Short Comedy Festival

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Director's Note

Thank you all for coming to the first original comedy festival at the CCBC-Essex campus! You are a part of an inaugural experience. (Woohoo!!!!) 

It has been amazing creating this theatrical experience for you. The actors have been sharpening their skills around the development of new work. They have come to find how things can change, shift, alter, and disappear. But one thing remains: us. We will always have the marvelous tools of our experiences and upbringings to push us forward, even in today's times where it can feel pessimistic and disappointing. Even still, we can't forget about the laughter.  

The foundation of a new play festival is built on having a writer's words publicly heard and embodied for the first time. Your voice as an audience is important here. I welcome you to seek humor in places both familiar and new to you, every time life offers the opportunity, and let it ring out heartily.  

During your time with us, you will experience several moments where you see a mirror. Not just the physical mirror that is aggressively stretched wide across the space, but rather a reflection of yourself. Or maybe of another. Or of a circumstance. A history, a time, or a place. When you see them, how would you characterize them? Satire, Irony, Schtick, Camp? We have tons of layers to peel back and we appreciate you being a part of this. We hope that you find the levity to be both refreshing and challenging. Have a hearty time, and try not to get lost in the various mirrors in the space. You look great, I promise. 

Brandon Rashad Butts
Director

Playwrights

Barry Boehm
Ryan Carter
Conor Casey
Adrienne Dawes
Jayline Figueroa
Marshall Logan Gibbs
Broadus Nesbitt III
Ken Preuss

Cast

Maddox Christenson
Jayline Figueroa
Soraya Gaddy
Benedict Kragbe
Asia Mason
Eve Ouji
Addi Stashik
Tatiyana Terrelonge
Hax Tillman
Dylan Villegas

Program

Act 1: 

asleep and SCREAMING
by Adrienne Dawes 
Collin - Benedict Kragbe 
Trey/Officer - Hax Tillman 
Demon – Dylan Villegas 

MATES IN SPACE!
by Barry Boehm 
Matt Mason – Eve Ouji 
Molly - Asia Mason 
Mate – Benedict Kragbe 
 

Bloody Mary
by Broadus Nesbitt III 
Abigail – Tatiyana (Tati) Terrelonge  
Jelani – Eve Ouji  
Richard – Dylan Villegas 
Bloody Mary – Jaylene Figueroa 

Taking Sum Lumps
by Ken Preuss 
Addison - Maddox Christenson 
Felicity - Tatiyana (Tati) Terrelonge 

Prepartum Prom
by Ryan Carter 
Kelsey – Asia Mason 
Marissa – Jaylene Figueroa 
Sandy – Addi Stashik 
Lana – Soraya Gaddy  
Chris/Larry - Maddox Christenson 
Mr. Kelvin - Dylan Villegas 
 

There will be one ten-minute intermission

Act 2: 

My Daughter’s a Demon
by Marshall Logan Gibbs 
Mallory – Soraya Gaddy 
Linda – Tatiyana Terrelonge 
Devil – Dylan Villegas 
Mr.Wormald - Hax Tillman 

A Step Too Far
by Conor Casey 
Kendra – Asia Mason 
Melvin – Hax Tillman 

Franks for the Memories
by Jaylene Figueroa 
Witness – Tatiyana Terrelonge 
Narrator – Addi Stashik 
Hot Dog – Benedict Kragbe 
Hot Dog Vendor – Hax Tillman 
Pretzel Vendor – Maddox Christenson 

Creative Team

Meet the Company

Maddox Christenson

Maddox (he/him) is a General Studies major at CCBC and previously starred as Shreddy Eddy in Airness this past fall. He plans to transfer once he finishes here and then pursue a career in acting.

Jayline Figueroa

Jayline is a second year student at CCBC. She is finishing her AFA in Theatre this year. You might have most recently seen Jayline in Airness as Cannibal Queen last Fall here at CCBC. Jayline is excited to debut her first produced play/musical, and to participate and act in the comedy festival!

