Isabella Benning

Isabella Benning (she/her) is so excited to be making her debut with Morgan-Wixson Theatre as Blair in "No Loitering"! Originally from the DC area and a recent grad from the University of Maryland, Isabella moved to Los Angeles at the beginning of the year to pursue acting and has consequentially fallen in love with the city and the people in it! She is so excited to perform on the stage once again - her most recent theatre credit being Lexi in Lauren Yee's “Hookman” - and she hopes you all enjoy the show!

Miriam Billington

Excited to be back on the Morgan-Wixson stage since playing Rose in "The Wedding Singer" (Geoffrey award!). Thank you Stephen, for supporting me, and thanks to all who worked on and attended this ground-breaking festival. Thanks to you for coming and supporting live theater.

Ciel Choi

Ciel (They/Them) is incredibly thrilled to be a part of this marvelous cast of Seamless! Ciel is currently a Junior at Alexander Hamilton High School, where they are an active participant in Cheerleading, Chamber Choir, and Musical Theater. They are so grateful to have the opportunity to be able to bring the story of this wonderful play to life.

Eliza Day

Eliza is a newcomer to the Los Angeles theater community and is thrilled to be returning to the stage after a hiatus that allowed her to explore other artistic realms. She is especially passionate about the cultivation of new work and is honored to be part of breathing life into these stories. She can be found on instagram and tiktok @elizadaylight.

Joy DeMichelle

Select Regional Credits: world premier of MARTY AND THE HANDS THAT COULD (WACO Theatre), US premier of NINE NIGHT at (Round House Theatre), SWEAT (BCT), AUBERGINE (South Coast Repertory), A RAISIN IN THE SUN (Actors Theatre of Louisville), SEVEN GUITARS and BLUES FOR AN ALABAMA SKY (Denver Center Theatre), PIANO LESSON, SPIRIT NORTH and HARRIET’S RETURN (Crossroads Theatre), Mark Taper Forum and American Place Theatre. Select television credits include: MIKE (Mike Tyson story on HULU), SNOWFALL, The L WORD: GENERATION Q, CRIMINAL MINDS, LIE TO ME, OUTLAW, and AMERICAN GUN. Joy is a MFA graduate of Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University (Bettenbender Award Outstanding Performance), BFA from North Carolina A & T State University. In addition to acting, Joy is an Intimacy Director/Coordinator and practitioner of Holistic Care for Artists Instagram:JoyDeMichelle.com

Alexis DeLaRosa

Alexis DeLaRosa a proud member of the L.A. Theatre community since 2012. Stage credits include Niagara Falls, Eat the Runt and Disassembly at Theatre of NOTE. TV appearances include Shameless, The Last Ship and Hawaii Five-0. Playwright credits include Fruition, produced by Theatre of NOTE. A Native New Yorker and a proud Wesleyan alum. Thank you to my wife Crystal and our greatest production yet, Isabella, for making all great things a reality.

Abbey Eklund

From a young age, Abbey was running around the backyard with her friends, putting on shows for the neighborhood. Born and raised in San Jose, California, she further pursued her acting passions throughout high school, participating in the honors theatre program, as well as the school’s improvisation troupe. She then spent 3 years at Foothill Community College, where she continued to diversify her skills through a variety of productions and coursework. Her favorite role being Helena from Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. In addition to her love for the stage, Abbey also has a passion for science. In 2019 she transferred to UCLA, and in 2021 she completed her B.S. in Biology with a Minor in Neuroscience. Since then, she has taken a short hiatus from the stage. She is so incredibly grateful for this opportunity to reignite her love for theatre, especially through a piece as touching and personal as “Seamless.”

AnnaLisa Erickson

ANNALISA ERICKSON: AnnaLisa has spent a great deal of time on LA stages and seen the country from summer stock in Wisconsin and Missouri to regional theater in North Carolina and Minnesota. Favorite stage roles include Mrs. Lovett in "Sweeney Todd," Florence Foster Jenkins in "Glorious," and Sister Hubert in "Nuncrackers" alongside Sally Struthers. Company member NEO Ensemble Theatre and Rogue Machine Theatre. resumes.actorsaccess.com/AnnaLisaErickson imdb.me/AnnaLisaErickson

Bouket Fingerhut

Bouket is beyond excited to be making her Morgan Wixson acting premier at this year’s New Work Festival. In addition to playing Joey, she is also playing Perri in “Monarchs”. Bouket is a Broadwayworld.com winner for best actress in a lead musical role, and is affiliated to countless theatre companies in the Greater LA area. She is in the process of starting her own theatre company and is grateful to have such a successful career in the arts. Some of her favorite roles are: Mamma Rose (Gypsy), Anita (West Side Story), Mrs. Walker (Tommy), and Paulette (Legally Blonde).

Bouket Fingerhut

After reading “Monarchs” earlier this year, I knew this was something remarkably special. With every page I read, I related to and understood Perri so much, it was almost like looking in a mirror. I am beyond honored and grateful to share this story with you, and hope you love it as much as we do. I dedicate this performance to Little Bouket, and to my “flower”, my sweet sweet husband.

Safiya Fredericks

Safiya Fredericks was most recently seen onstage in 'Can I Touch It?' at Rogue Machine Theatre, and on screen in the film 'I’m Charlie Walker' (Starz). Other recent credits include 'Little Foxes' at South Coast Repertory, 'Power of Sail' at the Geffen Playhouse and 'The Color Purple Musical' at CST in Atlanta. She was the recipient of the BATCC award for Best Featured Actress for her work in 'black odyssey' at CalShakes. She has graced the stage at Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, ACT, Yale Repertory and more. You can also see her in the films ‘Bitter Melon’ and ‘Sorry to Bother You.’ She is a graduate of UC Irvine and the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.

