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FATHERS OF THE DARK Knight
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  • CAST & CREW
    • Roberto Williams
    • Zach Karem
    • Ezekiel Jackson
    • Mark Anthony Montalvo
    • H. Max Rosenthal
    • Kendra Avans
    • Russell Mahrt
    • Ryan Dempsey
    • Aaron David Kapner
    • David Estrada
    • Jamie Soltis
    • Gyomara Phillips
    • Nick Byrne
    • Micah Henning
    • Allison Rapsas
    • Rene Antonio Rivera
    • Anthony Cuevas
    • Alaja Desilva
    • Charles Grant
    • Doreen Hunter
    • David Bicknell
    • Henchmen & Hoodlums
  • PRODUCTION DESIGNS
    • Gotham City Rooftop
    • Bob Kane's Apartment
    • The Batcave
    • The Iceberg Lounge
    • Police Headquarters Rooftop
    • Wayne Manor Study
    • The Batmobile
    • The Riddler's Warehouse Hideout
    • The Bat-Signal
    • Globe Building Rooftop
    • Gotham City Back Alley
    • Commissioner Gordon's Office
  • COSTUME & PROPS CONSTRUCTION
    • Bat Gloves
    • Cowls
    • The Batman's Cape
    • The Batman's Utility Belt
    • The Batman's Chest Emblem Shield
    • Batgirl's Utility Belt
    • Robin's Vest Tunic
    • Robin's Chain-Mail Shorts
    • Robin's Utility Belt
    • Robin's Pixie Boots
    • The Batman & Robin Costumes
    • Bat-a-Rangs
    • The Riddler's Hat and Face Mask
    • The Riddler's Belt
    • The Riddler's Walking Cane
    • The Riddler's Shoes
    • Harley Quinn's Giant Mallet
    • Bob Kane's Candlestick Telephone
    • Harely Quinn's Bazooka
    • BAT ROD PUPPET
  • BEHIND THE SCENES
    • CASTING CALL
    • Publicity Photo Shoots
    • Rehearsals / Costume Fittings / Make Up Tests
    • Lighting Tests: Robin The Boy Wonder
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15 year old kendra avans takes the role of barbara gordon / batgirl!

11/30/2013

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Last week while browsing through his news feed on Facebook, FATHERS OF THE DARK KNIGHT Playwright / Director Roberto Williams encountered a posted photo that would prove to be fortuitous for his upcoming stage production.

It seemed that an old acquaintance (and Facebook friend), Mrs. Alex Avans posted a candid snapshot of her two daughters on her personal page timeline.  The photo instantly caught Williams' attention since one of the young girls in the photo very much resembled his vision for Barbara Gordon / Batgirl's physical appearance.

Not knowing who the young girl was, nor the extent of her relation to Mrs. Avans, Roberto decided to send his old Facebook friend a private message.  He explained all about his upcoming production, and his need to cast the role of Batgirl.   Inquiring about the girl in the photo, Williams was curious to know if she had had any previous acting experience, and /or if she would be interested in auditioning for the plum role in the stage play.


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When Mrs. Avans responded to Williams’ inquiry a short time later, it was not with encouraging news.  She explained that the girl in the photo was her 15 year old daughter KENDRA AVANS, and that although she was a talented singer, she had no previous acting experience, and suffered from terrible stage fright!  She nevertheless promised to raise the subject of the play with her daughter, and then advise Williams of the outcome later.

Several hour later, as Roberto prepared to sit down to dinner, a second inbox message from Mrs. Avans came through. This time the message was an urgent declaration that in fact young Kendra was interested to audition!  After a brief telephone conversation where Roberto and Alex reconnected, the specifics of the Barbara Gordon / Batgirl character were discussed and a date was set for Kendra's audition.

Finally, on the evening of Saturday, November 30, Kendra, accompanied by her mother Alex and her proud father Mr. Luis Torre met with Roberto Williams at his residence in Brooklyn NY.  Williams extensively recounted the history of his stage production, and spelled out his vision of what the final show is to become.

