Creating theater that challenges and changes the world
I.R.D productions is a 501c3 non-profit theater organization
MISSION STATEMENT
Our mission is to create thought provoking, challenging theater with diversity at the forefront. Our aspirations are to perform published plays that have traditionally been done one way, and place people of color, as well as individuals from other marginalized groups within those circumstances and see how that changes the narrative of the story
ISAAC DEAN
Artistic Director and Founder of I.R.D Productions Non-Profit Theater Organization
HEAD OF BOARD
Isaac Dean is a member of Actors Equity Association (AEA), and a professional New York City based writer, director, actor, and producer. He received performing arts training at the William Inge Center for the Arts, as well as The Hart Theater School. He then finished up his Bachelor of Arts degree at (KU) Kansas University. For the past ten years he has performed in numerous shows on New York City theater stages and had memberships with various acting companies such as Rising Sun Theater Company, Riant Theater Company, Magis Theater Company, and The Complete Theater Company. Some of his notable roles performed include Macduff in the Shakespeare play Macbeth, Nat Turner in The Prophet, Velma in Case Closed The Dorian Corey Story, and Austin in True West.
THERESA LEWANDOWSKI
BOARD MEMBER
Theresa Lewandowski, originally from New Jersey, now resides in the fast-paced, infinitely versatile city of NYC which fuels her aspirations and complements her love for the arts. Theresa holds both an associate degree and a bachelor's degree from Brooklyn College, with her associate degree in art history and her bachelor's degree in finance and business development. Blending her artistic passion with financial expertise, Theresa is very proud to serve as an active board member for I.R.D Productions.
MELISSA ERICKSON
BOARD MEMBER
Melissa Erickson is a proud member of Actors Equity Association (AEA). Her professional stage management and production assistant credits include New York National Tours: (Are You My Mother, Miss Nelson is Missing, Pete the Cat) Film: Key Production Assistant (Impractical Jokers), and Off-Broadway: Production Supervisor (20 Seconds), Production Coordinator (Emily Dickinson, Because I Could Not Stop for Death), Assistant Stage Manager (Shake and Bake, Love Labour’s Lost), Production Manager (The Big Bang Theory Musical Parody). Melissa is very pleased with the opportunity to serve as an active board member for I.R.D Productions.
UPCOMPING SHOW
(2025)
Blinded By Faith
Written and Directed
by
Isaac Dean
A Workshop Performance
Blinded by Faith tells the captivating story of the negative effects of gay conversion therapy and how damaging it is to the mental, and physical health of individuals who undergo this type of treatment. Some of the key themes this play touches on is religion, it also highlights issues of depression, and suicide and how these are all major components of this kind of therapy.
To purchase tickets follow link to theater festival website:
BLINDED BY FAITH - New York Theater Festival
Part of New York Cities Summer Fest Theater Festival
Blinded by Faith Cast
Role: ANDREW JAMESON
ISAAC DEAN (AEA)
Isaac Dean is the writer, Director, and Producer of Blinded by Faith. For full bio see above.
Role: JASON MATHEWS
JEROME ALLEN- SMITH (AEA)
Jerome Allen-Smith is a NYC Actor and Artist. Recent Credits Include: AVOIDANT (The New Group); How To Steal Time (Conch Shell); IS GOD IS (Bank Street Theatre); Thirteenth Night (Teatro LATEA); The Importance of Being Earnest (Actor's Temple). Outside of the theatre, he can be found at a concert, hiking, or on a plane to somewhere new. Jerome would like to thank his friends and family for their love and support.
IG: jerome.allensmith
Role: DR. PATRICIA WATKINS
MEGAN DAVIS (AEA)
Megan Davis is an actress and poet, most known to audiences world-wide from her recent portrayal of Amber Heard in the Fox movie “Hot Take: The Depp/Heard Trial.” She has also been seen on TV in shows such as “American Horror Story,” “Two Broke Girls,” and “Bones,” and plays “Elevator,” “Famous,” Arizona Theater Company’s “War of the Worlds,” and Edinburgh Theater Festival’s “The Day They Shot John Lennon.” Her best-selling debut poetry book, "What Breaks Us," has won several awards, and has been celebrated by critics, including a Kirkus Review comparing her work to Sylvia Plath. She is thrilled to be making her New York City theater debut in this powerful play, and excited to have the opportunity to be a part of telling such an important story.
