Crossing the Veil and Coming Back Again: An Ensemble Theater Performance
Publication information:
Abstract
Performance: A professional ensemble theater piece based on true stories of people who have reported near death experiences. The stories follow a travel journey narrative starting with the “moment of death” when the characters have been declared clinically dead or experienced a medical crisis that brought them to the edge of death. This leads to a crossing of the veil between life and death and profound spiritual experiences and visions of life in the post-mortem realms. The journey concludes with a return to physical life and the challenges of sharing the experience with others and integrating it into their lives.
Presenter Biographies
Robert Cornett is an actor and playwright and holds a master’s degree from Harvard Divinity School. He has done extensive study of the literature of post-mortem experience and communication. He is a certified End of Life Doula working with hospice patients and their families in New York state.
Eddie Allen is a seasoned actor, director and playwright who has performed in numerous plays, films and television shows including “The Blacklist”, “Blue Bloods” and “Seinfeld”. He has performed in improv groups such as The Spolin Players and leads improvisation workshops.
Laurie Portocarrero is an actor and storyteller trained in drama, speech, dance, music, and Waldorf teaching. She directs and teaches adults and children in the dramatic arts and performs with several stage groups throughout the U.S, Canada, Europe, and China.
Ted Pugh, Director, is the co-founder and co-artistic director of The Actors’ Ensemble. He has over 50 years of professional acting experience including Broadway, Off Broadway and regional theater productions. He has taught acting workshops throughout the US, Europe, Croatia and the former Soviet Union.
Vincent Roppolo has a background in theater in New York as well as coaching and training in the corporate world. He is currently a board and adjunct faculty member of The Association for Anthroposophic Psychology.
Berenika Lehrman is an actor, filmmaker and teacher. She is active in community theater and a student of the Michael Chekhov acting technique.
Rosibel Mejia holds a degree in Theatre Arts from Scripps College. Most recently she performed in “Fire in the Temple”, “In the Heights” and in “Annie” with the Miami Acting Company.
Madison Shulkin and Lyla Rivers are the musical duo “Rose & Pearl.” Their traditional and original folk and fiddle music strives to bring joy, dancing, stories and inspiration into the world.