PROGRAM 13

Program #13 (3rd Floor)

Breaking the Chain by Howard Lempkin, Jr.

Hang It Up by Taina Carrion-Perez

Peter Doyle's Incredible Head by David Andrew Laws

Tori Bogacki (Crystal) (she/they) is a multi-hyphenate theatre artist and actor with a passion for new, playful, and imaginative works. A co-founder of Reverie Arts Collective, recent credits include performing in "Come Flower, Come Flame" (The Chain, The Tank), and directing "The Goblin Woman" (Under St. Marks, The Flea). They thank their incredible network of support: Emmett, Kim, Amelia, Jack, Mac, their Mom, and Raina the Cat!

Aaron Gutterman (Chuck) is an NJ based actor, director, photographer, and lego designer. He recently graduated from Hofstra University with a B.F.A. in Theater Arts (Performance). Favorite credits include: Rocket - Koy (The Chain Theater), Falsettos - Mendel (Hofstra University), and Celebration - Director & Producer (Hofstra University). Aaron would like to thank his friends, family, and mentors for their continued support, as well as Harrison, Howard, Mack, Tori, Christina, and everyone working on the festival for all of their hard work. Instagram @aaron_gutterman

Mackenzie Robin Krestul (Assistant Director) (they/them) is a genderqueer actor and writer with a dedication to innovative storytelling. They are also the founder of the nonprofit Code Read, an organization dedicated to providing new books to children in need. For more, please visit mackenzierobinkrestul.com and @m.r.krestul.

HARRISON CAMPBELL (Director) (he/him) is a Brooklyn-based poet, playwright, and performance artist originally from the suburbs of Acworth, GA. He dedicates his life and work to his partner and family. He holds a BFA in Theatre Arts from Hofstra University. Find more about him @_harrisonjc.

Taina Carrion-Perez (Playwright): Taina Carrion-Perez is a Nuyorican playwright and video editor from East Harlem. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Playwriting & Screenwriting from SUNY Purchase College. Her plays have been developed/produced at The Chain Theatre, The Makers’ Ensemble, Westchester Collaborative Theater, New Day Art Collective, and SUNY Purchase College. She is currently the in-house Editor and Post-Production Coordinator at the New York City Ballet. Taina would like to thank Manhattan Neighborhood Network, The Makers’ Ensemble, Anthony Mernacaj, Gaia Cooper, Shavell Fernandez, Leslieann Flores, and her support system of friends, family, and teachers.

Edgar Alvarez (Director): Edgar Alvarez is a director from The Bronx making his theatrical directorial debut with “Hang it Up”. Edgar currently works at Manhattan Neighborhood Network as a Producer creating content with its partners for the community. His goal is to create a major impact on audiences with his stories told in film and theater. His biggest accomplishments were directing a short film, Nancy’s Diner, a music video for pop artist, Julia Klot, and a talk show, Conchalant, on Youtube. Edgar would like to thank everyone who encouraged and helped him through his professional career.

Jacquernst F. Filias (Rainey): Jacquernst F. Filias is a Haitian actor based in Brooklyn, NY. He is a recent graduate of the Conservatory of Acting Program at SUNY Purchase where he earned his BFA. Recent work includes Aaron the Moor in “Titus Andronicus” and Rising Sun Performance Company’s “The Heart”. He has also been a part of a series of Ads for Amtrak. He wants to thank Taina and Edgar for giving him the opportunity to do what he loves and for entrusting him with this role. He also wants to thank his family and loved ones for their ongoing support! Viv Ayiti, Grenadier Alaso!!

Massiel Cruz (Crystal): Cuban-American actress Massiel makes her stage debut in Hang It Up, portraying Crystal—an unyielding, fierce protector of her family. She channels Crystal’s strength not as force, but as feeling, capturing both the love and the weight that shape her. A dedicated student of the craft, she is currently training in several acting programs across New York City, building her skills with the kind of obsession that doesn’t ask permission. She enters the stage with quiet fire—and the promise that she’s just getting started.

Jaelin Taylor (The Doctor): Growing up in the streets of the Bronx, actor Jaelin Taylor has sought to make a name for himself in the entertainment industry. He has trained at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting as well as Kimball Studio. His most notable roles are a guest star on CBS' "The Equalizer", co-starring roles in the HBOMax series "That Damn Michael Che",  "Law and Order: SVU", FX's "Gladiator: American Sports Story",  as well as a supporting lead role in Hallmark's "Sugar Plum Twist".

