Gerry Glennon

Gerry Glennon is an Irish Actress from Nenagh Co. Tipperary.

She moved to New York in 1983 to follow her dreams. She studied acting at HB Studio with the late great William Hickey who she also thanks for giving her the wings to fly.

She wrote My Self Portrait during the pandemic and describes it as a Love Letter to her Parents.

She would like to give a special mention and thank her brother Colm. He wrote the opening music and did the voiceover of her poem The Traveler.

This is their first collaboration together and Gerry is so excited to share his work. She could not be more proud of him.
She performed it on zoom a few times but this is the first time in front of a live audience and she could not be happier it is presented by Manhattan Repertory Theatre aka her Happy Place. Over the years She has performed many plays at
Manhattan Repertory Theatre portraying many great characters.

She also has written and performed her own plays at Manhattan Repertory ‘Forget me not’ which she also directed and played Mam which  won her best play at the MRT play competition. She also wrote and performed her one woman show called ‘My Moment’ 

Gerry loves being on stage and in recent years has taken to film. She is featured in the award winning Documentary ‘The Girl Who Cannot Speak’ which was picked up by NBC and was screened in Cannes.

She plays the lead character Ma in the tv pilot 'Mclean Avenue’ written and produced by Mike Farragher this pilot is currently doing the rounds to different networks. Gerry brings this same character to a new comedy short film called Love Letters Profiles written and produced by Mike and they are both over the moon it will be making its international debut at The Dublin International Comedy Film Festival January 2022. Gerry won Best Actress in a comedy for her role as Ma at The Brightside Film Festival 2020 

Gerry founded, along with her business partner Jennifer Pierro, their own film company Girlfriend Style Productions. Their focus is on telling stories with a very clear message.
She is so proud of what they have achieved so far.  Their first film Switch which they co- wrote produced and starred in has been accepted into many film festivals 
Switch won best short short film at NYLIFF  2020. Gerry also won Best Actress in a  drama  for her role as Roxanne in Switch at The Brightside Film Festival 2020.

Gerry is so excited to be back on stage and as always thanks her beautiful Children Jack, Kacie & James for letting her go out to play. Gerry would like to thank Ken & Jen for all the love and support and for this amazing opportunity to be back on stage 
The MRT Family is like no other  Live Theatre is Back!!!
Tonight's performance is dedicated to her Mam & Dad
 

Jennifer Rizzi

Jennifer Rizzi is thrilled to appear in her fifth MRT production! She was previously featured last holiday season as Deb in Accidental Christmas Romance, and also in her own original play, "Choices.” Jennifer is a graduate of Bucknell University and a native of Pittsburgh, PA, where she was seen in regional theater. Favorite roles include Miranda in The Tempest and Glinda in The Wizard of Oz. She has worked as a television broadcaster in PA and WV, and as a host for New York Daily News video segments. 
 

Geoffrey Grady

Geoffrey Grady received his MFA in Acting from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and has performed in NY and regional theatres. Some of his favorite roles include:  Tor (Understudy/Performed) in The Drilling Company’s Off-Broadway production of THE NORWEGIANS; Sir Andrew AugueCheek in 12TH NIGHT (ATA), Juror #3 in TWELVE ANGRY JURORS and John Proctor in THE CRUCIBLE (Delphi Theatre); The Stage Manager in OUR TOWN (Delphi Theatre), Jack Palmer in THE BOYS NEXT DOOR and Tyler Moss in CROSSING DELANCEY (The Broach Theatre); Orlando in AS YOU LIKE IT and Duke Vincentio in MEASURE FOR MEASURE (ASCIA Theatre).  Joseph Chaikin in I BEGIN TO REHEARSE MY OWN DEATH (Prisim Festival).  He has performed with Manhattan Rep in their productions of CLERICAL MATTERS, THE LIVING ROOM, TALKING WITH DIANA, as Henry Ford in MODEL T IN THE AMAZON and as Leonardo da Vinci in LAUGH SUPPER.

Danny McWilliams

Danny McWilliams has been an actor with Manhattan Repertory Theatre since 2016 appearing in many of their productions. He also has performed with The Gallery Players in Brooklyn in The Black Box One-Act play festivals for the past four years. He hosts a weekly stand-up comedy show at The Duplex, New York’s legendary Piano Bar in Greenwich Village. 

