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We are an experienced, diverse and committed team of people devoted to creating more SPACE for stuttering, and changing the way the world listens.
Board of Directors
Cris Blak
IDEA chair
(he/him)
Cris is a writer, arts worker, educator, stuttering ally, and is excited to join the Board of Directors for SPACE as the Chair for Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA). His goal is to not only tell stories of the world we live in but actively work to make that world a safer, more equal place for those who find themselves underrepresented, or not represented at all.
A Houston-native, he always hopes to focus on community and finding ways to bring people together through the arts and the honest cultivation of important conversations. He knows that we all have a voice that has value and wants to make sure every voice is heard and valued. When he's not doing this, he can be found napping, snacking, writing, reading, taking walks, and talking to his friends and loved ones. With big dreams, big goals, and a big belief in the work SPACE is doing, Cris is ready to play a small part in making this world a little more accepting and willing to hear the voices and stories that may not usually have the chance to be heard.
(he/him)
Cris is a writer, arts worker, educator, stuttering ally, and is excited to join the Board of Directors for SPACE as the Chair for Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA). His goal is to not only tell stories of the world we live in but actively work to make that world a safer, more equal place for those who find themselves underrepresented, or not represented at all.
A Houston-native, he always hopes to focus on community and finding ways to bring people together through the arts and the honest cultivation of important conversations. He knows that we all have a voice that has value and wants to make sure every voice is heard and valued. When he's not doing this, he can be found napping, snacking, writing, reading, taking walks, and talking to his friends and loved ones. With big dreams, big goals, and a big belief in the work SPACE is doing, Cris is ready to play a small part in making this world a little more accepting and willing to hear the voices and stories that may not usually have the chance to be heard.
Laura Bozzone
BOARD SECRETARY
(she/her)
Laura is an arts administrator, educator and advocate with a passion for creating inclusive spaces in which individuals can explore and express their unique stories and selves. Laura is the Director of Education at Marquis Studios, an arts education non-profit that partners with under-resourced schools in NYC to provide students with access to high quality art programming.
As a teaching artist for over 11 years, Laura has spearheaded theater education programming in a wide variety of communities around the country with organizations such as Stuttering Association for the Young (S.A.Y.), George Street Playhouse, Stages on the Sound, Child’s Play NY, and Alabama Shakespeare Festival. She holds a B.F.A in Theater Arts from Hofstra University and an M.S. in Educational Theater from City College of New York. Laura lives in Brooklyn with her husband and their rescue dog Lionel. She is thrilled to be part of the SPACE community!
(she/her)
Laura is an arts administrator, educator and advocate with a passion for creating inclusive spaces in which individuals can explore and express their unique stories and selves. Laura is the Director of Education at Marquis Studios, an arts education non-profit that partners with under-resourced schools in NYC to provide students with access to high quality art programming.
As a teaching artist for over 11 years, Laura has spearheaded theater education programming in a wide variety of communities around the country with organizations such as Stuttering Association for the Young (S.A.Y.), George Street Playhouse, Stages on the Sound, Child’s Play NY, and Alabama Shakespeare Festival. She holds a B.F.A in Theater Arts from Hofstra University and an M.S. in Educational Theater from City College of New York. Laura lives in Brooklyn with her husband and their rescue dog Lionel. She is thrilled to be part of the SPACE community!
Susanne Hart
CO-FOUNDER
(she/her)
Reigning from Springfield, MA, Susanne is a person who stutters, a coffee enthusiast, a lover of storytelling, and a very serious listener of music (note over 53,000 minutes reported in her Spotify Wrapped!) With a degree in Digital Media from Messiah University, Susanne wears many different hats in the arts–while she can most often be found writing and illustrating, she also works in video production and graphic design. She has had the pleasure of working as a Teaching Artist for SAY: The Stuttering Association for the Young since 2017, both at summer camp and through Confident Voices, and has also gotten to work with them doing graphic design work, designing book interiors for their graduating seniors, and creating programs and other print outs for live events! She can also be found traveling through New England for various film jobs, assisting on sets for local non-profits.
Outside of creating, she is a big fan of cloudy days, crunching leaves, all things Halloween, and playing Dungeons and Dragons with her friends.
(she/her)
Reigning from Springfield, MA, Susanne is a person who stutters, a coffee enthusiast, a lover of storytelling, and a very serious listener of music (note over 53,000 minutes reported in her Spotify Wrapped!) With a degree in Digital Media from Messiah University, Susanne wears many different hats in the arts–while she can most often be found writing and illustrating, she also works in video production and graphic design. She has had the pleasure of working as a Teaching Artist for SAY: The Stuttering Association for the Young since 2017, both at summer camp and through Confident Voices, and has also gotten to work with them doing graphic design work, designing book interiors for their graduating seniors, and creating programs and other print outs for live events! She can also be found traveling through New England for various film jobs, assisting on sets for local non-profits.
Outside of creating, she is a big fan of cloudy days, crunching leaves, all things Halloween, and playing Dungeons and Dragons with her friends.
Jack Henderson
(he/him)
Jack Henderson, MS, CCC-SLP (He/ His) is a person who stutters and is the owner of Henderson Stuttering Therapy PLLC. Jack graduated from Vanderbilt University in 2011 with a Bachelor of Science in Child Studies and Theatre. He graduated from Vanderbilt University in 2013 with a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology. During his undergraduate and graduate studies he worked on the Developmental Stuttering Project as a research assistant. In 2011, Jack co-founded Camp TALKS (Talking and Learning with Kids who Stutter) and ran the camp through 2023. He worked for two years in Robertson County (TN) schools, serving an elementary school and high school. He then worked for over 8 years at the Vanderbilt Bill Wilkerson Center. While at Vanderbilt, he worked primarily, though not exclusively, with people who stutter across the lifespan in the clinic. He has consulted with school-based SLPs in Nashville and many surrounding counties, led trainings on stuttering assessment and intervention locally and at ASHA Connect, appeared on the StutterTalk podcast and the Stuttering Foundation Podcast, contributed a column to the ASHA leader, had posters accepted to the Oxford Dysfluency Conference, generated informational handouts about stuttering, and spoken on local news about stuttering awareness. He has participated in intensive trainings on Palin Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCI), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Avoidance Reduction Therapy for Stuttering (ARTS®). Jack is a co-leader of the Nashville area chapter of the National Stuttering Association (NSA). Jack is an adjunct faculty at Austin Peay State University and Portland State University, teaching graduate-level fluency courses. Jack holds the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) from ASHA and is licensed to practice in Tennessee, Alabama, Kentucky and Arkansas. Jack is a designated Ally of Stuttering™ through Spero Stuttering, INC. Jack resides in Nashville, TN with his spouse and two children. He enjoys cooking, outdoor activities with his family, listening to records, and watching sports, especially baseball, soccer, and cricket.
Jack Henderson, MS, CCC-SLP (He/ His) is a person who stutters and is the owner of Henderson Stuttering Therapy PLLC. Jack graduated from Vanderbilt University in 2011 with a Bachelor of Science in Child Studies and Theatre. He graduated from Vanderbilt University in 2013 with a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology. During his undergraduate and graduate studies he worked on the Developmental Stuttering Project as a research assistant. In 2011, Jack co-founded Camp TALKS (Talking and Learning with Kids who Stutter) and ran the camp through 2023. He worked for two years in Robertson County (TN) schools, serving an elementary school and high school. He then worked for over 8 years at the Vanderbilt Bill Wilkerson Center. While at Vanderbilt, he worked primarily, though not exclusively, with people who stutter across the lifespan in the clinic. He has consulted with school-based SLPs in Nashville and many surrounding counties, led trainings on stuttering assessment and intervention locally and at ASHA Connect, appeared on the StutterTalk podcast and the Stuttering Foundation Podcast, contributed a column to the ASHA leader, had posters accepted to the Oxford Dysfluency Conference, generated informational handouts about stuttering, and spoken on local news about stuttering awareness. He has participated in intensive trainings on Palin Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCI), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Avoidance Reduction Therapy for Stuttering (ARTS®). Jack is a co-leader of the Nashville area chapter of the National Stuttering Association (NSA). Jack is an adjunct faculty at Austin Peay State University and Portland State University, teaching graduate-level fluency courses. Jack holds the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) from ASHA and is licensed to practice in Tennessee, Alabama, Kentucky and Arkansas. Jack is a designated Ally of Stuttering™ through Spero Stuttering, INC. Jack resides in Nashville, TN with his spouse and two children. He enjoys cooking, outdoor activities with his family, listening to records, and watching sports, especially baseball, soccer, and cricket.
