Chelsea Howard (Board Member) is a Grand Canyon University graduate, where she got a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and Drama. Her background includes being the camp manager and a teaching artist at Valley Youth Theatre in Phoenix, Arizona; as well as assisting Carolyn in the Theater program at Brophy College Preparatory. Currently residing in Southern California, Chelsea loves going to the beach, and her passions include performing arts, leadership, music, film, travel, and food!
Amy Irwin (Secretary) is currently the principal of Middleburgh Elementary School in upstate New York. She has previously been an administrator in Albany City Schools and started her career as a special ed teacher in a variety of settings. Amy, her husband, and her 11-year-old daughter enjoy learning through art and all of its forms. She sees HPP as a way to create educational experiences through art and incorporate current events and ideas that we (and our children) cannot shy away from anymore.
Rachna Khatau (Board Member) is an actress and writer based in Los Angeles. Her TV credits include Baby Daddy, The Big Bang Theory, Bizaardvark, comedy pilots for ABC and CBS, and more. She originated roles in the world premiere plays A Nice Indian Boy and Washer/Dryer, both at East West Players. Rachna was published in “Good Girls Marry Doctors,” a book of essays by South Asian American women, and her 2-woman sketch comedy show, MR. (with the period), has performed to sold out crowds in Los Angeles, Austin, and Chicago.
Chris McGahan (Treasurer) is a Los Angeles-based actor and writer. He earned his MFA at the University of Hawaii in 2012. Chris has previously served on the artistic boards of Bad Attitude Productions and Workhouse Theater both in Minneapolis, and currently oversees the Bancroft Awards development committee in Los Angeles.
Deena Sellers (Board Member) is the Director of Equity and Inclusion at Brophy College Preparatory in Phoenix, AZ. Deena believes that building relationships and providing spaces where all feel they belong is essential to a student’s educational experience. She is a 2018 recipient of the University of Chicago’s Outstanding Educator Award, and an inaugural recipient of the St. Josephine Bakhita Award for Faith and Service, presented by the Office of Black Ministry and the Archdiocese of New York. Deena holds a BA in French and Secondary Education from Chestnut Hill College, and an MA in French Literature from Hunter College in the City University of New York.
Letty Valladares (Board Member) is a Los Angeles-based performer, voice actor, and producer – and an original ensemble member of Humanity Play Project. Her credits include Alma and Seal Team. She also co-produced and starred in the action-comedy web series The Trainee as super-villain Madame Snowblood. She is a graduate of UCLA’s MFA Acting program and studied at Oxford’s British American Drama Academy.
Carolyn Marie Wright (Artistic Director & President) hails from upstate New York and splits her time between the Bronx and the Catskills. She is passionate about youth advocacy, community engagement, and anti-racism. Her favorite childhood stories include the Ramona series by Beverly Cleary, Beauty & the Beast, and Ferngully. Graduate of Yale University (BA), New York University, Steinhardt (MA), and UCLA School of Theatre, Film & Television (MFA). Proud member of AEA, SAG-AFTRA, and American Alliance for Theatre & Education.
Ted Wright (Board Member) is currently Head of Solutions Consulting at Verity LLC, a software, data, and analytics platform. A graduate of Colby College (BA, History), Ted’s prior work experience includes leadership roles at startup technology companies and financial services firms. Ted, his partner, and their dog (Leo) live on a sheep farm in the Catskill Mountains, where he is actively involved in the Greene County Democratic Committee and enjoys spending time with friends and family.
HUMANITY PLAY PROJECT 