Ross G

Ross G (Ben Roth) is excited to perform for the first time at the Morgan-Wixson! Other roles include Dick in 9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL and Capt. Lesgate in DIAL ‘M’ FOR MURDER at Kentwood Players, plus Sir Toby Belch in TWELFTH NIGHT at Theatre Palisades. When not acting, he’s editing true crime documentary TV series for Discovery+ and others. He thanks director Melodie S. Rivers, the cast, crew and producers for this tremendous opportunity. He's grateful to God, family, friends and his beloved wife, Mara Guidici.

Michael German

Michael is thrilled to be a part of tis New Works event at The Morgan Wixson Theater. He has performing theater since he was 7. Originally from Baltimore where he graduated from the Baltimore School for the Arts, he then continued his theatrical training at Boston University. Since moving to Los Angeles he has performed at theaters all over SoCal. He was most recently see at The Hollywood Fringe Festival in an original piece, "Losing Your Humanity"(a zombie musical) yes, that's right. He was also part of an original play "Accomplices" at the Fountain Theater in Hollywood. He loves having the opportunity to be the actor to "breathe life" into a character for the very first time." It's an honor." Some of his past performances include; "Anything Goes" Lord Evelyn ; Assassins" Sam Byck; "Something Rotten" Lord Clapham; "The Rocky Horror Show" Brad; "Nuncrackers" Father Virgil; "The Pajama Game" Sid; “Oklahoma" Jud; “Guys and Dolls" Nathan Detroit and "It's a Wonderful Life" George Baily. This play, Seamless, is something special. He would like to thank Melodie for trusting him with the task of many characters in “Seamless” and he would like to thank Michael for trusting in him to take on the role of the Neighbor in “Neighborly”. He would also like to thank his wife Nicole and daughter Mason for letting him come out to play.

Andre Heimos

Andre Heimos has had a summer of theater in 2023. First, the role of Will Ogden in Terrence McNally’s Mothers and Sons. Then he was Simon Sr. in Torrance Theater Company’s Kinky Boots. And now he is proud to be a part of the Morgan-Wixson’s second annual New Works Festival in two different shows. Andre thanks his friends, family and husband who works so hard to make his life a little easier! He is very grateful to his theater community and stands in solidarity with his union, SAG-AFTRA and the WGA.

Juls Hoover

Juls is a Southern California native, a graduate from San Diego State University, and attended the British American Drama Academy. Her theatre credits include Julius Caesar, Titus Andronicus, As You Like It, A Midsummer Night's Dream, King Lear, Anton in Show Business, The Children’s Hour, Twelfth Night, The Lark, Stop Kiss, and Taming of the Shrew. Television Credits: NCIS LA, Parks and Recreation, Arrested Development, and Happy Endings. Film credits: Manifest West, Found Family, Jersey Boys and The Sponsor. Thank you to Rondrell and Khari for asking me to be a part of this beautiful play. All my love to Mom, Dad, Linz, and Josh.

Caroline Jones

Caroline Jones grew up in the Los Angeles area, but it wasn't until experiencing the stage during her time at UC Irvine that she found her love for acting. She graduated with a double major in International Relations and Drama. Today she continues honing her craft at the CRASH acting school, and is excited to be returning to theater after working in independent and short films. Caroline is proud to bring life to stories about the Asian American experience, hoping to fuel the growing current of cultural representation and diverse storytelling. Website: http://jonescaroline.com/

Jeni Jones

Jeni Jones has worked in the entertainment industry for over 20 years, as a professional, award-winning director, screenwriter, playwright, actor, dancer, rapper, producer, editor, martial artist, and radio host. Jeni has spent her entire life seamlessly navigating behind the camera & in front of it, as well as on & off stages of all sizes. Jeni earned her BA in Theatre Directing & English Literature from Fordham University in NYC & her MFA in Film & Theatre Directing from CalArts. Throughout her film & T.V. career, Jeni has worked behind the scenes as a production & development executive at several notable companies such as Starz Media, The Film Department & Exclusive Media, during which time she has been credited for her creative contributions to numerous feature films including “Law Abiding Citizen” starring Jamie Foxx & Gerard Butler, “End of Watch” with Jake Gyllenhaal, “Snitch” with Dwayne Johnson, “Parkland” alongside Tom Hanks’ Playtone, John Carney’s music-driven film “Begin Again,” Golden Globe- nominated “Rush” starring Chris Hemsworth (to name a few - more credits avail on IMDB). As an independent filmmaker, her films have played at & received recognition from festivals such as Cannes, Rotterdam & Sundance. As a director, her recent direction of the stageplay WOMEN ON THE VERGE earned the production an NAACP Award and a sold-out run in 2019. She also recently directed the award-winning short film CLUB RAT$, which premiered at the Oscar-qualifying L.A. Shorts & Chelsea Film Festivals & was used to raise money & awareness for RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network). The film has gone on to play numerous festivals & to win multiple awards. As an independent filmmaker, her films have played at & received recognition from international festivals such as Cannes, Rotterdam & Sundance. She often shoots, directs & edits music videos for other artists, as well as promotional videos. Jeni is also an accomplished playwright & screenwriter, who has been brought on board to consult on & write original screenplays for many notable indie producers. She is the co-creator of two original music- driven T.V. Shows, as well as the screenwriter of multiple original feature films currently in development. Please visit IMDB & www.JeniJones.com & follow her on IG: @JeniAnneJones for more info.

