Maarten Cornelis (Director/Producer/Lighting Designer) - Maarten Cornelis is an award-winning entrepreneur and an entertainment veteran with over two decades of experience in the industry. He is a Producer, Director, Light Designer, Actor and Film Festival Manager. His interest in the technical world spiked after studying at The Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute in LA. where he led their theater group. In charge of producing and directing their shows, he eventually became the Institute’s Technical Director. Maarten has also had the honor of designing lights for numerous live events, working with Francis Ford Coppola, the late Ennio Morricone, John Legend, Bianca Del Rio, and many more.  He is a frequent guest Light Designer at Carnegie Hall in New York City.  He has won several awards for his light design and has been published in international design magazines. Maarten is the Founder & CEO of Gatehouse Entertainment (http://www.gatehouse-entertainment.com/), a company focused on film and theatre productions. His movie “Dinner For Two” which he wrote and also starred in has received multiple Best Film awards across the globe and has landed Maarten 5 Best Actors awards already at exclusive film festivals in the US and internationally. He is also the co-owner of Cinematory (https://www.cinematory.com/), a company that maintains and operates 8 major film festivals in North America, including the Boston Short Film Festival and The Toronto Arthouse Film Festival. Maarten is the founder of Producer’s Night (https://www.producersnight.com/). An exclusive yearly VIP event for new filmmakers to introduce their work to world renowned producers and directors.
He was born in Belgium and divides his time between both NYC and Los Angeles. While he has been directing shows throughout his career, “The Importance of Being Earnestly LGBTQ+” was his directing debut in NYC. He is excited to be working with this dream team of a crew and amazing actors once again. For more information on Maarten, please visit: https://www.maartencornelis.com/
John Lant (Artistic Director/Producer) - John is a 40-year veteran in the entertainment industry and has been involved in over 600 television, film, music tours, and theatrical productions as a creative director, consultant, and/or above the line entity. He currently lives in New York, working as production manager at Carnegie Hall for 13 years pre-COVID and out of producing offices here and in LA. An award-winning producer, director, writer, lighting and set designer, John has mounted productions at Cal Arts, Ricardo Montalban, Powerhouse, Long Beach Playhouse, Glendale Center, Hollywood Playhouse, LATC, Ivy Substation, the Jewel Box Theatres and Write Act Repertory in LA. His work and productions garnered DramaLogue, Diamond, ADA, NAACP Awards, LA Weekly and Backstage Picks of the Week, Garland and Valley Theatre (LA) nominations. John’s professional work includes The Alliance Theater in Atlanta and in New York at Lincoln Center, Juilliard, Lucille Lortel, Circle Rep, WPA, LOOM, Ensemble Studio Theatre, Lamb’s, Equity Library, Hudson Guild, Ken Davenport, St. Luke’s, St. Clements, 777, and Elektra Theatres. National Tour work includes Phantom of the Opera, Evita, Singin’ In The Rain, One Mo’ Time Aeros and worked with Jonathan Sanger at Chanticleer Films, on two shorts that won an Emmy and an Oscar, and mentored under Howard Storm. Scripts he has developed include Children’s TV Pilots Symphology, Carrot Talk, and cable-themed Anonymous Confessions, and several adapted musicals. John received the California Service Award from the State Legislature for his Community Outreach and Service to the Arts in 2000, 2001, 2008 and 2009. In NYC, he is current Production Manager at Carnegie Hall, and on down time redesigns, redevelops and refurbishes theatres including the upstairs Davenport Theatre, Elektra Theatre, Times Square Arts Center Theatres, the Richmond Shepard, and an exciting new project for late Summer 2017, refurbishing an old off-Broadway in the Theatre District to its old glory. John’s 30-week off-Broadway production of FABULOUS! The Queen of Musicals! was recently licensed through Steele Rights. This past year he produced 2 off-Broadway Shows at St. Luke’s Theatre: An Equity production of 2 By Tennessee Williams and the new musical Pillars of New York.  He is the current Producing Artistic Director of Write Act Repertory and Founding Member of newly formed N.M.C.L.O. (New Musical Civic Light Opera), concentrating on the development of second stage full musical workshop / productions for off-Broadway shows, and is also the Director of Development for Twisted Media NYC, his current musical production Lili Marlene played in LA prior to coming to Off-Broadway, and now current off-Broadway production of Eric Sirota’s Frankenstein, Michael Antin’s Swing! And Cornell Christianson’s Wicked city Blues reside here at St. Luke’s Theatre and Actors Temple respectively. He has produced 12 Off-Broadway Plays and is currently the Producing Artistic Director of The Park Theatre in Union City, NJ. A 1400-seat Broadway sized roadhouse venue.
Rebecca Ponticello (Assistant Director, Casting Assosiate) - Rebecca Ponticello is an artist from Long Island who is elated to come back to The IOBE+ family as their Assistant Director and Casting Associate. She graduated with a BA in Acting from Rider University in May of 2021. Currently, she is working for Disney Parks as a member of the Disney College Program. Past credits include: Tours: Jurassic Quest (Performer), AIT’s Murder Mystery Company (Actor), NYC: The Frogs (Richard Nixon/Chorus) at The Chain Theater, Educational: Everybody (Love) at Rider University, Off Broadway: Swan Lake Rock Opera (Production Stage Manager), Little Christmas Miracles (Co-Production Stage Manager), The Trial of the Potomac (Crew Chief), Film: Frankenstien (Costumes and Wig supervisor). She’d like to thank Maarten and John for continually supporting her and trusting with this project. Enjoy the show!
