Joan Anderson is an author and motivational speaker who hosts retreats for women in search of themselves. Her first memoir, "A Year by the Sea," was on the NYT bestseller list for 32 weeks, followed by four more books translated worldwide: “An Unfinished Marriage," "A Walk on the Beach," "A Weekend to Change Your Life," and “The Second Journey." Dubbed “the runaway wife,” she has appeared on Oprah, Weekend Today, Good Morning America and more.

Alexander Janko has worked on more than 65 major motion pictures. A career milestone, he composed the music for MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING. His first script, HOME TOWN, became a semifinalist in Final Draft's "Big Break" screenwriting competition. His directing debut, YEAR BY THE SEA, won 16 festival awards (including Best Feature, Best Actress, Best Screenplay and Best Music) before its national release.

Laura Goodenow is an award-winning reporter, photojournalist and news editor who transitioned to the creative arts to follow her passion for storytelling. Now a producer, book editor, writer, lyricist, librettist and graphic designer, she’s the driving force behind YEAR BY THE SEA’s successful Kickstarter and marketing campaigns. Editor of NYT best-selling author Joan Anderson’s sixth memoir “Stretchmarks,” Ms Goodenow’s first musical, Emerging From The Night, is currently in development.

BRYAN PAPIERSKI — cinematographer — began his film career building sets and painting backgrounds in high school. After graduating Interlochen Arts Academy, he matriculated Art Center College of Design and the American Film Institute. Two weeks after earning his MFA he shot his first 35mm feature. His credits include THE FRONTIER BOYS, Elmore Leonard’s FREAKY DEAKY and Ryan Gosling’s directorial debut LOST RIVER. He has been awarded a slew of Clios, Tellys and ADDYs, as well as a New York International Film Festival award.

PAT McCORKLE — casting director — one of New York’s top casting directors, Pat McCorkle earned a graduate degree from New York University in theatre education. Invited by Alan Wasser to join THE CIRCLE IN THE SQUARE as assistant Artistic Director, she moved to Theater Communication Group and ran the National Student Auditions discovering such future stars as Kelsey Grammer, Harriott Harrison and Jamey Sheridan. Linda Hunt’s Oscar-winning role in THE YEAR OF LIVING DANGEROUSLY and Stanley Jaffe’s SCHOOL TIES—introducing Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Brendan Fraser and Chris O’Donnell—are highlights.