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Fish: Ancient Asian, Jewish and Native American Cultural Symbol of Abundance

Abundant’s Amazing Creative Team

Maitri River Productions has assembled an impressive team of creative experts from across the country to collaborate on the stage performance CrowdSource for Life and the documentary film, Abundant.
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Donald Griswold, Executive Producer & Director

Donald has lived in the Dallas, Texas area most of his life. He graduated from the University of North Texas with a Bachelor of Arts in Radio, Television and Film, specializing in film writing. Since 1998, Donald has owned Dog Star Media, a boutique content marketing company with a national clientele of high-end small businesses. Professionally, Donald has written and directed narrative, comedic and marketing scripts for video and audio. Donald experience includes writing, directing, and producing a wide range of video productions ranging from full-length DVD concepts to television commercials. He also has ghost written a memoir for a notable figure in the field of engineering. Donald writes works of fiction and non-fiction, and he published his first novel, Dying Light in 2017. Giving is one of the main themes of Dying Light and, in researching the novel, Donald learned about the world of living organ donation. Inspired by his readers’ comments, Donald chose to explore the realities of living kidney donation further through documentary film. In 2018, Donald opened Maitri River Productions, a non-fiction media production business to make media that inspires social change. The documentary projects that grew out of the response to Dying Light include CrowdSource for Life and Abundant. Donald is the executive producer, writer, and creative force behind these productions. Maitri River Productions has several productions in development that address topics such as institutional racism, progressive movements, and social equity. As a storyteller, Donald has appeared in Oral Fixation, the critically acclaimed Dallas-based storytelling show. In 2015, his story for the show Push the Envelope was voted by the public as Best in Show, and he performed the story in the annual Best of Season show. Donald has also produced Word of Mouth, a live storytelling series that hosted shows in Dallas and Atlanta. Donald and some of his long-time friends sometimes perform as a band around Dallas as Driver 8. Donald manages the band, plays guitar, and sings lead vocals. Donald is a long-time supporter of the arts in Dallas. He supports museums, local artists, and live performance, especially ShakespeareDallas. Donald frequently visits the best Dallas-area music venues to support local musicians and live performance.

Learn more about Donald at DonaldGriswold.com.

Donald Griswold, Executive Producer & Director

Donald has lived in the Dallas, Texas area most of his life. He graduated from the University of North Texas with a Bachelor of Arts in Radio, Television and Film, specializing in film writing. Since 1998, Donald has owned Dog Star Media, a boutique content marketing company with a national clientele of high-end small businesses. Professionally, Donald has written and directed narrative, comedic and marketing scripts for video and audio. Donald experience includes writing, directing, and producing a wide range of video productions ranging from full-length DVD concepts to television commercials. He also has ghost written a memoir for a notable figure in the field of engineering. Donald writes works of fiction and non-fiction, and he published his first novel, Dying Light in 2017. Giving is one of the main themes of Dying Light and, in researching the novel, Donald learned about the world of living organ donation. Inspired by his readers’ comments, Donald chose to explore the realities of living kidney donation further through documentary film. In 2018, Donald opened Maitri River Productions, a non-fiction media production business to make media that inspires social change. The documentary projects that grew out of the response to Dying Light include CrowdSource for Life and Abundant. Donald is the executive producer, writer, and creative force behind these productions. Maitri River Productions has several productions in development that address topics such as institutional racism, progressive movements, and social equity. As a storyteller, Donald has appeared in Oral Fixation, the critically acclaimed Dallas-based storytelling show. In 2015, his story for the show Push the Envelope was voted by the public as Best in Show, and he performed the story in the annual Best of Season show. Donald has also produced Word of Mouth, a live storytelling series that hosted shows in Dallas and Atlanta. Donald and some of his long-time friends sometimes perform as a band around Dallas as Driver 8. Donald manages the band, plays guitar, and sings lead vocals. Donald is a long-time supporter of the arts in Dallas. He supports museums, local artists, and live performance, especially ShakespeareDallas. Donald frequently visits the best Dallas-area music venues to support local musicians and live performance.

