recently performed a successful run of the one-man, 20-plus character show, THE JEWISH DOG at the Wallis Annenberg Theater (LA) and also at the Skirball Center (LA), Holocaust Museum Houston and La Jolla JCC. He has been in over 300 television shows, commercials and films, and starred in ESCAPE FROM TOMORROW which premiered at the SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL and EBERTFEST. His World Premiere of OLD WICKED SONGS, the 2-man, Holocaust-themed drama about a young Jewish pianist, was a Pulitzer Finalist (Walnut Street Theater in Philadelphia) . GROUCHO: A LIFE IN REVUE! (Harpo and Chico!) (touring, cast album and PBS). West Coast Theaters include: The Oregon Shakespearean Festival (Ashland); Berkeley Rep, Portland Center Stage. Los Angeles theaters: Mark Taper Forum, Pasadena Playhouse, Garry Marshall Theater, TRUMBO (with Joe Mantegna) and MASTER CLASS; the Colony Theater, Laguna Playhouse, Odyssey Theater, Fountain Theater (LEBENSRAUM), the Annenberg Theater in Palm Springs (SOUVENIR), and the New American Theater (AS IS). Youth Concert "ART OF THE PIANO” at Disney Concert Hall/ Los Angeles Philharmonic. Also with the New York Philharmonic at Lincoln Center where he hosted a children’s concert on Classical Romantic Music (“ROMANTICMAN!) “Garry Moore” in the STARZ series “GASLIT”, with Julia Roberts and Sean Penn.

JACOB BAIM (Ilya Pisaztov) is honored to return to performing with the cast of OCTOBER 7. In Chicago, he has worked with Northlight Theatre, Marriott Theatre, Writers Theatre, Drury Lane, Pemberley Productions, William Street Rep, and Unit 14. He’s a proud, Northwestern graduate, where he studied theatre, musical theatre, and playwriting. Internationally, Jacob performed in Atlantic, A Scottish Story at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. He is currently producing and directing Noa and Noam Go to a Bris (@noaandnoamgotoabris). Huge thanks to his mom, dad, and Cassie for their endless support—and for cheering him on as he continues to make playing dress up a career. www.jacobbaim.com @jacobbaim

NEEV BAR-DAVID (Dor Kapah) is a graduate of The American Academy of Dramatic Arts and has worked extensively in theatre, film, and TV. Theatre Credits include: Othello/Scranton Shakespeare Festival, The Winter’s Tale and A Midsummer Night’s Dream/Hip to Hip Theatre Company, Hamlet and As You Like It/BBPAC and Proof/The Drama Company NYC. TV/Web Credits include: Adnan Syed: Innocent or Guilty/ID Network, Most Evil/ID Network, Pandora’s Box/Oxygen Network, Big Licks/Thursday Shoot. Short/Feature Film Credits include: Viewfinder/Paradox Films, Bonzo Gonzo/Last Straw Films. Neev is very honored to once again speak these horrifying but very important words in order to bring about awareness to the atrocities that happened that day.

DAVID CAGAN (Michael Zilberman) is honored to return to the cast of October 7 after participating in the previous performance at Bowdoin College in Maine. He recently appeared as the lead in a new play, “Shelter in Place”, at the Playwrights Theater in NYC and in the play, “Rebellion” at the Producers Club. David can be seen in the upcoming TV series, “The Last Recipe”, expected to be released on a major streaming service this Spring.

MIKAEL DECKELBAUM (Dennis) is an Israeli, American, Canadian actor who studied at the William Esper Studio. Mikael has appeared on primetime shows like CBS's S.W.A.T and has played lead, and supporting roles in multiple indie features, short films and plays.

