Directors' Bios

Vanessa Mena, Director 

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Vanessa Mena (they/she) is a recent CSULB graduate returning to co-direct this second iteration of American Distortion. Growing bored with repeated productions that center around straight, cisgendered, white American experiences, they are more interested in BIPOC and LGBTQ+ voices that are often silenced. They are honored to have worked with such a brave and diverse group of actors.

 

Ryan Manikowski, Creator/Director 

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Ryan Manikowski, the creator of American Distortion, has trained at California Institute of the Arts, Grossmont Community College and CSU Long Beach. Other directing/devising credits include Shifting Sands and American Distortion alongside assistant directing Hope at the End of the World under Meg DeBoard at Grossmont Community College. 

https://ryanmanikowski.wixsite.com/ryguyartski

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Melissa Elizalde, Director/Movement & Choreography 

 

Melissa Elizalde is a director, actor, and activist. Melissa is certified in movement and devising under her mentor, Bree Valle’s, Dismantle Theatre practice. She uses her expertise to guide and coach the performers in uplifting their stories as an ensemble. Melissa aims to create safe spaces for Black and Brown communities through art and direct action, and hopes to inspire the audience to do the same.

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