Steven Rutledge (The President): Steven Rutledge (he/him) is an actor and voice artist born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. He graduated in 2024 from Purchase College’s Acting Conservatory. Some of his favorite productions from school included “Fucking A” ( as “Butcher”) Priestess”) and “Titus Andronicus” (as “Titus Andronicus”). He thanks his friends and family, and the wonderful team for putting this together. He hopes you enjoy!

Xandra Abney (Producer/Director) is a producer, performer, and all-around collaborator. She is a managing partner at Durnmoose Entertainment, and has a particular love for interactive experiences, uplifting femme & LGBTQ+ stories, and all things nerd-adjacent. You can hear her voice in I Fell In Love With a Video Nasty wherever you get your podcasts, and find her everywhere online @astrallyalex. Other selected credits: She Takes Flight (Co-Producer; NYC), the Kobold Show! (Producer; NYC Fringe); A Night of Drama (Associate Producer; NYC, London, & Edinburgh Fringe); Smut & Sensibility (Producer; Podcast); Icarus (Sarah); Beware the Box Folk (Jamie); The Twenty-Sided Tavern (Game Master/Tavern Keeper), Peekaboo (Hulda)

David Andrew Laws (Producer/Playwright) (he/they) is a Brooklyn-based bard. Founder of Durnmoose Entertainment and founding artistic director of Hamlet Isn't Dead. Co-creator of Dungeons & Dragons The Twenty-Sided Tavern and playwright of Attack! of the Killer Man from the Sun!. Game designer (Pigou, Eight Days in Heaven), performer (Drunk Shakespeare off-Broadway), producer (F***ed Up Fairytales, A Night of Drama, the Kobold Show!), poet (Poems My Dad Wrote Before I Was Born and Ones I Wrote After He Died). For more, visit davidandrewlaws.com.

Nick Freedson (Peter) (they/them) is a Brooklyn based actor, writer, and VO artist. They spent two years in UC Santa Barbara’s BFA acting program before transitioning to a playwriting emphasis. Acting credits include Richard II and Two Gents of Verona (Prague Shakespeare Company), Hamlet and King Lear (Naked Shakes), Mead and Stu Teach a Seminar (Skypilot Theatre), Cambriolage (Gallery Players), and Four Evangelists Walk into a Fog (Theater For The New City). Their plays have been produced by multiple theaters and festivals including New York United Solo Festival, Whitefire Solofest, and Skypilot Theatre Company. Their solo show, Anna, received both a Best of Fest Award at Whitefire Theatre Solo Fest and a Second Rounder laurel at Austin Film Festival.   nickfreedson.com

Stephen Solomon (Head) (he/him) is a New York Based actor and model. He is represented by Bright Artists Management and Eris Models. He’s excited to be back at the Chain Theatre Festival! He was in their one act festival last year in Unidentified Female, Felicity Winter. Other notable credits include: I Fell In Love With A Z Grade Director in Brooklyn, Kenichi Ugana, The EXorcist, Vanessa Brown, Sissy, Noah Devine, The Importance of Being Earnestly LGTBQ+, Maarten Cornelis, and many more short films, plays, commercials, etc. He is currently seeking a tv/film agent. Keep up with him on Instagram @sleepystevo.

Gene Soo (Phillip) (he/him) is thrilled to make his professional stage debut in Peter Doyle’s Incredible Head. His acting journey began in school productions like The Sound of Music and The Laramie Project. Recently, his work has included short films, TV, and commercials, but he is excited to return to the stage. Outside of acting, Gene enjoys playing tennis, running with friends, and trying new cuisines.

Jaxin Hruby (Swing) (he/him) is a recent alumni from LIU Post’s theatre program who recently moved to Brooklyn to begin his professional career. Recent roles include Alf in Peter and the Starcatcher, Berowne in Love's Labour's Lost, and Adrian in Lavender, a short film directed by Aidan Serviss. Jaxin is thrilled that this gets to be his first project post-grad and would like to thank the entire production team for the opportunity as well as all of the teachers and mentors that have helped get him to this point!