A Good Reason to be Afraid |
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by Isaiah Rothstein & Zachary Aaron Croft |
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Michael DelaFlor |
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Payton Georgina |
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Set under the stars at the fictional Yellow Leaf State Park, the play follows a group of unfamiliar campers who gather around a fire to swap spooky stories. An eager young couple on spring break, a seasoned survivalist, and two longtime friends all come together for what begins as a lighthearted night of tales. But when a crank-powered radio warns of a killer targeting campfires nearby, paranoia sets in and the stories begin to take on new, deadly meaning.
A Good Reason To Be Afraid blends campfire storytelling with fully staged scenes and monologues, weaving together stories within stories. Some tales are humorous, others chilling, but each one reveals the fears, tensions, and secrets simmering among the campers. The line between story and reality blurs as the night grows darker—and more dangerous.
Cast
Creative Team
Anthony Marino
Mitchell Richman
Isaiah Rothstein
Zachary Aaron Croft
Lauren Koval
Nicole Grieco
Grace Hunziker
Madison Edwards
Cat J Cusick
Conyers Harvin
brooklynONE productions
Meet the Company
Michael DelaFlor
Michael DelaFlor is a Houston-born, NYC-based actor, writer, and director.
He is a graduate of The William Esper Studio 2-year Mesiner program and holds a BA in Dramatic Literature, Theatre and Cinema History from NYU. He has trained in ensemble and physical theater through Pig Iron School and The Hess Collective.
Payton Georgiana
Payton Georgiana is a Brooklyn-based actor, writer, and teaching artist. She holds a BFA in Acting from the University of Central Florida and made her Off-Broadway debut in Ode to Wasp Women opposite Sean Young. On screen, her credits include Law & Order: SVU, with her first role in a major studio film set to release soon. She is also preparing to star in the upcoming feature A Better Place. In addition to her work on stage and screen, Payton collaborates with The Poetry Society of New York and has been published in Alfaaz and AMAN. She is passionate about the artistic process and infuses that love into her teaching. As an educator with Creative Stages, she is dedicated to nurturing creativity and imagination in young artists. Payton is endlessly grateful to her soul tribe, whose love and support make everything possible.
Emily Missud
Emily Missud is trying her best. Previous attempts include Measure for Measure, As You Like It, Something Rotten, and On The Town. She’s tried her hand at stage managing/music supervising in BrooklynOne’ production of Suburbia, directing in a short play festival, sometimes playing musical instruments, and once upon a time choreographing local youth and high school productions. She’s a BrooklynOne Ensemble Member, but when not here at Industry City (also while she is here tbh) she is stressing about her day job in television. (Send help please)
Em Rose Stern
Em Rose Stern is a NYC based actor and a 2025 graduate of the BFA Acting Program at Purchase College. She is especially thrilled to return to the stage in her hometown of BROOKLYN! Her recent film work includes "The Sapphire Door", which received Best Overall Student Film Award at the Albany Film Festival, "Benny Boy", winner of the Audience Choice Award at the Hudson Valley Film Festival, and "Wandering Eyes", premiering this October at New York Shorts International Film Festival! Em Rose endlessly grateful to be apart of this craft and the unwavering love and support from her circle make it all possible.
Matt Vita
Matt Vita is a nationally touring comedian, actor and producer. On screen credits include CBS, Investigation Discovery, Amazon Prime and countless international streaming platforms. Matt has shared the screen with Queen Latifah and the stage with comedy heavyweights like Colin Quinn, Tim Meadows, Joe List, Kevin McDonald, Steve Hofstetter, Paul Rodriguez, Jim Gaffigan, and more. He has appeared in several Off Broadway shows, has self produced his own one man show, and was invited to perform a solo main stage show at the final Del Close Marathon. Matt teaches corporate improv workshops and one time was asked to perform an improv show for Mark Cuban and the then current cast of Shark Tank. His first feature film Killington, was released internationally in September 2024. Matt currently tours the country headlining comedy clubs from Canada down to Florida. See more at www.mattvita.com.
Anthony Marino
Anthony Marino is the co-founder and artistic director of brooklynONE productions, and is thrilled to have you here.
Mitchell Richman
Mitch Richman is a Director and actor originally from Southern Maryland. His work has been seen at The Tank, Dixon Place, Primary Stages, Pace University, Institute of the Arts Barcelona, Nebraska University, and other NYC venues. He serves as a frequent actor and Production Assistant at the NYU Martin Scorsese Film Center. Skilled in content creation, was social media Manager at Terry Knickerbocker Studios in 2024. Mitch is a Performance Coordinator at Joe’s Pub at the Public Theater. He is also a proud member of the BrooklynONE core company.
Mitch holds a BA from Pace University, where he studied acting and directing as part of their International Performance Ensemble. In his free time he is an avid Viola player and horticulturist.
Isaiah Rothstein
Isaiah is grateful for the opportunity to bring this story to life in the theatre he calls home. This play holds a special place in his heart as it is the culmination of a rekindled partnership with a childhood friend and the introduction of that partnership to the warmhearted community of BKOne. Regarding accreditation, he is a published author, award-winning filmmaker, and Head Writer with Manderfilm. He hopes tonight you will laugh and scream and forget, if only briefly, the real horrors awaiting us all.
Zachary Aaron Croft
Zachary is honored to share this story with audiences this weekend. This play represents the culmination of a year long writing journey and the thrill of stepping into the role of both director and co-writer. It also marks a cherished collaboration with a longtime childhood friend, whose creative partnership has shaped the heart of this production. Beyond the stage, Zachary spends his days shaping how spaces sound and feel, blending design and detail to help others experience the world in new ways. He hopes the performance will spark laughter, chills, and perhaps a fleeting escape from the everyday shadows that follow us all.
