PROGRAM 2*

The Box by Renee´ Flemings

The Great Hiker Reunion by Rosie Coursey

Vacation by Nathan Johnson

*Shows in this block include Equity Members appearing with permission of Actor’s Equity Association without benefit of an Equity contract in this off-off Broadway production.

THE BOX BIOS:

Renee´ Flemings (PLAYWRIGHT, THE BOX) Renee´ has written a helluva lot of short plays, which have all either had readings or productions nationally and internationally.  Full lengths include: The Jam (Blank Theatre, L.A. & Genesis Festival Crossroads Theatre), Strange Weather (O’Neill Semi- Finalist, Reading @ Roundabout Theatre), empty spaces (Semi- Finalist O’Neill, QuickSilver Theatre Fellowship) among others.  Much gratitude to Sal, Keith and Misha for all of your support and love and to The Chain for this experience. 

Keith Randolph Smith (DIRECTOR, THE BOX) Keith is a deep admirer of Renee's writing and is blessed to have this opportunity to work with her, this cast, this crew and be a part of the festival.

Prentice Myles (MATTHIAS) is a New York / Atlanta based artist . Alumni of The American Academy of Dramatic Arts in 2019 . His most recent stage credits are The Last of the Son by Cris Eli Blak & The Luck of the Irish Dir by Adrienne D. Williams

Sean Phillips (LEWIS) is a graduate of AMDA. Theatre: Network ( Florida Studio Theatre), Mother Courage with Meryl Streep, Knock Me A Kiss with Andre De Shields, To Kill A MockingBird( Intiman Theatre),In The Heat of the Night 59e59, The Treatment ( IATI), SuperMan Never Saved No Black People( Nylon Fusion). TV/ Film: Evil, Madam Secretary, Person of Interest, Difficult People , The Following, Law & Order.

Matt Corry (DANNY) is a native New York actor, singer, and musician who holds a BA in Drama from Vassar College and a MFA in Acting from the Actors Studio Drama School at Pace University. Recent credits include: The Country Play (TNC), Lifestruck (Producers Club), To the Mothers Now (Emergence Artist Theatre), What Happened Was (NYTF), and The Author’s Voice (3 Legged Dog). He is forever thankful to his parents, family, friends, and Sarah for their patience, love, and support!

*Shows in this block include Equity Members appearing with permission of Actor’s Equity Association without benefit of an Equity contract in this off-off Broadway production.

Bios for Cast and Crew of The Great Hiker Reunion

Rosie Coursey-writer/director: Rosie is a New York based writer who specializes in dark, existential comedies about human relationships. Her previous work includes Dorm Death, which premiered at The Chain one act festival in 2022, as well as The Great Hiker Reunion that premiered with the same cast at NY Summerfest 2022 where It won best short production. Upcoming she has a short film that’s in development with Fentress Films entitled I.F.S. She would like to thank her amazing cast; who has been a pleasure to work with, as well as her very supportive family.

Kira Skadsen- Heather: Classically trained with a full two-year scholarship to Stella Adler Studio of Acting, Kira has played roles from Shakespeare to Grease the Musical. Most recently, Kira took to the screens with a supporting role in an indie feature film, “Good Idea," streaming now on NobBudge.Com. Kira moved to the Big City when she was sixteen, leaving her family in the name of art. Bustling New York quickly felt like home to the South African world traveler. Kira is very excited to take to the stage again with this incredibly written play, especially when Broadway picks it up!  

Gina: Giulia Cowie is super excited to be a part of The Great Hiker Reunion! She is a New York based American-Italian actress and producer from Florence, Italy. She graduated from The American Academy of Dramatic Arts in 2018 and has been working since, more recent work includes: performing in a production of 12 Angry Women with the Alpha NYC Theatre, starring in the short film Scarlet, and working as a Production Assistant on the set of Bless Me Father, as well as recently guest starring in an episode of Law and Order.She likes to keep her acting muscles strong by constantly taking acting classes in NYC and she is currently represented by Take3Talent. Giulia would like to thank Rosie Coursey for making her a part of her amazing team and her friends and family for the undying support. xoxo

Enjoy the show!

*Shows in this block include Equity Members appearing with permission of Actor’s Equity Association without benefit of an Equity contract in this off-off Broadway production.

Nathan Johnson* Actor and Playwright (James)- Writing-Dramatists Guild Fellowship finalist, National Queer Theatre-WIO Fellowship recipient. His plays have received national recognition (SAUK, American Stage, Woven Theatre, Magnetic Theatre). Acting-My Big Gay Italian Wedding (Off-Broadway), LaMama, Williamstown, Hangar Theatre, Northern Stage and television’s One Life to Live. He’s done make up for hundreds of celebs but is most recognized from his time as the on-air artist on Project Runway. MFA Columbia University, AEA member, Hummel nemesis.

William Ryall* -Actor (Barrett) - veteran of 16 Broadway shows, 8 Original Broadway Cast recordings, 3 Tony Award Broadcasts and 3 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade performances. He recently co-starred in DIRTY BLONDE at the Coachella Valley Repertory. Recent television credits include UNCOUPLED (Netflix/Showtime), LIMITLESS (CBS), and he will return as Mr. Hefty for Season Two of THE GILDED AGE (HBO). AADA Graduate, AEA member, Hummel protector.  http://www.williamryall.com 

Brendan Clifford -Director - director/writer/actor, as this bio will prove. He began directing in high school (9 productions, including taking The Fantasticks on a local mini tour!), then earned his degree in all three at Marymount Manhattan College. He’s directed and acted in plays in NYC and LA, worked as an Assistant and Associate Director in LA and Chicago, on several Broadway, Lincoln Center, and off-Broadway plays and musicals, and has worked extensively as a TV writer, most notably as a head writer, producer and actor on 2 seasons of the culture favorite TV series Nightcap on Pop/Hulu. He’s thrilled to be directing the premiere of Vacation.

David Brooks - Costume Design - nominated for the Emmy Award 9 times, won 3 for his work on “One Life to Live”. Other television credits include “The Good Wife”, “Braindead”, “The Good Fight”, “Instinct”, “The Bite”, “Evil” and the upcoming CBS drama “Elsbeth”. Theater credits include designs for “Secrets Every Smart Traveller Should Know” off Broadway, The Vineyard Theater, The Kennedy Center, Barrington Stage, Pennsylvania Stage Company, Speakeasy Stage Company and The Hal Prince Musical Theater Workshop. David has designed costumes for the a cappella group Toxic Audio in their Drama Desk winning off Broadway Show, multiple tours and a Las Vegas residency at the Hard Rock hotel. 

Stephen Jupinka - Production Assistant - This is Stephen’s first New York production. He is currently studying theater at Bergen Community College in Paramus New Jersey. He was in a couple of plays back in high school. He was the Constable in The Music Man, Old Man Strong in Urinetown and was Eddie in Mamma Mia last year. He also is stage assisting at his college. Stephen is very excited to be a part of this production and wants to thank the production team for giving him this opportunity!

*Equity Member appearing with permission of Actors’ Equity Association without benefit of an Equity contract in this Off-Off Broadway production.