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The Creative Team
'Those were some of the best men I’ve ever known. Men from all walks of life. All fighting to defend what they loved. Finding their purpose.'
- OLDER WARREN -
Where it all began...
In the winter of 2014, a serendipitous encounter in a Louisiana State University musical theater course brought together Mike Braud and Curran Latas. Impressed by Curran's exceptional musical talent, Mike recognized an opportunity to bring his vision for One Thousand Words to life.
Over the next four months, the duo collaborated closely, crafting the initial rendition of the show. They would subsequently meet Shawn Semana and John Van Geem to further develop and enrich the narrative of love and acceptance.
The team, comprised of members from both the LGBTQ+ and military communities, leverages their unique life experiences to craft and share the stories that were untold for marginalized communities.
MIKE BRAUD
Book and lyrics
For years, One Thousand Words has been a labor of love for Mike, fueled by his belief that countless heroic stories remain untold. He is eager to share the narratives of those who are often overlooked or marginalized, as they strive to live their dreams in a world full of shared aspirations.
SHAWN SEMANA
Book
As a graduate of UCLA’s acclaimed School of Theater, Film, and Television, Shawn specializes in story or concept development through the art of film, performance, choreography, and music. With an artistic background in competitive music and dance, and a professional background as a Navy Search and Rescue Pilot, his work and collaborations continue to be showcased at international festivals in cities like Los Angeles, Dallas, Boston, and New York. He has a passion for seeking out untold stories from marginalized communities and lifting them up to a platform for the masses to learn and be entertained.
CURRAN LATAS
Music
Curran Latas received his Bachelor of Arts in Theatre at Louisiana State University, where he has performed, directed, and music directed with Theatre Baton Rouge, Playmakers of Baton Rouge, and Swine Palace. Several of his instrumental compositions have been featured at the LSU Outworks Play Festival. Currently he resides in Orlando, FL where he works in guest relations at Walt Disney World.
JOHN VAN GEEM
Music and Orchestration
John Van Geem ( JVG ) is a distinguished composer, veteran, and author known for his romantic composition style. His approach to music composition combines both classical and popular music, earning him recognition in theater and film alike. Immersed in the classics, JVG matured his knowledge of music at the Chicago College of Performing Arts where he connected with audiences in an intuitive and meaningful way. With over four recorded albums and hundreds of scores, his compositions resonate with audiences all over the world.
