Lauren Baker is a proud alum of Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, where she pursued a BA in Theatre and developed a passion for storytelling through roles in favorite productions like Danny and the Deep Blue Sea, Proof, and Six Degrees of Separation. After college, Lauren shifted her focus to political organizing, working on a wide range of campaigns, from those at the local level to major statewide races. In 2020, she served as a Regional Digital Director for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and has written for a variety of leaders, including Elizabeth Warren, Beto O'Rourke, Nancy Pelosi, and countless others. In 2021, Lauren founded her own political consulting firm, but her love for theatre has never waned. Last fall, she returned to her first love in The Classic Theatre Project's production of Hamlet and is now excited to be joining Second Thought Theatre's 2025 Thought Process Cohort!

Kat is a queer creative based in Dallas, TX, with a professional background in acting and design. While completing their undergraduate degree, they developed Matrilineal, an installation for the UT Cohen New Works Festival that explored matriarchal lineage and the transmission of knowledge and behaviors through mother-daughter relationships. Although Kat’s writing journey began with poetry, they are excited to delve into the world of playwriting as they continue to expand their creative practice.

Tony Reynolds (He/Him) is a playwright/actor located in the DFW area, currently pursuing a BFA in Theatre from Texas Christian University. As an emerging playwright, he writes to explore and expand on the homosexual experience by highlighting the psychological journey of his characters. As an actor, he has been seen in Twelfth Night as Officer 1/Musician (Shakespeare Dallas) and various Theatre TCU productions. www.tonyreynolds.me

Loretta is a DFW based artist and holds a B.A. in Drama from the University of Dallas. She works as a bookkeeper and spends her free time writing.

Rayven is a DFW based artist who is immensely thankful to Second Thought for creating this program! You might have seen them around DFW, as they work freelance for many theatres in the area! Credits include: Stage Manager for Heroes of the Fourth Turning (Second Thought Theatre), East Texas Hot Links (Jubilee Theatre), Ada and The Engine, and Intimate Apparel (MainStage Irving). Sound Designer for Thoughts of A Colored Man (Jubilee Theatre), The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin (Jubilee Theatre), Into the Breeches (Stage West), The Odd Couple (WaterTower Theatre). Sound Designer/ASM for A Gospel Black Nativity (Jubilee Theatre). Assistant Stage Manager for The Play That Goes Wrong, The Importance of Being Earnest, Marjorie Prime, Cruel Intentions: The 90s Musical, and Church & State (Stage West). Properties Designer for Destroying David (Circle Theatre), Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 (Theatre Three), The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity (Circle Theatre), Intimate Apparel at (MainStage Irving).

Megan Muscato recently graduated from Southern Methodist University where she earned a BFA in Theatre and a minor in Musical Theatre. Megan is now well into her second year teaching Theatre and Dance at La Academia de Estrellas Charter School. Although nothing makes her happier than spending time with her family, Megan loves spending time outside, social dancing, and of course, writing. 

Straton Rushing is a DFW-based playwright and theatremaker originally from Sonora, Texas. Playwriting honors include the Bela Kiralyfalvi Playwriting Award, the Hear Me Out Monologues Golden Ear Award, Chameleon Theatre Circle’s New Play Award, Runner-Up for the McNerney Playwriting Prize and finalist for the ATHE Judith Royer Award. His works have been featured at numerous professional theatres, colleges and schools around the USA, Canada and India. He holds degrees in Theatre and Philosophy from the UT Arlington. He received his MFA in Dramatic Writing from Arizona State University where he was recognized as an Outstanding Graduate for Excellence and Innovation in Creative Practice. By day, he works as Administrative Coordinator for Kitchen Dog Theater. StratonThePlaywright.com

Tayla Underwood (she/her) is a proud graduate of Florida A&M University where she gained hands-on experience in every aspect of theatre production from building sets and light board operations to box office management and dramaturgy. Some of her favorite acting credits include Actor 1 in Bootycandy!, Ama in School Girls; Or the African Mean Girls Play, and Oya (swing) in In the Red and Brown Water. During her time at FAMU she wrote her first 3 plays, two of which were stage-read at the Essential Theatre's 10-Minute Play Festival (2019 & 2022). Tayla's work is directly influenced by and is designed to validate Black American culture and experiences, specifically highlighting erasures and destabilization of Black towns and neighborhoods. As a Dallas native, Tayla is thrilled to be a part of Thought Process. Being able to create theatre art in the city she calls home is really a dream come true.