“Heart Song” is a short film about the transformative power of the arts to heal and connect. Starring performers from Theatre by the Blind and Rex & Friends, "Heart Song" is a film about breaking down traditional barriers and, through the discovery of art, finding your way and a place to call home.
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ABOUT THE WRITER & DIRECTOR
Anthony L. Gilardi - Writer & Director
Anthony L. Gilardi is mostly known for his world-famous acting studio, Anthony Gilardi Acting Studio, which he founded in 2012. In 2015, he founded the non profit organization HIPPOLife. HIPPOLife’s mission statement is Healing Through the Arts. He made a name for himself as a director in theatre and transitioned to film and television shortly thereafter. His directing style is comparable to John Cassavetes, Martin Scorsese and Quentin Tarantino with both dark and light humor and fantastical elements. His films create social awareness and life lessons, “mixing the medicine in with the food” as he puts it. Anthony is very big on industry diversification which is apparent when hiring his crew and casting his actors. “I coach artists that are passionate and dedicated to their craft. The Future of Hollywood is right here, right now. It is time for storytellers to lead the next renaissance.”
Anthony L. Gilardi is mostly known for his world-famous acting studio, Anthony Gilardi Acting Studio, which he founded in 2012. In 2015, he founded the non profit organization HIPPOLife. HIPPOLife’s mission statement is Healing Through the Arts. He made a name for himself as a director in theatre and transitioned to film and television shortly thereafter. His directing style is comparable to John Cassavetes, Martin Scorsese and Quentin Tarantino with both dark and light humor and fantastical elements. His films create social awareness and life lessons, “mixing the medicine in with the food” as he puts it. Anthony is very big on industry diversification which is apparent when hiring his crew and casting his actors. “I coach artists that are passionate and dedicated to their craft. The Future of Hollywood is right here, right now. It is time for storytellers to lead the next renaissance.”
ABOUT THE CAST
Anaz Rasheed – Anaz
Anaz Rasheed is a charismatic, kind and funny young man born in Charlotte, NC. He enjoys basketball, school, and making new friends. At 3 years old Anaz could only speak 5 words and was later diagnosed with Autism. He overcome a lot of obstacles and remains positive and upbeat. Anaz has a love for the arts, specifically drawing and he has new found love for acting.
Anaz Rasheed is a charismatic, kind and funny young man born in Charlotte, NC. He enjoys basketball, school, and making new friends. At 3 years old Anaz could only speak 5 words and was later diagnosed with Autism. He overcome a lot of obstacles and remains positive and upbeat. Anaz has a love for the arts, specifically drawing and he has new found love for acting.
Ameenah Rasheed – Ameenah
Ameenah Rasheed is a mother of 3, businesswoman, and public speaker born in Roanoke, VA. Ameenah was a teen mom as she had her first daughter, Aleya, at 15 and her second daughter, Amani, at 17 years old. She then opted to drop out of high school and get a GED at 17 years old. Ameenah relocated to Charlotte, NC in 2003 and later married and had her third child, Anaz, at 24 years old. Shortly after Anaz’s birth, Ameenah and her kids moved to Los Angeles in pursuit of a better job with her employer at that time, Bank of America. She lost her job in 2009 due layoffs and the economic recession. This prompted her to start her entrepreneurial journey and has been at it ever since. Ameenah loves the arts and has always dreamed of becoming an actress as kid.
Ameenah Rasheed is a mother of 3, businesswoman, and public speaker born in Roanoke, VA. Ameenah was a teen mom as she had her first daughter, Aleya, at 15 and her second daughter, Amani, at 17 years old. She then opted to drop out of high school and get a GED at 17 years old. Ameenah relocated to Charlotte, NC in 2003 and later married and had her third child, Anaz, at 24 years old. Shortly after Anaz’s birth, Ameenah and her kids moved to Los Angeles in pursuit of a better job with her employer at that time, Bank of America. She lost her job in 2009 due layoffs and the economic recession. This prompted her to start her entrepreneurial journey and has been at it ever since. Ameenah loves the arts and has always dreamed of becoming an actress as kid.
