Authors

Debbie Slevin

 

Debbie Slevin

Debbie Slevin

Debbie Slevin is a director, playwright, and freelance writer, after many years in Educational Theater. She conceived of and is co-producing THE APRON STRINGS PROJECT in Riverhead, NY, a crowd-sourced theatrical production based on a vintage apron collection. (May 2-4, 2014) She most recently produced THE LAST FIVE YEARS by Jason Robert Brown at Guild Hall in East Hampton, starring Julie Reiber and Matt DeAngelis. Her play GATE B23:CARRY-ON BAGGAGE was a 2012 selection for WINTERFEST, Manhattan Repertory Theater’s winter play festival and a selection of the 2010 International Fringe Festival, held in NYC.

In the fall of 2008 she directed and co-produced the first NYC revival of SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD, by Jason Robert Brown. Her play “December Duet,” produced in October 2008, was part of a series of one-acts called StreetMeet that played at the Chernuchin Theater in NYC to a sold-out audience. She also directed “The Orientation,” by Kellie Arens, part of an evening of two one-act plays called “BOXED IN” at the Producer’s Club in Manhattan,  May of 2008. She is a regular contributor to Dan’s Papers, the premier entertainment newspaper for The Hamptons and her writing has appeared in Essence Magazine, Woman’s World, Lifestyles, Reform Judaism, and The Record, northern New Jersey’s daily newspaper. She was a staff writer for The Jewish Standard, a New Jersey weekly, and a columnist for DogWatch, a canine health newsletter from Cornell University’s School of Veterinary Medicine, where she was the voice of a twelve year old Cairn Terrier.

She has interviewed a wide range of people, from well-known political figures Mario Cuomo and Leah Rabin, to popular authors such as Susan Isaacs, Anita Diamant, and Amy Bloom, with a vast assortment of local heroes in between. She has written a new play about Mark Twain’s women and two novels. She has also been an extra in one major motion picture!

David Akseizer

David Akseizer

David Akseizer

David Akseizer grew up in Mamaroneck, New York. There, he graduated Rye Neck High School in 1997. His favorite subject was English, taught by a man who helped him realize the importance of trusting his imagination and allowing his creativity to run wild.

After minoring in literature and majoring in interdisciplinary studies at American University, David worked in the creative field designing brochure layouts, web pages and catalogues for a small auction house in New York City. He later pursued a medical career, dedicating many years as a licensed radiation technologist before receiving a master’s in Health Policy and Management from Columbia University.

While proud of the hard work and assistance that he has provided for others, David’s true passion is writing. By drawing from varied life experiences, he hopes to create entertaining novels with powerful messages that will inspire both children and adults. David is surrounded by an incredible support team including his wife, family and wonderful friends. In addition to The Legend of Pearl Cave, David is determined to write several novels over the next few years.

Obie Yadgar

Obie Yadgar

Obie Yadgar

Obie (Obelit) Yadgar often would observe his great-uncle, the renowned writer and historian Benjamin Arsanis, hunched over a table under a tree in the yard, writing. Years later, Obie discovered that, like his uncle, he best saw life through the eyes of a writer.

It was at Senn High School in Chicago, in his junior year and barely able to speak English, that Obie told himself he would become a novelist. He has spent many years on this road, but he is finally there.

After a tour of duty in Vietnam as a U.S. Army combat correspondent, he drifted into radio. Since he had already loved sharing his love of music with others, radio seemed a natural route for him to take. He started as a jazz program host in San Diego, worked in upstate New York in adult contemporary, then St. Louis in jazz, big bands and classical, and finally in Milwaukee and Chicago in classical.

Even during his time in radio Obie continued to write for magazines and newspapers.