2023 One-Act Winter Festival
Tickets are $22
All performers are vaccinated. All audience members must be masked
VIRTUAL TICKETS FOR THE LIVE STREAMING DATES ARE $22
There will be no rewind or fast forward during the live presentation.
Program #1 (3rd floor)*
August Release
by Patrick Kennedy
Synopsis: An August day, a bench in Union Square Park and Alison has asked Douglas to meet there to break up. Puzzled, Douglas has to remind her that they have not gone out on a date yet.
Patrick Kennedy is so excited to be included in the Chain Theatre's Winter Festival. This makes a kind of "hat trick" since his work has been seen in the NYMF and New York Fringe Festivals. He has participated in the Naked Angels Tuesdays at Nine cold reading series and has enjoyed the privilege of seeing his shorter plays being done in Washington, D.C. and New York.
Ali Cobrin (Alison) is a New York transplant and excited to be making her stage debut in the city with her husband. Film: American Reunion (Universal), Neighbors (Universal), Girlhouse, The Iron Orchard and many more. Television: Look (Showtime), Friends with Benefits (NBC), The Baxter’s (MGM). Upcoming role: Mom. @ali_cobrin
Zak Resnick* (Douglas) is thrilled to be working onstage for the first time ever with his wife! Broadway: Mamma Mia!. Off Broadway: Once Upon a Mattress (Transport Group); Piece of My Heart: The Bert Berns Story (Signature Theatre). Film: Lovestruck (ABC) and Waiting to Kill (WFP). Dedicated to our upcoming July release. @zakresnick
*Equity Member appearing with permission of Actor’s Equity Association without benefit of an Equity contract in this off-off Broadway production.
Black Ice
by Max Wolf Friedlich
Directed by Borna Barzin
Stage Manager - Molly Foy
Sound Designer - Carson Joenk
Max Wolf Friedlich - Writer
Max's work has been performed/developed at the NY International Fringe, The Kraine, The Blank Theater, Pasadena Playhouse, Less Than Rent, Access Theatre, The Bowery Poetry Club, and IRT as well as colleges across the country. He was in residence at NYSAF's Powerhouse Theatre Development Center, the Silver Sun Foundation, and was a member of IAMA Theater's Emerging Writers Group. In TV/Film, he has sold/developed projects with FX, SONY Animation, Crunchyroll, Felix Culpa, Kindred Spirit, Ace Entertainment, AMC, and Filmnation.
Borna Barzin - Director
Directing credits include Victor I. Cazares’ <<when we write with ashes>> (National Queer Theater/Lincoln Center) and Pinching Pennies with Penny Marshall (New York Theatre Workshop), Sam Shepard’s The Mad Dog Blues (The Hive), and Paula Vogel’s How I Learned to Drive (Sibiu International Theatre Festival, Pace University). Borna has worked at theaters such as Lincoln Center Theater, Berkeley Rep, Atlantic Theater, Playwrights Horizons, and The Vineyard Theatre. Borna is the Associate Casting Director of Daniel Fish’s reimagined Oklahoma!, a Colt Coeur Resident Artist, and a member of the Roundabout Director’s Group and Mercury Store Director’s Lab. He is also the Associate Director of the Broadway-aimed musical Sing Street directed by Tony-Winner Rebecca Taichman.
Cody Kostro* - M
Cody Kostro is an actor and filmmaker from New York City. Broadway: Six Degrees of Separation (dir. Trip Cullman). Off-Broadway: Dead Poets Society (dir. John Doyle). TV: "Mare of Easttown" (HBO),"Flatbush Misdemeanors" (Showtime),"City on a Hill" (Showtime), "Law & Order: SVU" (NBC) Film: Jules starring Sir Ben Kingsley (upcoming) www.codykostro.com
Samuel H. Levine* - G
Sam Levine is excited to be making his Chain theatre debut. Previous credits include. Broadway: The Inheritance (dir. Stephan Daldry) Off Broadway: Kill Floor (dir. Lila Neugebauer) Regional: A Guide for the Homesick (dir. Coleman Domingo)
Film/ TV: Eric Steel’s Minyan (Strand Releasing) Elementary, Bull, Evil.
*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)
American Fruit
by Jimmy Fay
Synopsis: In an American kitchen, an American mother tries to raise an American son, but there’s one problem: he’s too hungry. A play about living with the things we create, even when they want to eat us.
Director:
Charlie Chauca is a Stage Director from Queens, NY. His passion lies in new works, multidisciplinary storytelling, and creation methods.
He is an alumnus of IRT Theater’s 3B Residency, 2021/22 Playwrights Horizons Fellowship, 2022 Westport Country Playhouse Directing Fellowship, and member of the artistic collective LOBSQD.
Playwright:
Jimmy Fay (they/them) is a writer, director and performer based in Brooklyn, NY. Most recently, they directed a production of Twelfth Night set in a queer bar featuring a queer/trans* cast with support from the Mellon Foundation. Their short film Mosquito has played multiple international film festivals, including the Los Angeles International Film Festival and the Portland Film Festival. Their poetry has been featured in Peace on Earth Review, GASHER Journal, Sinister Wisdom and others. By day, they are a history educator at Green-Wood Cemetery and a member of the Close Friends Collective, a queer public history collective affiliated with Henry Street Settlement and Bluestockings bookstore. Last summer, they were an artist in residence with Beam Center on Governors Island. @Jimmyfay4you
Actors:
Kristen Hoffman (Producer/Actor/Associate Director) is one of the co-founders of Lobster squad and an Actor-Creator from Homestead Florida. Curious about the world around them, Kristen finds excitement in being curious, challenging ideas in the mainstream, and playing with elements of chaos and extremities. Performing for over 10 years, she’s studied acting, writing, and vocal technique with Peter Brook, Benjamin Moore (Linklater Certified), Christopher Bayes (Pandemonium Studio), the Movement Theatre Studio, and more. Kristen strives to live out their full humanity in and with the world everyday, and hopes to find ways to extend that to their audiences. @thekristenhoffman Featured Credits: Clown Girl (Clown), 20 Years Later (Luke/Kristen/Ensemble divisor), Fuddy Meers (Claire), The Sex Myth: A Devised Play (xDEATHBUNNY37x/ Assistant Director), You're a Good Man Charlie Brown (Sally Brown)
Samson MacDermot is a graduate of Hunter College’s Media Production program. He has most recently appeared in a Hunter production of Ionesco’s Rhinoceros and the long running Off-Off-Broadway sketch comedy show, A Sketch of New York. Instagram: @samsonmacd
Luis Feliciano is a Teaching Artist that focuses pedagogically on Math Education, Theatrical Clown, and Kristin Linklater Voicework, and artistically focuses on acting, directing, and poetry. Instagram @Leezusprime Featured Credits: Berenger (Rhinoceros), Hamlet (Polonius), The Sex Myth: A Devised Play (Ensemble Director), What Happened to Peter's Peter? (Peter)
From the Williamsburg Bridge
by Joseph Sexton
Synopsis: In the late 1920's, Anna sits alone in a window, waiting for her father and reflects on their lives. As she watches for him, she notices a man sketching her from the Williamsburg bridge. The artist and Anna meet and share a moment before returning to their lives. This is a short play inspired by the painting, From the Williamsburg Bridge, 1928 by Edward Hopper.
Craig Anderson (painter) - Craig is very pleased to be playing an artist similar to one he loves very much, Edward Hopper. He most recently worked with Joe at the Chain Theater in The Day We Make Contact, starring as a rancher with cows who are actually space aliens. His recent work also includes multiple roles with Untitled Theater Company #61, where he most recently performed in Cabaret in Captivity at the Triad Theater and Doctors Jane and Alexander at HERE in Soho. Working with UTC #61’s Edward Einhorn, he appeared in The Last Cyclist on stage and in a filmed version that was recently featured on PBS THIRTEEN’s Theater Close-Up show here in New York. He has worked with Love Creek in Hedda Gabler, Moliere's The School for Husbands, and MacBeth. He portrayed Stephano in Dysfunctional Theater's onsite production of The Tempest on Governors Island and appeared in several productions with Hudson Warehouse, including The Comedy of Errors, The Three Musketeers, Julius Caesar, and King John.
Katherine Mullis (Anna) - Katherine has played in venues across the New York metropolitan area. Notable theatre credits include the new play Girls Who Walked on Glass by Tony Award-winning playwright Gordon Farrell, Proof (Catherine), The Muse, The Girl with Her Hands in the Sand, The Values of Gold, Silver, and Bronze (Bronze), A Doll’s House (Nora), A Month in the Country (Natalya), Chamber Music (Gertrude Stein), Doubt & Frisbee, The Lesson, Bubbling, The Power & the Glory, Uncommon Women, Vanities, Macbeth (Lady Macbeth), The Bar in a Tokyo Hotel (Miriam), Sunday on the Rocks (Elly), and many others. Film credits include Leading Lady, That Is the Question, Cheaters, Brain Hunter, and several currently in production, including She & He by Jacques Zanetti (Lea’s Soliloquy). Katherine trained under Joe Paradise and is a member of Love Creek Productions. Katherine.Mullis@gmail.com
Joseph Sexton (playwright and director) - My plays have been produced in NYC by Love Creek productions, The Chain Theatre (winner, audience choice), The Players Theater, The Secret Theatre (finalist, audience choice) and online at From the Couch theatre company. My full length work, Storytime and Other Tales of Love and Deception was workshopped by Rising Sun Performance company as part of their summer Laboratorium series. My short play, CRB Therapy, has been selected to be published in an anthology. I have been acting, directing and writing in NYC since 2011. I studied fine art and economics at the University of Washington and then obtained a masters degree in fine arts from Long Island University. I currently reside in Tarrytown, NY. More of my plays are available at the New Play Exchange. jsphsexton@gmail.com
PROGRAM # 3 (3rd floor)*
An Artist's Way
by Patience Haggin
Synopsis: When two long-time friends get their debut novels published, long-simmering envy overpowers one writer.
Playwright/Director/Actor Bio:
Patience Haggin is a reporter from Irvine, Calif. This is the first play she's written.
Actor Bio:
Ben Mullin is a reporter from Lucerne, Calif. This is his first production in New York.
Exit Stage Right
written & directed by Domenick V. Danza
Synopsis:
The day has finally arrived. First Daughter is leaving the nest. She is full of doubt. When she admits to her mother, father, and sister that they never gave her the support or care she needed, they respond in a way that motivates her to take charge.
Cast:
FIRST DAUGHTER ANWEN DARCY*
MOTHER COLLEEN COSGROVE*
FATHER DAVID MARANTZ*
SECOND DAUGHTER MARY LINEHAN*
Stage Manager: DOMENICK DANZA*
Marketing: JENNIFER DEROSA
*Appearing Courtesy of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
COLLEEN COSGROVE* (MOTHER) is glad to be back at The Chain. Her short film Fun with Nan: Yuppie Go Home screened at the 2019 Chain NYC Film Festival. (Check Nan out on YouTube.) Her one-act The Stoop played in The Unchained Theatre Festival of 2014. She also appeared onstage in Lynda Crawford's A Procession of Clouds, a finalist in the 2013 Unchained Festival. Thanks to Domenick Danza for inviting me to play. Contact: ccozgrove@gmail.com
ANWEN DARCY* (FIRST DAUGHTER) has played Juliet in Romeo and Juliet, Beatrice on Much Ado About Nothing (NYT Critics Pick) and Mercutio (NYIT Nomination) in Romeo and Juliet with Shakespeare at Bryant Park. Other work includes the world premiere of Hindsight (Drilling Company) and regional premiere of Henry Darger Is (Theatre for a New City) Regional credits include PICT Theatre’s House and Garden (Sally Platt) and An Ideal Husband (Mabel), and Monomoy Theatre’s You Can’t Take it with You (Alice Sycamore) and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Hermia). Miss Darcy can also be seen in the award winning short film Puddle. Contact: anwendarcy.com
MARY LINEHAN* (SECOND DAUGHTER) 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. “If you love something, set it free. If it comes back, it’s yours. If it doesn’t it never was.” ALL my love to KP. Contact: marylinehan23@gmail.com
DAVID MARANTZ* (FATHER) has been performing and directing Shakespeare along with many new original works with The Drilling Company Theatre since 2002, both in the LES parking lot and in Bryant Park. Roles include Malvolio and Sir Toby Belch (Twelfth Night), Mercutio (Romeo and Juliet), Falstaff (Merry Wives of Windsor), Shylock (Merchant of Venice), Bottom (Midsummer Night’s Dream), and Iago (Othello). He directed another production of Romeo and Juliet for The Drilling Company in Bryant Park. Recently had his 3.4 seconds of excitement on the season premiere of the reboot of the OG Law & Order. He’s in a couple of fun Webseries: The Conspiracy Theorists and Off Off on YouTube. David is also a voiceover artist and an audio book narrator with over 150 titles available on Audible.com. Contact: Davidmarantz.com
DOMENICK V. DANZA* (PLAYWRIGHT/DIRECTOR) 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. Contact: ddanza@aol.com
*Equity Member appearing with permission of Actor’s Equity Association without benefit of an Equity contract in this off-off Broadway production.
