The Team
Dr. Melanie Andrews, Executive Director, Founder
Dr. Melanie Andrews is one of those rare African Americans who has directed, performed in, or designed every single Shakespeare Play, including Timon of Athens and Coriolanus. Her love for Shakespeare started as a child when her mother would read Romeo and Juliet and A Midsummer Night’s Dream to her at bedtime.
She has divided her theatrical career between acting, teaching and directing. She’s directed over 100 plays in high schools, colleges and regional theaters. She has received dozens of awards for excellence in directing, including Best Director Award from the prestigious International Youth Theater Association. Additionally she was named Theater Teacher of the year by the California Theater Teachers Association and the State of California.
As Artistic Director of Inner City Shakespeare Ensemble she is dedicated to ensuring that inner city kids have the opportunity to learn and perform Shakespeare with the same love that has lighted her life.
Amit Bhalla
After many years of great performances, award-winning films and life-long friendships, I am stepping down as President of the Innercity Performing Arts organization and the Innercity Shakespeare Ensemble. I’m grateful for the support the ICSE community gave me and for the opportunity I had to give back to them. It is my sincere hope that the organization can continue its founding mission to provide positive arts experiences to underserved communities.
Katy Haber, Co-Founder, Mentor, Advisory Board Member
Katy Haber has worked in the film & television industries for over fifty years, working with Sam Peckinpah on 8 of his films and co-producing Blade Runner. She is also a founding member of The British Academy of Film and Television Arts in Los Angeles (BAFTA/LA).
Katy spearheaded several groundbreaking initiatives as BAFTA’s Education and Outreach Committee Co-Chair, including The Helen Keller Park screening program that brought Hollywood films and filmmakers to South Central LA, and the Innercity Mentoring program at Washington Prep High School.
Katy has received numerous awards for her services to the Los Angeles community, including the Martin Luther King ‘Keeper of the Dream’ Award from the City of West Hollywood. In 2011 an Honorary Professorship of Arts at the University of Bedfordshire and in 2012 a MBE (Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) for services to the Los Angeles Community
Grahame Wood, Advisory Board Member, Mentor
Grahame was trained at LAMDA and has worked in the film and television industries of the US, UK, and Canada for three decades. His onscreen credits include Saving Private Ryan, The Patriot, Four Minutes, and The Orville. Grahame is also the author of the award-winning novels, The Darkly Stewart Mysteries, which are to be adapted for the big screen.
Paul Heller, Co-Founder, Set Designer, 1927-2020
Paul Heller is an American film producer residing in Southern California. His best known movies include Enter the Dragon, Withnail and I, My Left Foot, The Annihilation of Fish, Skin Games, Hot Potato, The Promise, The Barony, Black Belt Jones, and David and Lisa.
Val Kilmer, Head of Advisory Board
Val hales from Los Angeles. He is Batman, Jim Morrison and Doc Holiday but his new role is as an advisor and guide for Inner City Shakespeare Ensemble. Throat cancer may have impacted his speaking voice but he is still speaking loud and strong through art and community service. His amazing space Hel Mel studios has become our permanent home thanks to his generosity. Val has guided our artistic direction and shared his large compliment of professional actors, producers and technicians with the young people of Inner City Shakespeare Ensemble.
Alissa Allen, Advisory Board, Communications
Alissa Allen is the daughter of legendary King of Calypso “The Mighty Sparrow” and has spent a lifetime in media and entertainment with a special focus on global culture. She is an old friend and supporter of ICSE. Today her work includes over 20 years of experience leading high-profile communications initiatives and brand development in more than 26 countries. Her current clients include AT&T and HBOMax.
Brad Koepenick
Koepenick is Co-Founder and President of SparkRise. He is also an Actor/Writer/Producer who has appeared in Films (Sandtrap, The Distinguished Gentleman) and TV Shows (Friends, Scrubs, ER, VIP). He produced the award winning film Shakespeare High. He is currently Producer of Mr. Kilmer's Cinema Twain and several other projects at HelMel Studios. Koepenick has shepherded hundreds of short films, student films and PSAs to fruition through his work with thousands of young filmmakers. He has consulted and served on various Boards including the Twainmania Foundation, Inner City Shakespeare, Get Lit and the Educational Theatre Foundation.
Simon Wilkinson, Art Director, Graphic Designer
A specialist in the development of visual communications for the arts and non-profits Simon brings a wealth of experience to each project – garnered from his over 15 years of experience working as a graphic designer and artist. Dedicated to the collaborative process and finding a meaningful application for his craft Simon is continually inspired by InnerCity and its programming – he is particularly inspired by the dedication of Melanie Andrews and the enthusiasm of its young actors. Simon holds an Honors B.Des and MFA from Art Center College of Design.
Juvanie Hildreth, Social Media Manager
Juvanie Hildreth began work with Inner City Shakespeare Ensemble as a junior at Washington Prep High School in 2012, where the very own Dr. Melanie Andrews was his drama teacher. His introduction to Shakespeare was ICSE's 2013 production of Twelfth Night(Antonio) and he has gone on to feature in numerous productions including Othello(Othello), the 2019 LA Shorts Film Festival Best Drama winner IAGO, A Midsummer Night's Dream(Oberon), and Taming of the Shrew(Lucentio). In addition to acting he serves as the Social Media Manager for the company.
Jeani Navarro, Grants and Fundraising
Jeani Navarro is a professional proposal writer and fund raiser who has helped hundreds of non profits reach fundraising goals and achieve their mission. Her expertise is in the arts and social services as well as grants for food sustainability in rural areas. She has taught grant writing and non-profit board development courses at the University of Hawaii and Hawaii Community College. Jeani’s writing experience includes Local, State, and Federal grants as well as sponsorship campaigns.
Jayda Ross, Zoom Cinematographer
Jayda Ross is a freelance artist based in Atlanta, Georgia. She is a Fall 2019 graduate of Clark Atlanta University, where she majored in Theatre Arts. Jayda serves as Zoom Cinematographer for ICSE and worked on Romeo and Juliet, United Nations Tribute, and They Call Us the N Word. She was last seen on stage as Lady Macbeth (Macbeth), Lady in Blue (For Colored Girls), and Evelyn (The Shape of Things) at CAU. Jayda also collaborates with Tony Award Winning, Alliance Theatre and served as Satellite Drama Camp Coordinator, Teaching Assistant, and Theatre for Very Young House Manager.
Ronda Flanzbaum, Webmaster