LINUS GELBER (Zaki) is a New York City actor. He is a member of Stag & Lion Theatre in midtown Manhattan, where his favorite roles include Gloucester in King Lear, The Dukes in As You Like It, Alfred Doolittle in Pygmalion, and the title role in Cymbeline. Notable roles elsewhere include Titus in Titus Andronicus (Barefoot Shakespeare), Lady Bracknell in The Importance of Being Earnest (Hudson Classical), and originating the lead role of Clarence The Ice Fish in Nick Kennedy’s new play Under The Ice. Linus is a Harvard graduate and an alum of the British American Drama Academy.

ANGELIKI GIANNAKOPOULOS (Michal Biliya) began her career as an actress before expanding her creative pursuits into writing, producing, and directing. She has held positions at NBC Universal as an On-Air Promotional Producer for both the Comedy and Drama departments and has produced four feature-length documentaries. Her acclaimed documentary My Child – Mothers of War earned multiple awards across the United States, aired on PBS, and was introduced by Susan Sarandon. Following the film’s success, she was invited to deliver a TEDx talk at Culver City titled “Peace Through Motherhood.” She also held the position of Executive Director at the WACO Theater Center, where she continues to serve on the Board of Directors alongside Richard Lawson & Tina Knowles. As a filmmaker, she co-wrote and co-produced the acclaimed short film A Beautiful Day (2017), directed by Oscar-nominated cinematographer Phedon Papamichael and starring James Brolin and Frances Fisher. The film screened at 35 international film festivals and garnered six awards. Currently, Ms. Giannakopoulos is touring nationwide with her award winning One-Woman show Nick the Greek – An Immigration Story, which has enjoyed sold-out runs Off-Broadway in New York, as well as performances in Los Angeles and Chicago, with upcoming stops in Baltimore, Denver, and New Orleans.  In addition to her stage work, she is the playwright of the award-winning plays A Marriage, Ten Stabs for Ten Bullets, and My Child. In 2018, Ms. Giannakopoulos partnered with nine-time Emmy Award-winner Jean Smart to form SmartAngel Entertainment LLC, through which they continue to develop and produce a diverse slate of projects currently in various stages of production and development.

YUVAL JONAS (Asaf Oren) is a playwright and actor based in New York and Tel Aviv. He's appeared in several movies and TV shows in Israel, including The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem (Netflix) and Moon Years (Hot Entertainment), and is currently pursuing an MFA in playwriting at Brooklyn College.

LEORA KALISH (Ayelet Bendak Kazir) Leora Kalish has played roles ranging from the sophisticated socialite to the downtrodden drifter. Her first screenplay, SUGAR! was shot in 2016, winning numerous awards on the festival circuit; she is currently finishing her second. She loves stories about women who reinvent themselves; in that vein, she dedicates this performance to Ayelet Bendak Kazir, a true hero of 10/7/23.

KIRSTEN KROHN (Hadas Carmi) is back to appearing in theatrical performances (Off-Broadway: NY Circa 1908, OCTOBER 7, The High School Reunion that Never Should Have Happened) in addition to continuing her 30 year career as a Voiceover Artist. She has been heard on hundreds of national network TV and Radio Commercial Campaigns including Charmin, Garnier, Ibrance, Verizon, Lifetime, The Discovery Channel, The Smithsonian Channel, HBO and many more. A psychology major at Cornell University, she trained at the William Esper Studio, HB Studios, and the People’s Improv Theater. She is enjoying empty nesting with her husband after raising four amazing sons.

MADDY MARLOWE (Shani) is a New York–based actor and recent graduate of Pace University’s BFA Acting program. She is grateful to be participating in this reading.

BRENT MORDEN (Stage Directions) is a versatile, New York-based performing artist, music director, educator, and producer. Brent’s career has seen him play solo piano at Carnegie Hall, conduct his original musical Off-Broadway, and manage programs at leading nonprofits, including Fair For All and Every Voice Choirs. Since 2022, Brent has served as the Director of the Hofstra University Vocal Jazz Ensemble and the Columbia University Pep Band, and in November 2024 was honored as NY1’s “New Yorker of the Week.” In addition to his creative work, Brent is a Licensed Real Estate Salesperson with Compass. More at www.brentmorden.com.

