Leslie Lewis Sword
Performer, Writer, and Co-Creator Website
Leslie made her New York debut as Dorothy Dandridge in a solo show at the National Black Theater of Harlem, under the
creative direction of Dr. Barbara Ann Teer.
Other credits include co-starring with Billy Zane in the short film Starving Hysterical Naked, a biopic
about the Beat Generation Writers. She graduated from Harvard University, and received her MFA in acting from UCLA's
Department of Theater. This year Leslie and her husband adopted two children from Rwanda, and she divides her time between their home
in Naples, Florida and NYC.
Edward Vilga
Director & Co-Creator Website
Edward Vilga directs and co-created MIRACLE IN RWANDA with Leslie Lewis Sword. Recent credits include
writing and directing the feature film DEAD BROKE (released by Warner Brothers DVD, starring Paul Sorvino, Jill
Hennessy, John Glover, Tony Roberts, and Justin Theroux). Vilga has had five books published, including a best-selling line
of books and DVDs about accessible yoga that have has been translated into seven languages. Mr. Vilga's history with the Ohio
Theater is highlighted by producing the Obie-Winning NYC premiere of Susan Miller's MY LEFT BREAST, along
with a dozen other plays. He is a Yale graduate.
Schele Williams
Director
Close to the Sun, Dramatist Guild NYC, The Man In My Head NYMTF, Piece NAMT, Emergence-See! The Public Theater (assistant
dir), Piece TheaterWorks Palo Alto Ben Vareen Concert Tour; Cam Jamsen 2005-2007 National
Tour (Dir/ Chor); Aida Ogunquit Playhouse ME, Piece. As an actress Schele was Seasons of Love Soloist in
Rent on Broadway and in the original cast of Disney's Aida as Nehebka and Aida
Standby.
Immaculée Ilibagiza Website
Immaculée is a remarkable and inspiring young woman. In 1994, her life was savagely and permanently disrupted during the
Rwanda Genocide that left over a million Rwandans dead. Her own family was brutally murdered during the three-month slaughter.
Miraculously, Immaculée managed to survive. For 91 days, she and seven other women huddled silently and cramped together
in an undiscovered extra bathroom in a local pastor's home. Her terror escalated as hundreds of machete-wielding killers searched
the house repeatedly for her without success, determined to find and butcher her.
During her confinement, Immaculée moved beyond intense fear and rage, to find a deeper connection to God than she ever
thought possible. Drawing from Immaculée's own accounts of this incredible journey, MIRACLE IN RWANDA
dramatizes the power of faith to guide one towards inner peace even in the most unendurable and unimaginable circumstances.
In 2006, Imaculée's book LEFT TO TELL debuted at #8 on the New York Times
Bestseller List. She is a sought-after speaker, often appearing with Wayne Dyer in his PBS specials. With her family,
she makes her home in New York City.
Carl Nelson Producer
Carl Nelson's expertise for creating synergies that reflect humanity and the arts is well-known in society and entertainment circles
the world over. From intimate book-signings to full-scale performances, he is known for producing quality events that have heart.
He has produced events nationally for The Southern Christian Leadership Council, The Congressional Black Caucus, The Dance
Theatre Of Harlem, The Hair Fashion Group Against Domestic Violence, and Lotus Music and Dance. For the
fifth year in a row, he is currently producing "Drums Along The Hudson," a Native American Festival
which attracts over 10,000 people in New York City. He is excited to be producing the play MIRACLE IN RWANDA which
is his first Off-Broadway venture.
FAISON FIREHOUSE
Production Partner Website
Faison Firehouse was founded by George Faison. A widely respected director, choreographer and author, George
Faison has the distinction of being the first African American choreographer to receive the coveted Tony award for The
WIZ, the most successful African American theatrical production in the history of the American theater. George Faison
has been a driving force in the theater as well as film, video, television, concert dance and concert staging for more than thirty
years. He has staged concert appearances and music videos for performers at the pinnacle of American popular music, including
ASHFORD & SIMPSON; NATALIE COLE; BETTY CARTER; EARTH, WIND & FIRE; GLADYS KNIGHT & THE PIPS; ROBERTA FLACK;
ARETHA FRANKLIN; STEPHANIE MILLS; MELBA MOORE; DIONNE WARWICK; CAMEO; GLENN JONES; AL B. SURE; TONY TERRY and
STEVIE WONDER, to name a few.
Tamer Hassan Associate Producer
Tamer is thrilled to be working on this project, as his first in the world of theatre production. He entered the film and theatre
industry a year ago, working on many NYC film projects, from major studio pictures to smaller independent films. Previous to this,
he produced the latest DVD in Edward Vilga�s instructional yoga series, YOGA FOR SUITS, which will be released
internationally this summer. Prior to theatre and film, he served as an officer and a pilot in the U.S. Air Force, including
multiple tours in Operation Iraqi Freedom. He is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy.
THE PRODUCTION:
Drawing from Leslie Lewis Sword's friendship with Immaculée, she and Edward Vilga developed this piece first through
workshopping it in New York City in the fall of 2006. The first full performance of MIRACLE IN RWANDA took
place on February 8, 2007 in Naples Florida, at TheatreZone (Artistic Director Mark Danni).
This production will travel to Edinburgh in August 2007. In addition, Stanford University has offered a full production this
November 1-3, including a lecture and panel discussion with Immaculée and the creative team.