PROGRAM 9

The Carpet by Jeryl Brunner

Bloodletting by Emma Miller

DimSum69 by John McCleery

Star Lake by Beck Farris

Brian………………………………………...Garrett Dooley

Esther……………………………………….Dominique Taylor 

Garrett Dooley (Brian) — Recent credits include George in Luciernagas (National Queer Theatre), Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike (John Bourne Theatre), and Blanche in a Wheelchair (Samuel French One Act Festival). TV: The Blacklist and The Good Fight. Short Film: Dinner with the Uptighty's and Sweet Tooth. 

Emily Melnick (Director) is an artist and strategist working in public health, theater, fabric, and clay. Her practice focuses on themes of intimacy, identity, and tradition. This is her third collaboration with playwright Emma Miller, including the 2022 premiere of Pretty Privilege at the Chain Theater. As an actor, Emily most recently performed the title role in Titus Andronicus with the Belladonna Shakespeare Company.

Emma Miller (Playwright) is a writer of both fact and fiction in New York City. She is currently pursuing an MFA in creative writing at The City College of New York, where she has received the David Dortort Prize in Playwriting and the Elyse L. Nass Endowed Scholarship for Playwriting. She’s delighted to return to the Chain Theatre with this new work. 

Dominique Taylor (Esther) has a deep artistic passion for acting. Originally from Alabama, she moved to New York City in January. Since then she’s acted in multiple short films and plays. Dominique is currently enrolled in acting classes to further hone her skills and looks forward to continuing her acting career in the city! 

John McCleery (Playwright) is a graduate of NYU where he studied playwriting. He currently studies with Julie McKee at HB Studios. John is thrilled to be part of the Chain Theatre's One Act play festival. He encourages everyone who rides a bike to wear a helmet. 

Linda Blackstock (The Woman) is a proud native New Yorker, born and bred in The Bronx, Over the years, she has performed in a variety of venues throughout the boroughs of NYC, including Metropolitan Playhouse, Prospect Theater, Kraine Theater, Irish Arts Center, New Perspectives Theater, Secret Theater, The Brick and The Point. Thank you, John and Ted for this opportunity and Matthew, for being my partner on stage.

Matthew Gancayco (DimSum69) graduated from Princeton University with a degree in Anthropology and a certificate in Theater. Despite waiting until his final year of college to begin acting, Matthew participated in six theater performances. While at Princeton, he was also a member of the varsity wrestling program for four years.

Ted Thompson (Director) has been directing in various venues around Brooklyn and Manhattan for the past twenty five years, mostly at the Heights and Gallery Players. This November he will be directing Stephen Adly Guirgis' The Motherfucker With the Hat in Brooklyn Heights. He thanks John for this opportunity.

Marialana Ardolino (Sound Recording) has been doing tech for shows for quite some time. Working with Ted is always a pleasure! She can be seen next as SM for Ted this coming November @ Heights Players.

CREW

Elena Maldonado-Dunn -Role: Director -Pronouns: they/them

Biography: Elena graduated Marymount Manhattan College with degrees in Directing and Creative Writing. Recent projects include the original production of Star Lake, and Achilles and Patroclus, both at Marymount Manhattan. Elena is passionate about telling queer stories, both historical and current. Instagram (@_elena_isabel_)

Sophie H Nolan -Role: Stage Manager -Pronouns: She/Her

Biography: Sophie is a Stage Manager and Playwright currently studying at Marymount Manhattan College. She's thrilled to be joining Medusa Collective this summer at The Chain! Recent Stage Management credits include Chekhov's 'Uncle Vanya' (MMC, Deck Stage Manager), Breathe:Tulum (New York Live Arts, Stage Manager), and Voice of Reason (New York Summer Theatre Festival, Stage Manager). Instagram (@sophiehnolan)

Beck Farris -Role: Playwright  - Pronouns: Any

Biography: Beck Farris (any pronouns) is a recent graduate of Marymount Manhattan College with a double major in BFA Acting and Writing for the Stage, where they received the Golden Key in Playwriting. Their work often centers themes of queerness, girlhood, mental health, and the supernatural. Recent writing credits include Bog Body and This Isn’t You, It’s Your Disorder produced as staged readings in the Marymount Manhattan Blackbox. They are thrilled to be working with Medusa Collective NYC to bring Star Lake to the Chain Theatre. You can find them on Instagram @beck.farris and you can find them in real life being silly and whimsical everywhere they go.

