Killer Whale and the Black Rush

Cast

NICOLE SUYAMA (Inupiaq)

Nicole Suyama is an Alum of Red Eagle Soaring. Nikki has been with RES for 17 years as a Student, Teaching Artist, Director, and serves as the current Program Manager. She is a Central Washington University graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies and a minor in Business. Nicole is an accomplished singer who represented Washington at the 2018 World Karaoke World Championships (KWC) USA in Las Vegas in 2018 after taking Top Female Vocalist honors. She is currently the reigning World Karaoke Tour’s North American Champion. Her stage acting accolades include productions such as ‘The Callers’, Theatre 22’s ‘Alice In Wonderland’ & ‘Journey West, and the YTT Urban Native Performing Artists’ play ‘Killer Whale & The Black Rush’. She was the leading actress for short film “Master Control”, winner of Best Film in City for the 2018 Seattle 48 Hour Horror Film Festival Competition. Nicole wishes to continue actively working with Indigenous youth to build their self-confidence and clarity of expression through the performing arts.

KHOLAN STUDIE (Cherokee)

Kholan Studie was born and raised in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Ever since he was a child, Kholan loved entertaining folks and making them laugh and feel. In 2012, Kholan moved to Los Angeles to attend The American Academy of Dramatic Arts where he completed his studies in 2015. Since then, Kholan has worked in many productions with Native Voices at The Autry including “They Don’t Talk Back” by Frank Henry Kaash Katasse and “Bingo Hall” by Dillon Chitto. Kholan was also honored to play Elias Boudinot in a production of “Sovereignty” by Mary Katherine Nagle at Marine Theater Company in 2019. During the pandemic, Kholan took part in Perseverance Theatre’s production of “Spirit of the Valley” by Frank Henry Kaash Katasse. Most recently, Kholan lent his voice to Native Voices at the Autry Presents: “The Adventures of Super Indian” by Arigon Starr. Kholan would like to send his love and support to all those affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic. The only way out of this is together.

MARION JACOBS (Squamish)

Marion is a Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and Bahamian artist who acts, produces, writes, directs, and teaches youth actors. She was born and raised in the village of Xwemelch’stn (Capilano Indian Reserve) located in Vancouver, British Columbia. In 2013 she moved to Los Angeles to pursue a Bachelors degree in Performing Art Acting from American Musical and Dramatic Academy, graduating with honors in 2017.
Marion has recently been involved with productions by KCACTF Region 7, Kitchen Dog Theatre, and the Yale Indigenous Youth Arts Program. She is currently focused on producing her own work but auditioning when she can!

DALLAS PINKHAM (Yakama/So. Cheyenne)

Dallas Pinkham is enrolled in the Yakama Nation and is Southern Cheyenne descendant. Between 2006-2010 Dallas has been acting in Red Eagle Soaring Youth Theatre’s workshops, plays, and their summer workshop S.I.Y.A.P. As of 2013, Dallas became a Theatre Mentor and Videographer for Red Eagle Soaring’s Performances and Workshops and is currently serving as a Board Member. Dallas’ other skills involve Filmmaking, he has filmed, produced, and directed short videos, documentary events and Stop Motion Animation projects, focused on supporting Native Youth and their communities. For the past 10 years Dallas has dedicated his Acting and Videography skills to teach and mentor youth to tell their stories and continues to support the Native Community. He currently attends Bellevue College for his Digital Media Arts Program and plans to transfer to University of Washington to finish his studies in the Communication Program.

CASEY WYNECOOP (Spokane)

Casey Wynecoop is a member of the Spokane Tribe. He has been a lifelong actor, dancer, and singer (in that order) that has most recently voiced Coyote in Sound Theater Company’s radio play production of Changer and their play reading of Quantum. He curated the University of Washington Alumni Association’s virtual production of Short Talks: Home, a video adaptation of storytelling by local tribal dignitaries, culture keepers, and poets. Casey began volunteering for Red Eagle Soaring in 2005, has served on our board, and supported as a donor and community member. He currently works in Seattle at the University of Washington as the Assistant Director of wǝɫǝbʔaltxʷ Intellectual House and at The Crescent Lounge as a karaoke host.

MATT C. CROSS (Kiowa)

Matt C. Cross is an actor and 2018 UCB alumni from Oklahoma City. They have performed with the Yale Indigenous Performing Arts Program and have appeared onstage at the Theater for the New City in Bound by Tara Moses. In addition to acting Matt C. Cross is also a member of the Thunderbird American Indian Dancers.

DYLAN THOMAS ELWOOD (Turtle Mountain Chippewa)

Dylan Thomas Elwood is a Red Eagle Soaring Alum – YTT Urban Native Performing Artist – & is the current Development Coordinator for RES. Dylan is the playwright for ‘Killer Whale & the Black Rush’. ‘Killer Whale & the Black Rush’ was accepted to the prestigious ACTONE Festival in Seattle in August 2019 and was performed in Spokane later that year as part of the One Heart Native Arts & Film Festival. Dylan’s play titled ‘Wolves On The Fold’ was selected for the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Region 7 for a dramatic reading this year, and he has written work for the Climate Change Action Theatre with Artic Cycle in New York City. Dylan regularly performs on stage at events in Seattle. He recently wrote two plays ‘The Eagle & The Owl’ and ‘Melting The Pitch’ – for RES youth to perform for their Spring Play productions in 2020 and 2021, both virtual.

ZEPPELIN ANDREW (Kiowa) (no photo)

Zeppelin is a student in Red Eagle Soaring, having joined in 2018. Zeppelin has been in seven (7) productions to date, both on stage and also having helped shoot his first short film project with RES in 2019. Zeppelin is a 9th grader at Lake Washington High School in the Redmond area. Zeppelin intends on attending college and continuing on with pursuing an acting career. He plays guitar, viola and bass, as well as pursues his passion of skateboarding.

ASIA GELLEIN (Cherokee) (no photo)

Asia started in Red Eagle Soaring as a student in 2014 with the play titled ‘SLAPOO’. Asia has performed in close to a dozen plays over her time in RES. Asia graduated from Lead Prep this spring (2021) in Seattle with her high school diploma. She intends to go to college for Arts & Science and wishes to stay active in the arts. Asia is a gifted visual artist with drawing and painting credentials and enjoys the sport of rowing.

Creative Team

Tara Moses (Seminole Nation of Oklahoma) – Director
Madeline Sayet (Mohegan) – Dramaturgical Support
Corynn Carignan – Stage Manager