Sara Kaner

Sara Kaner (Cindy/Cathy) is proud to be a part of the Monarchs cast and the 2023 New Works Festival at the Morgan-Wixson! She was previously on the MWT stage in Rogers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella (Madame) in 2022, and The Wedding Singer (Ensemble, U/S Rosie) in 2019. A big thank you to Kristie, our amazing director, and to our wonderful production team!

Eve Keller

Eve Keller is excited to be in the New Works Festival! She starred as Brenda Blue in the PBS television show, “Jay Jay the Jet Plane”, and has acted in commercials. She has also performed on many stages in Atlanta, GA as well as multiple productions in touring companies for young audiences. Eve's other passion is directing for the Morgan-Wixson's Y.E.S. productions and has received nominations for her directing through National Youth Arts for both, “Curious George And The Golden Meatball” as well as “The Emperor’s New Clothes”. Eve also runs her own drama programs for both Elementary and Middle Schoolers. She is the current VP of the Y.E.S. committee, the Co Administrator for the Youth Workshops and a member of the theatre Board.

Daniel Koh

Daniel is an actor-singer-pianist and a choral conductor / music director in Los Angeles. Favorite recent roles he has had the privilege to bring to life include Alvin in “The Story of My Life,” Jeff in “[title of show],” the Madam in “Pacific Overtures,” Bruce in “The Normal Heart,” and Dante in the world premier of “A Tangled Affair” at the inaugural Morgan-Wixson Theater New Works Festival in 2021. Favorite shows that he has recently music-directed include “Spring Awakening,” “Sweeney Todd,” “The Drowsy Chaperone,” “Peter and the Starcatcher,” “42nd Street,” “Company,” “Beauty and the Beast” and “Into the Woods.” He currently serves as the Director of Performing Arts at Windward School in Mar Vista, and he is a proud member of the Crash Acting Studio.

Aaron Merken

Aaron is thrilled to be part of this incredible play & wonderful cast! He's done 6 game shows so far & has done theatre, T.V. & film. Mazel Tov to everyone!

Lily Moss

Lily is 14 and a freshman at Palisades High School. She has performed in many YES shows and Youth Musicals at the Morgan-Wixson Theater. She portrayed “Wheeler” in The Emperor’s New Clothes, for which she won an award for outstanding supporting performance from National Youth Arts, “Anna” in Frozen Jr., “Lavender” in Matilda, “Freckleface” in Freckleface Strawberry, and more! Outside of the theater, Lily studies, performs, and choreographs all dance genres. Tremendous love and thanks to her MWT family and her parents for driving her every night to and from rehearsals! She literally couldn’t be here without them!

Anja Racić

Anja Racić is a Serbian actor, singer, dancer and writer. Last summer, Anja premiered her original solo show, "Steps of Glory", for which she received two nominations at the Hollywood Fringe Festival. Anja was recently seen in two different productions of "The Tempest," with Shakespeare Center of LA and Antaeus Theater Company. Keep your eyes peeled for her film "Cake" in the festival circuit this winter. Anja is grateful to the cast and team of "Some Type of Ecstasy." Education: Professional Conservatory at the Art of Acting Studio, Stella Adler NYC & Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts.

Richard R. Rosales

“Richard is excited and honored to be back on the MWT New Works Festival stage after playing Armand in 2022’s A Tangled Affair! Los Angeles native, Richard started his endeavors as a gospel music soloist. Performing at churches and events throughout Southern California and the U.S. He went on to study Musical Theatre and Classical Voice with voice coach Cathy Gabrielle Wallace (Culver City, CA). Roles: Lumpy, in La Piñata (Teatro Fogata). Buddy, in I Don’t Have To Show You No Stinkin Badges (Morgan Wixson). Sherlock, in Sherlock Holmes Meets The Bully of Baker Street (Culver City Public Theatre) Mr. Feldzeig, in The Drowsy Chaperone (Morgan Wixson). Evil King, In Rosalynde and The Falcon (Culver City Public Theatre). Tevye, in Fiddler On The Roof (Concert). Charlie Brown, in You're A Good Man Charlie Brown (Grace Players).”

Andy Rowles

Andy Rowles is very excited to play Pan in Monarchs and be part of the New Works Festival! He has been performing in YES shows at the Morgan-Wixson for the past year, but now he is also in his first mainstage show. He is very excited for the opportunity to play a version of a character that has always resonated with him. Enjoy the show!

Montae Russell

Montae Russell -- is a veteran actor who was seen on NBC's ER for several seasons as Paramedic Dwight Zadro. His film credits include BLACK BOY JOY, THE PLAYERS CLUB, LAUREL AVENUE, LILY IN WINTER. He has made countless guest appearances on Television, most recently NCIS, BOSCH SPINOFF, #MATTER. His extensive stage experience ranges from Broadway's KING HEDLEY (alongside Viola Davis and Leslie Uggams), A FEW GOOD MEN, PRELUDE TO A KISS. Los Angeles shows include MARTY AND THE HANDS THAT COULD (Watts Theatre Village, BETWEEN RIVERSIDE AND CRAZY (Fountain Theatre), TWO TRAINS RUNNING (Matrix Theatre), DISTRICT MERCHANTS (South Coast Rep), CHOCOLATE LIKE WATER (Taper). Regionally he has performed 250+ of THURGOOD, and has performed in all 10 of the August Wilson Canon, including originating the role of Youngblood in the original production of JITNEY in Pittsburgh. Studied at Rutgers U/MGSA MFA. @MontaeRussell on Instagram.

