BWW Stage Mag Pithy Party - Playful Substance Stage Mag

 

Pithy Party

w/ Playful Substance
 
 

Party #1

 
Heart Shaped Box
by Tori Barron
dir. Kim Berrios Lin
 
Under the Bridge
written & directed by
by Jacqueline Reason
 
The House on 2nd Street
by Niki Hatzidis
dir. Bree O'Connor
 

 

Party #2

 
Barometric Pressure
by Bree O'Connor
dir. Ashley Adelman
 
A Special Episode
by Nicholas Steckman
dir. Kaili Y Turner
 
La Tía Angustias Viene de Visita
by Martha Lorena Preve
dir. Cynthia Bastidas
 
Aaron Sorkin
by Donald Wollner
dir. Amanda Lacson
 
 
 

Party #3

 
Mr. & Mrs. Garbo
by Raphael Perahia
dir. Dan Renkin
 
The Ms Piggy
Social Club
by Stephanie Scott
dir. Courtney Wetzel
 
Mish-Mosh
by Laura Sisskin
dir Raphael Perahia

STREAMING ONLY CONTENT

featuring music by Oh Elis

Playful Substance: What's Next?

 

Osi Mizrahi: Solo Show Excerpt 

based on her upcoming book, Building the Home Within

 

American Romance, a film by Chris Craymer

 

Follow Us:

Actors' Equity Association (AEA), founded in 1913 represents more than 50,000 actors and stage manager in the United States. Equity seeks to advance, promote and foster the art of live theatre as an essential component of our society. Equity regulates wages and working conditions, providing a wide range of benefits, including health and pension plans. AEA is a member of the AFL-CIO and is affiliated with FIA, and international organization of performing arts unions. The Equity emblem is our mark of excellence www.actorsequity.org. 

 

*Indicates actor appearing courtesy of Actors' Equity Association

Song List

 

Party #1

 

Heart Shaped Box

by Tori Barron

directed by Kim Berrios Lin

 

starring:

Laura Sisskin

Marlon Quijije

Bree O'Connor

*Dan Renkin

 

 

Under the Bridge

written & directed by Jacqueline Reason

 

starring:

Naila Negron

Brianna Suarez- Thomas

Anastacia Tucker

*Jeorge Bennett Watson

 

 

The House on 2nd Street

by Niki Hatzidis

directed by Bree O'Connor

 

starring: 

Tori Barron

*Brandon Fox

*Helene Galek

OSi Mizrahi

Laura Murphy

*Maria Peyramaure

*Dan Renkin

Yessenia Rivas

Rahoul Roy

Patrick Michael Valley

Donald Wollner

 

 

 

Streaming #1

 

Playful Substance Artists

The Underground Astronauts Project

Building the Home Within  by Osi Mizrahi

"The Most Beautiful Garden" -Oh Elis!

 

 

 

Party #2

 

 

Barometric Pressure

by Bree O'Connor

directed by Ashley Adelman

 

starring

Bree O'Connor

*Dan Renkin

Rocco Spoon

 

 

A Special Episode

by Nick Steckman

written by Kaili Y. Turner

 

starring

Matt C Cass

Cristina Garcia Leon

Bree O'Connor

Rocco Spoon

Lauren Lindsey White

 

 

La Tía Angustias Viene de Visita

by Martha Lorena  Preve

directed by Cynthia Bastidas

 

starring:

Silvana Gonzalez

*Maria Peyramaure

Marlon Quijije

 

 

Aaron Sorkin

by Donald Wollner

directed by Amanda Lacson

 

starring

Cristina Garcia Leon

*Lee Wilkof

 

 

Streaming #2

 

Leave it on the Ground- by Bree O'Connor

American Romance- from filmmaker Chris Craymer

Playful Substance Artists

"LOVE" - Oh Elis

 

 

 

Party #3

 

 

Mr. & Mrs. Garbo

by Raphael Perahia

directed by Dan Renkin

 

starring:

Yessenia Rivas

Raphael Perahia

 

 

 

The Ms Piggy Social Club

written & staged by Stephanie Scott

with development direction by Courtney Wetzel

 

starring:

Cristina Garcia Leon

Bree O'Connor

 

 

Mish-Mosh

by Laura Sisskin

directed by Raphael Perahia

 

starring:

*Helene Galek

Raphael Perahia

Yessenia Rivas

Marlon Quijije

*Lee Wilkof

Donald Wollner

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cast

Raphael Perahia
Writer/ actor/ director
Matt C. Cross
Malcolm
Maria Peyramaure
Tía Angustias and Marilyn
Anastacia L Tucker
Suzy
Marlon Quijije
Adam, John,muppet, jose,andy
Laura Murphy
Host/ Tiffany
Lauren Lindsey
Sam
Naila Negron
Yvonne
Brianna Suarez-Thomas
Laura
Rocco Spoon Jr
Dr. Reynolds
Bree OConnor
Tammy, Carol, Margaret
Lee Wilkof
Kevin; Alan
Dan Renkin
Walter (HOUSE), Clyde (BAROMETRIC PRESSURE)
Brandon Fox
Cam
Yessenia Rivas
Alice - House on 2nd St // Araceli - Mr. and Mrs. Garbo // Petra - Mishmosh
Jeorge Bennett Watson
Greene
Silvana Gonzalez
Ella
Helene Galek
Louise/Marta
Laura Sisskin
Eloise in Heart Shaped Box

Creative Team

Raphael Perahia

Director/ Writer

Martha Preve

Writer

Niki Hatzidis

Writer

Kim Berrios Lin

Director

Stephanie Scott

Playwright

Courtney Wetzel

Director

Cynthia Bastidas

Director

Laura Sisskin

Writer, Mish-Mosh

Amanda Faye Lacson

Director

Jacqui Reason

Writer/Director

Gavin Sexton

Stage Manager

Cynthia Bastidas

Director

Nicholas Steckman

Writer

Kaili Y Turner

Director

Donald Wollner

Playwright

Dan Renkin

Director, MR. AND MRS. GARBO

Jay Michaels

Press Agent

Meet the Company

Raphael Perahia

Writer/ actor/ director
Raphael Perahia - Writer/ actor/ director Raphael Perahia is a writer, director and performer based in New York. In 2019 He wrote and directed Shelter in Place at Under St Mark's theatre. He wrote and produced a solo show, The Wedding Guest (2017: New York Frigid Fringe, Brighton Fringe Festival, Edinburgh Fringe Festival). In May 2018 he wrote Merchants (Under St Marks Theatre for a two week run). He graduated from a two year clown/ acting programme at Ecole Philippe Gaulier in 2015. He has studied improvisation in New York with the Upright Citizens Brigade and in London with The FA and Monkey Toast.

Matt C. Cross

Malcolm
Matt C. Cross - Malcolm Matt C. Cross is a Kiowa actor, and 2018 UCB alumni from Oklahoma City. They have performed with the Yale Indigenous Performing Arts Program, and have appeared onstage at the Theater for the New City in the Amerinda production of Bound by Tara Moses. In addition to acting Matt C. Cross is also a member of the Thunderbird American Indian Dancers.

Maria Peyramaure

Tía Angustias and Marilyn
Maria Peyramaure - Tía Angustias and Marilyn Maria Peyramaure (she/her) is a bilingual actress based in NYC. Though a comedian at heart, Maria focuses on theatrical work that is socially conscious. Last year she helped develop the vote mobilizing immersive virtual theatrical experience Carla's Quince, which was nominated for a Drama League Award! Short films in the current festival circuit: Missguidance and Wuhan Driver. Maria is also a voice over artist, a pediatric clown with Healthy Humor and an Only Make Believe actor and teaching artist. www.MariaPeyramaure.com

Anastacia L Tucker

Suzy
Anastacia L Tucker - Suzy Anastacia L. Tucker: Anastacia aka Dutchess is a native of Chicago's southside, who began acting at a young age. She is known for being funny by accident and sarcastic by nature. She was featured in Netflix's "It's Bruno" and has performed in various short films, web series, and in productions at the Producer's Club, Long Wharf Theatre, The Chicago Theatre and ETA Theatre. Anastacia enjoys a challenge and "taking a walk" through different characters' lives, bringing them to life to share their stories and experiences with others. She is also a dance fitness instructor with an ACE Group Fitness Certification. She believes the best and safest place to be vulnerable is through creative expression. She likes to indulge herself in reading, dancing, and writing in her spare time.

