PROGRAM 14

PROGRAM #14 (4th FLOOR)

La Muñeca by Karina Verna

Paradise by TEN

Swifts Don’t Smile by Carlos Silveira

NICOLE DE LEON (La Muñequita/ Ciela) is a Dominican actor with a passion that ignites the stage. She has portrayed standout roles such as Tybalt in Clearly: Romeo and Juliet, Johanna in The Last Dance with MJ, the Leigh in Really, Really, and Rosanna in Brilliant Traces... Nicole brings heart, range, and dedication to every role, and continues to explore powerful stories through performance.” 

BETTY BENOIT (Adela) is thrilled to be a part of La Muñeca at the Chain Theatre. She previously appeared in CCNY’s Theatre Department productions of The Wolves as #2 and Sloppy Firsts as Mia. A Biology Major at City College, Betty discovered her passion for acting during her time there. With graduation on the horizon, she is excited to keep growing as an artist and embrace new creative challenges. 

FERNANDA AVILA-PENAFIEL (Mamá / Adela) is a native of Queens, NY and the proud daughter of hard working Ecuadorian immigrants. She is a graduate of City College of New York where she majored in theatre and minored in music and psychology. While Fernanda’s first love has always been the stage, she is also a musician and filmmaker. She is very passionate about La Muñeca and using art in various forms to educate and advocate for the BIPOC community. 

KARINA VERNA (Playwright) (she/her) is a writer, actor and director born and raised in New York City. In 2024, she made her playwright debut with The Patron Saint of Elysium at the Chain Theater’s Summer Festival and since then her work has been staged in theaters across the city.  She would like to extend her endless gratitude to Briana for her thoughtful direction and care of this piece, to the cast for helping bring this story to life, and to the Chain for creating a space where new theater can thrive.  Karina would like to especially thank her mother, who left Colombia and overcame every obstacles to eventually make a home in New York her daughter could thrive in.   IG: @karina.verna 

BRIANA GODING (Director) is a Brooklyn Native with Jamaican roots. She is honored to direct a story that represents the journey of many immigrants and is grateful to be in the room with artists with similar stories and backgrounds. In her directorial lane, she hopes that you’ll always see the details and find the little things that connect you to your humanity!

Playwright: TEN

TEN is a chameleon of language whose work embraces the mystical elements of our shared reality. His most recent play, A Diseased Feeling, premiered Off Broadway, as a part of the 2024 Downtown Urban Arts Festival and is the recipient of an Audience Award. His poetry has been featured at the New York City Poetry Festival, Creative Soul House Collective, Voices Unleashed, One Love One Mic and Centro Center for Puerto Rican Studies. He is a 2024 Sakura Series Slam winner and a 2024 & 2025 Nuyorican Poets Cafe Final Friday Slam winner. His approach is art with the intention of transformation. Welcome to Paradise.

Director Marie Diamond:

Marie Diamond is thrilled to be directing Paradise, just off of a successful run of directing A Diseased Feeling, also penned by Ten, a part of the DUAF 2024 season. When she isn’t pursuing her passion of theater, you can find her working in the Legal and Compliance fields with her B.S. Degree from John Jay College. Marie proudly serves on the New York Thespians Board, a state chapter of the Educational Theatre Association, and has previously represented Thespians and EdTA at Broadwaycon. Theater credits include acting, directing and producing. She expresses gratitude to Ten for continuing to trust her with his work over the years. And to these wonderful actors — thank you for allowing her into your own little Paradise.  You can continue to follow her drama queen adventures on Instagram @thetangomarieee

Actors:

Raymond Johannes Kraft (Bennet)

Raymond Johannes Kraft is an actor and a writer based out of Washington Heights. Originally from Hollis, Queens. Previous credits include Jitney (DOUB) and The Execution Of Saint Luke (LUKE). He is a storyteller to his core and very appreciative of the opportunity granted by the Chain Theater. You can find him on Instagram, @Rjohannesk.