Soraya Gaddy

Soraya is 20 years old and has been in the theatre since they were four and was last seen in Barbecue at CCBC in the Fall of 2022.

Benedict Kragbe

Benedict is in his first production here at CCBC, where he is a Fine and Performing Arts major. He has previously appeared in productions of High School Musical, Macbeth, Awesome 80s Prom, and various improvs. After graduation, he hopes to work professionally in theatre and film. Thanks to his friends and family.

Asia Mason

Asia (she/her) is appearing in her first play at CCBC. She is majoring in Theatre and has prior acting experience as Hermia in A Midsummer's Night Dream in the Kenwood High School production. She plans to transfer to UMBC next fall to further her pursuit in becoming an actress.

Eve Ouji

“Why do cowboys ride horses?” This is the big question that has plagued Eve’s existence for many centuries. Whilst in the midst of their contemplation, Eve decided to audition for their first theatre production. Being their last semester at CCBC, Eve looks forward to entering this mysterious world of costumes and line readings! Follow (@chottoace) for more horse and cowboy discourse.

Addi Stashik

Addi (they/them) is a Theatre major, appearing in their second show at CCBC. Now in their second semester, they have previously performed on the Catonsville stage in The One-Act Play That Goes Wrong as Max/Cecil last Fall. Addi started theatre in high school, performing in The Wizard of Oz, Dracula, and Footloose. Once they earn an A.F.A. in Theatre, they plan to transfer to Towson University and continue their studies.

Tatiyana Terrelonge

Tati is a third-year theatre major at CCBC. She plans on graduating in the spring of 2024. She appeared in the Fall 2023 production of The One-Act Play That Goes Wrong as Thomas Colleymore/Robert, Spring 2023 production of Hotel Cassiopeia as Matta/The Girl, and in the Fall 2022 production of We Are Proud to Present as Actor 6. She is excited for her role in the Spring Comedy Festival and this will be her last show with CCBC. Tatiyana has also appeared in The Wiz and Annie at EYD Performing Arts. She plans to take her career farther into theatre and film acting.

Hax Tillman

Hax is a CCBC theatre major having previously performed in Barbecue in 2022. High school performances included Papa Ge in Once On This Island. Future plans are to keep auditioning for more plays at CCBC as well as wherever the opportunity presents itself, with hopes of moving to L.A. to attend the American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA).

Dylan Villegas

Dylan is an aspiring actor and a theatre major at CCBC. He made his on-stage debut this past fall in CCBC Academic Theatre's production of Airness by Chelsea Marcantel. He hopes to continue advancing his acting career onward to Towson University.

Barry Boehm

Playwright

Barry has been active in the theatre and performing arts since his professional debut as an actor at age nine. He has worked as both an actor and director in the Midwest, Chicago, San Francisco and New York City. He holds a BFA in Drama from Illinois Wesleyan University and did his Ph.D. in theatre at the Graduate Center of City University in New York. His play, Naptime at Polly’s, was staged in New York in 1995. A short piece, Eat, was part of the Spooky Queer Shorts at TOSOS at The Flea in Tribeca. His full length play Our House had a public reading at TOSOS in March 2023. He was born walking distance of the Mississippi River and now lives walking distance of the Hudson.

Ryan Carter

Playwright

This is Ryan’s last semester here at CCBC and he’s so excited it’s going out with a bang. He’s previously been in Small Mouth Sounds and Little Shop of Horrors on the Essex Campus. Ryan is so incredibly proud of the entire cast and crew for bringing this festival to life. He wants to give a special thank you to Julie Lewis, Terri Raulie, and Maya Conneally for always believing in him, even when his ideas are a little out there. Please enjoy the show and especially enjoy Prepartum Prom.