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Alexa Sacks-Wilner (Assistant Stage Manager) - Alexa (she/her) is currently a New Jersey based, second year Technical Theatre student who is so incredibly happy to have gotten the opportunity to have been working with the Earnest team in some capacity since June. Recent credits include assistant stage managing The Trial on the Potomac at the St. Clement's and stage managing The Wolves at her college, as well as stage managing for Home of Happiness (Northern New Jersey's oldest Rocky Horror shadowcast)..
Martina Duque Gonzalez (Set, Projection & Graphic Designer) - Martina Duque Gonzalez is a British-born, Mexico City native, currently living in NYC. She is excited to have Earnest(ly) be her first ever projection experience and is honored to work with such a fabulous cast and crew. She is a second-year student at The Cooper Union pursuing a Bachelor of Architecture Degree from the Irwin S. Chanin School of Architecture. She is also completing a Minor in Performance and Theatre Studies. She is currently taking a course at NYU-Tisch on Performing Arts Essentials which covers topics such as theatre history, scenography, and playwriting. She plans on becoming both an architect and a scenic designer. Her hope is to establish a practice that focuses on designing performance spaces, as well as the sets staged within them. See more work at duquegonzalez.com and contact through martduquegonzalez@gmail.com
Kyle Jack (Choreographer) - Kyle Jack is making his choreography debut! He is extremely excited about the opportunity and to be a part of an amazing team of wonderful artist. He is usually performing but is excited to take on this new role! He has choreographed for many school in Brooklyn, GYMSTARS Brooklyn, The Sephardic Center and Ms. Kay’s Dance Academy. He would like to thank his brother Colin, his mother Leola, Maarten, John everyone who supported him.
Jennifer Steward (Prop Designer) - Jennifer Steward (she/her) is a New Jersey based creative who has a love for theatre, video games, photography, and music. She graduated from Stevenson University with a BA in English and now works with Write Act Repertory as their Office Manager. Jennifer is excited to be a part of this phenomenal production once again and is proud to work alongside her friends. Past credits include: Off-Broadway: Trial on the Potomac (Teleprompter Operator), Funikijam: Totally Awesome Summer (Sound Board Operator), Of A Lifetime (Sound Board Operator), Little Christmas Miracles (Assistant Stage Manager), Mrs. Warren's Profession (COVID Compliance Officer), Daughter-in-Law (COVID Compliance Officer), Finding Madame Curie (COVID Compliance Officer). Film: Dinner For Two (Sound Design), The Funikijam Show Holiday Special: VAMOS TODOS (Sound).
Amanda ​Scanze (Costume Designer) - Amanda Scanze is a Long Island based designer with a demonstrated history of working in the footwear industry.  She received her BFA in Accessories Design from the Fashion Institute of Technology in Manhattan and went on to work as a kid’s footwear designer for multiple fashion labels including Kenneth Cole, Isaac Mizrahi, Sam Edelman & Elie Tahari. Ms. Scanze returned to FIT after realizing her passion for costumes and graduated with certifications in wardrobe tech & costume design.  She is a skilled artist who creates custom handbags & small leather goods under her own label and freelances as a graphic designer.
Adam Hamdy (Light Board Operator) - Adam Hamdy is a New York based Lighting Designer, who recently graduated SUNY Purchase College in May, 2020. His most recent work at The Actors Temple includes: The Bronx Babe, Swan Lake Rock Opera (Assistant Lighting Designer),  The Importance of Being Earnestly LGBTQ+ (Light Board Operator). Other Shows include Trial on the Potomac at the Theater at St.Clements (Light Board Operator),  Hitchcock Radio Plays at Surflight Theatre and We Need a Little Christmas at Surflight Theatre. 
Isaiah A. Delgado (Social Media Team) - Roles - SNL Skit, Abbott & Costello Who’s On First (Costello an Old Man that really likes Baseball) West NY Middle School. Broken, Short Motivational Film (written and directed) Cancer Research Commercial, Motta Film’s Lima Cares Be Super to a Hero, Coke-a-Cola, Commercial for Motta Film’s (Played Young Boy), Heart and Soul, Piano Act, Talent Multicultural Festival Act in West NY. West New York Summer Talent Show Attended West New York Middle School (2018-2020). Memorial High School (Present-2025). Currently Part Time Living in Queens, NY. Special Skill and Hobbies. I love theater, acting, photography, graphic design, and video editing. I have my personal camera which I use for my small business. I also love skateboarding. I speak two languages: English & Spanish. Proud Member of Write Act Repertory. Follow me on Instagram to see my work @Laterrkiddd
Damian Tichenor (Production Assistant) - Damian Tichenor is a jack of all trades production assistant. Born and raised in Croton on Hudson, NY and graduated from Mercy College with a B.S in Film. This small town guy is striving towards his dream of being a big city writer and producer. Stage or screen, this guy can do anything but sing, rap or dance.