Learn more about Donald at DonaldGriswold.com.
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Laurie Lee, Producer & Content Consultant

A Chicago area native, Laurie Lee donated her kidney to a stranger as a non-directed donor in 2016 at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago, sparking a 6-person kidney chain. She was compelled to become a donor after her father, Dan Dickinson, received a lifesaving liver transplant from a deceased donor in 2011. Laurie felt passionate about giving back through kidney donation to a system that ultimately saved her father’s life. For a decade, Laurie has been at the forefront of several advocacy initiatives, promoting living donation and helping families in need of a lifesaving transplant. Laurie is a founding member of Transplant Village NFP, a group united in their mission to support the future of organ transplantation at Northwestern Medicine. She facilitates a monthly workshop at Northwestern called the Donor Champion Program which teaches kidney and liver patients and their families strategies to attract a living donor. One of Laurie’s favorite things about being a living donor is getting to meet and spend time with other living donors. She is on the board of the National Kidney Donation Organization (NKDO), the world’s largest living donor advocacy organization. This community of donors is extremely important to Laurie and she is grateful to be part of such a tight knit group of living donors. Laurie says it’s ”the best club she has ever had the privilege to be a part of!” Since joining Maitri River Productions as Producer and Content Expert for CrowdSource for Life and Abundant, Laurie launched a podcast called Donor Diaries. The podcast first aired in 2021 and has educated and entertained thousands of listeners by providing a 360-degree view of information about living organ donation. Over the course of the podcast’s first two seasons, she has tracked the entire donor experience and covered a wide range of topics with an impressive guest list of transplant industry experts. Laurie recently co-created an organization named GiftWorks with partner, Amber Khan. GiftWorks is a robust program that supports both patients and donors. The GiftWorks program has three pillars: education, patient support, and living donor advocacy. Each pillar is designed to serve both transplant recipients and living donor candidates. GiftWorks operates with the philosophy that living donation works best when both the recipient and the donor feel equally supported, empowered, and part of an amazing exchange that is both lifesaving and beautiful.  In 2023, the GiftWorks team piloted their program at the University of Utah Health.  Due to the success of the pilot, Laurie and the GiftWorks team are now contracted to support donors at recipients at UUH for years to come, with the goal of expanding their services to support patients and donors at additional transplant centers.

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Wyatt Cagle, Director of Photography

Wyatt Cagle is an award-winning editor, cinematographer, and director. Wyatt has completed several multi-award-winning independent film projects, television series, and advertising campaigns including the development of the Team Baby Entertainment (TBE), developing and directing the popular PBS show Profiles with Greg Scheinman and the establishment of his own production company, CGL Studios and since has completed several multi-award-winning independent film projects including a historical film, The Example that is currently distributed on Amazon Prime Video. Starting in the film and TV production business in 1999, Wyatt has been over all the world, developing his craft, contacts, and business models for the evolving video production market. As a novice, Wyatt was hired as a camera operator on a new series for Travel Channel Europe, Underground, providing a unique opportunity to work in Europe. Returning as a veteran, he drove into the world of large-scale commercial production and feature film production with companies like POV, Inc. of Houston and Somnio Solutions out of Austin. Wyatt currently serves as CEO of South Coast Media Services with long-time collaborators Michael Bell and Bill Brauer after acquiring the business in 2019.

Wyatt Cagle, Director of Photography

Wyatt Cagle is an award-winning editor, cinematographer, and director. Wyatt has completed several multi-award-winning independent film projects, television series, and advertising campaigns including the development of the Team Baby Entertainment (TBE), developing and directing the popular PBS show Profiles with Greg Scheinman and the establishment of his own production company, CGL Studios and since has completed several multi-award-winning independent film projects including a historical film, The Example that is currently distributed on Amazon Prime Video. Starting in the film and TV production business in 1999, Wyatt has been over all the world, developing his craft, contacts, and business models for the evolving video production market. As a novice, Wyatt was hired as a camera operator on a new series for Travel Channel Europe, Underground, providing a unique opportunity to work in Europe. Returning as a veteran, he drove into the world of large-scale commercial production and feature film production with companies like POV, Inc. of Houston and Somnio Solutions out of Austin. Wyatt currently serves as CEO of South Coast Media Services with long-time collaborators Michael Bell and Bill Brauer after acquiring the business in 2019.

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Avery-Jai Andrews, Stage Producer

Avery-Jai Andrews (she/her) is a classically trained dance artist, now non-profit executive-slash-entrepreneur based in Dallas, Texas. She graduated from NYU Tisch School of the Arts and freelanced in Israel, Germany, and Italy. She returned to her hometown with a mission to create an “artists’ kibbutz,” a community that empowers, supports, and funds individuals to build their livelihood as arts workers. Through her work as the Interim Executive Director at Arts Mission Oak Cliff (AMOC), Avery-Jai manages the operations and programming of the community arts center and performance venue. She is also the Founder and visionary of Agora Artists, a grassroots 501(c)(3) that provides resources and professional development opportunities for freelance dance artists. Additionally, as a proud graduate of Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (BTWHSPVA), Avery-Jai is a consultant for the Advisory Board and leads the initiative to build the official alumni association. Avery-Jai is a fierce advocate for the local arts and is eager to see and experience Dallas as a thriving arts community.