Indian Love Call
written & performed by Jill Melanie Wirth
directed by David Wirth
Synopsis: The time is always. The Place is The Operating Theatre of The American Think Tank. Dr. I.M. White, a PhD in Cultural Anthropology, has been tasked with transforming a Native American, who through an anthropological miracle, has gone untouched by modern civilization since before Columbus discovered America. Dr. I.M. White attempts to change him from head to toe and assimilate him into modern society. This satirical/fantastical story is executed through text, song, percussion, and movement.
Jill Melanie Wirth* is an actress/singer/writer who has worked in theatre, film, tv, concerts, commercials, and voice-overs in NY, Chicago, LA, and London. Jill has performed at such prestigious venues as Lincoln Center, Playwrights Horizons, Carnegie Hall, BAM, Vineyard Theatre, Westport Country Playhouse, La Mama, NYMF, and 92Y. Writer/Performer: Dramedies that examine health care issues, historical topics, and sexual matters. JillMelanieWirth.weebly.com
David Wirth appeared in The Morningside Players productions of A Month in the Country, Althea: She Went to Hell and The Passion of Dracula. Other credits include: Bent (dir: Robert Falls) and Beyond the Horizon (dir: David Mamet). Additionally, David and his wife, Jill Melanie Wirth, have created/performed a number of dramedies which examine historical topics, sexual matters, and health care issues. davidwirth.blogspot.com
*Equity Member appearing with permission of Actor’s Equity Association without benefit of an Equity contract in this off-off Broadway production.
Last Fourth of July in Sweet Valley, Missouri
by Gina Femia
Synopsis: It takes help to defy gravity -- and the mayor of Sweet Valley, Missouri.
AJ: Chloe Rose Solomon
Quinn: Christina DiMare
Gina Femia is an award-winning playwright and performer from Brooklyn whose work has been seen at theatres all across the country. Gina's debut YA novel, ALONDRA, is coming out in April. Find out more: femiagina.com @harrythehoudini
Michele Travis has directed plays in storefronts, basements, bars, and sometimes even theaters all over New York City. MFA, Brooklyn College, CUNY. micheletravis.com
Christina DiMare (she/her) is a recent graduate from Syracuse University’s BFA Acting program. She has performed regionally in Massachusetts and New York. In addition to performing, Christina has served as an assistant director and script assistant for the development of two musicals where she discovered her passion for new work. She is thrilled to be part of this piece and supporting many others! @christina.dimare
Chloe Rose Solomon (they/them) is so excited to help bring new work to life at The Chain Theatre continuing the pattern of new and in development projects they have been lucky enough to participate in over the last few years. Chloe holds a degree in musical theater from The New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts and is a current company member with EPIC Players, a neuro-diverse theater company in NYC. They would like to thank the Last Fourth team for this opportunity! @chloerose411
*Equity Member appearing with permission of Actor’s Equity Association without benefit of an Equity contract in this off-off Broadway production.
PROGRAM # 4 (3rd floor)
How to Disappear Completely
Written and Directed by Beatrice “Benny” Quinn
Synopsis: “How to Disappear Completely” tells the brief yet in-depth story of D, a non-binary high school student, as they navigate a chaotic day at school while preparing for a tough conversation with their mom. Diving into the complexities of D’s shifting (yet conflicted) identity, Drake and Drea strive to bring humor, wit, and cynicism to D’s experiences.
DANYEL RENEE GEDDIE - “D”
Danyel Renee Geddie (they/she) is a 2020 graduate of Baldwin Wallace University, with a BFA in Acting.
In Spring 2022, Danyel worked with Mercury Store working as an Acting Company Member. Previous Credits include Storm Thomas' Be Like Bone (Musical Theatre Factory) Othello (National Women’s Theatre Festival) Julius Caesar (Great Lakes Theatre), amongst others. In addition, Danyel was invited to participate in the 2022 Casting Fellowship with Broadway For Racial Justice. Their goal is to both support and cultivate sustainable, ethnical art for marginalized bodies. IG- @danyelsa_
IYKECHI MCCOY - “DRAKE”
Iykechi is a PA based actor who is super excited and grateful to be making his Chain Theatre debut with such wonderful artists! Most recently he made his off-Broadway debut at The Players Theatre in I Always Knew You Were Around and is blessed to be back in NYC performing once again. He sends his love and support to everyone in the Winter One Act Festival as they share their art together.
RACHEL LLOYD - “DREA”
Rachel Lloyd is a performer originally from Toronto, Canada. In May Rachel will complete her Master’s Degree in Vocal Performance at New York University. Most recently she has performed at 54 Below in their 50th Anniversary DUDE Concert, and in the Lincoln Centre Holiday Cabaret 2022. Instagram: @rachlloydd Pronouns: she/her
JADE ST. BELL - “MOM”
Jade St. Bell (they/them) is a young, aspiring voice teacher with a passion for all things creative. They are a proponent of all inclusive theater (talent based casting) and feature this in their own creations such as podcasts and musicals. Jade is currently working to build up their voice teacher business in order to help young actors entering the field go into it with eyes wide open.
TREVOR K. BAND - “PETE”
Trevor K. Band is thrilled (and surprised!) to be making his NYC acting debut shortly after pivoting into writing! A recent graduate of Northwestern University, Trevor is currently pursuing his MFA in Musical Theatre Writing at NYU Tisch. Musicals: THE DOORS WE CLOSE (American Music Theatre Project, 2022 Workshop, Book/Music/Lyrics), A PECULIAR INHERITANCE (The Waa-Mu Show, Writing Coordinator), STILL CONNECTED (Upcoming, Book/Lyrics, with Music by Sam Nasar). Thanks to his parents, professors, and writing mentor Adam Gwon. @tkbtellsstories https://trevorkband.com/
ALEXIA RASTELLI - “GRACE”
Alexia Rastelli (she/her) is a NYC based singer and actor. She is excited to be joining the cast of another original play! Some of her NYC credits include: Scar Tissue (off bway debut!), Bound for Broadway, The Comeback Cabaret, Seth’s Talent Showcase, and In Harmony Concerts. She would like to thank Beatrice Quinn for writing a beautiful play for us all to be a part of. She would also like to thank her friends and family for the never ending support!
MACKEY PAYTON - “MARCY”
Mackey Payton is beyond thrilled to be a part of How to Disappear Completely. Mackey graduated with her BFA in Drama from New York University Tisch School of the Arts New Studio on Broadway. During her time at NYU, Mackey played in productions of Six Degrees of Separation, Legally Blonde, and A Midsummer Night's Dream. Thank you mom and dad for being the most supportive parents and thank you Shelby Rae for being the best guardian angel.
BEATRICE “BENNY” QUINN - WRITER/DIRECTOR
Beatrice Quinn (she/they) is still in disbelief to be making her Off-Broadway writer/director debut at the Chain Theatre. They received their BA in Film Writing: Script and Score from St. Olaf College in 2020 and graduated from Cycle 31 of the Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program at NYU Tisch in 2022. She also continues to pursue and write independent film and television projects, as well as composing and releasing music. Bea would like to thank Harvey and Greta Goetting, Hannah Verbeke, Yusef-Hamza Flores, Thalia Ranjbar, and the Chain Theatre for their unwavering kindness and support.
Small Parties
written & directed by Alexandra Rogers
Synopsis: During one of Jay Gatsby’s famous parties (or infamous, depending on who you ask), Nick, Jordan, and Daisy all find refuge in the library. While tucked away from the masses, the conversations the trio have reveal deep personal secrets and desires, all while exploring what it means to be happy.
Alexandra Rogers (Playwright & Director) (they/she) is an NYC-based playwright, director, and dramaturg devoted to creating work that highlights LGBTQ+ stories while exploring, challenging, and subverting norms. Recently, Alexandra has worked on productions with Sidekick Productions and One Egg No Batter, including their play Weekend at Jimmy’s and Leah Roth Barsanti’s Women Who Hate Their Jobs. In addition, they have worked on several productions at Marymount Manhattan College, including Pippin, Small Parties, and their directing thesis, Tony Kushner’s Terminating. Instagram: @_alirogers. Website: www.alexandra-rogers.com
Kat Sloan Garcia (Producer & Stage Manager) (she/her) is a stage manager, playwright, and producer based in NYC. Kat is a senior stage management and playwriting major at Marymount Manhattan College where she has done 8 shows including Pippin (Production Stage Manager) and Good News (Assistant Stage Manager). Other recent projects include the 2022 Take Ten Festival with Theatre Masters. She is currently interning at the Broadway Green Alliance. @katsloangarcia
Keeley Heagerty (Assistant Director & Dramaturg) is a freelance stage manager, director, and dramaturg based in NYC. She has worked on several productions, recent credits include: Dead Souls at The New York Theatre Festival, Cymbeline with New York Classical, and several productions at Marymount Manhattan College. She's always eager to collaborate and create art with others, if interested check out her website: www.keeleyheagerty.com !
Blake Ehrlichman (Nick Carraway) is thrilled to be playing the role of Nick Carraway in this production of Small Parties. He’s eager to breathe life into the world of Gatsby, one of his favorite childhood books, and explore its complexities with fresh eyes. Blake is a recent graduate of Marymount Manhattan College, where he received his BFA in Acting. Alongside acting, he is a playwright & a singer. Insta: @blakejehrlichman
Liv Byrne (Jordan Baker) is in her final semester of the BFA Acting track at Marymount Manhattan College and will graduate in May 2023. She appeared as "Jordan" in the original production of Small Parties in 2021. In February 2022, Byrne released her debut album "growing pains" which is available on all streaming platforms. For more information visit her website, iamlivbyrne.com, or follow her on social media at @iamlivbyrne.
Ellen McGhion (Daisy Buchanan) is a third year Musical Theater major at Marymount Manhattan College. She was recently involved in two Mainstage productions at the college as an ensemble member in Pippin and an Associate Choreographer on Carrie. She was involved in the first production of Small Parties at MMC on zoom, and is very excited to be reprising her role as Daisy here and in person!
Stay
by Colin Murphy
Synopsis: Of all the nights Kit has declared to be happily unattached, the thought of trading Dean’s crescent-moon eyes and warm sheets for the cold walk home, has him questioning what he really wants. STAY is a simple request that ignites a whirlwind fantasy and potential lifetime ahead for the near-perfect strangers tangled in white sheets full of possibilities on a cold winter night.
Hilary Krishnan (Director) returns to the Winter One Act Festival, elated to direct another play with dear friend and creative partner Colin Murphy. She earned her MFA in Performance and Interactive Media Arts from Brooklyn College in 2014, then transitioned into the world of experiential marketing—producing events, brand launches, media stunts, and projection ad creative. Prior to her career switch, she worked with The Public Theater's Under the Radar Festival, Rattlestick Playrights Theater, Pig Iron Theatre Company, and Shakespeare & Company.
