Plan B
By Petrina Ampeire
Bios
Playwright: PETRINA AMPEIRE
Born in Uganda, Petrina carries multiple titles; performer, lawyer, artist and playwright. She has performed with Frieze x HighLine Art, Columbia’s International Play Festival, the National Queer Theatre and the People’s Theatre. PLAN B marks Petrina's debut as a playwright, inspired by stories of culture, identity, belonging, and the impossible choices people make in pursuit of a future. She is thrilled to share this first play with audiences.
Director: KENNETH KENG
Kenneth Keng is a New York-based Filipino-Chinese artist who makes work about falling in love with a culture devouring his own. Selected honors include: 2026/7 Artist-in-Residence at ¡OYE! Group, 2026 New York State Council on the Arts/NYSCA Grantee, 2025/26 Artist-in-Residence at the cell theatre NYC, 2024 Carlos Palanca Memorial Award for Literature, 2024 The Civilians/Princeton Next Forever Initiative (Finalist), 2023/24 Artist-in-Residence at the University Settlement/Performance Project.
ZULFIQAR MANZI as Kantu
Zul Manzi is a Tanzanian-American award-winning comedian and filmmaker known for creating the animated series "The Matumbilas”, streaming on Tubi. Manzi performs stand-up comedy across the country and tours his media literacy programs at educational institutions.
PETER VALENTINO as Lee
Peter Valentino (he/him) is thrilled to be taking part in putting this new work onstage! After graduating from Indiana University with a degree in Theatre, he moved to Chicago to work at a ballroom studio and later New York City. Huge thanks to the team for putting everything together. And thanks for coming out to see the show: hope the work resonates.
ZARA DARVISH as Zhina
Zara Darvish is an Iranian-born actress and award-winning filmmaker. As a filmmaker, known for the short films Where Is Home? and The Second Spin. As an actress, Zara has appeared in Six Canterbury Tales, Western Gold, No Exit, and Why Do You Smoke So Much, Lily? She is passionate about telling stories that explore identity, human connection, and resilience. Zara is grateful to be part of this production and thanks everyone who is supporting live theatre.
Play Ball
By Jane Flanagan
Bios
Myles Madden – Andy Jacobs
Myles Madden recently appeared in Michael Oluokun’s Have You Ever Thought About? at the Bushwick Starr. He is a member of the sketch comedy group Pencils of Color, performing at The Upright Citizen's Brigade Theater,and Magnet Theater
Matthew Cade – George Keith
Matthew Cade appeared in Jerry Roebucks “Harlem Coffee Shop,” at the Beacon Theater and wrote and directed the film, “How I became That Jewish Guy” premiered at the Anthology Film Archives. His play, “Waking Up Crazy,” was perfomed at the Cherry Lane Theatre. He cohosts a podcast, “Playing Teacher” – the inside scoop in NYC public schools.
Doug Bachelis – Mark Rodgers
Doug Bachelis is a former corporate executive, Doug began acting this year. Recent appearances include principal roles in independent short films and vertical dramas and lead roles in original plays. He is currently training at the T. Schreiber Studio in New York.
Maria B. Colón – Director
Maria B. Colon is a New York-based writer and director of stage and screen. She is currently script coordinator at Sesame Street where she is a contributing writer as well. This production marks her stage directorial debut, and she is excited to bring her love of storytelling to the theatre.
Jane Flanagan – Playwright
Jane Flanagan is a former journalist. Jane writes plays concentrating on the intersection of politics and money and their influence on the individual and family.
Step and a Half Back
By Stephen Kropa
Bios
Everett Graham (Calvin Johnsonsons): A New York based actor by way of Colorado. Recent indie film credits include Click, Click, The Lower Depths, and OnlyFeet, a film written and directed by himself. He is a graduate of UNC School of the Arts and can be seen in this summer’s Fringe Festival in Scotland in the production of a new play, Omaha.
