JC Augustin

JC Augustin and Tortas Y Tacones, explore queer expression amid encroaching dystopia. His dark comedies, Whiskey River and In Crocodile’s Lair won awards and accolades at Theater for the New City (TNC) and El Barrio’s Art Space. He is a proud member of the TNC Street Theater company where he recently played an ICE Agent who attempts to arrest the Statue of Liberty. Earlier in the summer, JC had the honor of playing the role of Jackie Curtis in Camera Ready. He has performed at La Mama ETC, LUNGS Harvest Festival and Frenzy Theater Festival, where his play Whiskey River was named Best Play. He is a flaneur, a biker, and a dreamer who loves to discover new paths and new thrills.

Elisa Blynn

Elisa Blynn is a multidisciplinary performance artist and transformational creative director. Since arriving in NYC in 1996, she found her niche in both independent theater and film, and performing in world premiere plays in originating roles. Elisa then expanded into self producing solo works in bouffon clown, storytelling and short form performance art and music projects. In addition, Elisa is a director and creative consultant, as well as a facilitator of transformative arts programs and devised ritual theater experiences. Elisa is thrilled to be in the Rat Underground and to be a rat of significance, nay, The Original Rat Junkie Queen. Contact Elisa IG: @creative.response.unit for more info.

Emilio Garcia

Hailing from Michigan, Emilio is an actor and theater artist based in NYC. Since graduating the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in spring of '23, Emilio has acted as apprentice to the wonderful Penny Arcade. During this time, Emilio has been involved in creating a variety of performances, with a personal focus on promoting the preservation and continuation of the downtown lineage. He is overjoyed to continue working at the legendary Theater for the New City after performing in this past summers Street Theater Festival. Past credits include: Portia in Julius Caesar, Eddie in Pocatello, Macbeth in Macbeth, Argan in The Imaginary Invalid, Gaston in Beauty and the Beast and Cornellius in Hello Dolly!

Mia Jurkunas

Mia Jurkunas is a Lithuanian-American performer based out of New York City. She joined the Theater for the New City community this summer as the Castle in Home Sweet Home in TNC’s Summer Street Theater Festival. She spent the last year mastering the Method in the one year conservatory program at the Lee Strasberg Institute for Theater and Film. Before attending LSTFI, Mia studied Theater and Psychology at Connecticut College, with time spent in Italy training in physical theater at Academia dell’Arte. She has worked with the Untitled Theater Company No. 61, performed with the Connecticut Lyrical Opera and even sung at Carnegie Hall. Her notable roles include the Ann Putnam in the Crucible, the Witch in Into the Woods, Hot Blades Harry in Urinetown, and Helga in Cabaret. Mia strives to create authentic, raw, and avant-garde theater that tackles morally confusing yet thought provoking themes, with physical movement as the foundation. She is beyond excited to share a bit of her creative world with you!

Lola Lukas

NYC eclectic designer, performance artist, set/stage, production manager. At TNC: Annual Summer Street Theater; “Martin’s TRUTH”, “The Briefest Year”, “Questions” (2023); “The Jessycka Rose Talk Show”, “The Best Brother” (2024); “A House Fulla Flies” (2025)

Leia Martin

Leia Martin has performed in several plays in New York City. "Detonation Rat Cabaret" will be the first play with Director JC Augustin. Performing the role of "Rat Czar", will be her second time on stage at Theater for the New City, where she played multiple roles in Roman Primitivo's "Dos Blocos No for Rent". She also worked with Director Art Bernal at The American Theatre of Actors in the summer of 2024, playing the role of "Lisa" in Sarah Vindigni's play "Agency", in April 2025 as the role of "Maxine" in Larry Rinkel's play "Old Cookbooks". In December 2024, she played the role of Jane in "Smoking Kills" (by Many Beriro), working with Director Ginger Kipps at The American Theatre of Actors. In her free time she enjoys painting and photography.

Bryce Payne

Bryce Payne is an artist of action, movement, and song. Xe has performed in many plays, musicals, actions, solo performances, bits, and concerts around New York City and the United States for about as long as xe can remember. Xe hopes xyr performances help to inspire you in your own celebrations of the true beauty and endless diversity of life. Insta: @the.nice.bryce

Sonny B. Svanidze

Sonny B. Svanidze is thrilled to be part of ,“Rat Cabaret” at Theatre for the New City. He has appeared in numerous productions, including Harold and Maude (Harold), Camera Ready (Michael Musto), A Midsummer Night’s Dream(Demetrius and Lysander), As You Like It (Le Beau, West Community Garden), Blood Wedding (Leonardo), and several Agatha Christie plays. Sonny trained at East 15 Acting School, earned a Cambridge Foundation Trinity degree, and completed a year at Stella Adler in the U.S. Beyond theatre, he is a recording artist under the name Sundro 08’, with 13 unreleased songs and a debut album in preparation.

Miguel Loyola

Miguel Loyola is a performer, explorer, producer, and director, as well as curator and researcher in the fields of visual arts, emerging trends, and time-based media art. Committed to immersive exploration within diverse groups and communities, he focuses on understanding the essence of creation through processes that evolve from praxis to theory. His work centers on developing and documenting new methodologies in the realm of community-based art. He spent ten years living in two communities in the Huasteca region of Querétaro, where he created a working methodology rooted in encounter and the emergence of the event. He currently resides in New York City, where he works with the Theater for the New City.

Marsh Shugart

Marsh Shugart:(Lighting Designer/Set Designer) Is a New York based Lighting, Sound,Projections,Hair,Makeup designer and Stage Manager. Past credits include: The Peak(Stage Manager&Lighting &Sound Designer,) Sex, Shoplifting and Rock and Roll(Lighting designer,) A House Full Of Flies(Lighting & Projections Designer),The Christmas Express(Lighting & Sound Designer), Birds of Paradise(Sound designer), North Bound(Hair,Makeup & lighting Designer), The Bohemians (lighting designer,)North Bound (lighting designer),Forbidden (Lighting & Sound Designer),Wild women of planet Wongo(Hair & Makeup designer), A White Man’s Guide ToRikers Island(Stage Manager), Nutcracker the Musical(Stage Manager) With Special thanks to His Grandparents Evelyn and Keneth Giles. Contact for your next production:lightsbym@gmail.com

Elijah Smith

Elijah Smith has recently been working with TNC this past summer as a Sound Designer/Lighting Technician. Graduate of SAE Institute of Technology, Alumni member of Developing Artists Theater Company. He’s trained in Acting, Recording/Mixing/Mastering, and Musicianship(Piano, Drums). Elijah, most recently assisted in Sound Tech/Lighting Tech for TNC’s Street Theater Tour, “The Story of Sal B and Barbranne” by Stephan Morrow, and “Circle With No Center” By PepperGreenMedia(Titled Axes) Email: smithelijah465@gmail.com Phone: 347-587-9210 IG: eli.smitty