2023 One-Act Summer Festival

Tickets are $22 in advance online and $25 at the door

No refunds or exchanges.

VIRTUAL TICKETS FOR THE LIVE STREAMING DATES ARE $22 (please check you are buying a virtual ticket)

There will be no rewind or fast forward during the live presentation.

ALL PROGRAMS ARE ON THE 3RD FLOOR

Program #1* (3rd floor)

Hollywood N' Hamptons

by Patrick Kennedy

Patrick Kennedy: This production of Patrick Kennedy's short comedy Hollywood 'N Hamptons marks his second participation in a Chain Theatre One Act Festival.   This piece is from his full length comedy anthology I Get the Hamptons and he couldn't be happier to see it onstage in front of an audience.  Mr. Kennedy would like to thank the Chain Theatre for creating such a fantastic opportunity.

Ben Batchelder is a Brooklyn-based actor, playwright, composer, and music teacher. As an actor, he has appeared in several off-Broadway plays, short films, and cartoons. He plays with a number of bands throughout New York City including (but not limited to) The Newsreels, Open Blue, Ali Aslam & the Storytellers, and his own band Electric Moses.  He sings and plays accordion and sopilka with Ukrainian Village Voices. In his spare time he enjoys learning languages, listening to audiobooks, and taking long, long, long walks.

Ryan Fish: Is a Bay Area, CA native and performing artist with a Bachelors from the University of Oregon in Dance Studies. Ryan has performed internationally with a cappella group, On the Rocks, and locally in Oregon with dance groups run by Steven Chatfield, Brad Garner, and Rita Honka as well as the Pacific Artists’ Collective. Ryan currently lives and performs in NYC with dance theatre company UrbanTribe under the direction of Mathew James since 2019. Ichthyesdance.com

*Equity Member appearing with permission of Actor’s Equity Association without benefit of an Equity contract in this off-off Broadway production.

More to It

by Ethan Edwards

Tess Goldwyn* : Whitney St. Ours: Whitney is an actor and filmmaker. Recent acting credits include feature film Scrap, HBO's The Deuce, & Law & Order SVU.  Her directorial debut short film, The Housesitters, sold to Alter in 2019. She's a student of ASL and needs a practice buddy desperately so if you know ASL- please email her or talk to her after the show. www.whitneystours.com 

Janice Théard: Janice studied acting at Northwestern University. Her most recent credits include roles in Partner Track and Law & Order SVU. She is represented by NSNY! Talent & UGA Talent.

Joe Boccia Jr.* : Joe writer, actor, and composer based in New York City. Joe is currently developing “Lyndon the Lobster: A Neurodivergent Musical”, the winner of Numerous development grants and awards. Additionally, his music can be found on Spotify and Apple Music. 

Ethan Edwards: Ethan is a playwright, screenwriter, and filmmaker. His screenplays have received recognition from the Austin Film Festival (2022 Second Rounder) and the Almanack Screenwriters Colony (2023 Episodic Lab Semi Finalist). His plays have been featured in the SOOP Theatre One-Act Festival, Chain Theatre One-Act Festival, Corvus Review, and New York Theater Festival. He is currently in post-production on his first short film, “Joan”, which he wrote and directed last fall. He and the entire cast are so thankful to the Chain for this wonderful opportunity!

*Equity Member appearing with permission of Actor’s Equity Association without benefit of an Equity contract in this off-off Broadway production.

The Sugar Plant

by Timothy Nolan

Directed by Saki Kawamura

SYNOPSIS: Tami is married to Michael and wants to continue being an expressionist painter. She met Michael, a teacher, at her first big opening and fell in love. But to stay married she will have to reveal things she vowed never to reveal. She must choose between the husband she loves and the work that keeps her alive. Her choice will tell her things about her work and her love that she may not want to learn. 

*Shows in this block include Equity Members appearing with permission of Actor’s Equity Association without benefit of an Equity contract in this off-off Broadway production.

Eliza Vann (Tami) is an NYC-based actor originally from Trumansburg, NY. She holds an MFA from The Actors Studio Drama School. Most recently she appeared in Alex Agurrie’s new play M3LTD0WN at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn. Other New York credits include Spite and The Librarian (ASDS Repertory Season), The Giving Tree (Unfix-NYC), Minotaur (Forgotten Works Studio), and Quartet (private loft tour). elizavann.com

Chip Rybak* (Michael) is a NYC based AEA, SAG-AFTRA Actor, who has appeared in theater shows regionally and off-Broadway, and has also appeared in leading and supporting roles in indie films and pilots. His earliest acting inspiration was watching the Three Stooges as a young child. Chip would like to thank his family, friends and teachers for their support, wisdom, and camaraderie. Special thanks to playwright Timothy Nolan, director Saki Kawamura, stage manager Sarah Biery, and fellow actor Eliza Vann for their creativity and inspiration.

Saki Kawamura (Director) Regional theatre: Mystic Pizza (Ogunquit Playhouse), A Jolly Holiday: Celebrating Disney’s Broadway Hits, Clue, Murder on the Orient Express (Paper Mill Playhouse), Joy (George Street Playhouse). She also serves as Associate Artistic Director of Ren Gyo Soh from 2022. MFA Directing at the Actors Studio Drama School at Pace University. www.sakikawamura.com

Timothy Nolan (Playwright) is an NYC-based playwright, screenwriter, actor, and teacher. He received his MFA in playwriting at the Actors Studio Drama School at Pace University and was an Indie Theater Now Person of the Year. His play Acts of Contrition received an Excellence in Playwriting award from the New York International Fringe Festival. Other plays include Stuck With Fred (ROAD Theater Company Los Angeles), E Minor Seventh (Jersey City Arts Center New Play Festival, 5th Ave Theater Company Special Mention), What Happened Was (NYTF Winterfest 2021), What’s In A Name (Variations Theatre Group, Samuel French Critics’ Choice award), The Way Out (FringeNYC Excellence in Acting award), and The Bull Ring (Samuel French Critics’ Choice award). He is a member of the Actors Studio Playwrights/Directors Workshop and the Dramatists Guild. He lives in Brooklyn with his wife, screenwriter Susannah Nolan. www.timothy-nolan.com

Sarah Biery (Production Stage Manager)(she/her) is a NYC based stage manager from Staatsburg, NY. Her previous Stage Management credits include L'incoronazione de Poppea at Manhattan School of Music, Meet You Downstairs as part of the Fresh Fruit Festival with The Wild Project and Bloom Bloom Pow with Dead Horse Productions. Additional credits include Harmony: A New Musical at National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene (Video Production Assistant) and Playbill's Curtain Up! in Times Square (Production Assistant). Many thanks to her family, friends, and Matt for their constant love and support!

*Equity Member appearing with permission of Actor’s Equity Association without benefit of an Equity contract in this off-off Broadway production.

PROGRAM # 2* (3rd floor)

The Box

by Renee´ Flemings

Directed by Keith Randolph Smith

Renee´ Flemings (PLAYWRIGHT, THE BOX) Renee´ has written a helluva lot of short plays, which have all either had readings or productions nationally and internationally.  Full lengths include: The Jam (Blank Theatre, L.A. & Genesis Festival Crossroads Theatre), Strange Weather (O’Neill Semi- Finalist, Reading @ Roundabout Theatre), empty spaces (Semi- Finalist O’Neill, QuickSilver Theatre Fellowship) among others.  Much gratitude to Sal, Keith and Misha for all of your support and love and to The Chain for this experience. 

Keith Randolph Smith (DIRECTOR, THE BOX) Keith is a deep admirer of Renee's writing and is blessed to have this opportunity to work with her, this cast, this crew and be a part of the festival.

Prentice Myles (MATTHIAS) is a New York / Atlanta based artist . Alumni of The American Academy of Dramatic Arts in 2019 . His most recent stage credits are The Last of the Son by Cris Eli Blak & The Luck of the Irish Dir by Adrienne D. Williams

Sean Phillips (LEWIS) is a graduate of AMDA. Theatre: Network ( Florida Studio Theatre), Mother Courage with Meryl Streep, Knock Me A Kiss with Andre De Shields, To Kill A MockingBird( Intiman Theatre),In The Heat of the Night 59e59, The Treatment ( IATI), SuperMan Never Saved No Black People( Nylon Fusion). TV/ Film: Evil, Madam Secretary, Person of Interest, Difficult People , The Following, Law & Order.

Matt Corry (DANNY) is a native New York actor, singer, and musician who holds a BA in Drama from Vassar College and a MFA in Acting from the Actors Studio Drama School at Pace University. Recent credits include: The Country Play (TNC), Lifestruck (Producers Club), To the Mothers Now (Emergence Artist Theatre), What Happened Was (NYTF), and The Author’s Voice (3 Legged Dog). He is forever thankful to his parents, family, friends, and Sarah for their patience, love, and support!

*Shows in this block include Equity Members appearing with permission of Actor’s Equity Association without benefit of an Equity contract in this off-off Broadway production.

The Great Hiker Reunion

by Rosie Coursey

Rosie Coursey-writer/director: Rosie is a New York based writer who specializes in dark, existential comedies about human relationships. Her previous work includes Dorm Death, which premiered at The Chain one act festival in 2022, as well as The Great Hiker Reunion that premiered with the same cast at NY Summerfest 2022 where It won best short production. Upcoming she has a short film that’s in development with Fentress Films entitled I.F.S. She would like to thank her amazing cast; who has been a pleasure to work with, as well as her very supportive family.

Kira Skadsen- Heather: Classically trained with a full two-year scholarship to Stella Adler Studio of Acting, Kira has played roles from Shakespeare to Grease the Musical. Most recently, Kira took to the screens with a supporting role in an indie feature film, “Good Idea," streaming now on NobBudge.Com. Kira moved to the Big City when she was sixteen, leaving her family in the name of art. Bustling New York quickly felt like home to the South African world traveler. Kira is very excited to take to the stage again with this incredibly written play, especially when Broadway picks it up!  

Gina: Giulia Cowie is super excited to be a part of The Great Hiker Reunion! She is a New York based American-Italian actress and producer from Florence, Italy. She graduated from The American Academy of Dramatic Arts in 2018 and has been working since, more recent work includes: performing in a production of 12 Angry Women with the Alpha NYC Theatre, starring in the short film Scarlet, and working as a Production Assistant on the set of Bless Me Father, as well as recently guest starring in an episode of Law and Order.She likes to keep her acting muscles strong by constantly taking acting classes in NYC and she is currently represented by Take3Talent. Giulia would like to thank Rosie Coursey for making her a part of her amazing team and her friends and family for the undying support. xoxo

Enjoy the show!

*Shows in this block include Equity Members appearing with permission of Actor’s Equity Association without benefit of an Equity contract in this off-off Broadway production.

Vacation

by Nathan Johnson

Directed by Brenden Clifford

Nathan Johnson* Actor and Playwright (James)- Writing-Dramatists Guild Fellowship finalist, National Queer Theatre-WIO Fellowship recipient. His plays have received national recognition (SAUK, American Stage, Woven Theatre, Magnetic Theatre). Acting-My Big Gay Italian Wedding (Off-Broadway), LaMama, Williamstown, Hangar Theatre, Northern Stage and television’s One Life to Live. He’s done make up for hundreds of celebs but is most recognized from his time as the on-air artist on Project Runway. MFA Columbia University, AEA member, Hummel nemesis.

William Ryall* -Actor (Barrett) - veteran of 16 Broadway shows, 8 Original Broadway Cast recordings, 3 Tony Award Broadcasts and 3 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade performances. He recently co-starred in DIRTY BLONDE at the Coachella Valley Repertory. Recent television credits include UNCOUPLED (Netflix/Showtime), LIMITLESS (CBS), and he will return as Mr. Hefty for Season Two of THE GILDED AGE (HBO). AADA Graduate, AEA member, Hummel protector.  http://www.williamryall.com 

Brendan Clifford -Director - director/writer/actor, as this bio will prove. He began directing in high school (9 productions, including taking The Fantasticks on a local mini tour!), then earned his degree in all three at Marymount Manhattan College. He’s directed and acted in plays in NYC and LA, worked as an Assistant and Associate Director in LA and Chicago, on several Broadway, Lincoln Center, and off-Broadway plays and musicals, and has worked extensively as a TV writer, most notably as a head writer, producer and actor on 2 seasons of the culture favorite TV series Nightcap on Pop/Hulu. He’s thrilled to be directing the premiere of Vacation.

David Brooks - Costume Design - nominated for the Emmy Award 9 times, won 3 for his work on “One Life to Live”. Other television credits include “The Good Wife”, “Braindead”, “The Good Fight”, “Instinct”, “The Bite”, “Evil” and the upcoming CBS drama “Elsbeth”. Theater credits include designs for “Secrets Every Smart Traveller Should Know” off Broadway, The Vineyard Theater, The Kennedy Center, Barrington Stage, Pennsylvania Stage Company, Speakeasy Stage Company and The Hal Prince Musical Theater Workshop. David has designed costumes for the a cappella group Toxic Audio in their Drama Desk winning off Broadway Show, multiple tours and a Las Vegas residency at the Hard Rock hotel. 

Stephen Jupinka - Production Assistant - This is Stephen’s first New York production. He is currently studying theater at Bergen Community College in Paramus New Jersey. He was in a couple of plays back in high school. He was the Constable in The Music Man, Old Man Strong in Urinetown and was Eddie in Mamma Mia last year. He also is stage assisting at his college. Stephen is very excited to be a part of this production and wants to thank the production team for giving him this opportunity!

*Shows in this block include Equity Members appearing with permission of Actor’s Equity Association without benefit of an Equity contract in this off-off Broadway production.

PROGRAM # 3* (3rd floor)

Are You Ready for Philando Castile?

by Michael Basile

Directed by S. Quincy Beard

Noelle LuSane* (Bliss)  NYC Theatre includes Island Girls (Theatre for the New City) and All-American Girls (Actors Temple Theatre).  Regional: Good People, Clybourne Park (Good Theatre, Portland, ME).  Television: New Amsterdam, Bull, The Endgame, High Maintenance.  Several National commercials.

Brian Patrick Murphy* (John)  Select Theatre:  The Clearing, War of the Roses.  Regional:  The Engagement Party (Hartford Stage) CT Critics Circle Nom.).  Television: Billions, Blue Bloods, Law and Order: SVU, VINYL, Seven Seconds.  Upcoming: The Changeling (Apple TV).

S. Quincy Beard (Director)  In NYC, Quincy has Directed for Cart before Horse, The Collective NY and /the claque/.  She is a faculty member of the William Esper Studio.  

Michael Basile (Playwright)  Michael is a NYC based actor who has appeared on stage, film and television.  He also has spent the past 18 plus years working as a Firefighter in Engine 242 in Brooklyn.  Are You Ready for Philando Castile? is the first play he has written.   

*Equity Members appearing with permission of Actor’s Equity Association without benefit of an Equity contract in this off-off Broadway production.

The Lies We Tell Ourselves

by Philip Cioffari

Directed by Grace Kiley

Synopsis: An estranged father and daughter find ways to re-connect on a Sunday in Central Park. 