Anthony Rutowicz

Anthony is a member of Playground LA, a graduate from Cal Poly Pomona’s Theatre department, and definitely a student of life, picking up pieces of the puzzle daily. Anthony has done some TV & film along the way. Cooked crack alongside RZA on the first season of John Singleton’s Snowfall. More recently crept on Ella Balinska in one of the opening scenes in the Blumhouse feature, Run Sweeping Run. Notable Theatre: The Hairy Ape, directed by Steven Berkoff, as well as The Serpent and Steambath, all produced at the Odyssey, a 4-show self-produced run of True West at a playhouse in Covina, CA and involvement in the haunted play, KAIDAN, produced in partnership with East/West Players and Rogue Artists Ensemble.

Jenna Small

Jenna is very excited to be part of the New Works Festival showcasing No Loitering along with this collection of brilliant plays. She is returning to the Morgan-Wixson Stage after playing Graffiti Pete in In The Heights. Other favorite performances include playing DJ Irene in Arena: A House Music-al at Casa 0101 Theater, and many showcases with The MOB Dance Company. Jenna would like to thank their partner Marissa for her continual love and support.

Randi Tahara

Randi is humbled and honored to be invited to participate in this personal and meaningful production. Her father's family was incarcerated in Colorado at Amache and they rarely talked about it; they are all gone now. Her theater credits are numerous, spanning genres and county lines, ranging from new works to the classics. She dedicates her performance to her cousin Bill who lived life as if he were on stage; he was entertaining to say the least, and his life was somewhat tragic yet comedic. Special thanks and appreciation to the playwright, Dr. Dorinne Kondo, director Melodie Rivers for her vision and leadership, the incredible cast, and the Morgan-Wixson Theatre's Board for conceiving and bringing the New Works Festival to fruition.

William L Warren

William Warren a native of Gary, Indiana. Realized his love for Theatre and the performing arts at an early age after seeing the late William Marshall play Othello on stage. He began his journey at the famed Second City Theater Improvisation Workshop in Chicago, Ill. William moved to Los Angeles to pursue his dreams and passion in the performing arts where he found his creative home at the artistically rich Los Angeles Inner City Culture Center studying under great talents such as Beah Richards, Virginia Capers and Art Evans. Just to mention a few. William who is also a professional vocalist has performed in various musical productions, toured Canada as a vocalist with the Platters and performed as a backup vocalist with recording artist Billy Davis and Marilyn McCoo of The Fifth Dimension, Stephanie Mills, Deniece Williams and Phillip Bailey of Earth Wind and Fire. As well as numerous other artist. After a long hiatus from performing William has returned to his love of theatre and is once again following his dreams. William recently appeared in “The Pitch” Madnani Theatre, “SCINTILLA” The Road Theatre, “The Language Archive” The McCadden Place Theatre, Hollywood Fringe “Dismissed”, “Sister Act The Musical” Long Beach Playhouse, Moving Arts Theatre series “Isolation Inn”, “The Soldier’s Tale” Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra / The Robey Theatre, August Wilson’s “Seven Guitars” Long Beach Playhouse, “The Little Foxes” Antaeus Theatre, “The Fertile River” Baylor University, “Periphery” The Hudson Theatre.

Benjamin White

Ben is excited to make his Morgan Wixson debut! Thankful to his family for their continuous support. You can check out his new short film entitled "Special" on YouTube!

Michael Heimos

Michael Heimos (Director, NEIGHBORLY, SWIPED, HERE BE DRAGONS) first stepped onto the stage at an early age, assisting his father, a magician, before singing and dancing across the boards at theaters from the National Music Theater Conference to St. Louis’ Muny to stages in Los Angeles. Recent stage roles include: Man in Chair in Drowsy Chaperone, Mr. Maraczek in She Loves Me, Lord Aster in Peter and the Starcatcher, Koko in The Mikado, Vice Principal Panch in Spelling Bee, Lazar in Fiddler on the Roof, and Judge Turpin in Sweeney Todd. He is thrilled to be directing his first shows at the Morgan-Wixson for the New Works Festival, and could not be more thrilled with his talent cast. These dedicated actors brought to life the three short plays in record time. Michael joined the Board of the Morgan-Wixson five years ago to lend his organizational and management skills to the theater. He has chaired and been a member of numerous committees, and is currently the President and Chairman of the Board of the theatre. He credits his success to the unwavering love and support he’s received over the years from his parents, family, and friends. When Michael is not performing, he is living life to the fullest with his husband, André. His heart is full. - michaelheimos.com.

Kristie Mattsson

Kristie Mattsson (Director, MONARCHS) has thoroughly enjoyed directing Monarchs for the New Works Festival here at the Morgan-Wixson Theater. Previously at the MWT, Kristie directed The Drowsy Chaperone, The Wedding Singer, and Mary Poppins. A freelance director, as well as a youth drama teacher, for a number of years, there is a lengthy list of wonderful shows, including And The World Goes ‘Round, The Full Monty, Into the Woods, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, and her all-time favorite: The Mystery of Edwin Drood Born and bred in LA (and typical of the Los Angeles hustle), Kristie wears many other hats in this industry and has been a professional costume designer for over 25 years; 20 of those as resident costume designer for Santa Monica College Theater Arts Department. In addition to innumerable shows designed for SMC, and the MWT, she has designed for Eugene Opera, Oregon Cabaret Theatre and more. In August ‘22, she left her lengthy tenure at SMC, starting a new position as Production Manager for the Performing Arts Department at Windward School in August of 2022, and is grateful for her collaborative and inspiring new colleagues, and the renewed love of the arts that this change helped bring about. Special thanks to her beautiful Monarchs cast, Mikael, Rachel, Samantha and the tech folks, and to Melanie Anthony and Michael Heimos for going above and beyond.

