Week 2: Deathless

ZACK ZADEK (Book, Music, Lyrics) An award winning composer/lyricist, songwriter, performer, and playwright, Zack Zadek has been named by Playbill as “A Contemporary Musical Theatre Songwriter You Should Know” and by Buzzfeed as a writer who “proves why you should give musical theatre another shot”.  His musicals 6 (dir. Sheryl Kaller), The Crazy Ones (NY Theatre Barn, NYMF 2013), and The Role of a Lifetime (Produced by William Berlind, Lyrics by Randy Blair) have been seen and developed around the world, from New York City to Edinburgh, Scotland. Zack’s songs have been performed by some of Broadway and West End’s biggest names in performances across NYC including The Highline Ballroom, Joe’s Pub, (le) Poisson Rogue, 54 Below, Contemporary Classics in Seattle, and as a part of “In The Valley: The Songs of Zack Zadek” at The Laurie Beechman Theatre.  Also touring and performing his own music regularly, Zack has been seen banging on pianos with his band in London, Los Angeles, and more. Winner of the inaugural “Got Musical!” award by Disney Imagineering and NMI, Zack has also actively scored films for emerging filmmakers and directors.  As a mainstream songwriter, he has collaborated with Nina Nesbitt (Universal), Mree, LOLO (DCD2) and many other artists. He attended New York University’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study and Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music, and has been taught and mentored by Duncan Sheik, Amund Bjørklund (Espionage), Andrew Lippa, Tor Hermansen (Stargate) , Maury Yeston, Nick Blaemire (Glory Days), Charlie Rubin (Seinfeld), Jesse Harris (Norah Jones), Bob Power (D’Angelo), Josh Safran (SMASH), Ira Newborn (Ferris Buller’s Day Off), Joe Church (The Lion King), John Sexton, and more.  He is currently working on several new projects, including an adaptation of a film, EDM song-cycle, and Deathless, a new indie musical about life, death, and family.

HUNTER BIRD (Dramaturg) Broadway: Our Mother’s Brief Affair (AD). Select NYC Directing: The Laodamiad (Signature Theatre, Roundabout Theatre Company Developmental Readings, Dramaturg – Oskar Eustis), The Imaginary Menagerie (The McKittrick Hotel, Ars Nova, Joe’s Pub), The Crazy Ones (New Musicals @ 54 Below), Edward II (The Tank), Held Momentarily (NY Fringe, Fringe Encores), Laodamiad (Columbia), Eversion (Ars Nova). Previous AD credits with Des McAnuff, Lynne Meadow, Pam MacKinnon, Doug Hughes, Graciela Daniele, and Eve Ensler. Currently developing new work with Zack Zadek, Kate Douglas, Chas LiBretto & Zoe Sarnak, Peter & Pia Cincotti, Oliver Houser, and Alexander Sage Oyen & Jessica Kahkoska. Colony Coordinator of the Johnny Mercer Writers Colony at Goodspeed Musicals. www.hunter-bird.com

ELANNA WHITE (Actress) is a native New Yorker and recent graduate of NYU Tisch. Favorite credits include: Law and Order: SVU, Kerrigan-Lowdermilk’s “The Bad Years,” “The April Hour” for LAByrinth Theatre Co, “Create Me Pegasus” which made it to the Sam French OOB Festival final 13 and the new web series, “Party at Micah’s” written and directed by Chris Modoono. She also often works with new musical theatre composers in both concert settings and developing new work. You can also catch her talking about music on iHeartRadio’s First Taste Fridays and doing silly things for Snickers. She’s a string light aficionado and really sucks at cooking.