Philip Cioffari (writer) is the author Of the novels CATHOLIC BOYS; DARK ROAD, DEAD END; JESUSVILLE; THE BRONX KILL; and IF ANYONE ASKS, SAY I DIED FROM THE HEARTBREAKING BLUES. His new novel, NIGHT AND ITS LONGINGS, is forthcoming in February '24. He is the writer/director of the feature film, LOVE IN THE AGE OF DION, which won numerous film festival awards. He is a playwright member of the Actors Studio. http://www.philipcioffari.com

Grace Kiley (director) is an award winning actor, a director and playwright member of the Actors Studio playwright and directors unit. She teaches film directing at NYU Tisch and privately coaches actors.

Tod Engle (actor) * Tod is thrilled to be working with the talented Harriet and Grace and getting to speak Phil’s words again. Many NYC theatre credits over the years.TV roles include “Law And Order SVU”, “The Sopranos”, “Boardwalk Empire”, “New Amsterdam”. Tod’s agents, The Collective Talent Agency and CESD. More info on his IMDB page. Tod appears courtesy of AEA.

Harriet Gray Veltkamp (actor) is a NYC based actor, dancer and all-around artist currently pursuing a BFA in Drama at NYU Tisch. Recent projects include: Brooke Di Spirito's "The Beautiful and the Damned" (currently in rehearsal), "Destiny" (JCAL), and "Ocean Without a Floor" (NYU film capstone). She has trained in classical ballet in her home state of Vermont, as well as with the Bolshoi Ballet Academy in NYC and Alonzo King Lines Ballet SI. She is so excited to be making her NYC theater debut.

*Shows in this block include Equity Members appearing with permission of Actor’s Equity Association without benefit of an Equity contract in this off-off Broadway production.

PROGRAM # 4 (3rd floor)

Barges

by Jessica Hinds

Directed by Sarah Bellin

Jessica Hinds (Playwright) is an award-winning writer, teacher, and creator of Meditative Writing. She wrote the award-winning film, Stranger at Home and best screenplay winner, The Mending Wall (Stonefair International Film Festival, Oregon Film Awards Gold Winner). She has been a finalist in over a dozen major competitions and festivals including the Austin Film Festival, O’Neill Conference, Made In NY Writers Room, The Van Gogh Award, and The Heidman Award. Her scripts have been developed, optioned, and produced at theaters across the country, including La MaMa, Cherry Lane, Rattlestick Playwright's Theater, Primary Stages, The Amoralists, The Flea, The Claque, and the New York Artists' Community.  MeditativeWriting.org. 

Sarah Bellin (Director) is an award-winning, internationally active director and producer for stage, film and opera. Some recent directing credits include: TWELFTH NIGHT (Kline Theater), DADA before DADA (Zürcher Festspiele), GOLD! (Swiss Embassy NY), POSION: A Marriage Story (Turbine Theater), THE CHERRY ORCHARD (Turbine Theater), MY GOLDEN GIRL (Hudson Guild Theater), THE ARSONISTS by Max Frisch (Theater Purpurrot). 2020 Zurich Film Festival/SRF Treatment Award Nominee. MFA in directing from the New School for Drama and an MA in Film Directing from the Zürich University of the Arts. www.sarahbellin.com

Marie Anello (Reann) is a classically trained actor and singer based in New York City. She has had the pleasure of performing with companies like New York City Opera, Penobscot Theatre Company, Soho Playhouse, Write Act Repertory, and Encompass New Opera Theatre. Recent credits include Izzy in the world debut of Trapped! The Musical: A Lobster Tale, Betty Compton in the immersive production Tammany Hall, and her self-produced one-woman cabaret, Spektorology. Marie also works as a writer and editor, specializing in book reviews, publishing industry journalism, and graphic novels.

Rachel Leighson (Sarah) is thrilled to be part of this powerful sister drama! Off Broadway: The Christians (Playwrights Horizons), Lili Marlene (St Lukes), Before a League (Actors Temple), Little Egg, Big World (Theatre Row). TV: Diabolical (Judy Buenoano). National tour credits include: Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great (ArtsPower), Miss Nelson is Missing (Two Beans). Regional credits include: Polar Express the Musical (Warner Bros), Shakespeare in the Garden (Puck, Ariel, Caliban). You can catch her on the NYC stage again in August with C.A.G.E. Theatre Co. in their new adaptation of Henry V1 1 and 2. Rachel is also a proud playwright! Writing credits include: Little Egg, Big World (honorary mention for the 2022 Jane Chambers award in feminist playwriting), Blood on My Mother's Apron (nominated for nine 2021 Broadway World awards, including best new play), The Scarcity of Illness (The Skeleton Rep(resents) Theatre Co., and La Morte Finale (StageLeft Theatre). Her most recent commission, When Given Dominion: A Golem Story will premiere with Feminist Fairytales in their second season. In all of her creative work, Rachel hopes to find humor in horror and lessons in frivolity. Proud member of AEA and the Dramatists Guild. www.RachelLeighson.com, @rachelleighson

Shrimp Pudding

by Kyle C. Mumford

Directed by Matt Giroveanu

KYLE C. MUMFORD (Playwright/ Tim) - he/him - Kyle is an award winning filmmaker and writer based in NYC. Since graduating from the School Of Visual Arts, Kyle has worked in film and TV as an editor, in the locations department, and assistant to acclaimed writer/director Tom Gormican. His short films were accepted into numerous festivals, including Palm Springs International ShortFest and Florida Film Fest. His written work has been a 2nd rounder in such competitions as Sundance Labs and seven times at Austin Film Festival. Kyle is also a proud member of the Actor’s Studio Playwright and Directors Unit. For more info: www.kylemumford.com

MATT GIROVEANU (Director) - he/him - Matt is an actor, director, musical improviser and award-winning voice artist hailing from Astoria, NY. He has been seen on many TV shows on HBO, CBS, Netflix, Amazon Prime & more. Deep and sincere thanks to Kyle, Dan, Madison, Kiki & Andrew for being such incredibly talented and giving collaborators. Contact: www.MattGiro.com

MADISON RITTER (Connie) - she/her - Madison is a playwright, director, and actor. A Hunter College graduate, she has written and performed with the LIDA project, and her work as a playwright has been seen at The Tank, Dixon Place, and Shetler Studios. When not in the theater, Madison can be found uptown at Sojourner Coffee, a shop she co-owns with her partner in Harlem. 

KIKI MIKKELSEN (Tori) - she/her - Kiki is an improvisor, actor and musician living in Brooklyn. She has been studying and performing improv in New York City since 2012. She has performed and taught improv internationally with Baby Wants Candy (Edinburgh Fringe Fest, Adelaide Fringe Fest, UCB, Asylum NYC), Blank! The Musical (Green Room 42, Broadway Comedy Club), Vern (The PIT, The Players Theater), Premiere (Magnet), and more. Kiki is the co-creator of Shitzprobe, a show that features Broadway stars improvising a musical for the very first time. 

ANDREW GOEBEL (James) - he/him - Andrew is a New York based actor who is blessed to be working at the Chain once again. He was last at the Chain in “Queen of Jacks” by Alba Albanese, directed by David Zayas Jr. Credits: To Be Young, Gifted and Black (Circle in the Square); Ragtime (Columbia); Toxic Norse-Culinity (Chain Theatre, Playwrights Horizons); The Floor is Lava (La Mama); Troilus and Cressida (PA Shakespeare Festival). Much love to his family and Erika, who is pretty dope. More info: www.andrew-goebel.com

PROGRAM # 5* (3rd floor)

Purgatory

A Dark Comedy in One Act

Written by Domenick V. Danza

Directed by Mary Linehan

Cast:

JERRY JOSEPH MENINO*

ANGELA KARLA HENDRICK*

ELAINE BARBARA HAAS*

MILLIE KATHLEEN HUBER*

JANICE COLEEN COSGROVE*

Stage Manager:  SAMANTHA DIBARI

Marketing:  JENNIFER DEROSA

Synopsis: When Jerry’s mother, Elaine, passes away, unresolved emotions rise to the surface.  His wife, Angela, helps him face his sister, who is more interested in sharing an estate that does not exist.  Elaine gets a chance to review her closest relationships before she moves on, yet something is keeping her stuck one place.

JOSEPH MENINO* (JERRY)  New York: Phoenix Theatre Ensemble: includes Murrow (www.murrowtheplay.com); Don Juan in Hell, Agamemnon Home, Art, Iphigenia at Aulis, Hapgood, Antigone; Jean Cocteau Repertory (10 seasons); Theater for the New City: To Life, Daylight Precision; Actors’ Temple: Last Jew in Boyle Heights; Red Caravan Company: Measure for Measure; Hudson Guild Theatre: -30-;  Metropolitan Playhouse: The Sea Lady, Shadow of Heroes; Live Source Theatre Group: Suddenly; Willow Theatricals: Boys of a A Certain Age; Shakespeare Forum: Merchant of Venice; Axis Theater Co.: Woyzeck; New York Classical Theater: Comedy of Errors, Twelfth Night; Regional: Greenbrier Valley Theatre: Enemy of the People; Gretna Theatre: Broadway Bound; Arkansas Repertory (2000 – 2015). Television: American Genius: Hearst v. Pulitzer (NatGeo).  Film: Hamlet/Horatio, Forbidden Cuba, Forgetting Sandy Glass. 

KARLA HENDRICK* (ANGELA) is a NYC-based actor, director, voiceover artist and master teaching artist.  As a member of The Drilling Company Theatre (TDC), she created the role of Betty in the Off-Broadway NY Times Critic’s Pick hit, The Norwegians, and was cited by the New York Times as one of their top 25 Magical and Quirky performances.  Other TDC roles at Bryant Park Shakespeare and with Shakespeare in the Parking Lot include: Emilia in Othello, Mistress Ford in The Merry Wives of Windsor, Gertrude in Hamlet, Maria in Twelfth Night.  Karla is a member of Bobby Moresco’s The Actors’ Gym, recently appearing in a staged reading of Amanda Moresco’s Where the Numbers End: A Hell’s Kitchen Love Tragedy at Theatre 555; other NYC and regional theatre appearances include King Lear, Blithe Spirit, The House of Blue Leaves, Candide, Our Country’s Good, and as the title role in The Heiress.  Film appearances include Household Accounts and Avow, both written and directed by the late, great Bill C. Davis based on his plays.  Karla’s proud to be a Master Teaching Artist with Roundabout Theatre Company and the Metropolitan Opera Guild.  

BARBARA HAAS* (ELAINE)  Brooklyn girl, regional & NYC stages since the 60s, including the Wilma, ART, Penobscot, Great Lakes Shakespeare Fest., various Cleveland, Boston & Florida theatres.  Film/TV, Aida Melfi – THE SOPRANOS, also Daredevil, Synecdoche, Law & Order, Keeping the Faith, Two Family House, a buncha others.  4 films at festivals this summer.  Trained at Neighborhood Playhouse, and with Lenore Dekoven, Tom Fulton, & Seeing Place Theatre.  Awarded Boston's Best '91 – The Shadow Box.  2 supportive daughters, 5 grandchildren.  Beholden to The Entertainment Community Fund (aka Actors Fund) for nourishing  performance artists culturally, physically, spiritually, educationally, socially, financially.  TTE mngmt. 

KATHLEEN HUBER* (MILLIE)  NY Stage: The Crusade of Connor Stephens (Best Supporting Actress: Midtown International Theatre Festival), Gigi, Tamara, Harvest, Coriolanus, Hamlet, A Scent of Flowers, The Madwoman of Chaillot, Richard III, A Name for a Ghost to Mutter.  Regional: Paper Mill Playhouse (An Ideal Husband), Pasadena Playhouse (The Beaux’ Stratagem), Opera Cleveland (A Little Night Music), Music Theatre Wichita (Wizard of Oz, Thoroughly Modern Millie), American Heartland Theatre (Lettice and Lovage), Foothills Theatre (Doubt), Stages St. Louis (The Music Man), Two River Theatre (Importance of Being Earnest), and the Pennsylvania, Orlando, Virginia, and Alabama Shakespeare Festivals (Richard III, All’s Well That Ends Well, Merry Wives of Windsor). Her short stories have appeared in Seventeen, Highlights for Children, Young World, and Jack and Jill. With her husband, Jerome Martin Schwartz, she recently completed the English translations of Four Plays by Jean-Jacques Rousseau – Available on Amazon.com.  Contact:

COLEEN COSGROVE* (JANICE) loves The Chain Theatre. Earlier this year, she appeared in Domenick Danza's Exit...Stage Right as part of The Chain's One Act Festival. Her short web episode Fun with Nan:Yuppie Go Home was an official selection in The Chain's 2019 Film Festival. (Check out Nan on Colleen's YouTube channel.) Her one-act The Stoop played The Unchained Theatre Festival in 2014. She also appeared in Lynda Crawford's A Procession of Clouds, a 2013 Unchained Festival finalist. Thanks to Domenick and Mary Linehan for another chance to play. Yuppie Go Home: https://youtu.be/JtUUsk6lZCI. 

MARY LINEHAN (DIRECTOR) is an actor and director based in NYC.  Select NYC Acting: Post-Infest (coming 2023); Ophelia (Hamlet, Bryant Park Shakespeare), Hermia (Midsummer…, The Drilling Company), Stoned (Cannes Short Film Corner), My New Pants. Select NYC Directing: -30- (Best Director Nomination, Hudson Guild WinterFest), Goblins and Gates (OSPAC), Competence is Key (The Theater Project), Mine Flowers (Vaclav Havel Library Foundation), Buried Child (Insomniac Productions). Thanks to TTE and Evelyn.  “You have to do your own growing, no matter how tall your grandfather was.”  ALL my love to KP. 

clude The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde (ASM), DNA by Dennis Kelly (SM), Marisol by Jose Rivera (SM), and Rhinoceros by Eugene Ionesco (ASM). In Fall 2023, she will be stage managing Cabaret for Ramapo. Previously she was a production intern at Bergen County Players Inc. in Oradell, NJ, for their production of Ragtime the Musical in 2022. She would like to thank her family, friends, and professors for all of their support! 

DOMENICK V. DANZA (PLAYWRIGHT) teaches Drama with the NYC Department of Education. Before that he was Director of Education at Chicago Dramatists, The Cleveland Play House, and Virginia Stage Company. He studied playwriting at Chicago Dramatists, Primary Stages, The Barrow Group, and holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Goddard College. His plays have been a part of Chicago Dramatists Ten-Minute Workshops, Circle Theater’s New Works Festivals, The Second City Training Center, and Voice Theatre’s 10-Minute Play Festival. His short works have been published in Canyon Voices, Crawdad, Goddard College’s Pitkin Review, and Dramatic Publishing’s 35 in 10, and his play I Am Macbeth is available through Next Stage Press. Read his latest theatre adventures on www.morethantheplay.blogspot.com. 

*Equity Members appearing with permission of Actor’s Equity Association without benefit of an Equity contract in this off-off Broadway production.

