Splash of Magic

Diane is an 8-year-old Black girl who is scared to go in the pool without something to keep her afloat. When she discovers her Black Girl Magic, she realizes she can conquer any fear as long as she believes in the magic that lives inside her.

Splash of Magic was written by Chicago playwright Lori Taylor and is directed by Kayla V. White and Aria Caldwell.

Biographies

Lori Taylor

Lori Taylor [she, her] (Playwright) is honored to return to Ghostlight for the second year in a row with her play, Splash of Magic. Her new chat fiction, Best Friends, will be featured on the upcoming Ttom App. Former productions include: Asherella (Ghostlight) and Grand’s Great Plan (University of Missouri-Columbia). Lori holds a Bachelor of Journalism degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia and a Juris Doctor degree from Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law. Lori would like to thank her family and friends for all of their love and continued support.

Kayla V. White

Kayla V. White (Co-Director) was born in Detroit, grew up in Phoenix, but finally feels at home here in Chicago. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in music theatre from Illinois Wesleyan University, and has since been performing, directing, choreographing and teaching dance/theatre/yoga in the Chicago area.

One of her favorite projects born out of quarantine and the racial unrest in America is directing a play festival centering Black Writers and Actors. When she isn't creating theatre, she can be found teaching accessible yoga (200hr RYT), reading everything from bad romance novels to psychology textbooks, and cooking/ baking/ eating vegan foods.

Previous credits include: Samira (u/s Thirst; Strawdog Theatre) Cat ((Un)Seen: A Phantasmagorical Story of Tangled Minds; Clock Productions), Nedda (Last Laugh; Clock Productions), Advisors (The Princess Without Pots; Ghostlight Ensemble), Ophelia (here comes the tide, there goes the girl; Hairpin Arts) and Chief (Princess and the Pea; Missoula Children’s Theatre).

Aria Caldwell

Aria Caldwell (Co-Director/Diane) is super thrilled to be working with Ghostlight Ensemble again! She was seen most recently here in Convent of Pleasure. Having acted in several virtual performances over the past year, Aria is excited to step into a new role as a director to keep bringing theatre to people safely in their homes! Shout out to Kayla for being such a supportive co-director, and to my cat, Bandit, for keeping our co-working space so tidy.