Deborah Hope

(Grace)

Deborah Hope has been active in the Houston theatre scene for almost 30 years. Most recently in “August: Osage County” and “Steel Magnolias”. She studied at the New York Academy of Dramatic Arts,  workshopped with such notables as Uta Hagen, Edward Albee, Sidney (Doc) Berger, Robert Wilson, Stanley Zareff, and too many others to name drop here. She’s worked at Stages Theatre, AD Players, Dirt Dogs, Main Street, New Heights, Theatre LaB and the Houston Shakespeare Festival to name a few locally; nationally, she toured the nation in Thomas Melancon’s “Whatever Happened to Black Love?”, internationally at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and in New York at the Producers Club, Vital Theatre, Manhattan Theatre Club, and  Abingdon Theatre to name a few.

“I’m very honored to be part of this new work and am now at the age where I can relate to this theme on many different levels. Losing a parent is hard enough, but how does a family cope with a parent who’s here but not? This is a beautiful, personal piece with universal understanding of the power of love.”

Kory LaQuess Pullam

(Liam)

Kory LaQuess Pullam (Liam) LOCAL: The Alley: Seared; Stages Repertory Theatre: Othello, The Remix, The Hispanic, Latino, Latina, Latinx, Latine Vote; Ensemble Theatre: Love and Southern Discomfort, A Motown Christmas; Main Street Theater: Kim’s Convenience; Rec Room: Death of a Salesman. REGIONAL: The Guthrie: Choir Boy, The Parchman Hour; Park Square: Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, Calendar Girls; Mixed Blood: Is God Is; Penumbra Theatre: Pipeline, Girl Shakes Loose; Ten Thousand Things: Fiddler on the Roof; Children’s Theatre Company: Three Little Birds, Charlotte’s Web, Shrek: The Musical, Cinderella, The Scarecrow and His Servant; Pillsbury House + Theatre: Prep; History Theatre: Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story; Raven Theatre: A Soldier’s Play; New Village Arts: 1222 Oceanfront; Underdog Theatre: Luna Gale, How It’s Gone Be. Awards: 2016 Star Tribune’s Artist of the Year. 2017 City Pages’ Artist of the Year. Education: B.F.A., Stephen F. Austin State University, Theatre.

“I think this play is important because so many people are going through the same struggles these characters find themselves in. This is a highly relatable story and I am happy that Sam has chosen to tell it.”

Christian Tannous

(Mitch)

Christian is a Houston-based actor-director and is thrilled to be a part of this incredible new work with such an extraordinary cast and creative team. Other acting credits around Houston include: And Then There Were None (Understudy) at the Alley, The Sound Inside (Christopher Dunn) at 4th Wall Theatre Co., Kingdom Undone (Jesus of Nazareth) at A.D. Players, The Wanderers (Abe) at Mildred’s Umbrella, The Odd Couple (Oscar Madison) at Island ETC, and Appropriate (Franz) at Dirt Dogs Theatre Co. Endless amounts of love and gratitude go to his friends, family and partner–without their relentless love and support none of this would be possible.

“I was immediately drawn to this script when I first read it because of it’s vulnerability and raw look into humanity. Samantha has taken something very real and painful and created a heart-warming and charming way to experience it.”

John W. Price PhD, LPC

(Guest Speaker)

John W. Price is a depth-psychotherapist, educator, perpetual student, and former professional musician who co-founded The Center for Healing Arts and Sciences. His unique journey began in the world of music, touring nationally and navigating the exhilarating highs and chaotic lows of life as an artist. This path took a significant turn with the birth of his son, a transformative event that steered him toward the academic study of psychology, where he found a way to merge his profound interests in human nature, philosophy, art, and spirituality. John’s academic pursuits culminated in a Doctorate in Jungian Psychology, where he blended his personal experiences as a musician with his expertise in depth psychology.

John currently contributes his expertise to the Esalen Institute in Big Sur, a renowned center for humanistic studies, where he teaches courses such as “The Psychology of Shadow and Fame” and “Ecstatic Experience, Music, & Jung’s Red Book.” He also serves as President of the Board at the Jung Center of Houston, a non-profit institution dedicated to studying psychology, spirituality, arts, and humanities. His teachings seek to bridge ancient wisdom with modern contexts. His belief in the power of storytelling underpins both his podcast and clinical work, reflecting his conviction that unraveling one’s story can lead to profound personal growth. Together with his wife, Leila-Scott Price, John co-founded The Center for Healing Arts and Sciences, an integrative wellness clinic offering a variety of therapies and educational resources that embody his belief in the importance of community and interpersonal connection for growth and healing

Alec Franco

(Director)

Alec Franco recently finished his work on the short film, Hitchhiker, directed by Scott Rice; Do No Harm directed by Chris Hartwell, starring Harry Shum Jr.; and worked with Patrick Walker on Pugilistic Soul. He also starred in Wonder London where he played opposite Vivica A Fox. In Glenn’s Gotta Go, directed by Levie Isaaks and written and produced by Brad Maule, Alec played the title role of Glenn. His wife was played by Ruth Buzzi.

Mr. Franco started acting in 1982 in Santa Barbara, CA, but finished his studies at the Los Angeles Theatre Academy. He has worked on stage with Mary Crosby and Judd Nelson at the Los Angeles Theatre Center in a production of The Seagull and Robert Beltran in Stars In The Morning Sky. He apprenticed at the Los Angeles Theatre Center, where he worked and learned on stage from great talent like Deirdre O’Connell (Stars In The Morning Sky) and Phillip Baker Hall (The Inspector General).

He was able to participate in some memorable productions, the most interesting being a Glasnost production with Russian playwright Alexander Galin and his play Stars in the Morning Sky, The Inspector General directed by Stein Winge (director of the National Theatre of Norway), and The Seagull directed by Charles Marowitz. At the West Coast Ensemble Theatre in L.A., he had a great experience working with Obie Theatre award-winning and Pulitzer Prize finalist in drama, María Irene Fornés. Presently, Mr. Franco studies with Richard Robichaux in Austin, Texas.

“We are pleased to present this brave story, No Such Thing As Normal, written by Samantha Walker. I have had the privilege to see this story come to life over the years Samantha has worked on it. One could say this subject is close to her heart. I would say, once you hear the story, you will realize it is her heart. She demonstrates that coming home needs to be more than geography, but connecting with those you love. Samantha has the courage to open her heart and share it with you all, and I know you will be touched and enlightened by its honesty.”

Sean K. Thompson

(Producer/Technical Director)

Sean has been artistic director of Points North Theatre Company (and its original incarnation of UpStage Theatre) since 2010. He is also an accomplished actor, director, writer, and producer.