PROGRAM 5

Program #5* (3rd Floor)

Erasing Time by D-Davis

Giselle & Lorraine: Under the Circumstances by Pete Mattaliano

Grandma's Memory by Domenick V Danza

Huff Puff Muffin by Elizabeth Bays

Movie Magic by Allison Robbins

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

Creatives BIOS

Playwright: D-Davis

D-Davis’ work has been developed and/or produced at the New Ohio Theatre, Primary Stages, New York Theatre Workshop, Howl Playwrights, AMIOS, and Columbia University. She was a semi-finalist for Premier Stages, Road Theatre, and the Bronx Cultural Vision Award (Broken Thread); she received an HB Studio Residency Fellowship (Complicity), a Workshop Theater Residency (Broken Thread), American Woman Fellowship (Grrl Plays Bass) and two NEA research grants (Feminism and Philosophy). She has a BA in Theater (Bennington), an MA in History (CUNY), and MFA in playwriting (Columbia).  www.d-davis.com

Director: Miles Sternfeld

Miles Sternfeld is excited to be working with D-Davis again after directing her critically acclaimed play Broken Thread with the Femme Collective. He is the Founding Artistic Director of New City Music Theatre and has an MFA in Directing (Columbia University) under the mentorship of Anne Bogart & Brian Kulick. Credits include Songs for a New World at Radial Park with Bonnie Milligan, Into The Woods at Town Hall with Alice Ripley, Jane Eyre with John Caird & Paul Gordon (Superior Director Award, Cleveland Critics Circle), The Who’s Tommy with Adrienne Warren, Rot by Aditya Lal Chadha, Timmy by Megan Rivkin, and Next to Normal and Sweeny Todd at Columbia University. He interned with Jamie Lloyd on Sunset Blvd. and is currently assisting Lorin Latarro on Joy. www.milessternfeld.com.

The MAN: Ocean Harris

Ocean M Harris was born in Westminster, raised in South London and schooled in Kent at Beth's Grammar School for Boys; Harris would go on to study at the University of Nottingham. He began acting in 2019 and has had main cast roles in season 2 of The Capture (2022, BBC/NBC). On stage he has appeared in N89 (MPH, 2020), A Golden City (TNC, 2024) and The Escape (Chain Theater, 2025).

The WOMAN: Joanne Ryan

Joanne Ryan is a NY based actor who originally hails from Ireland. She most recently worked on ’The Artist’  a new limited series starring Mandy Patinkin, Patti LuPone and Janet McTeer, airing this fall. She loves working on both Stage & Film/TV and is thrilled to be working on this piece at the Chain Theatre's One Act Festival.  www.itsjoanneryan.com

PETE MATTALIANO (Writer/Director) – As an actor, was last seen in The Chain’s productions of “Simpatico” and “In The Boom Boom Room.” As a playwright/director, his plays and musicals have been produced in New York, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, and assorted universities, winning several awards and commendations. As an acting coach, he has taught at NYU’s CAP21; The School for Film & TV; Villanova; Hofstra, as well as coaching privately, working with such actors as Jill Clayburgh, Donna Murphy, Javier Munoz, Beth Behrs, and Kara Young. As a screenwriter, his Christmas script, Present From The Past, is in pre-production.

LAURA FEDER (Giselle) – Is thrilled to be returning to the stage (thanks, Pete!), bringing to life the character of Giselle after long last. What a quick and hilarious journey this has been. Thanks to all of you who have put up with my incessant “studying” on and off set. Follow her @laurafeder to follow her acting adventures. (Most recently seen in the finale of Apple TV’s, “Your Friends and Neighbors”!) Love you awesome nerds. Thanks for laughing (I hope) with us!

VICTORIA CHERI BENNETT (Lorraine) – Makes her Chain debut in “Under The Circumstances.” She is a versatile artist who works both in front of and behind the camera, having recently appeared on Tubi in “Beverages With Bevin,” a show she created and produced. She also contributed to the immersive X-Men experience, where she was involved in both development and performance. Additionally, she discusses various fandom’s on the ViceTV show “Icons Unearthed” and hosts the Nacelle Company’s companion podcast for their Prime show, “A Toy Store Near You.” You can catch her showcasing her singing talent and geeking out over superheroes in the digital series, “ADULTish.” To learn more about Victoria, visit https://linktr.ee/victoriacheri

BRAD GEYER (Trent) – Is an actor from Brooklyn, NY. He performs music and slam poetry as Bradman,” and is a lifelong procrastinator. He likes noodles and tennis.