HILA NAUS (Yasmin) is honored to make her debut at the Kennedy Center. She is an actress and singer originally from Israel and a graduate of The American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA) in New York City. Hila served in the Israel Defense Forces as an observer on the Israeli–Egyptian border, an experience that deeply informs her connection to this project. She is a proud member of Theatre68 in New York City, where she recently appeared in the company’s holiday production Stay Tuned. Most recently, Hila wrapped the new musical Just Little Women by Halley Platz, which will return to the stage next month as part of a New York City theatre festival. Her stage and screen credits include award-winning films, Off-Off Broadway productions, and cabaret performances. Learn more at HilaNaus.com.

HAILEY SARA SCHWARTZ (Mica Carmi)  is honored to make her Kennedy Center debut telling Mica’s story. She previously played Mica in readings at Princeton University and Bowdoin College. Graduate of Pace University’s BA Acting program with the International Performance Ensemble. Endless thanks to Jeff, Phelim, Ann, and to everyone who has made it possible for these stories to be told. And always thankful and proud to be a part of the tribe of light.

ARIELLE SHIRI (Tal Shimoni) a native Montrealer, is an actor based in Brooklyn. Recent credits include; Busy Signals, Three Sisters, Dance Nation, Prayer for the French Republic (The Segal Center). Film: Bike City, Saccharine, Perfect Marks, The Gardener. MFA Brooklyn College 2025. arielleshiri.com

PHELIM McALEER (Playwright, Executive Producer) Phelim McAleer is an award-winning journalist, filmmaker, playwright, podcaster and a New York Times bestselling author. He began his career in journalism covering the Northern Ireland Troubles first as a reporter in Crossmaglen, South Armagh (known as Bandit Country) and then for The Irish News in Belfast. He subsequently worked for the (UK) Sunday Times and covered Eastern Europe for the Financial Times newspaper and The Economist.

He has produced several movies and documentaries and recently has specialized in verbatim podcasts and plays. He created the verbatim play Trans on Trial and The Grooming Gangs Cover-Up, a verbatim film revealing the true story behind the UK Muslim “Grooming Gangs.” These provocative productions followed the verbatim podcast Climate Change On Trial, a daily reenactment of the Steyn v. Mann defamation trial which became one of the most and popular science podcasts worldwide. Professor Michael Mann sued writer and broadcaster Mark Steyn for claiming his climate alarmist “hockey stick” graph was fraudulent.

 In 2023, McAleer and wife Ann McElhinney traveled to Israel after the October 7 massacres to interview survivors and those who lost family and friends. From those interviews, they produced a verbatim play: OCTOBER 7, which had a six-week, off-Broadway run. It was the only play in New York that needed permanent police protection. The New York Post said the play was “spellbinding,” the Jewish Journal described it as an “astonishing collage” and “unflinching.” Theatre Scene said OCTOBER 7 was an “incredibly powerful” play that has to be seen by everyone. Holocaust historian Leslie Bell said: “I expected to walk out of the play devastated. I couldn’t imagine someone tackling that subject without traumatizing the audience. I was prepared to hear my heart break. Then something remarkable happened. I walked out of the play filled with hope for humanity. I listened to terrible stories, yet the way those stories were presented showed me the strength, resilience, heroics and hope for humanity…I want the world to see this play.”

 McAleer is one of the most successful crowdfunders in the world. Together with Ann McElhinney, he has raised $6M in 8 separate crowdfunding campaigns. Their movie Gosnell – The Trial of America’s Biggest Serial Killer, was the most successful film project ever on Indiegogo. It raised $2.3M in just 45 days.