Coco Atama – Street Performer
Coco Atama is a long-time member of Theatre by the Blind, which has brought him to Cardiff, Wales where he appeared in the original production, Palais De Danse with British blind theatre troupe UCAN Productions. Coco who was born blind is also a musician and a stand-up comedian. He recently appeared on stage as the guitarist for Rex & Friends. His previous works include: Walk Me Home, Losing It, Nobody Told Me, Phenomenal Woman, Changing Faces, A Reason To Love, Lost in the Light, The Boys Next Door, Point of Extinction, the audio play, Private Eyes, and as Louis Braille in the American premiere of The Braille Legacy. Coco is also an interviewer for the Web Series, What’s Up, LA!
Coco Atama is a long-time member of Theatre by the Blind, which has brought him to Cardiff, Wales where he appeared in the original production, Palais De Danse with British blind theatre troupe UCAN Productions. Coco who was born blind is also a musician and a stand-up comedian. He recently appeared on stage as the guitarist for Rex & Friends. His previous works include: Walk Me Home, Losing It, Nobody Told Me, Phenomenal Woman, Changing Faces, A Reason To Love, Lost in the Light, The Boys Next Door, Point of Extinction, the audio play, Private Eyes, and as Louis Braille in the American premiere of The Braille Legacy. Coco is also an interviewer for the Web Series, What’s Up, LA!
Bryan Caldwell – Principal
Bryan is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of ArtsUP! LA. He received his B.A. from Tulane University in 2000. Bryan has over 30 years of acting experience and has performed at the Promenade Playhouse, the Stella Adler Theater, and the Culver City Public Theater. A Colorado native, Bryan performed a residency at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, working with their Theatre Academy to implement both the adult and children’s curriculum. He has taught theatre for Los Angeles based students for over ten years including offering programs for youth with Autism and Asperger. In Inglewood, CA he has directed programs at Crozier Middle School and Frank Parent School, and has developed curriculum that focuses on addressing the needs of at-risk youth.
Bryan is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of ArtsUP! LA. He received his B.A. from Tulane University in 2000. Bryan has over 30 years of acting experience and has performed at the Promenade Playhouse, the Stella Adler Theater, and the Culver City Public Theater. A Colorado native, Bryan performed a residency at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, working with their Theatre Academy to implement both the adult and children’s curriculum. He has taught theatre for Los Angeles based students for over ten years including offering programs for youth with Autism and Asperger. In Inglewood, CA he has directed programs at Crozier Middle School and Frank Parent School, and has developed curriculum that focuses on addressing the needs of at-risk youth.
Natalie Trevonne – Dancer
Natalie Trevonne is a California native from a small city in the suburbs of Los Angeles county. Her acting career recently started in 2017 when she played the young firecracker named "Harmony" in her first theatre production titled "Insight". She recently appeared on ABC's "Speechless" as "Gaby" a young film student. Natalie is a talented dancer and dances with two professional teams "Infinite Flow" and "The Blind Dance Company". She's also a very unique vocalist and songwriter and expects to release her debut EP "Losing Focus" by the end of 2018. Natalie is a triple threat who hopes to bring the blind community together through the arts. She recently launched a Podcast called “Fashionably Tardy” where they “bridge the gap between the disability community and the fashion industry one story at a time”.
Natalie Trevonne is a California native from a small city in the suburbs of Los Angeles county. Her acting career recently started in 2017 when she played the young firecracker named "Harmony" in her first theatre production titled "Insight". She recently appeared on ABC's "Speechless" as "Gaby" a young film student. Natalie is a talented dancer and dances with two professional teams "Infinite Flow" and "The Blind Dance Company". She's also a very unique vocalist and songwriter and expects to release her debut EP "Losing Focus" by the end of 2018. Natalie is a triple threat who hopes to bring the blind community together through the arts. She recently launched a Podcast called “Fashionably Tardy” where they “bridge the gap between the disability community and the fashion industry one story at a time”.
Patrick Storey – The Voice
Patrick Storey was diagnosed with autism at two and a half years old. He started piano and voice lessons at 14 years of age and quickly demonstrated his musical ability and his gift of perfect pitch. He was a member of the award-winning Mira Costa High School choir and the El Camino Community College choir. Patrick has become an accomplished singer, comfortable with classical, popular and jazz styles. He loves to perform for audiences large or small. He performs individually, with the vocal jazz group Storeytime, the Rex & Friends musical group and works with the Theater by the Blind. He has acted in television commercials and episodes of network television shows, several short films, and various productions at Performing Arts Studio West (PASW).