LISA BURRASCANO (Assistant Director/Stage Manager) – Is a 2nd AD working professionally in television and film production for the past 13 years. Most recent projects include “The Gilded Age” on HBO Max, “Dope Thieves” for Apple TV, and “72 Hours” starring Kevin Hart. This is the first time Lisa has worked as a stage manager and is honored for the experience and opportunity.

COLLEEN COSGROVE* (GRANDMA) is tickled to be back at The Chain.  Earlier this year, she performed in her own one-act Poke Along the Ohio.  Additionally, she's appeared at The Chain in two of Domenick Danza’s other one-acts, Purgatory and Exit...Stage Right, as well as Lynda Crawford's A Procession of Clouds.  Her web episode Fun with Nan: Yuppie Go Home was an official selection in The Chain's 2019 Film Festival.  (Check out all three Nan episodes on Colleen's YouTube channel.) Colleen dabbles in Improv at The Magnet Theater and in Shakespeare with The Drilling Company.  Thanks to Domenick for another chance to play.

ALEX E. HARRIS (JANIE) is delighted to be stepping back on stage and dipping her toe back into theatre with Grandma's Memory at Chain Theatre's Summer One-Act Festival '25!  Her on-camera credits include The Other Two (HBOMax), The Iliza Shlesinger Sketch Show (Netflix), and Crashing (HBO), as well as several commercials.  Most recently, she can be seen playing the titular role in the award-winning, independent feature, Darla in Space.  A quirky sci-fi comedy, Darla in Space was a part of Slamdance Film Festival's 2024 programming, and is now available to stream for free on Tubi.  Alex lives in Brooklyn with her husband, Eric, and her basset hound, Betty Draper.  www.alexeharris.com.

DOMENICK V. DANZA (PLAYWRIGHT/DIRECTOR) is a Mentor with the Arthur Miller Foundation.  He taught Drama with the NYC Department of Education for ten years.  Before that he was Director of Education at Chicago Dramatists, The Cleveland Play House, and Virginia Stage Company.  He earned his MFA in Creative Writing (playwriting) from Goddard College, and studied playwriting at Chicago Dramatists, Primary Stages, The Barrow Group, and The Dramatist Guild Institute.  This is his fourth time participating in The Chain Theatre One Act Festival.  His plays have also been a part of Chicago Dramatists Ten-Minute Workshops, Circle Theater’s New Works Festivals, The Second City Training Center, Voice Theatre’s 10-Minute Play Festival, and The New York Theatre 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. 

Elizabeth Bays (PLAYWRIGHT & DAISY) - is a New York–based actor, burlesque artist, and producer—and now playwright! Acting credits include Simpatico (Off-Broadway), Angelina Ballerina the Musical (Off-Broadway/National Tour), John Patrick Shanley’s Banshee (NY Premiere), and The Tower (HERE Arts Center). Her award-winning short film Surprise! received Best New Filmmaker at the 2021 Scared for Your LIIFE Film Festival.

She performs with Hotsy Totsy Burlesque (BroadwayWorld’s Best Burlesque in NYC) at The Slipper Room and recently opened the 2025 Reykjavik Fringe Festival with ForbHIDDEN People: An Elven Burlesque. IG: @ebays_

David Zayas Jr. (DIRECTOR) -  is a Bronx native, theater and film director, actor, and photographer. David made his  Off-Broadway directorial debut with Simpatico, at the Chain Theatre.  Prior to that he directed the Jesus Hopped the A Train staged reading starring Common, John Ortiz, and David Zayas. David also directed LABs 30th Anniversary and the Barn Series, which included three New Works in progress by Stephen Adly Gurgis. He has directed with Planet Connections, Actors Theatre of NY, NY Theater Festival, Samuel French OOB Festival, and more along with award winning films in over 20 festivals. David is a member of The Actors Studio’s Playwright/Directors Unit and LAByrinth Theater Company.  

Sachi Parker (MONA) - is an accomplished film, television, and stage actress. Her screen credits include Back to the Future, Peggy Sue Got Married, Scrooged, Welcome Home Roxy Carmichael, Star Trek: The Next Generation, and Faerie Tale Theatre. Her theater work spans from Chekhov classics (The Seagull, The Cherry Orchard) to performances at the Edinburgh Festival. At the  Chain Theatre, she appeared in Matthew McLachlan’s This Goddamn House and the NY premiere of David Rabe’s By the Look of Her. She received the Kurosawa Award for bridging U.S.–Japan cultural understanding and won Best Actress for The Witch of the West is Dead. Sachi currently stars in the award-winning web series The So So You Don’t Know.