Don’t Harm the Animals

Written and Performed by Joanna Pickering

Directed by Melody Brooks

JOANNA PICKERING (Playwright, Actress) is an award-winning actress and writer. Her plays have sold out in New York City, London and Paris, and are available at The Drama Book Shop. In 2022/23 Bad Victims sold out at The Courtyard Theatre in London, directed by Erica Gould (Neil Labute/Theresa Rebeck) starring Pickering and Richard Emerson (West End Chess, ENO Coliseum) and was reviewed as “Sarah Kane meets Noel Coward.” In 2022, The Endgame first showcased off-Broadway at New Perspective Theatre, directed by award-winning Illana Stein, and then moved to Paris to The Big Funk Company. In 2021, Truth, Lies and Deception ran to sold out audiences at Le Pave D'Orsay Theatre in Paris, with Pickering performing a lead role and receiving national press. Most recently, Pickering won Best Actress at New York Women in Film Festival, Los Angeles Film Awards and The Actors Awards for her film work in Diva. She is a member of The Actor’s Studio Playwright Directors Unit, Theatre 68, The Actors Gym, The International Centre Of Women Playwrights, The League of Professional Female Playwrights, and is represented by 3 Arts Entertainment/Talented in Paris/SAG.

MELODY BROOKS (Director) is the founder and Artistic Director of New Perspectives Theatre Company and an award-winning producer, director and dramaturg who has worked in the professional theatre and various educational institutions for 40 years. Brooks received the 2023 "Lee Reynolds Award" from the League of Professional Theatre Women, the "Trailblazing Women and Arts Institutions Award" from Rhythm Color Associates and the "Spirit of Hope Award" from Speranza Theatre Company for her career-long support of women and BIPOC theatre artists. She is a member of Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of the Americas (LMDA) and has been a member of LPTW since 2009.

AOLANI LOPEZ (Stage Manager) (she/her) is a rising junior at Tufts University. She was previously a NextGen intern with Classic Stage Company which sparked her interest in the behind-the-scenes aspects of theatre. She is currently a summer production intern at New Perspectives Theatre Company. 

MARK GARDENER (Composer) is an English rock musician, singer and guitarist with the band Ride. The band is one of the key pioneers of shoegaze, an alternative rocksubgenre that emerged to prominence in the United Kingdom during the early 1990s. The band's first two albums, Nowhere (1990) and Going Blank Again (1992) have been critically acclaimed as two of the greatest shoegaze albums of all time. The latter's lead single, "Leave Them All Behind" became the band's most commercially successful song, reaching No. 9 on the UK Singles Chart. Both Going Blank Again and its 1994 follow-up, Carnival of Light, peaked at No. 5 on the UK Albums Chart.  Gardener has written many solo albums as well as producing for other bands and writing music for film and TV. He recently wrote the soundtrack for award-winning film Upside Down – The Creation Records Story, which picked up a MOJO Vision Award for his work.

ERWIN FALCON (Sound effects) is the founder and CEO of Kid Kestrel LLC, an independent multi-media creative company.

DEBBIE ELLIS (Photographer, artwork) is a British photographer specializing in music, editorial, portrait, lifestyle and fashion photography. She has been published in I-d, N.M.E. GQ, Kerrang!, The Guardian, The Independent, Drapers, BBC introducing, Underground England, Bido Lito, Fred Perry, Loaded, City Life, Time Out, Louder Than War, Manchester Evening News and many online publications.

*Shows in this block include Equity Members appearing with permission of Actor’s Equity Association without benefit of an Equity contract in this off-off Broadway production.

PROGRAM #6 (3rd floor)

Parking Lot Fairies

by Franny Weed

Directed by Nadiya Atkinson

Director: Nadiya Atkinson

Bio: Nadiya is a director and illustrator from a houseplant and immigrant household. Her work focuses on tactile, brightly-patterned, and site-specific pieces, centering geography and community. Selected directing credits:  SCENES WITH GIRLS (Cap&Bells), BURYA: THE TEMPEST (Williams), SAVING WONDERLAND (Braving the Bard), and NOISES OFF (Cap&Bells). She’s the Humanities Manager at Theatre for a New Audience. Nadiya graduated from NTI’s Advanced Directing Program and holds a B.A. in Theatre with Honors from Williams College. Nadiyaatkinson.com

Writer and “Delaney”: Franny Weed

Bio: Franny is a playwright, actor and filmmaker living in Brooklyn. Selected projects: ADAPTATION (2020, director), JEAN (2021, writer & actor), and the short film BENJY (2023, writer & director). She co-runs a screen/playwriting workshop in Brooklyn called By the Fire. Right now, her work is about aging, compromise, and fools.

“Sara”: Jessica Speight

Bio: Jessica Speight is a Caribbean-American actor & writer born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. She is a Lin-Manuel Miranda fellow who has worked on shows such as Sweat by Lynne Nottage & Perseverance by Callie Kimball. Currently, she works as a production assistant with Grits Entertainment and her poem “GRLZ MAKE GRLZ MAKE GRLZ” has been published in the latest edition of Flurry Mag (a New York based zine created by & for BIPOC women).

“Fairy 1”: Rose Badiru

Bio: Rose Badiru is very excited to be involved with the ‘Fairies’ production. She is currently studying at Long Island University in Brooklyn, where she will receive a BFA. Originally from Dallas, Texas, Rose now proudly calls New York City home.

“Fairy 2”: Claire Marieb

Bio: Claire is a NYC based theatre artist. Her play “Physical Touch is NOT my Love Language and ASMR is Inherently Sexual” was produced by Our Digital Stories in June of 2021. Most recently she assistant directed under Jenna Worsham (The Pool Plays) and Ricardo Vazquez (LIU). She is currently working on a new play about climate change in collaboration with director Lulu Guzman titled “Planting Day”. Clairedmarieb.com

Production Designer: Sarisha Kurup

Bio: Sarisha Kurup is a designer and multi-disciplinary artist based in Brooklyn. With a degree in history and a background in joinery and custom furniture, she produces sets, interiors, art, and objects that embrace the influence of the past and prioritize the artistry of hand-craftsmanship. Working as Floren design studio alongside her partner Nathan Ashany, she works  on a range of projects in interiors, film, theater, and event design. Florendesign.com

Production Designer: Nathan Ashany

Bio: Nathan Ashany is an artist and designer based in Brooklyn. Whether he is working on a film, theatrical set, or a room, Nathan loves creating spaces that envelop completely. He works alongside his partner Sarisha Kurup as one half of Floren, their multidisciplinary design studio. Selected credits: Production Designer, When We Were Old; Scenic & Lighting Designer, Wine-O-Rama / Them Airs; Co-Lighting Designer, Too Much Light Makes The Baby Go Blind. florendesign.com

Glow Worms

by Emmy Weissman

Directed by Karma Masselli

Jaye Ayres-Brown (Sheri) is an actor based in New York City.

Laura Herskov (Sasha) is an actor, writer, and musical artist from Southern California and Escazú, Costa Rica. Most recently on stage, Mikvah Girls (Art House Productions), Let Me Cook For You (TheaterLab), Motherf**king Girl Scouts (Wild Project). On screen, you can see her as Betty in Father (directed by Felipe Boertz) and Gracie in Gracie Green Is Getting Resurrected (directed by Karma Masselli). Her goal as an artist is to have a fun and funky fresh time. Thank you to Emmy and Karma for always making that happen. BFA: NYU Tisch school of the Arts. @lauramilagra

Michelle Kariuki (Counselor Jean), the child of a Kenyan immigrant, attended NYU for Drama. While in undergrad she performed in a variety of school productions such as Failure: A Love Story, Death of a Salesman and Barbecue. In 2017, Michelle made her off-off Broadway debut in Black Girl Magic Show! at JACK. She continued to perform in productions at NYU such as the world premiere of An American Feast, a collaboration with The Civilians. After graduating in 2019, Michelle was cast as Morph in The Heresy Machine. After a short run at HERE theater, she performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival for international audiences. In July 2020, she was cast in her first on screen role as Marfay in the short film 1805. Her most recent film credits are Alia in USER and Deja Greene in Chapter Up. She recently closed a short run of Happy Birthday, Curiosity Rover! at Super Secret Arts Center’s Cosmic Cherry Festival. 

Lauren Nicola (Abby) is a writer, director, and actor originally from Tennessee, now based in New York City. She has a BFA in Film & Television from Tisch School of the Arts at New York University. Lauren teaches part-time at an after school program for children in addition to doing freelance production and art assistant work in film and events. This is Lauren’s third collaboration with writer Emmy Weissman and director Karma Masselli, following Motherf**king Girlscouts, in which she performed the role of Rosie in the show’s 2022 run at The Fresh Fruit Festival, and the short film Gracie Green Is Getting Resurrected, in which she played the role of Lisa. Lauren will always be grateful to Emmy and Karma for allowing her to bring their magical worlds to life, and she regards every opportunity to work with this incomparable team a privilege, a pleasure, and a party.

Lena Iacobucci (Danielle) is an interdisciplinary artist based in Brooklyn, New York. She is a graduate of NYU Tisch Drama and the Experimental Theater Wing, where she received training in both the Grotowski and Meisner techniques. After graduating, Lena remained intent on finding delight in creation and collaboration, leading to many experiences with thrilling new works and brilliant artists. Recent stage credits include "Branching Out" (Alchemical Studios) and "Giving Up The Ghost" (The Brick). She is brimming with joy to have the opportunity to work with so many talented individuals on Glow Worms.

Emmy Weissman (Playwright) (she/her) is a writer based in NYC. Her plays include Sugar (The Maker's Ensemble Short Play Fest) and Motherf**king Girl Scouts (All Out Arts's Fresh Fruit Festival at The Wild Project, and Mikvah Girls (Art House Productions). Her work can be seen in Smith & Kraus and Querencia Press anthologies. She is a playwright-in-residence with Art House Productions’ INKubator New Play Program ‘22-‘23 and a Tennessee Williams scholar for the 2023 Sewanee Writers' Conference. BFA in Drama- NYU Tisch. emmyweissman.com. 

Jennifer Allen (Dramaturgy) is a writer, director, and devisor originally from Richmond, Virginia. After graduating NYU in 2019, she’s concentrated on new ways of creating theater focusing on bold, honest stories and intersectional feminist work. Jenn is thrilled to join the Glow Worms team- it’s truly a gift to support the creation of community and impactful work! 

Hannah Bird (Costume Design) (she/they) is a designer, crafts artisan, and director based in Brooklyn. She has worked on productions at Playwrights Horizons, WP Theatre, The Public Theater, The New School for Drama, PlayCo/Clubbed Thumb, Moliere in the Park, and A24. Fav design credits include the  upcoming THE WAKE OF UR PROBLEMATIC FAV PRTY GRL at the Tank and Edinburgh Fringe, Happy Birthday Curiosity Rover at Cosmic Cherry Festival, and Motherf**king Girl Scouts at Fresh Fruit Festival. Hannah becomes something of a glowworm herself whenever there's disco music playing.

Nile Assata Harris (Choreography) is a New York Based Artist. Originally from Philadelphia Pennsylvania, Nile graduated with a BFA in theatre from New York University. Recent works include The Harriet Holland Social Club's 84th Annual Cotillion (A.R.T. NY) Fettuccine (Fresh Fruit Festival) TOM (Columbia University) The Singularity Play (Columbia University); Miss Lily (Clubbed Thumb Winter fest ); Children’s Crusade  (Children’s Crusade Company).

Karma Masselli (Direction) is a theater and film maker based in Brooklyn, NY. Her recent theater directing projects include Mikvah Girls (Art House Productions/New Jersey), Motherf**king Girl Scouts (Wild Project/All Out Art’s Fresh Fruit Festival), Happy Birthday, Curiosity Rover (Super Secret Arts/Cosmic Cherry Arts Festival). Her recent film directing projects include Gracie Green Is Getting Resurrected (Neighborhood Film Festival) and Burt's Electronics (HUDSY). She is a co-founder of the Neighborhood Film Festival and was awarded a Community Content grant by HUDSY TV. She is pursuing certification in intimacy coordination from IDC and holds a BFA in theater directing from NYU/Tisch School of the Arts, Playwrights Horizons Theater School. 

Rosalie Neal (Sound Design) is a theater-maker, performer and sound artist. She has performed and sound designed in venues like Mabou Mines, Performance Space, The Brick, H0l0, Dixon Place, and Allouche Gallery. Her recent sound design credits include M3LTD0WN at the Brick, Take It Away, Cheryl at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and her own solo show MOTHER MARY MILK BAR at Cloud City in May 2022. She is very excited to see and hear this beautiful production come to fruition. 

Cara Griffin (Prop Design) is a filmmaker and visual artist in Brooklyn, NY. Her latest short film, My Savior, was awarded the 2023 NYC Women’s Fund for Media, Music, and Theater on behalf of the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment and the New York Foundation for the Arts. She is a graduate of New York University's Gallatin School of Individualized Study.

Diana Schlossberg (Dramaturgy) is a diarist, director, designer, and performer. Her solo performance work, On Diary, was presented at Bowery Poetry Club in collaboration with CH-V. In 1950, after 15 years and over two-dozen films with the studio, MGM released her amid a series of personal struggles that prevented her from fulfilling the terms of her contract. She lives in Bushwick.

Kobi Masselli (Lighting Design) is a designer and director based in New York City.

Lucas Castro-Cruz (Graphics) (he/him) born and raised in Salt Lake City, my parents bought me my first sketchbook when I was 10 because I wanted to be like Jack from the Titanic, my favorite movie at the time.  I fell in love with theatre, and the act of making it.  I started performing in 7th grade, and learned I had a passion for directing, which is what I studied when I attended NYU Tisch School of the Arts for undergrad.  In addition to my theatre curriculum, I took studio art courses at Steinhardt, focusing primarily on color theory.  During lockdown in 2020, I missed storytelling.  I began drawing my own graphic novel “A Guide to Subsea Living” which I later turned into a short film.  Over the past few years, as theatres and studios have been opening up in the city, my craft has become more multi-faceted than ever.  My art is my own personal and inexhaustible method towards desire and discovery.  I’m currently based in the Lower East Side, Manhattan. 

Jacqueline Brockel (Scenic Design) (@jbroc.jbroc.jbroc) is Thingly with objects and paints transmotions. jbroc fabricates and sources matter for short films and theater. She has been an associate set designer on several immersive productions including Remarkable’s Scarlet Night on the Virgin Voyages Cruise with Carolyn Mraz, and Field and Forest on Isabella Rossellini’s farm with Deb O.

Mantis

by Belle Del Sesto

Katrina Mattson (Carson) is a bi-coastal actor, writer, and bartender. She has made a “really good caipirinha" as reviewed by people who've already had 3 drinks, and in between drink making has managed to spend a little bit of time on stage and screen. She loves any chance to get bloody and weird with her work, and is thrilled to be a part of this production! 

Victor Colasurdo (Danny) is a New York-based actor and is so excited to be a part of this show. He is a recent graduate of Pace University’s BFA Acting Program and recently made his television debut on an episode of CBS’ The Equalizer. To view more about him and what he’s up to visit VictorColasurdo.com.

Belle Del Sesto (Writer/Director) is a recent graduate from NYU’s Department of Dramatic Writing. Outside of playwriting she also writes for film, tv, and narrative games, and script supervises on the occasional film set. Directing being her first love, Belle is exhilarated to be back, and is so thankful to her cast and crew for bringing MANTIS to life, and to the Chain Theatre for giving her something to believe in during her post-grad crisis.

