The 2011 World Science Festival Opening Night Gala

Bob Balaban recently received an Emmy nomination for directing Joan Allen and Jeremy Irons in Georgia O’Keeffe (Lifetime). He received three 2008 Emmy Award nominations, two for directing and producing the HBO film Bernard and Doris, and the third for his performance in Recount.

American-born stage and screen actor Bill Camp is best known for his extensive theatre work both on and off Broadway. The recipient of several awards and honors, including Obie, Eliot Norton, and Boston Critics Association awards, he has performed in Tony Kushner’s play Homebody/Kabul, The Misanthrope, Olly’s Prison, Coram Boy, Heartbreak House, The Seagull, St.Joan and Jackie: An American Life to name a few.

Tony-nominated Mireille Enos is currently starring in the critically acclaimed AMC drama series, The Killing. Enos will star opposite Brad Pitt in the Marc Forster-directed zombie extravaganza World War Z, which is based on the novel by Max Brooks and goes into production this summer. For the past three seasons, Enos starred in the HBO drama Big Love.

Maggie Gyllenhaal was most recently seen on stage in Austin Pendleton’s production of Three Sisters at the Classic Stage Company in New York City. Her other stage credits include Uncle Vanya, also at CSC, Tony Kushner’s Homebody/Kabul at BAM and the Mark Taper Forum, and Patrick Marber’s award-winning Closer at the Mark Taper Forum and Berkeley Rep.

Allison Janney was nominated for Best Supporting Actress at the 2011 Independent Spirit Awards for her role in Todd Solondz’s film Life During Wartime. In addition, she has completed production on the independent feature The Oranges alongside Catherine Keener and Hugh Laurie.

David Morse has long been recognized as an actor of great talent and versatility in film, television, and theater. His most recent film credits include Drive Angry opposite Nicholas Cage, Passengers with Anne Hathaway and the Oscar-winning film The Hurt Locker directed by Kathryn Bigelow.

Liev Schreiber is considered one of the finest actors of his generation with a repertoire of resonant, humanistic and often-times gritty portrayals that have garnered him with praise in film, theater, and television. He most recently appeared in the contemporary action thriller Salt with Angelina Jolie from director Phillip Noyce.

Brent Sexton was born in St. Louis, Missouri. Prior to settling in Los Angeles to pursue a career in Film and Television, he spent four and half years touring theatrically throughout Europe and the United States. Sexton played Harry Manning on HBO’s critically acclaimed series, Deadwood and he is also known for playing Officer Bobby Stark on the NBC series, Life.