Burnt

By Lauren Bryant

Bios

Lauren Bryant (Playwright / Lucia) is a Bronx-born and raised actor and playwright. She studied Acting at Marymount Manhattan College. Her play Burnt explores themes of shame, modern intimacy, self-worth, and loneliness through a contemporary female lens. She is honored to present Burnt as part of the 2026 Chain Theatre Summer One-Act Festival and is deeply grateful to the cast, creative team, and everyone who helped bring this production to life. Follow her journey at @laurenbfromnyc.

Samantha Ayala is a Dominican actress from the Bronx. She began her theatrical training and performance work with Open Hydrant Theatre Company, where she appeared in productions such as Balm in Gilead, Raft of the Medusa and several short play festivals. Since then, she has expanded into film and television, booking roles in projects including Inner Circle which recently won best new voice at the Manhattan Film Festival and Fault streaming on Prime Video. Samantha continues to train and bring grounded, dynamic performances to both stage and screen.

MOHAMMAD MEMPHIS AMARA KENNEH (Gilbert) is a proud West African-American and ensemble member of Open Hydrant. His journey at Open Hydrant began in late 2023 in the Fall Short Play Festival. Memphis went on to part-take in Rafth of Medusa as ‘Bob’ and will also be playing ‘Bob’ in the upcoming show for Balm in Gilead. He also has a huge love for content creating, uploading comedic skits every week. Special thanks to Cardenas, Lewis, Deborah and Rosie for the time and dedication to put together a wonderful project.

Stiles Ramirez His name is Stiles Ramirez, he has been performing in theater arts since he was in middle school.His love of performance art has grown vastly throughout the years. He gives all thanks to God for his immense passion in storytelling and giving truth to stories that people and individuals can relate to. He wishes to continue giving a light and a voice to the stories that connect with people in a positive way, letting them know that they are not alone and that they aren’t fighting their battles alone. Lastly, he prays that he will continue using the gift that God blessed him with to inspire the next generation of artists to never be afraid of using their voice, and their talents to change the world for the better.

Growths

Written by Katelyn Seyl
Directed by Alyssa Bloom

Synopsis

On the hottest and longest day of summer, three best friends Mia, Maddie, and Iris await the return of their best friend Kylie after her 6 month stay in a mental hospital. When the A.C. cuts out, the girls strip, revealing truths about each other, themselves, and Kylie. 

BIOS

Katelyn Seyl (PLAYWRIGHT) is a Brooklyn based playwright and poet currently studying Dramatic Writing at New York University. Originally from Kansas City, (just like Alyssa Bloom! How fun!) she began her playwriting career at 19, participating in Mind the Gap at New York Theatre Workshop and later went on to be an assistant teacher for the program. Her 10 minute play written during the workshop, I Like Baggy T-Shirts directed by Andrew Garrett, received a reading in a Webinar by Co-Generate in 2022. She is beyond grateful and ecstatic to have her first fully produced play here at The Chain. She wants to thank her friends Vera, Cal, and Bell for inspiring this piece and for giving her endless strength, love and understanding. 

Alyssa Bloom (DIRECTOR) is an actress, director, writer, and overall funny person originally from Kansas City, Kansas. She received her BFA in Performing Arts from the Savannah College of Art and Design in 2024 and has since relocated to Brooklyn. She is THRILLED to have her first stage directing credit with Katelyn’s beautifully written play. They were friends in high school! Isn’t that awesome? Other than that, Alyssa is a massively huge fan of music, long walks on the beach, and performing/writing sketch comedy. Also, her favorite animal is a squirrel. Thank you for coming! Love always! @alyssabloom

Eva Daskos (KYLIE) is an actor who recently made their move to New York! They are super excited to be a part of new work and create alongside the amazing people who made Growths happen. SCAD '25 @Evadaskos on instagram

Nicole Austin Wheeler (MIA) is so excited to be returning to the stage in this production of Growths. She would like to thank Alyssa and Katelyn for this opportunity and all their encouragement in this process. Keep up with her work on Instagram: @nicolewheeeler

Delaney Yurco (IRIS) Delaney wants to know, like, "are you doing anything after the show, like, are you gonna get a snack, or drink, or head to bed, or toss and turn all evening? And think old thoughts? And get so sick of thinking that you decide to kill your goddamn fear and... what, what, leavethecircusjoinyourwifeavoidawordcountforgiveyourcousinsomethinganything?" She's just, like, wondering... she's not, like, busy. @delaneydelaneydelaneyde

Jade Belden (MADDIE) (she/her) is thrilled to make her Chain Theatre debut in Growths. Recent credits include Love, Loss & What I Wore (Holly) dir. Betsy Ross, The Laramie Project (Reggie Flutty u.s.) dir. Greg Pierotti, and the touring company of The Climate Project: Requiem for a Reef, dir. Rick Wamer. Jade would like to extend deep gratitude to Katelyn Seyl and Alyssa Bloom for the beautiful words and direction, and to her dear friends who inspire this performance. “Enjoy the show!” Instagram: @jadebelden Website: www.jadebeldensdesk.com

Ariel Glorsky-Seyl (PRODUCER/COSTUMER/BIG SISTER) is a Brooklyn-based actor, director, and producer who graduated with a BFA in Musical Theatre from Wichita State University in Wichita, KS, in 2021. She’s so thrilled to bring her passion for theatre to a play and to a person she loves so much, and she is thankful to her sister-in-law Katelyn, not only for bringing her onto the project but also for sharing such a vulnerable and necessary story. Enjoy the show! @arielglorsky

Trevor Seyl (PRODUCER/MARKETING) is a Brooklyn-based producer, director, and theatre marketing brand designer/web developer. Trevor graduated from Wichita State University with a BFA in Musical Theatre and a Certificate in Directing. Trevor is so grateful to be working on such a meaningful project with his sister and will do anything to support their writing journey. @trevor.seyl