Black Graffiti: A Dock Ellis Story |
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| at The RAT NYC | ||
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Andrew Sanford |
Jennifer Sandella |
Isabelle Deveaux |
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| Produced by: RATCO (Random Access Theatre Company) | ||
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Producing Team: Jennifer Sandella, Victoria Teague, Mike Gregorek, Kelsey Taylor RAT NYC Board: Brian Hunt, Adrienne Gregorek, David Andreana |
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A note from playwright Andrew Sanford:
I knew about Dock Ellis long before I realized it. Like many others, I had heard the tale of his infamous no-hitter, which he claims to have pitched while high on LSD. What a story! It is often the one told when it comes to Dock. But he was so much more than that one game. He was an activist with a larger-than-life personality and skills to pay the bills. He was also an addict who was prone to exhibit wild behavior. The man was complicated, as most human beings are, and that, to me, is the more interesting story. When I learned about Dock’s time on the Texas Rangers later in his career, I saw a man still fighting for players’ rights, but now it was their right to drink. He was staring down the end of his career and still putting up a fight, but it appeared to be far less noble, at least on the surface. I want people to leave this play wanting to learn more about a man reduced to one story, because while he was far from perfect, he had far more to offer this world.
Cast
Creative Team
Andrew Sanford
Jennifer Sandella
Isabelle Devaux
David Andreana
Victoria Teague
Mike Gregorek
Kelsey Taylor
Random Access Theatre Co (RATCO)
The RAT NYC
Meet the Company
Kade Clarks
Black Graffiti: A Dock Ellis Story marks Kade’s first production with Random Access Theatre Company and his second lead role since recently moving to New York City this June. He has previously performed in a production of Bonder Thrashman Fitzqualudes as Ferrence Tape. He holds training from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, where he debuted in the role of Macduff in Macbeth. When off the stage, Kade can be found attempting, with great effort, to teach himself how to sew and make clothes. Infinite love for my loved ones who paved the way!
Rory Scholl
Rory Scholl is thrilled to join this fantastic cast and crew at the incredible RAT. Born in Allentown, PA, and raised in Dallas, Rory has been working as a comedian and actor in NYC for the past twenty years. His television credits include Law & Order, FBI, and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Each year he portrays failed presidents for Bob's Discount Furniture Presidents' Day commercials. As a storyteller, he is an Amazon best-selling humorist with his story Black Sheep, and has appeared on PBS's Stories From the Stage and the RISK! podcast. His improv background includes performing on house teams at the Peoples Improv Theater, Comedysportz TX and NYC, touring with Chicago City Limits, and performing with Beerprov on MSC Cruise Lines. He is also the producer of the charity improv show ARTPROV and the Director of the TwoProv tournament. Additionally, Rory has led workshops and created content for organizations such as American Airlines, Cornell University, and Michaels. To close out the year, he will be performing with his improv duo, The Little Pitchers, at QED and will be featured on the Tiny Little Bites horror podcast. He currently lives in Queens with his cat, Lionel.
Andrew Sanford
A writer, director, performer, and twin dad living in Jersey City. He has been a twice-featured writer for the ABC Discovers Showcase, his short films have appeared in festivals across the country, and he has written several Shakespearean adaptations of popular works for Random Access Theater and their Dunk Texts series in NYC. Andrew has been wanting to tell a story about Dock Ellis for over a decade and is beyond
grateful that the RAT and Random Access Theater have given him the chance.
Jennifer Sandella
Is a Brooklyn-based theatre artist with a foundation in classical text and performance and a minimal and visceral aesthetic. Jennifer is the Executive Director of The RAT NYC and is actively directing independent projects, including new works and musicals. MA - Text and Performance/Directing Pathway, The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, London. BFA - Theatre Performance (Shakespeare focus), Hofstra University. SDC associate member, 2015 Drama League Resident Artist, Directors Lab West 2014 Cohort. For more information, visit www.jennifersandella.com
Isabelle Devaux
Isabelle is a theatre artist, filmmaker, and life long baseball fan who is excited to be working with such an incredible crew for Black Graffiti! When she’s not in the booth at The Rat, she can usually be found behind the bar at The Rat, and on the rare occasion that she is in neither, she can be found ordering from the bar at The Rat. With a BA from Sarah Lawrence College and her debut short film, untitled.girl.mov, in post-production, many are asking, what can’t she do? The list is quite long. She’d like to thank her parents, friends, and the 2001 Arizona Diamondbacks.
