PROGRAM 4
Baki Fari by Taiwo Aloba
Daughters of Miriam by Molly Levine
Dust Bunnies* by Jack Rushton
BAKI FARI
by Taiwo Aloba
Synopsis:
Sade is a university graduate about to embark on a mandatory National Service in Northern Nigeria—an area plagued by inter-ethnic conflicts and banditry. In need of a Hausa language tutor, Sade recruits Madam Zainab, her straight-talking Hausa Neighbor from their intercommunal neighborhood in Lagos. The two women develop a common bond while confronting insecurity and danger in an era of ethnic and religious crisis.
CREATIVE TEAM
Taiwo Aloba (Playwright & Director)
Jenna Kole (Set Designer)
Kenneth Watson (Photographer)
CAST
Wendy Oduor (Madam Zainab)
Mariama Conde (Sade)
CREW BIO
Taiwo Aloba (Playwright and Director) is a New York-based writer and director originally from Nigeria. She was educated at Lagos State University in Lagos, New York Film Academy in New York, and Southern New Hampshire University in Manchester, New Hampshire. She has sung in an ensemble, written books, and ran a marathon in Coney Island.
Jenna Kole (Set Designer) is a printmaker by trade. Jenna has worked with artists such as Lady Aiko and the late Robert Indiana in printmaking and has traveled to places like Dubai and Copenhagen to make art. When she isn’t traveling, she is usually cooking something for friends and family at her home in Bellmore, Long Island.
CAST BIO
Wendy Odour (Madam Zainab): Wendy Oduor is the current Miss Kenya USA. Wendy holds degrees. In Psychology and Fashion Design. Along with working in the fashion industry and various creative projects, Wendy simultaneously uses her Miss Kenya platform to spread awareness about mental health. There is power in the mind and to see everyone freed mentally, is Wendy’s fuel in all she does.
Mariama Conde (Sade): Mariama Condé is a 21 year old acting student currently studying drama at NYU in the Atlantic Studio. She has been performing since the age of 11. She was most recently in the film ‘Free Guy’. Performing arts has always been a huge part in her life—her father working closely with Les Ballets Africains and Nimbaya, she always attended festivals and was constantly surrounded by the lively art. Condé is extremely grateful to have grown up with the knowledge of the beauty and art that is woven in the fabric of her West African culture.
Daughters of miriam
by Molly Levine
Synopsis: High up in the Uinta Mountains just outside of Salt Lake City, Utah, a last hoorah of a camping trip slowly turns into an exploration of identity, Judaism, and growing up. Annie, Sam, and Jessa are spirited and outspoken best friends who are days away from leaving each other for college. Cradled by the mountains and nature that raised them, they reckon with what their Jewish sisterhood means to them. Maybe it’s all a coincidence… Or maybe they are products of tradition.
Cast
Molly Levine Jessa
Chloe Friedman Sam
Julia Thau Annie
Creative Team
Molly Levine: Playwright
Haley Self: Director
Karina Singh: Assistant Director
Cait Gagnon: Production Manager/Artist
Mary Barbaria: Stage Manager
Cast/Creative Team Bios
Molly Levine (Jessa/Playwright):
Molly Levine (she/her) is a comedian, actor, writer, and performance artist who will graduate with a BFA in Acting & Playwriting from Marymount Manhattan College this spring. Molly frequently writes for herself and her friends, primarily sketches for her sketch team and one-woman shows for her school. She was born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah, where she grew up under a culture that caused her to be fundamentally anti, which obviously informs much of her work. Molly has dreams and goals of changing American theater, particularly fueled by a rejection of the classics and a yearning to push real and new voices to the front, with the help of Haley Self, Molly’s “artistic wife” and collaborator. Molly could not be happier with or more grateful for this experience of working on Daughters of Miriam, as the entire cast and crew are some of her best friends in the entire world, which is her entire ethos as an artist – making art with/by/& for her friends. Molly would like to thank everyone for their love and support, with a special shout out to Kenny Finkle. Molly dedicates this show to her best friend and muse, her mother, who’s Hebrew name is Miriam (which she only found out after the fact of writing the play). To her sweet father, who was raised by strong Jewish women and went on to raise his own. To the real “Jew Crew” of SLC along with its goyim followers who surely make up a lot of this as well. And a special thanks to her other half, Sam Walker. And finally, this play is truly dedicated to the long tradition of misbehaved, spirited Jewish women – may we all continue to dance the whole night long. Find out what it's all about at themollylevine.com
Haley Self (Director):
Haley Self (she/her) is a multi-media creative interested in telling stories with her friends. Haley and Molly are amidst a life long collaboration to make theatre cool again. Together they have co directed The Vagina Monologues at Marymount Manhattan College and Molly’s one woman show Love, Loss, and Who I Swore At. As a graduating senior, she is excited to work on projects that reflect, interrogate, and create the culture of today. She is deeply grateful for the cast and creative team for inspiring her every move, and gives extra love to Ethan, Brady, Cassie, and Bryan for helping her spread her wings.