Ezra Horak
BOARD CO-CHAIR, CO-FOUNDER
(they/them)
Ezra is a stutterer and the founder of Stutterology, a digital content platform that educates about stuttering through a neurodiverse and trauma-informed lens and empowers people with speech differences. Their work is used to educate speech therapists, loved ones of people who stutter, and fellow stutterers about the systemic issues faced and how to promote true inclusivity.
Additionally, they have volunteered with various stuttering organizations via public speaking, leading workshops, consultation, and other leadership, since 2015, and they are an HR Professional from the west coast.
(they/them)
Ezra is a stutterer and the founder of Stutterology, a digital content platform that educates about stuttering through a neurodiverse and trauma-informed lens and empowers people with speech differences. Their work is used to educate speech therapists, loved ones of people who stutter, and fellow stutterers about the systemic issues faced and how to promote true inclusivity.
Additionally, they have volunteered with various stuttering organizations via public speaking, leading workshops, consultation, and other leadership, since 2015, and they are an HR Professional from the west coast.
Devon Hamidi-Kirchner
(she/her)
Devon Kirchner is a queer person who stutters and business owner who lives on the Unceded Territory of the Squamish, Tsleil Waututh and Musqueam nations (also known as Vancouver). She holds a degree in Business Administration from Capilano University, and is part owner of a chain of successful specialty butcher shops in Vancouver. She has spent the past 15 years building teams and community at her retail locations, and brings that passion to her volunteer efforts.
Since 2020, she has been a co-leader of a Vancouver based stuttering support group. She has 15 years of experience in the food and beverage space, and is a passionate supporter of local food systems and home cooking. She loves spending time with her wife in the kitchen, and going on hikes with her dachshund, Peaches.
Devon Kirchner is a queer person who stutters and business owner who lives on the Unceded Territory of the Squamish, Tsleil Waututh and Musqueam nations (also known as Vancouver). She holds a degree in Business Administration from Capilano University, and is part owner of a chain of successful specialty butcher shops in Vancouver. She has spent the past 15 years building teams and community at her retail locations, and brings that passion to her volunteer efforts.
Since 2020, she has been a co-leader of a Vancouver based stuttering support group. She has 15 years of experience in the food and beverage space, and is a passionate supporter of local food systems and home cooking. She loves spending time with her wife in the kitchen, and going on hikes with her dachshund, Peaches.
Christopher Loranger
(he/him)
Chris designed and built the theatre at Presentation House in North Vancouver and founded the art gallery that is now called Polygon Gallery in North Vancouver. He enjoyed success as an author and playwright and as a teacher at Emily Carr University of Art and Design. Late in life he became a neurogenic stutterer, and since the onset of his stutter, nothing has made him happier about being a stutterer than discovering SPACE, Aidan and the many incredibly interesting community of SPACE.
Chris designed and built the theatre at Presentation House in North Vancouver and founded the art gallery that is now called Polygon Gallery in North Vancouver. He enjoyed success as an author and playwright and as a teacher at Emily Carr University of Art and Design. Late in life he became a neurogenic stutterer, and since the onset of his stutter, nothing has made him happier about being a stutterer than discovering SPACE, Aidan and the many incredibly interesting community of SPACE.
Brooke Sarden
BOARD CO-CHAIR, CO-FOUNDER
(she/her)
Brooke is a nonprofit director and cultural strategist with concurrent careers in social justice and community-engaging artistic practices. She has over 30 years experience facilitating public dialogues that center Black lives. For over a decade, she has managed organizational budgets between $287K - $2.5M and has authored successful grants exceeding $5M over the past decade. Brooke is experienced in strategic planning and staff development, bringing creative vision, innovation and efficient operations to each team. She is a mission-driven community builder, poet, painter, theatre director, teaching artist and creator of beautiful things.
(she/her)
Brooke is a nonprofit director and cultural strategist with concurrent careers in social justice and community-engaging artistic practices. She has over 30 years experience facilitating public dialogues that center Black lives. For over a decade, she has managed organizational budgets between $287K - $2.5M and has authored successful grants exceeding $5M over the past decade. Brooke is experienced in strategic planning and staff development, bringing creative vision, innovation and efficient operations to each team. She is a mission-driven community builder, poet, painter, theatre director, teaching artist and creator of beautiful things.
Christopher
Schuyler
(he/him)
Christopher Schuyler is a proud person who stutters. He believes that while being a person who stutters is challenging, stuttering is also a powerful communication tool that can be used to better achieve meaningful connection with other people. He dreams that one day stuttering will be viewed as nothing more than a valuable speech difference.
Christopher has volunteered with various organizations serving people who stutter, including the National Stuttering Association, the Stuttering Association for the Young, and Friends: The National Association of Young People Who Stutter. He also participated in organizing several NYC Stutters conferences. Lastly, he has published articles on stuttering and spoken to organizations about hiring and working with people who stutter.
Christopher is a disability rights attorney. His work focuses on improving access to public services, including transportation, medical care, and education, for people with disabilities. He has also served as an adjunct professor teaching legal writing to law students.
In his free time, Christopher enjoys playing with his two sons, watching movies with his wife, and jogging in the park.
Christopher Schuyler is a proud person who stutters. He believes that while being a person who stutters is challenging, stuttering is also a powerful communication tool that can be used to better achieve meaningful connection with other people. He dreams that one day stuttering will be viewed as nothing more than a valuable speech difference.
Christopher has volunteered with various organizations serving people who stutter, including the National Stuttering Association, the Stuttering Association for the Young, and Friends: The National Association of Young People Who Stutter. He also participated in organizing several NYC Stutters conferences. Lastly, he has published articles on stuttering and spoken to organizations about hiring and working with people who stutter.
Christopher is a disability rights attorney. His work focuses on improving access to public services, including transportation, medical care, and education, for people with disabilities. He has also served as an adjunct professor teaching legal writing to law students.
In his free time, Christopher enjoys playing with his two sons, watching movies with his wife, and jogging in the park.
Advisory Board
Jia Bin
(she/her)
Jia M.A., is a doctoral student and research assistant at Michigan State University in Communicative Sciences and Disorders. Jia is honored to join SPACE and serve as a member of the SPACE Advisory board. With a background in English Language and Literature from China and two master's degrees from the U.S. in Secondary Education and Communicative Sciences and Disorders, she combines her academic pursuits with a deep commitment to the stuttering community. She serves as board member for the World Stuttering Network and 50 Million Voices, chapter leader in the National Stuttering Association, and president of the Spartan Stuttering group.
Jia's drive is rooted in her personal journey as a person who stutters.Her aim is to foster resilience and provide a platform for those with similar challenges, advocating for empowerment, support, and community building. Her work focuses on challenging stereotypes and nurturing a dialogue that transcends cultural and linguistic barriers, ultimately uniting people who stutter worldwide through shared experience and mutual support.
