PROGRAM 16

PROGRAM #16 (3RD FLOOR)

Eve's Hollow by Jess Senie & Maile Binion

Eye To Eye by Taiwo Aloba

Forward by Hope Ihaza-Walker

Phallusy by Reese Carmen Villella

The Future is Female by Helene Galek

Carla Lerner Montero (Director) is an NYC based trilingual actor, writer, and director with a passion for Shakespeare and the classics and with a base in physical theater. She is a graduate of Sarah Lawrence College and the Michael Howard Studios Conservatory, for anyone that cares about that sort of thing. Carla moonlights as a social worker and is full of secrets. Additionally, she is a middling ukulele player and does excellent animal impressions. She’s excited to be directing and thinks you look great in that outfit!

Maile Binion and Jess Senie (Amelia + Eve, Writers) are thrilled to be back at the Chain Theatre for another new work premiere, and this time on stage as well. They both hope you continue to enjoy their little queer plays that mean so much to them! Jess Senie is a writer, actor, comedian, and teacher/tutor. When Maile isn’t performing, clowning around, or writing with her partner Jess, she stays busy working as a substitute stage manager around NYC. The BIGGEST thanks to Carla, Hunter, Jennifer Downes, Marie Eléna O’Brien, and Jade Rabbit for all of your help developing this play! 

Hunter Shelburne (Walter) takes the stage for the first time since college! Thanks to my wonderful costars for the opportunity to bring your work to life. When he isn’t calling a cab, Hunter is passionate about children’s literacy and hopes you’ll check out the great work of READ Alliance. 

Quira Chanel (Yahya) is an actor, singer, creative and Greater Philadelphia native. She truly enjoys being a storyteller across a multitude of mediums, and is constantly creating and growing in her craft.

Jackie Vlahos (Samantha) is thrilled to be joining this company. Recent credits include Good Knight, Dreamcrusher, and Mono No Aware. She’s trained at UCB and Lesly Kahn & Co., and is also a portrait photographer. More at jackievlahos.com.

TAIWO ALOBA, D.P.A (Playwright & Director), is a visionary theatermaker and dynamic performer who merges ancestral storytelling with contemporary edge. Aloba’s electrifying works amplify diasporic voices, blending ritual, movement, and raw lyricism to dissect identity and liberation. Featured in multiple festivals and theaters, Aloba champions global collaborations, reclaiming stages as spaces where African heritage and futurity collide. www.TaiwoAloba.com

Hope Ihaza-Walker is a Nigerian American actor, playwright, and producer born and raised in Chicago. She trained in the Meisner technique at the William Esper Studio and is committed to creating work that is emotionally grounded, socially resonant, and rooted in human connection. As an actor, Hope recently appeared in If Pretty Hurts Ugly Must Be a Muhfucka (dir. Zaia Williams) and originated the lead role in The Coronation of Constance (dir. Taiwo Aloba). FORWARD marks her debut as a playwright and producer. Through her work, Hope seeks to explore themes of identity, ambition, and legacy, while championing bold storytelling and meaningful collaboration. IG: @hopeihaza Website: hopeihaza.com

Autumn Maynard is an artist born and raised in Queens, NY. She is a graduate of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, where she studied at the Playwright’s Horizons Theatre School studio and received her BFA in Drama.  She also graduated from the two year conservatory program at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts where she received an Associate in Occupational Studies in Drama. Autumn Maynard is a multi-hyphenated artist whose talents include acting, playwriting, directing, sound design, and producing.  Autumn Maynard succeeds best in collaborative spaces and enjoys encountering challenging work head on. She was recently seen acting as Brandy Anderson in Blinded By Faith at The New York Theatre Festival and Ade from The Land We Share at the Chain Theatre Festival. She is excited to return to the Chain Theatre festival as the director for this play FORWARD!  IG: @_autumnmaynard Website: Autumnmaynard.com

Ammunikee D. Gomez is a talented actor and playwright born in the island of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and raised in Barbados. His journey began at age 10 when he wrote and directed his first play, Bullying In School, sparking a passion that led to national recognition. He has since starred in stage and screen productions, earning awards and scholarships through standout performances with Operation Triple Threat, NCF, The Mustardseed Production, and African Theater inc. Known for his versatility, emotional depth, and creative spirit, Ammunikee continues to inspire audiences both in Barbados and internationally, including in New York.