Patrick Storey was diagnosed with autism at two and a half years old. He started piano and voice lessons at 14 years of age and quickly demonstrated his musical ability and his gift of perfect pitch. He was a member of the award-winning Mira Costa High School choir and the El Camino Community College choir. Patrick has become an accomplished singer, comfortable with classical, popular and jazz styles. He loves to perform for audiences large or small. He performs individually, with the vocal jazz group Storeytime, the Rex & Friends musical group and works with the Theater by the Blind. He has acted in television commercials and episodes of network television shows, several short films, and various productions at Performing Arts Studio West (PASW).
Rex Lewis-Clack - Keys
Rex Lewis-Clack was born blind and diagnosed with autism as a toddler and then labeled a musical genius at age 7. Able to play back complex compositions after just one listen, Rex ranks as one of less than 50 people in history to combine blindness, intellectual disability and prodigious musical ability. Featured on 60 Minutes, Discovery Health, and Science Channel, Rex has shared his unique life and extraordinary gifts with audiences across the globe as a keynote performer and advocate for his cause. In 2006, he was the winner of the “Winspiration Award” in Germany for taking the hand he’s been dealt in life and using it to not only “win” but also for “inspiring” others to do the same.
Rex Lewis-Clack was born blind and diagnosed with autism as a toddler and then labeled a musical genius at age 7. Able to play back complex compositions after just one listen, Rex ranks as one of less than 50 people in history to combine blindness, intellectual disability and prodigious musical ability. Featured on 60 Minutes, Discovery Health, and Science Channel, Rex has shared his unique life and extraordinary gifts with audiences across the globe as a keynote performer and advocate for his cause. In 2006, he was the winner of the “Winspiration Award” in Germany for taking the hand he’s been dealt in life and using it to not only “win” but also for “inspiring” others to do the same.
ABOUT ARTSUP! LA
ArtsUP! LA is a nonprofit theater and arts program serving people with disabilities, military veterans, and opportunity youth. We remove barriers to participation and provide unlimited possibilities for artistic expression, building diverse artists and audiences who are changing how the arts are presented and experienced. ArtsUP! LA is a bridge between professional theater and overlooked communities. Our stage ignites artistic expression, fosters human connection, illuminates understanding, and brings diverse artists and audiences of all mind, body, and life experiences into a shared place of unlimited possibility.
ABOUT HIPPOLIFE
HIPPOLife, LLC is a non-profit organization that uses Performing Arts as a means of art therapy and social progress while providing an innovative culture of creative expression and empowerment.
HIPPOLife programs bring the power of art to the underserved. Donations from our amazing sponsors allow our participants to benefit from our programs. Become a sponsor today and change a life by visiting: https://www.hippolife.org/
"Keep Moving Forward!"
HIPPOLife programs bring the power of art to the underserved. Donations from our amazing sponsors allow our participants to benefit from our programs. Become a sponsor today and change a life by visiting: https://www.hippolife.org/
"Keep Moving Forward!"
about the programs
Theatre by the Blind, the country’s only theatre troupe composed entirely of blind actors, helps blind and visually impaired individuals become self-sufficient using theatre-based programs and original performances to help them to successfully navigate through today’s society. Theatre by the Blind provides participants with a constructive and creative forum to confront their challenges while informing the public, raising awareness, and changing perceptions about the capabilities of the blind. These remarkable individuals create and perform original theatrical works that empower and inspire program participants and audiences alike. Learn more about Theatre by the Blind
Rex & Friends is a program that provides support and training in musical abilities, and performance opportunities for individuals in Southern California who are blind or autistic. Both of these disabilities tend to isolate, and the program is geared to help bridge this isolation. We bring these musicians together and provide ongoing professional support and guidance. Participants develop musical repertoire in an environment that is sure to grow friendships, self-esteem, and skill while rehearsing and ultimately performing in front of live audiences. Learn more about Rex & Friends
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