Jia M.A., is a doctoral student and research assistant at Michigan State University in Communicative Sciences and Disorders. Jia is honored to join SPACE and serve as a member of the SPACE Advisory board. With a background in English Language and Literature from China and two master's degrees from the U.S. in Secondary Education and Communicative Sciences and Disorders, she combines her academic pursuits with a deep commitment to the stuttering community. She serves as board member for the World Stuttering Network and 50 Million Voices, chapter leader in the National Stuttering Association, and president of the Spartan Stuttering group.
Jia's drive is rooted in her personal journey as a person who stutters.Her aim is to foster resilience and provide a platform for those with similar challenges, advocating for empowerment, support, and community building. Her work focuses on challenging stereotypes and nurturing a dialogue that transcends cultural and linguistic barriers, ultimately uniting people who stutter worldwide through shared experience and mutual support.
Yvonne Choi
(she/her)
Yvonne is a brand & organizational change consultant and founded superdope consulting. She thrives on helping people and organizations tell their story — from the inside out. She develops brands that move us forward, inspiring impact and transforming the world into a better place.
Yvonne has over a decade of experience spanning legal and professional services operations, strategic branding, and organizational change. Throughout her career, she has collaborated closely with and advised senior leadership and C-suite executives, driving initiatives that align operational priorities with long-term vision and measurable impact.
Yvonne is a brand & organizational change consultant and founded superdope consulting. She thrives on helping people and organizations tell their story — from the inside out. She develops brands that move us forward, inspiring impact and transforming the world into a better place.
Yvonne has over a decade of experience spanning legal and professional services operations, strategic branding, and organizational change. Throughout her career, she has collaborated closely with and advised senior leadership and C-suite executives, driving initiatives that align operational priorities with long-term vision and measurable impact.
JJJJJerome Ellis
(any pronoun)
JJJJJerome is a person who stutters and a composer. He is so thankful to be a member of the SPACE Advisory Board. He lives in Tidewater, Virginia with his wife, ecologist-poet Luísa Black Ellis. They love walking in the woods, reading, and drinking tea together. He dreams of building a sonic bath house!
Photo by Annie Forrest
JJJJJerome is a person who stutters and a composer. He is so thankful to be a member of the SPACE Advisory Board. He lives in Tidewater, Virginia with his wife, ecologist-poet Luísa Black Ellis. They love walking in the woods, reading, and drinking tea together. He dreams of building a sonic bath house!
Photo by Annie Forrest
Yazan Fattaleh
(he/him)
Yazan has been lucky to build a career supporting youth as they pursue higher education around the world. His personal immigrant story and experiences working with refugees in the USA and abroad inform his work supporting college students internationally.
He is a person who stutters and enjoys spending his free time connecting with members of the stuttering community sharing in the power of our unique gifts. His gift of a stutter has helped Yazan empathize with others who face differences and challenging situations of their own, a skill he draws on every day. He appreciates the way that stuttering informed empathy connects him to the power in his voice, provides him with growth opportunities, and brings a sense of presence to every conversation.
He has a BA in Economics from the University of Colorado-Boulder and certificates in Monitoring and Evaluation from Makerere University in Kampala and Joining Vision and Action in Denver, CO.
In his free time, Yazan likes to rock climb, salsa dance, and eat hummus — but not all at the same time.
Yazan has been lucky to build a career supporting youth as they pursue higher education around the world. His personal immigrant story and experiences working with refugees in the USA and abroad inform his work supporting college students internationally.
He is a person who stutters and enjoys spending his free time connecting with members of the stuttering community sharing in the power of our unique gifts. His gift of a stutter has helped Yazan empathize with others who face differences and challenging situations of their own, a skill he draws on every day. He appreciates the way that stuttering informed empathy connects him to the power in his voice, provides him with growth opportunities, and brings a sense of presence to every conversation.
He has a BA in Economics from the University of Colorado-Boulder and certificates in Monitoring and Evaluation from Makerere University in Kampala and Joining Vision and Action in Denver, CO.
In his free time, Yazan likes to rock climb, salsa dance, and eat hummus — but not all at the same time.
Julia Leone
CO-FOUNDER
(she/her)
Julia is a member of the Advisory Board and the Creative and Marketing Strategist for SPACE. With seven years of experience serving the stuttering community, she is a seasoned advocate and a creative thinker.
Julia is skilled in bringing people together and is committed to the principle that genuine communication and listening are the keys to community support. Her goal at SPACE is to help the organization creatively and consistently connect with folks who stutter.
When she is not working, Julia enjoys cooking, gossiping on the phone with her grandmother, and writing fantasy short stories. Through SPACE, she hopes to connect with the stuttering community and encourage joy, connection, and expression.
(she/her)
Julia is a member of the Advisory Board and the Creative and Marketing Strategist for SPACE. With seven years of experience serving the stuttering community, she is a seasoned advocate and a creative thinker.
Julia is skilled in bringing people together and is committed to the principle that genuine communication and listening are the keys to community support. Her goal at SPACE is to help the organization creatively and consistently connect with folks who stutter.
When she is not working, Julia enjoys cooking, gossiping on the phone with her grandmother, and writing fantasy short stories. Through SPACE, she hopes to connect with the stuttering community and encourage joy, connection, and expression.
Allegra Ludwig
(she/her)
Allegra received her Bachelor’s degree in Linguistics from Duke University and holds a Master of Arts in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences from UC - Boulder. She is an Ally of Stuttering™ and ASHA-certified Speech-Language Pathologist who specializes in stuttering therapy. Allegra holds professional licenses in the states of Colorado, California, Massachusetts, Montana, North Carolina, and Texas. Her telepractice, Cadence Speech Therapy, is based in Boulder, CO.
Allegra is passionate about supporting people who stutter, not just as a speech therapist but also as someone who hopes to empower and uplift stuttering voices. Her blog, Cadence Speech, celebrates the lived experience of stuttering with stories and profiles of individuals who stutter. In her speech therapy practice, she embraces a holistic, client-centered therapy approach that promotes confidence, joy, and ease in speaking.
Outside of speech therapy, you can find Allegra performing on stages throughout Colorado as an actor and musician. She is a fiddle player and vocalist for the Irish band Banthom House and also performs classical violin with the chamber music group Front Range Strings. Allegra is also a mom to two teenage daughters and loves being outdoors with her family, including hiking, biking, camping, and traveling.
Allegra feels that she has gained more from the stuttering community than she could ever hope to contribute in return, and she is profoundly grateful to be part of the brilliant team at SPACE!
Allegra received her Bachelor’s degree in Linguistics from Duke University and holds a Master of Arts in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences from UC - Boulder. She is an Ally of Stuttering™ and ASHA-certified Speech-Language Pathologist who specializes in stuttering therapy. Allegra holds professional licenses in the states of Colorado, California, Massachusetts, Montana, North Carolina, and Texas. Her telepractice, Cadence Speech Therapy, is based in Boulder, CO.
Allegra is passionate about supporting people who stutter, not just as a speech therapist but also as someone who hopes to empower and uplift stuttering voices. Her blog, Cadence Speech, celebrates the lived experience of stuttering with stories and profiles of individuals who stutter. In her speech therapy practice, she embraces a holistic, client-centered therapy approach that promotes confidence, joy, and ease in speaking.
Outside of speech therapy, you can find Allegra performing on stages throughout Colorado as an actor and musician. She is a fiddle player and vocalist for the Irish band Banthom House and also performs classical violin with the chamber music group Front Range Strings. Allegra is also a mom to two teenage daughters and loves being outdoors with her family, including hiking, biking, camping, and traveling.
Allegra feels that she has gained more from the stuttering community than she could ever hope to contribute in return, and she is profoundly grateful to be part of the brilliant team at SPACE!
