We’re bringing together scholars, playwrights, actors and musicians from our region.

Prof. of Theater Arts, UVA’s College at Wise

Executive Director, Pro-Art

Blood Roots Dramaturg

Michael McNulty serves as division coordinator for the theater program at the University of Virginia’s College at Wise, as well as Program Director for the summer Governor’s School program in Theater Arts. Previously Michael has worked as an artistic director for The Invisible Theater Company and a free lance Director and Designer with more than 70 productions to his credit. He has advanced training and interests in Voice, Movement, Puppetry, Mask work, and has performed as a professional magician and clown. Michael trained for three years in Voice work with Kristen Linklater and has performed professionally in Michigan, Massachusetts, New York, Maryland and at Busch Gardens in Tampa FL. Michael has directed performing arts departments for two independent preparatory schools and taught theater at Carnegie Mellon and Towson Universities. He has also served in a variety of consulting capacities in technical theater, design, performance, team-building and training. He holds an MFA in Directing from Carnegie Mellon and a BFA in acting from Emerson College. Michael is a member of the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers and is the Executive Director of the Pro Art association.

Director of Programs, Appalachia Book Co.

Natalie is heading up fundraising, program development and podcast production.

Ann Gillespie is a playwright and performer who lives in Brooklyn, New York. She recently performed her show “The Dictionary: Live! Onstage!” at The Owl Music Parlor. Ann’s darkly comedic and nuanced writing for theater and film emphasizes movement, ambiguous moral dilemmas, and strong female characters. Plays include The End of a Sound; Choreographing a Rape Scene to go into a Feminist Play, and Bunnies Inside of Her. Her stop motion animation work has been streamed on Broadstream.

While earning her BFA in Drama at Syracuse University, Ann was able to study performance at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre in London. Ann later went on to earn an MA in Text and Performance from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. The End of a Sound was a Semi-Finalist for The Relentless Award, and was workshopped at Texas Tech University.

anngillespieplaywright.com

Jess Wells is an Appalachian writer from Big Stone Gap, VA. She attended the University of Virginia's College at Wise where she obtained her BA in English Literature and served as a Co-Editor of their literary journal, Jimson Weed. She currently has one of her plays in production for the New Play Festival at UVA Wise. Her writing interests focus on Appalachian culture and ecopoetics.

Diana Jean Skeen is an artist from Kentucky who writes poems, plays, and songs about her

experiences growing up surrounded by poverty, addiction, and love. She lives in the San Francisco

Bay Area and holds an MFA in Poetry from Saint Mary’s College of California. Diana writes music

with her partner in their band Please Save My Earth and still hopes love will change the world.

Ida Esmaeili is a Swedish-Iranian writer and actor currently based in New York, NY. She is a recent graduate of the MFA Playwriting program at Columbia University School of the Arts and has a BFA in Musical Theatre from the Boston Conservatory at Berklee. She is represented by Paradigm Talent Agency.

William Ritter is a seasoned old-time fiddler, seed-saver, and ballad singer from the mountains of Mitchell County, North Carolina. Deeply passionate about preserving and sharing the rich cultural heritage of his region, William weaves together stories, songs, and seeds, believing that these old ways hold the key to building resilient communities. His dedication to Appalachian traditions led him to a life-changing apprenticeship with renowned ballad singer and storyteller Bobby McMillon in 2020, and the following year he released his first solo album, Mentor, paying tribute to the mentors who generously shared their wisdom and heritage with him.  William performs regularly alongside Sheila Kay Adams, Donna Ray Norton and other members of the ballad singing collective, Nest of Singing Birds.

Ashlyn Mullins is a graduate of UVA-Wise and a performer whose credits include work with Florida Repertory Theatre and Shreds & Patches Theatre Company, where she recently played the role of Wendy in Peter/Wendy. Some favorite past roles include Suzy in The Marvelous Wonderettes and the title role in Sweeney Todd. Ashlyn currently serves as the Artistic Director of Camp Create!, a position she has held since its relaunch in 2023. She is currently working with the National Theatre for Children. When she returns to Wise, she will appear in “The Winter Wonderettes” at Gather @ 411 East Main in Wise, Virginia.

Tayler Bolling, a native of Wise, Va, has extensive experience in theatre, including dozens of shows throughout Southwest Virginia/Northeast Tennessee and indie films. She has been director and stage manager for many successful shows over her career. She is excited to be part of this project! 

Holden Howard originates from Chilhowie, VA and attends the University of Virginia's College at Wise. Holden has participated in numerous plays and theatre centric events, such as Michael McNulty's production of "9 to 5", and Michael Hunt's production of "A Thick Description of Harry Smith Vol. 1". Holden participated in and produced numerous plays with the "New Play Festival", managed by Kate Kremer, and recently played Captain Hook/Mr. Darling in "Peter/Wendy", directed by Michael McNulty.

Jess Mullins Fullen is a Black Appalachian writer, storyteller, and performance artist. Born and raised in the hills and hollers of far Southeast KY and now living right over the mountains of Virginia, she draws on her deep cultural roots to create art that bridges tradition and change. With over two dozen stage credits and original roles in multiple productions, Jess is currently on the Artist Roster for the Affrilachian Arts Institute.

Celeste Holmes is a Theatre major at The University of Virginia’s College at Wise. She recently took on the role of Peter Pan in Peter/Wendy with Shreds & Patches Theatre Co.. She is currently one of the choreographers for a musical theatre performance group at UVA Wise. Over the summer, she was an instructor aide for Pro-Art’s “Camp Create!” where she assisted in choreography and theatre education. Previous credits include (Missy Hart/ Dance Captain) 9 to 5, (Babette) Beauty and the Beast, (Popo) The Marvelous Imaginary Minagerie, (Lucy) Bright Star, and many more. After graduating, Celeste plans to obtain her MA in Dance and pursue a full time career in performance.