Nana Dakin นานา เดกิ้น (she/her) (Director) is a queer Thai American director of new work, classics and devised performance based in NYC. Her work pursues social equity by examining the way culture is constructed and unsettling dormant biases. She is the first Thai theatre director to direct at the Royal Court Theatre in London and was the Associate Director for 4-time Tony-nominated play "Mary Jane” on Broadway, including Best Direction. In NYC her work has been presented and developed at Ars Nova, Atlantic Theater Company, The Civilians, Clubbed Thumb, Ensemble Studio Theatre, Ma-Yi Theater Company, The Mercury Store, New York Theatre Workshop, Pan Asian Repertory Theatre, Soho Rep and more. Recent regional productions include: “The Chinese Lady” (Everyman Theatre), “Again” (Theater Mu), “Eurydice” (American Shakespeare Company). Nana is a core member of B-Floor Theatre, Thailand’s most highly awarded theatre company, and of Superhero Clubhouse, an interdisciplinary collective creating theater for climate justice. She is the Board President of the Thai Theatre Foundation and has taught directing, devising and creative movement workshops in Thailand, the U.K and the U.S. Nana has an MFA in Theatre Directing from Columbia University and currently teaches for Randolph College's MFA in Theatre program. www.nanadakin.com

Keerati Jinakunwiphat (she/her) (Grit Grin Choreographer) is a choreographer, dance artist, and teacher. Born in Chicago IL, Keerati received her BFA from the Conservatory of Dance at SUNY Purchase and was a recipient of the Adopt-A-Dancer Scholarship. She has additionally studied at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts, San Francisco Conservatory of Dance, and Springboard Danse Montreal. She has worked with and performed works of artists such as Kyle Abraham, Nicole von Arx, Trisha Brown, Jasmine Ellis, Hannah Garner, Shannon Gillen, Paul Singh, Kevin Wynn, Doug Varone and more. Keerati joined A.I.M. by Kyle Abraham in 2016 and performed and collaborated with the company for seven seasons. Keerati has presented her own choreographic works at the Joyce Theater, New Victory Theater, MASS MoCA, Lincoln Center, Chelsea Factory and more. She has been commissioned to set and create works on A.I.M. by Kyle Abraham, New York Choreographic Institute, Houston Contemporary Dance Company, Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company, Bang On A Can, Princeton University, Whim W’him Seattle Contemporary Dance, Rutgers University, Fire Island Dance Festival, and many more. Keerati has graced the cover as one of Dance Magazine’s ‘25 to Watch’ in 2021. In 2023, she had the honor of becoming the first Asian American woman to be commissioned to choreograph for the New York City Ballet. Additionally, Keerati has been awarded with the Jadin Wong Fellowship Artist of Exceptional Merit by the Asian American Arts Alliance and is a 2023 Princess Grace Award Winner in Choreography. In 2024, Keerati was an Artist in Residency at the Baryshnikov Arts Center. www.keeratijinakunwiphat.com

Pornchanok [Nok] Kanchanabanca (she/her) (Grit Grin Sound Designer) is a Thai artist, sound designer, musician and composer. Recent productions include "Joe Turner’s Come and Gone," "Gem of the Ocean," "A Christmas Carol" (Goodman Theatre), "Richard III" (Chicago Shakespeare), "POTUS" (Steppenwolf), "The Three Musketeers" (OSF), "Winter’s Tale" (Hartford Stage). Nok has worked with theatre companies across the United States including Lincoln Center, Rattlestick, Geva Theatre, Actors Theatre, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Everyman Theatre, and Montana Shakespeare in the Park, among many others. She has also collaborated with performing groups and theatre companies in Thailand since 2008. Nok graduated from School of Drama at Yale and is a member of the TSDCA, USA Local 829. www.wishnok-music.com