Barry Yeoman
(he/him)
Barry Yeoman is a person who stutters and a journalist whose work has recently appeared in The Washington Post, The Guardian, National Wildlife, Sierra, The Assembly, and The Nation. His articles put human faces on complex social, political, and environmental issues. He written about stuttering for The Baffler and other publications, and produced a segment about stuttering for WHYY Philadelphia. Barry co-founded Passing Twice, an informal network of LGBTQ+ people who stutter and their allies, which continues under the leadership of a new generation. He lives in North Carolina with one husband and one goofy dog.
Barry Yeoman is a person who stutters and a journalist whose work has recently appeared in The Washington Post, The Guardian, National Wildlife, Sierra, The Assembly, and The Nation. His articles put human faces on complex social, political, and environmental issues. He written about stuttering for The Baffler and other publications, and produced a segment about stuttering for WHYY Philadelphia. Barry co-founded Passing Twice, an informal network of LGBTQ+ people who stutter and their allies, which continues under the leadership of a new generation. He lives in North Carolina with one husband and one goofy dog.
Media team
Lydia Brubaker
VIDEO EDITOR
(she/her)
Lydia is an artist, musician, teacher, storyteller, and video editor from Indiana. She became passionate about stuttering representation in media while attending the University of Iowa Master's in Film Studies program, where she happened upon the NSA chapter of Iowa City! She wrote her thesis about the temporality of stuttering in a time-based medium like film, where often stuttered voices are interrupted for "comedic effect," instead arguing for an interruption of what Joshua St. Pierre calls "straight-masculine time" and embracing of the moment of stuttering as a "clearing," like JJJJerome Ellis writes. She hopes to go back to grad school eventually to obtain a PhD in Film Studies and Disability Studies and go on to teach at a university level about all things film, disability, and stuttering! Meeting other people who stutter and gathering in community with them truly changed Lydia's life for the better, and she loves that she gets to work with SPACE to extend that experience to so many people across the world!
In her free time, Lydia loves to make music, create short films with her friends, crochet, and play Minecraft. :)
(she/her)
Lydia is an artist, musician, teacher, storyteller, and video editor from Indiana. She became passionate about stuttering representation in media while attending the University of Iowa Master's in Film Studies program, where she happened upon the NSA chapter of Iowa City! She wrote her thesis about the temporality of stuttering in a time-based medium like film, where often stuttered voices are interrupted for "comedic effect," instead arguing for an interruption of what Joshua St. Pierre calls "straight-masculine time" and embracing of the moment of stuttering as a "clearing," like JJJJerome Ellis writes. She hopes to go back to grad school eventually to obtain a PhD in Film Studies and Disability Studies and go on to teach at a university level about all things film, disability, and stuttering! Meeting other people who stutter and gathering in community with them truly changed Lydia's life for the better, and she loves that she gets to work with SPACE to extend that experience to so many people across the world!
In her free time, Lydia loves to make music, create short films with her friends, crochet, and play Minecraft. :)
Luke Wyland
CURATOR, LIBRARY OF DYSFLUENT VOICES & MUSIC ADVISOR
(he/him)
Luke Wyland is an interdisciplinary artist, composer, and performer based in Portland, OR. As a person who stutters, Wyland’s music is deeply inspired by his idiosyncratic relationship with language. In collaboration with SPACE, he curates the Library of Dysfluent Voices, an open-source collection of voice recordings celebrating stuttering and speech diversity. Using the library’s initial 36 interviews as source material, Wyland and John Niekrasz—performing as Methods Body—drew inspiration from the rhythmic fingerprints and cadences of verbal dysfluency to create new musical explorations. He believes in the cathartic power of live performance as a means of collective healing and has been releasing critically acclaimed records for over 20 years—both solo and with AU, Methods Body, and LWW—on labels such as New Amsterdam, Beacon Sound, Balmat, The Leaf Label, and Aagoo Records.
--
lukewyland.com
methodsbody.com
https://aumusic.bandcamp.com/
(he/him)
Luke Wyland is an interdisciplinary artist, composer, and performer based in Portland, OR. As a person who stutters, Wyland’s music is deeply inspired by his idiosyncratic relationship with language. In collaboration with SPACE, he curates the Library of Dysfluent Voices, an open-source collection of voice recordings celebrating stuttering and speech diversity. Using the library’s initial 36 interviews as source material, Wyland and John Niekrasz—performing as Methods Body—drew inspiration from the rhythmic fingerprints and cadences of verbal dysfluency to create new musical explorations. He believes in the cathartic power of live performance as a means of collective healing and has been releasing critically acclaimed records for over 20 years—both solo and with AU, Methods Body, and LWW—on labels such as New Amsterdam, Beacon Sound, Balmat, The Leaf Label, and Aagoo Records.
--
lukewyland.com
methodsbody.com
https://aumusic.bandcamp.com/
Youth Advisory Committee
LJ B.
(he/him)
Lawrence, also known as LJ, was born in Queens, NY and currently resides in Trumbull Connecticut. At the age of four he developed a stutter and initially felt frustrated by the challenges that it presented. However, through support from family and friends he found confidence and his love for music.
Lawrence has honed his craft and has written, produced and performed over 80 original songs, at times in front of audiences of over 300 people. He is also a member of the Trumbull High tenor bass and honors chamber choirs.
Lawrence is passionate about showing other youth that a stutter can actually be a gift and not a set back.
Lawrence is a kind soul whose mission is to shine his light, and inspire others to find their own.
Lawrence, also known as LJ, was born in Queens, NY and currently resides in Trumbull Connecticut. At the age of four he developed a stutter and initially felt frustrated by the challenges that it presented. However, through support from family and friends he found confidence and his love for music.
Lawrence has honed his craft and has written, produced and performed over 80 original songs, at times in front of audiences of over 300 people. He is also a member of the Trumbull High tenor bass and honors chamber choirs.
Lawrence is passionate about showing other youth that a stutter can actually be a gift and not a set back.
Lawrence is a kind soul whose mission is to shine his light, and inspire others to find their own.
Mira G.
(all pronouns)
Mira loves reading, writing, cats, playing guitar and occasionally singing, making people laugh, and acting. Mira is a person who stutters and is also a person who advocates for their stutter.
Acting and stuttering are a tricky combo, but she is learning to embrace her stutter on stage. She wishes people knew more about stuttering, and that everyone could have more time, no matter who they are.
Mira would love to help educate people who need and want more information from a person who has had an experience with a stutter.
Her dream is to be an actor (or a librarian) (or a musician) and to make sure that there’s more positive and accurate stuttering representation everywhere. They love reading books with magic, queer characters, and talking animals. Mira is very excited to be part of the youth advisory council, and loves that kids and teens can have a part in decision making as well as adults, and loves to meet more kids who stutter. She thinks that having a stutter is so much better when there are people to talk to about it.
Mira loves reading, writing, cats, playing guitar and occasionally singing, making people laugh, and acting. Mira is a person who stutters and is also a person who advocates for their stutter.
Acting and stuttering are a tricky combo, but she is learning to embrace her stutter on stage. She wishes people knew more about stuttering, and that everyone could have more time, no matter who they are.
Mira would love to help educate people who need and want more information from a person who has had an experience with a stutter.
Her dream is to be an actor (or a librarian) (or a musician) and to make sure that there’s more positive and accurate stuttering representation everywhere. They love reading books with magic, queer characters, and talking animals. Mira is very excited to be part of the youth advisory council, and loves that kids and teens can have a part in decision making as well as adults, and loves to meet more kids who stutter. She thinks that having a stutter is so much better when there are people to talk to about it.
Amelie H.
(she/her)
Amelie, (ah-ma-lee) is a twelve year old who loves to play volleyball, write, and hangout with friends and family. Amelie loves to talk freely about her stutter in her small community, even if the conversations can be a challenge. She loves to stand up for what she believes in and supporting others.
Amelie, (ah-ma-lee) is a twelve year old who loves to play volleyball, write, and hangout with friends and family. Amelie loves to talk freely about her stutter in her small community, even if the conversations can be a challenge. She loves to stand up for what she believes in and supporting others.