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South Coast Media, Film Production

A diverse production team from South Coast Media will produce Abundant. South Coast has created media in the Southwest for the decades because it had integrity. Based in Houston, Texas, South Coast has a national reputation for quality craftsmanship and production. Wyatt Cagle currently serves as CEO of South Coast Media Services with long-time collaborators Michael Bell and Bill Brauer after acquiring the business in 2019. As CEO, Wyatt helps to drive South Coast forward to cut technology and creativity in all aspects of video production. Onset, Wyatt fills the role of Director and Cinematographer (Director of Photography) for many of South Coast’s productions. Ensuring the vision and needs of South Coast’s clients are met.

www.southcoastfilmvideo.com

Statement on Diversity

South Coast Media, Film Production

A diverse production team from South Coast Media will produce Abundant. South Coast has created media in the Southwest for the decades because it had integrity. Based in Houston, Texas, South Coast has a national reputation for quality craftsmanship and production. Wyatt Cagle currently serves as CEO of South Coast Media Services with long-time collaborators Michael Bell and Bill Brauer after acquiring the business in 2019. As CEO, Wyatt helps to drive South Coast forward to cut technology and creativity in all aspects of video production. Onset, Wyatt fills the role of Director and Cinematographer (Director of Photography) for many of South Coast’s productions. Ensuring the vision and needs of South Coast’s clients are met.

www.southcoastfilmvideo.com

Statement on Diversity
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2nd Story, Story Editors & Performance Coaches

CrowdSource for Life’s cast of living kidney donors will perform their stories in a live, staged storytelling format. Chicago’s 2nd Story has joined our production team to help our storytellers develop and stage the strongest, most resonant telling of their stories through workshop and individual coaching. With core values of inclusion, craft and courage, 2nd Story is a perfect fit for our creative team.

https://www.2ndstory.com/
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Joshua King, Set & Lighting Design

The stunning visual talents of Joshua King‘s That They May Studios enhances CrowdSource for Life’s production value with a lighting sculpture created in collaboration with renowned Lighting Designer Amanda West.  Amanda’s work is regularly featured at Dallas Theater Center, Theatre Three and Uptown Players

Joshua King’s belief in cultivating tomorrows culture lead him to being one of the founders and Executive Director of AURORA; an art, technology and community-based organization that expands the future of art through the creative possibilities within ourselves and each other. With the success of Aurora, the culture of North Texas is rapidly emerging to new international heights. Since 2010, AURORA and King’s work, have exhibited 480 artists on more than 270 acres of public land, bringing more than 200,000 in attendance. King's personal art work is known for re-defining form and purpose. Giving a new intensity and expression to post-industrials objects that are grounded within our relationships to life. With influences from Christian Boltanski, Michael Heizer and Tom Friedman, King’s artwork challenges the viewer to pay attention, ask the childhood question of ‘why’ and to explore outside the traditional cultural landscapes

Joshua King, Set & Lighting Design

The stunning visual talents of Joshua King’s JTK Studios will enhance CrowdSource for Life’s production value as he puts his singular touch on the staging and lighting. Joshua King’s belief in cultivating tomorrows culture lead him to being one of the founders and Executive Director of AURORA; an art, technology and community-based organization that expands the future of art through the creative possibilities within ourselves and each other. With the success of Aurora, the culture of North Texas is rapidly emerging to new international heights. Since 2010, AURORA and King’s work, has exhibited 480 artists on more than 270 acres of public land bring more than 200,000 in attendance. King's personal art work is known for re-defining form and purpose. Giving a new intensity and expression to post-industrials objects that are grounded within our relationships to life. With influences from Christian Boltanski, Michael Heizer and Tom Friedman, King’s artwork challenges the viewer to pay attention, ask the childhood question of ‘why’ and to explore outside the traditional cultural landscapes
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Brittany Padilla, Sound Designer

Brittany Padilla is a music performer, composer, and producer residing in Denton, TX. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music from the University of North Texas and a Masters of Education in Instructional Design and Technology from West Texas A&M University. She began her experience and career as a dance musician during her time at UNT and is currently the staff dance accompanist and composer at Texas Woman’s University. She performs and composes in collaboration with local dance companies and individual artists around the United States for various dance workshops and festivals as well as colleges and universities across DFW. As a multi-instrumentalist, she plays and records an array of acoustic and digital instruments with emphasis on percussion and voice. Brittany works with Ableton Live, a software for producing music and is a certified Ableton Specialist.