Michi Zaya (any pronoun) (Grit Grin Projection Designer) is a Mongolian American storyteller of all trades, based in Brooklyn. Michi’s work can be seen on stage as a performer/actor, projections designer, and director. Her primary interests are in experimentally bold and vulnerable stories. Recent and upcoming collaborations include: Paradise Factory Theatre, The Public Theater and Brooklyn College, Playwrights Horizons and Breaking the Binary Theatre, CHUANG Stage and The Theater Offensive (Boston), Epic Theatre Ensemble, Columbia University, The New School, Queens College, Hunter College, NYU Tisch, and many wonderful artists in their community of LQBTQ+, immigrant or international, and brave humans. Michi has a precious black cat named Hobie, he is Michi’s whole world. www.michizaya.com

Panit [Nice] Chantranuluck (she/her) (Grit Grin Costume Designer) is a costume designer full of imagination. Previous work includes: “Peter Pan,” “Silence/ Night,” “A Christmas Carol," "Murder Mystery Night” (South London Theatre), “Pirates of Penzance” (UK), “L-O-V-E,” “The Little Mermaid,” “Not Yet” (Bangkok Theatre Festival). Panit also has a variety of Wardrobe credits on Broadway: “Life of Pi,” “Back to the Future,” “Boop! The Musical,” “The Rockettes Christmas Spectacular” and on the West End: “Life of Pi” and “To Kill a Mockingbird.” She is very happy and excited to design for “Grit Grin.” 

Ann Chunharakchote (she/her) (Chef May & Bam Playwright) is a NY-based comedian and writer from Thailand. Her solo show, "Asian Divorce," made its international debut at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe to positive reviews. The show’s crowdfunding campaign received contributions from Jason Reitman and Ronny Chieng. Ann was invited to participate in The Thousand Miles Project, a UCP TV writing incubator program led by Soo Hugh (Pachinko). She is a 2025 ATX TV Pitch Competition and Pitch Lab participant with her one hour thriller comedy, The Killer of Your Dreams. Ann is thrilled to make her playwriting debut with "Chef May & Bam." www.annchun.com

Yang Yu (she/her) (Lighting Designer) is a New York based lighting designer for the performing arts. She is interested in using light, space, and timing to create an emotionally charged environment, as well as visualizing music. Recent credits include "Cracked Open" (Theater Row), "Souvenir" (Pioneer Theater Company), "Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill" (Crossroads Theatre Company), "The Lydian Gale Parr" (The Tank), "Unresolved Rage Game" (Soho Rep Writer Director Lab), "Good Luck in Space" (Manhattan School of Music), "Lewberger and the Wizard of Friendship" (Theater Row). Publications: Collected Light Volume Three: Women in Entertainment Lighting. MFA from Brooklyn College. www.yangyudesign.com

Olivia Kurima (she/her) (Stage Manager) is a queer, Japanese-American stage manager from Houston, Texas. A recent graduate from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA), she is excited to be back working with Nana Dakin in NYC. She is passionate about telling diverse stories that uplift underrepresented groups in the theatrical industry, particularly stories that center around the Asian American experience. Select credits include: "I Have Loved Strangers" (Atlantic Acting School), "Tipi Tales From the Stoop" (La Mama/Safe Harbors NYC), "Slaylem: The Witch Trials" (Heartbeat Opera), "Mammelephant" (Superhero Clubhouse), "As You Like It" (UNCSA), "Passage" (UNCSA).

Pacharakamol [Pacha] Chantri (she/her) (Chef May) began her acting journey studying Dramatic Arts at Chulalongkorn University, then continued her training at HB Studio in New York. She later earned an MA in Theatre from Hunter College. These days, Pacha wears many hats—she’s the secretary of the Thai Theatre Foundation, a full-time mom, and an artist at heart. Recent work includes Thai Theatre Showcases (2022, 2024) and "A Sisyphean Dream" at Pan Asian Rep’s NuWorks 2023. She’s grateful for the chance to collaborate with Nana and the wonderful Thai artists in this process, and to portray Chef May in this new play. When she’s not on stage, you’ll find her exploring the world with her kids or happily painting away.

