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555

Written by Kellen Blair

Directed by Liza Gross

Synopsis

555 is a play about starting relationships on equal footing and overlooking the small quirks we all possess… even the most abstract quirks, like the inability to successfully follow some basic rules of being a fictional character in a play.

Bios

Kellen Blair (PLAYWRIGHT) Kellen Blair is the Drama Desk-nominated co-creator of MURDER FOR TWO, the murder mystery musical comedy that ran for a year off-Broadway and has been touring internationally since 2014. Kellen’s other work includes TODD VS. THE TITANIC (world premiere: Adirondack Theatre Festival, 2024), IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE (world premiere: Chicago Shakespeare Theater, 2022), SCROOGE IN LOVE (written with composer Larry Grossman), and the Reva Shiner Comedy Award-winning JUST BETWEEN THE ALL OF US (world premiere: Bloomington Playwrights Project, 2021). www.kellenblair.com

Liza Gross (DIRECTOR) Liza Gross is a writer-director of film and theater, and loves blending the two. While her work is often comedic, it is never without heart. She was awarded Best Student Female Director at the Independent Short Film Festival for her film Crickets. In Spring 2025, she became a lead comedy writer/director of the bi-monthly showcase Salon de Artistas. Liza is a graduate of Wesleyan University’s Film Studies program and performed improv for 7+ years. 555 is the second play she’s directed for the Chain Winter One-Act Festival.

Cameron Burger (WOMAN) Cameron Burger is a comedian, actor and writer based in New York City. She performs improv comedy with Bucket TV and SKINK at BCC and the PIT, and is excited to be making her Chain debut. You can keep up with her online at @slameronburger. 

Harrison Zraly (MAN) Harrison Zraly is a recent graduate of the William Esper Studio, having trained with Barbara Marchant. He can be seen in the upcoming productions of Elizabeth (dir. Isabel Bustamente)at Under St. Marks Theatre this March and as Ernest Hemingway in Listen To Me (dir. David Kaplan; opp. Kathleen Turner), debuting this fall. He would like to first thank Liza Gross, Cameron Berger and Kellen Blair for their support and wit. A special thanks to the wonderful Ojan Assadollahi for the assist and Lily Rosenberg for helping him find freedom in this strange world. For inquiries, please reach out directly: harrisonjameszraly@gmail.com

I Got the Role

Written by Jessica W Bonds 

Directed by Adrienne LaValley

SYNOPSIS

I Got the Role follows Martha as a woman who finally comes into her own—claiming her voice, her worth, and her power after a lifetime of shrinking to fit everyone else’s expectations.

BIOS

Jessica W. Bonds (playwright and  Martha) is an actress, playwright, and director who loves the arts. Her work centers around voices often overlooked, blending humor, vulnerability, and truth to explore identity, ambition, and belonging. I Got The Role continues her commitment to stories that challenge systems rather than the individuals navigating them. She is honored to have this work included in The Chain Theatre’s Winter One-Act Festival. Jessica is grateful to the cast, creative team, and audience for sharing in this moment

Adrienne LaValley (she/her) (Director) is a writer, director and voice actor with a healthy obsession for nature and adventure. She’s a proud member of the Actor’s Studio Playwright/Directors Unit where her play In Here was first read under the moderation of John Patrick Shanley. Most recently she directed Selina Fillinger’s brilliant play POTUS with State of Play Productions, her own play Midge in Theatre Revolution’s; Glass Ceiling Breakers Festival as well as Gabriela Tovar’s Without Color. Adrienne's play Midge was part of the Enter Stage Left Theatre Festival as well as ESL Theatre's; PPP Festival and her play Honey recently premiered at Hudson Valley Shakespeare's bake-off. 

Leslie Smithey (Shaunie)
Most recently portraying Faye Davison in Skeleton Crew, Leslie enjoys breathing life into strong women with tender hearts.  Other performances include: Cynthia in Sweat, Margaret in POTUS, Sue Bayliss in All My Sons, Movie Star Barbara in Barbecue, Kate Dillon in Good People, Mrs. Dickson in Intimate Apparel, Dr. Bessie Delany in Having Our Say- the First 100 Years and Mrs. Mueller in Doubt.  Education: with appreciation to the Atlantic Theatre School EC ’21.

Roselyne Douge-Charles (she/they/mix)-(Charmaine), is a Brooklyn-based actor whose work is rooted in truth, transformation, and the power of storytelling. She has Trained at the Atlantic Acting School’s Conservatory. She brings depth, vulnerability, and fierce authenticity to every role. Her artistry is shaped by her Haitian heritage, spirituality, and commitment to justice, infusing her performances with a rich, lived-in resonance. 

Gretchen Metzloff (Alex) 
After a 40-year career as a Local One stagehand, Gretchen Metzloff stepped out from backstage and onto the stage. She quickly discovered that acting is far more challenging than it looks from the wings. Since then, she has embraced this new creative chapter with curiosity and dedication. She is deeply grateful to Jessica for trusting her with the opportunity to continue growing as an actor. Gretchen also extends heartfelt thanks to Adrienne for her guidance and direction while bringing Alex to life.

No Roses

Written and directed by Annikka Faye Mocciola

Synopsis

When a talented young man comes to the Theatré de Lumière, he catches the loving eye of a ghost who inhabits it— and a few others, who are not quite so friendly.