Visit here for more on Brittany’s music queenbritmusic.com
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Hal Karp, Storytelling Consultant

An accomplished storyteller and communicator, Hal’s work in journalism has spanned the spectrum, from parenting and public health to true-life adventure and business. His Reader’s Digest article on the dangerous misuse of child safety seats broke open not just a national story, but the discovery of an international problem. Reprinted in 19 languages, his article spurred changes to state, national, and international laws. His Family Circle article about a high school built atop a toxic waste dump left behind by the U.S. Army (resulting in graduates dying with unexpected cancers) was nominated for a National Magazine Award and led to the final shuttering of the school. And for his piece on eating disorders, he was given the “Star of Hope” award from one of the nation’s leading advocacy groups. His work has also appeared in Parents, American Way, D Magazine, and Black Enterprise. Hal also broke the amazing crime story that eventually became the 2016 documentary that was in the running for an Academy Award nomination.

Hal Karp, Storytelling Consultant

An accomplished storyteller and communicator, Hal’s work in journalism has spanned the spectrum, from parenting and public health to true-life adventure and business. His Reader’s Digest article on the dangerous misuse of child safety seats broke open not just a national story, but the discovery of an international problem. Reprinted in 19 languages, his article spurred changes to state, national, and international laws. His Family Circle article about a high school built atop a toxic waste dump left behind by the U.S. Army (resulting in graduates dying with unexpected cancers) was nominated for a National Magazine Award and led to the final shuttering of the school. And for his piece on eating disorders, he was given the “Star of Hope” award from one of the nation’s leading advocacy groups. His work has also appeared in Parents, American Way, D Magazine, and Black Enterprise. Hal also broke the amazing crime story that eventually became the 2016 documentary that was in the running for an Academy Award nomination.
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Jenny Dang, Stage Manager

Jenny Dang (She/Her) is a Dallas native and a DFW based Stage Manager and is excited to be a part of CrowdSource for Life. She graduated from Texas State University with a BFA in Theatre concentration in Stage Management. Jenny started her career in Stage Management and then discovered Production Management (The Hangar Theatre) and General Management (Dallas Theater Center). Jenny believes the experience has made her a better stage manager, collaborator, and overall a better advocate for creatives. SM Credits: Watering Hole Collective - Spring Awakening (PSM) Lyric Stage - The Rocky Horror Show (ASM), Cabaret (ASM), A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum (ASM), Ragtime(ASM). Constellation Immersive: Elf on The Shelf Immersive Holiday Experience (ASM). 
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Libby Bennett, Wardrobe and Style

Style consultant Libby Bennett will lead a team of hair, make-up and wardrobe professionals working with our cast of storytellers. The CrowdSource for Life style team work will add the final touch to our cast’s stage- and camera-readiness on the night of the big show.

https://newensemble.style

Libby Bennett, Wardrobe and Style

Style consultant Libby Bennett will lead a team of hair, make-up and wardrobe professionals working with our cast of storytellers. The CrowdSource for Life style team work will add the final touch to our cast’s stage- and camera-readiness on the night of the big show.

https://newensemble.style
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Rene Rivera, Photographer

Rene Rivera is an accomplished photojournalist specializing in live performance photography. Combining his passions for photography, music, travel and family, Rene captures the energy and emotion of live rock show performances for Jam Magazine. Rene is a native Texas who boldly admits his happy place is a concert photo pit.

https://www.instagram.com/the.rene.rivera/
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Teddy Georgia Waggy, Ensemble Wardrobe Designer

Teddy Georgia Waggy is a fashion designer and musical artist, a snack of all trades and a master of fun. When she’s not busy making outfits for popstars, writing smash hits with her platonic lover Sudie, or composing music for film with her regular-style friend Alex Bhore, she can be found dancing alone in front of a mirror or nestled in a pile of cracker crumbs in her bed.

Teddy Georgia Waggy, Ensemble Wardrobe Designer

Teddy Georgia Waggy is a fashion designer and musical artist, a snack of all trades and a master of fun. When she’s not busy making outfits for popstars, writing smash hits with her platonic lover Sudie, or composing music for film with her regular-style friend Alex Bhore, she can be found dancing alone in front of a mirror or nestled in a pile of cracker crumbs in her bed.

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Rene Rivera, Photographer

Rene Rivera is an accomplished photojournalist specializing in live performance photography. Combining his passions for photography, music, travel and family, Rene captures the energy and emotion of live rock show performances for Jam Magazine. Rene is a native Texas who boldly admits his happy place is a concert photo pit.

https://www.instagram.com/the.rene.rivera/
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