Katie Heaton (Production Designer) is a queer multimedia production designer and content creator born and residing in Brooklyn, New York. Coming from a music, arts, and performance background, Katie finds joy in developing rich visual worlds across all artistic mediums. Thanks to Belle for always letting her make crazy things happen on stage.

Natalie Collat (Assistant Director/Casting) is a rising Senior at NYU studying Film & Television Production with an emphasis on writing and directing for television and comedy. She has worked on several advanced thesis films from NYU and is set to direct an advanced pilot in the fall. This past spring she interned for Brookside Artist Management and is proud to continue her casting journey with Mantis.

Rocket

Written and Directed by Mark Melton

Aaron Gutterman (Koy) is incredibly excited to be working on Rocket! Originally from West Caldwell, New Jersey, Aaron currently attends Hofstra University pursuing a BFA in Drama Performance. Some of his past credits include Harry/Mr. Heppenstahl in State Fair (Hofstra University), Joseph in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (NiCori Studios), and Robert in The Drowsy Chaperone (Golda Och Academy). He thanks his friends, family, professors, and the amazing Rocket team! 

Annie Holstein (Teek) is just ecstatic to be a part of this show! Originally from Oswego, Illinois, she currently attends Hofstra University pursuing a BFA in Drama Performance minoring in Musical Theatre. Some past credits include The Wolves (# 13), The Yellow Boat (Benjamin), and Little Women (Laurie). Many thanks and love to her family, friends, Mark, and the entire Rocket team!

Rachel Morris (Putt) is a college student pursuing a BFA in Drama Performance at Hofstra University, originally from Nashua, New Hampshire. Recent credits include Marion in Hofstra University’s production of “Dike,” and Lady Macduff in Hofstra’s production of “Macbeth.” She would like to thank Mark and folks at The Chain for offering her this wonderful opportunity, and she hopes you enjoy the show!

Weston Scheck (Ange), originally from Fort Collins, CO, is a performer and student pursuing Drama, Labor Studies, and Economics at Hofstra University. Previous Hofstra performance credits include JJ Peachum in “The Threepenny Opera” and Leonato/Margaret in “Much Ado About Nothing.” Weston is very excited to get to work with such a wonderful team, and they would like to thank The Chain for cultivating such an important creative outlet. Blast off!

Jessica Wimmenauer (Cora) is a rising Hofstra University senior from Harleysville Pennsylvania, pursuing a BFA in Drama Performance and a minor in Musical Theater. Previous credits at Hofstra include Horse Girls (Tiffany), The Wolves (#46), and The Yellow Boat (Mother). She is incredibly grateful for her friends, family, and the epic Rocket team and is so excited for this opportunity!

Tobey Archibald (Costume Design) is a recent graduate of the Fashion Design AAS program at the Fashion Institute of Technology. Tobey is experienced in garment construction and the fundamentals of creative design, specializing in special occasion and costume. Thank you to Mark and the team!

Jordan McLaughlin (Casting Director) is originally from Natick, Massachusetts, but she is now based in New York and is pursuing a BFA in Drama Performance at Hofstra University. She would like to thank Mark for giving her awesome opportunities like this!

Mark Melton (Writer, Director) comes from Oswego, Illinois and studies Screenwriting and Drama at Hofstra University. He produced and directed Story Time: Live! (Limelight Theatre Company), hosts and writes for the late night show Up All Night (HEAT Network), and this year wrote and produced a sketch comedy special, Take Me Out (To The Ball Game, Of Course). He is extremely grateful to the Chain for this amazing festival, and wants to thank Big Red and the JR Donuts team for making this play possible!

Ryan Sendef (Sound Design) is a Chicago-based actor and sound designer. He is currently a student at North Central College in Naperville, Illinois studying Theatrical Design and Acting. Previous credits include NEXT TO NORMAL (North Central College, sound designer) and RENASCENCE (North Central College, assistant sound designer).

PROGRAM #7 (3RD floor)

1900s Women Bonding

by Catherine Weingarten

Directed by Rebecca Wilson

Laura Browne (Cassandra) is a comedian hailing from Eastchester, New York—which is in Westchester… go figure. She recently appeared in the critically acclaimed macbitches, playing Piper, and she frequently performs at the Chain with her improv troupe, Disastertown. She is thrilled to be a part of the One-Act Festival and feels incredibly thankful to be working with such a talented group of artists. Find her on instagram @swaggiebrowne AND go ahead and follow Disastertown too @disastertownimprov

Bella Macallister (she/her, Marie) was born amongst the seashore wildlife of Cape Cod, MA and continues the scuttle of her crancestors (crab ancestors) on the sidewalks of NYC! She thanks her family, friends, and especially Rebecca, Catherine, and The Chain for always being dynamite! Follow her and this amazing improv troupe she knows on IG: @groovy_baby_bella_cheese and @disastertownimprov !!! Happy Pride, this month and always, beautiful people! 

Catherine Weingarten (Playwright)  is a friendly jewish chick from an obscure area of Pennsylvania! Honors Include: the Scott McPherson Award and the Tennessee Williams Scholarship through the Sewanee Writer’s Conference. She has previously developed her “girly, trashy” work with Dixon Place, The Tank, Less Than Rent, Sam French OOB Short Play Festival, Last Frontier Theater Conference and has been awarded residencies through Bethany Arts Community, The Studios of Key West, Fresh Ground Pepper’s BRB and Monson Arts. catherine-weingarten.squarespace.com

Rebecca Wilson (Director) is a NY based director, producer, and theatre artist. Recent directing credits: Self Help Me (New York City Center), The Wizard of Oz (Narrows Community Theater), Dancing in the Moonshine (The Tank, Rule of 7x7), and Significant Other (Spectrum Players). Other credits: Powerline Road (Assistant Director, Theatre Now NY), Eternal Flamer (PSM, Fresh Fruit Festival), 2022 YoungArts NY Gala (ASM, The Metropolitan Museum), The Jury: A New Musical (ASM, Theatre Now NY). Instagram: @_reabz

A Rose by Any Other Name

by Debbie Curtis-Green

Directed by Perryn Pomatto

MARIE ELÉNA O’BRIEN* (Diane) - Marie Elèna (she/her) was last seen as Catherine/Clytemnestra in the development of LEDA’S CHILDREN for New Perspectives’ May Mini festival, and as Tori in ANY PORT IN A STORM for New Ambassadors Theatre Company. A frequent contributor, founding member and board member, Marie Elèna also just directed IN THE GARDEN OF THE HESPERIDES, now currently playing at NATC’s Blurring Boundaries Festival. She’s pretty chuffed to be in such good company for her first adventure with Chain Theater. What’s next? Member of Actor's Equity Association

ARIANA JOHNS* (Lorraine) – Ariana is an actor/writer/producer/singer, and the Producing Artistic Director of Vampingo Productions, vampingoproductions.com. She’s acted and performed comedy on both coasts and regionally, and currently performs with Evangeline Johns and Darryl Curry in their cabaret act, VANGARI! With Darryl, she’s written two musicals, ‘BUZZ, Son of a Bee’ and ‘Glamour & Grit’. She’s currently completing her book of memoir stories, ‘Portable Strangers: Growing up in Greenwich Village and the Theatre’, and she performs selections from the book at salons around town. Member of AEA, SAG/AFTRA, Dramatists Guild, Erik Ransom’s DPS (Shakespeare/classics) 

JENNY D GREEN (Sharon) - Notable performances: 'Wilde at Home' (David Grant), 'Sitting Duck' (Lisa Milinazzo), 'The Report' (Alan Muroka) and 'Dick Whittington: an Xmas Panto for NYC' (Jenny Lee Mitchell); readings for Origin Theatre Company and a tribute to Queen Victoria Wood (George Heslin). Also an award-winning costume designer, former BBC-journalist & founder of production company, The OPTimistiks. Currently producing 'Corrie in the Hood '(on The Gram/Toob SOON). AADA Grad ’08. Thanks to this team for bringing middle age centre stage!

PERRYN POMATTO (Director) - As a member of the New Ambassadors Theatre Company, Perryn has had the privilege of directing many shows for their short play festivals, including Wednesday in the Park with Blake for the upcoming Blurring Boundaries Festival at the Hudson Guild Theatre.  Other recent credits are:  Any Port in a Storm, Skim, Ranch Country and Prometheus Found, which Stage Buddy declared to be "skillfully pulled off" and "hysterical." Perryn also founded, and was the artistic director, of the sketch comedy group The Grease Monkeys, which aired on egarage.tv. Thank you to Debra Curtis-Green and the cast, without which none of this would be possible. 

DEBRA CURTIS-GREEN (Playwright) – After a life of trials, tribulations, travel and trivia, Debra, a transplant from England, is exploring all written mediums in a joint Creative Writing/Theatre degree. Debra has written children’s books, the Dog Has a Key series, short stories and essays. A Rose by Any Other Name is her first play and winner off “The Jacob Hammer Memorial Prize for Playwriting 2023”. Thank you to a wonderful cast and director, for bringing my words to life. Thank you to Stephanie Stowe, who has been both theatre mentor and friend.

As We Go Along

Written and directed by Steph Prizhitomsky

Steph Prizhitomsky- Writer/Director:  Steph Prizhitomsky (she/her) is a playwright/screenwriter/director/ex-business major. She is the head screenwriter of Future is Female Productions, co-founder of the White Rabbit Film Festival in its third year, screenwriter/director of Imagine Networks’ horror miniseries Distress Signals, editor in chief of Suits and Sage Magazine, and recipient of the Best Young Actor award at the NJ Film Awards. She is a recovering classically trained Shakespeare kid.

Regina Famatigan- Sam: Regina (she/her) is an actress, singer, and dedicated storyteller hailing from El Paso, TX. Selected theater: Here There Be Dragons (The Players Theatre), Illusions (Lenfest Centre for the Arts), When You Can Get the Milk for Free (Gallery Players), Deck the Halls (Florida Studio Theatre). Film: The Ghost Light, Skye Hoshi: Anime Girl For more info: Regina-Famatigan.com or IG: @regina_famatigan

Kerby Darius- Joe: Kerby Darius is an actor based in Brooklyn, New York. In his young career, he has starred in numerous short films and plays, most recently 'On The Mountaintop' where he portrayed Martin Luther King Jr. He has trained at York University in Toronto, The Barrow Group, and the Magnet Theater. In addition to acting, he also performs stand up comedy where he has performed in comedy clubs/festivals across the US, Canada, and the UK.

Anya Petkovic- Beverly: Anya Petkovic is a recent graduate of the London Academy of Dramatic Arts, and Bard College, wherein her final year was awarded the Don Parker Prize for Excellence in the Performing Arts. Favorite theatre credits include Hayfever (Sorel), Henry VI (Margaret), and Attempts on Her Life (Main Player). A born and raised New Yorker, she is thrilled to be back home in the city performing!

Poster edited by Daniel Oliver Lee @danieloliverlee

Ol' Skool

by Natasha Cobb

Natasha Cobb - Natasha Cobb (Playwright/Director) is a native New Yorker and member of the Dramatists Guild. She has written and directed short plays in NYC theater festivals each year over the past six years.  Most recently Natasha’s short play, Before You, made it to the semi-finals of the Queens Short Play Festival this past March.  She’s excited and thankful to participate in the Chain Theatre One Act Festival.

Allen Jenkins - Allen Jenkins (Uncle) is a playwright, actor and director. He has performed in many productions in the NYC area. A member of the Fusion Gumbo Writers Workshop he is happy to work with Natasha Cobb again and this talented cast.

Emmanuel Achigbu - Emmanuel Achigbu (Nephew) was "Born and raised in the South-Eastern region of Nigeria. Emmanuel moved to the U.S in his teens for college. An Alumni of Eastern Connecticut State University and The New York Film Academy, he was featured as part of the cast of the NYFA stage showcase on Enigma Variations, having studied Acting for Film. He was also part of the cast of the Off-Off Broadway play 'Happy Anniversary’ & 'I Confess', which was a Studios of Key West play in Florida, with a number of commercials and short films to his credit."

Liz Dutton - Liz Dutton (Maggie) is a Brooklyn based actor. She studied theater at the National Conservatory of Dramatic Arts in Washington, DC, and has been cast in many productions and readings in the NY and DC area, along with regional theater in PA and VA - from Shakespeare to avant-garde to farce, and just about everything in between. Recent roles include The Rabbi in The Minotaur for the American Theatre of Actors, Clytemnestra in Iphigenia for Theater Dionysus, Eva in Collaborators for Spooky Action Theater, and Bruna in Our Lady of the Clouds for Wintergreen Arts.

Enette Fremont - Enette Fremont (Nurse) is a New York City-based Theater, Film, and Television actor. As an artist, she is interested in telling thought-provoking stories that explore the multi-faceted life. She hopes to investigate and create dynamic characters within those stories that reflect the experience it is to be human.

PROGRAM # 8 (3RD floor)

A Very Nigerian Dream

by Taiwo Aloba

Synopsis: The mass exodus of Nigeria’s youth. The play explores the trend of young Nigerians leaving their country for a better life. 

CAST BIO

Ammunikee Gomez (Wisdom) is thrilled to play the role of Wisdom in "A Very Nigerian Dream." Proud alumni of The American Academy of Dramatic and Operation Triple Threat Performing Arts Academy, Ammunikee is an actor and singer based in New York.

Aren Craft (Solomon) is an up-and-coming actor and model represented by New York's MMG. He has appeared in music video shoots, films, and live TV interviews. Aren also has a degree in Marketing from the highly accredited Bentley University, where he completed his education.

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 is a member of the Dramatist Guild. www.TaiwoAloba.com

Eight One Eight Two

by Rishi Chowdhary

Directed by Kanika Vaish

Rishi Chowdhary (Playwright) was born in Kenya, grew up in Miami, worked in New York and currently lives in North Carolina.  While in New York, he wrote his first short play Color Me Desi which was part of Despina’s Seven.11 productions in 2005 and 2009.  Rishi is excited to be partnering with Fresh Lime Soda Productions and the Chain Theatre in staging his play Eight One Eight Two about his parents' inspirational and challenging decision to move from Kenya to America in the early 1980’s.  He thanks his family and wife for humoring him by listening to his ideas.

Kanika Asavari Vaish (Director) Kanika is an NYC-based director, writer, performer, producer, and MFA graduate from Columbia University School of the Arts. She is the co-founder of South Asian theater ensemble and incubator Fresh Lime Soda Productions along with Sabina Sethi Unni. Her work focuses on themes of hope, transformation, and community, and she believes in using theater as a form of collective healing. Recent credits include: ELIJAH (Director, Lenfest Center for the Arts), The XIXth (Assistant Director, The Old Globe), Richard III (Associate Director, SoHo Shakespeare Company), Nine Ways to Plead with a God (Playwright, Lenfest Center for the Arts), Jyoti's Bridge (Playwright, Schapiro Theater at Columbia University), and Guards at the Taj (Director, SoHo Shakespeare Company). 

