whether writing about a female burn survivor or the first leading role for a person with Down Syndrome, Lindsey has been called “a brave playwright of dauntless conviction whose unflinching portraits are hard to come by outside of journalism." Her produced plays include Ugly Lies the Bone (Roundabout Theatre Company, The National Theatre, UK, NYT Critics Pick), the “barrier breaking” Amy and the Orphans (Roundabout Theatre Company), This Flat Earth (Playwrights Horizons), and The Year to Come (La Jolla Playhouse). She is writing the book on a number of new musicals from - Queen of Versailles with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, starring Kristin Chenoweth; The Artist, based on the film by the same title directed by Drew McConie. Lindsey is a screenwriter, with various projects in development. Most recently announced, she is adapting and directing her play Amy and the Orphans, produced by Aggregate Pictures and the screenplay for the film Not Fade Away, for Annapurna Pictures. David O. Russell and John Krasinski are producing. Ferrentino is the recipient of the 2016 Kesselring Prize, Laurents/ Hatcher Citation of Excellence, ASCAP Cole Porter Playwriting Prize, Paul Newman Drama Award, 2015 Kilroys List, finalist for the Susan Smith Blackburn, Catalyst Award for Entertainment Industry Excellence, NYU Distinguished Young Alumna Award, nominated for the Outer Critics Circle John Gassner Award, and is the only two-time finalist for the Kendeda Playwriting Prize. 

A two-time Tony Award winner for “Best Actor in a Musical” and one of Broadway’s legendary leading men. From his humble beginning as the 7th of 11 children to originating roles on Broadway in Jason Robert Browns’ The Last Five Years, Stephen Schwartz’s Wicked, in Andrew Lippa’s Big Fish, in Harry Connick Jr’s Thou Shalt Not (Tony nomination) in the Lincoln Center 2018 revival of My Fair Lady (Tony nomination) and his two Tony Winning performances in David Yazbek’s Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and in Shaiman and Whitman’s Catch Me If You Can. In addition to Norbert’s signature roles, this versatile hyphenate has 4 solo records. Mr. Butz' television and film credits include Netflix’s Bloodline, Fosse/Verdon, Justified: City Primeval, and the soon to be released new series on FX from Ryan Murphy Gladiator: American Sports Story, as well as the recent Exorcist sequel by David Gordon Green.

A world-class performer, speaker, consultant and a pioneer in the application of deception to real-world environments. Apollo Robbins uses pick-pocketing and sleight-of-hand to demonstrate perception management, diversion techniques and self-deception. Known as “The Gentleman Thief,” Robbins first made national news as the man who pick-pocketed the Secret Service while entertaining former U.S. president Jimmy Carter. He has picked the pockets of more than 250,000 men and women. Forbes has called him “an artful manipulator of awareness,” and Wired Magazine has written that “he could steal the wallet of a man who knew he was going to have his pocket picked.” Robbins has been featured in the New Yorker and in numerous publications such as The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, and The Wall Street Journal. He produced and co-hosted the National Geographic program Brain Games, which was nominated for an Emmy as an Outstanding Informational Series. His popular appearance on The Today Show is a YouTube favorite with more than 7 million views. The TED editors described Robbins’s talk at TED Global 2013 as a revelation in the flaws of human perception. 

A pop and jazz singer, trombone player and songwriter whose body of work is underscored by the integrity of a performer that is able to stretch herself emotionally across a musical landscape that defies description. Logan won the Audience's Choice Award and the Jury's First Place Award at the 2009 Shure-Monreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland. She was also an American Idol in 2009, but was eliminated in the early rounds. She is a featured artist for Postmodern Jukebox and the Dave Koz band. Recognized on the global stage as a performer who can deliver in the most informal of settings as well as full festival audiences, her work is praised as being accessible, fresh and dynamic. With a #1 album Where the Sunshine is Expensive already under her belt, Aubrey returns to the spotlight with her follow up collection, Standard, a journey into her musical past with covers of the some of the most recognizable tracks that have ever been made, plus her original work ‘Done Pretending’ and ‘Louboutins 2.0’. Moving between Jazz, Funk, and tender love songs, to Calypso-infused rhythms and traditionally inspired fusions, her vocals and trombone playing sway between the caress of a long-lost love to triumphant powerhouse performances. She has worked with some incredible collaborators including Quincy Jones, Burt Bacharach, Josh Groban, Smokey Robinson, Patrice Rushen and Pharrell Williams. 

(Short) A renowned juggler & innovative comedian with appearances on The Tonight Show and The Late Late Show with James Corden. Scot produced and curated the critically-acclaimed circus variety show Scot Nery’s Boobietrap that was LA’s #1 show on Trip Advisor.(Long ) A renowned juggler, comedian, curator, and advisor, has revolutionized the entertainment landscape over three decades on stages from 20,000-seat arenas to small comedy clubs, across eight countries, and with appearances on The Tonight Show and The Late Late Show with James Corden. Celebrated for his dynamic stage presence and innovative comedy, Scot has garnered accolades including "LA's #1 show" by Trip Advisor. Scot has captivated audiences alongside icons like Paul Reubens, Tyler Perry, and Adam Sandler. Scot's performances have delighted corporate audience including Bank of America and Mattel, and academic institutions from UCLA to Northern Arizona University. As the creator and curator of the weekly sensation Scot Nery’s Boobie Trap, he blends comedy, education, and mentorship, enriching the entertainment community and inspiring the next generation. Scot’s commitment to his craft and his genuine desire to share joy through entertainment have made him an enduring figure on the global stage. Scot Nery’s mission is to invite us all to find the laughter and wonder in every moment.