Ethan K
(he/him)
Ethan loves playing soccer. He plays defense for a local team and enjoys every moment. Ethan also has a passion for golf and has been playing since a young age. He enjoys watching and learning about different sports. Ethan stutters and embraces it with confidence. He recognizes it as a part of him that makes him unique. He is an advocate for himself and hopes to have more people understand and learn about stuttering.
Ethan loves playing soccer. He plays defense for a local team and enjoys every moment. Ethan also has a passion for golf and has been playing since a young age. He enjoys watching and learning about different sports. Ethan stutters and embraces it with confidence. He recognizes it as a part of him that makes him unique. He is an advocate for himself and hopes to have more people understand and learn about stuttering.
Travis K
(he/him)
Travis is a seventh grader from Hudson County, NJ, and is originally from Brooklyn, NY. His hobbies include reading, playing video games and card magic. Travis's favorite film is INCEPTION by Christopher Nolan.
Travis is a seventh grader from Hudson County, NJ, and is originally from Brooklyn, NY. His hobbies include reading, playing video games and card magic. Travis's favorite film is INCEPTION by Christopher Nolan.
Grace PB
(she/her)
Grace is not your typical 12 year old! Grace is a community advocate, artist, competitive soccer player and a proud person who stutters! She is so excited to be a part of SPACE and build connections in the stuttering community. Being a part of SPACE has helped her to be a confident communicator.
She loves to share her ideas and create spaces where others feel welcomed, safe and valued. She often says, “Let my stutter run wild!” Her stutter is a part of her and she is proud of it
Grace is not your typical 12 year old! Grace is a community advocate, artist, competitive soccer player and a proud person who stutters! She is so excited to be a part of SPACE and build connections in the stuttering community. Being a part of SPACE has helped her to be a confident communicator.
She loves to share her ideas and create spaces where others feel welcomed, safe and valued. She often says, “Let my stutter run wild!” Her stutter is a part of her and she is proud of it
Adele R
(she/her)
Adele is a 14 year old girl who has been stuttering her whole life. She is born and raised in Washington, DC, with her parents, sister, and dog Iris. Adele first got introduced to SPACE through other stutter-support organizations, and is super excited to be a part of SPACE; one of her biggest passions is advocating for kids who stutter, making sure that they know their way of speaking is perfect just the way it is. A few things Adele loves to do in her free time are: exploring the city, visiting museums, reading dystopian books, playing her defensive position on her soccer teams, and watching reality TV.
Adele is a 14 year old girl who has been stuttering her whole life. She is born and raised in Washington, DC, with her parents, sister, and dog Iris. Adele first got introduced to SPACE through other stutter-support organizations, and is super excited to be a part of SPACE; one of her biggest passions is advocating for kids who stutter, making sure that they know their way of speaking is perfect just the way it is. A few things Adele loves to do in her free time are: exploring the city, visiting museums, reading dystopian books, playing her defensive position on her soccer teams, and watching reality TV.
Carmelo R.
(he/him)
Carmelo is 9 years old and in 4th grade. Carmelo has a beautiful way of speaking - it is called having a stutter. He does not stutter all the time but when he does he views it as something unique and wonderful. His hobbies are drawing, baseball, building Legos and spending time with his friends. Carmelo has been in an off Broadway play which he starred in last year called Dick Rivington and The Cat. He loves to act and sing. Carmelo is a good person to go to if you need some comic relief. He has done a comedy routine twice for his school talent show. He loves to advocate for other children and adults that stutter. He loves to make new friends and make people feel included. Carmelo is so honored and excited to be a part of SPACE and be the voice for so many others who may be intimidated to use their own voice.
Carmelo is 9 years old and in 4th grade. Carmelo has a beautiful way of speaking - it is called having a stutter. He does not stutter all the time but when he does he views it as something unique and wonderful. His hobbies are drawing, baseball, building Legos and spending time with his friends. Carmelo has been in an off Broadway play which he starred in last year called Dick Rivington and The Cat. He loves to act and sing. Carmelo is a good person to go to if you need some comic relief. He has done a comedy routine twice for his school talent show. He loves to advocate for other children and adults that stutter. He loves to make new friends and make people feel included. Carmelo is so honored and excited to be a part of SPACE and be the voice for so many others who may be intimidated to use their own voice.
Olivia S
(she/her)
Olivia is a 15 year old native New Yorker who is living with a stutter. Olivia has been stuttering since the tender age of 5, and all of her experiences, good and bad, have molded her into the person she is today. Olivia has interest in fashion, writing, traveling and listening to music, however her favorite one is writing poetry. She is extremely passionate about equal and fair treatment for all, as one of her goals is to become a better listener, especially to people in the stuttering community. Olivia is honored to be a part of the SPACE community to share information, resources, advocate and mentor, to be a voice for those who may feel they have none. Olivia's stutter has become her friend.
Olivia is a 15 year old native New Yorker who is living with a stutter. Olivia has been stuttering since the tender age of 5, and all of her experiences, good and bad, have molded her into the person she is today. Olivia has interest in fashion, writing, traveling and listening to music, however her favorite one is writing poetry. She is extremely passionate about equal and fair treatment for all, as one of her goals is to become a better listener, especially to people in the stuttering community. Olivia is honored to be a part of the SPACE community to share information, resources, advocate and mentor, to be a voice for those who may feel they have none. Olivia's stutter has become her friend.
Cate S
(she/her)
Cate is a Sophomore at Chatham Academy in Savannah Georgia. She lives there with her family and cat, Leonardo. Cate fences Epée, studies piano for quite a few years now, has taken up skateboarding, loves to make weapons with her 3D printer, and is kind of obsessed with Future Card Buddyfight and Magic: The gathering.
Cate is a Sophomore at Chatham Academy in Savannah Georgia. She lives there with her family and cat, Leonardo. Cate fences Epée, studies piano for quite a few years now, has taken up skateboarding, loves to make weapons with her 3D printer, and is kind of obsessed with Future Card Buddyfight and Magic: The gathering.
S P A C E Building Committee
Amanda Barkley
(she/her)
Lizzie Carolan
(she/they)
Derek E. Daniels
(he/him)
Liz Foster
(she/her)
Bailee Gilbert
Martha Horrocks
(she/her)
Savannah Jackson
(she/her)
Danny Litwack
(he/him)
Donovan Lockett
(she/her)
Julia Kerrigan
Nicole Kulmacewski
(she/her)
Spring Kwok
(she/her)
Lauren McDowell
(she/her)
Liam McLaughlin
(he/him)
Bevin Murphy
(she/her)
Phoenix Garcia-Ramos
Mandy Rodstrom
(she/her)
TJ Traver
(he/him)
Aly Vildosola
(she/her)
Young Adult
Advisory Committee
Hannah Bekkmo
(she/her)
Hannah is a Norwegian-American in her fourth and final year at Montana State University. She is a person who stutters and is passionate about educating others on stuttering. As a young adult, Hannah works at a summer camp hosted by SAY: the Stuttering Association for the Young and is excited to be a part of the SPACE Young Adult Advisory Committee! In her free time, she loves to make crafts, travel to new places, spend time with loved ones, and is always open to having a conversation with anyone.
Hannah is a Norwegian-American in her fourth and final year at Montana State University. She is a person who stutters and is passionate about educating others on stuttering. As a young adult, Hannah works at a summer camp hosted by SAY: the Stuttering Association for the Young and is excited to be a part of the SPACE Young Adult Advisory Committee! In her free time, she loves to make crafts, travel to new places, spend time with loved ones, and is always open to having a conversation with anyone.
Pablo Blanco
(he/him)
Pablo is a young Garifuna Caribbean-American male who stutters, a former youth participant of SAY and a current first-year student at the University at Albany. Overcoming rigid feelings of nervousness and intimidation through the outside world, He acknowledges that his voice does not need to speak fluency when engaging with other fellow individuals around him.
