BIO
Telisha Petteway moved from Colorado to New York City to pursue her passion for acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. She later graduated from CUNY Brooklyn College and is continuing her education at the City College of New York. Her training also includes studies at the Denver Center Theatre Academy, Front Range Acting Studio, Michael Howard Studios and HB Studios.
As an actor, Telisha enjoys the artistic challenges her profession presents. Early in her career, her portrayal of Shelly in Moonchildren, which her acting coach Anne Penner encouraged, confirmed her desire to pursue her childhood dreams professionally.Telisha sets aside time to work with the young generation by exploring their passions in the arts. She has volunteered as a reader, inspiring children to discover the joys of storytelling and reading. As a filmmaker, she has guided child actors in developing their confidence and creativity in front of and behind the camera lens.
Her undergraduate short film, Girl's Mirage, which she not only directed, wrote, and acted in, was nominated for a New Vision Award, recognizing her emerging talent in filmmaking. In addition to directing, she has applied her home interior design skills to production design, serving as the Art Director for Radio Score and the Production Designer for Cicatrix and Girl’s Mirage.Whenever she watches a movie, listens to music, enjoys a play, or participates physically in any of these activities, she feels like a five-year-old girl with a euphoric light beaming from her eyes and a smile plastered across her face. She never wants that feeling to end.
FILM SYNOPSIS
After a family tragedy, teenage cousins Dajah and Liyah’s damaged relationship is tested when a family secret from their past resurfaces, intensifying the already complicated dynamics of their home.
Caught In Between delves into the quiet tension within a fractured family, where unspoken pain and past trauma shape the dynamics between cousins Liyah and Dajah, and Dajah's mother, Aunt Ebony. Dajah’s birthday dinner takes a turn when their Uncle Darrell arrives, stirring old wounds beneath a facade of strained pleasantries. As Liyah finds solace in her art, Dajah wrestles with feelings of jealousy and displacement, leading to a reckless act that unearths long-buried truths. In a home where love and pain coexist, can this family find a way to heal, or will they remain trapped by the weight of their past—forever Caught In Between?
CREDITS
Cast
Young Dajah: Montana Monroe Young Liyah: Lathan Ava Darryl: Soulo Smith Dajah: LivLiv Nicole (On-Screen and Voiceover) Liyah: Autumn Maynard Young Man: Vincent Panetta Security Guard: Rebecca Black Manager: Mariel E. Glover Liyah's Mother
Voiceover: Miss Mary Mack: Serenity Molano Aunt Ebony: Shevonne Monique
(Photographs): Jameeale Arzeno
Key Crew
Director/Writer: Telisha Petteway Producer: Telisha Petteway Co-Producer: Michelene Billy Production Manager: Aja Knight Director of Director of Photography: Arturo de las Fuentes Editor: Em Merola
Sound Designer: Matt Broadfoot Colorist: Em Merola. Composer: Danny Calderon Costume Designer: Telisha Petteway
Wardrobe Stylist (Pre-Production): Omar Palmer
1st Assistant Director (House Location): Jared Hoffman (Day 1) 1st Assistant Director (House Location): Magda Bernstein (Day 2 & 3) 1st Assistant Director (Park Location): Joely Zuker 1st Assistant Director (Boutique Location): Jose Taveras. Script Supervisor: Pablo Causa
1st Assistant Camera (Boutique Location): Sophie Power. 2nd Assistant Camera (House Location): Analise Berger Videographer/Still Photographer (House Location): Samantha Farias (Day 1) Videographer/Still Photographer (House Location): Nicole Rosen (Day 3) Videographer/Still Photographer (Park Location): Samantha Farias Videographer/Still Photographer (Boutique Location): Meli "Melodrawmah" Holdipp
Gaffer: Mark Cristofanilli Key Grip: Vincent Le Chaffotec Grip/Gaffer Support: Sharlene Castillo (Day 3)
Sound Operator: Matthew Kopsachilis
Voiceover Performances: Montana Monroe (Young Dajah – "Miss Mary Mack") Lathan Ava (Young Liyah – "Miss Mary Mack") Serenity Molano (Voiceover – “Miss Mary Mack”) LivLiv Nicole (Dajah – On-Screen and Voiceover)
Makeup Artist/Hair: Rebecca Black
Production Designer: Telisha Petteway
Art Director (Pre-Production): Genesis Morales Art Production Assistant: Shanice Neita
Featured Artwork: Autumn Maynard (Drawings featured in the film)
Production Assistant: Shanice Neita Production Assistant: Theodora Dimitrios Zaimis Production Assistant: Kate Ivanov (Day 3)
Location Manager: Telisha Petteway (House & Park Locations) Location Scout (Boutique Location): Omar Palmer
Special Thanks:
To the owner of the house location for generously allowing us to film at their home.Herbert Von King Park, thank you for supporting our shoot. Make Manifest BK for allowing us to film in their space.The New York Mayor's Office of Film, Theatre & Broadcasting for their invaluable assistance with park locations.Vonceia Petteway & Viola Petteway, thank you for your help with food orders and catering coordination.City College MFA Film Department, especially Antonio Tibaldi, Annie Howell, Andrea Weiss, Frankie Cuadrado, Susan Mei, and Warut Snidvongs for their support.Special thanks to Jose Taveras for assisting with equipment transportation. New York Women in Film & TV Scholarship for their generous contribution. Deep Epiphany Candles for providing candles for props and as gifts to the cast and crew.
