“Dad’s Story” Cast
SAG/ AFTRA
Deborah
Cecelia Specht has been a professional Actor for over 20 years graduating with the first class from the Actors Studio's Drama School at The New School University in New York City. Cecelia has worked in theatre, film and television all over the world including New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta and Australia. TV highlights include; Criminal Minds, Scandal, Tyler Perry's The Haves and The Have Nots, Days of Our Lives and The Young and The Restless. When not on camera Cecelia lends her voice talents to the narration of audio books and currently is voicing the works of the author Amanda Glenn whose "Teddy Books" can be found on Amazon.
Instagram: cecelia_specht Twitter: CeceliaSpecht
Ruth
Kaili Y. Turner is a Black Indian and proud enrolled member of the Nipmuc nation, as well as a comedian, actress, writer, producer, and puppeteer. Born in Boston, MA and raised between Mashpee, MA and Boston. Kaili graduated from UMass Boston with a B.A in Theater Arts and a minor in dance. After performing in the Boston theatre scene, Kaili moved to New York, where she attended the Actors Studio Drama School MFA program. Since graduation she has been in multiple commercials, stage plays, and film projects. Most notable are The Cycle film (Dir, Michael Alverez | executive produced by Sway HBO Best Film MVVAAFF), Fk’d Up & Fabulous, (Creator, Executive producer | Kaili Y. Turner) which is currently streaming only on Tenoir TV, Re: Wakanda TKWL (Director, writer | Cameron Mason).
Kaili’s play Indian Country was a semifinalist for the Eugene O’Neil playwrights conference and has successful readings at the National Black Theater Festivals at the Frank Silvera Reading series, New Voices in Black Cinema reading series and the Eagle Project Reading Series to name a few. Kaili is also a member of Grown Ass Women (first all-female Maude team at UCB NY), To Karen, with Love (TKWL: a sketch group out of Brooklyn, Jersey CIty Comedy Festival Best Sketch group winners 2020) FREE POC (All-Black improv team, Pit NY). Kaili is also the creator of Rock the Bells Comedy a Hip Hop variety show that is predominantly BIPOC and is real, raw and for the culture. She is a producer for Act Now Foundation/New Voices, FREE POC and she’s one of the creators of Urban puppets Place (UPP) an adult puppet program. With ideas always flourishing Kaili is currently working on a horror sci-fi short based on Indigenous folklore she grew up on. For more information and to keep up with everything Kaili, follow her social media and check out her website.
Instagram: @Mdamstarlight Twitter: @kailiyturner
Facebook: Kaili Turner
Richard Denman
Henry
Richard Denman grew up on a farm in the time of party lines and bare-foot summers. The family farm became Pleasant Acres Campground, which he purchased from his parents after completing his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and Computer Science. The campground was considered one of the best in the country and won many prestigious awards. Richard retired in 2018 and now enjoys his many hobbies, including flying, boating, scuba diving, motorcycling and snowmobiling. He especially enjoys playing with his grandson.
Penny
Gloria Tsai is a Taiwanese-Texan actor/voice actor originally from Austin. After leaving a corporate career in 2015, she decided to pursue her childhood passion for performing and in late 2018 relocated to LA. In the Fall of 2019, Gloria was cast in “The Joy Luck Club” at Sierra Madre Playhouse (SMP), directed with LA Arts Commissioner & former East West Players Artistic Director, Tim Dang. She returned to SMP in July of 2020 for a virtual production of “Yellow Face” by D.H. Hwang. Gloria’s VO career is just beginning! She completed her demos and narrated 2 romance novels in 2020. She was recently part of an ensemble cast for "Supernova", an audioplay by Elizabeth Hawes, of stories from women in prison. She has trained with famous vocal coaches: David Sobolov, Steve Blum, Bob Bergen and Eliza Jane Schneider. Learn more at her website or check out @glowtsai on all socials.
Allan
Zachary Sherry is a Meisner-trained actor/writer originally from Pompano Beach, Florida. Since graduating from Florida State University in 2015, he moved out to New York City to pursue a dual career in performance and writing.
This summer, Zach and the rest of the cast of Down the Fox Hole won Audience Choice at the Chain Theater’s one-act festival. This coming November, his play True Love will debut at the Latea Theater as part of NYWinterfest. And just recently, his short screenplay Alex The Changeling earned 1st place at the 2021 L.A. International Film Festival Awards.
One can find Zach regularly improvising at the People’s Improv Theater where he practices his comedy chops. For more, visit www.zachsherry.com or @zachofearth.
Director/ Producer
Elsbeth is a New Jersey native who grew up performing. While dance brought her to the stage, Acting and production kept her there. A jack of many trades, Elsbeth has credits as an actor, stage manager, producer and director. She holds a BA from King’s College in Directing/ Acting, and an MFA from the Actors Studio Drama School at Pace University in New York City. Since graduating, Elsbeth has become a full blown podcaster, with around 100 podcast appearances under her belt. She and her husband Mark are thrilled to finally be able to share their project, Dark Valley with listeners everywhere.
Mark Zurek
Writer
Narrator
Mark Zurek is a Pennsylvania-born writer and performer whose credits include Kalino Kahananui on the Protean City Comics podcast, writing and acting in the award-nominated The Adventures of Harry Flynn radio drama, as well as several Shakespeare and contemporary stage roles. A graduate of King's College and Binghamton University with degrees in Mathematics, Mark has nevertheless pursued creative writing as a passion. Dark Valley is his first scripted podcast for whom he is the head writer and narrator.