IG: meggydavis
Role: BRANDY ANDERSON
AUTUMN MAYNARD
Autumn Maynard is an actress and playwright born and raised in Queens, NY. She is a graduate of New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, where she studied at the Playwright’s Horizons Theatre School studio and received her BFA in Drama. She also graduated from the two year conservatory program at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts where she received an AOS in Drama. She is excited to take on the role of Brandy Anderson in this play Blinded By Faith premiering at The New York Theatre Festival. She was recently seen as Ashanti in Journey through Africa at the Black Spectrum Theatre Company, #11 in The Wolves at Stella Adler Studios, Chorus in If Pretty Hurts Then Ugly Must Be A Muhfucka at Columbia University, Ade from The Land We Share at the Chain Theatre Festival, and Emily Rose from Jamaican Talk Show Host at Comedy in Harlem. Some of her other credits to look out for include FILM: It’s Nice to Meet You (LEAD), Hidden Magic (LEAD), Room to Stand (LEAD), Caught in Between (LEAD), Lottie Baby: (SUPPORTING).
Autumnmaynard.com
IG:_autumnmaynard
Role: MARY MATHEWS
JADE MASON
Jade Mason is a talented artist from Brooklyn, NY, and is recognized for her diverse talents in acting, writing, modeling, and praise dance, all of which are inspired by her faith. In 2023, she was honored with her first AUDELCO Award for Best Ensemble for the production "Picking Up The Pieces." Additionally, Jade has participated in episodes 2, 8, and 9 of the YouTube series "Nurses Station," with plans for more episodes in the future. She is also grateful for her role as Mama Dukes in the award-winning short film "Rock N Rolled," which received multiple accolades, including Best Featurette at the Idyllwild International Film Festival 2025. Furthermore, Jade has explored her writing skills with short plays such as "Rise Like a Phoenix" and "Walk In Your Light." Jade is an emerging talent dedicated to her craft and her community and grateful for what’s to come. For more updates, you can follow her on Instagram.
IG: JadeMason4Ever
Role: KEISHA JAMESON
GINA-SIMONE PEMBERTON
Gina-Simone Pemberton, is a NYC stage and screen actor and singer. She was recently seen on stage as Harriet Tubman (Mother Moses) in the play The Visit Of Mother Moses, as a part of the New York Theater Festival, Off Broadway in A Soulful Christmas: A Groovy Musical Revenue, as Rose in August Wilson’s Fences (AUDELCO nominee), and as Billie Holiday in Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill. Some of her other credits include OFF-BROADWAY: Trilogy ll (Gladys), Treasure Island Musical (Meg). REGIONAL: Priscilla Queen of the Desert (Diva), High School Musical (Taylor), and Little Shop of Horrors (Crystal), Why Do Fools Fall In Love (Sally). Gina-Simone currently sings with the Jerriese Johnson Gospel choir at Middle Collegiate Church. And she is also a human rights activist.
Ginasimonepemberton.com
IG: ginasimonepemberton
Role: REV. MICHAEL JOHNSON
ADRIAN PHILLIPS
Adrian Phillips is a Native of Louisiana, and a former N. Carolina Resident. He’s currently living in Brooklyn NY and Graduated from New York Film Academy - Professional Conservatory of Musical Theater. He’s also currently a Black Spectrum Theater Company Actor.
Role: ANTWONE MOORE
JAMEAL BAILEY
Jameal Bailey is an actor from Brooklyn, NY. Jameal recently graduated from New York University’s, Tisch School of the Arts, where he studied acting. He is excited to be telling this wonderful story, and he wants to continue to use his voice to tell untold stories of characters who have lost their voice in the world therein. Jameal has performed in many productions such as Summertime by Charles L Mee, in the role of Edmund, A View From The Bridge by Arthur Miller, understudying Eddie, and Failure to Communicate by Allie Smith, the role of Walter at Atlantic Stage 2. He was also in an original play “Free sex,” as Ghost at the Chains Theater Festival. Jameal hopes to further his career, and expose the world to the voices of Black queer artists.
IG: Jamealbailey
Crew: Stage Manager
Katie Harrigan
Katie Harrigan (she/her) is a New Jersey based stage manager and performer and is so beyond grateful to be a part of this production. She has a BA in Musical Theatre from New Jersey City University. Recent SM credits include Some Body Will Pay by Cayenne Douglass (closed door reading with Parity Productions), Apron Strings: The Ties that Bind (Greymatters Productions, AMT Theater). Other experience includes Prospect Musicals' IGNITE Concert Festival as a Festival Fellow and Little Black Book at Bowery Ballroom as a Production Assistant. Katie has also been the Theatre Director for Kent Place Summer Camp in Summit New Jersey for the past two years.
IG: @katieclaire_h
A special thanks to the Puffin Foundation for their grant support that helped make this production possible.
PAST SHOW
(2023)
True West
by Sam Shepard
Part of New York Cities free theater at the Library series.
Help Our Cause
With artistic grants and donations, I.R.D Productions Non-Profit Theater Organization is able to keep professional theater ticket prices at low cost for New York City theater audiences, as well as gain the funding to pay all artist and support staff involved with each production. By donating to I.R.D Productions, you can help keep our mission of low cost theater alive. No donation is too great or too small, every little bit helps.