Sabina Sethi Unni (Cast) is a political theater director, performer, writer, organizer, and lover of long self-aggrandizing lists. She is the co-founder and co-artistic director of Fresh Lime Soda Productions, a contemporary South Asian theater ensemble and incubator. She loves performing and directing theater in public spaces: from children’s theater about composting (Pistachio and the Worms for the DOT Public Space Programming at PS Family NYC, 31st Avenue Open Street, and Flatbush Open Street); to community theater about flood sensors (Rainy Day Play in Edgemere Farm, Gowanus Dredgers Community Boathouse, and West Harlem Piers); to protest theater about unions (May Day Protest in Washington Square Park for Make the Road). For more, come see her new play premiering this summer and fall, A Fun Play About How Scary Climate Change Is, written with the support of the Brooklyn Arts Council, Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, and Amanda+James Coastlines Festival. www.sabinasethiunni.com.

Wasim Azeez (Cast) is a New York-based actor. He recently wrapped up a sci-fi short film titled "Alone, Alone on the wide wide sea", funded by Tasveer.org, which is scheduled to premiere at various film festivals in the fall. His screen credits include films such as "Treading" and "No Service," the latter of which will be streaming on Amazon later this year. He has also performed at the Theater for the New City and at Teatro Latea for the New York Theatre Festival. He graduated from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, NYC, and speaks five languages. Wasim champions diversity in the arts and is proud to represent the South Asian community on a global stage.

Siraj Huda (Cast) Born in Orissa, India, Siraj Huda considers himself an accidental actor. He took an unconventional path to his acting career, milking cows in Nepal and teaching ice skating in Dubai on the way. After immigrating to the United States to pursue an MBA, Siraj moved to New York City where he has worked in publishing and as a software engineer. When the recession hit in 2008, Siraj discovered acting and never looked back. His varied life experiences contributed to his ability to get under the skin of the characters he portrays.

The Last Five Star Bowl America in America

by Andrew Reid

Directed Benjamin Viertel

Benjamin Viertel (Director) Recent: Between the Bars (HERE Arts), BRIC TV Original Series 86’d, The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant (New Ohio Theatre), Fireface (The Brick), Kragtar: An American Monster Musical (West End Theatre), & award-winning web series Blank My Life. Benjamin has worked with BAM, Roundabout Theater, Huntington Theater, The New Group, and The Civilians. Member of The Orchard Project’s Greenhouse Lab, Kennedy Center Director’s Lab, MTC’s Directing Fellow, and The Civilians’ R&D Group. Founding Artistic Director of Third Space. Education: Carnegie Mellon & Columbia University. www.benjaminviertel.com 

Jacqui Byrne is entering her 2nd year as an MFA Acting Student at Columbia University and is thrilled to be making her New York theater debut in this festival. She recently graduated from Dartmouth where she earned a B.A in Theater and acted in many productions. Her recent work also includes shows at Northern Stage and at Columbia. A big thank you to the cast, crew and playwright of this production and to her friends and family for their support. 

Bethsabé Caballero (she/her) is an actor from Caracas, Venezuela. She was a part of the theatre company Conexión Pelegrín in Caracas for twelve years. She got her BFA in Acting at California State University Long Beach in 2022. She just finished her first year as an MFA actor at Columbia University and is delighted to be working with such a talented group of artists.

Yvonne Jessica Pruitt is a New York based actor and voiceover artist going into her second year of the Columbia MFA Acting program. She is extremely excited and honored to be a part of this! She’d like to thank her friends and family (including her fur baby Brownie) for their continued support and encouragement. 

Andrew Reid (he/him) is a playwright and dramaturg originally from the Washington D.C. area and is delighted to be making his NYC debut at The Chain Theatre’s Summer One-Act Festival. Recent productions with Rorschach Theatre, The Kennedy Center, The HUB, Who What Where Productions, and The D.C. Capital Fringe Festival. He is currently studying at Columbia University to obtain his MFA in playwriting. He would like to thank his cast, crew, family, and friends for all their support and his wife, Molly, for always encouraging and believing in him. 

The Loveless Fridge

by Amanda Esquilin

Writer:

Amanda Esquilin: Born and raised in the Bronx, Amanda Esquilin began her writing career as a playwright and poet at Bronx Theatre High School where she worked closely with The Roundabout Theatre Company. During this, she won a playwriting competition where her short play was read in front of a live audience. Simultaneously, she produced her first 15-minute silent short through the Ghetto Film School. She was an assistant production coordinator for the indie feature Entangled (Amazon Prime) and a casting associate on the feature film Goldie (Vice) under Damian Bao Casting. She was also an assistant to critically acclaimed Writer/Director, Kiel Adrian Scott for his short Samaria. Her upcoming project, the short film Feathers, which she wrote and produced, is in post-production with Director IR. 

Director : Melissa Aquiles is a Portuguese-American actor, writer, comedian, and director. She’s been doing comedy for over 12 years, most notably at The Peoples Improv Theater where she taught and performed on multiple senior teams. Her most recent project was directing Lungs by Duncan MacMillan at Arts on Site. Her work has been featured in Refinery29, PasteMagazine, Cracked.com, and more. Acting credits include Full Frontal with Samantha Bee (TBS), Pixar in Real Life (Disney+), Jolie (Winner of Cannes World Film Festival), and more. 

Role of SHAWN

Mannie Mendez is an Afro-Latino actor/clown from Tampa Fl. He recently graduated from Terry Knickerbocker Studio class of 22’, where he studied acting under Terry Knickerbocker and clown with Justin Cimino. His most recent project was a short film titled “Going Out to Eat” written and directed by Lem Worrel. Mannie is excited to be making his NYC stage debut on the Chain Theater stage in this production of The Loveless Fridge.

Role of VEDA

Yuka Taga: Yuka Taga is a Japanese-American actor born and raised in New York City. She is a recent graduate of Terry Knickerbocker Studio, where she studied character acting through the Meisner Technique. Some of Yuka’s past credits include Magic Hour (Official Selection, Tribeca Film Festival; playing a romantic lead across Indya Moore) Drifter (Official Selection, ScreamFest) Ma (Official Selection, Palm Spring International Film Festival), and more. She is currently writing her first feature-length film based on her experiences as an aspiring musician in The Bronx Underground. Yuka is represented by Innovative Artists. IG Handle: @yuka.taga

Role of SAUL/POLICE OFFICER

John Backstrom - John Backstrom is a Meisner-trained actor based in Brooklyn, NY, working primarily on camera. He is SAG eligible & independent. See IMDb and/or CV for qualifications, credits, reel, etc.: https://read.cv/johnbackstrom John is thrilled to take the stage!

PROGRAM #9 (3RD floor)

Bloodletting

by Emma Miller

Directed by Emily Melnick

Synopsis: A writer and a physician while away the night hours in a B&B upstate. Promises are broken and kept, dreams are deferred, and things left undone may linger with us. 

Brian………………………………………...Garrett Dooley

Esther……………………………………….Dominique Taylor 

Garrett Dooley (Brian) — Recent credits include George in Luciernagas (National Queer Theatre), Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike (John Bourne Theatre), and Blanche in a Wheelchair (Samuel French One Act Festival). TV: The Blacklist and The Good Fight. Short Film: Dinner with the Uptighty's and Sweet Tooth. 

Emily Melnick (Director) is an artist and strategist working in public health, theater, fabric, and clay. Her practice focuses on themes of intimacy, identity, and tradition. This is her third collaboration with playwright Emma Miller, including the 2022 premiere of Pretty Privilege at the Chain Theater. As an actor, Emily most recently performed the title role in Titus Andronicus with the Belladonna Shakespeare Company.

Emma Miller (Playwright) is a writer of both fact and fiction in New York City. She is currently pursuing an MFA in creative writing at The City College of New York, where she has received the David Dortort Prize in Playwriting and the Elyse L. Nass Endowed Scholarship for Playwriting. She’s delighted to return to the Chain Theatre with this new work. 

Dominique Taylor (Esther) has a deep artistic passion for acting. Originally from Alabama, she moved to New York City in January. Since then she’s acted in multiple short films and plays. Dominique is currently enrolled in acting classes to further hone her skills and looks forward to continuing her acting career in the city! 

DimSum69

by John McCleery

Directed by Ted Thompson

John McCleery (Playwright) is a graduate of NYU where he studied playwriting. He currently studies with Julie McKee at HB Studios. John is thrilled to be part of the Chain Theatre's One Act play festival. He encourages everyone who rides a bike to wear a helmet. 

Linda Blackstock (The Woman) is a proud native New Yorker, born and bred in The Bronx, Over the years, she has performed in a variety of venues throughout the boroughs of NYC, including Metropolitan Playhouse, Prospect Theater, Kraine Theater, Irish Arts Center, New Perspectives Theater, Secret Theater, The Brick and The Point. Thank you, John and Ted for this opportunity and Matthew, for being my partner on stage.

Matthew Gancayco (DimSum69) graduated from Princeton University with a degree in Anthropology and a certificate in Theater. Despite waiting until his final year of college to begin acting, Matthew participated in six theater performances. While at Princeton, he was also a member of the varsity wrestling program for four years.

Ted Thompson (Director) has been directing in various venues around Brooklyn and Manhattan for the past twenty five years, mostly at the Heights and Gallery Players. This November he will be directing Stephen Adly Guirgis' The Motherfucker With the Hat in Brooklyn Heights. He thanks John for this opportunity.

Marialana Ardolino (Sound Recording) has been doing tech for shows for quite some time. Working with Ted is always a pleasure! She can be seen next as SM for Ted this coming November @ Heights Players.

Star Lake

by Beck Farris

Directed Elena Maldonando-Dunn

CREW

Elena Maldonado-Dunn -Role: Director -Pronouns: they/them

Biography: Elena graduated Marymount Manhattan College with degrees in Directing and Creative Writing. Recent projects include the original production of Star Lake, and Achilles and Patroclus, both at Marymount Manhattan. Elena is passionate about telling queer stories, both historical and current. Instagram (@_elena_isabel_)

Sophie H Nolan -Role: Stage Manager -Pronouns: She/Her

Biography: Sophie is a Stage Manager and Playwright currently studying at Marymount Manhattan College. She's thrilled to be joining Medusa Collective this summer at The Chain! Recent Stage Management credits include Chekhov's 'Uncle Vanya' (MMC, Deck Stage Manager), Breathe:Tulum (New York Live Arts, Stage Manager), and Voice of Reason (New York Summer Theatre Festival, Stage Manager). Instagram (@sophiehnolan)

Beck Farris -Role: Playwright  - Pronouns: Any

Biography: Beck Farris (any pronouns) is a recent graduate of Marymount Manhattan College with a double major in BFA Acting and Writing for the Stage, where they received the Golden Key in Playwriting. Their work often centers themes of queerness, girlhood, mental health, and the supernatural. Recent writing credits include Bog Body and This Isn’t You, It’s Your Disorder produced as staged readings in the Marymount Manhattan Blackbox. They are thrilled to be working with Medusa Collective NYC to bring Star Lake to the Chain Theatre. You can find them on Instagram @beck.farris and you can find them in real life being silly and whimsical everywhere they go.

Ana Coakley -Role: Assistant Director - Pronouns:  She/Her

Biography: Ana is a recent graduate from Marymount Manhattan College with a BA in Directing and a BA in Film and Television. Recent directing credits include: Buried Treasure by Jaclyn Backhaus and Kinky Boots by Harvey Fierstein and Cyndi Lauper. She loves new, experimental work, horror and the macabre, and strives to advocate for the disabled, LGBTQ+, and mental health communities. Ana is thrilled to be apart of the Medusa Collective and this beautiful show. 

Beverly Fort -Role: Assistant Stage Manager- Pronouns: She/They

Biography: Beverly Fort is a Queer theatre artist from Houston Texas specializing in acting, writing, and any other form of putting new works up onto stage. They are currently a Senior in the BFA Acting program at Marymount Manhattan (@beverly_fort)

Isabella Fatigati - Role: Production Coordinator - Pronouns: She/They

Biography: Isabella Fatigati is the Artistic Director of the Medusa Collective and an interdisciplinary artist. They are a playwright, photographer, producer and more. They can often be found hosting a reading with a pink drink in their hand. Isabella is a senior at Marymount Manhattan College and will graduate in the fall with a dual degree in Theatre New Media & Writing for the Stage with a double minor in Photography & Communications and Media Arts. You can find them at @bellafatigati and @medusacollectivenyc on Instagram!

Nayum Faruki -Role: Producer

Biography:  Nayum Faruki is the executive director for ‘Medusa Collective NYC”. She is a fresh graduate from Marymount Manhattan College. She recently directed and produced a very successful run for a  play called ‘Khilona’ in Lahore, Pakistan and produced ‘Clowntown’ at the Chain Theatres Winter One Act Festival. She can be found working in film, content creation and theater.  You can find more information about Nayum on Instagram at @nayumfaruki and @medusacollectivenyc

Madeline Heeney -Role: Associate Producer- Pronouns: She/Her

Biography: Madeline is the Head of Development and a Resident Artist with the Medusa Collective NYC. She is a recent graduate of Marymount Manhattan College where she studied Directing and Stage & Production Management. Madeline is also the Head of Performing Arts at Harbor Camps, a sleep away camp for trans and non-binary youth. Recent directing credits include Flower Power (MMC), Clowntown (Chain Winter One Act Festival), and HIR (MMC). Instagram (@madddieheeney )

Sophia DiStefano -Role: Associate Producer -Pronouns: She/Her

Biography: Sophia DiStefano (she/her) is an up and coming theater artist based in New York. She recently received her BA in Theater Arts with a double concentration in Directing and Stage Management & Producing from Marymount Manhattan College. In her work, Sophia hopes to uplift marginalized voices and bring light to topics such as women’s rights, advocating for anti-gun violence laws, and LGBTQIA+ rights. Instagram (@sophia_4401)

Avalon Cole Role: Lighting Consultant  - Pronouns: She/Her -Instagram (@avalonccole)

CAST 

Liliana Patracuolla - Role: Patience - Pronouns: She/Her

Biography: Liliana is ecstatic to be back at Star Lake! She is a rising senior at Marymount Manhattan College getting a double BFA in Musical Theatre and Stage and Production Management. Recent credits include First Daughter Suite (Deck Stage Manager), Mr. Burns (Ensemble, Instrumentalist), Buried Treasure (Production Stage Manager), and Flu Season (Woman). Thank you to this wonderful team!  Instagram (@lilypatracuolla)

Andrew Tye Role: Finn Pronouns: He/Him/They/Them

Biography: Andrew Tye is a poet, writer, artist, and sometimes actor from Texas. He is currently working on a book-length project about Christianity, sexual trauma, and fathers and sons. You can find his work on Instagram @andrewtyewrites.

