ROLLER DERBY STAFF BIOS

HAROLD WHEELER Composer / Orchestrator

As an orchestrator, Harold received a Drama Desk Award and a Tony nomination for HAIRSPRAY, and was nominated for a Tony as well for DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS. From the time he conducted the Broadway musical PROMISES, PROMISES to the year DREAMGIRLS won six Tony awards, Wheeler has been in the front ranks of entertainment as a conductor, composer, arranger and performer. Additional credits as orchestrator and music supervisor include COCO, TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA, THE WIZ, LITTLE ME (Tony nomination), A CHORUS LINE, THE TAP DANCE KID, LENA HORNE: THE LADY AND HER MUSIC, FAME, THE LIFE (Tony nomination), SIDE SHOW, SWING! (Tony nomination), THE FULL MONTY, and NEVER GONNA DANCE (Drama Desk nomination). He acted as musical director for the SUMMER OLYMPICS IN ATLANTA, the 2004 ACADEMY AWARDS, and composed the score for the film LOVE! VALOUR! COMPASSION! Currently, he is the musical supervisor for the hit ABC television series DANCING WITH THE STARS. He is married to actress/singer Hattie Winston.

BARRY ARNOLD Book / Lyrics

At New York’s Public Theater Barry co-authored the musical PLAY ON THE TIMES, and the musical MONDAY MARCH ELEVEN at the Promenade. With Harold Wheeler, he has written the new musical HOT NUTS, currently in pre-production. Barry assisted director Joshua Logan on Broadway’s LOOK TO THE LILIES, and Producer Harry Rigby on NO, NO, NANETTE. In the late 90’s, he designed TIMES SQUARE'S NEW YEAR'S EVE CELEBRATIONS, and in 2002 he associate produced NEW YORK'S OFFICIAL 9/11 COMMEMORATIONS, also contributing designs in 2003. Mr. Arnold wrote the book for ANOTHER STAR IN THE SKY, which opened the Bangkok Cultural Center, as well as THE PEARL for Phuket Fantasea. As a lighting designer, among the original productions Barry designed are GODSPELL, JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, BUBBLING BROWN SUGAR, DIVERSIONS AND DELIGHTS, and TO BE YOUNG GIFTED AND BLACK.

JOHN BRADEN Composer / Lyrics

John Braden created the scores for dozens of musicals, among them THE BEARD, SILVER QUEEN SALOON, GULLIVER’S TRAVELS, EMILY POST’S BOOK OF ETIQUETTE, the Obie Award winning WRITERS OPERA, and DOWNRIVER. John was a five time ASCAP Award winner in the Pop and Theatre categories. With three gold records to his credit, he wrote and produced children’s albums for projects as wide ranging as DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, CABBAGE PATCH KIDS, KNIGHT RIDER, TARZAN, BARBIE AND KEN, THE CARE BEARS, and the Arthur C. Clark film 2010. John had a long association with the La Mama Experimental Theatre Club and Theatre for the New City, as well as numerous other important companies involved in the development of the Off-Off Broadway Theatre movement. John Braden’s promising career was unfortunately cut short in the early days of the AIDS epidemic, to which he succumbed in his mid-thirties. This production of ROLLER DERBY is dedicated to his memory.

DALE OLSON Producer

Dale C. Olson has had an extensive career in journalism, public relations and marketing in all phases of the entertainment industry, initially as a journalist and entertainment feature writer in his native Portland, Oregon, then as a reporter and key drama critic for Daily Variety, moving on to become Publicity Director of The Mirisch Company, where the first of more than 150 motion picture campaigns was on the Academy Award winner IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT. He later joined the public relations firm Rogers & Cowan, where he became the company’s Executive Vice President and President of the Motion Picture Division, launching such films as the Christopher Reeve SUPERMAN, ROCKY, and the HALLOWEEN series. He represented The Center Theatre Group in its early days under Artistic Director Eliot Martin, was the founder of The Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle, wrote the Los Angeles section of Best Plays, the Burns Mantle Yearbook for eight years, and publicized numerous Los Angeles theatre productions. Among his theatrical clients were Laurence Olivier, Rex Harrison, Peter Ustinov, James Earl Jones, Diana Rigg, as well as Shirley MacLaine, Gene Kelly, Steve McQueen, Melina Mercouri, Cicily Tyson, Doris Roberts, Marion Ross, Halle Berry, Rod Steiger, Rock Hudson, Rosemary Clooney and numerous others. For the past l0 years, he has been the Academy Award consultant for DreamWorks Pictures. He has been a national Trustee of The Actors’ Fund of America for 20 years, where he heads the public relations committee and serves on the Human Services and Retirement, and Assisted Living Home committees.