Conor Casey

Playwright

Conor draws from a colorful life journey to craft darkly comedic tales that resonate with audiences. Introduced to the works of iconic playwrights like Behan, Synge, and Wilde during his formative years in Ireland, Conor initially dabbled in writing for comedy troupes in Boston before rediscovering his passion during the pandemic. Since then, Conor has seen five of his plays come to life on stage, earning recognition such as the top prize at the Celtic Calling Playwriting Competition for his piece The Pangs of Ulster. Alongside his artistic pursuits, Conor serves as a representative in the Vermont General Assembly, channeling his appreciation for storytelling into both his legislative work and his thought-provoking narratives that explore the intersection of politics and human experience.

Adrienne Dawes

Playwright

Adrienne (she/her/hers) is an award-winning playwright, screenwriter, and teaching artist originally from Austin, TX. She received her BA from Sarah Lawrence College and studied sketch & improv at the Second City Training Center in Chicago. Just before the strike, Adrienne staffed on her first TV show, working on a limited series for Hulu/ABC Signature (EP: Ellen Pompeo). Her website is www.adriennedawes.com and she is on most social mediums as @heckleher.

Jayline Figueroa

Playwright

Jayline is a second year student at CCBC. She is finishing her AFA in Theatre this year. You might have most recently seen Jayline in Airness as Cannibal Queen last Fall here at CCBC. Jayline is excited to debut her first produced play/musical, and to participate and act in the comedy festival!

Marshall Logan Gibbs

Playwright

Marshall is a Baltimore-based playwright with several produced plays: SCAM ARTIST and NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY (Truest Ethos Theatre Company) and ABSTRACTED (Dover Little Theater). Other readings and collaborations include Valdez Theatre Conference, Eclectic Full Contact Theatre, Baltimore Playwrights Festival, Lumos Players, and the Maryland Theatre Collective. As an arts educator, Marshall has worked for the Chesapeake Arts Center, Everyman Theatre, and the Jewish Community Center of Greater Baltimore. Marshall holds an AFA degree in Theatre/Performance from CCBC with additional training at Hussian College Los Angeles. Critics have called their characters "relatable, human despite their flaws, and fully fleshed out" and their dialogue "110% believable." They are a proud member of the Dramatists Guild.

Broadus Nesbitt III

Playwright

What originally started out as a comedic exercise for class is now being featured in the comedy festival here at CCBC. Broadus is a west Baltimore native who has a passion for acting and content creating. For the past few years he has been writing plays, web series and plans on writing his first feature length film this year. He is the founder of Undaunted Productions LLC. Although the company has not yet released any films or other works, it is on its way to releasing its first web series. When Broadus isn't writing, he is usually acting. You may have seen him in Little Shop Of Horrors where he was the puppet for Audrey II. Maybe it was in The Underpants as Theo Maske. Or maybe you saw him outside of CCBC in the 2023 10x10x10 Festival at Fells Point Corner Theater. Or in one of his proudest performances, being Stick Fly or Kill Move Paradise at Arena Players. Broadus would like to thank his family and friends, as well as CCBC and Julie Lewis, for bringing his piece to life.

Ken Preuss

Playwright

Ken is a Florida-based writer who became a teacher to guarantee an audience five days a week. His plays have been produced in Australia, Canada, China, England, Germany, Guatemala, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Lithuania, Malaysia, Mexico, Nicaragua, New Zealand, Scotland, South Africa, Thailand, and all 50 States.

Brandon Rashad Butts

Director

Brandon is a collaborative theatre artist and is happy to be returning to CCBC after directing Small Mouth Sounds. His professional theatre experience spans over a decade, but was birthed nearly a decade prior. He is also co-host of ...But Make it Books, a podcast where we are bookishly healing through life (available wherever you listen to your pods.) He thanks the cast, directors and crew for showing up, saying yes, and making it happen. Enjoy the show!

