Hi, I’m Lana. (she/her/hers). I am a creative producer and director with expertise in curating bold artistic visions, processes and projects that ignite innovation, strengthen equity and fuel collaboration across creative and technical fields. I am committed to producing creative work that is artist and community driven at the core, challenges our perception of possibility and that is empowering in practice, process and performance.
Below is a longer outline of my diverse career and journey. For the shortened version scroll to the bottom for my resume. Thanks for visiting!
ARTISTIC PRODUCER
Lana is the director and co-creator of OP Forward programming which focuses on the future of artists' projects, visions and careers. OP Forward works to reimagine and reframe its resources in order to form innovative collaborations between industries and expand the potential for further growth of new work in theatre, audio and TV storytelling. Lana will continue to create programming opportunities involved in: mentorship, skill building, community advocacy, networking and relationships and artistic empowerment. She will also produce future project based artistic development opportunities. She also works to create exciting new partnerships across the entertainment industry, finding Orchard Project lab artists the right connections to take their projects onto larger platforms. For anything Orchard Project or OP Forward related please contact me at, lana@orchardproject.com.
Lana produced AN EVENING OF HOPE: OFFERINGS FOR THE FUTURE OF THEATER, a virtual cabaret and community conversation with an all Broadway cast. This aired on Broadway on Demand and was a fundraiser for The Actors Fund in response to the theater shutdowns of 2020-2021. The evening of song and conversation asks, "What is your hope for the future of theatre?" in hopes to inspire ideas that reimagine the future of theatre and the way we make and enjoy it. For press and more information, click here.
Lana was the interim Artistic Producer at New York Stage and Film ,where she managed casting of upwards of twenty summer development and full production projects and the casting of over 116 actors. She served as the executive assistant to the standing and incoming Artistic Directors. She line produced all season projects ranging from readings to commercial workshops to main stage productions. She worked closely with agents, casting directors, press and commercial producers. She oversaw the experience of the Epstein and Founder’s Award Playwrighting Fellows scheduling their time, offering consistent dramaturgical support and producing end of season readings. She was the main line of contact for all production stage managers and taught and mentored the stage management and music intern programs. She personalized curated and managed each artist’s experience prior to, during and finishing their creative stay at Powerhouse.
She was the audience development associate at All For One Theater where she developed community based and educational programming and formed relationships with existing and first time theater audiences. She created marketing campaigns that were both artist and audience driven in addition to associate producing events, new play workshops and contributed to season planning. She managed all marketing and communications budgets, campaigns and social media.
Lana is the producer and founder of the creative, community based organization, the[re]group. the [re]group focuses on providing resources for artists and audiences, focusing on reimagination of process and performance the power of theatre to heal. In 2018, the group was born when Lana directed, produced, fundraised and managed the first [re]group tour of a community intersected and created Henry VI Part 3 called [re]consider, focusing on cycles of violence. It toured to Veteran community and rehab centers, schools, theaters and other community spaces in Manhattan, Harlem and The Bronx. the [re]group also provides developmental tools for artists including creator groups and personalized workshop series.
She was the artistic associate and intern coordinator for Cape Cod Theater Project, producing four weeks of new play workshops and developing and managing the intern program, teaching classes and devising a community-based play.
Lana was the producing/literary associate at Primary Stages where in addition to all literary management and program development she co-produced and cast all reading series, co-produced the gala and all writer’s group and company events, served as a dramaturg with the Dorothy Streslin New American Writer’s Group and managed all artistic department needs.
She was a producing fellow at Naked Angels where she associate produced First Monday Reading Series projects, Tuesday’s at Nine, annual holiday and T@9 fundraiser events and daily marketing, donation organization and office needs.
Lana was the The Other Side’s creative facilitator with WHEDco, the Women’s Housing and Economic Corporation in the Bronx for three years. Lana worked with WHEDco to develop programming and produce events, plays and other opportunities for students taking The Other Side Classes through WHEDco. Lana produced the largest event, which included a social justice play mural and community party created by WHEDco students around ideas of what it means to be a young woman in their community; all in collaboration with WHEDco, The Other Side and Groundswell
DIRECTOR
Lana has developed and directed plays with Primary Stages, The Lark, Goldfish Memory Productions, Cape Cod Theater Project, New Georges, Rattlestick, Gettysburg College, The Public Theater of San Antonio, the [re]group, Tangent Theater The Fifth Avenue Theatre. Recent productions include: Bliss By Emma Lively and Tyler Beattie (associate director, Fifth Avenue Theatre) [re]consider: a community based Henry VI/Richard III adaptation (the [re]group) and Antlia Pneumatica by Anne Washburn (Gettysburg College).
As an associate director: Bliss by Emma Lively and Tyler Beattie (dir. Sheryl Kaller, Fifth Avenue Theatre), Macbeth (dir. Victor Malana Maog, Cal Shakes) Pygmalion (dir. Eric Tucker, Bedlam) War of the Roses (dir. Eric Ting,, Cal Shakes) The Model Apartment by Donald Margulies and Poor Behavior by Theresa Rebeck (dir. Evan Cabnet).
Assistant direction with Cusi Cram, Kip Fagan, and Evan Yionoulis on various projects.
EVENTS AND HOSPITALITY
Lana is a co-founder virtual life event company ToGather Today as well the co-manager of marketing and community engagement and an event producer.
Lana is the creative lead of virtual wine events and education for Brooklyn Winery. Lana crafts the creative concept and leads a wide range of corporate and personal groups through high level personalized wine education experiences in a celebratory and comfortable style.
Lana has over 15 years is the hospitality industry with a focus on events, guest experience and sales.
TEACHING ARTIST
Lana is a guest faculty and director at Gettysburg College.
Lana is currently developing an education program called Creative Confrontation that challenges students to reimagine process and performance in work with classic plays with theatre company, Bedlam.
As a Teaching artist: developed curriculum and taught for Cape Cod Theater Project, WHEDCO at PS218 after-school, Cal Shakes, Marin Theatre Company
Lana was the lead teaching artist developing curriculum, teaching and producing plays and fundraising events with The Other Side Intercultural Theatre. The Other Side creates a cross-cultural exchange of dramatic storytelling amongst girls which supports their common experience, inspires leadership, and develops community. Using devised theatre and storytelling techniques, participating girls create dramatic pieces, exploring what it means to be a girl in the context of their own community and culture. The great strength and the great suffering that comes with a female identity is brought to the forefront.
For producing resume click here. For directing credits resume click here.
Photo by Joe Loper