Marlon Quijije

Adam, John,muppet, jose,andy
Marlon Quijije is a LatinX New York City based actor who grew up in Long Island. Growing up Marlon focused on sports but his true passion was always acting. Before getting involved in the arts Marlon got his BS in Criminal Justice from New York Institute of Technology, where he played division 2 soccer. After graduating College Marlon decided to pursue acting full time. He decided to get his MFA and Training from Actors Studio Drama School. Marlon Quijije will also be starring as a lead alongside Karen Allen and William Sadler in their upcoming Feature Film A Stage of Twilight

Laura Murphy

Host/ Tiffany
Laura Murphy - Host/ Tiffany

Laura Murphy Is beyond thrilled to be hosting the Pithy Party this year as well as play the role of Tiffany in “The House on 2nd Street.” Laura has been known to dabble in the arts wearing many hats over the years. Some of her favorite projects have included dancing and choreographing for Danceworks New York City, hosting L’Opera Burlesque as Ms Harlow Wigglesworth at Duane Park, and playing the voice Of Izzy in the cartoon “Mac and Izzy”.

Lauren Lindsey

Sam
Lauren Lindsey - Sam Lauren is an award-winning actor and writer. Recent acting credits include (selected): "Office Comedy" at Playwrights Downtown, critically acclaimed “3/Fifths” at 3LD and her one-woman show, "Lauren White Wants You" at Theatre Row. Lauren recently had a supporting role in Emmy nominee Dui Jarrod’s new series, which premiered at the Seattle Film Festival. Lauren is a part of the new Irish storytelling podcast, The Promenade. Lauren's most recent one-woman show premiered at TADA! as part of the Emerging Artists Theater Festival. NYC writing credits include: Theatre Row, United Solo Festival, Under St. Marks, Bank Street Theater, UCB and international credits include: Dublin's Fringe Festival and The New Theatre. Lauren is an intensive ensemble member at the LAByrinth Theater company and a company member at PopUP Theatrics and Playful Substance. www.itslaurenlindsey.com

Naila Negron

Yvonne
Naila Negron - Yvonne A 20 year old artist, part-time barista from Brooklyn, NY. Worked with Developing Artists for about 3 years.

Brianna Suarez-Thomas

Laura
Brianna Suarez-Thomas - Laura Hi! My name is Brianna and I am a current member of youth theater group Developing Artists and college student pursuing a Film Production BA. With education from my theater group and school I plan for my future career to include directing, screenwriting, and acting.

Rocco Spoon Jr

Dr. Reynolds
Rocco Spoon Jr - Dr. Reynolds Rocco (Dr. Reynolds) is absolutely elated to be on stage for his first live performance in quite a while. Previous favorite characters have been Bruce in BEYOND THERAPY, Jan in MR. 80% and his most daunting and proud role was the portrayal Joseph Merrick in THE ELEPHANT MAN. He is a member of SAG/AFTRA and currently does featured BG work along with numerous Stand In roles for some prominent actors such as Oscar Isaac, Jeremy Strong and Adam Scott. When Rocco is not fine tuning his craft, he works as a realtor (who’s looking to BUY or SELL WITH ROCCO) , plus he is trying to be a very involved dad and husband to his boys Leo, Alex and his wife Kenya. Thank you for trusting and casting me Kaili, it is greatly appreciated. Enjoy the Show!

Bree OConnor

Tammy, Carol, Margaret
Bree OConnor - Tammy, Carol, Margaret

Bree O’Connor is a co-founder and Artistic Director of Playful Substance, a New York based theater company focused on the development of conscientious collaborators, new works, and substantive productions approached with a sense of fun. Bree is equally at home onstage, backstage, behind the computer or in the box office. As a playwright, director, and writing coach, Bree has fostered over 30 works from page to stage including her own works, Pull, SAHM’s Club and her solo show, Gee, I Hope You Have Fun…., as well as new plays by Raphael Perahia, Grant Harris and Lauren Lindsey White. Bree’s design work includes conjuring 1880’s New York for Infinite Variety Production’s immersive production of Nellie and the Women of Blackwell, sets for IVP’s upcoming film Can We Talk?, and Playful Substance’s productions of Frank, by Grant Harris and Tell Me by Lauren Lindsey White. Bree is currently collaborating with IVP as a director on another immersive documentary theatre project, The Underground Astronauts, slated for a workshop production in Sedona, AZ in Fall 2022 and New York City in 2023.

Lee Wilkof

Kevin; Alan
Lee Wilkof - Kevin; Alan Lee Wilkof has acted for 5 decades. He has been nominated for a Tony and 3 Drama Desk Awards. He is the recipient of an Obie Award. He directed the film No Pay, Nudity.