 McAleer produced and co-wrote the movie Gosnell – The Trial of America’s Biggest Serial Killer which revealed the 30 year killing spree of abortion doctor Kermit Gosnell who is currently serving three life sentences. McAleer co-wrote the NYT Best Seller Gosnell – The Untold Story of America’s Most Prolific Serial Killer. The book debuted at #3 in the Amazon sales list and sold out in 3 days after publication.

 His most recent movie, My Son Hunter (2022), starring Laurence Fox and Gina Carano, was directed by Hollywood legend Robert Davi.With his wife, award-winning journalist and filmmaker Ann McElhinney, McAleer founded the Unreported Story Society, specializing in verbatim dramas, plays, and podcasts.

McAleer also wrote the hit verbatim play FBI Lovebirds: UNDERCOVERS, based on the text messages of rogue FBI agents Lisa Page and Peter Strzok. HBO’s Vice News described it as “the most dangerous play in Washington.”

McAleer has produced and written several podcasts with his wife Ann McElhinney, including The Ann & Phelim Scoop Podcast, The Harvey Weinstein Trial: Unfiltered Podcast, The Kevin Spacey Trial: Unfiltered Podcast, and Serial Killer: A True Crime Podcast, which reached the top 10 in all true crime podcasts worldwide.

He directed and produced FrackNation – A Journalist’s Search for the Fracking Truth, a documentary about fracking and the natural gas boom in the US and abroad. Variety said it was a “briskly paced…mischievous pic.”

He also produced and directed Not Evil Just Wrong (2009), a film which examines the devastating consequences of global warming hysteria and Mine Your Own Business – the first documentary that asks difficult questions of the environmental movement. Canada’s The National Post said “Mine Your Own Business is devastating because it combats prejudices and fantasies with pictures that refute thousands of weasel words.”

McAleer divides his time between homes in Venice, California and the west of Ireland, mostly because he has always wanted a bio that ends in the words “he divides his time between.”

ANN McELHINNEY (Playwright, Executive Producer) is a New York Times best-selling author, journalist, podcaster, film producer and director and one of the world’s most successful crowdfunders. Together with her husband, Phelim McAleer, McElhinney, she wrote and produced OCTOBER 7 based entirely on the testimony of survivors of the October 7 attack on Israel. It had a six-week, off-Broadway run and has been performed at UCLA, Princeton and Bowdoin college. The New York Post described OCTOBER 7 as “spellbinding,” the Jewish Journal described it as an “astonishing collage” and “unflinching.” Theatre Scene said OCTOBER 7 was an “incredibly powerful” play that has to be seen by everyone.

McElhinney also produced the play FBI Lovebirds: UNDERCOVERS based on the text messages of Lisa Page and Peter Strzok. Other plays produced by McElhinney include Ferguson, Obamagate, Oh Gosnell: A Play About The Truth and Mermaids Vs. The Alliance.

McElhinney produced Gosnell – The Trial of America’s Biggest Serial Killer  which was the most successful film project ever on Indiegogo. It raised $2.3M in just 45 days. She is also a producer on the My Son Hunter movie (2022), starring Laurence Fox and Gina Carano and directed by Hollywood veteran Robert Davi.

Additional acclaimed projects include the movie Gosnell – The Trial of America’s Biggest Serial Killer and the New York’s Times Best Seller Gosnell – The Untold Story of America’s Most Prolific Serial Killer. McElhinney directed and produced FrackNation – A Journalist’s Search for the Fracking Truth, a documentary about the lies told by the anti-fracking movement.

McElhinney has written and produced many podcasts including The Ann & Phelim Scoop, Climate Change on Trial, The Harvey Weinstein Trial: Unfiltered, The Kevin Spacey Trial: Unfiltered and Serial Killer: A True Crime Podcast, which reached the top 10 in all true crime podcasts worldwide.

She also produced and directed Not Evil Just Wrong (2009), a film which examines the devastating consequences of global warming hysteria. And Mine Your Own Business – the first documentary that asks difficult questions of the environmental movement. Canada’s The National Post said “Mine Your Own Business is devastating because it combats prejudices and fantasies with pictures that refute thousands of weasel words.”