Cait Gagnon (Production Manager/Artist): Cait Gagnon (they/them) is an illustrator and theater artist graduating from Marymount Manhattan College in the spring. This is their second project collaborating with Molly & Haley and certainly not their last. Cait is thrilled to be a part of this production and loves this show very dearly. Special thanks to their friends, family, & partner.
Karina Singh (Assistant Director):
Karina Singh (she/her) is a current Junior, BFA Acting major at Marymount Manhattan College. She is so ecstatic to have such a brilliant and joyful show be her first AD experience! Big love to everyone involved!
Mary Barbaria (Stage Manager):
Mary Barbaria (she/her) is a NY based stage manager and director. She is currently a sophomore at Marymount Manhattan College in the BFA Stage Management and BA Directing programs. Some of Mary’s most recent credits include Marymount Manhattan’s productions of She Kills Monsters (Assistant Director), Turncoat (ProductionStage Manager), and Daughters of Miriam (Production Stage Manager), as well as Girl Power Sex Positive Joy Ride (Production Stage Manager) at SheNYC arts, and Ivories (Production Stage Manager) at the Tank NYC. Mary is thrilled to be working with the Daughters of Miriam team again, and hopes you enjoy the show!
Julia Thau (Annie):
Julia Thau (she/her) is a current freshman BFA Musical Theatre student at Marymount Manhattan College. She is so thrilled to be a part of this amazing piece and opportunity! Julia would like to give a big thank you to the entire cast, creative team, her family and friends for always being the best!
Chloe Friedman (Sam):
Chloe Friedman (she/her) is excited to be returning to the story of Daughters Of Miriam. Chloe is a senior at Marymount Manhattan College, pursuing a BFA in Musical Theatre. She has recently been in Musical of Musicals The Musical, Daughters Of Miriam, and The Theory of Relativity. Chloe would like to thank the entire creative team, her fellow actors, and her friends and family for their support!
dust bunnies
by Jack Rushton
Synopsis:
Lizzie finds a mysterious black cammy in Ralph's room. She gets to the bottom of it.
BIOS
JACK RUSHTON, Playwright
40 pf Jack’s short plays have been produced at more than 150 Festivals around the country, including his George’s Radio, The Andaluz Award winner at The Fusion Theater’s The Seven in 2017 and his Mistranslations, a Finalist for the National Award, Short Play Writing, City Theater-Miami, 2019. Jack is thrilled that this fabulous cast is premiering Dust Bunnies at The Chain One Act Festival. Big thanks, Stephanie and Larry! For more about Jack’s work: http://www.jack-rushton.com
STEPHANIE HAZARD (Lizzie)
A Co-Founder and Co-Artistic Director of Greenwich Theatre Company. Stephanie co-produced and performed in GTC's inaugural production God of Carnage and co-produced and directed several one-acts for GTC's collection of short plays, Seven Easy Pieces, written by Jack Rushton. Stephanie has also produced a variety of short play festivals at Theater Artists Workshop in CT and as a past Board President has been a driving force for new programming and sold-out public performances. She has performed in a variety stage productions in CT and starred in Jack Rushton’s Beekeeper, The Players Theater-NYC SEX FESTIVAL 2018 Winner. Her TV and film work include The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, The Money Monster and The Greatest Showman. Stephanie continues to hone her craft at the Sally Batson Studio in NYC.
LARRY REINA (Ralph)
Select roles in New York City include King Lear (title role), Hamlet (Claudius), Three Sisters (Tuzenbach), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Bottom); Twelfth Night (Malvolio) with Red Monkey Theater Group; Regional theater include Seven Easy Pieces by Jack Rushton (Greenwich Theater Co.); Judge/Old Soldier, Parade (White Plains Performing Arts Centre); Oberon/Theseus, A Midsummer Night’s Queen (Lawn Chair Theatre, Westchester Co.); Charles, Blithe Spirit (M&M Productions, Tarrytown); Laramie Project (Clocktower, Irvington); Jacques Brel (Darien Arts Ctr); Idaho Shakespeare Festival. Trained in Atlantic Theater Company’s program. More info: https://www.backstage.com/u/LarryReina/