Dan Renkin

Walter (HOUSE), Clyde (BAROMETRIC PRESSURE)
Dan Renkin - Walter (HOUSE), Clyde (BAROMETRIC PRESSURE) Dan previously directed act I of Raphael Perahia's SHELTER IN PLACE for Pithy Party, and has choreographed fights for Playful Substance's productions of FRANK, TELL ME and I CAN KISS LIKE TED BUNDY. He has acted and choreographed for the Metropolitan Opera, "As the World Turns," the McCarter, NLTP, Boomerang, Miranda, Resonance, Storm, and many others. He was nominated as Best Actor in a Play in the Broadway World regional awards for THE COMPLETE HISTORY OF COMEDY (ABRIDGED), happily coming in second to another one-third of the lovely cast. He has guested with New York Theatre Ballet for over two decades, notably as the original Tweedledum in Keith Michael's acclaimed ballet vaudeville THE ALICE IN WONDERLAND FOLLIES. His choreography for SUPERIOR DONUTS with Rehabilitation Through the Arts was complimented as "the best fight in the history of Sing Sing." Faculty: Circle in the Square, American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Professional Conservatory of Musical Theatre at New York Film Academy, Five Towns College. Previous or guest instructor: HB Studios, Juilliard, Martina Arroyo Foundation, Strasberg Institute, Queens College.

Brandon Fox

Cam
Brandon Fox - Cam Brandon Fox is an actor from Wall, New Jersey. He likes bees. They are fuzzy.

Yessenia Rivas

Alice - House on 2nd St // Araceli - Mr. and Mrs. Garbo // Petra - Mishmosh
Yessenia Rivas - Alice - House on 2nd St // Araceli - Mr. and Mrs. Garbo // Petra - Mishmosh Yessenia Rivas is a Mission, TX native currently living in the city and an Actors Studio Drama School M.F.A. recipient. Yessenia starred in the award winning short film Let's Play Dead Girl which is now streaming on Amazon Prime and is a current finalist in the 2021 NBC Nosotros Ya Tu Sabes Monologue Slam. This is her first Pithy Party and she’s so excited about it!! YesseniaRivas.com

Jeorge Bennett Watson

Greene
Jeorge Bennett Watson - Greene Jeorge Bennett Watson is a 30+ year grizzled, yet affable and handsome veteran of the theater, TV and film wars, who’s extremely grateful for this opportunity to bring this work to life. He is a recent graduate of the 2020-2021 Atlantic Acting School Evening Conservatory and studies continuously with Susan Batson, Carl Ford and Jake Harders as acting and accent coaches. He is represented by Avalon Artists Group, theatrically, Innovative Artists, commercially and for VO work and is managed by RedLetter Entertainment, domestically and by Crawford Talents, internationally. He is a father of two beautiful humans and is a self-taught bass player. Excelsior!

Silvana Gonzalez

Ella
Silvana Gonzalez - Ella Silvana is a Mexican actress and classical ballet dancer who graduated from NYU Tisch with a Founders Day Award and BFA in Theater. Her most recent credits include Ondine in A Thousand Suns at LA MAMA, Hera in FauxBia! The Musical in Carnegie Hall, Hermia in A Midsummer Night's Dream, Cynthia in WarLovers in Theater Row, and Louise Overbee in Love/Sick. Her film credits include Dr. Esperanza Haddid in Call The Sandman, Maria in Disconnect, and Irene in IL. Silvana is a member of the NYC based theater company Something From Abroad.

Helene Galek

Louise/Marta
Helene Galek - Louise/Marta Helene Galek is so happy to be a part of Pithy Party with all these cool people! As an actor, Helene recently performed as cynical Maxine who loves an afternoon cocktail in “Peri-Street”, a new indie TV series. She has performed in dozens of readings with different groups on Zoom and is so happy to be stepping on this stage live and in person. As a casting director, Helene just cast a TYA musical at the 92nd St Y, a new dramatic musical reading and a filmed musical reading for children. She will begin work soon on a new indie feature film. As a writer, Helene’s first play, “Dinner Date 2020” won Honorable Mention at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe Spring Festival; the first one she submitted to! It will be awarded a live performance next spring! Her first monologue was chosen to be presented in the Benefit Evening of the Nuyorican Poets Cafe in 2020 and it was humbling to be in the presence of published playwrights including Neil LaBute. Currently, she is working on a book about being an original fan of Dark Shadows, the 60’s gothic soap opera. Many thanks to Bree O’Connor for inviting me to play! And thanks to Raphael Parahia too!