Paige McAllister - Role: Lee - Pronouns: They/Them

Biography: Paige McAllister (they/them) is a sophomore BFA Acting major at Marymount Manhattan College. Recent credits include: Star Lake and The Interview at MMC. They are excited to be performing this special little play again and sharing it with even more people! Instagram (@paigemmcallister)

The Carpet

by Jeryl Brunner

Directed by Josh Davis Farner

Cast: 

Leta Levy (Beverly Hoffman)

Leta is a proud native New Yorker, actor and teaching artist with Voices of a People’s History in collaboration with Lincoln Center. New York theater credits include: The Weasel Festival (The Public Theater), Outer Banks (Signature Theatre), 48 Hour Forum (Noor Theatre); The Animals (JACK) and The Place We Built (The Flea, dir. Danya Taymor). She is also a long time volunteer at The 52nd Street Project. BA: Brown University. MFA: Brooklyn College, Graduate Acting. @LetaHLevy www.LetaLevy.com  

Anthony Naranjo (Brock Calhoun)

Anthony is a New York Native who was most recently seen in Pecking Order by Robin Rice, right here at the Chain Theatre. He just filmed a pilot for a series, (fingers crossed), and starred in Unpredictable Currents, a film premiering at the Angelika Film Center on June 22nd. Anthony is honored to be a part of this show!

Esther Cunningham (Liz/Ashley) 

Esther is a Brooklyn based actor originally from Cincinnati where her favorite roles were Emmy in A Doll’s House, Part 2 and Hannah Winters/Every Cheerleader in Sex and Education at the Ensemble Theater of Cincinnati. On screen, she can be seen as Paige in the film They/Them/Us and Beth in the web series The Go To (currently streaming on YouTube). Much love to Christopher, Max and Murphy as well as her family at Act First Studio. IG: @Its.Esther.With.An.H, esthercunningham.com

Zaria Harp (Skye) 

Zaria is an actor from Mesquite, Texas who is currently based in New York City. She has been acting since the third grade and has loved it ever since. In New York, Zaria has had the opportunity to be involved in a few short films and act in 1918 by Horton Foote with the Horton by the Stream theater company. Zaria is very grateful and excited for this opportunity that came about through Lana Fuqua and Anna Strout. She would also like to thank her family and friends for their continued love and support. 

Reed Kibutu (Bentley) 

Reed lives in Edgewater, New Jersey with his family and attends the Hudson School in Hoboken. He is in the 11th  grade and his favorite subjects are math and history. Reed has a natural love for the stage and begin acting when he was 10-years-old. Reed also enjoys playing soccer and has recently begun learning to play basketball. Reed would like to thank his mom and dad for their love and support.

Jeryl Brunner (Nancy K. Dowd and playwright)

Jeryl is a writer, improviser and actress.  As a playwright, Jeryl participated in The 24 Hour Plays writing for Tony nominee Anika Larsen. She received her BFA in acting at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts and studied improv for many years at the Upright Citizens Brigade. She currently performs improv throughout New York City with her indie team Lady Monster and has done voiceovers for books on Audible.com. Jeryl is working on her full-length play, One Date Love, about the lengths we go to get people love us. So much gratitude to The Chain Theatre, Christina Perry, Katie Rosin, Kirk Gostkowski, Rick Hamilton, Michael Schloss of LDI Connect, Whitney Bae (for the voiceover at the end), Anna Strout, Zac Kline, Josh Farner, Barbara Toy, Bonnie Brodner, Sherry Brodner and the entire cast and creative team of The Carpet.

Creatives: 

Josh Farner (Director)

Josh is thrilled to be making his New York City directorial debut. He is a graduate from the University of the Arts and holds a BFA in directing and production. Favorite directing and choreography credits include A New Brain, Junie B. Jones, A Year with Frog and Toad, and Urinetown. He has also served as a production manager for NYCDA and RWS Entertainment.

Anna Strout (Producer and Casting Director)

Anna casts, produces programs for and serves as an educator for Voices of a People's History and their many partner organizations including, Lincoln Center, National Nurses Union, SummerStage, Town Hall, 400 Years of Inequality, NYC Lab School, Judith S. Kaye High School, New York University. Over the years, Anna has lent her production and casting skills to numerous music releases; museum exhibits; publications; animated, fiction film, documentary productions; and plays. Strout  currently produces and books talent for When Lightning Strikes with host Jeryl Brunner on the Broadway Podcast Network. She also volunteers with Middle Way House, an organization that works to end domestic violence, sexual violence, and human trafficking through an empowerment model.

Program #10 (3RD floor)

Christian Ethics Committee

Written and Directed by Jerico Bleu

Jerico Bleu (Director/Playwright) is an actor/playwright originally from East Tennessee. He obtained his Bachelor's Degree from Columbia College Chicago. While in Chicago his documentary style solo show Biscuits & Bullshit was featured in MPAACT’s Solo Jamz Festival at the Greenhouse Theatre. His written work has been seen at The Barrow Group, Naked Angels, and Prop Theatre. Recently, Jerico was a part of the Jackalope Theatre Playwrights LAB, while his short film Hissy Fits won Best LGBTQ short at the San Francisco Indie Short Festival. Next, Jerico’s piece The Kids Are Seeing Lavender will be featured in the RIPPED Festival at American Blues Theater, and this solo show Hissy Fits will premiere at Vivid Stages as a part of their Summer Solos.  

Monica Afesi (Thelma) is thrilled to be making her Chain Theatre debut! Her film work includes: A Bellevue Love Story, and Petty Therapy. Next, Monica can be seen as Karen in the TV series Mandated. Monica is also the founder of Auntie Momo’s Bath and Body Care, whose products are handcrafted, eco-friendly, and cruelty-free

Anna Paratore (Heather) is a 5’0” firecracker with a deep love of Shakespeare and orange Tabby cats.  Originally from New Hampshire Anna attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. She is excited to be making her Chain Theatre debut. Outside of theatre, Anna can be found painting faces with her kids entertainment company Tiny Tea pot Parties. Anna is one of the hosts of the Professional Friends podcast, where they talk about life, liberty, and the pursuit of happy hour. Love to Max, KirkAnna is represented by CESD    

Corey Blake Todd (June) is a Manhattan-based non-binary performer by way of KCMO. They are grateful to be performing in their first festival in the city. Love to Jerico and the cast, Chain Theatre, and to all y’all who help me to be happy, joyous, and free.

Brittany Polk (Tammy) is so excited to be back on stage in the Chain's One Act Festival! Some of her recent credits include Not Now, Darling (Maude), Sherlock Holmes and the Ice Palace Murders (Miss Pyle), and the world premiere of a new play, Breaking Up With Elvis (Toof). Brittany holds a BFA in Acting from the University of North Carolina - Greensboro. EMC. Visit brittanypolk.com for more!

Kyra Lamartine (Carly) is THRILLED to be making both her NYC and Chain Theatre debut! Originally from a small farming town in Southeast Iowa, she made the big move to the East Coast a year ago and couldn't be happier. Previously seen in Seussical (Mayzie), The Spongebob Musical (Electric Skate/Featured Dancer), Chicago (Go To Hell Kitty/Ensemble) and LIZZIE (Alice Russell). Special shoutout to Jerico for including her on this project, and for providing her a creative outlet in this city. Continuous thanks to her Midwest family, Aunt, and East Coast community for always supporting, loving and believing in her.

Debbie Baños (Sound Design) Is a Chicago based actor/playwright/sound designer originally from Arkansas. Debbie’s work has been seen at Victory Gardens, Teatro Vista, and 16th St. Theatre. Her piece American Side Efectos premiered at the Edge Theatre in Chicago. TV/Film credits include NBC’s Chicago Fire, Act of Faith, and Viral. Debbie is represented by 10 Management. www.debbiebanos.com

Everest

Music by Julio Vaquero

Book & Lyrics by Momo Akashi

Momo Akashi-Book & Lyric 

Momo Akashi is a New York-based book writer and lyricist. She is delighted to be a part of Chain Theatre One Act Festival. Momo specializes in creating stories that include the concept of “East-Meets-West”, a blossoming collaboration between Japanese Culture and American Culture in response to the inferiority complexes that some Asian women face when confronted by the rise in hate crimes. She recently wrote a full-length musical, MINORU: Scrape the Sky, about the architect of the World Trade Center; this work was previewed at the Tank in New York City, and some songs were presented at New York City’s Feinstein'/54 Below.

Julio Vaquero-Composer 

Julio Vaquero is an award-winning Spanish composer currently living in New York. Julio has developed his career as a writer for the stage. He has been involved in dozens of musical theatre productions as composer, orchestrator and musical director. His musicals have been performed in the major theatres of Madrid and off Broadway Theatres in New York. 

Saki Kawamura-Director 

Regional theatre: Mystic Pizza (Ogunquit Playhouse), A Jolly Holiday: Celebrating Disney’s Broadway Hits, Clue, Murder on the Orient Express (Paper Mill Playhouse), Joy (George Street Playhouse). She also serves as Associate Artistic Director of Ren Gyo Soh from 2022. MFA Directing at the Actors Studio Drama School at Pace University. www.sakikawamura.com

Matt Graham- Music Director & Pianist (May 25th performance)

Matt Graham is a Canadian musician, composer, musical director and performer originally from Edmonton, Alberta and now located in New York. A fresh grad from NYU Tisch’s Graduate Musical Theatre Writing program, Matt is excited to be getting to the NYC theatre scene. Favourite Musical Direction credits include Rent, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Bring it On and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.

Joo Won Shin- Lillian Irvine

Joo Won Shin is a singer, actress, and dancer based in New York and also in Seoul, South Korea. Most notably, Ms. Shin was the starring singer in the Netflix drama series, “Squid Game”. She sang a cover rendition of "Fly Me to the Moon" for the iconic “Red Light Green Light” scene. She also performed in numerous concerts, movies and musicals. More @jo0_w0n to check out her upcoming shows!

Bryan George Rowell-George Mallory 

Bryan Is thrilled to be performing in the Chain Theatre Festival this year! Special thanks to Julio and Momo. Boston Native. NY Film Academy Alumni. Avalon Artists Group. 

Shün Kanazawa- Andrew Irvine

Shün Kanazawa is  a mysterious Japanese individual currently located in Los Angeles. He likes singing and he studied singing listening to his favorite singers and watching their performances on YouTube. In Los Angeles, he performed solos and vocal ensembles as a member of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles. He has also sung on tow Disney demo recording projects. Besides that, he delicated his life to education as an elementary school teacher for 10 years. 

Luka Marinkovic-Pianist (May 8th and 15th performance) 

A native of France, Luka Marinkovic is a pianist and composer active in classical music and musical theatre. He studied composition and piano at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. Luka recently performed aboard the Zaandam cruise ship with Holland America Line, and served as the Associate Music Director of the 2022 national double tour of An American in Paris and South Pacific. He is excited to be a part of this production!

Ai Toyoshima-Stage Manager 

Ai Toyoshima is a New York based theatrical artist. She primarily works as a musical theater actor and choreographer, but also serves as a stage manager in a theatrical production. Follow her next adventure on Instagram @toyosienne!

Alex York-English Consultant

Kool Aid Drinking Age or (STOP EXCITING YOUR CHILDREN)

by Daniel Oliver Lee

DANIEL OLIVER LEE (Writer-Dir., Designer) (he/him) is an award-winning multidisciplinary artist and secret bokonist studying film and television at NYU. As a writer and director, Daniel has amassed several accolades, recently nabbing the Student Animated Short Award from MoMI’s Marvels of Media Awards, having his work featured both in the New Ways of Seeing Exhibition and by the Hollywood Reporter. At a ripe 19 years of age, Daniel’s work ranges from composing experimental animation to acting in developmental theatre by Jason Robert Brown and Tectonic Theatre Project to spraypainting obscenities on Comedy Central. His work as an artist has been featured by Nickelodeon, 54 Below, NoBudge, Kodak Shoot Film, Nowness, Montclair Film, and CBS to name a few. He can currently be seen leading the visual album Teen Troubles in Dirty Jersey as a teenage version of The Black Skirts, the project recently premiered at SF’s Roxie Theater and has over 200k views on YouTube.

LYLA MCADAMS (Sawyer) Lyla Clare Mcadams is a NYC based actor and artist.

CHLOE RAHAL (Riley) Chloe Rahal is a New York based actress currently pursuing her BFA in drama from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. She has worked on stage plays as well as feature films, screening at festivals and theaters worldwide. Most recently, she reprised her role of Karina in the sequel of the feature film Reunion. She is thrilled to be making her debut at The Chain Theatre as Riley.

STEPH PRIZHITOMSKY (Dorian) (she/her) is the eighteen-year-old head screenwriter of Future is Female Productions. She is the co-founder of the White Rabbit Film Festival, screenwriter/director of Imagine Networks’ horror miniseries Distress Signals, and editor-in-chief of Suits and Sage Magazine. Alongside all of this, she is a recovering Shakespeare fanatic.

ALLISON WOLTER (Wyatt) (she/they) is a performer, artist, and adorable oddball whose experience ranges from musical theater to aerial and visual arts. She loves blending performance and visuals into new, totally unique projects. Shakespeare nerd and Beatle-maniac, and always thrilled to be telling stories on the stage! AMDA BFA Grad. allisonwolter.com

BENJAMIN WILSON (The High Dianeticist) Benjamin Wilson is an artist and actor from Montclair, New Jersey. Despite earning a BFA in painting from the Mason Gross School of the Arts, Wilson has worked in a variety of media including video, photography, and writing. As an actor Wilson has appeared in upcoming independent short films “Long Beach” (dir. Haolun Xu) and “My Hyperpop Era” (dir. Finley King), as well as in the visual album “Teen Troubles in Dirty Jersey” (dir. Waley Wang), and in the workshop for the play “Ashland” by Melissa Toomey at The Tank NYC. IG: @ashcan.jpg

Open

by Jaixa Irizarry

Directed by Phillip Christian Smith

Jaixa Irizarry

Jaixa Irizarry (playwright/costume designer) is a current Hunter College student and a new playwright. Her stories often explore unabashed sexuality and rarely have any inhibition about it. When she’s not a writer, she’s an actor, a makeup artist and a wardrobe professional. She is so very excited to show OPEN at The Chain Theatre Festival and really hopes you enjoy It!  

Phillip Christian Smith

Phillip Christian Smith (director) has a Roe Green Commission-The Cleveland Playhouse, 2020-21 Playwrights Realm Fellow, Lambda Literary Fellow, two-time Blue Ink Playwriting Award Semi-Finalist, Finalist for The Dramatists Guild Fellowship and New Dramatists, Finalist for Bay Area Playwrights. His work has been supported by The Fire This Time Festival, Bennington College, Primary Stages ESPA, Fresh Ground Pepper and Pace University where he teaches acting and Hunter College where he teaches playwriting. MFA Yale School of Drama, BFA University of New Mexico. MFA Hunter ’23.

Jess Lauricello

Jess Lauricello (producer) (she/they) is an interdisciplinary theatre-artist and tree-hugger from NYC. Some recent credits include: PARTY TIME (director), LASAGNA (dramaturg), and SWEAT (assistant stage manager). Upcoming: REPLACED! (playwright, director, producer) at Teatro Latea. @jesslauricello

Jo Rodriguez

Jo Rodriguez (stage manager) is a student at The City College of New York. They are currently studying theatre with a focus on stage management and sound design. Credits include Production Stage Manager at WOW Cafe Theatre for “Resilience.” Assistant Stage Manager at Tribeca Performing Arts Center for “To Catch a Fox.”