McElhinney has made documentaries for the BBC, CBC (Canada) and RTE (Ireland). The Search for Tristan’s Mum concerned the case of Tristan Dowse, a baby who was adopted and later abandoned by an Irish man and his wife in Indonesia.

McElhinney was featured in and was the Associate Producer of the highly controversial documentary Return to Sender (2005) for CBC about the adoption of a Romanian child by a rich Canadian couple who years later sent the child back.

McElhinney has written for or appeared on FOX News, CNN, BBC, CBC (Canada), ABC (Australia), RTE (Ireland), The Sunday Times and The Irish Times. She has worked as a journalist and filmmaker in the US, Canada, Romania, Bulgaria, Chile, Indonesia, Cambodia, Vietnam, China, Ghana and Uganda.

She is an entertaining and sought-after public speaker. McElhinney and McAleer live in Venice, California, with their two cats Mr. Top Cat and Mr. Scaredy Cat.

JEFF GURNER (Director) Jeff Gurner has made a career in the arts for more than three decades, working as an actor, director, producer, musician, writer, and educator. He has performed on Broadway, Off-Broadway, on national and international tours, in regional theaters nationwide, and in countless television series. As a director, he has helmed numerous productions regionally across the United States. As a voice actor, Jeff has recorded hundreds of commercials, scores of video game and animated characters, and is an award-winning audiobook narrator of more than two hundred titles, including multiple New York Times Best Sellers. Jeff’s theater production company, Tequila Talking Theatrical, has developed several new plays and musicals in NYC and the regions, and he also serves as the Producing Artistic Director of the award-winning New York City theater company NewYorkRep. Jeff is a graduate of NYU's Tisch School of the Arts, and he currently resides in CT with his wife, Michelle, his sons, Ethan and Jonah, and their dogs, Tanner and Mabel.

RYAN RANDAZZO (Lighting Designer) is an up-and-coming Lighting Designer based in New York and Northern New Jersey. Shows he has designed include, but are not limited to, Macbeth by Candlelight, Chelsea Repertory's One-Act Play Festival, Lost and Found (Off-Broadway), and Montclair State University’s Anna in The Tropics. You can follow him on Instagram @rjrlights

TIAGO ORTEGA (Assistant Director) is thrilled to be making his Kennedy Center debut! He is a Brazilian actor, singer, dancer, stage manager and director. He is a graduate from City College, where he led multiple musicals, plays, and still stage manages productions. Thank you everyone who supported me, especially my family! @otiagoortega

ROBIN CARUS (Casting Director) Select Regional & Off-Broadway: Songs of Light & Joy (Provincetown Playhouse), Beau (Theatre 154), Ceremonies in Dark Old Men (Theatre at St. Clement's), Pay the Writer (Signature Theatre), The Remarkable Mister Holmes (North Coast Rep). Proudly, she has also cast the Off-Broadway and North American readings of October 7th. Select Film: Elijah Able, Urban Ed,  Green Flake. Webby, Hermes, Davey and Telly Award winner for Project Sing Out! For almost 10 years she was the Casting Director for TheatreworksUSA, where she cast over 200 national tours and countless works in development, as well as, their Off-Broadway series at the Lucille Lortel Theatre - including the revival of Seussical. Casting Society of America.

ANNIE BELLER (Production Stage Manager) is a stage manager based in NYC. Off-Broadway: Diversion (The Barrow Group) Lost and Found, Life and Trust (Emursive Productions), Chasing Happy (Pulse Ensemble Theatre). Other: Waitress, Jersey Boys, My Fair Lady, Chicago, Sunkicks Holiday Spectacular, Menopause The Musical (Suncoast Broadway), White Christmas (Surflight Theatre), Beauty and the Beast (Bay View Music Festival). IG: @anne.beller