PROGRAM 5

Dance Club by Peter Rowan

God Learns of the Death of Harambe, 2016 (colorized) by Alexander Perez

New Year by Matthew McLachlan

Queen of Jacks by Alba Albanese

The General by David Taylor Little

BIOS 

Martin Balaguer - DAN: Martin is a bilingual Argentine actor based in Locust Valley, New York. His acting credits include a supporting role in the Emmy nominated web-series “Tough Love”, and leading roles in NY Theater Festival 2022 and Eastline Theater  Long Island. He's also a filmmaker and his most recent short film, “Adam”, has won several awards including the Marc Stein Comedy Award in the 25th Year Long Island Film Expo. More info at: www.martinbalaguer.com

Arianna Wellmoney - JOAN: (she/her) is an actor and playwright originally from Milan, Italy. Recent credits include: “Dave’s Retro Video Lab” (webseries directed by Emmy Award Winning Director David Distinti),  “La Santera” (TV Pilot), “3018” (Snapchat Show), “Enoptromancy” (Off Broadway show) and “True Drama” (Feature Film). She wrote and starred in “Extraordinary Aliens,” performed both in New York and Los Angeles. Contact: www.AriannaWellmoney.com

Aristotle Stamat - GARRY: Mr. Stamat has been in several theatrical productions in New York spanning several decades, including roles in “Ah, Wilderness,” the Marx Brothers revival of “I'll Say She Is,” and Brutus in “Julius Ceasar.” He has also performed in several film projects, such as “Tango On the Balcony,” “Behind the Mirror,” and “Somewhere in the Middle.” He studied acting with Terry Knickerbocker, and graduated from Indiana University. He is from Montclair, NJ, and currently lives in New York City. Email: astamat7@gmail.com

Johnny Dee Damato - DETECTIVE: Johnny has dedicated his life to becoming an actor. Forty Five years of being in the business done many bit parts for Stage, Screen & Television.Semi retired now is a professional Santa Claus as well as VO artist! Thanks Peter Rowan for always keeping me in Mind. Cell: 917-216-1576

Peter Rowan - WRITER/DIRECTOR: This past June, Peter’s play “Forty-Second Street Forever” premiered at the Players Theatre Short Play Festival (NYC). He wrote, directed, and portrayed the legendary grindhouse film director Andy Milligan in the award winning feature film (Bare Bones Film Festival 2002) “The House on The Hill,” loosely based on the making of Wes Craven and Sean S. Cunningham's 1972 cult classic “The Last House on The Left.” Peter has studied writing with Raymond Carver, Tobias Wolff, William Packard, Thomas G. Waites, and Lyle Kessler. Film appearances include “Mona Lisa Smile” and, on television, “Boardwalk Empire,” “Person of Interest,” and “Public Morals.” Email: rowanpeter63@gmail.com

Bios

Paula Ali (God) (She/Her) - is a half Persian Performer/Director/ choreographer from Nashville. Her favorite credits include (Burgess) Randy's Dandy Coaster Castle at IRT, Q2 at the NewHarmonyProject (Yasmin), her self produced Dance concert video titled Shy, and directing  The Bad In Each Other by Alexander Perez at N ewWorkFestival. @notpaulabdulnyc #ZanZendegiAzadi

Andrew O’Loughlin (Gabriel) (He/Him) is a New York based actor. Select theatre credits include Dixon Place, Upright Citizens Brigade, Classics on the Rocks, Valley Shakespeare Festival, and Breaking & Entering Theatre Co. BFA Marymount Manhattan College. Instagram: @andrewpants123 | www.andrew-oloughlin.com

Omar Perez (Michael) (He/Him)- is an actor, director, and educator. He was last seen in Alex Perez' Randy Dandy's Coaster Castle. TV Credits include: Younger (TVland), FBI: Most Wanted (CBS) Power, Ray Donovan (Starz network) Russian Dolls (Netflix) and Search Party (TBS). His work as a director and educator focuses on collaborative and new works. Follow Omar on Instagram: @omarmperez.