Laura Sisskin

Eloise in Heart Shaped Box
Laura Sisskin - Eloise in Heart Shaped Box Laura Sisskin is an award-winning actor and singer/songwriter. She was most recently seen in spit&vigor's fall production of Hit Your Mark Die Beautiful (New Ohio Theatre). Her solo show, You Hold a Pole Everyday was nominated for a NY Innovative Theatre Award for Outstanding Performance of a Solo Show in 2019 and won in the same category with Planet Connections in 2018. Previous credits include Proof (Claire), Eleemosynary (Artie), Vagina Monologues (Crooked Braid, Vagina Workshop). Laura sings under the alias Oh, Elis. Her single “The Most Beautiful Garden” is featured in the film, Ask for Jane, and was also on an episode of Democracy Now! She holds a BFA in Acting from Emerson College. LauraSF.com

Raphael Perahia

Director/ Writer
Raphael Perahia - Director/ Writer Raphael Perahia is a writer and performer based in New York. In 2019 he wrote and directed the highly acclaimed play Shelter In Place. He wrote and produced a solo show, The Wedding Guest (2017) which appeared around the world at venues including New York Frigid Fringe, Brighton Fringe Festival and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. In May 2018 he wrote Merchants (Under St Marks Theatre for a two week run). He graduated from a two year clown/ acting programme at Ecole Philippe Gaulier in 2015. He has studied improvisation in New York with the Upright Citizens Brigade and in London with The FA and Monkey Toast.

Martha Preve

Writer
Martha Preve - Writer Martha is a Mexican multi-disciplinary theater artist. She is the co-founder of Something from Abroad where she plays different roles like producer, playwright, performer and stage manager. She has worked as an assistant stage manager for three OFF BROADWAY shows. Originally from the Yucatan Peninsula, Martha loves creating art that mixes English and Spanish and combines her Mexican traditions and culture with the characters, stories and fast paced environment of the city. She is a co-host of the bilingual radio show No Me Digas at Radio Kingston. She is thrilled to be back working with the Playful Substance family!

Niki Hatzidis

Writer
Niki Hatzidis - Writer Niki Hatzidis is a writer and an award-nominated playwright whose work has been produced in New York, Massachusetts, California, and the UK. Niki is a contributing satirical writer for Ladyspike Media and a sketch writer and actor for Dog Show Comedy. She is currently completing an MA in Dramaturgy and Writing for Performance at Goldsmiths University in London. nikihatzidis.squarespace.com

Kim Berrios Lin

Director
Kim Berrios Lin - Director Kim Berrios Lin is a proud founding member of Playful Substance. She performed in the ensemble’s productions of ‘SAHM’s Club’ by Bree O’Connor and ’I Can Kiss Like Ted Bundy’ by Grant Harris, as well as various other events, including Playful Substance’s inclusion in the NYTF presentation of ‘It Can’t Happen Here’ by John C. Moffit and Sinclair Lewis. Kim was most recently seen in the final season of ‘Pose’ (FX). Next up in 2021, she plays a recurring character in 'Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin' (HBO Max) and a role in feature film 'Better Nate Than Ever' (Disney+). Additional credits include: ’The Politician’ (Netflix), ‘New Amsterdam’ (NBC), ‘Bull’ (CBS), ‘FBI: Most Wanted’ (CBS), ‘Almost Family’ (Fox), and the Sundance winning film ‘Never Rarely Sometime Always’. She is Founder of the award winning, socially conscious indie production company ‘And She Flew’, Co-Founder of the social justice theatre org ‘Colors of Community’, and holds an MFA from ‘The Actor’s Studio Drama School’. Kim is also an ensemble member of ‘Barefoot Theatre Company’, ‘Labyrinth Theater Intensive Ensemble’, and ‘Rock The Bells’ (sketch comedy). 