Rondrell McCormick

RONDRELL MCCORMICK (Drell): (Director, SOME TYPE OF ECSTASY) From Sundance Theater Lab to Antaeus Theatre Company (The Fire In-Between, SHE) to The Old Globe (Classical Directing Fellowship, Uncle Remus...), Rondrell (Award winning director and actor) continues to carve and create. Film/Tv/Media: Weakend (Proof Of Concept); The Wesley’s (web series); The Old Saturday (short film); Theater: Between Dog And Wolf (Theatre Of NOTE); Vol. 1 A Post Racial America (Boston Court Pasadena); Polar Bears, Black Boys & Prairie Fringed Orchids (Orlando Shakespeare Festival & San Diego Repertory Theatre); Training: B.F.A., North Carolina A&T State University; M.F.A., American Conservatory Theater. Thank You Morgan-Wixson for having me as your guest! It's been an honor.

Melodie S. Rivers

BIO & PROGRAM NOTE: Having served as performer, director, producer, specialty makeup artist, or scenic designer/artist for numerous other productions, no other show has impacted her so deeply as SEAMLESS. Much like the SEAMLESS protagonist, Diane Kubota, Melodie was aware of the US racist history of incarcerating Japanese Americans during WWII, but felt it had nothing to do with her. Like Diane, she studied mostly European literature; she learned to speak French; she married a Jewish man; and she even has an Uncle Shoji who is known for his sweet demeanor, though Diane’s uncle died young - Melodie’s Uncle Shoji will be 97 soon. And why would she be concerned with Japanese American internment camps? After all, unlike Diane, she is only half Japanese, and her family had avoided internment, having already returned to Japan. She only wanted to direct SEAMLESS because Diane’s parents’ reticence and resilience, and the Kubota family dynamics, were so familiar to her. Japanese American internment was nothing but historical fact, to her, until she learned this: non-Japanese spouses of Japanese Americans and their bi-racial children were also incarcerated. The rules by which incarcerated non-Japanese parents and their bi-racial children could petition for release were even more eye-opening for her. Furthermore, over 100 orphans of Japanese descent were moved from orphanages to the camp at Manzanar. Melodie is very grateful to author Dr. Dorinne Kondo for sharing her own awakening through SEAMLESS, Melanie Anthony for her priceless Drops of Dramaturgy, and John C. for his loving support of her passion for the arts.

John Connon

NEIGHBORLY: During an over-the fence conversation between an LGBTQ man and a heterosexual dad-next-door neighbor, much is revealed about children and beloved pets. A NOTE FROM THE PLAYWRIGHT: NEIGHBORLY, by John Connon The inspiration for Neighborly came out of an actual argument I had with our neighbor regarding our barking dog. We had a plumber to the house and had the dog out for about 45 minutes, during which the dog barked constantly. Our neighbor, rightfully so, lost his mind and yelled at us over the fence. The next day, he came over to apologize profusely for his behavior, but me being a writer wondered, What if this had gone down…another way… For me, it became about the fierce love of parent/child compared to owner/pet when having children is not necessarily in the picture, the boundaries of civility taken to the extremes, and just good old fashioned revenge. PLAYWRIGHT BIOGRAPHY John Connon (NEIGHBORLY) is a writer/producer/director/actor based in Orlando, FL. His short plays are a staple for the annual Play de Luna at Art’s Sake Studio in Winter Park, FL. His show Massage a Trois, a collection of three of his short plays, was a Patron’s Pick at the Orlando International Fringe Festival. His screenplays have won awards at film festivals around the country. He performs live and teaches improv regularly at SAK Comedy Lab and was last seen on the big screen as a hapless security guard in It: Chapter Two, directed by Andy Muschietti. He is currently working on the finishing touches on his debut novel and a short film based on his play The Improv Class. He and his husband Michael have been together 32 years (one of which was actually legal!) and have two chihuahua daughters. They hope one day to retire as ex pats in some exotic locale.

Amy Dellagiarino

NO LOITERING: At a sweater-filled, retail-is-hell workplace, overwhelmed millennials hilariously attempt sweet revenge for their broken dreams, neverending college debt, and whatever it was that happened in The Crucible. A NOTE FROM THE PLAYWRIGHT Amy Dellagiarino, NO LOITERING If you’ve ever called yourself an artist, this play is for you. If you’ve ever worked retail, this play is for you. If you’ve ever cried at work, lost a friend, needed a raise, wanted a break, or found yourself zoning out from the crushing weight of the entire human experience, this play is for you. I wrote this play when I was working at a store in the mall. What they don’t tell you when you graduate from art school is that you will spend most of your days working at stores in malls. Your time will be occupied on your feet, your hands stained with the past imprint of cheap metal and plastic hangers, as you explain the many benefits of your store’s credit card to someone the same age as you but much more successful who clearly did not go to art school. So why? Why, in a world dominated by wealth, where success is defined as who has the most awards, the most cars, the most product, why do we, as artists, as anyone, dare to keep going? …I honestly have no idea, but I wrote this play in an attempt to figure it out. PLAYWRIGHT BIOGRAPHY Amy Dellagiarino (NO LOITERING) is an award-winning playwright and screenwriter whose work has been produced across the country. She was the recipient of the Playwriting Award at the 2021 Austin Film Festival for her play "From the Perspective of a Canoe". Her play "The Value of Moscow” is published through Stage Rights and her short play "The Most Precious Thing" is published through Smith & Kraus. She is a proud recipient of the Reframe Stamp for gender balanced media with her comedy feature film “Freelancers Anonymous”, and was a 2021 participant of the Kennedy Center Playwrights Intensive. She earned her BFA from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. www.amydell.com.