Khamaïlei Angélil is a New Yorker born and raised and incredibly excited to share her work. She has appeared in regional theatre, TV, short films, Off-Off Broadway shows, and interactive/devised theatre. Earlier this year she produced, directed and starred in a One Act Festival at HB studios! She also recently co-starred next to Kaitlyn Olson and Daniel Sunjata on ABC's High Potential. In her free time Khamaïlei creates and edits her own short form content from plays and short stories, to skits and podcasts. IG: @Khamailei Website: khamailei.com

Jay Ardz, a multi-genre artist/songwriter, has been a traveler since birth, living in multiple countries and experiencing a variety of cultures. He credits his sound to his upbringing, which forced him to adapt quickly to multiple cultures. He credits his style to the London urban music scene, yet mixes in his experiences from Brooklyn, New York; Chicago, Illinois; Toronto, Ontario; and Lagos, Nigeria. Also known by his alias Mr. GrindAllDay, aka Mr. GAD, he shows extreme talent through his catchy hooks and lyricism, amassing over 3.5+ million streams across streaming platforms. FORWARD features Jay Ardz’s debut as a theatrical composer, bringing his sound to a new realm of storytelling. This creative lyrical genius doesn’t run out of material. “Give me a beat and I’ll make magic.” – Jay Ardz IG: @jay.ardz

Reese Villella (Writer): Reese is a playwright and filmmaker based in NYC. A recent graduate of NYU Gallatin, she majored in subversive storytelling and is passionate about queer and female-centric narratives, body horror, and knowing how to have fun. This is her third one-act festival with the Chain and she is so excited to be returning alongside such wonderful talent! @reesevillella

Belle Del Sesto (Director): Originally from the Bay Area, Belle works as a writer, director, and producer in the New York Film, TV, and Off-Broadway scene. She gravitates towards character-driven stories with absurdist tones, and is excited to work with Reese and Morgan again on another great project! @belledelsesto

Morgan Bramwell (Lead): Morgan is writer/performer from outside of Philadelphia. She loves all things comedy but also has a serious side, she’s kinda like The Bear in that way. She’s so excited to work with Reese and Belle again in her first show at the Chain! @morganbramwel1

Helene Galek (Playwright) Helene is blessed to have these super heroes working with her and to be back at the Chain One-Act Festival for the second time! As an actor, Helene has been featured in a couple of award winning films in the festival circuit and played a mom with dementia in the Short Play Festival earlier this year. As a casting director, Helene cast the Off Broadway musical, “Mr. Puppy” and will be casting ”Breaking the Trust” for the Dream Up Festival. Special thanks to Perryn Pomatto for his incredible work as always and for being my “third eye” and to Anne Fizzard for her cool art graphics.

Perryn Pomatto (Director, The Future is Female) Perryn is thrilled to be collaborating with Helene Galek for the third time, having directed her play “Requiem for a Bench” in 2024 for the Chain's Winter Festival. She also starred in “Wednesday in the Park with Blake” that Perryn directed for New Ambassador Theater Company's Blurring Boundaries Festival. This is the fourth production Perryn has helmed for the Chain's short play festivals, having previously directed A Rose by Any Other Name (2023 Summer Fest) and Escape (The Pina Colada Song) (2025 Winter Fest). He has also staged several productions for The Player's Theater Short Play Festivals and NATC's Heartbroke Festival. Thank you to Helene for trusting me, once again, with your work

Danielle Marivette Hernandez (Job Applicant) is an actor, writer and singing storyteller who has a Hollywood Soul exploding with cartoons!  Having the audacity to be from Staten Island, this NY Native is Half Disney Princess, Half Saucy Wench.  Comedy is her love language and she’s been a long-time short-form improv performer of Say What? NYC!  Her observations on relationships have become the backbone of her one woman show, Danielle XX, most recently performed at The Producer’s Club.  On stage she recently got to take out her Would-Be Assassin as the titular Margot in “Dial M for Murder” at the Little Victory Theatre - while off stage she works Murder Mystery Dinners. Follow Danielle's work online on social media @DezMarivette and Youtube Dez Marivette Productions. 

Regina Perrone (Boss) is delighted to be performing live theater once again. Most recently having performed with SUNY Sullivan in a pandemic congruent production of ‘Spring Awakening”.Favorite roles include Alison in “Fun Home” and Dolly Levi in “The Matchmaker”. She’s excited to be a part of the Chain Theatre’s One-Act Festival and having the opportunity to work with good friends. Thank you Helene!