Stephanie Scott

Playwright
Stephanie Scott - Playwright Stephanie Scott teaches at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy. Prior to that, she served on the faculties of Hunter College, HB Studio, and Singers Forum, and was a Fellow at Yale University, where she directed Into The Woods and taught courses on the history of the American Musical. She has also taught internationally at the Beijing Tianqiao Performing Arts Center in Taipei and the Studio Internationale in Paris. She studied acting with Uta Hagen, and holds a B.A. in Theater from Smith College and a Masters in Performance Studies from New York University

Courtney Wetzel

Director
Courtney Wetzel - Director Courtney Wetzel is a director, writer, collaborator and avid supporter of new plays and pods. Recent projects include: A Ladies' Guide to Scoundrels (Maya Rodale and Courtney Wetzel; Clubhouse), Radio Romance (Priscilla Olivera and Angelina M. Lopez; Clubhouse), Beauteous (Craig muMs Grant; Andrew Freedman Home, MoMA), Gee I Hope You Have Fun at My Mom’s Death (Bree O’Connor; Playful Substance), Trapper (Meghan Jones; The Shelter), and The Accident (Dipti Bramhandkar; The Kraine Theater). She is a member of Burn It Down Film Collective's Production Wing.

Cynthia Bastidas

Director
Cynthia Bastidas - Director CYNTHIA BASTIDAS (she/her/hers) is a NYC-based bilingual Chicana actor and filmmaker from the California/Mexico border in the Imperial Valley. Her TV credits include Ramy S2 E6, Homeland S6 E6 and theater credits include PlayOn! Shakespeare Festival (Classic Stage Company), Original Sound (Cherry Lane Theatre) and Just Like Us (Denver Center Theatre). She founded Semillita Productions, a media arts company that centers the stories of the pan-Latinx experience in the United States. Her short film missguidance was recently screened at the Vail Film Festival and the Imagine This Women's International Film Festival. To learn more about Cynthia as an actor or Semillita Productions visit www.cynthiabastidas.com or www.semillitaproductions.com 

Laura Sisskin

Writer, Mish-Mosh
Laura Sisskin is an award-winning actor, writer and singer/songwriter. She was most recently seen in spit&vigor's fall production of Hit Your Mark Die Beautiful (New Ohio Theatre). Her solo show, You Hold a Pole Everyday was nominated for a NY Innovative Theatre Award for Outstanding Performance of a Solo Show in 2019 and won in the same category with Planet Connections in 2018. Previous credits include Proof (Claire), Eleemosynary (Artie), Vagina Monologues (Crooked Braid, Vagina Workshop). Laura sings under the alias Oh, Elis. Her single “The Most Beautiful Garden” is featured in the film, Ask for Jane, and was also on an episode of Democracy Now! She holds a BFA in Acting from Emerson College. LauraSF.com

Amanda Faye Lacson

Director
Amanda Faye Lacson - Director Amanda Faye Lacson (Director, “Aaron Sorkin”) is thrilled to be working with Playful Substance again, last seen on the virtual stage in Spring Resolve. She is a writer, photographer and researcher and has used these skills to help families preserve their stories, and to present three short plays on the virtual stage, "Preservation," "Discontent," and “For Good: Measure.” Amanda is grateful to her Artists’ Way community for encouraging her writing and holding her accountable; Bree and Playful Substance for the warm and thoughtful writer’s group; her family for their never-ending support; and her husband Curtis for believing in her work and making her laugh every day.

Jacqui Reason

Writer/Director
Jacqui Reason - Writer/Director Jacqueline Reason(she/her) is an Afro-Caribbean writer, raised in the Bronx before it became the Boogie Down. Reason is a poet, playwright, Black feminist, and lifelong educator. Her work focuses on stories of survival and resilience. Jacqui is in pre-production of her original stage play Under the Bridge. Reason co-curates a monthly storytelling series in Brooklyn, and co-edits The Community Writing Project Journal. Jacqui loves spending time with family, traveling, and being an influencer and in the lives of her eight grandchildren. Jacqueline Reason’s essay House Parties is the First Prize Winner of the 2021 Writing Black Joy Contest!

Gavin Sexton

Stage Manager
Gavin Sexton - Stage Manager Gavin is a senior at Shenandoah University studying Theatre Design and Production Major with emphases in Stage Management and Scenic Design. This year at Shenandoah University, he acted as the Assistant Scenic Designer for As You Like It and Co-Scenic Designer for Dracula. In addition he worked as the Stage Manager for The Last Five Years in the spring. He is extremely excited to further his experience in the theatre industry and hopes you enjoy Pithy Party.