Diego Aguirre (BENEDICT) - Diego Aguirre is a NYC based actor and Marine Corps veteran. He grew up in Ecuador, where his family is from. Selected Theatre credits include: (O)n The 5:31 (Dir. David Zayas Jr.), Online Dates Are Hard To Handle (Chain Theatre, Dir. Leeanna Zayas), Occupied Territories (59e59, Dir. Mollye Maxner). Selected Film credits include: The Ballad of a Hustler (Heitor Dahlia), The Upside (Neil Burger), Sometime Other Than Now (Dylan McCormick), New Year’s Eve @ Sunny’s (Bob Giraldi), Wooly Bully (Kristen Buckels)  Selected TV: Dexter: Resurrection, FBI, Monsterland, The Punisher, It’s Bruno. 

Diego is also a frequent storyteller for The Moth and Actors Theater of NYC (ATNYC)

Matt Giroveanu (DRAMATURG) - Dramaturgical Services provided by Matt Giroveanu / Girocast, Inc. Girocast, created in 2018, started as an independent casting company has now turned into a bespoke production company, servicing clients in theatre, voiceover, television and film. The Girocast team also specializes in script analysis, consultations and dramaturgy - facilitating imagination where writers can realize the best versions of their works. www.Girocast.com

ZOE WILSON* - CLAIRE
Zoe Fernanda Wilson (AEA/SAG AFTRA) is an award-winning actress (Best Actress East Hampton Film Festival, NY Indie Film Award) and the lead singer/songwriter otherwise known as Sapphie (twice named Rolling Stone Español’s “20 Artists You Should Know”) for her music. Zoe’s Recent work includes: playing the Montauk Music Festival 2025, Two Truths and A Lie which she wrote, starred and co-produced alongside FRIGID NYC @Under St. Marks Theatre as part of the EstroGenius Festival, and the upcoming cast album Petunia. Select professional credits include: The Opera is Always on The Table (Dir. Hanna Novak and Tina Satter), an Untitled Tina Satter Musical Workshop @Mercury Store and Sunset Studios (Directed by Tina Satter), Transport Group's Three Days to See (Dir. Jack Cummings III @NYTW), Play Like a Winner at Playwrights Horizons/Peter J Sharp for which Zoe won the 2017 NYMF Outstanding Individual Performance Award for her portrayal of Jenna and Marla Mase’s The Pill @LaMama Theatre. Thank you to Jen Rudin and Allison Robbins for this opportunity. To hear Sapphie’s music go to: https://www.sapphiemusic.comOr check out @zoewilsonofficial on Instagram. 

KEVIN DUFFY* - SANFORD

Kevin Duffy’s recent roles include Martin in Anton Goes to Heaven (?) at Theater for the New City, Warder Van Rensberg in Mandela and the title role in Scrooge, both at American Theatre of Actors, O’Brien in Bettinger's Luggage at AMT Theatre and British twins John and James in Terence Mc Nally’s Love! Valor! Compassion! in Southern California and the Adult Men in Spring Awakening at LA’s Hudson Theatre. Kevin has performed extensively at prominent New York venues including La Mama, BAM and P.S. 122.

MEGAN MCDERMOTT* - DAPHNE/INA/JOAN

OFF BROADWAY: Sweet Bird of Youth, Big Love and The Three Sisters. Select Regional: Ms Holmes and Ms Watson Apt 2B(Playhouse on Park), The Learned Ladies (Shakespeare Theatre of NJ), A Comedy of Tenors, Laughter on the 23rd Floor (Bristol Riverside), Playboy of the Western World, The Tinker’s Wedding (Quintessence Theatre), Time Stands Still, The Glass Menagerie (Delaware Theatre Company),  The Importance of Being Earnest, Crimes of the Heart  (Barnstormers) In the Next Room/Vibrator Play, The Three Sisters (PICT), It’s Only A Play, Chapter Two, Time Stands Still (Act II Playhouse), Amadeus and Shakespeare in Hollywood at the Tony-Award winning Wilma Theatre. Playwriting: Composing Clara, Le Boudoir, Siren Song and Stella for Star (2022 Philadelphia Women’s Theatre Festival) Love to Mama, Ulde and Scarlett! 