Benjamin Farha (Drew) Originally from Oklahoma City, he has been seen in The Living Mural/Calendar, Return to Fall, Shot Roots, Life Happens, Fragments of NY, Good Morning Heartache. With Rapidfire Bootleg Theater, he produced and acted in numerous productions including Rabbit Hole, the Little Love Stories series, and Play Nice. Cabaret: “So Far Away“, “11 Songs to Remind You…” Training: Larry Moss, Adelphi University (BFA). He is a founding member of Pure Verb Playwrights Group (formerly AAPG.) He is represented by LG Management.
Colin Murphy (Playwright) (Kit) is grateful to return to the Chain Theatre with their creative bae Hilary Krishnan and joined by fellow Adelphi alum and longtime friend Benjamin Farha. Plays include: Candle Magic, The Ties That Bind, Every Other Day, The Pink Flamingo, Nineteen, If We Met, and Stitch by Stitch. Colin’s work has been produced by One House Productions, Equity Library Theater of New York, and the Chain Theatre. Awards include: 2021 invited cohort of the National Queer Theater’s Write It Out! workshop conceived and instructed by Donja. R. Love for playwrights living with HIV, 2022 Chain Theatre Winter One Act Festival Audience Choice for Candle Magic, 2023 finalist for The Dramatists Guild Foundation Fellowship. Residency: Pure Verb Playwright Collective since est. in 2020. Colin earned a BFA from Adelphi University and is a member of the Dramatists Guild.
The Origin of Love
by Paige Esterly
Synopsis: Stuck at home on a Friday night, almost-couple Penny and Beth explore the philosophical and logistical intricacies of love and human relationships.
Paige Esterly (writer & director, she/her) is an NYC based playwright, producer, and director. Selected works include The Great Lesbian Love of Eve Adams (The Space at Irondale), The Torso (Theater for the New City), “No Comment” (The Little Theater of Alexandria), and “Mixed Nuts” (TheatreWorks Silicon Valley). She is the creator of Fucked-Up Play Fest, New York’s favorite short play festival and drinking game, and is a proud member of The Fled Collective. Instagram: @poutywriter
Stevie Jae Davis (Penny, they/he) is a queer and trans actor, creator, collaborator, and playwright. They have been seen in leading roles Off-Broadway in The Civility of Albert Cashier, as well as appearing frequently in SERIALS with The Fled Collective (of which they are a member). Check out their website steviejaedavis.com for even more fun! Instagram: @steviegayparade_
Bree Ogaldez (Beth, she/her) is an Afro-Carribean singer and actress. She recently made her NYC acting debut in NY Theater Festival and was previously seen as Abe Lincoln in Hair at Cortland Repertory Theatre as well as in a spec pilot! She’s thrilled to be bringing Paige’s words to life once again. www.breeogaldez.com. Instagram: @bree_ogaldez
Bree Ogaldez (Beth, she/her) is an Afro-Carribean singer and actress. She recently made her NYC acting debut in NY Theater Festival and was previously seen as Abe Lincoln in Hair at Cortland Repertory Theatre as well as in a spec pilot! She’s thrilled to be bringing Paige’s words to life once again. www.breeogaldez.com. Instagram: @bree_ogaldez
PROGRAM # 5 (3rd floor)
Dance Club
by Peter Rowan
Synopsis: 'Dance Club' is set in the history department of a Westchester County college campus during graduation week, 1980. A history professor, a punk rocker student, and a 1970s Inwood Manhattan dance club owner all cross paths during the last days of disco.
Martin Balaguer - DAN: Martin is a bilingual Argentine actor based in Locust Valley, New York. His acting credits include a supporting role in the Emmy nominated web-series “Tough Love”, and leading roles in NY Theater Festival 2022 and Eastline Theater Long Island. He's also a filmmaker and his most recent short film, “Adam”, has won several awards including the Marc Stein Comedy Award in the 25th Year Long Island Film Expo. More info at: www.martinbalaguer.com
Arianna Wellmoney - JOAN: (she/her) is an actor and playwright originally from Milan, Italy. Recent credits include: “Dave’s Retro Video Lab” (webseries directed by Emmy Award Winning Director David Distinti), “La Santera” (TV Pilot), “3018” (Snapchat Show), “Enoptromancy” (Off Broadway show) and “True Drama” (Feature Film). She wrote and starred in “Extraordinary Aliens,” performed both in New York and Los Angeles. Contact: www.AriannaWellmoney.com
Aristotle Stamat - GARRY: Mr. Stamat has been in several theatrical productions in New York spanning several decades, including roles in “Ah, Wilderness,” the Marx Brothers revival of “I'll Say She Is,” and Brutus in “Julius Ceasar.” He has also performed in several film projects, such as “Tango On the Balcony,” “Behind the Mirror,” and “Somewhere in the Middle.” He studied acting with Terry Knickerbocker, and graduated from Indiana University. He is from Montclair, NJ, and currently lives in New York City. Email: astamat7@gmail.com
Johnny Dee Damato - DETECTIVE: Johnny has dedicated his life to becoming an actor. Forty Five years of being in the business done many bit parts for Stage, Screen & Television.Semi retired now is a professional Santa Claus as well as VO artist! Thanks Peter Rowan for always keeping me in Mind. Cell: 917-216-1576
Peter Rowan - WRITER/DIRECTOR: This past June, Peter’s play “Forty-Second Street Forever” premiered at the Players Theatre Short Play Festival (NYC). He wrote, directed, and portrayed the legendary grindhouse film director Andy Milligan in the award winning feature film (Bare Bones Film Festival 2002) “The House on The Hill,” loosely based on the making of Wes Craven and Sean S. Cunningham's 1972 cult classic “The Last House on The Left.” Peter has studied writing with Raymond Carver, Tobias Wolff, William Packard, Thomas G. Waites, and Lyle Kessler. Film appearances include “Mona Lisa Smile” and, on television, “Boardwalk Empire,” “Person of Interest,” and “Public Morals.” Email: rowanpeter63@gmail.com
God Learns of the Death of Harambe, 2016 (colorized)
by Alexander Perez
Synopsis:
Humanity has murdered the Almighty's favorite creation and it's up to Gabriel and Michael to deliver the bad news.
Paula Ali (God) (She/Her) - is a half Persian Performer/Director/ choreographer from Nashville. Her favorite credits include (Burgess) Randy's Dandy Coaster Castle at IRT, Q2 at the NewHarmonyProject (Yasmin), her self produced Dance concert video titled Shy, and directing The Bad In Each Other by Alexander Perez at N ewWorkFestival. @notpaulabdulnyc #ZanZendegiAzadi
Andrew O’Loughlin (Gabriel) (He/Him) is a New York based actor. Select theatre credits include Dixon Place, Upright Citizens Brigade, Classics on the Rocks, Valley Shakespeare Festival, and Breaking & Entering Theatre Co. BFA Marymount Manhattan College. Instagram: @andrewpants123 | www.andrew-oloughlin.com
Omar Perez (Michael) (He/Him)- is an actor, director, and educator. He was last seen in Alex Perez' Randy Dandy's Coaster Castle. TV Credits include: Younger (TVland), FBI: Most Wanted (CBS) Power, Ray Donovan (Starz network) Russian Dolls (Netflix) and Search Party (TBS). His work as a director and educator focuses on collaborative and new works. Follow Omar on Instagram: @omarmperez.
Alexander Perez (Jesus Christ/Director/Playwright) (He/Him) is a Cuban-American Playwright/Desk Jockey/Dad making it work in the Big Apple. Recent productions include , Randy’s Dandy Coaster Castle (Egg & Spoon Theatre Collective , 2022), The In-Between (Pelmear Theatre, 2022).
INSTA:@redsavage0 @mediumharsh
New Year
by Matthew McLachlan
Directed by David Zayas, Jr.
Synopsis: On New Year’s Eve, 3 friends watch the fireworks from atop the hill in their town’s cemetery. Eventually, they open up about their struggles with mortality, life, and the loss of a mother.
Jolene Marquez: Jolene Marquez is a native New Yorker and graduate of Hunter College. In addition to her background on-stage, you can catch Jolene on-screen, her most recent project being the feature film #LIKE, now available streaming on Amazon Prime, Apple TV and Tubi. Stay up-to-date with her on instagram @jolenemarquez_
John DiMino: John DiMino has a BFA Acting NYU. The Wild Parrots of Campbell at Cherry Lane. Floor is Lava at La Mama. John is an Actor, Helicopter Pilot and proud Cat Dad here in NYC.
Jake Cannavale: Jake Cannavale is the lead singer and songwriter of the New York-based grindcore band Vixen Maw. He is also an actor who has been on The Mandalorian, The Offer, and Nurse Jackie. Jake is born and raised in New York City and is currently looking for work if you would like to book him. Seriously.
Matthew McLachlan: Matthew McLachlan was born in Scotland, raised in Florida, and currently survives in New York City. He is a Dramatist Guild Member, a two-time ScreenCraft Stage Play Finalist, and Samuel French OOB Festival Finalist. His plays include: The Demand of Avarice, This God Damn House, Jack & Melissa, Orion, and The Place We Are Meant to Be, among others. His plays have been presented by Abingdon Theatre Company, Nylon Fusion, The Chain Theatre, The NOW Collective, The Farm Theater, The PIT, Thespis Theater Festival, and performed regionally in Kentucky, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Wyoming, New Jersey, West Virginia, & Florida. Other credits include: Nominated for Best Writer of a Web-Series (ADULTish), The Roast of Michael Musto (Head-Writer), & his published works A Collection of One-Acts & Other Things You May or May Not Enjoy and full-length play Orion are available now at The Drama Bookshop and on Amazon.
David Zayas Jr.: David Zayas Jr. is a Bronx Native actor, theater and film director. David is a member of The Actors Studio’s Playwright/Directors Unit and LAByrinth Theater Company. He has directed with LAByrinth, Planet Connections, Actors Theatre of NY, NY Theater Festival, Samuel French OOB Festival, and The Chain Theater along with award winning films in over 20 festivals.
Nicole Amaral: Nicole is a New York City native with Brazilian roots. She has extensive experience in theater both on and off stage. She is the Company Manager of Actors Theater Company, Managing Director of Hamlet Isn’t Dead and Production Manager / Production Stage Manager /Acting in The Art of Killin’ It. Some of her recent theater credentials include: “Antony and Cleopatra” at Atlantic Theater Stage 2, “Bunnies in Space featuring Astronomy Club” at Power Station (Stage Manager and Actor), "Clue but Black Workshop" at LA Broadwater Theater (Stage Manager/Co-Director/Lighting Designer/ Sound Designer), along with many other productions. Nicole is an alumna of Developing Artists Theatre Company where she was the recipient of the Kevin Geer Scholarship.
Queen of Jacks
by Alba Albanese
Directed by David Zayas, Jr.
Synopsis: Giovanna Maria Caruso "Gia" inherits her father’s social club, JACKS. She returns to the neighborhood she left behind, and is forced to choose between honoring her estranged father's legacy, or building her own new world.
Diego Aguirre: Chain Theatre Winter Festival debut! THEATRE credits include: What's Prison Like (Nylon Fusion. Dir. David Zayas Jr.), Occupied Territories (59e59), The War Machine (NYTF), A Few Good Men (WST) TELEVISION: FBI, Monsterland, The Punisher, It's Bruno. FILM: The Upside (Neil Burger), Invisible (Heitor Dahlia), Sometime Other Than Now (Dylan McCormick), New Year's Eve @ Sunny's (Bob Giraldi) Many thanks to DJ and Alba and fellow cast.
Joseph Russo: Joseph Russo was born in Brooklyn and grew up in New Jersey and Staten Island. His film credits include JERSEY BOYS, as Joe Pesci dir. Clint Eastwood, THE IRISHMAN, as Bruno Rossi, dir. Martin Scorsese, THE KITCHEN as well as a show in which he created and co-wrote with Justin Schack, Alev Ayedin, and Jeremy Luke called SMALL SHOTS, that premiered on NETFLIX About two guys trying to be big shots but are just small shots. He has also been on numerous tv shows and most recently could be seen on PARAMOUNT PLUS’ THE OFFER playing the part of “CRAZY” JOE GALLO. He is currently studying with Lyle Kessler in Lyle Kessler’s Master Class. He is very proud to be apart of this production.
