2017-18 Marion International Fellows
Jessica Kahkoska currently serves as the Director of Marketing and Communications for Detroit Public Theatre and Chautauqua Theater Company, and as the Director of Marketing, Communications, and Community Engagement for Creede Repertory Theatre. Writing projects include DISCOUNT GHOST STORIES with Alexander Sage Oyen (in development/presentations: American Musical Theatre Project (AMTP) at Northwestern University, Barn Arts Project, Joe’s Pub at the Public Theatre, Ars Nova ANT Fest) and THE UNTITLED AGENT 355 PROJECT with Rebekah Allen (in development/upcoming: Chautauqua Institution, UCROSS Foundation, SUNY Fredonia Department of Theatre and Dance, the Alley Theatre). Dramaturgical work includes WELL WORN WORDS (with Alexander Sage Oyen), SUCH STRANGE GRAVITY (by Jeff Tang), CALIBAN'S ISLAND (by Diana Burbano), VISIBLE FROM FIVE STATES (by Barbara Hammond), and THE MESS OF US (by Moss Kaplan and Greg Ungar), and Jessica is the resident dramaturg and community educator at the Chekhov Festival (Barn Arts Collective) and the Headwaters New Play Festival (Creede Repertory Theatre). In New York, she has performed at New York Theatre Barn, 54 Below, Ars Nova, Stage 72, Joe's Pub, the Bushwick Starr, Gallery Players Overture Series, the New York Musical Theatre Festival, Musical Theatre Factory, and Le Poisson Rouge, among others. Regional credits include NEXT TO NORMAL, CITY OF ANGELS, GODSPELL (Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center), THE MUSEUM OF BROKEN RELATIONSHIPS (Theatre Aspen), IN THE HEIGHTS (American Stage Theatre Company), THE MERCHANT OF VENICE, AS YOU LIKE IT (Notre Dame Shakespeare Festival), RING OF FIRE, MAMMA MIA, BROADWAY THEN AND NOW (Lake Dillon Theatre Company), and CALL MY NAME (Smithsonian Folk Life Festival). Proud graduate of Northwestern University School of Communications and Interlochen Arts Camp.
Preston Allen is a writer, composer, and lyricist living in New York City. Her work has been featured at the New York Musical Festival, Musical Theatre Factory, York Theatre ("Tune In Time" winner), Gallery Players, Second City Chicago, and Feinstein's/54 Below. Rebekah conceived and wrote book, music, and lyrics for WE ARE THE TIGERS, A NEW MUSICAL (Hudson Backstage Theatre, L.A. Stage Alliance Ovation winner for Best Lyrics/Composition, nominee for Best Production and Music Direction), REMISSION (NYMF Developmental Reading Series), THE RAGE: CARRIE 2, AN UNAUTHORIZED MUSICAL PARODY (Feinstein's/54 Below), and MY GAY KILLER HUSBAND: A LIFETIME ORIGINAL MUSICAL (Boo Festival Award Winner). Additional projects include book/lyrics for FRANKLIN PIERCE: DRAGON SLAYER (composer Will Buck, Sound Bites 4.0 Selection), music/lyrics for BRADICAL AND THE PINK SOCKS (Diverging Elements), and a collaboration with composer/lyricist Rob Rokicki. Her original song "Look Alive" can be heard on Charging Moose Media web series, THE HUNTED: ENCORE (LA Webfest Outstanding Score). Rebekah is a graduate of the Second City Chicago Comedy Studies Program and alum of the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theater Workshop. @rebekahmallen // rebekahmallen.com