Ana Coakley -Role: Assistant Director - Pronouns:  She/Her

Biography: Ana is a recent graduate from Marymount Manhattan College with a BA in Directing and a BA in Film and Television. Recent directing credits include: Buried Treasure by Jaclyn Backhaus and Kinky Boots by Harvey Fierstein and Cyndi Lauper. She loves new, experimental work, horror and the macabre, and strives to advocate for the disabled, LGBTQ+, and mental health communities. Ana is thrilled to be apart of the Medusa Collective and this beautiful show. 

Beverly Fort -Role: Assistant Stage Manager- Pronouns: She/They

Biography: Beverly Fort is a Queer theatre artist from Houston Texas specializing in acting, writing, and any other form of putting new works up onto stage. They are currently a Senior in the BFA Acting program at Marymount Manhattan (@beverly_fort)

Isabella Fatigati - Role: Production Coordinator - Pronouns: She/They

Biography: Isabella Fatigati is the Artistic Director of the Medusa Collective and an interdisciplinary artist. They are a playwright, photographer, producer and more. They can often be found hosting a reading with a pink drink in their hand. Isabella is a senior at Marymount Manhattan College and will graduate in the fall with a dual degree in Theatre New Media & Writing for the Stage with a double minor in Photography & Communications and Media Arts. You can find them at @bellafatigati and @medusacollectivenyc on Instagram!

Nayum Faruki -Role: Producer

Biography:  Nayum Faruki is the executive director for ‘Medusa Collective NYC”. She is a fresh graduate from Marymount Manhattan College. She recently directed and produced a very successful run for a  play called ‘Khilona’ in Lahore, Pakistan and produced ‘Clowntown’ at the Chain Theatres Winter One Act Festival. She can be found working in film, content creation and theater.  You can find more information about Nayum on Instagram at @nayumfaruki and @medusacollectivenyc

Madeline Heeney -Role: Associate Producer- Pronouns: She/Her

Biography: Madeline is the Head of Development and a Resident Artist with the Medusa Collective NYC. She is a recent graduate of Marymount Manhattan College where she studied Directing and Stage & Production Management. Madeline is also the Head of Performing Arts at Harbor Camps, a sleep away camp for trans and non-binary youth. Recent directing credits include Flower Power (MMC), Clowntown (Chain Winter One Act Festival), and HIR (MMC). Instagram (@madddieheeney )

Sophia DiStefano -Role: Associate Producer -Pronouns: She/Her

Biography: Sophia DiStefano (she/her) is an up and coming theater artist based in New York. She recently received her BA in Theater Arts with a double concentration in Directing and Stage Management & Producing from Marymount Manhattan College. In her work, Sophia hopes to uplift marginalized voices and bring light to topics such as women’s rights, advocating for anti-gun violence laws, and LGBTQIA+ rights. Instagram (@sophia_4401)

Avalon Cole Role: Lighting Consultant  - Pronouns: She/Her -Instagram (@avalonccole)

CAST 

Liliana Patracuolla - Role: Patience - Pronouns: She/Her

Biography: Liliana is ecstatic to be back at Star Lake! She is a rising senior at Marymount Manhattan College getting a double BFA in Musical Theatre and Stage and Production Management. Recent credits include First Daughter Suite (Deck Stage Manager), Mr. Burns (Ensemble, Instrumentalist), Buried Treasure (Production Stage Manager), and Flu Season (Woman). Thank you to this wonderful team!  Instagram (@lilypatracuolla)

Andrew Tye Role: Finn Pronouns: He/Him/They/Them

Biography: Andrew Tye is a poet, writer, artist, and sometimes actor from Texas. He is currently working on a book-length project about Christianity, sexual trauma, and fathers and sons. You can find his work on Instagram @andrewtyewrites.