Alexis Tucker

Stage Manager

Jesse Lescallette

Assistant Stage Manager

Terri Raulie

Scenic/Lighting Designer

Terri is an Assistant Professor in the Performing Arts and Humanities Department at CCBC. She holds a BFA and an MA in Theatre Design and Production from Montclair State University in New Jersey. Professional and regional credits include The Whole Theatre, The Hangar Theatre, and Playwright Horizons in New Jersey and New York. Locally, she has designed sets and/or lights for productions with Cockpit in Court Summer Theatre, Phoenix Festival Theatre, and the Baltimore School for the Arts.

Jesse Lescallette, Jaida Jenning

Light Board Operators

Megan Livingston

Sound Designer

Amanda Drury

Sound Board Operator

Jess Rassp

Costume Designer

Jess (She/Her) is a theatre artist, producer and puppetry specialist who works as an independent artist with various theatre companies as a leader, designer, and puppet creator. In addition to intensive studies in theatre and fine arts, she received her B.A. in English Literature from Brandeis University. jessrasspdesign.com

Brittany Runk, Aaron Partin

Costume Crew

Maddie Baynard, Darian Grade, Sarah Joyce, Shakiara Saunders

Costume Shop Assistants

Jason Randolph

Technical Director

BS Math, College of William and Mary MFA Rinehart School of Sculpture, MICA MFA Technical Theatre and Design, UVA TD/Resident Scenic Designer Single Carrot Theatre 2014-2017 TD CCBC Essex 2015-present TD Cockpit in Court Summer Theater 2016-present

John Bakker

Assistant Technical Director

John is a filmmaker with iatse local 487 lending their skills in construction, props, and fabrication to The CCBC Essex Theatre for the first time. As a Local Baltimorean craftsperson and lifetime patron of Baltimore's theatres, they are proud to be assisting with the productions during the fall season at CCBC.

Students of THTR 131:Stagecraft Construction

Set Construction

Kim O'Donnell, Addi Stashik, Eric Rojas

Stage Crew

Darian Grade, Broadus Nesbitt, III, Shannon Santucci, Andrew Pfluger, Robert Noakes

Theatre Associates/Shop Staff

Kris Messer

Dramaturg

Delaney Seitz

Front of House/Usher

Shealyn Jae

Production Photographer

Julie Lewis

Production Coordinator

Special Thanks

Dr. Sandra Kurtinitis
CCBC President
Dr. Joaquin Martinez
Provost & Vice President of Instruction
Dr. R. Michael Walsh
Dean, School of Arts & Communication
Professor Nick VanHorn
Chair, Performing Arts and Humanities
Tommy Parlon 
Arts Pathways Coordinator
Dr. Anne M. Lefter
Director of the Arts
Moe Conn
Technical Director, CCBC Catonsville
Marc W. Smith
Technical Director, CCBC Dundalk
Jason Randolph
Technical Director, CCBC Essex
Johanna Lawrence
Administrative Assistant, Arts
Cathy Kratovil
Communications Assistant, School of Arts & Communication
Michael Elspas
Designer, CCBC Creative Services
Marc Ershler
Campus Director, CCBC Essex
 

CCBC School of Arts and Communication

Dr. R. Michael Walsh, Dean Professor
Professor Will Niebauer, Chair, Arts and Design
Professor Nick VanHorn, Chair, Performing Arts and Humanities
Dr. Anne Lefter, Director of the Arts

The Arts at CCBC

Dr. Anne Lefter, Director of the Arts
Johanna Lawrence, Assistant to the Director
G. Maurice “Moe” Conn, Technical Director
Jason Randolph, Technical Director
Marc Smith, Technical Director
Nicole Buckingham Kern, Galleries Coordinator
Lisa Boeren, Box Office Manager
Eva Grove, Thom Purdy, Box Office Assistant
Cathy Kratovil, Communications Assistant
Brad Norris, Production Manager
Jess Rassp, Resident Costumer


Theatre at CCBC

Julie Lewis, Coordinator, Faculty Director
Damon Krometis, Coordinator, Faculty Director
Terri Raulie, Faculty Designer
Precious B. Stone, Faculty Director
Jennifer Ring, Visiting Lecturer