Our Team
Executive Director: Marc D. Rich, Ph.D.
Marc D. Rich, Ph.D., is a Professor of Communication Studies/Performance Studies at California State University, Long Beach. As a nationally recognized leader in ‘Proactive Performance’ and sexual assault prevention, Dr. Rich has been invited to be a guest presenter at universities throughout the United States. He has trained in Theatre of the Oppressed, drama therapy and psychodrama. Dr. Rich has published eighteen peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, and led the research team that conducted the first empirical studies of proactive performance. Dr. Rich is a curriculum and assessment consultant for the Advanced Threat Assessment and Management Academy at the Gavin De Becker Institute and is a high-ranking practitioner of Krav Maga, the Israeli hand-to-hand combat system.
Managing Director: Kelly Janke (KJ), M.A.
KJ worked with interACT as undergraduate, and earned his Master’s degree while working with the troupe and conducting research on masculinity and violence against women. KJ served as a Lead Trainer for several years, learning the necessary skills to manage the day-to-day operations of interACT. KJ continues to perform and facilitate shows when he is not overseeing rehearsals and other troupe business. He teaches a variety of classes at CSULB.
Assistant Director: Kelly Anderson, M.A.
Kelly Anderson started with interACT as an undergraduate in 2005. Inspired by the challenge to raise social awareness she has made it her goal to continue this fight for a better reality. She graduated with a Masters Degree in Applied Theater Arts at the University of Southern California. Now back with interACT as the Assistant Director, Kelly has the ability to draw on her academic experience and share her enthusiasm with new troupe members. Kelly studied Theater of the Oppressed techniques in Rio De Janeiro Brazil at CTO (Center for Theater of the Oppressed). She has led self-reflection courses at continuation high schools and created many community projects including Re-creating Our L.A; a community justice collaboration to instigate social change. Her goal is to create a networking model that allows projects around the country to expand and work together as allies.
GRADUATE TEACHING ASSOCIATES
Shadee Abdi, B.A.
Shadee is a second year graduate student in CSULB’s communication studies program. Since 2009, Shadee has worked with the troupe and has taken on the roles of trainer, performer, and joker and has had the privilege to travel to many crazy-cool locations with various casts. Shadee is currently teaching public speaking at CSULB, and is currently researching the under-examined voices within the Iranian queer community. Shadee’s research interests include performance studies, cultural studies, and LGBT studies.
Raisa Alvarado, B.A.
Raisa Alvarado received her Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Bachelor of Arts in Literature and Writing Studies from California State University San Marcos. During her undergraduate career she worked as a Peer Educator for the Cross Cultural Center, served on the Orientation Team, and was elected as a student representation within Associated Students Inc. for four consecutive years. In addition to her formal service to the university she collaborated extensively with the Woman’s Center and Pride Center at San Marcos to bring awareness to social issues and advocate for underrepresented groups. Raisa was the 2010-2011 recipient of the Jonathan Pullard Award for Inclusiveness and Social Justice and was also the 2010-2011 recipient of the Dean of Students Leadership Award for her contributions to campus climate. Immediately following her undergraduate career Raisa dedicated a year of service to AmeriCorps where she worked with at risk youth, educating students on gang prevention, LGBTQ issues, sexual assault, and media literacy. She is currently pursuing her Masters in Communication at California State University Long Beach.
Alyse Keller, B.A.
Alyse Keller is a second year graduate student working toward her Master’s degree in Communication Studies. Alyse teaches public speaking at CSULB in addition to assisting the troupe with article facilitation, performance work, and jokering. Alyse has a background in performance and is passionate about social justice work. Her research interests include performance studies, critical cultural studies, feminist theory, and disability studies.
Timothy Maurer, B.A.
Timothy Maurer is a first year graduate student in CSULB’s Communication Studies Masters Program. For the last three years, Timothy’s work with interACT includes training troupe members, facilitating discussions, and performing in both the sexual assault and homophobia shows. His passion in Communication Studies focuses on the rhetorical and critical examination of society, how the oppressed remain oppressed, and how to give voice to the voiceless. Timothy is honored to be part of the leadership team in interACT.
LEAD TRAINERS
Susan Valdez, B.A.
Susan began working with interACT in 2000 when she was a first-year student at CSULB. She holds the distinct honor of being part of the original cast for every one of our shows. Susan works with the actor-educators to insure they understand the characters, scenes, and sociopolitical issues that guide our work. She earned a B.A. in graphic design from CSULB.