David Andreana
David Andreana, guitarist, composer, cheese enthusiast. A Brooklyn-based musician. He likes good sounds and fine cheeses.
Victoria Teague
Victoria Teague, marketing director for the RAT NYC, is a Queens-based Historian, Museum Educator and Dramaturg. In addition to creating content, running social media accounts and communicating with press and cultural outlets for Random Access Theatre, Victoria acts as a director and dramaturg on select productions (most recently as dramaturg for the world premiere of the Shakespearean adaptation Miranda from Stormville and creator/director of herSTORY: A Living Museum). She also served as co-director for Random Access’ new play development series RAWR. In addition, Victoria is the literary manager for AM iOS, where she oversees feedback and read-throughs for their monthly show of new short plays, Shotz, and runs the new play development series First Draughts. Victoria also serves as the resident dramaturg and a text coach at the Great River Shakespeare Festival and wrote reviews for the indie theatre blog The New York Theatre Review for six years.
Mike Gregorek
The Producing Director of The RAT NYC, Mike is an actor, host, and comedian currently hosting aboard Disney Cruise Lines. He is also a company manager and player with the improv comedy troupe ComedySportz NYC, and serves as a regular panel moderator for Wizard World Comic Cons. He has been on stage with Rachel Dratch at a Gilda's Club benefit and was recently featured as one of the "opening contestants" on NBC's Million Second Quiz. Online, Mike can be seen in the award-winning web series, I Live With This, in which he won Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series at the L.A. WebFest. Theatre credits include work with Random Access Theatre, The New York Fringe Festival, Shakespeare Theatre Company, Keegan Theatre, Imagination Stage, Arena Stage, and New London Barn Playhouse.
Kelsey Taylor
Kelsey Taylor is thrilled to be making her producing debut at The RAT NYC! By day you can find her tapping away on the computer keys as The RAT’s Admin Associate and by night slinging drinks amid the bright lights of Broadway. MFA, Boston Conservatory.
Random Access Theatre Co (RATCO)
Random Access Theatre reclaims and re-imagines works of the past as a way to engage in modern issues, while simultaneously nurturing the development of new pieces from emerging New York City artists.
The founding company behind the RAT in DUMBO, Random Access borrows its name from Random Access Memory, or RAM, a form of computer data storage. RAM allows information to be stored in various locations on a computer’s hard drive, which can then be accessed in any order to complete the necessary process or task. We choose to make theatre the same way: pulling resources together from many locations to create unique, dynamic, and visceral productions.
The RAT NYC
A Home For Independent Artists in DUMBO, Brooklyn; The Rat NYC is a 501(c)3 nonprofit arts venue dedicated to providing accessible and affordable space for independent artists in New York City.
Our mission is to empower artists from all disciplines by offering a welcoming, creative environment where they can experiment, develop, and present new work. Recognizing the unique challenges that NYC artists face—particularly around space and resources—The Rat NYC exists to fill that gap, creating a haven for artistic exploration that is both affordable and inclusive.
We believe that art thrives in community, and we are committed to fostering meaningful connections between artists, audiences, and our DUMBO neighbors. Our space is more than a venue; it’s a vibrant third space—a gathering place where people can come together, share ideas, and be inspired. Through diverse programming, collaborative projects, and a steadfast commitment to inclusivity, The Rat NYC strives to strengthen the cultural fabric of our city while supporting artists whose voices deserve to be heard.
Our goal is not only to support the creation of art but to cultivate a supportive community, ensuring that NYC remains a home for artists of all backgrounds and perspectives to thrive. Want to support the work that we do? Support The RAT NYC by visiting www.theratnyc.com/donate
