MEET THE MENTORS

Nilan (he/him+) is the Associate Artistic Director of The Drama League of New York and a founder of the award-winning production company A Certain Something. He has been in over 35 theatrical, film, and television projects nationally and internationally. He is the co-host of the podcast TA(L)KING DIRECTION. His plays include Endangered Species, FOLKtales, Blood Promises, We Like To Party, The Rainbow Plays (a cycle of plays that chronicle queer life across the U.S. post-AIDS epidemic), and others. Recently, Nilan has helped co-facilitate and curate the first major International Directors Summit post-pandemic, gathering nine countries to together to talk art...

Bleu Beckford-Burrell is a first-generation Jamaican-American actor/playwright. Born and raised in New York City, she works for non-profit organizations where she teaches acting to teens, as well as write and direct plays. Her plays include: P.S. 365(2019 O’Neill Finalist) showcased at EST (Youngblood Workshop Series) and The National Black Theatre (Keep the Soul Alive reading series). Lyons Pride(2020 Burman New Play Award Finalist, 2019 The Kilroy’s Honorable Mention, and Yale Drama Series Award Runner-up, 2018 BAPF, Princess Grace Award Finalist) showcased at Playwrights Realm (Ink’d Festival of New Plays) and EST(Bloodwork Reading Series). La Race(2020 Normal Ave Finalist and Theatre...