Bios
Michael Gurin (playwright/original story) is the author of “Second Chances” and “Destinations,” sequels to “Twist of Faith,” produced by New York's landmark Theater for the New City; the writer of Black Box's long-running “A Match Made In Manhattan”; and the dramaturg on the revival of The Rock Musical “Soul Searching.” He is currently working with the Isaac Bashevis Singer Literary Trust on an original play based on selected works by the Nobel Laureate entitled “Life After Warsaw.” Michael's short stories have appeared in Midstream: A Monthly Jewish Journal, The Journal of African Travel Writing, Paris Transcontinental, and the Cimarron Review. He is a Professor of English at Lander College in Queens.
Matt Okin (director/original story) is currently directing “Annabel’s Sister” by George Kolber, the writer/producer of the 2023 feature film ‘Miranda's Victim'. Recent theatrical directing credits include Sam Shepard's “Action,” the U.S. Premiere of “Little Ocean,” and “The Unseen Hand,” “1+1,” by Eric Bogosian; “Imaginary Comforts” by Daniel Handler a.k.a. Lemony Snicket; “The Cleopatra Club,” by Paul Schrader; “Exposed,” by Beth Henley; and Edward Albee’s “The Play About the Baby.” His original plays showcased in NYC, NJ, and on tours include “Cherry Hill”; “Beltsville/Rockville, Part One: Rise of the Goatman”; “#OneInnocentWoman; and “Walter Liked to Sit in His Big Backyard.” Original musicals include The Rock Musical “Soul Searching” -- which is currently being redeveloped and revived for NYC – and the long-running “A Match Made in Manhattan.”Matt received a BFA in Dramatic Writing from New York University's Tisch School of The Arts where he studied with the likes of Maria Irene Fornes, Len Jenkin, Martin Epstein, Jan Hartman, Leslie Lee, Charlie Purpura, and Gary Garrison; he is the founder of Black Box and a long-time Teaching Artist for select theater programs for teens and adults in Bergen County, NJ. Matt's new comedy screenplay, 'Issues', is in active development.
Avi Kunstler (original songs) is a long time singer/songwriter who has composed the music and lyrics to many Black Box productions, including the original “Twist of Faith,” “Second Chances,” “Destinations,” “A Match Made In Manhattan: The Interactive Jewish Wedding Experience, and The Rock Musical “Soul Searching,” which is currently being revived for NYC. At times, he has joined the band in performance of select shows. Avi has performed across the United States as well as in London and Israel. He and his wife Mimi split their time between their homes in New York and Jerusalem.
Haia R'nana Bchiri (Assistant Director/Producer) is a multi-hyphenate theatre artist and educator. Once a student at Black Box Studios, she subsequently joined the BBS team as the professional theatre branch of the company was established. Selected credits: The Pillowman, Sweeney Todd (AD/fight and SFX), The Curious Savage (Director/Producer) with Black Box; Dramaturg and Associate Fight/Intimacy Director for Cancelina, Romeo & Juliet, The Promise, Boxed, Winter's Tale, Trojan Women, Uncle Vanya at UCSD; Chagall, Variations on Crossing the Alps, and Hereville (Dramaturg) at the Old Globe; These and Those (Ayala/Dramaturg), In Every Generation (Dramaturg/Costume Designer), and Women of Valor (Rabbi Yael Ridberg/Translator) with SD JFest; Jewish Weddings: A Field Guide and Family Therapy (Playwright) at the REGENERATE new play festival; Eurydice (Director), Fefu and Her Friends (Emma), Circle Mirror Transformation (Theresa), Peer Gynt (Solveig/Aase) at Brandeis; interactive Hamlet (Director), Midsummer (Puck/Director), Taming of the Shrew (Kate), and more with CYSAP. As she develops her dissertation and associated Megillah Cycle of adaptations, she has been engaged to speak in schools and conferences on history, theatre, and the importance of Jewish dramaturgy.
Joseph Liberti (Production Management) Joseph is honored to be working once again with The Black Box on this wonderful project. A current student at Marymount Manhattan College, he has previously assisted on productions including Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, Hamlet, The Pillowman and 1+1. Joseph would like to thank his mentors, friends and supporters for allowing him to continue learning, working and growing as an artist.
