From the age of 5, Brett Varvel knew he wanted to be a filmmaker. As the son of an internationally known cartoonist, Brett was constantly surrounded by storytelling. When he graduated from Ball State University, Brett had already won a regional Emmy® Award for directing and was also a two-time David Letterman Scholarship winner. Brett went on to create his own production company, House of Grace Studios, and is now a director, actor, and writer. His credits include American Underdog, Running The Bases, Mayberry Man, Play The Flute, and now DISCIPLES IN THE MOONLIGHT. Brett has the unique ability to excel both behind and in front of the camera.
Josh Strychalski is an actor, screenwriter, and producer born and raised in Indiana. A life of storytelling became inevitable when, at 8 years old, he received rave reviews for telling the Christmas story in his grandparents’ basement. He developed his acting skills throughout high school and college. After college, he continued performing on the stage and also appeared in several short films and commercials. He soon moved to the director’s chair for several productions at his old high school, sharing the joy of acting with students. He also began to cultivate a love for writing. This propelled him to write two novels for young readers along with several short stories and sketches, providing a natural segue into film. He strives to portray characters that connect with audiences and tell stories that give hope to the world.
Drew Varvel grew up with a camera in his hands, making movies with his family. Drew started acting at a young age and that love of storytelling led him to study film at Ball State University. While at school, Drew became a two-time David Letterman Scholarship winner. After graduation, Drew worked for a handful of marketing agencies producing video content as well as creating TV commercials, and content for the Indianapolis Colts. Drew is a Regional Emmy® Award winning editor and producer, whose passion for acting never went away. He has been directing students at his alma mater in theatre since 2016 and has acted on the stage and on screen over the years.
Baylee Toney, originally from Southern Oregon, launched her acting journey in New York City before honing her skills in a year-long conservatory in Northern California. Notable for her role in The Redeemer, she recently directed her debut feature, the neo-western Last Tour Home. Alongside her partner Myles Clohessy, she’s collaborated on four films. Baylee’ passion for Westerns shines through in her latest directorial endeavor, Shady Cove. Baylee and Myles founded Fireside Film Co, where they’re developing multiple projects. Passionate about storytelling, Baylee brings her creativity and dedication to both sides of the camera, weaving narratives that challenge and provoke thought through writing, directing, and portraying complex characters.
Myles Clohessy is a director, writer, and actor based in New York City. After graduating from acting conservatory at SUNY Purchase, he has since been seen steadily on prime time network TV such as CBS’s “Blue Bloods” and “Bull,” NBC’s “The Blacklist” and “FBI: Most Wanted,” along with a series-regular role in the upcoming Daily Wire series, “The Pendragon Cycle.” He also has lead roles in upcoming action features such as Classified starring Aaron Eckhart. He currently runs his production company Fireside Films Co with Baylee Toney, his love and fellow actor in DISCIPLES IN THE MOONLIGHT.
Though known as an actor, Levan Smith is also a film producer. He's been married for a little over a decade, with three kids. His first movie project was in A Family’s Betrayal. He was the lead bouncer on Tyler Perry’s TV show, “The Haves and The Have Nots” and he’s had supporting roles in Ordinary Games, Loving You and Running The Bases.
Jason Coviello is an award-winning actor, writer, and director. Born and raised in Putnam Lake, New York, Jason got hooked on acting in the summer of 1995 while dancing beneath the Brooklyn Bridge, on MTV’s “The Grind.” Jason landed his first lead role in an independent feature in 2000. Jason has acted in more than 300 features, shorts, pilots, shows, and commercials. Recent projects include working with the legendary Clint Eastwood on his latest film, Juror #2 and the hit TV shows “Stranger Things” and “Yellowstone.”
Micah Lynn Hanson began acting at the age of 16 in a children’s theater in her hometown of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. She fell in love with performing and she hasn’t looked back since. Among her favorite stage roles are Belle in Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” and Wednesday Addams in “The Addams Family, The Musical.” She has also honed her acting skills working on projects like A Match Made At Christmas, Divine Influencer, Like Arrows, CMT’s “Nashville,” and the Kendrick Brothers’ film Overcomer. Micah resides in Atlanta, learning from and working alongside Shari Rigby and her non-profit ministry, The Women In My World.
Stephanie Parker is a wife and mom of two, a film actor, an entrepreneur running a business based on a product she invented to help her daughter sleep (as featured on “Shark Tank”), and a writer of children’s books and screenplays. She also has a passion for learning and teaching the Bible because the Word of God changed her life.
