Playwright Aysha Zackria

Aysha Zackria is a queer Pakistani-American dramatist, writer, and musician who earned her BFA in Dramaturgy from Carnegie Mellon University. She is currently the Communications Associate at Constellation Theatre Company. Prior to that, she was the Lin-Manuel Miranda Family New Work and Artistic Producing Fellow at Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company. During her fellowship, she has served as Associate Dramaturg, Assistant Dramaturg, Line Producer, and Assistant Line Producer on mainstage productions. She has written plays that examine social issues - "Proximity," "Natural Law," and "Pillow Fortress."

Her playwriting accolades include being named a 2026 O'Neill National Playwrights Conference Semi-Finalist, a commission by Horizon Theatre Company, an excerpt reading at City Theatre, and a national One Earth Award from Scholastic Arts and Writing. In all of her pursuits, she hopes to amplify opportunities for societal growth through creation. Learn more at ayshazackria.com.

Director Ynika Yuag

Yuag’s directing credits include "Dance Again" (Queer Theatre Kalamazoo), “Don’t Feed the Pigeons” (Gwydion Theatre Company), “Fabulation, or the Re-Education of Undine” (Face Off Theatre Company), “Booths” (Grand Rapids Civic Theatre), and the annual devised project “The Abortion Monologues” with Kalamazoo College's Center for Civic Engagement. They have served as an intimacy choreographer at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre, Face Off Theatre Company, Georgetown University, Jewish Theatre Grand Rapids, and NextStop Theatre Company. They’ve also served as dramaturg at NextStop Theatre Company, The Vagrancy, Breaking the Binary Theatre, and Face Off Theatre Company. Ynika is a 2023 Lin-Manuel Miranda Family Fellow in New Work at Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, artist with Solas Nua/The Everyman Cork's Tales of Two Cities mentorship and artist development program, and will soon be a Certified Sensitivity Specialist through Ann James & Associates. They are a proud Indigenous, Queer, Immigrant artist with a BA in Theatre Arts and Psychology from Kalamazoo College. Learn more at ynikayuag.com.

Stage Manager Cody A. Watson

"I'm very much enjoying being a part of the 'Pillow Fortress' process for multiple reasons, but one of the most interesting to me is that it's a new work, which is something I've never been involved in before. I've been learning so much about the process of bringing a new play to life, like getting script edits from the playwright during our rehearsal process. Seeing the changes and the character arcs deepening through the edits has been so fascinating - and it's been really cool to see a change in the script that directly came about through something we talked about in rehearsal! The whole team - cast and production team - has been incredible to work with as well."

While Watson has assistant stage managed several productions, this is his first time serving as Stage Manager. He's also performed in many area productions, including QTK's 2025 Queer Shorts Festival; Kalamazoo Civic Theatre's "Forever Plaid "(Sparky), "Annie" (Drake & Apple Seller), "The Wedding Singer" (David & Billy Idol); and Grand Rapids Civic Theatre's "Cats" (Carbuckety).

Clare Ray (Jordan)

We’re having a blast working with Clare Ray, in their Queer Theatre Kalamazoo debut, and she says the feeling is mutual:

“I am so honored and stoked to be in my first QTK Show! Uplifting and empowering queer art is important for any art scene. It’s integral to also perform stories that highlight diversity in the Queer community and remind us there’s no one way to be any label or identity."

Ray, who has appeared in freelance projects and with Face Off Theatre Company, has spent the majority of their time on-stage playing the clarinet. Ray says she’s enjoying exploring how the “Pillow Fortress” script explores fear and how our lived experiences may shape how we cope ... This production is for anyone with or seeking a strong sense of community. We’re telling the story of 3 individuals from different backgrounds, who, when forced together, explore our dynamics and intersections of our identities. It’s never too late to get to know your fellow neighbors, peers, or local workers.”

Milan Levy (Ry)

We're thrilled to be working with Milan Levy again, following their appearance in our 2025 production of "Taproot."

Milan was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA, and became involved in theatre as a youth, appearing as the Yellow Brick Road in "The Wizard of Oz" and joining a Shakespearean troupe at age 11. They studied technical theatre and acting at the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts (LACHSA) and graduated with a bachelor's degree in Theatre Arts from Kalamazoo College in 2023. After graduating, Milan became the production manager at Face Off Theatre Company and a program coordinator at their alma mater.

Lydia Kanous (Chelsea)

Lydia made her QTK debut in "Doctor Voynich and Her Children" earlier this year. Other roles Kanous has performed include Lillith in "She Kills Monsters," Miss Scarlet in "Clue," Jessie in "Sweat," Jack's Mom in "Into the Woods" and Paulina in "The Seagull."

"This is the first production I’ve been in where we all walk out together every night and we all hug goodbye... it truly feels like a slumber party everyday. My favorite part of this production is the collaboration between artists and an always evolving script! Everyone should attend this production -- the script is phenomenal and relatable to people from all different backgrounds and experiences. It highlights real life issues happening today and how important having community is."

Gwen Saulino (Kim)

Saulino, who’s performed in Kalamazoo Civic Theatre productions throughout the years, said she learned a lot about societal biases, helicopter parenting and herself during rehearsals for her Queer Theatre Kalamazoo debut:

“My cast mates have welcomed me warmly, and I expressed to them that I am a work in progress and I am learning to recognize my biases, and I appreciate them helping me understand more about the differences we all have. Being a part of this group has given me exposure to societal 'norms' that are not always good for folks and taught me how to be a better person and a kinder person.