PROGRAM 15

Letters to a Young Cosmonaut by Isaac Byrne

The Den of the Spectacled Bear by Leon Lone

We All Used to Be Sane by Deniz Khateri* - Not performing June 17

Haley Rice (Cosmonaut) is a NYC-based artist most recently seen in Roaring Epiphany's production of Hugo Saves Christmas In May. She is the Creative Producer at MCS Theatre and curates their New Works Series and leads the Writers' Block at MCS. Her play Chimera placed in the top 30 at the Samuel French OOB and Don't Feed the Ducks premiered at the 2023 IHRAF at The Tank. She directed Ryan Tofil's play reading Part One, MCS Writers' Block Showcase Scratch That, and assistant-directed Isle of Shoals production of Romeo & Juliet. Proud to be asked by the late Ted Wold to direct his 2021 production of Sunday on the Rocks. Come say hi on Instagram @the_tales_of_hales or haleyrice.com

Isaac Byrne (Playwright/ Director) has been awarded the New York Innovative Theatre Award for Outstanding Direction twice and productions he has directed have been nominated for a Drama Desk Award, an Off Broadway Alliance award, and 29 NYIT awards. NYC Credits: Other Mozart, In Vestments, To Nineveh, Tar Baby, Rusalka, and AMP. He is the founder and co-artistic director of  Theatre 4the People. Learn more at www.isaacbyrne.com and www.theatre4thepeople.org

Ksjusha Povod (Voice of Recorded Instructions) started her acting journey in Phoenix at Arizona Actor’s Academy in 2019. Since then she has immersed herself in acting, writing, and producing throughout the community – from Southwest Shakespeare Company’s touring production of Love’s Labour’s Lost and the rambunctious musings of Drunk Shakespeare to Friday Night Reading community events that bring together playwrights, actors, and audiences. Ksjusha loves to make people laugh, and cry, and in the process bring everyone together by shining a light on our shared humanity.

Chris Cornwell (sound designer/ composer) is an NYC-based actor/musician/songwriter originally from Austin, Texas. Recent acting credits: Eddie/Dr. Scott/Guitar in The Rocky Horror Show (ZACH Theatre, Austin Texas), Hank Willams in Mrs. Hank (New Circle Theatre, NYC), Bradley in Kiss It, Make It Better and Daniel in Rusulka (both with Theatre 4the People.) Music Directing credits include Rusulka which won Outstanding Production for a Musical at the 2018’s Planet Connections Festival and A Midsummer Night's Dream, for which he also composed original music. Chris is also the co-founder of the rock ’n’ roll bands, Wolf Blitzen and The Rusty Guns. B.F.A. Acting, Texas State University; IG:@christophcornwell, www.chris-cornwell.com

Leon Lone (Playwright) is a New York-based playwright originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Her plays, including those presented under another name, have been featured at the Chain Theatre; PTP/NYC: After Dark; and Pittsburgh’s City Theatre. She is also the founder of The Dovecote, a monthly salon and reading series for new works. She extends her gratitude to Caitlyn Marr, Sean Meagher, and the fabulous staff of the Chain Theatre for their support.

Caitlyn Marr (Director) is an actor/director from Miami who recently directed Leon Lone’s “300 Bones” at the Chain Theatre Winter One Act Festival. Biggest thanks to Sean and Lana for genuinely being the best people ever. Instagram: @caitlynmarr22

Lana Meyer (The Spectacled Bear) is a playwright and, when budgets are tight, a performer. 

Deniz Khateri (Leyla / Playwright)  Born and raised in Tehran, Iran, Deniz is a multidisciplinary artist: Actress, playwright & librettist, stage & opera director, puppet designer, and animator based in New York. Holding an MA in theatre from Hunter College, her works have been invited and presented in numerous international festivals. Some of her notable works include: Salt (Opera, Nominated for Best direction by Broadway Boston), Diasporan (Animated Series, nominated by Oscar Qualified festivals and NYFA winner), selected playwright for New Perspectives Theatre Short Play Lab, Ice Factory Festival 2022, Now in Process Festival 2023, Resident artist at Center at West Park 2021. https://www.denizkhateri.com

Franco Pedicini (Director) thanks YOU, the audience, for supporting new works at Chain Theatre. Huge thanks to Kirk, Christina, Lana, Caitlyn, Haley, Isaac, Jun, Bahar, and Deniz.  https://www.francopedicini.com/

Bahar Royaee (Composer/Sound Designer):
Iranian composer/sound designer Bahar Royaee's acclaimed acoustic and electro-acoustic music has been described as a "poetic incantation, brimming with ideas and colors" (Classical Voice North America) and "haunting" (Boston Arts Review). Royaee expresses gratitude for the opportunity to collaborate with wonderful artists Deniz Khateri, Franco Pedicini, and Jun Park at the Chain Theater Festival.

Jun Park (assistant director) who was born and raised in Japan, is making her debut as an assistant director. She’s very grateful to be able to participate in this festival and work with amazing artists.