Andrew Goebel: Andrew Goebel is a New York based actor who is blessed to be a part of this incredible cast. Credits: Ragtime, Toxic Norse-Culinity, The Floor is Lava, Macbeth, Troilus and Cressida, Beauty and the Beast. Much love to his family and Erika, who is pretty dope. More info: www.andrew-goebel.com
Alba Albanese: This is Alba's debut production of Queen of Jacks at The Chain Theatre. Other favorite plays and acting roles include; Theatre: The Oracle Annabella - Off Broadway show Sleep No More, Alba created, wrote, and performed her character. Lillith - Off Broadway show Serenade. Alba created, wrote the book, lyrics, and performed her character, which was featured in The New York Times. Edgar Allan Poe - Off Broadway show The Raven. Alba wrote and performed in a one-woman show with emerging technology at The American Irish Historical Society. An official selection of Lincoln Center's New York Film Festival. TV: Cassie - Billions Alba performed at the Tribeca Film Festival, Future of Storytelling, North Bend Film Festival, Overlook Film Festival, and New York Film Festival. She trained with William Esper, Maggie Flanigan, Terry Knickerbocker and Alec Baldwin. Alba is a recipient of the NYC ARTIST CORPS, NYC Cultural Affairs and NYFA Artist Grant. www.albaalbanese.com (http://www.albaalbanese.com/)
David Zayas Jr.: David Zayas Jr. is a Bronx Native actor, theater and film director. David is a member of The Actors Studio’s Playwright/Directors Unit and LAByrinth Theater Company. He has directed with LAByrinth, Planet Connections, Actors Theatre of NY, NY Theater Festival, Samuel French OOB Festival, and The Chain Theater along with award winning films in over 20 festivals.
Nicole Amaral: Nicole is a New York City native with Brazilian roots. She has extensive experience in theater both on and off stage. She is the Company Manager of Actors Theater Company, Managing Director of Hamlet Isn’t Dead and Production Manager / Production Stage Manager /Acting in The Art of Killin’ It. Some of her recent theater credentials include: “Antony and Cleopatra” at Atlantic Theater Stage 2, “Bunnies in Space featuring Astronomy Club” at Power Station (Stage Manager and Actor), "Clue but Black Workshop" at LA Broadwater Theater (Stage Manager/Co-Director/Lighting Designer/ Sound Designer), along with many other productions. Nicole is an alumna of Developing Artists Theatre Company where she was the recipient of the Kevin Geer Scholarship.
The General
by David Taylor Little
Directed by Carson Crow
Synopsis: Peter and George are facing a crossroads in their relationship. Will an impromptu trip on the Staten Island Ferry help them mend their broken fences?
David Taylor Little’s plays include Christmas Gifts, The Arlo Whittaker Mystery Series, and Shades of Gay. His work has been commissioned by The Pigeon Creek Shakespeare Company, and Indiana Public Radio. David is a member of The Dramatists’ Guild and teaches in the theatre department at Ball State University. www.davidtaylorlittle.com
Carson Crow he/him (Director) is happy to be working on Admissions again. He is currently assisting George C. Wolfe on the upcoming film “Rustin” on Netflix. Recently he has produced Antigonick (Torn Out Theatre), directed Between Here and Where We Are (Digital Dramatist), Daybreak, a new musical (TADA!), Phaedra's Love (NALPA), assisted "Ghost Lights: Reclaiming Theatre in the Age of AIDS" (a six-part filmed docu-series). Much love to Ball State, Juilliard, and his family.
Mario Noto (Caleb) is a NYC based actor and recent graduate of Ball State University BFA Acting. He is so excited to finally make his debut for The Chain Festival, and hopes you all enjoy the show. He was most recently seen in NYC at Theatre Row in the Ball State University Senior Showcase. Stay updated with Mario and his upcoming projects on Instagram: @mario.noto
James Denzer was born and raised on the north shore of Oahu, Hawaii. He studied acting at the Tom Todoroff Studio and Conservatory. Major credits include roles in three world premier plays in NYC, a national tour, several featured roles on television, and the upcoming feature film “Laff in the Dark.” IG: @jamesdenzer
PROGRAM #6 (3rd floor)
Orchid or Kid
by Jordan Galland
Synopsis: “Orchid or Kid” is about a married couple expecting a child. The pregnant wife, DAPHNE has an unsettling confession to make to GAVIN, a morally superior husband with a savior complex, who is attempting to understand his wife’s obsession with keeping a dying orchid alive.
ACTOR
Alex Vara is a writer, producer, and public speaking teacher. Born in San Francisco, California, she was raised in Mill Valley and lives in Manhattan. She hosts the monthly reading series NO REQUIRED READING at Pete’s Candy Store in Williamsburg. An ex bread baker, Waldorf teacher, and farm hand, she studies acting at HB Studio in the West Village. Orchid or Kid is her first play. (Instagram: @alexvara)
ACTOR / PLAYWRIGHT / DIRECTOR
Jordan Galland is an award winning filmmaker and musician from New York City. While off-broadway theater has been the subject of several of his films, such as the vampire comedy “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Undead,” "Orchid or Kid" is Jordan's debut on stage, as a playwright and actor. (Instagram: @landofgal)
The Wait
by W. Murray Whelan
Synopsis:
The Wait opens on Christmas Eve with Maura decorating the tree with her son Niall. The phone rings. Friends of Niall’s are picking him up to go to the pub. Maura resumes decorating when through the front window she observes her husband and son Liam. Niall tells Maura that they are dead. Maura reminisces about them being ambushed by the SAS with information from an informer. Niall attempts to explain to Maura that even an informer may deserve forgiveness. Niall’s ride arrives and he departs. Maura sits and falls asleep. The next morning, she awakens and realizes Niall will not return.
William Whelan Director/Playwright
William Whelan is a Director/Playwright from Salem, Connecticut. Bill has a M.A from Wesleyan University and graduated from the Advanced Playwriting Program at the National Theater Institute in May 2022. His play The Curmudgeon of Crossmaglen was a semifinalist at the National Playwright's Conference and a Playlab selection at the Great Plains Theater Conference in 2011. The Wait was presented at the 2022 Edinburgh Fringe Festival to three-star reviews. Bill is euphoric at having his play The Wait presented at the 2023 The Chain Theater One Act Festival.
Abby Jim, Actor
Abby Jim is a Queens, New York native who, like many other NYC inhabitants, fell in love with the arts and never looked back. The singer, songwriter, and actor has only just begun her career- making appearances on Amazon’s Wholly Broken and CBS’s F.B.I. as well as working on the release of her first EP. It’s been a journey of learning that rejection is just a reveal of where there’s more room to grow, and it has been incredible.
Miriam McCafferty, Actor
Emmy McCafferty is an actor, musician, and singer-songwriter from McComb, Mississippi. She began her theatre training at the National Musical Theater Institute in Waterford, CT in fall 2021 and the National Theater Institute in spring 2022. This past September, McCafferty moved to New York City to continue studying drama and pursue her professional acting career. She is currently a first year acting student at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting 3 Year Conservatory program in Manhattan. She is thrilled to be making her professional acting debut in The Wait at The Chain Theatre Festival. Instagram: emmymccafferty
Elise Martin, Actor
Elise Martin is from McMinnville, Oregon and has a degree in Theatre Arts and Psychology from Linfield University. She recently graduated from the National Theater Institute last fall, and was recently seen in the Blackbox New Play Festival with Gallery Players. New to New York she is thrilled to be apart of The Chain One Act Festival.
Tigueraje
by Max Garcia
Synopsis: A young Afro-Latin couple has their relationship tested, but it’s not what it looks like I swear.
Director/Playwright/Actor: Marcus
Max Garcia (b.2000) is a Dominican-American Director, Actor, Playwright, Rapper, and Musician from the Bronx, New York. He is currently a student at the City College of New York Majoring in Political Science. I don’t know if he’s going to do anything with that degree though because he’s dedicated himself to telling Black and Latin stories on stage, on screen, and through music. He’s a Bernie West Award recipient for Excellence in Performing at the CCNY theater program. And this will be the first time his work is going to be performed at a festival.
Assistant Director:
Leandra Torres is a Director from Bronx, New York and has received her education from SUNY Purchase. Leandra’s Purchase credits include: The Pirandello Party (AD), Purgatorio wonderland (AD), No Child (Director/Producer), Death to Masculinity (Director), The Silent Observer (Director, Writer), Tough Call ( Director), Love Thyselves (Producer). Leandra is thrilled to have been a part of this process and wants to thank her friends, family, cast and crew for their endless support!
Actress-Zoey
Victoria Lino is an Afro-latinx Bronx native. Victoria is currently a student in her second and final year at Circle In The Square Theatre School; in the Professional Theatre Workshop to solidify her training as an actor. Her most recent work was as Wren in Sprites with Rising Sun Theatre Company. She was also a multi-slashing actor in Circle in The Square Theatre School’s production of Macbeth where she played, Witch 3/The Porter/Second Murderer/Servant. Victoria is motivated by spaces that work to place BIPOC and queer stories at the forefront that focus on intersectionality and healing.
PROGRAM #7 (3RD floor)
300 Bones
by Leon Lone
Synopsis: During her disastrous performance on a mysterious standardized test at an all-boys prep school, homeschooled Albine meets Anton and Zasha, two students who have been re-taking the test for years (they have their reasons). The two take Albine under their wing and share with her the wisdom needed to pass the test, fail the test, break every bone in your body, survive your own birth, survive the war, and look yourself in the face for once.
CAST
Mark Ashin (Zasha) is a New York-based actor. Theatre credits include: Jeff in Lobby Hero (City Gate Prod.), Darrel in Dead Souls (NY Theatre Festival), Macduff in Macbeth (Inkblot Theatre), Mercutio in Romeo & Juliet (Rogue Ensemble), East in Almost, Maine (The Drama Company NYC), Solyony in Three Sisters (Columbia Stages). Regional: Tesman in Hedda Gabler (Equality Prod.), Mr. Digger in Mr. Digger’s Spooky Christmas Radio Special (Theatre on the Verge), Point Guard in Before The Meeting (Williamstown Theatre Festival), Ariel in The Pillowman (4615 Theatre Co.). Film: DEVOTION (upcoming), APHASIA, THE GIRL WHO CRIED HER EYES OUT, EVEN THE EARTH IS DIZZY, POMEGRANATE (short), UNESSENTIAL (short), 1781 (short). Website markashin.com Instagram: @themonstermashin
Meena Knowles (Proctor) is a NYC-based actress who has appeared in productions with Brunch Theatre, Adult Film, and The Atlantic Theatre Company. She is currently in pre-production for a new series. Instagram: @youmeenalot2me
Emily Ma (Albine) (she/her) is an Asian-American actor born and raised in NYC. She has performed in various Middlebury College Theatre productions, in Project Y's Women in Theater Festivals, and with the Potomac Theatre Project at Atlantic Stage II. She is currently working as an Admissions Assistant at Juilliard and will be acting in her first feature film this summer in NYC. Instagram: @amylimenyc
Jacob Morton (Anton) is a graduate of Middlebury College, where he did some theatre and helped run the sketch comedy group. He co-wrote and co-produced a series called The Deli People, in which he also performed. Jacob is currently a recipient of the SNL scholarship at the Peoples Improv Theater. Instagram: @djacobmorton
CREW
Caitlyn Marr (Director) is from Miami and has acted in various NY productions, including Julie, Paul, and Jack at the Chain Theatre One Act Festival in 2022. Directorial debut! Biggest thanks to LM/LR and the cast for playing all the games. Instagram: @caitlynmarr22
Leon Lone (Playwright) is a New York-based playwright originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Her work under another name has been seen at PTP/NYC: After Dark and Pittsburgh City Theatre. She is also the founder of The Dovecote, a monthly salon and reading series for new plays. She extends her deep gratitude to the cast and crew of “300 Bones,” to the Chain Theatre, and to the generous support of donors who have made this production possible.
