This Is My Brave - The Show 2025

Cast

ALEX KANDALAFT

Alex, a former kindergarten teacher and active presence in several Eagle County nonprofits, pours her heart into making the community a better place. Passionate about spreading awareness, inspiring hope, and breaking down the stigma around eating disorders, she draws from her own experience of surviving a life-threatening battle and finding her way to recovery. Her journey fuels a deep commitment to support and advocate for others. Alex is now spearheading local initiatives to uplift those affected by eating disorders—hosting weekly peer recovery meetings, preparing to launch youth outreach and prevention efforts in collaboration with school counselors, and listening closely to community members impacted by eating disorders to help shape support that genuinely meets their needs.

BRENDA SAUCEDO

Brenda is proud to be part of this powerful production. Born and raised in the beautiful Vail Valley, she is a proud Mexican woman navigating life’s challenges as a single mother, while raising a strong and rooted child. She is actively breaking cycles of generational trauma and walking the path of recovery with courage and resilience. Brenda believes in the power of storytelling, and hopes her journey inspires other Hispanic Single moms to embrace their voice and strength. She is honored to stand on this stage, sharing a piece of her truth with you tonight. 

Brenda se siente orgullosa de ser parte de esta poderosa producción. Nacida y criada en el hermoso Valle de Vail, es una orgullosa mujer mexicana que navega los desafíos de la vida como madre soltera, mientras cría a una hija fuerte y con raíces. Está rompiendo activamente ciclos de trauma generacional y caminando con valentía y resiliencia en su proceso de recuperación. Brenda cree en el poder de contar historias y espera que su camino inspire a otras hispanas. Es un honor para ella estar en este escenario, compartiendo esta parte de su verdad con ustedes esta noche.

DANI RODRIGUEZ

Dani was born in the heart of Chile, where her spirit first learned to dream. At 23, she flew to the United States with nothing but courage in her chest and hope in her hands. Life led her through winding roads, where she faced shadows and habits that dimmed her light. But from the struggle, she rose—curious, resilient, and free. Dani finds magic in travel, neuroscience, and the quiet power of audiobooks. She is not just a mother—she is a superwoman rising with grace, strength, and a voice ready to be heard.

Dani nació en el corazón de Chile, donde su alma aprendió por primera vez a soñar. A los 23 años voló a Estados Unidos con el valor en el pecho y la esperanza en las manos. La vida la llevó por caminos inciertos, enfrentando sombras y hábitos que apagaban su luz. Pero del dolor, renació—curiosa, fuerte y libre. Dani encuentra magia en los viajes, la neurociencia y el poder silencioso de los audiolibros. No es solo madre—es una súper mujer que se eleva con gracia, fuerza y una voz que merece ser escuchada.

DEVÓN SULLIVAN

Devón is a spoken word poet and storyteller whose work delves into identity, trauma, and the ongoing journey of self-exploration. Drawing from his lived experiences with mental health and suicide, he crafts stories that don’t just speak to healing—they seek to redefine it. He is the author of Dear Bullies, a poetry collection centered on mental health and suicide awareness, and is currently developing multiple projects, including Blood Between Brothers, a powerful narrative about a man and his inner child navigating a world between survival and truly living. Devón believes in the transformative power of language—not to comfort, but to challenge, awaken, and inspire change. His work invites audiences to step into the  unfiltered  and beautifully complex worlds he builds and emerge seeing their own lives differently.

JOBY-BÉATRICE LINET

Joby-Béatrice is a performer whose work explores vulnerability, transformation, and emotional truth. Originally from France, she brings her sass and charming French accent to win hearts on and off stage. With a background in linguistics, investigative journalism, and literary studies, Joby-Béatrice uses performance to connect deeply with others and give voice to complex inner worlds. She is also a devoted and compassionate teacher, passionate about guiding others in their growth with empathy and intention. Outside the spotlight, she is a lifelong learner with a strong interest in mental health—especially in how communication shapes our emotions and brains. She is honored to share the stage—and this story—with you tonight.

JUSTIN ALLISON

Composer, guitarist/vocalist Justin Allison is a song stylist, and interpreter of the music he loves. His music has taken him across the nation and around the world.

Justin has shared the stage and opened shows for a diversity of talent including Curtis Stigers, Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, Tuck and Patti, George Benson, Ray Charles, Natalie Cole, Rosanna Vitro, Al Green and Tito Puente.

