*Julie Ridge (writer, performer) swam the English Channel in 1982, became the first person to swim two consecutive laps around Manhattan Island in ’83 (earning her a guest appearance on the “David Letterman Show”), completed the Hawaii Ironman Triathlon in ’84, and swam into the Guinness Book of Records in 1985 by swimming one 28.5 mile lap around Manhattan each day for five consecutive days. In 1990, she bicycled across America with her father, Frank Ridge. Julie performed on Broadway in “Oh! Calcutta!,” is a published author, and a motivational speaker. She earned her BFA from Boston University in 1978 and her Masters Degree in social work from Columbia University in 1994. Julie has been a foster and adoptive parent to special needs children. Now a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), she facilitates learning seminars for mental health care professionals, and serves children, adolescents and families. Julie established the Frank Ridge Memorial Foundation in 2013 in her father’s honor. She is proud mom to Jason Peterson-Ridge. Julie lives well with bipolar disorder.

*Uriel Menson (production stage manager) has worked across the country and around the world as a PSM, SM, ASM and performer. In Europe and Asia he toured with the American Drama Group, Europe, based in Munich Germany. In the tri-state area he was the PSM for THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME, SM for RADIUM GIRLS, and many other shows at too many venues to mention. He is also the SM and performer for the PARPARIM DANCE ENSEMBLE, based in NYC. After knowing each other for ages, Uriel is happy to finally be working with Ms. Ridge on this project. He is a proud member of AEA, the actors’ and stage managers’ union. (urielmenson@yahoo.com) Uriel lives well with osteoarthritis.

Cherry Rivera (assistant stage manager) is a nonbinary actor from Miami, Florida and an alumni of New World School of the Arts. They have recently finished a run of “The Rocky Horror Show” as Eddie and The Usherette at Entra’Acte Theatrix in West Palm Beach, Florida. Cherry is very excited to be in New York and to see this wonderful play come to life. While Cherry has only begun their journey, they plan on giving everything they can to serve the arts community in NYC as best they can, and they are honored to be a part of Julie’s inspiring story. Cherry lives well with persistent depressive disorder.

Jason Peterson-Ridge (head usher) has been a member of the Broadway Usher’s Union, IATSE Local B-306 for over 14 years. Jason is a hip hop music producer and has worked with artists DJ Lucas, Project Pat, Surfyy, Kato and more. He is proud to support his mother, Julie Ridge, for this production. Jason lives well with bipolar disorder.

*Howard Kolins (original director, 2018 Staged Reading production). Mr. Kolins has had a long career producing and managing special events, corporate meetings, product launches and galas. He has worked on many high profile events including Tina Brown’s Women in the World Summits, Glamour Women of the Year, NBC’s The Sound of Music Live with Carrie Underwood, two Super Bowl Half Times Shows, four Republican National Conventions, the Grammy Awards, the MTV Video Music Awards, Discovery Communication’s Upfront presentations and over ten seasons on the Tony Awards. For over a decade, he was the Executive Producer for The Radio City Christmas Spectacular in New York City as well as 17 locations across North America and Mexico City. He began his career stage managing off Broadway, Broadway and at Radio City Music Hall.

Amy Salganik (original art design) works as an illustrator and poster artist. She graduated from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA) and Minneapolis College of Art and Design. Amy worked as a courtroom artist for CBS and CNN and provided illustrations for numerous publications, recording artists, and theaters.

*Appearing courtesy of Actors Equity Association (AEA). AEA, founded in 1913, represents more than 50,000 actors and stage managers in the United States. Equity seeks to advance, promote and foster the art of live theater as an essential component of our society. Equity negotiates wages and working conditions, providing a wide range of benefits, including health and pension plans. AEA is a member of the AFL-CIO, and is affiliated with FIA, an international organization of performing arts unions. The Equity emblem is our mark of excellence. www.actorsequity.org

ABOUT THE FRANK RIDGE MEMORIAL FOUNDATION, INC

The Frank Ridge Memorial Foundation is dedicated to living well with mental health conditions through awareness and understanding. The 501(c)3 non-profit organization was founded in December, 2013, by Julie Ridge, in loving memory of her father Frank Ridge. We are proud to be celebrating our 12th Anniversary of service to mental health practitioners and the mental health community. We strive to accomplish our mission annually by:

• Creating and facilitating timely live-in-person and self study learning seminars for community members, individuals impacted by mental health issues, and mental health professionals. Learning is enhanced with accurate, compassionate, and responsible depictions of mental illness and issues impacting well being in movies; resource-rich up-to-date take-home materials and open discussions. As a NY State Education Department approved provider of Continuing Education our seminars earn continuing education contact hours for all NY licensed psychologists, social workers, marriage and family therapists, creative arts therapists, mental health counselors, and psychoanalysts.
• Providing meaningful part-time employment for people living well with mental health concerns, HIV/AIDS and disabilities.
• Supporting art created by people with mental disorders, disabilities and HIV/AIDS.
• Maintaining our resource-rich website. And
  Bringing Julie Ridge’s one-woman show BIPOLAR & THE ENGLISH CHANNEL and workshops featuring the award winning short documentary BREATHE (directed by Zac Norrington) to communities nationwide to celebrate diversity, equity and inclusion.

All contributions to the Frank Ridge Memorial Foundation, Inc are tax deductible.

To learn more about the Frank Ridge Memorial Foundation, visit: www.frankridgememorialfoundation.org

ABOUT FRANK RIDGE

Frank Ridge died on August 4th, 2013, peacefully and painlessly, surrounded by loving friends and family. He was 90 years old. Ridge lived through the Great Depression, served as a captain in WWII, reached the top of his field as a Certified Life Underwriter (CLU). His life was rich with adventure, professional achievement and community service. At the age of 67, he bicycled across America with his daughter Julie. He parachuted from an airplane when he was 89. Frank Ridge lived well with major depressive disorder.