EUGENE HARBIN Producer

As a recording artist Eugene Harbin has received acclaim for his albums GENE HARBIN NAKED ON BROADWAY and THE HAPPIEST TIME OF THE YEAR, a Capitol Records Christmas release on which he co-starred with Nancy Wilson. As an actor in New York, he appeared in PAPER TRAINED and THOUGHTS, as well as in regional theatre with Hal Linden, Chita Rivera and Gilbert Price in KISS ME KATE, Nanette Fabray and Bonnie Franklin in NO, NO, NANETTE, and Robert Cleary in SUGAR. Eugene was both associate choreographer and a performer for Ann-Margaret’s shows in Las Vegas, Lake Tahoe and Miami Beach, as well as two acclaimed television specials. For Disney he was choreographer for multiple Disneyland entertainment shows. Harbin has appeared as a guest star on numerous television episodes, including a recurring role on the popular daytime drama, GENERAL HOSPITAL, and been featured in many national commercials, among them a popular musical spot for McDonalds. In addition to his performing career, Mr. Harbin is a well known business executive in the Motion Picture Industry.

MICHAEL COOK Producer

Michael Cook is a poet, songwriter, musician, and mathematician. His book of poems, THE RISE AND FALL OF THE MIND, was published in 2006. Michael has written two musicals with Eben Wight Keyes II, LE SHOTGUN MARRIAGE, produced at the Sharon Playhouse and the Priscilla Beach Theatre, and THE LYSISTRATA AFFAIR, presented at the Judith Anderson Theatre. A native New Yorker, while attending school, he appeared in several Off-Broadway children's theatre productions. Following graduation from Northwestern University, where he studied theatre and film, Mr. Cook worked in various capacities on numerous film and theatre projects, while pursuing his studies of higher mathematics, which he is currently putting to good use as a Wall Street analyst.

ROD FOSTER Set Design

Rod returns to the New York stage after a long absence during which he has been designing and teaching theatre design around the world. Besides the classics, among the many plays and musicals he has designed are WHORES, WARS AND TIN PAN ALLEY, GOLDEN LADDER, TRIPLE PLAY, THE PRESIDENT’S DAUGHTER, WAITING FOR GODOT, GOLDEN BAT with The Tokyo Kid Brothers, and WEST SIDE STORY in Mexico City. Rod was recently visiting professor of design at Thailand’s Chulalangkorn University.

SUSAN TSU Costume Design

Susan Tsu has designed costumes for theatre, opera, and television, creating everything from the award-winning costumes for the runaway hit musical GODSPELL to the historic collaboration for THE JOY LUCK CLUB in China, as well as the opera THE BALCONY at the Moscow Art Theatre. Among the musicals she has designed are ELIZABETH I, SHINE (Phoebe Award Nomination), CROWNS, DRACULA: A MUSICAL NIGHTMARE, CANDIDE, A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, TIME AGAIN IN OZ (Austin Circle of Critic’s Award), CAROUSEL, ON THE ROAD TO BABYLON, THREE PENNY OPERA, and PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (Carbonell Award). Tsu’s television credits include the PBS productions of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, WILDER WILDER! and the Metromedia Playhouse production of BLIND ALLEYS starring Cloris Leachman and Pat Morita. Among the awards she has received are the New York Drama Desk, New York Drama Critics, New York Young Film Critics, L.A. Distinguished Designer, Austin Circle of Critics, and the Richmond Phoebe Award.

TOM MORSE Sound Design

Tom Morse has designed sound for over 50 Broadway productions. He won the Ovation Award in L.A. for his design of FOOL MOON. He also designed Shakespeare in the Park for four years. His Broadway designs have included Neil Simon's JAKE'S WOMEN, LOST IN YONKERS, RUMORS, BROADWAY BOUND, BILOXI BLUES, BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS, ODD COUPLE, THEY'RE PLAYING OUR SONG, LITTLE ME, and FOOLS. He also designed MACBETH, GREASE!, ONCE UPON A MATTRESS, ME AND MY GIRL, ARTIST DESCENDING A STAIRCASE, AIN'T MISBEHAVIN', THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD, SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE, JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, DEATH OF A SALESMAN with Dustin Hoffman, SAFE SEX, MAIL, MOST HAPPY FELLA, DUET FOR ONE, DOONESBURY, HUMAN COMEDY, THE ICEMAN COMETH, PRECIOUS SONS, EXECUTION OF JUSTICE, CHILDREN OF A LESSER GOD, LONG DAY'S JOURNEY INTO NIGHT, and PETER ALLEN UP IN ONE. Off-Broadway credits include KUDZU, ELEANOR, RADIO GALS, Sam Shepard's SIMPATICO, Tony Kushner's THE DYBBUK, Bill Irwin's CAPIN, and A FLEA IN HER EAR. Tom has designed extensively in the industrial and special event fields as well. Some of his clients are Panasonic, Ciba Geigy, AT&T, Sprint, Shell Oil, and MCI, and he has been a consultant on Joe's Pub at the Public Theatre and the NYFD. Special events include the Pope in Central Park, the Goodwill Games, Health Expo, and more.