Matthew Foley (Bud Johnsonsons): Matthew Foley was born and raised in Norwood MA, thirty minutes outside of Boston. He started acting in his middle school’s production of Treasure Island (his favorite book at the time) and has not stopped since then. After earning a BFA in acting from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts in 2017. He moved to Brooklyn the following summer and has performed as actor and stunt-coordinator for numerous theater and film productions. Thank you as well to John Quinn, Laura Henry, Shelby Allen, and his mother Eileen for the constant lessons and support.
Kelly Robinson (Susie “Hobbes” Johnsonsons nee Rhodes): Kelly Robinson is an actor, improviser, and foley artist. She regularly performs with the company Recent Cutbacks and will be heading to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival to perform with them in August. MFA The Theatre School at DePaul, BFA Wayne State University. @kellysavestheworld
Alexi Baker (Beth “Daughter Nick” Johnson): is very happy to be a part of this production of Step and a Half Back. Her most recent credits include the short film Only Feet by our very own Everett Graham, as well as The Hillist, a film by John McDermott. She has spent much of her free time recently recording and producing her latest single, Honeysuckle Lemon Gin, which can be found on all major streaming platforms this July!
Czach Dziadosz(Father Nick Johnson): Czach Dziadosz moved to NYC in 2012 to further pursue his passion for acting and comedy. Czach is an actor, comedian and writer from Rhode Island who co-founded and facilitated the Rhode Island Film Collaborative's Actor's Group. Czach was voted "Best Actor" in the Providence 48 Hour Film Project and has been featured in dozens of films. Czach can be seen performing with the Livewire sketch team Ghost Girl at The Magnet Theater and his BoogieManja sketch team Both Hands at various venues. Oh yeah, Czach also does stand-up/sit-down comedy with his traveling guitar throughout the Boroughs of NYC. He lives in Brooklyn with his cat Happy. youtube.com/@czach-dziadosz
Cindy Keiter (Marie Johnsonsons): Cindy was recently seen at the Chain Theatre in, "She Takes Flight" a full length play she co wrote and performed in. Born in NY, raised in Philly, then the Hawaiian Islands. Transferring from the University of Hawaii to NYU Tisch School of the Arts with a BFA in Drama. Some favorite roles include Meg in "A Lie of the Mind" and Madame Ranevskaya in "The Cherry Orchard". Her solo work includes, "Whatever Happened to Cat Stevens?" "Recreating Keiter". Some Film and TV roles include Law and Order, Born Again Reject, Commercials for FX Channel, MTV and the National Enquirer talking about eating cottage cheese and being smarter in "Just 20 Minutes!". Thank you Stephen for this opportunity. www.cindykeiter.com
Shane Jordan (Ryan): Shane Jordan is a Brooklyn-based actor and improviser. He recently completed a run of the sketch review show Stressed for Success with the comedy collective, Scattergood. He received a degree in Theatre Arts from the University of Pittsburgh and has trained in sketch and improv at UCB and the Second City New York Conservatory.
Reva Grimball (Assistant Director): Reva Grimball is a New York-based comedy director and writer. She has directed comedy and original theater across many of New York’s most
notable venues. Her work also extends into digital media, including music videos, sketch videos, and micro-series/ As a teaching artist, she teaches, directs, and mentors emerging
writers and performers at The Second City and The Upright Citizens Brigade. She is currently a member of The Barrow Group’s One-Year Professional Directing Program and serves as Head of the Director Program at the independent sketch comedy collective BoogieManja, where she trains emerging sketch comedy directors and directs sketch comedy shows monthly.
Stephen Kropa (Writer, Director): Stephen Kropa is a New York-based improviser, actor, writer, director, and instructor. He is thrilled to present this version of his play. Other writing and directorial work includes the short films CLICK CLICK, DONUT DONUT *DONUT, and the feature THE LAST CAUCUS. He is currently in post-production for two more feature films. He is a founding instructor and director at The Second City Conservatory NY.