Born and raised in Upper Manhattan in East Harlem, New York, Pablo is also a recent post-graduate from The All Hallows High School in the Bronx, Class of 2023. Throughout, he has anticipated amongst a collective group of brillant teen curators showcasing the art exhibition of the African Diaspora at the Harlem's Schomburg Center during June of 2020.
Enlightened by the confidence and comfortability he carries, sharing his voice and shaping his personal identity, discovers the craft of poetry and spoken word.He offered himself the unforgettable opportunity of reciting poems live on an outdoor stage about his ethnic heritage and background at the Museum of the City of New York in 2022.
As per Lawrence Ferlinghetti, "Poetry is the shadow cast by our streetlight imaginations".
Pablo is a young Garifuna Caribbean-American male who stutters, a former youth participant of SAY and a current first-year student at the University at Albany. Overcoming rigid feelings of nervousness and intimidation through the outside world, He acknowledges that his voice does not need to speak fluency when engaging with other fellow individuals around him.
Born and raised in Upper Manhattan in East Harlem, New York, Pablo is also a recent post-graduate from The All Hallows High School in the Bronx, Class of 2023. Throughout, he has anticipated amongst a collective group of brillant teen curators showcasing the art exhibition of the African Diaspora at the Harlem's Schomburg Center during June of 2020.
Enlightened by the confidence and comfortability he carries, sharing his voice and shaping his personal identity, discovers the craft of poetry and spoken word.He offered himself the unforgettable opportunity of reciting poems live on an outdoor stage about his ethnic heritage and background at the Museum of the City of New York in 2022.
As per Lawrence Ferlinghetti, "Poetry is the shadow cast by our streetlight imaginations".
Olgaceleste Cordero
(she/her)
Olgaceleste is a person who stutters! Currently a member of the SPACE Young Adult Advisory Team, she wants to be able to destigmatize stuttering.
From the big city of New York, she loves to immerse herself in the arts and reading, always finding new places or people to enjoy a conversation with.
Olgaceleste is a person who stutters! Currently a member of the SPACE Young Adult Advisory Team, she wants to be able to destigmatize stuttering.
From the big city of New York, she loves to immerse herself in the arts and reading, always finding new places or people to enjoy a conversation with.
Sandhya Kilambi
(she/her)
Sandhya is a musician, dancer and educator in New York City. She recently graduated from NYU with a Bachelor of Music in Music Education, and is currently a Preschool Music Teacher in Manhattan. She is passionate about working with children and sharing her love of the performing arts in camp and educational settings, from giving piano lessons to teaching Bollywood dance classes.
Alongside her artistic and pedagogical pursuits, Sandhya enjoys working and volunteering with a variety of populations, including people with disabilities and people who stutter. She believes in the transformative power of the arts in impacting communities of all backgrounds. Empowering youth who stutter is particularly meaningful work for her – she is beyond excited to be a part of the SPACE Young Adult Advisory Committee in supporting people who stutter!
Sandhya is a musician, dancer and educator in New York City. She recently graduated from NYU with a Bachelor of Music in Music Education, and is currently a Preschool Music Teacher in Manhattan. She is passionate about working with children and sharing her love of the performing arts in camp and educational settings, from giving piano lessons to teaching Bollywood dance classes.
Alongside her artistic and pedagogical pursuits, Sandhya enjoys working and volunteering with a variety of populations, including people with disabilities and people who stutter. She believes in the transformative power of the arts in impacting communities of all backgrounds. Empowering youth who stutter is particularly meaningful work for her – she is beyond excited to be a part of the SPACE Young Adult Advisory Committee in supporting people who stutter!
Derick Konan
(he/him)
Derick is 21 years old and is a person who stutters. He loves to play video games, making and watching movies, acting, and drawing. Being a person who stutters makes Derick feel unique in a way because he is part of a small group of people who stutters. Growing up he always felt isolated and different because others made him feel like the way he spoke was weird. He did not realize he had a stutter until the 8th grade which made Derick much more reserved and closed off to others. As Derick grew older he was able to become more comfortable with his stutter by being creative and using theatre as a way of expression. Theatre and acting have made Derick appreciate how much his voice can impact those around him. Derick's dream is to one day help those around him to become more comfortable with themselves and their gifts.
Derick is 21 years old and is a person who stutters. He loves to play video games, making and watching movies, acting, and drawing. Being a person who stutters makes Derick feel unique in a way because he is part of a small group of people who stutters. Growing up he always felt isolated and different because others made him feel like the way he spoke was weird. He did not realize he had a stutter until the 8th grade which made Derick much more reserved and closed off to others. As Derick grew older he was able to become more comfortable with his stutter by being creative and using theatre as a way of expression. Theatre and acting have made Derick appreciate how much his voice can impact those around him. Derick's dream is to one day help those around him to become more comfortable with themselves and their gifts.
Priya Issacs
(she/her)
Priya is an Aussie teen who stutters and the creator of StutterConversation and StutterConversation: The Podcast. Her aim is to create a safe and welcoming environment for teens and people who stutter to feel comfortable with their own voice by starting conversations about stuttering and mental health.
Priya is an Aussie teen who stutters and the creator of StutterConversation and StutterConversation: The Podcast. Her aim is to create a safe and welcoming environment for teens and people who stutter to feel comfortable with their own voice by starting conversations about stuttering and mental health.
Isabella Lashley
(she/her)
Isabella is a person who stutters and a student at Harvard University. She is originally from New York City and is so excited to be a part of SPACE .
Isabella is a person who stutters and a student at Harvard University. She is originally from New York City and is so excited to be a part of SPACE .
Erikson Rutkis
(he/him)
Erikson has some talent in singing and being creative, also he is a person who stutters. Stuttering has been a huge part of his life sense he can remember. It’s been a struggle throughout his whole life as well as making him who he is today which he does not regret. He’s had a good amount of support growing up, especially from SAY: The Stuttering Association for the Young. He still does have trouble to this day with it though. Now, being a young adult, he feels like older people who stutter need the same amount of support. Just because you're now 20 does not mean all your worries go away about stuttering. He thinks SPACE is a great way for adults who stutter to have a safe place.
Erikson has some talent in singing and being creative, also he is a person who stutters. Stuttering has been a huge part of his life sense he can remember. It’s been a struggle throughout his whole life as well as making him who he is today which he does not regret. He’s had a good amount of support growing up, especially from SAY: The Stuttering Association for the Young. He still does have trouble to this day with it though. Now, being a young adult, he feels like older people who stutter need the same amount of support. Just because you're now 20 does not mean all your worries go away about stuttering. He thinks SPACE is a great way for adults who stutter to have a safe place.
Seb Szeles
(he/him)
Seb is a person who stutters, he recently graduated from the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT), he aspires to tell stories through the medium of movies, television, and documentaries. He has been a person who stutters for his whole life, he has been a part of SAY: the Stuttering Association for the Young, and has a published book called “My Stuttering Wish” which he got from SAY’s paperback project, and is now a member of the Young Adult Advisory Committee.
Seb is a person who stutters, he recently graduated from the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT), he aspires to tell stories through the medium of movies, television, and documentaries. He has been a person who stutters for his whole life, he has been a part of SAY: the Stuttering Association for the Young, and has a published book called “My Stuttering Wish” which he got from SAY’s paperback project, and is now a member of the Young Adult Advisory Committee.
Strategy and Operations
Conor Trahar
PROJECT MANAGER
(he/him)
Conor is a project professional living and working on the unceded and traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) First Nations. Before joining the SPACE team, Conor obtained a Bachelor of Arts in History from UBC and went on to work as the Operations Coordinator in the Department of Sociology. In his free time, he enjoys swimming, hiking, and watching hockey…despite being a Canucks fan.