Wendy Gough Soroka

HERE BE DRAGONS: On a hike in the Los Angeles hills, two lifelong women friends try to find a dragon and the inheritance of a mother’s possibly unwanted wisdom. A NOTE FROM THE PLAYWRIGHT: Wendy Gough Soroka, HERE BE DRAGONS I don't know that I sat down with an intention when I started writing this piece. I put two women of a certain age in the woods with a map and let them tell me what the story was. There is a ferocious complexity in the relationships between mothers and daughters, one I suspect we women wrestle with all our lives. This play is about the middle leg of that relationship - beyond childhood and adolescence, that time when we look with adult eyes at the woman who raised us, and begin to choose what parts of her we are emulating and what we are leaving behind. At least - we think we are doing the choosing. Sometimes it seems like mom was one step ahead all along. I can't say I have ever encountered a dragon while hiking in the woods. But, like Junie's mother, sometimes I am quite literal, so once Junie and Dot noticed the part of the map labeled, "here be dragons," writing a dragon became utterly irresistible. PLAYWRIGHT BIOGRAPHY Wendy Gough Soroka (HERE BE DRAGONS) is a Los Angeles based multihyphenate Theatre Artist: actor, director, mask artist, and playwright. Her first full length Play, CAKE was produced in 2015 and her short plays have appeared in theatre festivals around the globe. Wendy was awarded the “Women in Theatre Red Carpet Award,” for her work on her solo show The Divine Madness of Isabella, which incorporated masks and puppetry. She holds a Master’s of Fine Arts Degree in Theatre from the Hilberry Repertory in Detroit and a BFA from UC Santa Barbara. She also studied at the Dell’Arte School of Physical Theatre. When not working in theatre, Wendy is a voracious and indiscriminate bookworm, dog-lover, persistent gardener, and relapsed Martial Artist.

Danielle Frimer

MONARCHS: After a loving, yet fractured family’s rollicking Seder, a mysterious guest appears in Elijah’s chair – unlocking the key to first-born Perri’s coming out and coming of age on a night truly different from all other nights. A NOTE FROM THE PLAYWRIGHT MONARCHS by Danielle Frimer Coming out to my family was the single most terrifying thing I have ever done, something that I put off doing in earnest for many years. From where I stand now, almost exactly five years later and having recently married the woman I love, it feels evermore urgent for me to answer the question: WHY? Why, when such beauty and bounty was on the other side of this act of becoming, did it feel so impossible for so long? Why, when I grew up in one of the most politically progressive places on planet earth, when my parents are liberal Jews, did speaking my truth feel like choosing to walk through fire, like peeling off my skin, like a risk simply not worth taking? Why did it seem so much safer to stay invisible, camouflaged, to play a role, even while some part of me knew that doing so was making me suffer? I knew that the answer had something to do with Peter Pan and with seders—and those are the seeds from which this play sprang. Since then, and through writing this play, I've discovered that it has something to do with the stories we're told as children, and ones stories we aren't told. It has to do with myth and ritual, and what we choose to remember from generation to generation, and what we insist on forgetting. On inherited trauma, and internalized homophobia, and the particular kind of beautiful, fierce closeness that characterizes some Jewish families—which makes us each other's fiercest supporters, but can also cause us to see our differences as a kind of betrayal. PLAYWRIGHT BIOGRAPHY: Danielle Frimer (MONARCHS) is a Hudson Valley-based playwright and screenwriter. Her work has been performed and developed with the Valdez Theatre Conference, TOSOS, the Brick, the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival, CoHo Lab, and Round the Bend Theatre, among others. Danielle is the winner of the Fresh Fruit Festival's 2023 Short Play Contest, a 2023 Tennessee Williams Scholar at the Sewanee Writers Conference, and a member of HOWL playwrights and the Dramatists Guild. She lives in New Paltz, NY, with her wife and dog. BA: Yale; MFA: American Conservatory Theatre. Daniellefrimer.com