When it finally came time for young Kendra to begin her audition process, the shy young girl found herself increasingly tense and nervous. The presence of her parents and members of Williams' production team made her feel anxious and overwhelmed.  Sensing the girl's dilema and wishing to help in any way he could,  Williams asked his Production manager Alaja Desilva to take Mr. Torre and Mrs. Avans on a tour of some of the play's production material in a different room.  Working alone with the girl for only a few short minutes, the Director was able to quickly determine that what Kendra Avans lacked in acting experience she more than made up for in wit, intelligence,  talent for movement,  ability to accurately take direction, and most importantly of all… sheer bravery!  She performed a rough cold-read audition of a scene from Williams’ play that further convinced the Director that with training and encouragement, she could definitely transform herself into a competent and confident young actress!

As if the poor girl had not already been hit with enough, Williams called in FOTDK Fight Choreographer Ezekiel Jackson to test Kendra’s abilities in taking fight choreography direction.  He relentlessly put her through the paces, assessing her abilities to throw and take scripted punches and kicks.  Somehow, Kendra managed to successfully push through his drills.  When he then asked her to perform a basic “tuck and roll” move, the nervous girl explained that this was a maneuver she was incapable of performing even after years of attempting to do so in her gym class at school.  She even said the move was “impossible” for her.  Not one to easily be discouraged, Jackson worked with Kendra, steadily building her confidence and then watched with pride as she excitedly performed not just one, but five perfect tuck and rolls in a row!  Now THAT’S real bravery!  Everyone in the room exchanged glances of approval… all equally impressed with the determination of this plucky young lady!

But Kendra’s evening was not over yet.  Williams was next anxious to perform his final litmus test to see if she would be suitable for the role of the comic book heroine:  It was time to test the fledging actress in a full Batgirl costume fitting!  As Kendra suited up before the assembled group, her astonished fantasy-enthusiast father Luis repeatedly exclaimed,  “Wow…” as he saw his little girl transform into a comic book icon before his very eyes!  Everyone present was in unanimous agreement that seeing Kendra Avans as Gotham City’s Batgirl was the same as watching the classic character come to life right off the page of the comics! We’re certain you’ll agree when you see the photos of Kendra as Batgirl in our Gallery Page!


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Wasting no time at all, Roberto Williams awarded Kendra the role and began all the preparations for her orientation into the production.

The entire production cast and crew is thrilled and honored that Kendra Avans has joined the FATHERS OF THE DARK KNIGHT family, and we welcome her warmly with open arms!  We are also eternally grateful to Mr. Torre and Mrs. Avans for encouraging their daughter to take that first brave step into a scary, but exciting and rewarding new world…


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Mr. Russell Mahrt brings serious gravitas to FATHERS OF THE DARK KNIGHT as Commissioner Gordon!

11/21/2013

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In what is sure to be considered a casting coup de grace, playwright Roberto Williams has managed to secure the considerable talents of veteran stage, TV and film actor Russell Mahrt for the role of Gotham City's gruff Police Commissioner James Gordon.

Mr. Mahrt recently learned of Williams' upcoming stage production FATHERS OF THE DARK KNIGHT, and was intrigued enough to accept the Playwright's invitation to audition for the role.  On the afternoon of November 19th, the two met to discuss the project. Mr. Williams spoke at length about his keen desires to offer his cast of student actors the enrichment experience of performing side by side
with several seasoned stage performers.  Afterward, Mr. Mahrt expertly delivered an audition script read as the grumpy Police administrator that left Williams stunned.  The playwright was then overjoyed by Russell's acceptance of the Police Commissioner role.

The entire FOTDK cast and crew are thrilled and excited by Mr. Mahrt's participation in the production.  Read all about his impressive acting achievements on his bio page and on his own official website!

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10-year old mark anthony montalvo cast as dick grayson / robin the boy wonder!