(he/him)
Conor is a project professional living and working on the unceded and traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) First Nations. Before joining the SPACE team, Conor obtained a Bachelor of Arts in History from UBC and went on to work as the Operations Coordinator in the Department of Sociology. In his free time, he enjoys swimming, hiking, and watching hockey…despite being a Canucks fan.
Aidan Sank
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
CO-FOUNDER
(he/him)
Aidan is the Executive Director and co-Founder of SPACE. As an enthusiastic ally of the stuttering community for over a decade, Aidan is particularly passionate about the intersections between stuttering and the arts. After working professionally as an actor and arts educator for many years in NYC, he found his true purpose through his time at SAY: The Stuttering Association for The Young. There he served as Artistic Director of Confident Voices, working with hundreds of extraordinary young people who stutter, and many exceptional artist educators.
Interacting with the stuttering community has permanently shaped the way that Aidan sees the world. He will be forever grateful for the lessons in vulnerability, communication and listening that he has learned from so many exceptional people who stutter - many of whom he has had the pleasure of collaborating with to develop SPACE. This is truly his dream job.
A native of Vancouver, Canada, Aidan is a lover of plants, birds and the Pacific Ocean. He can often be found grinning in the rain or marveling at the way a hummingbird sticks out its tongue. He loves spending time reading, hanging out with his family and learning new things about stuttering.
CO-FOUNDER
(he/him)
Aidan is the Executive Director and co-Founder of SPACE. As an enthusiastic ally of the stuttering community for over a decade, Aidan is particularly passionate about the intersections between stuttering and the arts. After working professionally as an actor and arts educator for many years in NYC, he found his true purpose through his time at SAY: The Stuttering Association for The Young. There he served as Artistic Director of Confident Voices, working with hundreds of extraordinary young people who stutter, and many exceptional artist educators.
Interacting with the stuttering community has permanently shaped the way that Aidan sees the world. He will be forever grateful for the lessons in vulnerability, communication and listening that he has learned from so many exceptional people who stutter - many of whom he has had the pleasure of collaborating with to develop SPACE. This is truly his dream job.
A native of Vancouver, Canada, Aidan is a lover of plants, birds and the Pacific Ocean. He can often be found grinning in the rain or marveling at the way a hummingbird sticks out its tongue. He loves spending time reading, hanging out with his family and learning new things about stuttering.
Julia Kerrigan
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SPACE COMMUNITY & ARTS
Tess Casher
DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE
Tess Casher is a person who stutters and is currently pursuing a PhD in English at the University of Alberta. Her path has continually flowed toward celebrating the joy of dysfluency. In high school at Pearson College UWC, she gave the TEDx talk “The Art of Stuttering”. She then wrote Sleuths in Skate (2023), a middle grade novel that provides dysfluency representation and promotes compassionate communication between fluent and dysfluent speakers during her undergraduate studies at Mount Allison University. Pursuing two master’s degrees in English at the University of Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar, Tess began putting together the puzzle pieces of her current research; exploring how depictions of stuttering by people who stutter can re-conceptualize the self-stutter-treatment relationship.
In between her studies, Tess is an avid packer (having moved eighteen times across three continents), writer, mountaineer, and jogger who aspires to one day call herself a runner.
Tess Casher is a person who stutters and is currently pursuing a PhD in English at the University of Alberta. Her path has continually flowed toward celebrating the joy of dysfluency. In high school at Pearson College UWC, she gave the TEDx talk “The Art of Stuttering”. She then wrote Sleuths in Skate (2023), a middle grade novel that provides dysfluency representation and promotes compassionate communication between fluent and dysfluent speakers during her undergraduate studies at Mount Allison University. Pursuing two master’s degrees in English at the University of Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar, Tess began putting together the puzzle pieces of her current research; exploring how depictions of stuttering by people who stutter can re-conceptualize the self-stutter-treatment relationship.
In between her studies, Tess is an avid packer (having moved eighteen times across three continents), writer, mountaineer, and jogger who aspires to one day call herself a runner.
Teaching Artists
Amanda Barkley
(she/her)
Amanda Barkley is a speech-language pathologist who works at Children’s Hospital Colorado and specializes in stuttering. She also supervises graduate students at University of Colorado Boulder as the co-director of the CO Speaks summer camp for teens who stutter and enjoys attending various events in the stuttering community. Amanda is passionate about working with people who stutter to promote confidence in communication and explore the intricacies of how stuttering impacts them. Amanda holds the Ally of Stuttering™ Seal from Spero Stuttering, Inc. She also has an extensive background in the performing arts, including vocal performance, acting, directing, and choreographing, as well as providing individual voice and acting lessons. Amanda enjoys integrating theatrical techniques into her practice as an SLP and is so excited and grateful to be involved in this wonderful intersection of the stuttering community and the arts through SPACE!
Amanda Barkley is a speech-language pathologist who works at Children’s Hospital Colorado and specializes in stuttering. She also supervises graduate students at University of Colorado Boulder as the co-director of the CO Speaks summer camp for teens who stutter and enjoys attending various events in the stuttering community. Amanda is passionate about working with people who stutter to promote confidence in communication and explore the intricacies of how stuttering impacts them. Amanda holds the Ally of Stuttering™ Seal from Spero Stuttering, Inc. She also has an extensive background in the performing arts, including vocal performance, acting, directing, and choreographing, as well as providing individual voice and acting lessons. Amanda enjoys integrating theatrical techniques into her practice as an SLP and is so excited and grateful to be involved in this wonderful intersection of the stuttering community and the arts through SPACE!
Cris Blak
(he/him)
Cris is a writer, arts worker, educator, stuttering ally, and is excited to join the Board of Directors for SPACE as the Chair for Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA). His goal is to not only tell stories of the world we live in but actively work to make that world a safer, more equal place for those who find themselves underrepresented, or not represented at all.
A Houston-native, he always hopes to focus on community and finding ways to bring people together through the arts and the honest cultivation of important conversations. He knows that we all have a voice that has value and wants to make sure every voice is heard and valued. When he's not doing this, he can be found napping, snacking, writing, reading, taking walks, and talking to his friends and loved ones. With big dreams, big goals, and a big belief in the work SPACE is doing, Cris is ready to play a small part in making this world a little more accepting and willing to hear the voices and stories that may not usually have the chance to be heard.
Cris is a writer, arts worker, educator, stuttering ally, and is excited to join the Board of Directors for SPACE as the Chair for Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA). His goal is to not only tell stories of the world we live in but actively work to make that world a safer, more equal place for those who find themselves underrepresented, or not represented at all.
A Houston-native, he always hopes to focus on community and finding ways to bring people together through the arts and the honest cultivation of important conversations. He knows that we all have a voice that has value and wants to make sure every voice is heard and valued. When he's not doing this, he can be found napping, snacking, writing, reading, taking walks, and talking to his friends and loved ones. With big dreams, big goals, and a big belief in the work SPACE is doing, Cris is ready to play a small part in making this world a little more accepting and willing to hear the voices and stories that may not usually have the chance to be heard.
Lydia Brubaker
(she/her)
Lydia is an artist, musician, teacher, storyteller, and video editor from Indiana. She became passionate about stuttering representation in media while attending the University of Iowa Master's in Film Studies program, where she happened upon the NSA chapter of Iowa City! She wrote her thesis about the temporality of stuttering in a time-based medium like film, where often stuttered voices are interrupted for "comedic effect," instead arguing for an interruption of what Joshua St. Pierre calls "straight-masculine time" and embracing of the moment of stuttering as a "clearing," like JJJJerome Ellis writes. She hopes to go back to grad school eventually to obtain a PhD in Film Studies and Disability Studies and go on to teach at a university level about all things film, disability, and stuttering! Meeting other people who stutter and gathering in community with them truly changed Lydia's life for the better, and she loves that she gets to work with SPACE to extend that experience to so many people across the world!
