Keynote
2023 Keynote Speaker
Bradley Cooper
Cooper, a nine-time Oscar nominee, is currently in production on MAESTRO, a story he co-wrote and is directing, producing, and starring in. The film is a towering and fearless love story chronicling the lifelong relationship between Leonard Bernstein and Felicia Montealegre Cohn Bernstein. A love letter to life and art, MAESTRO at its core is an emotionally epic portrayal of family and love.
Next up, Cooper can be heard as the voice of “Rocket Racoon” in THOR: LOVE AND THUNDER and GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 3.
Previously, Cooper starred in and produced Guillermo del Toro’s NIGHTMARE ALLEY which was released in December 2021 by Fox Searchlight. Cooper also had a supporting role in Paul Thomas Anderson’s LICORICE PIZZA, which was released in November 2021 in which he was nominated for a SAG award for “Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role”. Both NIGHTMARE ALLEY and LICORICE PIZZA were nominated for the “Best Picture” Academy Award for the 2021 season.
Cooper made his directorial debut with the Oscar nominated film A STAR IS BORN, which he co-wrote, produced and starred. A STAR IS BORN was nominated for 8 Academy Awards.
Additional film credits include: Clint Eastwood’s THE MULE, Oscar-nominated films AMERICAN SNIPER, AMERICAN HUSTLE, and SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK; Derek Cianfrance’s THE PLACE BEYOND THE PINES; THE HANGOVER TRILOGY by Todd Phillips; LIMITLESS; AVENGERS: ENDGAME, AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR, GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY (volumes 1 and 2) WAR DOGS; David O’Russell’s JOY; WEDDING CRASHERS and WET HOT AMERICAN SUMMER.
In 2015, Cooper garnered critical acclaim and a Tony nomination for his portrayal of John Merrick in the five-time Tony nominated revival of “The Elephant Man” on Broadway, directed by Scott Ellis. Other theater credits include Joe Mantello’s production of “Three Days of Rain” (2006, Broadway Debut) and the critically-acclaimed Theresa Rebeck play “The Understudy” (2008, Williamstown Theatre Festival). Television credits include: “Wet Hot American Summer: first Day of Camp,” “Alias,” “Nip/Tuck,” “Kitchen Confidential,” “Jack & Bobby” and “Sex and the City.”
Born in Philadelphia, Cooper graduated with honors in the English program at Georgetown University. After moving to New York City, he obtained his Masters in the Fine Arts program at the Actors Studio Drama School.
In 2013, Bradley Cooper started One Family Foundation to help make a difference in the lives of patients with cancer. Through launching patient navigator programs, working to shift perceptions, and exploring innovations in the field, One Family Foundation aims to improve patients’ experience with cancer throughout their treatment. By elevating the importance of patient navigation, the Foundation hopes to redefine what it means to receive holistic cancer care. Cooper has been a longtime partner to Stand Up to Cancer and numerous veteran’s organizations throughout his career.
Musical Performer
Gabby Barrett
With a voice that negotiates down-to-earth twang and melismatic pop, country-pop singer Gabby Barrett had her big break in 2018 when she reached the finals of the 16th season of American Idol. Her first country hit, “I Hope,” followed in 2019, a version of which hit number three on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2020. That same year Barrett released her gold-certified full-length debut, Goldmine.
A native of Munhall, Pennsylvania, Barrett spent time writing and recording in Nashville as a high school student. Before auditioning for American Idol in Music City as a 17-year-old, she had also performed the national anthem at NFL and MLB games and opened tour stops for Toby Keith and Cole Swindell. Performing songs made famous by artists including Carrie Underwood, Maren Morris, and Miranda Lambert, Barrett eventually made it to the finals of the 2018 season of Idol, placing third.
In mid-January 2019, she released the three-track EP Fireflies, following it a week later with the vengeful breakup single “I Hope.” The song marked her debut on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. Over the next year-and-a-half, Barrett delivered a handful of follow-up singles including “The Good Ones,” “Hall of Fame,” and the Shane & Shane collaboration “Got Me.” At the beginning of 2020, a new version of “I Hope” featuring Charlie Puth raced to number three on the Billboard Hot 100. Later that year, her debut album, Goldmine, reached number 27 on the pop chart, eventually going gold. Among the many accolades Barrett received in 2021 were three Billboard Music Awards and Best New Female Artist of the Year honors from the Academy of Country Music Awards. A deluxe expanded version of Goldmine appeared late that year.