Dorinne Kondo

SEAMLESS: A Japanese American ‘model minority’ woman experiences a poignant, fantastical journey as her seemingly seamlessly perfect life begins to unravel in the face of a lifetime of avoiding the history of her parents’ internment. A NOTE FROM THE PLAYWRIGHT Dorinne Kondo, SEAMLESS Seamless is based loosely on my own and my family’s histories and on interviews with my parents, who represent the Nisei generation. This American-born 2nd generation is largely gone now, and histories of Japanese American incarceration during World War II are dying with them. Among my generation: the Sansei, or third generation, the grandchildren of immigrants, were born after the camps. My first inspiration was the desire to know more about the life histories of my aging parents. A second inspiration arose from an incident in my own life. A Sansei scholar in the Psychology Department at Smith asked me to participate in her study on the “legacy of internment” among Sansei. I agreed with alacrity. After all, I was down with the Asian American Program. I had taught Asian American studies on course overload at Harvard, in the face of heartbreakingly insistent requests from students. She began by asking me a simple question. Interestingly, I don’t remember the question exactly; in my memory it was a general query, such as “Do you think internment affected you and your family?” I started to answer, but I couldn’t speak—as though, if I did, I might choke and break down, sobbing. My reaction utterly shocked me. Where did it come from? The sensation of choking felt like a knot at the core of my being, an obstruction as physical as a furball. Indeed, despite the fact that I have been director of Asian American studies and have to speak about internment publicly on occasion, I still cannot speak about the incarceration for long without this same sensation of choking/choking up. The emotion that chokes is not merely sorrow or pain. It is rage: that this could happen in a nation presumably dedicated to equality and that it happened to my parents, who pushed my every button, but hardly deserved such a fate. I wanted to explore that legacy of sorrow and pain and rage in my generation, who are still marked in some way by the incarceration, though we were never in the camps and though it was barely discussed in our homes. What does it mean to choke on history? SEAMLESS interrogates and deconstructs the notion of the model minority stereotype in a number of ways, particularly in the character of Diane, who is an unsympathetic protagonist—elitist, white-identified. She buys into that notion of mainstream success. I also want to underline issues of style and tone. I’m primarily a comedy writer, and I can’t repress a certain fantastic, theatrical wackiness, maybe especially in the face of this serious topic. SEAMLESS ventures into realms of fantasy, including spirited samurai swordfights over legal doctrine, an Alice in Wonderland ‘kangaroo court,’ startling visitations by Diane’s grandmother who died in childbirth, and Diane’s battle with personifications of her conflicting demands, who literally pull her to and fro. The quick tonal shifts from humor to pathos to high theatricality upend expectations about the sober, earnest naturalism of many plays on historical trauma. Humor and fantasy can offer moments of life-giving delight. PLAYWRIGHT BIOGRAPHY Dorinne Kondo (SEAMLESS) is an author, playwright, dramaturg, Professor of American Studies and Anthropology, and former Director of Asian American Studies at the University of Southern California. She has written three full-length plays: (Dis)graceful(l) Conduct (winner, “We Don’t Need No Stinking Dramas” National Comedy playwriting award), But Can He Dance? (production, Asian American Repertory Theater) and Seamless (2nd place, Jane Chambers Award) and is at work on a new full-length and a new one act. The latter stages the existential effects of COVID and anti-Asian violence and was honored at a plenary event for last year’s national conference of the Association for Theatre in Higher Education. Kondo is the author of award-winning books: Crafting Selves: Power, Gender, and Discourses of Identity in a Japanese Workplace; About Face: Performing Race in Fashion and Theater; and the recent Worldmaking: Race, Performance and the Work of Creativity. “Reparative creativity,” a concept from the book, was a theme for the ATHE national conference and will be honored at an upcoming conference on the arts and social justice at Johns Hopkins University. Kondo served as a dramaturg for three world premieres of renowned theatre artist Anna Deavere Smith’s plays: Twilight: Los Angeles 1992, House Arrest, and Let Me Down Easy. She reprised her role as dramaturg in the 30th anniversary revival of Twilight: Los Angeles at the Mark Taper Forum in Spring of 2023 and was represented as a character in the Broadway version in 1994 as well as the MTF revival of Twilight in 2023.

Samara Siskind

SWIPED: In the course of a mall ‘meet-cute’ (or is it) two 20-somethings confront their racial and ‘first impression’ prejudices A NOTE FROM THE PLAYWRIGHT SWIPED by Samara Siskind. Swiped explores themes of modern prejudice and privilege while posing the question - Are first impressions ever reliable? I wanted to write a two-character drama that focused on internal diversity, where two characters of different racial backgrounds come to acknowledge their ingrained biases, allowing them to form a connection in simply being human. PLAYWRIGHT BIOGRAPHY Samara Siskind (SWIPED) is a Florida based playwright. Her plays have been produced across the US as well as internationally in eight countries. Her plays have been featured in various anthologies including Shorter, Faster, Funnier: Comic Plays and Monologues, Great Short Comedies Volume 1 and Great Short Comedies Volume 2, Young Women's Monologues from Contemporary Plays Vol. 2, StageIt! 7: Thirty 10-Minute Plays, and soon to be published in The Best Ten-Minute Plays of 2023. Recent honors: Winner - Lakeshore Players Theatre’s 19th and 18th Annual 10 Minute Play Festivals, Winner - 2023 Stageit! 10 Minute Play Festival - Center for the Arts Bonita Springs, Selected - EDP's 12th Annual Festival of Shorts, Selected - Forward Theatre’s 2023 Out in This World Monologue Festival, Finalist - LaBute New Theatre Festival 2023, Semi-Finalist - The Garry Garrison Award for 10-Minute Plays. Ms. Siskind holds a BFA in Regional Theatre from Webster University's Conservatory of Theatre Arts and is a proud member of the Dramatists Guild.