KATIE KESSENICH

Katie grew up in the Vail Valley and is passionate about creating space for open, honest conversations around addiction and mental health. Katie has been living with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder for almost 10 years and has been in recovery from alcohol and drugs since September of 2023. After starting her own journey of recovery, she has been able to turn a lifelong passion into purpose – helping others find hope and healing. Growing up in the Vail Valley, she witnessed firsthand how the lack of accessible resources impacted individuals seeking recovery. She feels incredibly grateful to work as the Marketing Coordinator for a local recovery focused nonprofit organization, RECONNECTED Foundation, which is actively building community and support for people wherever they are in their journey. Through this work Katie is able to combine her creative nature with drive for helping others grow in their recovery journey, and is excited to share her story with the community.

MAURI CUMMINS

Suicide prevention is not just a cause Mauri supports; it is a passion that drives her both personally and as a law enforcement professional. Mauri experienced the tragedy of suicide loss firsthand and has her own lived experience with suicidality, along with clinical depression. As a lifelong Eagle County local, it is with deep gratitude that she joins the SpeakUp ReachOut community in their mission: to prevent suicide through training, awareness, and hope.

TSVETELINA FUENTES

Fluent in English, Spanish and Bulgarian, Tsveti has tremendous love and appreciation for all cultures and languages. She is an advocate for inclusion as an adult participant in the  ECSD Youth Advocacy & Stewardship initiative. She is passionate about elevating wellness, fulfillment and achievement through optimal alignment of the heart, mind and soul. Tsveti has presented on multiple occasions regarding social emotional topics in Spanish for Aprendiendo Juntos, a community learning platform. She also co-created the Pausa Semanal, a Social Emotional Learning  resource for schools and communities by crafting videos in Spanish on topics like self awareness, self-management,social awareness, relationship skills and responsible decision-making. Tsveti is an educator, wellness advocate, and career exploration coach for high school students. Things that bring her joy include nature, family time, hiking, yoga, meditation, and exploring the world!

Special guest

IAN GRASK, Master of Ceremonies

Ian (he/him) works as the Development Manager for Bravo! Vail Music Festival here in Vail, CO. Ian serves on the Town of Avon Culture Arts & Special Events Committee and is the Executive Treasurer for Eagle County Gives. Ian is a passionate community member. He enjoys volunteering with a litany of organizations including SpeakUp ReachOut, Mountain Pride, SOS Outreach, Eagle Valley Community Foundation, Vail Dance Festival, and Eagle River Water Coalition. Despite all the activities and accolades Ian still struggles with thoughts of self-harm and suicidal ideation, but he hopes his story is a reminder that even if it looks happy on the outside we never know what's going on inside until we ask, so ask.

Production Team

DR. COURTNEY RUSSELL, Co-director

Dr. Courtney Russell is a Licensed Psychologist and Board Certified Behavior Analyst in private practice, primarily specializing in work with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder. Courtney generally enjoys being an extremely dramatic person and has been involved in theater from a young age. She is passionate about the healing power of narrative and artistic expression. Courtney is thrilled to be a part of such a beautiful movement to encourage others to live authentically, increase connection, and end harmful mental health stigma.

TRAVIS WILSON, Co-director

Travis is delighted to once again return to This Is My Brave as a co-director to help promote mental health awareness on the Western Slope. Born and raised in rural Georgia, Travis has lived in Colorado for ten years and is a graduate of Colorado Mountain College in Glenwood Springs with a Bachelor's in Sustainable Studies and an Associate of Arts with a Theatre Emphasis. Travis has acted and worked with several theatre companies in the Roaring Fork Valley and sits on multiple arts boards. Travis also works in the nonprofit world as a Youth Advocate with YouthZone. Being someone who has gone through their own mental health struggles and successes, Travis' long term goal is to help sustain mental health in the Western Slope and help others find the bravery that lives within them.

CATHY SCHNEIDER, Mental Health Professional

Cathy is a licensed mental health provider in private practice in Avon. She serves clients who want to work on trauma, grief and loss, life transitions, and managing chronic medical needs. Having been in one middle school play only, Cathy does not have the dramatic chops for the stage. However, she advocates and encourages all kinds of expression. Her favorite mode of expression is singing loudly and off-key to her pets and while driving. Cathy is proud to be a part of This Is My Brave to support the participants and crew in all forms of self-expression.

And the SPEAKUP REACHOUT STAFF:

EMILY KRAMER, Marketing Assistant

ERIN IVIE, Fundraising Manager/Fidelity Lead

KELLY JIMENEZ, Assistant Producer

KIRBY LEMON, Assistant Producer

LAURA ALVAREZ, Production Team Lead

LESLIE ROBERTSON, Marketing and PR Coordinator