Cynthia Bastidas

Director
Cynthia Bastidas - Director CYNTHIA BASTIDAS (she/her/hers) is a NYC-based bilingual Chicana actor and filmmaker from the California/Mexico border in the Imperial Valley. Her TV credits include Ramy S2 E6, Homeland S6 E6 and theater credits include PlayOn! Shakespeare Festival (Classic Stage Company), Original Sound (Cherry Lane Theatre) and Just Like Us (Denver Center Theatre). She founded Semillita Productions, a media arts company that centers the stories of the pan-Latinx experience in the United States. Her short film missguidance was recently screened at the Vail Film Festival and the Imagine This Women's International Film Festival. To learn more about Cynthia as an actor or Semillita Productions visit www.cynthiabastidas.com or www.semillitaproductions.com

Nicholas Steckman

Writer
Nicholas Steckman - Writer I used to manage a liquor store in crown heights, I had this customer that winked at me every time they left. It always caught me off guard, even though I knew it was coming. I wanted to reciprocate, but I always ended up blinking. In the end I would just turn my head far enough that they only saw the one eye. Oh I write sometimes.

Kaili Y Turner

Director
Kaili Y Turner - Director Kaili Y. Turner is a Black Indigenous (Natick Nipmuc), comedian, actress, writer, producer, and puppeteer. Kaili received her MFA from the Actors Studio Drama School and has studied at Upright Citizens Brigade NYC, the Labyrinth (summer intensive 2014), and Second City. Kaili’s comedic pilot Fk’d Up & Fabulous is currently streaming on the Tenoir TV app, and is an official selection of the Hip Hop Film Festival and nominated for Best Web Series. She’s the creator of Rock the Bells Comedy, a member of To Karen with Love (Brooklyn) and Grown Ass Women (formally the first all-female maude group at UCBNY) sketch groups, as well as a cast member of Diversity U. She was a participant of the Walt Disney/ABC Pilot Prep Program for Native Americans, and a recent recipient of the SNL/Second City Scholarship. To keep up with all things Kaili feel free to follow her on social media and check out her website. IG: @mdamstarlight, @fkdup_n_Fabulous, @ComedyGoldenGirls, @IamQueenOnika, @ToKarenwithLove @GrownAssWomen www.KailiYTurner.com

Donald Wollner

Playwright
Donald Wollner - Playwright Donald is a two time recipient of a NYCFA Grant for Playwriting. He's an Alumni of The New Dramatists and his plays "Badgers" and "Kid Purple" have been published by Samuel French and Dramatists Play Service respectively.

Dan Renkin

Director, MR. AND MRS. GARBO
Please see performer bio. :-)

Jay Michaels

Press Agent
Jay Michaels, an arts journeyman since 1977, manages a video program channel, interview forum podcast, and nine content sites – all dedicated to exploring the indie arts community. Michaels himself has worked promotion and public relations for Broadway, Off-Broadway, film/TV, film & theater festivals, the Daily News, and produced events on a global scale. JMC: Channel I – creating visibility for independent theater, film, music, and literature has been the battle-cry of this boutique promotion and production firm for more than 20 years. Through a diverse multi-media platform, this communications organization has supplied coverage to hundreds of emerging artists and their productions. JayMichaelsArts.com; jmcommnet@gmail.com; 347-497-4814

Multimedia

Playful Substance Writers' Groups Goes Public 

The Writers' Groups go public! This fall, Playful Substance's celebrated WRITERS' GROUPS will open their doors to the public.

Once only offered to a small, self-selected group of company members and associates, The Playful Substance Theatre Company Writers' Groups provide a safe and supportive environment to individuals interested in exploring intuitive writing methods for playwrights and screenwriters . Guided by industry professionals with the option to submit works-in-progress for the company's "Pithy Party" - an annual public reading party celebrating the new works created in The Writers' Groups - this program opens a door to each individual's potential.

This year's Pithy Party will be retro-themed tributing the historic Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon by presenting a multi-media, multi-platform event live and online.

Writers' Group Fee: $60/monthly (hardship assistance available)
Includes: Access to multiple Writers' Group meetings, accountability, feedback, and developmental readings
Contact: artisticdirector@playfulsubstance.com to register or for further details.

THE PLAYFUL SUBSTANCE WRITERS GROUPS form a year-round collective geared toward assisting writers working on their own but supplying accountability and feedback.

The program meets Monday and Tuesday nights 6:00 PM- 9:00 PM EST, currently both meetings are virtual. Learn More at: https://www.playfulsubstance.com/artist-services.html

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