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In the aftermath of the World Trade Center attacks, Firefighter Freddy Hernandez was among the many who bravely searched Ground Zero in search of closure for victims’ families. Years later, when Freddy is diagnosed with cancer brought on by exposure to toxins on “the pile”, he and his family must reckon with how the attacks changed the course of their lives. Inspired by true events, The Dust explores trauma, loss and the steep price of heroism.

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CREATIVE TEAM

BRIAN OTAÑO (PLAYWRIGHT) is a bi-coastal playwright and screenwriter. Full-length plays include The Dust, Dolores Slayborne, Tara, Zero Feet Away and The Dooley Street Trilogy. He co-wrote You Across From Me, the 42nd Annual Humana Festival PTC show. Brian is an alumna of Center Theatre Group LA Writers Workshop, Geffen PlayhouseWriters Room, Ars Nova Playgroup and Page 73’s Interstate 73 Writers Group. He is the recipient of the New Dramatists Van Lier Fellowship, the New York Theater Workshop 2050 Fellowship and most recently, Atlantic Theater Company’s Launch Commission. His plays have been developed and workshopped by Roundabout Theatre Company (Roundabout Underground), UCSB Launchpad and SPACE on Ryder Farm. His first short film Call Me Daddy (directed by Amanda DeSouza) is a two-time award winner (Best Narrative Short, The Women’s Film Festival and Best Comedy, The Official Latino Film Festival). Education: BFA, Dramatic Writing (SUNY Purchase).

DAVID MENDIZÁBAL (DIRECTOR) is a director, designer, and one of the Producing Artistic Leaders of The Movement Theatre Company. Directing credits include: On the Grounds of Belonging (Long Wharf Theatre, The Public); The Bandaged Place (New York Stage and Film); And She Would Stand Like This, Look Upon Our Lowliness, Bintou (The Movement); Tell Hector I Miss Him (Atlantic Theater Company, Drama League Nomination for Outstanding Production); The Last Days of Judas Iscariot (A.C.T.); Locusts Have No King (INTAR). David attended the Playwrights Horizons Theater School at NYU Tisch School of the Arts. He served as Artistic Associate for the Atlantic Theater Company from 2017 to 2018. He is a Founding Member and Artistic Producer of The Sol Project and a member of the Latinx Theatre Commons Steering Committee, Rattlestick Literary Team, and Wingspace. Alumnus of The Drama League Directors Project, Lincoln Center Theater Directors Lab, LAByrinth Intensive Ensemble, NALAC Leadership Institute, and artEquity.