Join us for a screening of 'The Secret Art of Human Flight' followed by a conversation with actors Paul Raci, Grant Rosenmeyer and director H.P. Mendoza. Moderated by Lori Hammel. 

Synopsis: THE SECRET ART OF HUMAN FLIGHT is a magical realist comedy-drama about a New England widower (actor and lead producer Grant Rosenmeyer) who attempts to overcome his grief by embarking on an absurd but personal journey with an eccentric guru (Academy Award nominee Paul Raci) who claims to have unlocked the power to fly. 

Paul Raci is an American actor best known for his role as Joe in the Sound of Metal (2020) directed by Darius Marder, starring opposite Riz Ahmed and Olivia Cooke. Paul can also be seen in many TV shows including Baskets opposite Zach Galifinakis, Goliath opposite Billy Bob Thornton and Parks and Recreations opposite Amy Poehler.

Paul was born and raised in Chicago by Deaf parents and is fluent in American Sign Language. While in Chicago, he honed his acting chops at the local theaters and was a founding member of The Immediate Theater Company, where he was nominated for a Jefferson Award for their production of Children of a Lesser God. He also trained at Second City and has worked with several improvisation companies.

In Los Angeles, he has performed in over 12 productions with the locally acclaimed, Deaf West Theater including Of Mice and Men, Medea, Equus, A Christmas Carol, and most recently the acclaimed, award winning production of David Mamet's American Buffalo in ASL.

A Vietnam veteran, Paul is also a musician and singer with the band Hands of Doom an ASL rock, Black Sabbath Tribute band where Paul dazzles his audience with his outstanding, raw vocals and outrageously artful ASL. Paul has been married for years to Liz Hanley Raci. They have one daughter, Britta, who is also a singer, songwriter with the Indie Band It's Butter.

Grant Rosenmeyer was born on July 3rd, 1991 in Manhasset, New York. He started acting regionally at the age of 7 and, professionally, at age 8, getting his start on Broadway in a short-lived rendition of "Macbeth", opposite Kelsey Grammer, and in the famed musical, "Les Miserables", as "Gavroche", the spunky street urchin. He had to leave after four months to make his film debut in Wes Anderson's modern classic, The Royal Tenenbaums (2001), opposite Gene Hackman and Ben Stiller, along with the rest of the stellar cast. His next film was the famous "Jewxploitation" film, The Hebrew Hammer (2003), opposite Adam Goldberg and Andy Dick. Rosenmeyer then booked Fox's Oliver Beene (2003), as the title role, earning him a great deal of exposure. He has made numerous well-known guest appearances on shows such as Monk (2002), playing "Young Monk", and Curb Your Enthusiasm (2000) as "Wilson" in the episode, The Smoking Jacket (2005).

H.P. Mendoza was born in San Francisco, California, USA. H.P. is a director and writer, known for Fruit Fly (2009), I Am a Ghost (2012) and Colma: The Musical (2006).

Lori Hammel is a NYC-based actress and writer. Film work includes Ethan and Joel  Coen’s ‘Burn After Reading’, ‘Spoiler Alert’, ‘She’s Lost Control’, ‘Puzzle’, ‘Rob Peace’,  the horror/thriller ‘Blood Conscious’ (2022 New York Times pick), along with  numerous shorts including playing the lead in ‘Coney Island Queen’ (Cannes Shorts  Corner). 

Lori has appeared in a wide variety comedic and dramatic roles on TV including  ‘The Other Two’, ‘Blue Bloods’, ‘FBI: Most Wanted’, ‘Jessica Jones’, ‘Law & Order’  (2022), ‘Gordita Chronicles’, ‘High Maintenance’, ‘30 Rock’ and ‘Master of None’.  Her stage work includes Broadway, Off Broadway and National Tours.  

Lori played recurring political pundit Leslie Hillerman on the Onion News Network  series, 'In The Know' and is the creator and star of the series 'Margo Rose Reports’.  She received an Excellence in Acting Award at the NY International Fringe Festival and is the recipient of a Jeff Award, two Jeff nominations, two After Dark Awards and  the SAG-AFTRA Joseph C. Riley Service Award. Lori co-authored the critically  acclaimed guidebook 'Minding the Edge – Strategies for a Fulfilling, Successful Career as an Actor' and is a contributing writer for 'Acting for the Stage' (Focal Press). 

She is currently in post production with her first short film as a writer/director.