Amado Xavier Lambert (Taylor) 

Amado Xavier Lambert is an actor, writer, & filmmaker. Born and raised in the Bronx, New York, he’s loved the arts ever since he started watching films, cartoons, and reading comic books as a child. While most of his work has been on camera, a lot of his early acting experience and training was on the stage. This will be his second role in a stage production since graduating the Acting Program at The American Musical & Dramatic Academy in 2021 with a Bachelor’s in Fine Arts. Instagram:theincrediblelambeezy, YouTube: REAL CHAMP STUDIOS

With the voice talent of Nina Cervini

Musical Composition: Liam Broderick

Colorado native Liam Broderick is a New York City-based guitarist, composer, and producer. He holds an undergraduate degree in Anthropology and Jazz Studies from Columbia University and has received soloist awards from the National YoungArts Foundation and Next Generation Jazz Festival and performed at various national and local jazz festivals including the Telluride Jazz Festival and Monterey Jazz Festival. Liam’s current work explores the intersection of genre and combines elements of jazz composition and instrumentation with audio production techniques and themes of Nature, Spirituality, and Community.

Musical Composition: Maliq Wynn

Maliq Wynn is a drummer, music producer, and composer born and raised in Denver, CO. He got his start playing in church at the age of 8 years old and since, has gone on to attend the Berklee College of Music, studying concentrations in music production and performance, with private instruction from Francisco Mela and Ian Froman. He has played and collaborated with many artists across different genres such as Mystic Marley, Daniel Marley, and Jason Moran.

Musical Composition: Coby Petricone-Berg

Coby Petricone-Berg is a New York City based saxophonist and composer. A graduate of the Juilliard School, Coby has performed in and around NYC at venues including the Museum of Modern Art, Birdland Jazz Club, Dizzy's Club at Jazz at Lincoln Center, the David Rubenstein Atrium, the Django, and the inaugural Nyack Jazz Festival. He is currently playing released and unreleased material and planning his next project.

Special Effects: CHAZSFX

Chasity Pierna, also known as Chaz is a Queens native, self taught  makeup artist, crafter, and educator with a niche in special effects. Her passion for the arts has developed true skills over a span of 20 years. From theater to film and even live events. Her work has won multiple reputable awards and has been featured all over the country in various festivals.

Prop Design: Ing Hwang

Ing Hwang’s work investigates the contemporary behavior signs related to survival. The visual expressions of competitiveness and promotion for human progress in urban/suburban development is his reference, and by replicating moments of these ambitions, he can create props (simulation) which freezes a specific state of ambition. 

Graphic Design: Apollo R.

Apollo R. is a Filipino, self-taught artist from NYC, who aspires to pursue his affinity for ornithology. His art is informed by his passion for LGBT+ representation and sentimental connection, music and the significance of mental health awareness.  His art can be defined by his sharpness and exaggerated shapes. He expresses his love for different kinds of media through his work. Through his art, Apollo focuses on navigating life through comical and critical lenses.

Sancho Alcina (Director) is a New York based actor, dancer, singer and director. He grew up in Spain where he started to train at age 12. He moved to New York City to bring the stories that he loves to the other side of the Atlantic Ocean. He’s been part of the cast of “Macbeth” (Circle in The Square Theatre), “A head full of birds” (CDU, Madrid) and “The house of Bernarda Alba” (Dance version, CDU). @asanchoalcina 

Carlos Silveira (Playwright) is an acclaimed playwright, director and actor based in Spain. His works include “Las Flores no tienes nombre”, “Una cabeza llena de pájaros” and “El origen de las cobayas”. He’s been part of the cast of “Titus Andronicus” (Roman Theatre of Mérida), “Jerusalem” (Sala Mirador) and “Ángeles en América” (RESAD, Madrid). He is also the director of a professional school for actors in Madrid called La Manada. @carlosilveiradirector. lamanadaescuela.com 

Sofía Espinosa (Claudia) Born and raised in Andalusia, Spain, Sofía Espinosa is a dynamic actress, singer, and dancer currently based in New York City. Her passion for the performing arts led her to train at the prestigious Circle in the Square Theatre School. With a vibrant stage presence, she has been featured in the cast of “The Frontline”, “A Head Full of Birds” and “The house of Bernarda Alba”. @laespi

Pascal Phoa (Jason) is delighted to be performing at The Chain Theatre again - this time in the summer! He is a New York based actor experienced in performing plays. Pascal would like to thank his friends and family for their immense love and support. Training: Circle in the Square Theatre School. @pascalphoa. pascalphoa.com