Julie Rhee

Julie Rhee has played “Lauren” in Circle Mirror Transformation by Annie Baker, and “Juror #8” in Twelve Angry Jurors by Reginald Rose. She also enjoys stand up comedy, and has competed at the She-Devil Comedy Fest in NYC along with forty-seven women comedians selected across the country. 

Rachelle Leconte

Rachelle is thrilled to be performing in this year's production as Sarah in The Drunken Guru. As a native New Yorker Rachelle Leconte has always loved acting. At a young age she went to the broadway show Rent and she’s never looked back. She graduated with her BA in Theatre and attended HB Studios as well as The Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute. Rachelle has continued to work on her craft by starting in non union theatre, tv and web-series productions. Rachelle has always been fearless and determined to find creative ways to meet her goals. She loves doing things people wouldn’t dare to do like the time she broke into a hotel to meet the Backstreet Boys.

Kiara Lauren

Kiara Lauren is a New York City based actor, director, and producer charged with using storytelling to connect black and brown communities to ultimately change our multifaceted, multicultural, and complex perceptions of the world. Kiara is a recent graduate of Spelman College where she obtained a B.A in Theatre and Performance with a concentration in directing. Prior to graduating she was professionally directing shows throughout the Metro-Atlanta area. Upon graduating she has went on to originate several roles in original plays and webseries throughout the country. She is currently preparing for the International Human Rights Art Festival: Ten-Minute Play Festival. Follow Kiara on instagram @thekiaralauren to keep up with her!
 

Chris Carver

Chris Carver -DIRECTOR- Fav's include "AfterGLOW" (Best Dir of the Decade- BWW), "Psycho the Musical" (West Coast Premier), "Hair" (MACHA) "Xanadu", "Fame", "Footloose" (The Strawberry Bowl), "Neil Simon's Fools", "Be Prepared" (World Premier), "The Women", and "Stage Door"  ACTOR - LA favs: "The Lost plays of Tennessee Williams" (LA Weekly Award), "Women Over the Influence" (w/ Julie Arenal), "The Importance of Being Earnest" (A.A.T.), "The Magic Hour" (with Ed Asner), and "Baby with the Bathwater" (ADA award). He had the pleasure of working with Ray Bradbury when Ray revived "Falling Upward" at LA’s Falcon Theater. East Coast: original casts of "Psycho the Musical" and "The Legend of Lydia". Regional: "The Heidi Chronicles", "A Chorus Line", "Gypsy", and "Greater Tuna"  (Best Actor- Georgia Theater League); TV/Film: "Parents Just Don't Understand" THE MAJESTIC, SURVIVING GILLIGAN'S ISLAND, and "American Dreams". christopherglynncarver.com

Shania April Sheilds

Shania Shields is a bi-coastal actress, singer, and dancer born in the Bronx, New York. As a 2021 graduate of New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, Shania has received her BFA studio training in the drama department at Playwrights Horizons, Atlantic Acting School and Stonestreet Studios. Her previous performance credits include her role as Horatio in Shakespeare in the Square’s production of Hamlet, her role as Charity in the musical Barnum and her recent appearance in the American drama series Billions. Shania Shields is excited to be performing in her role as Rosemary in the production of Duck!
 

Jessica Spiegel

Jessica Spiegel is honored to be joining the cast of Manhattan Repertory Theater’s production of Duck by Emilie Kefalas.  She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Theater from The City College of New York. During her years at City College, she has studied The Stanislavski Method Acting for the stage and film. You might have seen her in YCP Theater Work’s production of Almost, Maine and   the annual City College one act play festival in Dear, Mom. During her free time, she is busy writing poetry and staying active doing yoga, shaolin kung fu and hiking. She hopes to be in many more productions in the future and would like to thank her director Ken Wolf for this wonderful opportunity. 

Rebecca Hamner

Rebecca Hamner is a graduate from NYU's Meisner Studio (BFA). Theater: Three Sisters (Studio Theater), Fefu and her Friends (Lowe Theater), Richard III (Shanghai Winter Institute), Kid Simple (Shop Theater), and Precipice (Playwrights Horizons, NYU). Film: Call of the Water, Please Don't Do That, and Slut. She is thrilled to be performing for the first time at The Chain Theater. Many thanks to her family and chicken.