KARA MILLER Video Designer

A graduate of Juilliard, Kara is a digital media artist on the faculty of Mira Costa College and Cal State San Marcos in Southern California. She collaborates with dancers around the world creating video projection designs and performance installations. Her recent dance films have been presented by the DANCE CAMERA ISTANBUL FESTIVAL in Turkey, the INTERNACIONAL DE DANZA CONTEMPORANEA CUERPOS EN TRÁNSITO in Mexico, and created on location in Colombo, Sri Lanka. ROLLER DERBY marks her New York musical theatre debut.

MICHELLE M. ROBINSON Associate Choreographer

Michelle began her formal dance training at the DANCE THEATRE OF HARLEM under the tutelage of Arthur Mitchell and Karl Shook. While there, as a member of the corps-de-ballet, she also appeared with the renowned MARIE BROOKS CHILDREN’S DANCE THEATRE. A recipient of The Harry Belafonte Performing Arts Scholarship, Ms. Robinson attended the State University of New York at Purchase, graduating with a BFA in dance. From Europe to Broadway, Michelle has appeared in such acclaimed productions as SOPHISTICATED LADIES, CAN-CAN, DREAMGIRLS, THE TEMPEST, JELLY’S LAST JAM, THEY’RE PLAYING OUR SONG, BLACK AND BLUE, SWEET CHARITY, and is presently an original cast member of the smash Broadway revival of CHICAGO. For television, she has most recently been seen on the daytime drama ONE LIFE TO LIVE in the role of Mrs. Sharp, and the HBO Special LACKAWANA BLUES.

STEPHANIE KLAPPER Casting Director

Stephanie Klapper Casting’s work has been seen on Broadway, Off-Broadway, regionally, internationally, on television, film, and heard on radio. Selected recent credits include: ELVIS PEOPLE, AN OAK TREE, TWO THIRDS HOME, BULRUSHER (Pulitzer Prize nominee), ELLIOT, A SOLDIER’S FUGUE (Pulitzer Prize nominated production), INDOOR/OUTDOOR, TREASON, IF WISHES WERE HORSES. Michael Hollinger’s OPUS, A.R. Gurney's INDIAN BLOOD, Terrence McNally's DEDICATION, Charles Grodin's THE RIGHT KIND OF PEOPLE, and the currently touring IN THE CONTINUUM. Additionally, Klapper Casting’s work has been seen in the Pulitzer Prize winning Off-Broadway DINNER WITH FRIENDS, as well as the Tony Award nominated Broadway productions of BELLS ARE RINGING and IT AIN’T NOTHIN’ BUT THE BLUES. Selected Regional Theatres: Goodman Theatre, The Magic Theatre, The Round House, City Theatre, Clarence Brown Theatre, Delaware Theatre Company, Capital Repertory Theatre, The Hangar Theatre, The Adirondack Theatre Festival, The New Theatre, and The Vermont Stage Company. Ms. Klapper is a member of the Casting Society of America and The League of Professional Theatre Women.

PATT DALE Associate Producer

Patt Dale has worked as a theatrical press agent for over 30 years, representing Broadway, Off-Broadway, Dance and Cabaret productions. Credits include HAIR, JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, and the Tony award winning musicals THE WIZ, EVITA, AIN'T MISBEHAVIN’, SWEENEY TODD, BIG RIVER, and INTO THE WOODS.

PAUL LEESE Associate Producer

Paul qualified as an architect in London in 1964, becoming a member of the Royal Institute of British Architects in 1965. He practiced as an architect in the United Kingdom until 1974, when he became interested in the design of interiors. From 1979 he has specialized in interior design, establishing LRF Designers in 1980 with offices in London and Hong Kong. Mr. Leese is also a writer and fine artist, and worked in the art department for several major films, including LAWRENCE OF ARABIA.

LEAH CHIAVERINI Associate Producer

Ms. Chiaverini steps into the role of producer for the first time with ROLLER DERBY. An accomplished performer, Leah has appeared in productions of FUNNY GIRL, ROBIN HOOD, BYE BYE BIRDIE, MURDER FOR DINNER, GUYS AND DOLLS, THE SECRET GARDEN, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, BARNUM, YOU’RE A GOOD MAN CHARLIE BROWN, and FREE TO BE YOU AND ME. A sports enthusiast, when not on stage, she can be found practicing her prize-winning equestrian skills in the countryside surrounding her hometown of Bethesda, Maryland.