Lauren Koval
Lauren is thrilled to make her debut with brooklynONE productions! She most recently worked on The Little Mermaid at Paper Mill Playhouse (production assistant/sub ASM). Other Paper Mill credits include Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Jersey Boys, and White Christmas. Lauren also worked as a Sub ASM for All Nighter at MCC Theater this past spring. In addition to her theatrical work, she has been part of the production team for numerous live events across New York City, including Governor's Ball and Baron Capital's Investment Conference. Lauren holds a BFA in Stage Management from The University of Central Florida.
Nicole Grieco
Nicole is a lawyer by day and long-time theater nerd. She has been a member of the BrooklynOne ensemble since 2022, previously appearing in last year's "Night of the Living Dead" and various readings, one-acts, and Shakespeare festivals. Behind the scenes, she directed shorts for the Winter Shorts Festival, ReSister Playfest, and Total Theatrical Takeover. This is her first time OFFICIALLY putting on the hat of (co-) stage manager after being part of the crew/production team for "SubUrbia" and "Measure For Measure".
Grace Hunziker
Grace Hunziker is a maker, writer, and artist based in Brooklyn, NY. A passionate horror enthusiast, Grace is thrilled to be working on a production in her favorite genre. She hopes you enjoy the show as much as she enjoyed working on it.
Madison Edwards
Cat J Cusick
Conyers Harvin
brooklynONE productions
brooklynONE productions (bkONE) was established in 2006 as a haven for emerging artists. Based in the heart of Brooklyn, the company cultivates innovative & experimental performances of both original and established works. They maintain a strong relationship with the arts in their community and are committed to the continued expansion and creation of opportunities for artists across the New York City area. bkONE focuses on theatre, film, music, mixed media projects and more. brooklynONE productions was founded by Anthony Marino & Tom Kane.
Photos
Articles
A GOOD REASON TO BE AFRAID World Premiere Comes to Brooklyn
brooklynONE productions has announced the world premiere of A Good Reason To Be Afraid, an original grounded horror comedy written by bkONE ensemble member Isaiah Rothstein and Zachary Aaron Croft, and directed by Croft. The production will run October 9–12, 2025 at the bkONE: Tom Kane Theatre in Industry City, Brooklyn.
Set under the stars at the fictional Yellow Leaf State Park, the play follows a group of unfamiliar campers who gather around a fire to swap spooky stories. An eager young couple on spring break, a seasoned survivalist, and two longtime friends all come together for what begins as a lighthearted night of tales. But when a crank-powered radio warns of a killer targeting campfires nearby, paranoia sets in and the stories begin to take on new, deadly meaning.
A Good Reason To Be Afraid blends campfire storytelling with fully staged scenes and monologues, weaving together stories within stories. Some tales are humorous, others chilling, but each one reveals the fears, tensions, and secrets simmering among the campers. The line between story and reality blurs as the night grows darker—and more dangerous.
All performances will take place at the Tom Kane Theatre, 51 35th Street, Building 5, Industry City, Brooklyn.
Auditions for the production will be held on Sunday, August 24, 2025 from 3:00–10:00 p.m. at the Tom Kane Theatre. Self-taped auditions will also be accepted through Wednesday, August 27, 2025. Tickets will go on sale shortly after at
The Sunset Post
Cannibals, not deer and sci-fi horror: “A Good Reason to Be Afraid” opens at the Tom Kane Theater
As the cast of “A Good Reason to Be Afraid” rehearsed this weekend at the Tom Kane Theater in Industry City, the art from Bloodsuckers: A Vampire Group Art Show still hung on the walls, ensuring the mood was set.
The new horror play, opening Thursday, Oct. 9, is produced by BrooklynONE and co-written by longtime friends Zachary Aaron Croft and Isaiah Rothstein. The pair met in middle school in Winter Garden, Florida, and have been collaborating on and off ever since. Croft directs the production, which he describes as a “horror semi-anthology” — three short stories woven together around a campfire.
“We really wanted to do horror,” said Croft. “We’re passionate about so many different kinds of horror that an anthology was the perfect fit.”
The stories explore gothic, alien, and suspenseful corners of the genre. One features a shape-shifting creature called a “not deer,” while another centers on cannibalism and the fragile line between consent and madness.
With live theater, Croft said, the team had to lean less on jump scares and more on psychological tension. “It’s about the messed-up thoughts within the story,” he said.
The cast includes Emily Missud and Em Rose Stern, both South Brooklyn natives. The show is co-produced by Sunset Park resident Mitch Richman, who directed last year’s “SubUrbia” at the Kane. Stern, who recently moved to Sunset Park, said she loves horror and isn’t new to the darker side of performance.
“This isn’t my first time playing a cannibal,” she said, laughing. “I love getting to explore those strange corners of the mind.”
For Richman, the neighborhood connection makes productions at the theater special. “When BrooklynONE opened up the space here in Building 5, it has just fostered such a community,” he said. “A lot of people here are from Bay Ridge, from South Brooklyn. So whether it’s in the theater or outside the theater, it’s become my family.”
Missud described the play as a cross between Nickelodeon’s “Are You Afraid of the Dark?” and an episode of “Community,” where “everybody goes insane and kills each other.”
Lighting designer Catherine Cusick also returns after “SubUrbia” and, according to Richman, is “taking it leaps and bounds beyond what she was able to do last year,” thanks to a significant equipment investment by BrooklynONE. “She’s having a whirlwind with all the freedom and creativity that she gets to put into it,” said Richman.
Performances run Thursday through Saturday at 8 p.m., with 3 p.m. matinees on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $20 general admission, or $30 for “campfire seats,” which include a drink, snack, and front-row view.
Donors
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