ADAM KASTER - GEORGE

Adam Kaster (George) - Off-Broadway: Drama Desk-nominated The Golden Bride (Nat. Yiddish Theatre); Regional: Beauty & the Beast (Gaston) West Side Story (Tony), Heathers (Ram), Mamma Mia (Bill). Adam is also a practicing attorney and resides with his wife and two sons in New Jersey. IG: @adam_kaster

ANTHONY ‘ANT’ LOGRANDE - KINGSTON

Anthony ‘Ant’ LoGrande (he/him) is an actor-writer and pharmacy tech from Jersey.  Recent projects:  MR. BURNS, a post-electric play (Scranton Fringe Festival), THE REPUBLICANS (NYU Tisch), OUR BOYS (59E59). He is a Rockwell at Primary Stages/ESPA, where he’s developing his solo play WOLF!  Barrow Group, B.A. Wagner College Upcoming: NOCTURAMA anthonyelogrande.com

MARK HOFMAIER* - ANNOUNCER

Mark is a career actor, having performed in hundreds of plays regionally, off-Broadway, and showcase.  He did commercials and voice-overs, industrials, and scores of developmental readings.  He is also a playwright, having written several full-length plays which have received readings. He is a member of Shop-Talk, an offspring of the Workshop Theater Co., and New Ambassadors, both writers groups. Glad to be working at one of his old homes! Mark is married to actor/director Susanna Frazer, whose successful Morningside Theater Company is thriving, and together they have spawned two fine and talented actor siblings, Luke and Tess.

ALLISON ROBBINS - WRITER-DIRECTOR

THEATER:  Allison Robbins co-wrote the book of the musical Seance (The Other Palace, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s incubator London theater for new musicals.) Her play “Metropolitan Prairie” (FATE) is the recipient of six Dramalogue Awards. She is currently writing the book and lyrics for the musical “Wet.” TELEVISION: Writer-producer for 1-HR Dramatic Series for all major television networks (“Melrose Place”, “Providence”, “Strong Medicine” and others.)  FILM: Writer-director of short film “Moshulu Parkway,” (Cannes World Film Best Female Director, short film, Official Selection of Venice Shorts Film Awards, Best first short film Toronto International film festival, Best Short Berlin Film Festival).  Allison currently teaches television writing at NYU (Film school and Department of Dramatic Writing.)

CHRISTOPHER GRAY - STAGE MANAGER
CJ Gray is a BFA Stage Management student at the University of Central Florida, going into his third year. Previously he has worked on Sweeney Todd (PA) and the first ever staged production of What's In Store (ASM) at UCF. He is excited to get to work on this production of Movie Magic and wants to thank everyone involved, especially Allison Robbin’s, for giving him this amazing opportunity.

JEN RUDIN - CASTING DIRECTOR

Jen Rudin, CSA is an award-winning casting director and author of the book Confessions of a Casting Director, published by HarperCollins. She spent seven years as casting director/executive at The Walt Disney Company, casting such beloved animated feature films as The Incredibles, Chicken Little, The Princess, and the Frog, and overseeing the Broadway casting and domestic tours for The Lion King, Mary Poppins, The Little Mermaid and High School Musical. Some recent casting credits include the Netflix animated series Arcane and Dead End: Paranormal Park. For more info, visit www.jenrudin.com. 

STACEY GELLER - DESIGN ADVISOR

Stacey is a creative director passionate about helping mission-driven organizations develop meaningful brand identities and campaigns. As founder of American Design Language, she’s spent over two decades guiding organizations through every stage of the branding process with strategic insight and artistic vision. Her work empowers organizations to share their stories with clarity and purpose, driving connection and lasting impact.

ADAM TAYLOR - APM MUSIC 

For the last twenty-four years, Adam Taylor has served as the President/CEO of APM Music, creating and executing the strategy for APM’s continued growth and delivering on-target revenue growth in each consecutive year. Upon taking the helm, Adam immediately overhauled the company's internal systems to further optimize music monetization across licensing workflows, ingestion systems, metadata improvements, delivery mechanisms, and reporting and royalty payments. In parallel, he has also led a carefully crafted music catalog acquisition strategy, personally brokering agreements with leading collections across the globe.  

CLAIRE HALLORAN - LIGHTING DESIGN

Claire Halloran is a Chief Lighting Technician based out of Brooklyn, NY. She holds a BFA in Film from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, where she fell in love with the practice of painting light. She has spent the last 7 years bringing her talents to a range of projects: commercials and editorials, indie films and music videos, photoshoots and events galore. Across mediums, Claire takes pride in designing practical lighting effects to elevate the emotional texture of every scene.