Paige McAllister - Role: Lee - Pronouns: They/Them

Biography: Paige McAllister (they/them) is a sophomore BFA Acting major at Marymount Manhattan College. Recent credits include: Star Lake and The Interview at MMC. They are excited to be performing this special little play again and sharing it with even more people! Instagram (@paigemmcallister)

Cast: 

Leta Levy (Beverly Hoffman)

Leta is a proud native New Yorker, actor and teaching artist with Voices of a People’s History in collaboration with Lincoln Center. New York theater credits include: The Weasel Festival (The Public Theater), Outer Banks (Signature Theatre), 48 Hour Forum (Noor Theatre); The Animals (JACK) and The Place We Built (The Flea, dir. Danya Taymor). She is also a long time volunteer at The 52nd Street Project. BA: Brown University. MFA: Brooklyn College, Graduate Acting. @LetaHLevy www.LetaLevy.com  

Anthony Naranjo (Brock Calhoun)

Anthony is a New York Native who was most recently seen in Pecking Order by Robin Rice, right here at the Chain Theatre. He just filmed a pilot for a series, (fingers crossed), and starred in Unpredictable Currents, a film premiering at the Angelika Film Center on June 22nd. Anthony is honored to be a part of this show!

Esther Cunningham (Liz/Ashley) 

Esther is a Brooklyn based actor originally from Cincinnati where her favorite roles were Emmy in A Doll’s House, Part 2 and Hannah Winters/Every Cheerleader in Sex and Education at the Ensemble Theater of Cincinnati. On screen, she can be seen as Paige in the film They/Them/Us and Beth in the web series The Go To (currently streaming on YouTube). Much love to Christopher, Max and Murphy as well as her family at Act First Studio. IG: @Its.Esther.With.An.H, esthercunningham.com

Zaria Harp (Skye) 

Zaria is an actor from Mesquite, Texas who is currently based in New York City. She has been acting since the third grade and has loved it ever since. In New York, Zaria has had the opportunity to be involved in a few short films and act in 1918 by Horton Foote with the Horton by the Stream theater company. Zaria is very grateful and excited for this opportunity that came about through Lana Fuqua and Anna Strout. She would also like to thank her family and friends for their continued love and support. 

Reed Kibutu (Bentley) 

Reed lives in Edgewater, New Jersey with his family and attends the Hudson School in Hoboken. He is in the 11th  grade and his favorite subjects are math and history. Reed has a natural love for the stage and begin acting when he was 10-years-old. Reed also enjoys playing soccer and has recently begun learning to play basketball. Reed would like to thank his mom and dad for their love and support.

Jeryl Brunner (Nancy K. Dowd and playwright)

Jeryl is a writer, improviser and actress.  As a playwright, Jeryl participated in The 24 Hour Plays writing for Tony nominee Anika Larsen. She received her BFA in acting at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts and studied improv for many years at the Upright Citizens Brigade. She currently performs improv throughout New York City with her indie team Lady Monster and has done voiceovers for books on Audible.com. Jeryl is working on her full-length play, One Date Love, about the lengths we go to get people love us. So much gratitude to The Chain Theatre, Christina Perry, Katie Rosin, Kirk Gostkowski, Rick Hamilton, Michael Schloss of LDI Connect, Whitney Bae (for the voiceover at the end), Anna Strout, Zac Kline, Josh Farner, Barbara Toy, Bonnie Brodner, Sherry Brodner and the entire cast and creative team of The Carpet.

Creatives: 

Josh Farner (Director)

Josh is thrilled to be making his New York City directorial debut. He is a graduate from the University of the Arts and holds a BFA in directing and production. Favorite directing and choreography credits include A New Brain, Junie B. Jones, A Year with Frog and Toad, and Urinetown. He has also served as a production manager for NYCDA and RWS Entertainment.

Anna Strout (Producer and Casting Director)

Anna casts, produces programs for and serves as an educator for Voices of a People's History and their many partner organizations including, Lincoln Center, National Nurses Union, SummerStage, Town Hall, 400 Years of Inequality, NYC Lab School, Judith S. Kaye High School, New York University. Over the years, Anna has lent her production and casting skills to numerous music releases; museum exhibits; publications; animated, fiction film, documentary productions; and plays. Strout  currently produces and books talent for When Lightning Strikes with host Jeryl Brunner on the Broadway Podcast Network. She also volunteers with Middle Way House, an organization that works to end domestic violence, sexual violence, and human trafficking through an empowerment model.