11/17/2013

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The FATHERS OF THE DARK KNIGHT production team visited NEW YORK COMIC CON last month, partially in the hopes of finding a performer to assume the role of Dick Grayson / Robin The Boy Wonder.  Among the many colorful cosplayers on hand that weekend was 10 year old Mark Anthony Montalvo, dressed as a "junior" Ghostbuster from the classic 1984 motion picture.

Bearing a striking resemblance to Playwright / Director Roberto Williams' vision for The Batman's young protege,  Mark Anthony was approached by actress Jennifer Paniagua with the opportunity of auditioning for the role... an offer which the unimpressed boy initially flatly turned down! 

Accompanied by his father, the young man then proceeded to mingle among the tens of thousands of visitors and exhibitors, taking up various levels at the Jacob Javits Convention Center.  He had completely disappeared from sight, before Mr. Williams could have a chance to speak with him directly.
  It was a crushing disappointment, but the Playwright and his team of performers nevertheless pushed forward with the business of promoting the upcoming stage play and enjoying all that New York Comic Con had to offer.

But in a tremendous stroke of luck, fate, or perhaps both, Mark Anthony Montalvo and his father happened to randomly cross paths once again with Mr. Williams and his cast on the convention floor... even among a virtual sea of people, and even more than four hours later!  The Playwright / Director excitedly explained the concept of the stage play to the young performer and appealed to him once again to submit to an audition.  After a moment of consideration, Mark Anthony flashed his trademarked charming smirk and said simply, "Alright. I'll give it a try."

After two weeks of coordination with the Montalvo family, the FATHERS OF THE DARK KNIGHT team hosted
Mark Anthony, his proud parents, and his older brother at Director Williams' Brooklyn residence on Saturday, November 2nd. The energetic young boy participated in a round of  interviews, and audition script readings in order for Mr. Williams to assess his nascent acting abilities and ability to take direction.   As with most young boys in his situation, Mark Anthony found himself nervous and tense during the casting process.   Despite this, the young man won himself a call-back to read for Mr. Williams again.

He spent the following two weeks rehearsing dialogue and engaging in a makeshift acting "workshop" of sorts right out of his own home!  The confident boy adopted the self-proclaimed moniker of "Boy Wonder" among his school friends and family as he recruited their help in preparing for his upcoming call-back.  He worked diligently to polish his dramatic delivery so as to ensure his optimal chances of winning the coveted Boy Wonder role.


Then, on the afternoon of Saturday November 16th
, Mark Anthony Montalvo returned with his mother to meet with Director Roberto Williams.  With Production Manager Alaja Desilva video recording the session,  the hopeful young actor participated in a scene table read with Williams and Andrew Davis Feliz (THE BATMAN).

After several minutes of thoroughly impressing the Playwright with his VASTLY improved dramatic skills, Williams finally declared, "Alright. Stop.  I've heard enough.  I've seen enough!  This young man IS Robin The Boy Wonder!! There is no doubt!!"

The entire cast and crew of FATHERS OF THE DARK KNIGHT, wish to thank the Montalvo family for their generous help and cooperation is assisting with Mark Anthony's audition process
, and we warmly welcome him to the production!



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Casting call page now open!!!

11/3/2013

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Calling all New York / Tri-State area actors and actresses!! The FATHERS OF THE DARK KNIGHT Official website CASTING CALL PAGE is now open!  It's your convenient one-stop for browsing through the various main-character roles that are yet to be cast for this ambitious stage production!!

Perhaps YOU are just what we are looking for!!  Don't waste any time!!  Take a look RIGHT NOW at the various character links... read the casting and character specs... and if you think you are a good fit for one of the available roles, reach out to us via our CONTACT PAGE, and we will schedule YOU for an audition!

This could be YOUR ticket to stardom! 

We can't wait to meet you!!


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“Fathers Of The Dark Knight”  © 2011-2013
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Batman and related characters are the property of DC Comics and Warner Bros. Entertainment.  “Fathers of the Dark Knight” is a non-profit,  student cosplay stage production that is in no way sponsored, approved, endorsed, nor licensed by DC Comics, Warner Bros. or any of their affiliates.