PROGRAM 5

Second Chance by Anthony Fusco

Stocked by Serena Norr

BIOS 

Anthony Fusco (Playwright) Anthony has been writing plays since 2006. He is a two time Best Director winner for The Strawberry One Act Festival and the 10 minute play festival in NYC. He is thrilled to be a part of the Chain Theater's 2024 Winter One Act Festival and wants to thank everyone involved especially Paulina "pau" Tobar for taking on the director role. His credits include, Crossing Verrazano, Sole-Mates, Arch Enemies, A Night At Stonewall, Stoned To The Wall, Rush Hour Madness, Psychic Cafe, Reawakening, Fixation (one of the top 4 plays at the SOAF).

Paulina “pau” Tobar (Director) is making her stage directing debut! “Thank you, Anthony Fusco for trusting in me.” Originally from Santiago, Chile and based in NYC, pau is a Performing Artist, Stage Manager, and now Director graduated from The AMDA’s Integrated Program and obtained her BFA in Musical Theatre at The New School, NY. Some of her credits: Stage Management: OFF BROADWAY: Brilliance (The Players Theatre); REGIONAL: Your Name Means Dream (CATF, WV); NYC: Buggy (APAC) Theatre: NYC: Pat in Proud (RSPC); CHILE: Janet in Rocky Horror Show (Teatro Petulante); IG: @pautobarmusic

Nicky Neto (Corey) is a queer, Brazilian American artist as well as a recent graduate from Point Park University’s Conservatory for Performing Arts, Class of 2023. THEATRE: Angels in America: Millennium Approaches  (Prior Walter), Everybody (Everybody), Alice Lost in Wonderland, Original World Premier (Campbell/Mock Turtle) The Secret Garden (Colin Craven); FILM/TV: TRUE DETECTIVE (HBO MAX), Fresh Off the Boat (Freeform), Star Haven (LuaSol Productions), Love Is All You Need? (Directed by Kim Rocco Shields), GOO (Directed by Jean Pflum), Convenient GOD (Directed by Sofia Lujan), A Man Called Otto (Sony Pictures), love you mom! @nicooneto .

Neil Friedlander (Bryan) is an actor and singer-songwriter based in Brooklyn. He completed his Meisner acting training at Terry Knickerbocker studio in Brooklyn, and most recently could be seen as Norman in Mr. Electric at the Tank Theater. He is currently working on his third independent studio album. “You will do foolish things but do them with enthusiasm.” (Colette)

Angelina Adam (Angela) is a native New Yorker, is an American actress of Puerto Rican and Haitian descent. She returned to her acting career after a hiatus, during which she raised her daughter and became an attorney. She most recently performed at the Heights Players in Water by the Spoonful (Odessa). Other theatre credits include: Love, La Familia (Maggie), Pegao (Doña Lina), The Last Hurricane (Tia), The Crucible (Martha). She is also a SAG/AFTRA member with lead and supporting roles in short and independent feature films. She has trained at Atlantic Theatre School and Penny Templeton Studios. She is so thrilled to be pursuing the career of her dreams again!

Connor Creagan (Trevor) is an actor, comedian, and writer based in New York. Connor graduated from the Esper Studio in 2023 and is thrilled to be a part of the Second Chance cast. He is also co-host and co-producer of the new comedy show "Live Snakes," premiering February 29 at The Gutter in Brooklyn. Instagram: @connorcreagan

Sean Anthony Bryant (Christopher) is an actor, model, writer, and poet, hails from Westchester, NY, & currently calls Inwood, NY home. A proud graduate of Swarthmore College, Sean has graced the stage in productions such as "Samantha & The Glass Ceiling" & “An American Worker” at Theatre for the New City. Notably, his presence extends to the digital realm with roles in "The Little David Show" (YouTube Web Series) and the upcoming "Slightly PerpLEX’d" set to debut in Spring 2024. Connect with Sean on Instagram @SeanAnthonyOnTheGram to follow his artistic & creative journey.

Bios

Eric Berger (Mac): Eric is thrilled to be joining this wonderful team of artists and bringing such a poignant piece to life. Eric is a film, theater, and voiceover actor born and raised in NYC. He is also currently touring the country in a one-man play entitled Heschel’s Passover Eve, where he plays the extraordinary Rabbi and activist Abraham Joshua Heschel. Recent theater credits include She’s Got Harlem on Her Mind @ Metropolitan Playhouse, Serials @ The Flea Theater, My Man the Wolf @ Open Hydrant Theater Co. Recent film credits include Movie Night, Brilliant Traces, and The Gambit (nominated for Best Actor at Montreal International Wreath Awards Film Festival). Big thanks to his parents, brother, and friends for always supporting the dream, and Karen for bringing him on board! 

Michael Ortiz (Ben) is an actor, director, producer, and cryptid hailing from the state of Florida. He is a co-founder of The Fled Collective, an artist in residence with Breaking & Entering Theater Collective, and he currently produces and hosts SERIALS, an episodic late-night short play competition series. Michael is passionate about the cultivation of new work and creating opportunities for underrepresented artists. He is an avid gamer, a home cook, and lover of all things spooky. Hit him up if you ever want to talk D&D or learn to play the spoons!

Nikki Cannon (Betty) is an actor, singer, and dancer from Gainesville, FL. Recent credits include Serials by The Fled Collective (The Flea Theatre),GIRLHOOD (The Tank), and Julius Caesar (Arachne Theatre). In addition to performing, Nikki is a vintage clothing collector and dog enthusiast. 

Kayla Zanakis (Persons 1) is a DominiGreek actor, born and raised in Miami, and currently based in NYC. An INTAR UNIT52 member, and member of The Fled Collective. Past Credits: Aztec Pirates (Chain Theatre), SWAY (The Flea Theatre in co-production with The Fled Collective), No Mercy (DR2 Theatre), Poe’s Children (The Tank), and Richard III (Shanghai Theatre Institute Winter Festival). Past Workshops: Quantum (Primary Stages) Yo-Ho, Legume (Artist Co-op), Command Center (Who What Where Productions), this old haunt (Fort Salem Theatre, Broadway World Best New Musical nomination) SWAY(Broadway DNA), and Their Great Magic (Boomerang Theatre). BFA: NYU Tisch.

William Vonada (Persons 2) is a NY-based theatre actor, director, and administrator who has primarily worked with Breaking & Entering Theatre Collective and The Fled Collective. He enjoys pursuing developmental work and helping “dumb” projects get traction. 

Karen Marulanda (Director) is a proud Colombian/Nicaraguan actor, writer and director currently based in NYC. She most recently directed two episodes of Serials, a late-night short play series at both SoHo Playhouse and The Flea. Recent acting credits include: Luchadora! (Orlando Repertory Theatre) and SWAY (The Fled Collective). Karen was a Semifinalist actor in NBC’s Nosotros Ya Tu Sabes Monologue Slam 2022. Connect with her on Instagram: @karenmarulanda.

Serena Norr (Playwright) is a writer, screenwriter, playwright, and founder of Let’s Make a Play, a playwriting program for kids and adults. Her plays have been performed at the Omaha Fringe Festival, White Plains Performing Arts Center, the New Deal Creative Arts Center, Westchester Collaborative Theater, Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival, The Players Theater with the Rogue Theater Festival and the NYC Short Play Festival, The Tank, The Flea, the University of Alabama as well as various productions over Zoom.