Lucy Roberts (Production Stage Manager) is a proud member of New Ambassadors Theater company. Recent projects include ‘Slanted! Enchanted!’ (Sheen Center), ‘Irregulars’ (Cherry Lane Theater), ‘Tight Five’ (Cherry Lane Theater), and ‘Living Situation’ (The Tank.) She would like to thank Lana and Caitlyn for the whole damn thing. Instagram: @plutocrab
Access Denied
by Emile Lacheny
Synopsis: A woman wants to enter inside the room but the access is denied to her for no apparent reason
MARGARET PHILLIPS: Margaret is a Milwaukee, WI native and a Marquette University alumna. Since moving to NYC, she has been seen at The Producer’s Club in “One Chance Meet” and “A Sketch of New York.” Many thanks to Annie, the best director (and friend) a girl could ask for. Enjoy the show!
CAMILO RAMIREZ: Camilo Ramirez has worked with various theatre companies in NYC as an actor, stage manager, assistant director, and lighting technician. No role is too big or small, he approaches any endeavor with much love and enthusiasm. After taking a hiatus from theatre, he is thankful and excited to be back, and to be part of this production. You can give him a follow at @jadedambivert and say Hi!
KIYONNA CARR: KiYonna Carr recently completed a 3 year conservatory program at the Terry Knickerbocker Studio. Before that she studied with HB and has taken courses with the Berg Studio and The Michael Chekhov Association. In the past year, KiYonna has mostly participated in small film projects but recently made her stage debut with the E.G.G, a play also written by Emile Lacheny and starring director Annie Kefalas. When not on stage, you can find KiYonna embarking on her new martial arts journey for fun. She wants to thank her family and friends for being incredibly supportive of her acting career and showing up for her!
ANNIE KEFALAS: Annie is an actor/director, LAMDA MA graduate, and avid hula hooper from Chicago. Her NYC acting credits include The Tempest and E.G.G. (also written by the wonderful Emile Lacheny). Her NYC directing credits include A Christmas Carol with Arachne Theatre, and her international directing credits include The Six Stages of a Breakup performed in London and the 2022 Edinburgh Fringe Festival. She sends love to KiYonna, Ben, Camilo, Margaret, Emile, her family, and the incredible audience. Enjoy!
EMILE LACHENY: Emile Lacheny is a Franco Turk writer and actor. Originally from Paris but living in New York, he recently graduated from the Stella Adler Studio of Acting. He has won awards for his writing and continues to pursue his passion for storytelling everyday. In his free time he likes to read DC comics or watch an unhealthy amount of Dr. Who.
BEN MILLER: Ben R.B. Miller: Began his training in NYC theatre at 13, as a member of AMAS Musical Theatre’s RLMTA(2011-2016). From there he has gone on to help co-found Arachne Theatre, in addition to serving as their Artistic Director. Credits; “A Midsummer Nights Dream”(Demetrius, 2021), “The Tempest”(Drowned Musician, 2022), “Julius Caesar”(Producer, 2022), “A Christmas Carol”(Producer, 2022).
Nuclear Winter
by Brennan Saur
Cayla Berejikian (Mary-Anne) is a Brooklyn-based actor, writer, and teaching artist. She trained at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute while attending NYU Tisch. Cayla has written, produced, and directed several original plays in New York. She has accrued screen acting credits on a variety of independent projects and a recent feature film set to release in 2023. Currently, she is co-writing a feature film. She is excited to perform onstage for the first time in several years.
Niki Chernitska (Carrie) is an international Ukrainian born actress based in NYC. Her recent theatre credits include Reminiscence (Italytime Cultural Center)and film credits include The Rest of the House and Edenfruit. She is grateful to her husband, friends and family for the endless support and encouragement.
Dante Nastasi (Jackson) is a writer/director/actor from Cold Spring, NY. He'd like to thank everyone in the cast and crew for their hard work, and the audience for joining us today.
Rebecca Ponticello (Kris) is happy to be back in NYC after working for Disney Parks as a member of the Disney College Program for the past few months. Past credits include: Tours: Funikijam (Agent of Jam), Jurassic Quest (Performer), AIT’s Murder Mystery Company (Actor), NYC: The Frogs (Richard Nixon/Chorus) at The Chain Theater, Off Broadway: The Importance of Being Earnest(ly) LGBTQ+ (Assistant Director/Casting Associate), Swan Lake Rock Opera (Production Stage Manager), Little Christmas Miracles (Co-Production Stage Manager), The Trial of the Potomac (Crew Chief), Film: Frankenstein (Costumes and Wig supervisor), Educational: Everybody (Love) at Rider University. She is over the moon that Brennan has invited her to take part in another one of his incredible shows!
Mikey Martin (score) makes sounds and plays notes. He composes and performs with Rochester-based jazz project Parsley. Nuclear Winter is his first foray into the ambient genre.
Brennan Saur (playwright) is grateful to be back at The Chain after participating in the Summer 2021 one-act festival! He owes everything he has in the theatre to the Barthelmes family and Spotlight Studios for the Performing Arts, and would like to use this space to encourage donations in support of their daughter, Madison, who is currently fighting leukemia.
PROGRAM # 8 (4th floor)
The Gardener
by Jameson May and Zoe Ray Prawda
Synopsis: The Gardener goes to an AI therapist who sets her up in a virtual garden where everything is perfect. They journal and garden (as part of therapy), but get mad at the process, attempting to destroy the garden they are there to nurture. This leads to a realization of the imperfect nature of life.
Words and Music by Jameson May and Zoe Ray Prawda
Jameson May is a jersey based singer/songwriter/composer originally from Wilmington, DE. He has released a bunch of music under his name and is also 1/4 of the indie rock band Brig Aurora. He studied musical theater performance before going on to study musical theater composition at NYU’s grad program. He hopes his work can bring you a fraction of the peace and fulfillment it has brought him. Instagram: @jameson_may_
Zoe Ray Prawda is a Brooklyn-born storyteller and performer. After gaining a BM in Composition, she worked at a music publishing company for two years before returning to school, where she got an MFA in Musical Theatre Writing from NYU Tisch. In October 2022, Zoe's song cycle, The Element of Belonging, was performed as part of Emerging Artist's New Work Series. She is now a music teacher and is glad to see her work at Chain Theatre for a second time.
The Laundry Play
by Sarah Groustra
Directed by Mackenna Goodrich
Synopsis: David is a museum curator whose panic attacks have gone untreated for years. When he takes a job that will move him halfway across the country, his girlfriend Eliza fears for his safety. Told largely through both characters' conversations with a therapist, The Laundry Play paints a portrait of a relationship on the verge of either connection or collapse.
Jane Lindstrom – Set & Property Design
Cora Cicala – Sound Design
"This play contains discussion of depression and anxiety as well as a depiction of self-harm"
Sarah Groustra (playwright, she/her) is a Brooklyn-based, Massachusetts-born playwright, actress, and theatermaker. She is the recipient of the 2021 James E. Michael Playwriting Prize, was named a 2022 Ascending Playwright by Yonder Window Theater Company, and has developed her writing with Grub Street of Boston, Playdate Theatre, and The Parsnip Ship. Sarah's play Insertion was the winner of the 2022 B Street Theater New Comedies Festival in Sacramento, CA. She is a proud alumna of the 24 Hour Plays: Nationals and a member of the Dramatists Guild. BA: Kenyon College (2022); sarahgroustra.com // @ladypoachedegg
Sara Rosenthal (ELIZA, she/her) is a Brooklyn based actress and educator that recently graduated from Kenyon College. Since graduating, Sara has worked with the Acting Company and has appeared in various new work developments. Some of her favorite credits include: Nina (Stupid Fucking Bird), Ashlee (Dance Nation), and Whatsername (American Idiot). She is thrilled to be working with this team and in this festival! Stay up to date with Sara: Instagram: saraa_rosenn Website: sararosenthal.org
Ben Teitelbaum (DAVID) is thrilled to be in The Laundry Play at The Chain Theatre! Past credits include Aida (The Metropolitan Opera), Neutrality (New York Theater Festival), The Addams Family (Columbus Immersive Theatre), The War Boys (Hangar Theatre), and Legally Blonde (OSU). BA Theatre ‘21 at The Ohio State University. All the love to the buddies, the fam, and Joelle! IG: @ben_teitelbaum
Mackenna Goodrich (Director) just went to the laundromat for the very first time. She serves as the dramaturg for The Road Theatre Company's playwriting group, Under Construction, and is a member of The Fled Collective. Selected directing and choreography credits: An Axe-mas Story (The Players Theatre), Kids Club/Club Kids (The Fled Collective), The Pine Barrens (Lime Arts), Dance Nation (Kenyon College), Cabaret (Kenyon College Players), The Moors (Stagefemmes). For more, check out mackennagoodrich.com and @mack3nna on Instagram.
PROGRAM #9 (4th floor)
Clowntown
by Isabella Fatigati
Director - Maddie Heeney
Synopsis: B wants a fresh start.
They clean up the house and put out a little watermelon for a friend.
The friend doesn’t come.
The watermelon rots
and something evil crawls out of the mold.
Clowntown is a magical realism piece exploring the process of healing and recovery from unhealthy relationships. We follow the B’s as they fight through a past filled with giant cockroaches and male fragility, to create something new.
Assistant Stage Manager - Liv White
Lighting Designer - Avalon Cole
Sound Designer - Katie Norris
Playwright- Isabella Fatigati
Pronouns - They / She
Biography - Isabella is a brand new playwright finishing her undergraduate degree at Marymount Manhattan College. Isabella also works as a photographer and the Artistic Director of Medusa Collective NYC. You can find more information through Instagram at @bellafatigati and @medusacollectivenyc!
Director - Maddie Heeney
Pronouns: She / Her
Biography: Madeline Heeney is a trans femme director, playwright, and stage manager based in New York City. Madeline is a recent graduate of Marymount Manhattan College, where she studied directing and stage management. Recent credits include Clowntown (Director), an excerpt from Hir (Director), and Pippin (Deck Stage Manager). When not in the city, Madeline is the Performing Arts Activity Head at a sleepaway camp for trans and nonbinary youth. Madeline is ecstatic to be a Resident Artist with Medusa Collective NYC. You can find more information through Instagram @madddieheeney
Producer- Nayum Faruki
Biography - Nayum Faruki is the executive director for ‘Medusa Collective NYC”. She is currently a senior at Marymount Manhattan College. She recently directed and produced a very successful run for a play called ‘Khilona’ in Lahore, Pakistan. She has worked in film, theater, artist management, marketing, graphic design and also ran a make-up company. You can find more information through Instagram at @nayumfaruki and @medusacollectivenyc
Stage Manager - Kat Sloan Garcia
Biography - Kat Sloan Garca (she/her) is a stage manager, playwright, and producer based in NYC. Kat is a senior stage management and playwriting major at Marymount Manhattan College where she has done 8 shows including Pippin (Production Stage Manager) and Good News (Assistant Stage Manager). Other recent projects include the 2022 Take Ten Festival with Theatre Masters. She is currently interning at the Broadway Green Alliance. @katsloangarcia
Associate Producer - Sophia Distefano
Pronouns - She/Her/Hers
Biography - Sophia DiStefano (she/her) is an up and coming theater artist based in New York. She is working to receive her BA in Directing and Stage Management & Producing from Marymount Manhattan College and currently serves as the Associate Director of Medusa Collective NYC. You can find more information at sophiadistefanotheater.com and @sophia_4401
B1 - Addison Clover
Biography -“Addison Clover is a sophomore BFA Acting Major at MMC and can’t wait grace her first New York City stage! She’s always been a performer and has had such a rewarding experience working with the Clowntown team on mastering such a special show. Addison is also super fun and she likes that everyone she works with is super fun too. Bella is her fave. Go Pack Go! @addisonclover ”
B2 - Edelsa Perez
Biography - Edelsa Perez (she/her) is a sophomore year BFA Acting major at Marymount Manhattan College and is beyond thrilled to have been able to work on this show. Most recent credits include, The Ghost Writer (Brynn), Horse Girls (Brandi), and Oklahoma! (Laurey) @edelsaperez
B3 / M - Beverly Fort
Biography - Beverly Fort is a Junior BFA Acting Major at Marymount Manhattan. They love working with their peers on original productions like this one, and previously on What Love Really Is by Caleb Moreno at the summer festival here at The Chain. Before moving to New York they started training in Voice Acting with Barry Yandell, which has been continuous for three years now, with a handful of independent projects resulting from it. Beverly has greatly enjoyed working on Clowntown and hopes that you enjoy the show as much as we’ve enjoyed the process!