Laurie Sammeth

Laurie Sammeth is delighted to be on stage again in a wonderful play with a great team. NYC stage appearances include What Shall We Do with Dawn? (St. Jean’s  & Manhattan Rep) Express Train and OMG, Chopsticks! (Players Theatre) Gifted, Halls of Importance (Hudson Guild), Is That All They Wrote, Transit Tales (St. Jean’s), Jeanie & May (Theater for New City), 28 Marchant Avenue, Shades of Blue, Lilliom and The Curious Savage. Film and other credits, reels and contact info can be found at www.lauriesammeth.com

Chris Sax

Chris sax is an actor from just outside Niagara Falls, New York. He studied and graduated from Belmont University, Tom Todoroff Acting Conservatory and Rose Bruford College in England. When not around the New York art scene he enjoys playing golf, music, sailing and the great outdoors. This is his first time working with Manhattan Rep. He is excited to be back on stage for more information about Chris or to reach out to him contact him www.actorchrissax.com 

Troy Walton

Troy Walton is a New York based actor. Graduated from Ball State University Class of 2020 with a BFA in Musical Theatre. Most recently performed at Cedar Point amusement park in The Swelltones

Kelsey Waltermire

Kelsey Waltermire is an EMC actor and graduate of the University of Kentucky where she majored in Theatre with minors in Political Science and English. Prior New York credits: Carol Collins in One More Fine Day at the Midtown International Theatre Festival (Winner of Best Ensemble) and Emily in What Am I Supposed To Do Knowing You’re In The World? at the Seat Of Our Pants Theatre Festival (Finalist). Check out her website, www.kelseywaltermire.com  for updates on future projects!
 

Greg Minster

67 years old.  Long time 'hobby' writer.

From Sheboygan, Wisonsin.

G. V. Craig

G.V Craig is the author of over sixteen dramatic works and two musicals of which nine have been produced in New York. Her last live stage production, “Wizard" received a Clement Theater literary acknowledgement. 

G.V. is creative board member of Stramal Arts League, (https://www.stramal.com/), a New York state approved non-profit whose mission is to encourage success for young people in the arts. 

G.V. is producer of St. Gabriel Street Productions, LLC and a frequent contributor to Ken Wolf’s Playwright's Reading Room and is a member of the Dramatist Guild and Theater Resources Limited.
 

Emilie/Emily Kefalas

Emilie/Emily Kefalas is a late twenty-something lavender-haired writer, compulsive doodler, and visual effects production assistant with HBO. Originally from Decatur, Illinois, Kefalas holds a BFA in writing from the Savannah College of Art and Design and currently resides in Los Angeles, California. She is so “ducking” excited to be working with Ken and the amazing super-humans of the Manhattan Rep team for the second time with “Duck!” Kefalas made her playwriting/Manhattan Rep debut in October, 2019 with “Replay,” a short play following a female rookie sports announcer as she calls her first college football game. In addition to the love & support of her family and friends, Kefalas is eternally grateful to Ken and the entire cast and crew bringing “Duck!” to life this weekend (“Break a leg everyone!!”).
 

Anna Mae Perillo

Anna Mae Perillo is a poet, novelist and playwright who writes primarily at the Jersey Shore and NYC. Her first poetry book was released in October 2020, Inheritance of Courage and Fear published by Finishing Line Press. Her poem “Nest of Worries” was published in Contrapositions. In June 2021, her poem “Love Baby” was published by the American Diversity Project, and “Invitation” was appeared in Liquid Imagination. She has been a featured artist for  Inspired Word NYC and for the International Women’s Writing Guild.

Anna Mae’s poem “A Boy Lying Listless Against a Wall on a New York City Sidewalk” has been nominated by Finishing Line Press for a 2021 Pushcart Prize.
Anna Mae recently completed her first novel, Porcelain. It is currently being edited and will be ready for publication soon.  

Her play Marianna and the Wild Boars being produced and directed by the Manhattan Repertory Theater was inspired by her time spent in the Chianti region of Italy among the wild boars and by some unfortunate encounters her family has had with figurative wild boars. 

When Anna Mae is not writing, she is practicing law primarily as a divorce mediator in Red Bank, New Jersey. She is a wife and mother of two grown children considered by her to be her greatest achievement.  She dedicates this play to her own beautiful daughter. 

Caitlyn Waltermire

Caitlyn Waltermire’s plays include One More Fine Day (winner of “Outstanding Ensemble” in a musical, MITF 2017), soapworld (a love story), Little Bites, by the beautiful beautiful sea and Dreary, Dearie. Her work has been (or will be) produced by Midtown Int’l Theatre Festival (NY), Gaslight Baker Theatre (TX), Leeds Center for the Arts (KY), Cincinnati Fringe Festival (OH), Athenswest Theatre (KY), and Hickory Community Theatre (NC). Most recently, her short play What Am I Supposed To Do, Knowing You're In The World? was voted into the finals of Seat Of Our Pants Theatre's Short Play Festival (NY). She is a member of the Dramatist Guild.
 