Alexander Perez (Jesus Christ/Director/Playwright) (He/Him) is a Cuban-American Playwright/Desk Jockey/Dad making it work in the Big Apple. Recent productions include , Randy’s Dandy Coaster Castle (Egg & Spoon Theatre Collective , 2022), The In-Between (Pelmear Theatre, 2022).
INSTA:@redsavage0 @mediumharsh 

BIOS;

Jolene Marquez: Jolene Marquez is a native New Yorker and graduate of Hunter College. In addition to her background on-stage, you can catch Jolene on-screen, her most recent project being the feature film #LIKE, now available streaming on Amazon Prime, Apple TV and Tubi. Stay up-to-date with her on instagram @jolenemarquez_

John DiMino: John DiMino has a BFA Acting NYU. The Wild Parrots of Campbell at Cherry Lane. Floor is Lava at La Mama. John is an Actor, Helicopter Pilot and proud Cat Dad here in NYC.

Jake Cannavale: Jake Cannavale is the lead singer and songwriter of the New York-based grindcore band Vixen Maw. He is also an actor who has been on The Mandalorian, The Offer, and Nurse Jackie. Jake is born and raised in New York City and is currently looking for work if you would like to book him. Seriously. 

Matthew McLachlan: Matthew McLachlan was born in Scotland, raised in Florida, and currently survives in New York City. He is a Dramatist Guild Member, a two-time ScreenCraft Stage Play Finalist, and Samuel French OOB Festival Finalist. His plays include: The Demand of Avarice, This God Damn House, Jack & Melissa, Orion, and The Place We Are Meant to Be, among others. His plays have been presented by Abingdon Theatre Company, Nylon Fusion, The Chain Theatre, The NOW Collective, The Farm Theater, The PIT, Thespis Theater Festival, and performed regionally in Kentucky, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Wyoming, New Jersey, West Virginia, & Florida. Other credits include: Nominated for Best Writer of a Web-Series (ADULTish), The Roast of Michael Musto (Head-Writer), & his published works A Collection of One-Acts & Other Things You May or May Not Enjoy and full-length play Orion are available now at The Drama Bookshop and on Amazon.

David Zayas Jr.: David Zayas Jr. is a Bronx Native actor, theater and film director. David is a member of The Actors Studio’s Playwright/Directors Unit and LAByrinth Theater Company. He has directed with LAByrinth, Planet Connections, Actors Theatre of NY, NY Theater Festival, Samuel French OOB Festival, and The Chain Theater along with award winning films in over 20 festivals. 

Nicole Amaral: Nicole is a New York City native with Brazilian roots. She has extensive experience in theater both on and off stage. She is the Company Manager of Actors Theater Company, Managing Director of Hamlet Isn’t Dead and Production Manager / Production Stage Manager /Acting in The Art of Killin’ It. Some of her recent theater credentials include: “Antony and Cleopatra” at Atlantic Theater Stage 2, “Bunnies in Space featuring Astronomy Club” at Power Station (Stage Manager and Actor), "Clue but Black Workshop" at LA Broadwater Theater (Stage Manager/Co-Director/Lighting Designer/ Sound Designer), along with many other productions. Nicole is an alumna of Developing Artists Theatre Company where she was the recipient of the Kevin Geer Scholarship.

BIOS

Diego Aguirre: Chain Theatre Winter Festival debut! THEATRE credits include: What's Prison Like (Nylon Fusion. Dir. David Zayas Jr.), Occupied Territories (59e59), The War Machine (NYTF), A Few Good Men (WST) TELEVISION: FBI, Monsterland, The Punisher, It's Bruno. FILM: The Upside (Neil Burger), Invisible (Heitor Dahlia), Sometime Other Than Now (Dylan McCormick), New Year's Eve @ Sunny's (Bob Giraldi) Many thanks to DJ and Alba and fellow cast. 

Joseph Russo: Joseph Russo was born in Brooklyn and grew up in New Jersey and Staten Island. His film credits include JERSEY BOYS, as Joe Pesci dir. Clint Eastwood, THE IRISHMAN, as Bruno Rossi, dir. Martin Scorsese, THE KITCHEN as well as a show in which he created and co-wrote with Justin Schack, Alev Ayedin, and Jeremy Luke called SMALL SHOTS, that premiered on NETFLIX  About two guys trying to be big shots but are just small shots. He has also been on numerous tv shows and most recently could be seen on PARAMOUNT PLUS’ THE OFFER playing the part of “CRAZY” JOE GALLO. He is currently studying with Lyle Kessler in Lyle Kessler’s Master Class. He is very proud to be apart of this production. 