M / B3 Understudy - Beck Farris
Biography - “Beck Farris (any pronouns) is a senior double major in BFA Acting and Writing for the Stage at Marymount Manhattan College. They are originally from Austin, Texas, and now based in New York City. Recent acting credits include Matt in Mr. Burns, a Post-Electric Play and Robin in Horse Girls. You can find them on Instagram @beck.farris and you can find them in real life being silly and whimsical everywhere they go.”
Roleplay
by Leo Layla Diaz
Directed by Hannah Marie Pederson
Synopsis: Audrey got dumped. By her boss. And she’d say she’s reasonably mad about it. So she enlists the help of her amateur dominatrix bestie Tara to take him down, and maybe mess with Tara’s cheating boyfriend while they’re at it. They’re a classic evil mastermind and doting sidekick with a perfect plan — and totally no jealousy — in this raunchy comedy of boys, toys, and the girls who use them.
Director - Hannah Marie Pederson is a NY-based actor and director. She’s thrilled to be bringing you the messy mayhem of Roleplay! Recent directing credits include Croaks (The Tank) and Christianity (The New School). Upcoming: The Taming of the Shrew (The New School). You can follow her on Instagram at @hmpederson, or listen to her rant about Star Wars on TikTok at @discountbokatan
Playwright - Leo Layla Díaz (they/them) is a Jersey native playwright and teaching artist. Their debut play Croaks premiered last year at The Tank (NYC). They are enrolled MA in Arts Management & Entrepreneurship and BFA in Dramatic Arts at The New School. Díaz’s writing in both plays and poetry has previously been performed at Rebel Verses (Vineyard Theater, NYC), The 24 Hour Plays: Viral Monologues (NYC), The Tank (NYC), Brave New Voices (Houston & Las Vegas), Louder Than a Bomb (NJ), Poetic Theater Productions (NYC), Performance Anxiety Inc (WI), Loud! (NJ), Berg Originals (Muhlenberg College), and Mana Mic (NJ). Instagram @ljoy14
Assistant Director - Shannon is a working actor and dramaturg who's so psyched to be taking on her second assistant directing gig! Shannon is a current second semester senior at The New School for Drama and has acted in Guard Bitches (2022), directed Screen Door (2022), and has assistant directed and provided dramaturgical analysis for Playground Theater's production of The Moors (2022). Shannon is so excited to be a part of this production which includes both great performances and great people! Follow her on Instagram for some hot takes on old hollywood: @shannontrag
Stage Manager/Producer - Mariel Mercedes
Tara - Aria is absolutely delighted to be performing in Roleplay. She was last seen as ‘Melinda’ in the cast recording of Relapse The Musical. Her other roles include ‘Jane Porter’ from Tarzan at The Tenth Annual Jimmy Awards (Minskoff Theater), ‘Sexy Seaweed’ in The Little Mermaid, and ‘Wednesday Addams’ in The Addams Family. She would like to thank her supportive family (especially mum), Zoli, Peisha McPhee, and, of course, the incredible creative team behind this production. @aria_critchley
Audrey - Naz is part of the The School of Drama at The New School. Over the years, she trained and performed in institutions such as the Guildhall School of Music & Drama and RADA in the UK before making her way to New York. Most recently, she has entertained audiences as Helena in Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream, Blanche in A Street Car Named Desire by Tennessee Williams, and Moll in The Roaring Girl by Thomas Dekker and Thomas Middleton. Naz is so excited to be a part of Roleplay, and thanks her family and friends for their continued support!
Ryan - John began his theatrical training at Developing Artists (DA) at the age of 11. He performed at the Vineyard Theatre, LAByrinth Theater Company (Barn Series), Marriott Marquis, The 24hr Plays (pieces written by Kris Diaz and Reg G. Gaines). @Johnyvelvetblack
Austin – Nathaniel Valdivieso
Program #10 (4th floor)
Coordinates
written and directed by Patrick McEvoy
SYNOPSIS: Tolisa and George are traveling through space -- but after a little while, they don't know what space. Their equipment and maps malfunction and location becomes a tenuous concept. The reality of time and space then becomes something to consider ...
Writer/Director Patrick McEvoy: A former writer and editor for several sports publications, Patrick McEvoy has had stories included in various comic book anthologies such as Emanata, Continental Cryptid, Uncanny Adventures, Indie Comics Quarterly, and GuruKitty’s Once Upon a Time and Gateway to Beyond. Illustrated stories have also appeared on Slippery Elm's website, Murder Park After Dark Vol. 3 and in New Plains Review. A short story has also appeared on Akashic Books’ website. In addition, short plays he wrote were chosen to be performed at the Players Theatre in New York as part of their various festivals (Sex, NYC and BOO) in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2019. And he wrote and directed short plays for Emerging Artists Theatre's New Works series in 2021 and 2022. A play anthology called What May Arise was also streamed June 30-July 6th 2022 as part of the Rogue Theater Festival. He also wrote and directed Directions, which appeared in the 2022 Dream Up Festival. Photography has also been exhibited with the Greenpoint Gallery, Tiny Seed Literary Journal, Molecule, riverSedge and Good Works Review.
Bruna Lisa (Tolisa in Coordinates):Bruna Sampaio (she/her) is a Portuguese actress who fluently speaks English. She's been working across the globe taking part in productions in Portugal, United Kingdom and in the United States. She went to London to take a BA Theatre Arts. Due to her excellent academic results and commitment, after her first year she received a scholarship to study theater for one year at Baruch College, in New York. In 2021, she graduated with First class honours from Middlesex University, in London. Her most recent work was E.G.G at Teatro LATEA which was part of the New York Theatre Festival and Nightmare Gothic at Teatro SEA with media coverage from The Sun US. She was also seen in: The Beauty and the Beast and The Little Prince at Centro Cultural Vila Flor, with 700 seats, in Portugal. Arturo Ui at Ravensfield Theatre, in London, Death Steps Back at Holloway Prison, in London where she played the leading role and much more.
Valentine Smith-Vaniz (George in Coordinates): Valentine Smith-Vaniz (She/Her) is a French and American actor and dancer who was most recently seen in E.G.G. , a new play which premiered at the New York Theater Festival in the fall. She was seen in Chasing Andy Warhol with Bated Breath Theatre Company in the Spring. Theatre: When We Were Young and Unafraid, Beautiful Bodies, The Last Days of Don Juan. Film: The Fool, Rois du Silence, Danielle. She also performs in musical theatre cabarets, as well as translates plays from English to French. She graduated from the Stella Adler Studio of Acting in 2020 (and won't let anyone forget she's a pandemic grad). @itsvalentinesv
Roleplay
by Leo Layla Diaz
Directed by Hannah Marie Pederson
Synopsis: Audrey got dumped. By her boss. And she’d say she’s reasonably mad about it. So she enlists the help of her amateur dominatrix bestie Tara to take him down, and maybe mess with Tara’s cheating boyfriend while they’re at it. They’re a classic evil mastermind and doting sidekick with a perfect plan — and totally no jealousy — in this raunchy comedy of boys, toys, and the girls who use them.
Director - Hannah Marie Pederson is a NY-based actor and director. She’s thrilled to be bringing you the messy mayhem of Roleplay! Recent directing credits include Croaks (The Tank) and Christianity (The New School). Upcoming: The Taming of the Shrew (The New School). You can follow her on Instagram at @hmpederson, or listen to her rant about Star Wars on TikTok at @discountbokatan
Playwright - Leo Layla Díaz (they/them) is a Jersey native playwright and teaching artist. Their debut play Croaks premiered last year at The Tank (NYC). They are enrolled MA in Arts Management & Entrepreneurship and BFA in Dramatic Arts at The New School. Díaz’s writing in both plays and poetry has previously been performed at Rebel Verses (Vineyard Theater, NYC), The 24 Hour Plays: Viral Monologues (NYC), The Tank (NYC), Brave New Voices (Houston & Las Vegas), Louder Than a Bomb (NJ), Poetic Theater Productions (NYC), Performance Anxiety Inc (WI), Loud! (NJ), Berg Originals (Muhlenberg College), and Mana Mic (NJ). Instagram @ljoy14
Assistant Director - Shannon is a working actor and dramaturg who's so psyched to be taking on her second assistant directing gig! Shannon is a current second semester senior at The New School for Drama and has acted in Guard Bitches (2022), directed Screen Door (2022), and has assistant directed and provided dramaturgical analysis for Playground Theater's production of The Moors (2022). Shannon is so excited to be a part of this production which includes both great performances and great people! Follow her on Instagram for some hot takes on old hollywood: @shannontrag
Stage Manager/Producer - Mariel Mercedes
Tara - Aria is absolutely delighted to be performing in Roleplay. She was last seen as ‘Melinda’ in the cast recording of Relapse The Musical. Her other roles include ‘Jane Porter’ from Tarzan at The Tenth Annual Jimmy Awards (Minskoff Theater), ‘Sexy Seaweed’ in The Little Mermaid, and ‘Wednesday Addams’ in The Addams Family. She would like to thank her supportive family (especially mum), Zoli, Peisha McPhee, and, of course, the incredible creative team behind this production. @aria_critchley
Audrey - Naz is part of the The School of Drama at The New School. Over the years, she trained and performed in institutions such as the Guildhall School of Music & Drama and RADA in the UK before making her way to New York. Most recently, she has entertained audiences as Helena in Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream, Blanche in A Street Car Named Desire by Tennessee Williams, and Moll in The Roaring Girl by Thomas Dekker and Thomas Middleton. Naz is so excited to be a part of Roleplay, and thanks her family and friends for their continued support!
Ryan - John began his theatrical training at Developing Artists (DA) at the age of 11. He performed at the Vineyard Theatre, LAByrinth Theater Company (Barn Series), Marriott Marquis, The 24hr Plays (pieces written by Kris Diaz and Reg G. Gaines). @Johnyvelvetblack
Austin – Nathaniel Valdivieso
PROGRAM #11 (4th floor)
Adunni
written and directed by Taiwo Aloba
Synopsis: Set against the backdrop of the African frenzy for independence, ADUNNI powerfully tells the story of Nigeria’s origins and past.
CAST BIO
Evan Simone Frazier (Adunni): Evan Simone Frazier is an actor, playwright, singer, and occasional dancer. Her writing credits include her solo show titled Perfect which was performed and filmed at The NuBox Theater – and her play Nothing But a Coincidence was accepted into The Valdez Theater conference in 2022. Theater credits include Ragtime (The Alexrod Theater) and The Cake (Philipstown Depot Theater). @evansimonef
Matt Braddak (Herbert Howell): Matt is thankful to be working on the “Adunni” play. Earlier this month, Matt was in the play, Resurrection (its third run) at the American Theatre of Actors. Credits include Detective White in Royal Oak (SoHo Playhouse) and Bobby in Case Closed: The Dorian Corey Story (Gene Frankel Theatre). More @mattbraddak
Jaclyn Baird (Angela Howell): Jaclyn Baird is a creative entrepreneur who graduated from the University of Montana business school in 2009. She has since lived in Los Angeles and Costa Rica, where she has a vintage clothing boutique emphasizing flowers. She is a gardener and appreciator of all things natural and authentic. @jacibaird
Nezim Mmegwa (Honorable Adegoke): A graduate of Princeton University, Nezim is proud to participate in this powerful play. @nmmegwa
Raheem Kareem (Olubadan): Raheem Kareem is honored to take part in the play “Adunni.” He is an avid team player with a creative mind and a knack for technology and the performing arts. @raheemkareem
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 @modelvoss
Jenna Kole (Set Designer) is a printmaker by trade. Jenna has worked with artists such as Lady Aiko and the late Robert Indiana in printmaking and has traveled to places like Dubai and Copenhagen to make art. When she isn’t traveling, she is usually cooking something for friends and family at her home in Bellmore, Long Island.