A GRAMMY Winning, NYC based singer-songwriter Joanie Leeds is a National touring artist, early childhood educator and activist. For her original children's music, she has won a GRAMMY for Best Children’s Album for her album, All the Ladies- a gender equality album for families, 1st place in the USA Songwriting Competition, International Songwriting Competition Winner, Independent Music Awards, Gold Parents' Choice Awards, NAPPA Gold Awards, Family Choice Awards and is a John Lennon Songwriting Award Finalist. Joanie has performed her dynamic and engaging folk-rock creations tailored for family audiences for 15 years at venues such as Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits, Clearwater Festival, The Kennedy Center, Skirball Center, Lincoln Center, Wolftrap Filene Stage, and Levitt Pavilion. Her music has been featured in The New York Times, People Magazine, Parents Magazine, Huffington Post, Billboard, NPR and The Washington Post. Joanie’s 11th album, FREADOM, is a collection of songs inspired by banned children’s picture books. 

An award-winning cartoonist whose work appears in over 800 newspapers worldwide. Jeff’s original drawings have flown on space shuttle Discovery, have been exhibited in Paris, and elsewhere in France. He is a two-time TEDx speaker who speaks on creativity, problem solving, and entrepreneurship. Jeff is a creativity coach, a painter and a sculptor. He often finds inspiration for his subject matter by having been (literally) struck by lightning. He hosts the Wednesday edition of Morning Classics on Omaha's classical station, 90.7 FM. Jeff writes music, sings, and plays guitar and mandolin in his swing band, Prairie Cats, and has performed at South by Southwest and the World Trade Center in New York. An avid Francophone, he's the founder of a weekly French conversation group found in Omaha and online.

Randy Pitchford is a video game industry veteran of more than 30 years and founder of the Gearbox Entertainment Company, which develops and publishes award-winning and best-selling video games and produces film and television content. Randy has created, developed, produced, directed, written, designed, and otherwise driven or significantly contributed to some of the most successful and famous video game franchises of all time. From leading the creation of the critically acclaimed franchises Borderlands and Brothers in Arms to helping build games with licensed properties including Half-Life and Halo. Randy’s commitment to bringing joy to the lives of others manifests in more than video games. Under Randy’s leadership, Gearbox partnered with the humanitarian organization, Direct Relief, to raise tens of thousands of dollars and provide personal protective equipment to millions of medical workers leading the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Before becoming a full-time video game developer, Randy was a professional magician in Hollywood occasionally performing at the famous Magic Castle between classes at UCLA.

As one of the country's top comedians, Cathy Ladman presents herself as the self-probing, anxiety-venting person that she is. She has appeared on The Tonight Show ten times and was also featured on the last two of Johnny Carson’s "Tonight Show Anniversary" shows. She’s been on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, five times, has had her own HBO One Night Stand comedy special, and was awarded the American Comedy Award for Best Female Stand Up Comic. Her TV and film credits include: recurring roles on, I’m Dying Up Here and Pretty Little Liars, Modern Family, Scandal, How to Get Away With Murder, NCIS: LA, Mad Men, Brothers and Sisters, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Caroline in the City, Everybody Loves Raymond, Politically Incorrect , Dr. Katz: Professional Therapist, Charlie Wilson’s War, The Aristocrats, White Oleander, What Planet Are You From?, My Fellow Americans, and Don't Tell Mom The Babysitter's Dead. Her solo show, Does This Show Make Me Look Fat? opened this past year.

Ukulele ambassador and songwriter, Jake Shimabukuro captivates audiences around the world with his unique and dynamic style. With his mother as his first teacher of the instrument, Jake embraced a deep love and respect for the ukulele and has explored new and unexpected ways to push the boundaries of what was possible on the humble four-string instrument. Each of his albums showcases his mastery and his ability to weave together diverse genres to create a cohesive and mesmerizing musical experience. He is undoubtedly one of the most innovative and exciting musicians of his generation, changing the perception of the instrument itself and breaking barriers of what kind of music it is capable of. Jake has enjoyed critically-acclaimed duets with artists from Willie Nelson, Ziggy Marley and Bette Midler to Jimmy Buffett, Jack Johnson and Kenny Loggins. In addition to his impeccable musicianship, Jake is also a gifted storyteller, weaving together musical narratives that draw listeners in and leave them spellbound. On his newest live album, Grateful, he wanted to bring together the power of each artist’s story as he collaborated with Hawaiian music legend Henry Kapono, Mark Yamanaka, John Feary, Herb Ohta Jr., Del Beazley, Pōmaika`i Keawe, Nathan Aweau, John Cruz, Raiatea Helm, Fiji, Ron Artis II, Kimié Miner, Brother Noland, Kawika Kahiapo, Jeff Peterson, America’s Got Talent contestant, Connor Johnson; Chris Kamaka & Bryan Tolentino, Jon Yamasato and Lopaka Colón, of “Pure Heart.”