The Creative Team

 

 

Michiko Kitayama-Skinner

(Scenographer, Producer)

Originally from Tokyo, Japan, Michiko has been working in American Theater for over 25 years. She has designed both scenery and costumes for several regional theatres including Asolo Repertory Theatre and Florida Stage. She has also assisted renowned designers such as Martin Pakledinaz and Dana Granata on Broadway, and worked at one of the largest costume shops in NYC, Parsons-Meares. Michiko worked as an Associate Costume Designer for the world premiere of a musical, Take Flight, which was directed by Amon Miyamoto and costume designed by Paul Tazewell.

Her costume design of Woyzeck was chosen to enter Prague Quadrennial 2003 in Prague. Michiko had written Tsunami, a docudrama based on interviews conducted after Japan’s tsunami disaster, with an eminent playwright/director Nilo Cruz. The world premiere of Tsunami was presented at the SMDCAC in September, 2015, which she designed both scenery and costumes. Michiko is an Associate Professor of Costume Design at the University of Miami. She is a member of United Scenic Artists local 829.

www.designbymichiko.com 

 

 

Cliff Moustache

(Director and Playwright)

In 1992, Moustache opened Nordic Black Theatre in Oslo, together with Jarl Solberg. Both continue to have a role in the theatre, with Moustache serving as the artistic director while Solberg is the general manager. The theatre is self-funded and produces its own shows, as well as taking part in collaborative projects with outside artists. In 1993, he established the theatre school Nordic Black Xpress to develops young talent in the arts. Nordic Black Xpress offers two-year courses to 8-12 students, who study for eight to nine hours, five to six days a week. Moustache is attempting to establish the school within the university system so it can grant three-year bachelor's degrees.

In 2019 Mayor of Oslo Marianne Borgen awarded Moustache the Artist of the Year honor due to his contributions towards Norwegian society and the entertainment industry, becoming the first foreigner to win the award. He lectured at the University of Miami in 2019 and also had a lecture series in Vietnam. In March 2020, he directed the play After the Dream about the life of Martin Luther King Jr., which premiered at the Oslo Opera House. 

He was awarded the Highest Merit Award in 2021 by The Norwegian Arts Council in Norway.

 

 

Erik Lawson

(Composer and Sound Designer)

Erik is a sound designer and composer, based in the northeast United States. Recent design and composition projects include theatrical productions at Barrow Street Theatre, New World Stages, Asolo Repertory Theatre, Brown-Trinity Rep, Dobama Theatre, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Miami Cultural Arts Center. His designs and original compositions have been exhibited in the Czech Republic, at the 2011, 2015, and 2019 Prague Quadrennial, at World Stage Design 2013 in Cardiff, UK, and at the 2017, 2018, and 2019 New York City Electroacoustic Music Festival. MFA: Carnegie Mellon University, School of Drama.

www.eriktlawson.com 

The Passport Project's story is created based on stories from previous workshops. These workshops took place in Oslo, Norway in 2018, and Miami in 2019. Each workshop had local actors who all linked to immigration or a migrant family. We called those actors "Storytellers." Storytellers helped the team gather their immigration-related testimonies, and they also helped create stylized movements. These are our Storytellers: 

Norway: Karolina Lisik, Johanne Fosseheim, Katrine Morrissey, Amalie Eggen, and Yasmin Emeci.

Miami: Julie Salkin, Maha McCain, Gabe Szajnert, Andy Barbosa, and Raul Duran.

Technical Crew Members

Honorable Mentions:

*University of Miami Student 

Cast

Maha McCain

Maha McCain is an Assistant Professor and Director with the Department of Theatre Arts.Professional credits include Off Broadway, Universal Television, Cincinnati Playhouse in thePark, Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre, Adrienne Arsht Center, FAU’s Theatre Lab, ArcaImages (with Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Nilo Cruz), Just the Funny Improv, and more. Shewas the Artistic Director for UM’s Summer Theatre Academy for over ten years, worked as aCommunications Expert within UM’s School of Law and taught with NDavid William’s MusicTheatre Summer Intensive in Italy. Her work includes writing for Digital Theatre Plus, directingfor Royal Caribbean’s CocoCay resort in the Bahamas, and recently directing Dirty RottenScoundrels at the Redhouse Arts Center, starring Fred Grandy (The Love Boat) and Richard Barth(Broadway’s Les Miserables). She is a member of both AEA and SDC and was nominated for a2022 Carbonell Award for Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Female Role.

Eleanor J. Parks

Eleanor J. Parks, a junior BFA Musical Theatre major, is overjoyed to be in her fifth production at the University of Miami! Her credits include Florinda in The Rover, Athos in The Three Musketeers, Friztie in Cabaret, and Ensemble/Featured Dancer in Sondheim's The Frogs. Shecould not be more grateful to work on this beautiful piece of art in such a creative andinspiring environment. Lots of love to her supportive family, best friends, and pig.“I’ve spent a life chasing stories to tell when I’m old.” -Atticus

Isabella Tabio

Isabella M. Tabio is thrilled to be a part of her first-ever theatre production in The Passport Project. She is a junior at the University of Miami with a major in Media Management and a minor in Theatre Arts. Outside of the theatre industry, Isabella has acquired several Film/TV credits. She has enjoyed taking theatre and acting classes amongst other talented peers and professors at the University of Miami. She is excited about this opportunity to continue her journey as an actor and grow more as a performer.

Zak Zabinski

Zak is ecstatic to return to the University of Miami stage in The Passport Project. Zak is a Juniorat UM earning a BA in Theatre Arts with a minor in Business Law. Previous UM credits includeEnsemble in The Frogs directed by NDavid Williams and Victor in Cabaret directed by MichaelJenkinson. Zak is so thankful for the opportunity to perform and collaborate with these incrediblytalented and devoted artists. Special shoutout to Miss Gina! “I’m 6’2” and not a small person” -Andrew Rannells.

Taylor Rand

Taylor Rand is a sophomore BFA Musical Theatre Major. She is extremely excited to be in herthird production at the University of Miami! Her credits include The Rover (Angelica) Hairspray(Amber), Les Miserables (Madame Thernadier), The Sound Of Music (Liesl Von Trapp), Annie(Mrs. Hannigan), La Boheme (Children’s Chorus), and Dead Man Walking (Ensemble). She alsohas various film and tv credits. She would like to send all her love to the cast and crew for thisfantastic experience.

Keenan Lyons

Keenan Lyons is a junior BFA Musical Theatre major at the U. Previous theatricalcredits include The Rover (Frederick), A New Brain (Minister), Matilda (Sergei/Mr.Wormwood U/S), Jersey Boys (Joe Pesci/Frankie Valli U/S), Godspell (Jesus), AMidsummer Night's Dream (Snug), The Frogs: A New Musical (Ensemble), as well asnumerous other productions. In addition, Keenan is a two-time Roger Rees Awardsfinalist. Endless gratitude to Michiko and Cliff, along with the entire creative team andcast for this incredible and supportive experience. @keenan.lyons