Jack Jewell

Jack Jewell (lighting designer) is a lighting designer and filmmaker who is currently enrolled as an undergraduate at Hunter College. He likes merging the two mediums of theatre and film in his designs and finding techniques that bridge both applications. In film he’s worked on independent features, short films, and documentaries and in theatre he’s lit musicals, plays, and the occasional comedy show.

Zoe Mintz

Zoe Mintz (Ivy) is a New York-based actor and filmmaker. She recently wrote, produced, and starred in the short film Vibrator Girl, which had its world premiere at the 2023 SXSW Film & TV Festival. Notable acting credits include Z the Cat in Counting Crows’ Butter Miracle music video (dir. Bill Fishman), Gertrude in Hamlet (dir. Gregory Mosher), and Dusty in Party Time (dir. Jess Lauricello). She’s thrilled to be a part of the Open team and extends gratitude to everyone at The Chain making this possible! // zoeelysemintz.com

Samuel Taveras 

Samuel Taveras (Michael) has a BA in Theatre from Hunter. He acted in his first play at Hunter called Ablaze during Spring 2022. Also he have been in various productions since High School and he has been trying to set his mark ever since.

out skirts

by Shelby Pickelny

Directed by Liz Bealko

Olivier Kegan Dubar (STAR; they/them) is elated to be returning to the stage for such an important story. A New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts alum, Olivier graduated with a certain self-assurance they needed to approach all art with a sense of adventure and fun. Olivier wants to dedicate their performance in “Out Skirts” to their Mother Leola and big sister Ayesha. You can catch Olivier in the upcoming original production of “Tides” as a part of Pride Fest at The Tank Theatre.

Al Groppi (MARY MOONE) is a genderfluid actor based in NYC, with a particular passion for new works and experimental theater. Recent NYC theater credits include “The Moss Maidens” at The Loading Dock Theater (staged reading), “The Making and Breaking of Glass” at the Harlem Dream Center (staged reading), “The Chickens Have Come Home to Roost” at Triskelion Arts, and “The Minotaur” at Theater for the New City. They will also be performing in The Tank’s upcoming PrideFest on June 18th as Venice in “What Love Did To Us” by Júlia Cerqueira. They have several upcoming film projects they’d love to share but alas, cannot - for career updates be sure to follow them on instagram @algroppi, or check out their website at algroppi.com.

Mia Ventura Lucas (KEISHA TAYLOR; she/her) is a Portuguese actress and singer, who has worked in 4 different countries. She is known for her roles in the TV series ' A Lista', the Off-Broadway 'Lady Power Project' and The Star Trek Audio Drama 'Operation Eos'. She trained as a merit scholar at AADA, briefly joined West End Stage and holds a Double Honours BA in Film and Theatre from Oxford Brookes University. Mia is incredibly excited to be part of Out Skirts and bring Keisha to life! You may find out more about Mia's acting journey at https://miaventuralucas.wixsite.com/miaventuralucas IG: @miavlucas

Jordan Richards (JIM ROBERTSON; he/him) is an Actor/Writer based in New York City. He is originally from South Florida, and is just happy he is here in this town, creating art with fresh voices! You can find him on Instagram at @jordanrichards.actor or check out more of his work on his website: www.jordanrichardsactorwriter.com

Jason Tobias (STEVE PRINCE; he/him) - NYC debut! A rising senior at the CAP21 Musical Theatre Conservatory, Jason is super excited to share this brand new piece of theatre! Favorite credits include Uncle Fester (The Addams Family), Jimmy (Almost, Maine), and Roger (Grease). He has also spent summers with Papermill Playhouse and with New Jersey Performing Arts Center in their Young Artist Advanced Summer Intensive. He’d like to thank his family and friends for their all their continued support, encouragement, and love — Cheers! @jason_tobias

Liz Bealko (DIRECTOR; she/her) is excited to be back at the Chain Theatre with this impactful show! Liz is a multi-nominated, and award winning director and choreographer, who has directed in professional, community, and educational theatre. She is originally from Oklahoma where she started a successful theatre program in her high school from the ground up. Twenty-six students from that program are visiting New York City for the first time this June. Her next project is being a guest artist at Oklahoma State in the fall to direct and choreograph Ride the Cyclone. Go Pokes! Liz is also the associate producer of StrawHat Auditions that happen in NYC every spring. Thank you to my friends and family who come to my shows, good and bad, my cast for always being an inspiration, and to Shelby for trusting me with their work. @adayinthelifeoflb

Please visit winnyc.org to support women & children in NYC who are currently experiencing homelessness.

Shelby Pickelny (PLAYWRIGHT/PRODUCER; she/they) is a Brooklyn-based storyteller who has a passion for mixing mediums and confronting the audience with their own humanness. Most frequently, she works in the theatre as a playwright (2021: The Art of Peaking Too Soon, Dead Babies) and Management Assistant at 101 Productions, Ltd (Some Like It Hot, A Doll’s House). She has also worked in television as an Associate Producer on PBS’s Drive By History for seven seasons as well as TLC’s, I Am Shauna Rae. A sincere thank you to the out skirts cast & creative team, Kirk & Christina of the Chain, & everyone in the audience who champions new work. @shelbspickles

Kyriel Butler (DRAMATURG; they/she) is a Licensed Social Worker currently working at a Men’s Homeless shelter in Brooklyn. In 2021, They graduated with their Masters in Social Work from Fordham University and since then have been working with men struggling with substance use, those with a history of mental health issues and men arrested for Domestic Violence incidents. Kyriel would like to thank the playwright Shelby and director Liz for their support and expertise in helping incorporate this information into the show.

Mary Catherine Dougherty (SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR; she/her) is a Broadway enthusiast and junior at the University of Central Florida’s Rosen College of Hospitality studying Entertainment Management. She has worked on the Festival of the Lion King in Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Costuming and currently works with Endangered Wise Men recording studio in Jacksonville, Florida as their Marketing intern. Special thanks to Shelby Pickelny and her friends and family for their continued support.

PROGRAM #11 (3rd floor)

Dinner with Myself

by Rachael Elmy

Christopher Brown - The Obsessions

Christopher Brown (he/him) is a filmmaker, writer, and actor living in Union City, New Jersey. He's been lucky enough to live in five countries and has performed on stage in two of them. You can view a sample of his work, including his award-winning short film "Clear as Crystal", at christopherbrownfilm.myportfolio.com.

Rachael Elmy – Writer/Director/Producer/Val

Rachael Elmy (she/her) is so pumped for her Chain Theatre debut! She has been writing plays since the ripe old age of nine and had two original plays performed at her alma mater Champlain College. This is her first year living in the big city and she hopes to make more productions like this in the future! To view her other work, please visit her website rachaelelmy.wordpress.com.

Roshan Mathew - Assistant Director

Roshan Mathew is excited to assist in his first production. He loves to tinker and put things together. That is the same principle that drew him to work behind the stage. In his free time he can be found biking or wandering through the city stepping in and out of stores, attempting futilely to curb his inner shopaholic.

Hunger

by Annie Raczko

Annie Raczko (Playwright/Director) Annie Raczko is multi-hyphenate theatremaker (actor.playwright.director.teacher.singer) in NYC whose mission is to make her mess her  masterpiece and empower women in the process. When not on the stage, she is a theatre teacher in New Jersey, sharing her love of the stage with the next generation of theatremakers. 

Samantha Hernandez (JESSICA) Samantha Hernandez, Singer/Actor/Dancer is thrilled and proud to be a part of the cast of, HUNGER - a play that explores the struggles of those affected by disordered eating. She is grateful to be part of a play that encourages dialogue and understanding and one that brings awareness to such conversation through theatre. Taking stages by storm with her unique style and powerful voice. Living life one song at a time. Samantha is always looking for ways to learn, grow, and explore the world through the art of storytelling. Her training can be rooted back to The Barrow Group where she began taking classes for improvisation, film, and musical theater, as well as Steps on Broadway for dance, and New York Vocal Coaching, where she continues to develop her technique. When she isn’t taking classes she can be found performing at cabarets and piano bars singing along to show tunes and heartbreaking ballads that soothe and heal the soul. Her first Off-Broadway debut took place at the Yorktown Stage in A Graveyard Smash. Coming up, Samantha is looking forward to bringing “Molly Brightwater'' back to life again in this summer's Off-Off Broadway play, Resurrection, which will be taking place in NYC and Oklahoma City, OK. 

Jillian Vitko (CLARA/TAMMY) is thrilled to be part of this festival with the show Hunger. She was last seen at Chain Theatre at the 2022 film festival with the short The Expected Guest (producer/actor), and the year before with the short HoneyDough (writer/director/producer/actor). You can catch her onstage in the long-running comedy shows On The Spot (Broadway Comedy Club) every Monday and True Crime the Musical (The Players Theatre) every month. She recently released the single Color Me Crazy from her upcoming musical feature film Synesthesia Story (pre-production) based on her solo show Synesthesia the Musical (Edinburgh Fringe, NY Theatre Festival). Upcoming: Judgment of Case #3331722372 (The Players Theatre), Baltimore Comedy Festival (BIG Theatre), Turky Hand (feature film). You can also find Jillian's work streaming on Amazon Prime, Plex, Tubi, and more. Thanks to Annie for bringing me into this important story and for amplifying women's voices! jillianvitko.com

Ella Phillips (KRISTEN) Ella is thrilled to be apart of the cast of Hunger! Ella is currently pursuing a BFA in musical theatre at Marymount Manhattan College in New York City.  Some of her favorite  shows include Legally Blonde: The Musical (Elle Woods), Little Shop of Horrors( Audrey), and Shrek the Musical ( Gingy). Instagram: @ellaephillips

Alexandra Eller (TAYLOR/PENNY)  Alexandra Eller is an actor and fight/intimacy choreographer based in NYC. Recent credits include Under Woodside (Jasmine, Jenny), Mommy Milk Cafe (Rita), The Importance of Being Earnest (Jack), and Kiss the Fortune Teller (Selena). She has studied fight choreography under Christian Kelly-Sordelet at the City College of New York and is now a proud member of Sordelet Inc! Her fight credits include Sweat, Animal Farm: The Musical, Twelfth Night, The Motherfucker with the Hat, Dry Land and Savage in Limbo. She can definitely show you how to throw a nice right hook! She’s grateful to be back on the stage after taking a hiatus from acting, and would like to thank Annie Raczko for the opportunity to work on HUNGER. Instagram: @xandralex.maria 

Maggie McAuliffe (PAM) Maggie McAuliffe is currently a Junior at The New School College of Performing Arts getting her BFA in Dramatic Arts with a focus in Acting and Playwriting! Previous credits include Henry in NEXT TO NORMAL, Carrie in CARRIE, Maureen in RENT, Bradford in THE OUTSIDE, as well as her upcoming role as Veronica Sawyer in HEATHERS. Maggie is so excited to be a part of Hunger, she is beyond grateful to be able to tell such an important story. She would like to thank the cast and crew, her family and friends, her partner Myah, and Annie for the amazing opportunity. Thank you, love you, enjoy the show <3 @maggie.mcauliffe

Elana Kircher (COSTUME DESIGN) Elana Kircher is thrilled to be the Costume Consultant for Annie Raczko's Hunger, her first NYC based production. She earned her BA in Theatre from SUNY Stony Brook where she worked for 3 years in the Costume Shop, studying design and building costumes for such productions as Little Women, Romeo and Juliet, and She Stoops to Conquer. She has worked as Costume Designer for Joyce Kilmer Middle School and Spotswood High School in Central NJ, creating costumes for a wide variety of productions. Her credits include Into the Woods, The Wizard of Oz, Carousel, Shrek: The Musical, Beauty and the Beast, Once On This Island, Little Shop of Horrors, and Chicago: Teen Edition.

I'm Not Leaving

by Connor Spaulding

CONTENT WARNING: Detailed discussions of suicide and a suicide attempt, a medically induced coma, depression, sex and adultery, internalized homophobia, alcoholism, vommiting sounds, use of strong language, and a brief mention of natural disasters.

Julia Gaudioso (she/her) is a recent graduate of  Marymount Manhattan College where she earned a double majoring in a BA Theatre Arts with a concentration in directing, and a BA in History. Most recently, Julia has directed "This Isn't You, It's Your Disorder" by Beck Farris and "How To Overthrow Your Mother's Funeral in Just a Few Easy Steps" by Basil Parnell. Julia is honored to have directed "I'm Not Leaving" by Connor Spaulding, and is so excited to share this incredible work with everyone! Enjoy the show!

Karina Singh (she/her) is so thrilled to be collaborating with her favorite people on such an incredible piece! Recently graduated with a BFA in Acting from Marymount Manhattan College, Karina is looking forward to beginning her professional career! Recent credits include: Immigrants Love Stories by Penny Pun (Leviathan Lab) and Mr. Burns, A Post-Electric Play by Anne Washburn (Marymount Manhattan College). 

TJ Macaluso (he/him) is a 2023 graduate of Marymount Manhattan College, earning a B.F.A. in Acting with additional concentrations in Directing and Writing for the Stage. Notable credits: Mr. Burn, a Post-Electric Play by Anne Washburn (Gibson), Terminating by Tony Kushner (Billygoat), and She Kills Monsters: Virtual Realms by Qui Nguyen (Great Mage Steve). Special thanks to Julia, Connor, Emily, Konnor, and Karina, for a wonderful experience working on this beautiful play. Instagram: @tj_macaluso. 

Emily Bernal (she/they) is a rising sophomore at Marymount Manhattan College, pursuing a BFA in Stage and Production Management. Throughout high school, and now college, Emily has stage managed shows of varying types, including new work, dramas, musicals, one acts, and ballets. Most recently, she has stage managed “How To Overthrow Your Mother's Funeral in Just a Few Easy Steps" by Basil Parnell at Marymount Manhattan College. Emily is thrilled to be working with such an amazing team.

Konnor Brown (he/him) is very excited to be in such a wonderful piece with an even more wonderful bunch of creatives. He is a recent graduate of Marymount Manhattan College with a BFA in Acting. Recent credits include Uncle Vanya (Marymount Manhattan College) and Case Closed (New York Theater Festival)

Connor Spaulding (he/him) is eager and thankful  to see this play staged again in front of a new audience. In his writing, Connor looks to create gripping immersive theater, even if it occasionally hurts to watch. He is a recent graduate of Marymount Manhattan College Class of 2023 with a BFA in Acting and a BA in Theatre Arts with a Concentration in Writing For The Stage.

PROGRAM #12 (3rd floor)

Ghostgrabbers!

by Mike Veasey

Mike Veasey is an actor/writer/comedian who has been involved in theater since high school. His plays have been staged by Sundog Theatre, The Peoples Improv Theater, and Manhattan Repertory Theater.  Mike also performs stand-up comedy. He is a producer at Staten Island Community Television, producing various programs including his periodic talk show “Mike’s Alternate Reality Show”, which can be seen on Youtube. 