Eggs
by Jeanette Delaney
Directed by Hieu Bui
Synopsis: Eggs is a play centered around three generations of women: young Wren, her mother Lydia, and her grandmother Joan. At a pivotal moment in all of their lives, when Wren discovers she is pregnant, each woman collides with the odd dysphoria that comes with the knowledge that she is capable of carrying life—or not.
Actor Bios:
Shannon Mastel (Joan) – New York: The House of Bernarda Alba (Gallery Players). Regional: Bernhardt/Hamlet (Unicorn Theatre), Luna Gale (CoHo Productions), Othello (Post5 Theatre). International: Edinburgh Fringe 2017. Training: MFA Acting, University of Missouri-Kansas City. Shannonmastel.com, @shannonmastel. For more personal information, write to her mother.
Lauren James (Lydia) – Lauren James is a Brooklyn based actress. Her work includes the feature film Chantage on Amazon Prime, as well as many short indie films. Previous theater work includes dramatic and comedic shows at the Manhattan Repertory Theater. She’s thrilled to be making her Chain Theatre debut in Eggs!
Elizabeth Harvath (Wren) – An actor, writer and comedian. Elizabeth’s favorite roles have included Ophelia in Hamlet, Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz and Clara in the Nutcracker. Elizabeth is a proud alumna of Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts. She would like to thank her family for their endless support. @elizabethharvath
Director Bio:
Making his directorial debut, Hieu Bui is a multidisciplinary theatre artist. A graduate of the University of Missouri-Kansas City, he recently assisted Stephen Adly Guirgis in the production of Between Riverside and Crazy both on Broadway and at the Ojai Playwrights Conference. Special thanks to Logan Vaughn and Jeanette Delaney. @hie.u
Playwright Bio:
Jeanette Delaney is a protean artist from Kansas who currently splits her time between Chicago and New York. She recently graduated from the University of Missouri-Kansas City with a BA in Theatre Performance. She has never written a play before Eggs. This is her first rodeo. Special thanks to the whole family; and to you, for being here. @normaljeanette
The Princess of Tea
by Sunita Deshpande
Synopsis: After returning from her medical studies at Oxford to her homeland of India, ‘Princess’ Kumari must face a dark plague she’s not prepared for. Dark comedy.
JANANI SREENIVASAN, DIRECTOR, IG: @jennyvasan
Janani Sreenivasan is a writer, director, actor, and composer. She’s directed/acted for the Tank's Rule of 7x7 festival, L.A. Comedy Festival & Iron Mule Short Film Festival + co-founded the long-running NYC improv band The Vigilante with Rebecca Vigil.
SUNITA DESHPANDE, WRITER/ ‘KUMARI’ / IG: @luckysunita
Sunita Deshpande (Samuel French OOB Finalist @SariForPallavi) is a playwright, improviser, and actor. Creds inc.: HBO Max Feature "Moonshot", “O Horizon” Film, Marvel’s DAREDEVILl Season 3, 50+ film fests + winner of Oscar-Qualifying Fest, ‘Gravid Water’ UCB NY & LA. She dedicates this play to Lord Narasimha.
KEVIN LYNCH, ‘AMOS’ / IG: @ Caoimhinnyc
Kevin Lynch is so thrilled to be part of this cast. Credits: Film: "Before The Snow," "Straight Line," "Bros." TV: "Law & Order," "Gossip Girl," "Bull," "Billions," "And Just Like That," "Let The Right One In," "The Affair," "FBI," "The Blacklist," "The Other Two," "Harlem," and others.
NIMO GANDHI, ‘HARBINDER’ / IG @nimogandhi
Nimo Gandhi is an American television and film actor. Recent credits include 9-1-1 (FOX), Tommy (CBS), Blacklist (NBC), Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (NBC). Law and Order SVU (NBC), The Sinner (USA), Donny! (USA), Mysteries of Laura (NBC), Louie (FX), Guy Code (MTV), and Sharknado 2 (feature). IG: @nimogandhi
HEATHER VIOLANTI, ‘AGATHA’ / IG @HeatherWritesPlays
Heather Violanti is thrilled to be working on this wonderful play with this amazing team. Recent credits include Coney Island Christmas at the Heights Players and The House of Bernarda Alba at Gallery Players. Thanks to Gary Lizardo, Amanda Enriquez, and Linda Vega for their help. @heatherwritesplays
ZACH SHERRY, ‘NICHOLAS’ / IG: @ZachOfEarth /YouTube/Twitch: SolarPunkSkunk.
Zachary Sherry hails from Pompano Beach, Fl .He performs on stage & screen as well as streams games on Twitch to YouTube. Recent creds: “Off Campus” (DUTV, Dir. Andrew Susskind) “Evil Lives Here” (iD Discovery), We've Been Trying to Reach You About Your Car's Extended Warranty (2022), Covid Support Group (2022), Dark Valley Podcast (2021). “Commedia del Arte”, Sterling Renaissance Festival; “Down the FOX Hole”, Chain Theatre Festival, Dir. Joshua Warr/Valentine Aprile.
BELLE PACE, ‘WILLA’/ IG: @belle_pace
Belle Pace is an actress and writer based in NYC but born and raised in Richmond, Virginia. Having worked a variety of feature films, a pilot television series, and over a dozen short films, she is excited to be making her theatrical debut with “Princess of Tea.” Her instagram is @belle_pace.
TAYLOR WELLIN, U/S ‘WILLA’ / IG: @wasupt
Taylor is so grateful to be a part of this amazing production! Creds: The Musicals of Tomorrow (Playwrights Horizons Downtown), The Lottery (Denver Center for the Performing Arts), and Anything Goes (Audience of One). A huge thank you to the incredible cast and crew of The Princess of Tea!
PROGRAM #12 (4TH FLOOR)
Blood Sex and Taxes
by Leni Jensen
SYNOPSIS: A look into, violence, sex, and power dynamics, Blood, Sex, and Taxes tells of a stripper with a god complex’s descent into rage-induced madness as she tells the story of a love between two high-school sweethearts forever headed south.
Content Warning: Acts of violence, sexual coercion, and death
Julia Cerqueira (Hayden): Brazilian performer, playwright, director and Artivist. She is beyond thrilled for the opportunity to bring this piece to life and create with such talented humans! NYC (selected): And the Lights of the Borealis Were Shining, Men on Boats, Doble Vida, Patchworked, a peach tree grows in brooklyn. Brazil (selected): Chicago, Grease, Rent, Hairspray, The Greatest Showman. Some of her plays include This Thing of Darkness and Our Heroes Are Dead. Upcoming: The Lesbian Play (Off-Broadway). Much love to my family, friends and L. Amo vocês!
Barbara Sultz (Savannah): Barbara Stultz is a junior Musical Theatre BFA major at Marymount Manhattan College. She is very excited to be making her debut on the Chain Theatre stage with this lovely team!
Hans Mueh (Darrel): Hans is a junior musical theater major at Marymount Manhattan College. Since moving to NYC he’s appeared in multiple mainstage productions at MMC, including Pippin and Play it Fourward, and recently assistant music directed a production of Carrie. Other credits include work with Colorado theater companies Springs Ensemble Theater, Funky Little Theater Company, and The Fine Arts Center of CoS. The role of Darrel has been a new challenge which has helped him grow as an actor and he’s excited to make his NYC debut outside of college!
Colleen Morgen (Director): Colleen is a New York-based director and writer. Recent works include (theatre) Losing Everything, Just a Game, and Lesbian Origin Stories, (film) Cupcake Break and 40%. Her Off-Broadway debut will be this June with The Lesbian Play. Colleen would like to thank you (yes, you) for your support and being here. IG: @colleen.morgen
Leni Jenson (Playwright): Leni (they/them) is a freelance nonbinary playwright and stage manager.. While mostly stage managing, Leni has done multiple one-act festivals, selected credits including Deprivation (Virtual Play Fest) , Noxious (STAM New Works Festival), Untitled (Basement Light Productions’ Flicker Monologue Series). I
Intimacy Director/Choreographer: Stacy DeGolier
Stage Manager: Elena Jenson
It's (Not) a Musical
by Caitland Winsett
Directed by: Maggie Winslow
Synopsis: Violet and Ophelia are on a tight deadline to finish their new musical, and the pressure to top their last piece (which some might say is the best musical ever to be written) is high. As time passes and writer's block kicks in, the girls become less and less sure anything will actually get done.
Playwright Bio:
Caitland Winsett is a playwright from Memphis, TN with a degree from the University of Virginia. She is so excited to once again be participating in a Chain Theatre Festival after having such a wonderful time with her show Adventures of the Dragon's Den this summer. Other works include Mr. Pinky, Watch Me, Butterfly, and Tub Therapy.
Maggie Winslow (Ophelia) is an actor from Pittsfeild, MA and has studied performance at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting and The Barrow Group. She is thrilled to be involved in the Chain Theatre Festival for the first time! You can catch her sitting, standing, or walking in the background of various tv shows, including The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Instagram: @magswinslow
Emmarose Campbell (Violet) is a performer and prop designer currently based out of a very small apartment in Hell’s Kitchen. This is her first time performing in a Chain Theatre Festival. Past credits include On Your Feet! 2022-23 Nat’l Tour (Prop Designer), Little Red Riding Hood and Dorothy’s Adventures in Oz with 92nd St Y (Ensemble/Swing), and A Charlie Brown Christmas ‘21 & ‘22 Nat’l Tours (Prop Designer). She can usually be found forcing her cat to cuddle with her or hot gluing something with varying success. She is an alumni of Emerson College. www.emmarosegcampbell.com. Insta: @emmarosegcampbell
PROGRAM #13 (4TH FLOOR)
Place Settings
by Susan Crawford
Directed by Sean Walsh
SYNOPSIS: Long-time friends Esther and Renee have met for lunch at La Respite weekly for years. This particular week they skip the usual catching-up at the news that Renee is planning her fifth marriage. This particular week they skip the usual catching-up at the news that Renee is planning her fifth marriage. They soon descend into long-suppressed hostilities. Long-time waiter, Pierre, attempts to keep the peace with little success. When Renee departs to the powder room he seizes the opportunity to enlist Esther's support for the long-smoldering torch he has carried for Renee all these years. Esther is not inclined to help with what she considers an even worse mismatch for her friend than the one for which Renee is already preparing. A moment alone, however, leads to a change of heart.
Antoinette Gelmont (Renee)is a New York based dancer, actor and live-music promoter. She has danced and acted in films and television-series: recent credits include: Sorry, Charlie a new film to be released this spring and the series Lark & Spur which will stream on Amazon.
Daniel Wolfe Mitnik (Pierre) NYC –In the Boom Boom Room (Harold), A Lie of the Mind (Baylor), Our Town (Doc Gibbs); Regional Theater - The Bald Soprano (The Fire Chief), Much Ado About Nothing (Dogberry), Taming of the Shrew (Grumio), A Thousand Clowns (Arnold Burns), Prelude to a Kiss (the Old Man), The Comedy of Errors (Dromio): Daniel is a graduate of Northwestern University, where he studied theatre and English literature, and the Terry Knickerbocker Studio, a two year Meisner conservatory.
Marcy Sansolo (Esther) is a film and theatrical actor. Recent theatrical roles include Magenta, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Marie Dindon, La Cage aux Folles, and Sister Berte, The Sound of Music. She is grateful for the opportunity from Susan Crawford. Follow her on instagram at TheRealMarcySansolo.
Seán Walsh, Director: Based out of his native New York City and Dublin IE, Seán has worked professionally as an actor and theatre director for more than fifteen years. He taught acting at the Louise Lasser Acting Studio and currently teaches at the studio of his own name.