Isaac Hines-Williams

Isaac Hines-Williams is a director and designer based in New York with work featured at New Ohio Theatre, Athenswest, and Actors Theatre of Louisville. Previous assistant credits with the companies of anedocta, Built for Collapse, and The Anthropologists. He currently contracts as a Floral designer for home and business installations. He received his B.A. from the University of Kentucky. @culturedgranola
 

Ken Wolf

Ken Wolf is the co-founder and Artistic Director of Manhattan Rep and the author of over 20 plays. He has also directed over 100 productions in his lifetime, including The Tempest, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Three Sisters, The Eyes of Love, The Match Game, Tales of Terror, Men, Le Cygne, The Living Room, Dirty Linen, Past Perfect, and the orignal production of The Bigot by Gabi and Eva Mor.

As Artistic Director at Manhattan Repertory Theatre, he has produced over 1000 full length plays and over 6000 short pieces.  

Ken hosts The Playwriting Podcast which can be found on Apple Podcasts and most podcast apps, which was voted the #1 Playwriting podcast in the world. 

Ken is also a playwriting coach and a Play Production “Doctor.”

His One Man play The People in my Hips was hailed by Martin Denton of nytheatre.com as being “unlike any theatre piece I have ever seen.” And Lise Avery of Anything Goes!! Internationally Syndicated Radio said “THE PEOPLE IN MY HIPS is one of the most extraordinary pieces of theatre I have seen on or Off-Broadway in years. Mr. Wolf’s one-man performance is exquisite, inspiring, courageous and beautifully constructed.” 

Ken also received rave reviews with his amazing 8lb dog Roma Pierro-Wolf, in his play DAD AND THE DOG, New York City’s first One Man One Dog show.   

He is a passionate teacher and creative artist. He lives with the incredible Jennifer Pierro and the adorable Roma Pierro-Wolf in Manhattan.

Jennifer Pierro

JENNIFER PIERRO is an Italian American NYC based Actress/Voice-Over Artist and a Proud member of AEA & SAG-AFTRA Unions. 

She studied acting at the prestigious HB Studio school in Greenwich Village NYC under the guidance of Jeanne Kaplan.

She was last seen in her short film “SWITCH”(she co-wrote with her business partner Ger Glennon) as Dr. Alex Owens. She also appeared in the indie features "CODE NAME NEMISIS", "MANHATTAN BRIDGE","THE CLOWN" & "THE BIG SHEA SOCIAL CLUB". She will be performing in her latest short film currently in development called “OPPOSITES” (she co-wrote with Ger Glennon) as Maggie. She is the Co-Author along with Ken Wolf & the voice of Roma in the multi-touch interactive children's book "ROMA'S NEW YORK CITY ADVENTURES". Available now on Apple Books. She also co-wrote, directed and produced the children’s theatre show “UNIQUE”.

Jennifer is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Manhattan Repertory Theatre since 2005. www.manhattanrep.com

She is also the Co-Founder of a Production Company called Girlfriend Style Productions with her business partner Ger Glennon. A production company that focuses on producing projects with a message in theatre, film and tv. She and Ger co-wrote a children’s theatre show called “THE UNIQUE JOURNEY”. They also co-wrote, acted, directed and produced a short film called “SWITCH” that is currently in the film festival circuit. SWITCH has officially been selected in a number of festivals in the US and Internationally. Nominations include: Best Screenplay, Best Screenplay Short, Best Drama, Best Dramatic Short, and has won the BEST SHORT SHORT award at the NYLIFF festival 2020! Ger won Best Actress at The Brightside Film Festival 2020. 

Her most recent screenplay “OPPOSITES” that she co-wrote with Ger and will act, direct and produce is currently in development. www.girlfriendstyleproductions.com

She is a Mom to her fur child Roma (8lb Morkie), avid cyclist, runner, athlete, marathon competitor, loves all things fitness, animal lover, foodie, photographer, loves spending time with family, friends & loves traveling the world (Italy being her favorite) and exploring different cultures. She is currently training for the 2022 NYC marathon!

"Only as high as I can reach can I grow, Only as far as I seek can I go, Only as deep as I look can I see, Only as much as I dream can I be" - Karen Raven

Head up Wings out!

For more information, please visit: www.jenniferpierro.com