Amie Margoles- Amie, originally from Los Angeles, studied Meisner, Stanislavski, and Chekhov, and took two degrees in music performance. She also studied comedy and sketch writing at the Peoples Improv Theater.  Since 2014, she has gained experience performing on stage in plays and musicals (where she shows off her dancing, vocal and French horn skills), and has performed with various sketch and improv troupes throughout New York City. She can also be seen in the award-winning webseries, Dyed in the Wool, and films, such as Perplexion and Boyfriendish. 

James Zebooker -James was born and raised in New York City, James is a graduate of the LaGuardia Arts Drama Department and UMass Amherst.  He has earned roles in the Netflix Feature Film "The After Party," Off-Broadway at the Laura Pels Theater, The Bushwick Starr, and the New York Musical Theater Festival. His original screenplay "The Hartford Handle" received an honorable mention at the 2021 NYC Midnight Short Screenplay Festival, and his play "Spin" was a 2020 Finalist in Red Bull Theater's Short New Play Festival. 

Jai Sada- Favorite roles include, Roy Cohn in Angels in America, Fagin in Oliver!, Judas in Jesus Christ, Superstar, and Amir Kapoor in Disgraced. Winner Best Actor at Santa Fe Film Festival.  Thank you for the opportunity! 

Me Myself and Drew

by Hieu Bui

Playwright- Hieu Bui (Bui Ngoc Hieu)

Hieu Bui is a three-time Playwriting Finalist at Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, one of which is this 10-minute play you will experience tonight. He will be working towards an MFA at Yale for acting this fall. He would like to thank the Chain Theatre for putting up our play, and his creative team (aka: the ushers at American Airline Theatre) for giving life to his words.

Director- Matthew James

Matthew James Sherrod is a singer & actor born and raised in Brooklyn NYC. Grateful to be making his directorial debut in this hilarious heartwarming piece. Many thanks to Hieu and Khalil and to you for coming out to support the show.

Actor- Drew- Khalil Goodlowe

Khalil Goodlowe born in Queens, NY but raised in the Bronx. He is an upcoming actor with a gravitational smile. 28 years old, kindhearted, and appreciative for this opportunity as this is his debut! His thanks go out to Hieu and Matthew as well as his friend and family.

Stage Manager- Vincent Allen

Vincent is a creative writer and performer. His past experiences include The Lady and The Tyger, Grease, Rent, and Little Shop of Horrors. Checkout his Instagram (@HeavyCola) for their latest artistic developments. Great appreciation to Hieu, Khalil, Matthew, family, and friends.

Dramaturg- Josh Feye 

Josh is a dramaturg and drama critic. His past dramaturgy credits include The Inheritance, Dog Sees God, The Tempest, and Women. Subscribe to his drama criticism Substack, THE DIONYSIAN DREAM—many thanks to Hieu, Matthew, Khalil, family, and friends. 

Pink Unicorn Frappuccinos

by Laura Neill

Lennox Duong (JADA) is from Fresno, CA. She graduated from The Juilliard School with her MFA in 2022. Amongst her favorite roles are Imogen in CYMBELINE, Masha in THREE SISTERS, Amina in DANCE NATION, and Mulan in MULAN AND THE BATTLE ON BLACK MOUNTAIN. She's recently workshopped new plays with La Jolla Theater Company, Durango Playfest, Local Theater Company, and NAATCO. 

Sayali Bramhe (JENNA) is a dancer and actor from India, and is a graduate from NYU Tisch’s Experimental Theatre Wing. Through her craft, she hopes to create space for more inclusive interpretations of works in the efforts to decolonize the arts.

Kalina Ko (Director) (she/her) is a Cantonese-American theater director, dramaturg, and literary administrator. She is interested in the radical connection and community building of storytelling. She is currently a Co-Coordinator for the Ma-Yi Writer's Lab, Literary Assistant at Roundabout Theatre Company, and a Curator for Hedgepig’s Expand the Canon. www.KalinaKo.weebly.com 

Laura Neill (Playwright) (she/her) is a Brooklyn-based playwright writing comedy & dramedy for women & survivors of trauma. Her work has been produced or developed by the O'Neill National Playwrights Conference, Broadway Podcast Network with Rattlestick Theater, SpeakEasy Stage, Company One, Fresh Ink, Boston Playwrights' Theatre, Salvage Vanguard Theatre, the Makers' Ensemble, & more. Her plays are published by Stage Partners, Applause, YouthPLAYS, ScriptWorks, & Flowersong. Learn more & read scripts at https://newplayexchange.org/users/1933/laura-neill. 

Wombmates

by Joseph P. Krawczyk

Directed by Eddie Lew

John Bradshaw (Male/Bruno) is a graduate of the New York Conservatory of Dramatic Arts with an associate degree in Film & Television Performance. His other training includes the Stella Adler Studio of Acting and currently the Simon Studio. He has played lead roles in many short films such as Unconditional and Wearing Blue, as well as multiple short films that are now in post-production. He is currently filming the 7 Deadly Sins web series, playing the role of Wrath.

Chelsea Clark (Female/Vanessa) is a NYC stage veteran, with well over 70 theater credits.  She has performed in multiple lead roles, appearing at the NYC Fringe, through Manhattan Repertory Theatre, and at many other festivals and events. Her favorite roles include Sophia Schliemann/Helen of Troy in Joseph Krawczyk’s off-Broadway production For the Love of Troy, Jean Clemens at the Albright Knox Art Gallery’s Albright in Buffalo, and Emma Quattleman in the Civil War period piece The Living Room. Through the Screen Actors Guild (SAG), she has performed in a recurring principal role as Vera in Steven Soderbergh's The Knick. www.chelseaclark.us 

Eddie Lew (Director), after a career in film and managing opera singers, is now a theater director and acting coach in his thirty-second year. After five years at the HB Studio, he worked on productions with Uta Hagen, Salem Ludwig, Charles Nelson Reilly, George Bartenieff and Karen Malpede. He also worked with the Acting Company in productions directed by Zelda Fichandler and Bartlett Sher and directed F. Murray Abraham and Keir Dullea in dramatic readings. He coached the Drama Club at Gateway High School in Queens. He is also a member of the Directors Unit at the Actors Studio.

Joseph P. Krawczyk (Playwright) is an award-winning, published playwright. NYC’s International Theater Arts Institute (IATI) produced an equity showcase of The Treatment. His one-act, Henrietta, was produced at the Neil LaBute Festival in St. Louis. Gender Wars was produced Off Broadway at the Samuel Beckett Theater. Out of 70 plays, It’s All About Lorrie won Best Play at the 2016 New York Theater Festival (formerly known as the Thespis Theater Festival). www.josephpkrawczyk.com 

PROGRAM #13 (brick theatre - 3rd floor)

Coming Up Roses

by Aria Critchley

Directed by Maeve Rose

Aria Critchley (The Florist) Aria is thrilled to be performing her very first original piece which is very near and dear to her heart. She is a recent graduate of The New School for Drama. Some of her credits include: Roleplay (Tara, The Chain Theater); Beauty and The Beast (Belle, The Egyptian Theater); Triangle Cruise (Giustina, The Cutting Room). She would like to thank her mama for her never ending support and her amazing director Maeve for making it all happen. Aria is a proud member of Equity. 

Maeve Rose (Director) Recent graduate of the New School BFA Drama. As a multidisciplinary theater maker, Maeve is interested in creating detailed, unique, and collaborative worlds. Selected credits include: The Outside (Director, The New School Thesis, Metropolitan Playhouse), Dance Dance Dance Dance and Anomaly (Director, The New School Thesis), Bedlam, Clubbed Thumb, Classical Theatre of Harlem, Manhattan Rep, NY City Center.  

Corruption

by Arthur Giron

TRISHA JEFFREY (Director) is a founding member of the Classical Theatre of Harlem, choreographing much of their early Obie award-winning works including Macbeth, Lysistrata, The Blacks, and The Crazy Locomotive. Directing credits include: A Gap In The Sky, The Little Mermaid, Talk To Me Like The Rain & Let Me Listen and Assistant Director to Tamara Tunie on the world premiere of the musical Jazzland. Trisha is also an award-winning actor appearing in several Broadway productions, regional, national, and international tours as well as TV/Film. AEA For more information on her work, visit www.trishajeffrey.com @trishajeffrey 

Michael Simon Hall  (Bruno in Corruption) 

Michael recently created the tour-de-force role of artist Jackson Pollock in The Crooked Heart by Susan Tepper, adapted from her Pulitzer Prize -nominated novel. Other recent include Rev. James Smith in the award-winning Broadway-bound musical Henry Box Brown (Europe/US Regional), Gabriel Conroy in The Dead (Theater Row) Stephen Dedalus in 100th Anniv. Portrait of the Artist..., by Olivier Award winner Jim Culleton of Fishamble. He co-conceived and played the narrator in the chamber musical The Ironworkers' Hayride with Emmy winning composer Lanny Meyers and Pulitzer Prize winning author Robert Olen Butler, in addition to writing A Gap In the Sky, The Usual Space, and Pieces of Paper - Aspirations of 9/11 (HERE Arts, Irondale). Film/TV includes the acclaimed I Know This Much Is True (HBO). AEA michaelsimonhall.com

Arthur Giron (Playwright - Corruption)

Arthur Giron, (1937 - 2022) "One of our best contemporary dramatists" - Rosette Clark (NY Times, NY Theatre Wire), co-wrote the Broadway musical Amazing Grace, in addition to writing 20 plays exploring the subjects of social justice, political corruption and science, which have been performed across the US, Europe and Central America. Giron was a recipient of the Los Angeles Critics' Award for Outstanding Achievement in Writing on two separate occasions, as well as the Galileo Prize for Illuminating Scientific Innovation. He was awarded three commissions from The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation which led to a partnership with Ensemble Studio Theatre, where Giron was a founding member, and the subsequent creation of EST's First Light Festival. His many plays include Edith Stein, Becoming Memories, Moving Bodies, Emile's Voltaire and Flight. Corruption is his final existing complete work. arthurgiron.com

Geneva Foster-Narvaez is prepared to graduate from the New School of Drama in 2024 where she will receive her BFA in Dramatic Arts. With a focus in playwriting and filmmaking, Geneva plans to illuminate queer narratives through her artistic practice upon graduating college. She will also continue to cultivate her teaching artist practice and act as a beacon of accessibility for young students of color yearning to let their creative colors fly!

program #15 (brick theatre - 3rd floor)

Letters to a Young Cosmonaut

Written and Directed by Isaac Byrne

Haley Rice (Cosmonaut) is a NYC-based artist most recently seen in Roaring Epiphany's production of Hugo Saves Christmas In May. She is the Creative Producer at MCS Theatre and curates their New Works Series and leads the Writers' Block at MCS. Her play Chimera placed in the top 30 at the Samuel French OOB and Don't Feed the Ducks premiered at the 2023 IHRAF at The Tank. She directed Ryan Tofil's play reading Part One, MCS Writers' Block Showcase Scratch That, and assistant-directed Isle of Shoals production of Romeo & Juliet. Proud to be asked by the late Ted Wold to direct his 2021 production of Sunday on the Rocks. Come say hi on Instagram @the_tales_of_hales or haleyrice.com

Isaac Byrne (Playwright/ Director) has been awarded the New York Innovative Theatre Award for Outstanding Direction twice and productions he has directed have been nominated for a Drama Desk Award, an Off Broadway Alliance award, and 29 NYIT awards. NYC Credits: Other Mozart, In Vestments, To Nineveh, Tar Baby, Rusalka, and AMP. He is the founder and co-artistic director of  Theatre 4the People. Learn more at www.isaacbyrne.com and www.theatre4thepeople.org

Ksjusha Povod (Voice of Recorded Instructions) started her acting journey in Phoenix at Arizona Actor’s Academy in 2019. Since then she has immersed herself in acting, writing, and producing throughout the community – from Southwest Shakespeare Company’s touring production of Love’s Labour’s Lost and the rambunctious musings of Drunk Shakespeare to Friday Night Reading community events that bring together playwrights, actors, and audiences. Ksjusha loves to make people laugh, and cry, and in the process bring everyone together by shining a light on our shared humanity.

Chris Cornwell (sound designer/ composer) is an NYC-based actor/musician/songwriter originally from Austin, Texas. Recent acting credits: Eddie/Dr. Scott/Guitar in The Rocky Horror Show (ZACH Theatre, Austin Texas), Hank Willams in Mrs. Hank (New Circle Theatre, NYC), Bradley in Kiss It, Make It Better and Daniel in Rusulka (both with Theatre 4the People.) Music Directing credits include Rusulka which won Outstanding Production for a Musical at the 2018’s Planet Connections Festival and A Midsummer Night's Dream, for which he also composed original music. Chris is also the co-founder of the rock ’n’ roll bands, Wolf Blitzen and The Rusty Guns. B.F.A. Acting, Texas State University; IG:@christophcornwell, www.chris-cornwell.com

The Den of the Spectacled Bear

by Leon Lone

Leon Lone (Playwright) is a New York-based playwright originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Her plays, including those presented under another name, have been featured at the Chain Theatre; PTP/NYC: After Dark; and Pittsburgh’s City Theatre. She is also the founder of The Dovecote, a monthly salon and reading series for new works. She extends her gratitude to Caitlyn Marr, Sean Meagher, and the fabulous staff of the Chain Theatre for their support.

Caitlyn Marr (Director) is an actor/director from Miami who recently directed Leon Lone’s “300 Bones” at the Chain Theatre Winter One Act Festival. Biggest thanks to Sean and Lana for genuinely being the best people ever. Instagram: @caitlynmarr22

Lana Meyer (The Spectacled Bear) is a playwright and, when budgets are tight, a performer. 

We All Used to Be Sane*

by Deniz Khateri

Directed by Franco Pedicini

Music & Sound by Bahar Royaee

Assistant Director: Jun Park

Synopsis: When fear eats away your sanity…

Deniz Khateri (Leyla / Playwright)  Born and raised in Tehran, Iran, Deniz is a multidisciplinary artist: Actress, playwright & librettist, stage & opera director, puppet designer, and animator based in New York. Holding an MA in theatre from Hunter College, her works have been invited and presented in numerous international festivals. Some of her notable works include: Salt (Opera, Nominated for Best direction by Broadway Boston), Diasporan (Animated Series, nominated by Oscar Qualified festivals and NYFA winner), selected playwright for New Perspectives Theatre Short Play Lab, Ice Factory Festival 2022, Now in Process Festival 2023, Resident artist at Center at West Park 2021. https://www.denizkhateri.com

Franco Pedicini (Director) thanks YOU, the audience, for supporting new works at Chain Theatre. Huge thanks to Kirk, Christina, Lana, Caitlyn, Haley, Isaac, Jun, Bahar, and Deniz.  https://www.francopedicini.com/

Bahar Royaee (Composer/Sound Designer):
Iranian composer/sound designer Bahar Royaee's acclaimed acoustic and electro-acoustic music has been described as a "poetic incantation, brimming with ideas and colors" (Classical Voice North America) and "haunting" (Boston Arts Review). Royaee expresses gratitude for the opportunity to collaborate with wonderful artists Deniz Khateri, Franco Pedicini, and Jun Park at the Chain Theater Festival.

Jun Park (assistant director) who was born and raised in Japan, is making her debut as an assistant director. She’s very grateful to be able to participate in this festival and work with amazing artists.