Andrew Goebel: Andrew Goebel is a New York based actor who is blessed to be a part of this incredible cast. Credits: Ragtime, Toxic Norse-Culinity, The Floor is Lava, Macbeth, Troilus and Cressida, Beauty and the Beast. Much love to his family and Erika, who is pretty dope. More info: www.andrew-goebel.com

Alba Albanese:  This is Alba's debut production of Queen of Jacks at The Chain Theatre. Other favorite plays and acting roles include; Theatre: The Oracle Annabella - Off Broadway show Sleep No More, Alba created, wrote, and performed her character. Lillith - Off Broadway show Serenade. Alba created, wrote the book, lyrics, and performed her character, which was featured in The New York Times. Edgar Allan Poe - Off Broadway show The Raven. Alba wrote and performed in a one-woman show with emerging technology at The American Irish Historical Society. An official selection of Lincoln Center's New York Film Festival. TV: Cassie - Billions Alba performed at the Tribeca Film Festival, Future of Storytelling, North Bend Film Festival, Overlook Film Festival, and New York Film Festival. She trained with William Esper, Maggie Flanigan, Terry Knickerbocker and Alec Baldwin.  Alba is a recipient of the NYC ARTIST CORPS, NYC Cultural Affairs and NYFA Artist Grant.  www.albaalbanese.com (http://www.albaalbanese.com/)

David Zayas Jr.: David Zayas Jr. is a Bronx Native actor, theater and film director. David is a member of The Actors Studio’s Playwright/Directors Unit and LAByrinth Theater Company. He has directed with LAByrinth, Planet Connections, Actors Theatre of NY, NY Theater Festival, Samuel French OOB Festival, and The Chain Theater along with award winning films in over 20 festivals. 

Nicole Amaral: Nicole is a New York City native with Brazilian roots. She has extensive experience in theater both on and off stage. She is the Company Manager of Actors Theater Company, Managing Director of Hamlet Isn’t Dead and Production Manager / Production Stage Manager /Acting in The Art of Killin’ It. Some of her recent theater credentials include: “Antony and Cleopatra” at Atlantic Theater Stage 2, “Bunnies in Space featuring Astronomy Club” at Power Station (Stage Manager and Actor), "Clue but Black Workshop" at LA Broadwater Theater (Stage Manager/Co-Director/Lighting Designer/ Sound Designer), along with many other productions. Nicole is an alumna of Developing Artists Theatre Company where she was the recipient of the Kevin Geer Scholarship.

BIOS

David Taylor Little’s plays include Christmas Gifts, The Arlo Whittaker Mystery Series, and Shades of Gay. His work has been commissioned by The Pigeon Creek Shakespeare Company, and Indiana Public Radio. David is a member of The Dramatists’ Guild and teaches in the theatre department at Ball State University. www.davidtaylorlittle.com 

Carson Crow he/him (Director) is happy to be working on Admissions again. He is currently assisting George C. Wolfe on the upcoming film “Rustin” on Netflix. Recently he has produced Antigonick (Torn Out Theatre), directed Between Here and Where We Are (Digital Dramatist), Daybreak, a new musical (TADA!), Phaedra's Love (NALPA), assisted "Ghost Lights: Reclaiming Theatre in the Age of AIDS" (a six-part filmed docu-series). Much love to Ball State, Juilliard, and his family.

Mario Noto (Caleb) is a NYC based actor and recent graduate of Ball State University BFA Acting. He is so excited to finally make his debut for The Chain Festival, and hopes you all enjoy the show. He was most recently seen in NYC at Theatre Row in the Ball State University Senior Showcase. Stay updated with Mario and his upcoming projects on Instagram: @mario.noto

James Denzer was born and raised on the north shore of Oahu, Hawaii. He studied acting at the Tom Todoroff Studio and Conservatory. Major credits include roles in three world premier plays in NYC, a national tour, several featured roles on television, and the upcoming feature film “Laff in the Dark.” IG:  @jamesdenzer