PLAYWRIGHT | ACTOR

Andrei Codrescu is a Romanian-American poet, novelist, essayist, and commentator known for his sharp wit, insightful cultural criticism, and distinctive voice. Born in Sibiu, Romania, Codrescu emigrated to the United States in 1966, quickly establishing himself through his poetry and essays that blend humor with poignant social commentary. You can read his current musings every Saturday on Substack . A film by JulianSemilian: Fish Have No Psychiatrists: a Day with Andrei Codrescu is now streaming on Amazon and Apple TV.

Codrescu’s work spans poetry, fiction and non-fiction. He won a Peabody Award for his film Road Scholar, is the winner of three Pushcart Prizes, most recently in 2025.

Founder of the influential literary magazine, Exquisite Corpse: a Journal of Books & Ideas (1983-2016), Codrescu has been a senior commentator for NPR's All Things Considered for over 30 years, and served as a chaired professor of English and creative writing at Louisiana State University.

DIRECTOR

Tristan Codrescu is a clown, actor, acupuncturist, director, devotee, and freelance mystic unknown to all but the lucky. He was raised in New Orleans, nursed on cypress milk and second lines, until Hurricane Katrina exiled him to war torn Portland, Oregon where he lives among Buddhists and rabbits.

Tristan went to Tulane University to study Mesoamerican Clown Drama and founded the Rooster Theater, the New Orleans School for Circus Arts and Th'undergrounds. He is an apprentice to Mother Kali and is touring his latest spiritual comedy The Play of Krishna

COMPOSERS

w8ing4ufos is an Atlanta-based ensemble known for its unique blend of improvisational music. The group specializes in spontaneous, collaborative performances that fuse diverse genres and styles, creating dynamic soundscapes in real time. Drawing on a wide range of influences, w8ing4ufos emphasizes creativity and interaction, offering audiences an unpredictable and engaging musical experience

Longtime friends and collaborators Brian Halloran, Bill Taft, Billy Fields, and Will Fratesi create work that explores the boundaries between traditional improvisation and abstraction, integrating experimental techniques and collective composition to craft distinctive live shows

They have performed nationally and internationally, most recently in New Orleans 2025, performing an unforgettable live music accompaniment to Carl Theodore Dryer film The Passion of Joan of Arc at the Marigny Opera House

PROJECTIONS

Monica Rose Kelly is an accomplished artist and illustrator based in New Orleans, Louisiana. Her work is known for its vibrant use of color and intricate detail, often drawing inspiration from the rich cultural heritage and dynamic urban landscape of New Orleans. With a background in fine arts, Monica blends traditional techniques with contemporary themes, creating pieces that capture both the spirit and complexity of her surroundings.

Her live digital mural painting – a form of projection art through which she improvises a visual composition to live music – leads the two dimensional into third, contributing a novel character to A Carnival of Time

A dedicated educator and advocate for public art, through Kelly’s apprenticeship program at People for Public Art, she strivers to empower young artists of marginalized communities to of art to protest, uplift, and heal through their art

 Her portfolio spans a variety of mediums, including watercolor, digital illustration, and mixed media. A prominent figure in the local art scene, Kelly’s creations have been featured in numerous exhibitions and publications, earning her recognition for contributing a unique visual voice to the cultural tapestry of New Orleans.