JERRY SELTZER Associate Producer

Attending Stanford University and obtaining his degree from Northwestern, Jerry served in the US Army 430th Counter Intelligence Corps in Austria. Following his service in the Army, he revived the sport of Roller Derby in 1959, establishing a video tape network with the Bombers as America’s team. The sport grew in popularity in the 60’s and 70’s, drawing record crowds in Madison Square Garden and other major venues across the nation (Record crowd: 50,200, White Sox Park, Chicago, September 1972.) For motion pictures, he produced the award-winning documentary DERBY in 1970. In 1973 he retired from Roller Derby, starting BASS Tickets with Hal Silen in 1974, which became the largest computerized ticket service in Northern California. In 1975, Jerry served as consultant to Bob Dylan’s ROLLING THUNDER REVIEW and in 1977 co-produced the infamous HOOKER’S BALL with Margot St. James at San Francisco’s Cow Palace. Seltzer joined Ticketmaster in 1983 as Vice President Sales and Marketing. Jerry is the son of Roller Derby’s founder, Leo Seltzer. Currently living in Sonoma, California, where he co-founded the Sonoma Valley Film Festival, Mr. Seltzer does not roller skate.

LARRY LEWIS Skating Coach

A star of the Roller Derby, Larry started training in 1963 at the age of 12, shortly thereafter becoming skate boy for the Los Angeles Thunderbirds. Quickly in 1964, he was recruited as a skater for the Hawaiian Warriors. To stay on the track, Lewis would also skate with other teams that were short a player for the night, having gotten himself a work permit from his junior high school. In 1965, when skater John Hall broke his neck, Larry started skating for the Detroit Devils. In the summer of ‘66, he joined the L.A. Thunderbirds, becoming a mainstay on the team for three years. January 1970 saw Lewis moving to Miami to skate with the Florida Jets. Now a fan favorite, he moved once again in the winter of 1970 to skate with the New York Bombers, following that with a stint as both co-coach, with Lester Quarles, and a skater on the Texas Outlaws. In 1972 Larry began coaching the Detroit Devils, and in 1973 was recruited to coach the New York Bombers. When Roller Derby folded in 1973, Larry was forced to reluctantly retire from the sport he loved, but when an opportunity arose in 1980 to once again hit the track, he immediately joined a fledgling league put together by the skaters themselves. While vacationing around the Bay Area in 1982, Lewis found a new opportunity to soar, and began coaching and skating with both the Midwest Pioneers and the New England Braves, finally settling in with the newly re-formed Bay Area Bombers. Larry continues to skate with the Bay Area Bombers Team in San Francisco whenever he can, even though he now holds a full time job with the IRS and resides in Southern California.

GARY POWERS Roller Derby Historian

Powers has been a fan of the banked track sport since 1967. From the moment Gary first saw skaters whizzing 'round the curved skating surface on TV, the color and excitement of the game, the competition and theatricality of it all, he was immediately hooked. Following the demise of the original Roller Derby in 1973, Powers has been dedicated to keeping the game alive, founding The National Roller Derby Hall of Fame and Museum. Through the Roller Derby Foundation, which he initiated, Gary, with the help of other fans, has been able to give tens of thousands of dollars to former skaters in the form of cash grants, plane tickets, parties, get-togethers, phone cards, or whatever it takes to improve the quality of the lives of these great stars of the Roller Derby. Because of his desire to preserve and protect the history of the Roller Derby, he has accumulated one of the largest collections of memorabilia in the country, which is professionally displayed and on view for all to see at his home in New York City.

BARON WOLMAN Roller Derby Photographer

In addition to his stint as Roller Derby’s official photographer, Baron Wolman is perhaps best known as Rolling Stone’s first photographer. During his fast-paced tenure at the magazine, Wolman's lens captured the royalty of the '60s pop and rock explosion: Janis Joplin, the Rolling Stones, Frank Zappa, The Who, Jimi Hendrix, Joan Baez, Iggy Pop, Pink Floyd, Bob Dylan, the Grateful Dead, Phil Spector, Jim Morrison, Ike & Tina Turner, Timothy Leary, and the counter-culture of the times. After leaving Rolling Stone, Wolman started his own fashion magazine, Rags, housed in Rolling Stone's first San Francisco offices. When that venture, devoted to street couture and culture, folded after 13 issues, Wolman learned to fly, did aviation photography; started Squarebooks, his own publishing house; and has since continued to do projects for everyone from the Oakland Raiders to the adult-rock cable music channel VH1. Today Baron lives and works in Santa Fe, New Mexico and continues to stretch the boundaries of the arts of photography and photojournalism. His work can be viewed at www.fotobaron.com