Khari Wyatt

SOME TYPE OF ECSTASY: At a Los Angeles inner-city blood plasma donation center, family is defined and the boundaries of capitalism, trust, and racial inequity are exposed. A NOTE FROM THE PLAYWRIGHT Khari Wyatt, SOME TYPE OF ECSTASY In America, for all of the promise, and the propaganda, of what the country is or might be, the truth is always right in front of us - trying to look us in the eye. Politicians might say the economy is doing well. But no one speaks of the non-living wages being earned or the number of jobs people work to make up one salary. Some speak of the ravages of socialism, but never mention the ravages created by capitalism tinged with greed. Greed will always create a bottom. That bottom will always be populated by the vulnerable among us. The vulnerable among us will oftentimes be forgotten and have to find a way forward. Some Type of Ecstasy, spends time with people on the fringe, struggling, and trying to find a way forward. During a season of hard times I exchanged blood plasma for money. I engaged in conversations, heard, and over-heard the conversations of other “regulars.” I saw these same regulars disappear only to return; when they did their peers wondered where they’d been. It made me think of what a family is-- how a family “becomes.” This play is dialogue I felt sitting on the donation bed watching my plasma separate from my blood and wondering how I came to be in such a place in life. I wrote this play because it is a unique world, one I have not seen on stage, and one I think an audience can take something from outside of simply being entertained. This play is about love, hope, frustration, marginalization, and resilience. It’s about who we are, who we might become and the spaces in between. PLAYWRIGHT BIOGRAPHY Khari Wyatt (SOME TYPE OF ECSTASY) is the descendant of runaway slaves and inner-city America with its adversities, tragedies and triumphs; the son of high school sweethearts: a mother who is an artist and a father who courageously moved his young family from the rust-belt to our Nation's Capital to find a better life; the grandson of men who wore blue collars in auto plants and on railroad trains; the grandson of women who taught Sunday school and waitressed in greasy spoons. He is a writer. He was recently a finalist for the New Dramatists Resident Company and a semifinalist for The Geffen Writers' Room. His play, The One, is being developed in The Road Theatre Company's Under Construction Playwrights Group. His play, Speakeasy, was chosen for Moving Arts Season’s Readings play readings series and Antaeus Theatre Company’s Lab Results Reading Series. He was selected to write and develop his play, Starchild, in the Circle X Theatre Company Evolving Playwrights Group. He was one of eleven writers of #While We Breathe: A Night of Creative Protest, a streaming theatrical event produced by Brian Moreland and Arvind Ethan David. His audio plays, “Zip Code 90011 South Central Los Angeles: Speakeasy” and “Zip Code 91331 Pacoima: Gold & Shine” were commissioned and produced by Antaeus Theatre Company for its Zip Code Plays podcast. Moving Arts, Antaeus Theatre Company, Chalk Repertory Theatre as well as the DC Black Theatre Festival have hosted his plays for readings and workshops. His play “Some Type of Ecstasy” was a semifinalist for the Ashland New Play Festival and the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center’s National Playwrights Conference. His ten-minute play, “Ingredients,” was produced as part of the Moving Arts- Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s Night at the Museum. His other writing work has placed in various competitions including, Disney/ABC Writers Program, Sony Pictures Entertainment Diversity Writers Program, AMC One-Hour Drama competition and Austin Films Festival Screenplay Competition among others. Some of the fellowships and grants he has received came from the Guy Hanks/Marvin Miller Screenwriting Program and the Panavision New Filmmaker Equipment Grant. Wyatt is an alumnus of Howard University and earned an MFA in Film from Columbia University in the City of New York. He is member of Moving Arts, the Playwrights Union, and is a twice selected MacDowell fellow for playwriting.

Melanie Anthony

Melanie Anthony (she,her/s) is a Los Angeles-based dramaturg who led the New Works Festival’s literary selection process, helmed the Playwrights’ Gatherings informal developmental phase leading up to the Festival and serves as Festival Dramaturg. She is the incoming Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival Region 8 Dramaturgy Coordinator, part of the JPP Artists Panel, and proud member of the Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of the Americas. She served as a juror the 2022 Risk Theatre Modern Tragedy competition (Founder/Producer Edwin Wong) and as workshop dramaturg for the winning play (THAT MUST BE THE ENTRANCE TO HEAVEN by Franky D. Gonzalez). In 2021 she was the dramaturg for Morgan-Wixson’s inaugural New Works Festival. Other recent dramaturgical projects include consultation for award-winning documentary short films, creator/collaborator of the 2022 LMDA international conference panel “Ambassadors, Advocates & Artists – How Early Career Dramaturgs Create Art and Help Define Community Through Community Theater.” She is a 2021 Kennedy Center-LMDA Dramaturgy Intensive Fellow, KCACTF National Dramaturgy Fellow, KCACTF Regional Dramaturg awardee, and selected panelist for the 25th annual ATHE Dramaturgy Debut Panel. She serves on the MWT Executive Committee and Board as Secretary. Her dramaturgical view also reflects lived experience as an award-winning documentarian, museum educator, STEAM instructor-advocate-activist, local social justice participant, mom, caregiver and concerned voter. IT HAS BEEN A JOY, HONOR AND DELIGHT TO COLLABORATE AND SHARE SPACE WITH ALL THE PLAYWRIGHTS, PLAY READERS, PERFORMING AND PRODUCTION ARTISTS WHO HAVE GENEROUSLY SHARED THEIR TIME, TALENTS, PASSION AND PURPOSE. THANKS TO YOU AND TO THE AUDIENCES AND SUPPORTERS WHO ENTHUSIASTICALLY ENGAGE IN THE CONVERSATIONS OF NEW WORKS. And, an added note of gratitude and credit to Tara Brown who stage managed our Playwrights’ Gatherings!

Ariella Fiore

Ariella Salinas Fiore (she/her/ella) is thrilled to have been able to help with the lovely story that is Monarchs. She has served as Intimacy Director for The Prom (SVCAC), Romeo and Juliet, Choose Your Own Ending (Morgan-Wixson), Las Sirenas (LATC), American La Ronde (PRT), Elf (SVCAC), Losing Your Humanity (HFF), and Seminar (Little Fish Theatre), among others. Earlier this year, she finished her certification to be a Certified Intimacy Coordinator for film and television through IDC Professionals in New York. She has been performing as an actor on stage since she was 3, and has worked as a sex educator since college, so the leap to Intimacy Professional was a natural one. She also serves on the board of the MWT plus was a reader for the NWF and is so grateful to see these new projects come to life. Much love and thanks to Kristie, who asked her to come on, and to her partner, friends, and family for their unwavering support.