Bios

ANNIKKA MOCCIOLA (PLAYWRIGHT & DIRECTOR) is delighted to be bringing you the stage debut of No Roses! A lover of storytelling, she is currently a student at Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, studying playwriting after years of studying musical theatre back home in Maine and here in New York. In addition to being a playwright, she is also a dedicated director/stage manager (A Pirate’s Guide…Lost Memories, You’re A…Charlie Brown, Anastasia, Fearful Symmetry) and is ecstatic to be working with the Chain for the first time. She also steps onto the stage more often than not: some of her most recent performance roles include Masha in The Seagull (Pratt Theatre Company) Fabian in Twelfth Night (PTC), Josephine in Big Fish (Schoolhouse Arts), and Viola in Twelfth Night (NYCDA). When not in the rehearsal room, Annikka spends her time writing short stories (published in DreamWorldGirl Zine, Ed. 2), acting in short films (Fen in Something Small, Zuriel in LUCID, Clara in I Am The Seagull, Elise in Dead Tomorrow) and scrapbooking when she can. Check out Annikka’s original works on New Play Exchange, or come say hi on Instagram!
NPX: Annikka Faye Mocciola, Insta: annikka_faye, Facebook: Annikka Faye Mocciola

OLIVIA SARTORI  (ASSISTANT DIRECTOR) is a performer and creator from Australia. She is a Musical Theatre Performance graduate (NYCDA) and has found joy in performing, directing and producing! In addition to No Roses, some of her recent projects include Songs for a Snow Day (Producer/Vocalist, Greenroom 42) and Spring Awakening (Anna).

EMMA SCHOEFFLER (PRODUCER) is a current student at Pratt Institute and Vice President of Pratt Theatre Company. Studying film, she has worked and created many short films and plays, some of which include Twelfth Night (PTC), Spotlights (Director), and I Am The Seagull (1st AD). She is also a recent winner of As You Mic It at FrigidNYC. 

SCOUT GOLLADAY (PRODUCTION ASSISTANT) is a Game Arts student at Pratt Institute and an active member of the Pratt Theatre Company. In addition to making art and production designing for No Roses, they have worked on designing and creating for theatre productions such as The Seagull (PTC), A Pirate’s Guide…Lost Memories (PTC), and In The Heights (Montgomery Blair). They are so proud of their girlfriend Annikka!

TYLER CASIANO-RODRIGUEZ (BAILEY JONES-WOLFE) is a freshman at Pratt Institute and a dedicated performer! Most recently, Tyler was seen as Medviedenko in The Seagull with Pratt Theatre Company. He is so excited to be making his NYC debut!

SOPHIE MCCARTHY (CALIXTE MAÇON) is so grateful to be making her NYC debut at the Chain Theatre! She would like to thank her family, friends, Melody, Annikka, and the Chain Theatre for this wonderful opportunity. Credits: The Seagull (Arkadina), Pirate’s Guide (Sam), Twelfth Night (Feste).

KENDALL RIVERA (SHE) is a rising talent and a member of SAG-AFTRA.  She is a skilled vocalist, actor, dancer and musician and has appeared in short films, commercials and a 29hr reading for a new musical. She studies at The Prep Conservatory NYC.

JULIA ORDWAY (GABRIELLE CLAIR) is a recent graduate from New York University with a BFA in Drama. She is always intrigued by new works and has had a wonderful time with this beautiful and talented group of artists. Julia hopes you enjoy the show and if you feel so inclined to follow along with her life follow @juliaordwayy.

ROMAIN GRÉSILLON (HENRI ESSER) is thrilled to be working with the Chain Theatre in their Winter One-Act Festival with No Roses. You can follow him on instagram here: romain_gresillon.

ARIANNA WELLMONEY (SHADES) is an Italian-born, award-winning actor, playwright, and producer, and the founder of Wellmoney Productions. Her work includes Rip Jabari You Would’ve Loved the Apple Dance, now streaming on Roku.

AVERY CARLO (SHADES) is a Painting student at Pratt Institute, where she is very involved with the Theatre Company. Recent roles of hers include Aster the bartender in A Pirate’s Guide to Recovering Lost Memories and working on prop design for The Seagull! 

CASSIE WALKER (SHADES) is a 2021 MT graduate from NYCDA and a working actress in NYC. She recently performed in Once Upon A Cabaret at Revere Room NYC and is so excited to be working with the Chain! Instagram: cassie.e.walker.

The Actor

Written and directed by MJ Farrell

Synopsis

Two women vie for the same role in an audition as they attempt to outdo one another through warmups, monologues, and theatre games. Who will get the part and who will get cut? THE ACTOR is a surreal, darkly comedic exploration of performance and the absurdity of the audition process.

Bios

MJ Farrell (PLAYWRIGHT & DIRECTOR) MJ Farrell is a Brooklyn-based artist whose plays explore the uneasy borderlands between adolescence and adulthood. MJ is interested in those messy bedrooms and private emotional landscapes where young adults are trying desperately to understand themselves and are aching to feel okay. His plays DO BIG KIDS CRY? (winner of the James E. Michael Playwriting Prize at Kenyon College) and SOMETHING BAD HAPPENED examine these themes with bruised sincerity. A graduate of Kenyon College (Drama, Italian), MJ has worked at La MaMa, the Ojai Playwrights Conference, and other spaces committed to new work. MJ wants to continue traversing unfamiliar and difficult spaces through his humorous writing and hopes his severe honesty allows audiences a respite of recognition and understanding. MJ is very grateful for A.J. and Ellie’s time, energy, and talent, and sends his love to Sydney, his friends, and his parents.

A.J. Gluck (5’7”) A.J. Gluck was born and raised in lower Manhattan, and is thrilled to be able to continue to perform in the place where her love of theater took root! Thanks to mom, dad, Oz, Amelia, and basil-dupree. Reach out at aj-gluck.com

Ellie Kahle (5’2”) Ellie Kahle is very excited to be a part of this show with two of her great friends from her recent alma mater, Kenyon College. Much love to MJ for the opportunity, mom, dad, sisters, and Sebastien!