Heen Sasithorn (she/her) (Chef Bam) is an actor/director based in NYC and Thailand. She has been featured in Thai commercials, television shows, theatrical productions, and feature films such as, "Jan Dara", "Taloompuk", “The Island Funeral”, “The Stranded” (Netflix). Recent theatre credits include "A Sisyphean Dream” (Pan Asian Rep),  and “Stupid F*cking Bird” (LTV Studios). Heen received her MFA in acting from The Actors Studio Drama School in New York. Heen is proud to be a part of "Chef May & Bam" among other talented Thai artists.

E.P. Slattery (they/them) (Golf) is a Thai/American student and artist based in NYC. Their body of work includes writing, music composition, stage management, new media production and more. E.P. loves working on projects which explore the intersection of their Queer and Asian identity. They thank Yangtze Repertory Theatre and the NYC Thai theatre community for this opportunity. Past projects include: ‘Peonies (Don’t Leave)’ by Chloe Selavka (SM), ‘Elements; a genre bending war play featuring famous faces and Gwyneth Paltrow’ by Spencer Senzon (As Sam), ‘The Variety Show’ By Boubakar Djombana (Producer), ‘Synonyms for Goodbye’ by Chloe Selavka (SM)

Chacha Tahng (she/they) (Grit Grin Dancer / Gigi) is a Thai-American actor and writer from the SF Bay Area, based in NYC. Recent credits: "This is Not A True Story" (Artists at Play/Latino Theatre Company), "The Hunting of the Snark" (FutureHome Productions), and the upcoming feature film, "Song Sung Blue." CalArts BFA Acting. www.chachatahng.com

Supatchaya [Jazz] Newsum (she/her) (Grit Grin Dancer / Joh / Khun Chalita) is so JAZZED to be a part of "Grit Grin" and "Chef May & Bam"! Originally from Thailand, she now resides in NYC. Most recently she was seen as the lead in a romantic short film "Love Language" and you can come see her with the NAAP Broadway Community Chorus every month at Hotel Edison. Previous credits: "Infernal the Musical," "Maya The Musical," "Love and Baseball," "She has a Name," "Midsummer v.2020," "Cabaret, Reefer Madness," "The Music Man." Jazz would like to thank Ben Newsum for his love, understanding and support!

Panit [Nice] Chantranuluck (she/her) (Grit Grin Dancer / Joe / Alex Wymondham) is overjoyed to be part of this journey and community. Previous credits: "Big Hunks O‘ Burnin‘ Love" (Roundabout theater Company), "Braata Off-Broadway Concert" (New Ohio Theater), "Cinderella Adaptation" (Broadway Advocacy), "Peter Pan" (South London Theatre), "Madeleine" (Surrey Opera UK), "Les Miserable," "Rent" (Yes Academy Thailand), "Balm in Gilead/ The Rimers of Eldritch" (HB Playwright Theater) Love and gratitude to my family and friends all over the world.

Sy Chounchaisit (she/they) (Stage Directions) is a proud queer immigrant performer/ photographer/ dog mom from Bangkok, currently residing in Brooklyn, NY. Select credits: Maid/Michael in "Summer: The Donna Summer Musical" (National Tour), Ensemble u/s PMS in "Legally Blonde" (National Tour), Ensemble u/s Lizzie in "Baby" (Off-Broadway), Gigi / Dance Captain in "Miss Saigon" (WPPAC), Lisa u/s Sophie in "Mamma Mia" (Bucks County), Purity in "Anything Goes" (Goodspeed), Vendor in "Tiananmen" (Phoenix Theater), Ensemble in "Aida" (Stages St. Louis), Ensemble in "A Christmas Story" (Goodspeed, Engeman), Ensemble in "Mamma Mia" (Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines). Big thanks to Joe and Dave from Daniel Hoff Agency. www.sy-chounchaisit.com. Instagram: @syasac