In her free time, Lydia loves to make music, create short films with her friends, crochet, and play Minecraft. :)
Lydia is an artist, musician, teacher, storyteller, and video editor from Indiana. She became passionate about stuttering representation in media while attending the University of Iowa Master's in Film Studies program, where she happened upon the NSA chapter of Iowa City! She wrote her thesis about the temporality of stuttering in a time-based medium like film, where often stuttered voices are interrupted for "comedic effect," instead arguing for an interruption of what Joshua St. Pierre calls "straight-masculine time" and embracing of the moment of stuttering as a "clearing," like JJJJerome Ellis writes. She hopes to go back to grad school eventually to obtain a PhD in Film Studies and Disability Studies and go on to teach at a university level about all things film, disability, and stuttering! Meeting other people who stutter and gathering in community with them truly changed Lydia's life for the better, and she loves that she gets to work with SPACE to extend that experience to so many people across the world!
In her free time, Lydia loves to make music, create short films with her friends, crochet, and play Minecraft. :)
Liz Foster
(she/her)
Sandhya Kilambi
(she/her)
Sandhya is a musician, dancer and educator in New York City. She recently graduated from NYU with an undergraduate degree in Music Education, and is currently pursuing her graduate studies in Music Therapy back at NYU. She is passionate about working with children and sharing her love of the performing arts in educational and therapeutic settings, whether it be teaching preschool music classes, leading Bollywood dance workshops, or giving piano lessons.
Sandhya believes in the transformative power of the arts to impact communities of all backgrounds. Empowering youth who stutter is particularly meaningful work for her — she is thrilled to be a Teaching Artist with SPACE, supporting youth to embrace their authentic voices and explore their creativity!
Sandhya is a musician, dancer and educator in New York City. She recently graduated from NYU with an undergraduate degree in Music Education, and is currently pursuing her graduate studies in Music Therapy back at NYU. She is passionate about working with children and sharing her love of the performing arts in educational and therapeutic settings, whether it be teaching preschool music classes, leading Bollywood dance workshops, or giving piano lessons.
Sandhya believes in the transformative power of the arts to impact communities of all backgrounds. Empowering youth who stutter is particularly meaningful work for her — she is thrilled to be a Teaching Artist with SPACE, supporting youth to embrace their authentic voices and explore their creativity!
Donovan Lockett
(she/her)
Donovan Lockett is an actor-writer-educator who proudly hails from New Orleans but has made Philly her artistic home, where she splits her time performing both on-stage and on-screen. She is also a proud arts-based educator with 10+ years of experience who has worked on behalf of Arizona State University, Ohio State University, Ithaca College, Eastern University, Wilma Theater, Theatre Horizon, Arden Theatre Company, Philadelphia Young Playwrights, Kimmel Center, Stuttering Association for the Young, Lantern Theater Company, 1812 Productions, Music Theatre Philly, Walnut Street Theatre, and now, SPACE. She most values trauma-informed teaching practices, empowering BIPOC and marginalized communities, and being the cheerleader and hype woman to encourage people to be their favorite version of themselves. She is the co-founder of the alumni activist collective ICTA BIPOC and the co-creator of the podcast Black Light the Spotlight, which tackles representation and inclusion in the arts. Donovan received a BFA in Acting and a Minor in Writing from Ithaca College.
Donovan Lockett is an actor-writer-educator who proudly hails from New Orleans but has made Philly her artistic home, where she splits her time performing both on-stage and on-screen. She is also a proud arts-based educator with 10+ years of experience who has worked on behalf of Arizona State University, Ohio State University, Ithaca College, Eastern University, Wilma Theater, Theatre Horizon, Arden Theatre Company, Philadelphia Young Playwrights, Kimmel Center, Stuttering Association for the Young, Lantern Theater Company, 1812 Productions, Music Theatre Philly, Walnut Street Theatre, and now, SPACE. She most values trauma-informed teaching practices, empowering BIPOC and marginalized communities, and being the cheerleader and hype woman to encourage people to be their favorite version of themselves. She is the co-founder of the alumni activist collective ICTA BIPOC and the co-creator of the podcast Black Light the Spotlight, which tackles representation and inclusion in the arts. Donovan received a BFA in Acting and a Minor in Writing from Ithaca College.
Lauren McDowell
(she/her)
Lauren is an on-camera and voice actor with over a decade of acting experience. Since she was young, she has had a passion for storytelling and reflecting the human experience. Growing up in Des Moines, Iowa, she is a midwest girl through and through and will always greet you with a big smile. Lauren has been an arts educator and Teaching Artist since 2018, when she first started working in the stuttering community. Since then, she has gone on to serve as a Teaching Artist and Head Counselor at Camp SAY (Stuttering Association for the Young), as well as year-round programming for SAY. She has been involved with SPACE since the beginning and will continue to support the advocacy and outreach they do in any way she can.
Outside of the stuttering community and acting, Lauren is an empathetic person with a heart to serve. She volunteers her time through several non-profits, including fostering dogs and working with young children. Her greatest skill in life is listening deeply and remaining curious about other people and the world around her. In her free time, you can find her hanging out with her dog, Gizmo, or her cat, Chester, going on long hikes, and connecting with others. Lauren is honored to be a stuttering ally and eternally grateful for all that the stuttering community has provided her in life.
Lauren is an on-camera and voice actor with over a decade of acting experience. Since she was young, she has had a passion for storytelling and reflecting the human experience. Growing up in Des Moines, Iowa, she is a midwest girl through and through and will always greet you with a big smile. Lauren has been an arts educator and Teaching Artist since 2018, when she first started working in the stuttering community. Since then, she has gone on to serve as a Teaching Artist and Head Counselor at Camp SAY (Stuttering Association for the Young), as well as year-round programming for SAY. She has been involved with SPACE since the beginning and will continue to support the advocacy and outreach they do in any way she can.
Outside of the stuttering community and acting, Lauren is an empathetic person with a heart to serve. She volunteers her time through several non-profits, including fostering dogs and working with young children. Her greatest skill in life is listening deeply and remaining curious about other people and the world around her. In her free time, you can find her hanging out with her dog, Gizmo, or her cat, Chester, going on long hikes, and connecting with others. Lauren is honored to be a stuttering ally and eternally grateful for all that the stuttering community has provided her in life.
Shawn Christopher Lovell Nabors
Shawn Christopher Lovell Nabors is a Los Angeles based Actor, Writer, and Musician originally from Brooklyn, NY. He holds an MFA in Acting from The American Repertory Theater/Moscow Art Theatre Institute for Advanced Theater Training at Harvard University and a BFA in Acting from Syracuse University. Most recently, he starred as MOSES in the play PASS OVER at the Studio Theatre in DC. Currently, he is a California Creative Corps grant recipient, where he is developing his brand new play, “THE PEOPLE WITH THE TREES IN THEIR CHEST”, in partnership with non-profit organization, Grand Vision Foundation. He’s earned other grants, fellowships, and developmental workshops and readings from institutions such as The Liberation Theatre Company, The Fire This Time Festival, Atlantic Theatre Company and The Garry Marshall Theatre. Writing blesses him with a sense of agency and he hopes to create spaces for overlooked and under-heard voices to be amplified and represented at the forefront of mainstream media.
Ryan Pater
(he/him)
Ryan Pater is an educator, clown, and theater maker based in Brooklyn, New York. He performs and co-hosts a regular clown show in NYC called the Idiot's Hour and teaches devising workshops with his company Write Foot Workshop.
Ryan Pater is an educator, clown, and theater maker based in Brooklyn, New York. He performs and co-hosts a regular clown show in NYC called the Idiot's Hour and teaches devising workshops with his company Write Foot Workshop.
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