Susan Crawford, Playwright, has written several full-length and one-act plays, co-wrote one, plus a screenplay. Her full-length comedy "Dollars to Doughnuts, a Comedy for the 99%" received its world premiere at Theatre for the New City last summer. Currently she is working with collaborator/composer Daniel Seidman on “Fifth Avenue,” a jazz musical comedy about NYC’s 1920’s prohibition era, for which she has written the book and co-written the lyrics. She studied playwriting with Arthur Kopit and Screenwriting with William Kelley.
Unnamed, Untitled, Unidentified
Written and Directed by Steph Prizhitomsky
Synopsis: Three characters to the very literal meaning of the word sit on an uncomfortable cramped bench at a disappearing train station waiting for a train that'll never come known only as The Astronaut, The Bride, and The Doomsayer. They may or may not be already dead, but that depends on who you ask.
Playwright/Director: Steph Prizhitomsky is the head screenwriter of Future is Female Productions, co-founder of the White Rabbit Film Festival in its second year, and editor in chief of Suits and Sage Magazine. She is the recipient of the Best Young Actor award at the NJ Film Awards. Her previous plays Limbo’s Woodland and Strangers in a City have both premiered at the Chain Theater. Instagram: unfortunatelywrittenbysteph
The Doomsayer: Mackenzie Krestul is a genderqueer actor, writer, and sound designer, and recent graduate of Hofstra University’s BFA Theatre Arts program. Some of their favorite performance credit include Lady Macbeth in Macbeth, Orlando in Sarah Ruhl’s Orlando, Oenone in Jean Baptiste Racine’s Phaedra, Marianne in Molière’s Tartuffe, and Cassandra in Euripides’ Trojan Women.Mackenzie is also the founder and president of the nonprofit Code Read, dedicated to providing new books to kids in need (for more, visit www.coderead.org). They would like to thank the cast and crew for all of their brilliant work! For more about Mac, check out their website https://mackenzierobinkrestul.godaddysites.com and Instagram @macrobin.k!
The Astronaut: Daniel Oliver Lee is an award-winning multidisciplinary artist and the proud recipient of a grade-school basketball medal. As an actor, Daniel’s work ranges from acting in developmental theatre with Tectonic Theatre Project to graffitiing obscenities on Comedy Central. At 15 years old Lee made his 54 Below Debut and went on to be cast in an AEA reading of Farewell My Concubine by Kenneth Lin and Jason Robert Brown, directed by Moisés Kaufman. In 2021 Nickelodeon selected Daniel as one of twelve finalists for the Nickelodeon Trans Youth Acting Challenge by Michael D Cohen. His screen work has been featured by NoBudge, Nitehawk Cinema, Kodak Shoot film, Nowness Asia, Comedy Central, and CBS to name a few. He can currently be seen as a teenage Bryan Cho (조휴일) of the K-Rock sensation The Black Skirts in the visual album 'Teen Troubles in Dirty Jersey' which currently has over 200k views. Daniel is studying Film & TV at NYU and is brushing up on his Nadsat. Instagram: danieloliverlee
The Bride: Helen Textor is an NYC based actor, originally from Kansas City. Helen is a graduate of Elon University’s BFA Acting program where she played Hannah Jarvis in Tom Stoppard’s ‘Arcadia’ and originated the role of the Young Executive in the US premier of Steven Dietz’s play ‘American La Ronde’. Helen likes to think of herself as a “dialect nerd” because of her love and passion for learning and independently coaching accents and dialects for the stage. In late 2023, Helen can be seen playing the role of Clementine in CLSquared Productions’ new independent feature film, ‘Nowhere Fast’. Most recently, Helen performed a scene at the Kraine Theater as part of We Are Actors’ ‘A Night of Scenes’. If you’re ever roaming around Rockefeller Center, pop into Del Frisco’s Grille and ask Helen to make you a cocktail- as one of the senior bartenders here, she makes the best margarita in New York City. She can also be found through her website, www.HelenTextor.com, or through her Instagram @itshelentextor.
The Automated Announcement: Anthony Misiano is an actor, editor, smart-ass multi-hyphenate living in NYC. He's kept the lights on working in television, independent film, commercials and voice over – he likes to think at this point you've probably seen or heard him somewhere and had no idea. In 2021 his one-man comedy I Squeezed Really Hard opened at Wild Project to glowing reviews, and he hopes to bring it to Edinburgh in 2023. On the small screen Anthony’s been seen in Awkwafina is Nora from Queens, TURN: Washington's Spies, as John Wilkes Booth in Legends & Lies and as Nikola Tesla in American Genius. Later this year you can see him in FX's Feud: Capote's Women & Amazon's Fallout. He’s shorter than he looks but taller than he feels. Instagram: howdyanthony
DEADLY SINS AND OTHER TALES: SIX ONE ACT PLAYS
BY LYLE KESSLER
DIRECTED BY: MIKE KELLER & LYLE KESSLER
Production Assistant: Katharine Kessler
DAY ROOM
Young Man: Ali Arkane
Sarah: Christina Catechis
REDEMPTION
Syd Moskowitz: Lyle Kessler*
DO YOU KNOW WHAT ITS LIKE TO BE ME
Roya: Bahar Beihaghi
Defense Minister: Dan Lauria*
SAVING GRACE
Lady: Margaret Ladd*
SPIT
Woman: Christina Elise Perry*
Man: Kirk Gostkowski
TEMPTATION
Sue Ann: Bahar Beihaghi
Dr. Amster: Francisco Solorzano*
Dr. Freed: Margaret Ladd*
Dr. Standard: Craig McNulty*
Lyle Kessler’s Orphans received two Tony nominations for its Broadway revival starring Alec Baldwin and Ben Foster. Albert Finney won the Olivier award in London’s West End production. Al Pacino and Jesse Eisenberg are among the many actors who have appeared in the play which has been produced in almost every country internationally. He is the Director of the Actors Studio Playwright/Directors Unit. He served as Artistic Director of the Sundance Screenwriter’s Lab. Mr Kessler’s Master Class for actors, writers and directors meets every Monday night.
Mike Keller has appeared in over 40 different film and television roles, including roles opposite Bill Murray, Kristen Wiig, Forrest Whitaker, and Jennifer Lopez. He is a director member of the Actors Studio Playwright & Directors Unit, and a graduate of the New School for Drama. He recently appeared onstage as “Sonny” in A Bronx Tale musical, and as “Cliff” in William Mastrosimone’s The Woolgatherer, directed by Chazz Palminteri. He also recently directed a reading of Palminteri’s new play at the Actor’s Studio, starring Chazz and Giancarlo Esposito. He has administered Lyle Kessler’s Theater Workshop for over 10 years, and is thrilled to be working with the Chain Theater.
Dan Lauria: has appeared as a guest star in over seventy television episodic programs and more than twenty Movie Of The Week productions plus a score of motion picture credits. Dan is a very familiar face to the off-off, off and regional theatre scene having performed, written or directed over 50 professional stage productions. In 2010/11 Dan was seen on Broadway as the legendary coach Vince Lombardi in the long running production of LOMBARDI, with the beautiful and talented Judith Light directed by Thomas Kail of Hamilton fame. Dan returned to Broadway in the 2013 & the 2014 productions of the Tony nominated; A CHRISTMAS STORY: The Musical, directed by John Rando. However, Dan is most recognized as the Dad on the highly acclaimed Emmy winning, ABC television show, THE WONDER YEARS.
Craig McNulty has been working as an actor with roles in Theatre, Film & Television for over 30 years. His work acting in films includes Spike Lee's CLOCKERS, Tony Daniel's AMERICAN BOHEMIAN, and Tim Pitoniak's PHOTOGENIC. Craig has performed in dozens of plays in New York, favorites include Dark Rapture, Hot L Baltimore, & Balm in Gilead all directed by Amy Wright.
He is an internationally acclaimed and award winning playwright whose work has been produced throughout the world. His plays have been developed at the Actor’s Studio, HB Studio Playwrights Foundation, LAByrinth theater company, Primitive Grace Ensemble, The Collective NY, Naked Angels, REVO Theatre & Fundamental's Mass Rhetorics Theatre Project. He is a member of the Playwrighting/Directing Unit at The Actors’ Studio.Craig is proud to have learned his craft in THE NYC having studied theatre with Lyle Kessler, Uta Hagen, Bill Hickey, Austin Pendleton, Julie McKee, Jose Quintero & Gene Frankel. Karen Zechowy is Craig’s acting coach & fiancé.For all things Craig check out Craigmcnulty.com
Francisco Solorzano is an award-winning Latino actor and filmmaker. Most notably, he wrote, directed and starred in the first ever, critically acclaimed, stage adaptation of the Academy award winning film, Dog Day Afternoon (Off-Broadway). Founder of Barefoot Studio Pictures & Barefoot Theatre Company since 1999. Proud member of The Actors Studio's Playwrights / Directors Unit, AEA and SAG-AFTRA. For more info visit: www.franciscosolorzano.com
Bahar Beihaghi is trained in LeCoq and Method. Previous theater credits: Antigone (Greece 2014), Medea (Paris 2016), Red Wednesday, The Bald Soprano, A Second Birth (New York 2019), Glimpse (New York 2021), Jin, Jîyan, Azadî (New York 2022). MFA graduate of Actors Studio Drama School. Co-founder of PEYDAH Theater Company. She sends all of her love and gratitude to people of Iran, whom she'd love to represent through her art. www.baharbeihaghi.com
Christina Catechis is thrilled to be performing Lyle Kessler's new work. Recent film/TV credits: No Hard Feelings (Netflix), The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Amazon), Somewhere in Queens (Tribeca Film Festival), The Deuce (HBO), Little America (Apple TV), and others. She is also a member of One Year Lease Theater Company, with which she devises new work and performs.
Margaret Ladd made her Broadway Debut in The Great Indoors at age 23 opposite Geraldine Page. She has been in many films and plays, including several Broadway engagements. On TV, she starred in Falcon Crest for nine years. She also guest starred in Crisis in Six Scenes and Mozart in the Jungle, playing Claire, Malcolm McDowell's wife. Ms. Ladd also wrote and directed a film “Miss American Beauty” starring Blythe Danner.
Ali Arkane is an actor based in his native New York City. He is a Lifetime Member of The Actors Studio. Notable theater works include originating the Lead role of Douglas in Perp by Lyle Kessler (The Barrow Group), Fool for Love (Actors Studio), The Headhunter (The Planet Connections), and As You Like It (Arden Everywhere).
Christina Elise Perry - Perry is a film and theatre actor and producer. Highlighted theatrical roles include: Six Corners as Amanda, Fool for Love as May, Hurlyburly as Darlene, Talk Radio as Linda, and Wait Until Dark as Susan (NYIT Nominee for Best Actress in a Leading Role). Film: In the Dark Room. Training: New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts; School for Film and Television. Perry thanks her family and the Sisu (Finnish moxie) they instilled in her. Instagram: @christinaperryperry, christinaeliseperry.com
Kirk Gostkowski – Artistic Director Chain Theatre ; Select acting credits: World Premiere of Garbageman as Dan Bandana, Nick Moroni (NYC Premiere Keith Huff’s Six Corners), The Pillowman as Katurian (2016 Queens Kudos Winner Best Actor), Talk Radio as Barry Champlain (2015 NYIT Award Nominee for Outstanding Revival), One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest as R. P. McMurphy, Hurlyburly as Eddie, After the Fall as Quentin, Fool for Love as Eddie, In The Boom Boom Room as Al, True West as Austin, Wait Until Dark as Roat (Nominated as Best Director 2016 NYIT). He is the founder and Festival Director of the Chain NYC Film Festival. Kirk made his film directorial debut with the film Leave Me Behind, which was featured in ten film festivals across the world, won awards, and is distributed through Screen Media Ventures. Appearing next in the feature film: My Sister’s Wedding and on stage in the World Premiere of This God Damn House at the Chain Theatre this March. Kirk is a graduate of Hofstra University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree focused in performance.
*Equity Member appearing with permission of Actor’s Equity Association without benefit of an Equity contract in this off-off Broadway production.