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Cast

Creative Team

Meet the Company

Carolyn Hennesy

Vivian Bearing, PhD

Small screen: TRUE BLOOD, REVENGE, COUGAR TOWN, GENERAL HOSPITAL, THE ROOKIE, Disney Channel’s JESSIE, NCIS. Big screen: A SNOW WHITE CHRISTMAS, TERMINATOR 3, ST. AGATHA, SECOND CHANCES, WINEVILLE, MORT IN SHERMAN OAKS. Animation: “Mrs. Godfrey” on Nickelodeon’s BIG NATE. Awards: Ovations (2), most recent for Best Actress/Drama - 2017/18 for “Master Class”, Garry Marshall Theatre. 5 Indie Series noms/4 wins, 5 Emmy noms/1 win. Lots of theatre. Books: “PANDORA” (Bloomsbury USA) tween series, NYTimes bestseller “The Secret Life of Damian Spinelli” (Hyperion). Causes: animal welfare and veteran affairs; ambassador of American Humane. Four dogs, one cat. She wants to see Earth from space…and she flies trapeze.

Brent Jennings

Harvey Kelekian, M.D. and Mr. Bearing

Brent's long and illustrious career as a character actor includes many highlights along the way, including the Pulitzer Prize-winning production of Charles Fuller's  "A Soldier's Play" produced by the famed Negro Ensemble Company, on Broadway in David Berry's Vietnam drama "G.R. Point" and Richard Wesley's "The Mighty Gents." During his New York tenure, he performed at the New Federal Theater, The New York Shakespeare Festival, The Manhattan Theater Club, American Place Theater, The Phoenix Theater, National Black Theater, The New Lafayette Theater, and, more recently, The Signature Theater. Regional credits include LaJolla Playhouse, Yale Repertory Theater, The Geva Theater, Walnut Street Theater, The Goodman Theater, The Eugene O'Neill Playwrights Conference, and The Berkeley Repertory Theater. Some of his film and television credits include the Peter Weir classic "Witness", Wes Craven's "The Serpent and the Rainbow", Walter Hill's"  Another 48 HR's and "Red Heat," the late Ted Demme's underground classic comedy "Life" with Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence, and Bennet Miller's "Moneyball." On HBO, he was in the award-winning dramas "A Lesson Before Dying" alongside "Don Cheadle and the late Cicely Tyson, "Boycott," and " The Soul of the Game."

Samuel Garnett

Jason, Posner, M.D.

Samuel Garnett is an actor with a deep curiosity for human behavior. Recently, he has spent time experimenting on camera in a number of complex characters alongside incredible casts. Coming very soon you can see him as 'Dobby' in the harrowing thriller 'VIRAL', directed by and starring Blair Underwood with a cast that includes Sarah Silverman and Alfre Woodard. Samuel also recently completed work on the ensemble film '25 Cents Per Minute'. In '25 Cents' he plays 'Bryan', a sensitive and lovable aspiring photographer that just can't seem to get out of his own way. He made his introduction to the theater scene in 2023 as 'Kevin' in the sold out Los Angeles premiere of Will Arbery's Pulitzer Prize nominated play, 'Heroes of The Fourth Turning'. Samuel received a great deal of critical acclaim for the role and won Best Actor from LA Theater Bites for his work on the show. Samuel is a 2020 graduate of the California Institute of the Arts and was born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Mary O'Malley

Susie Monahan, R.N., B.S.N.

Mary O’Malley (AEA, SAG-AFTRA) is so excited to be a part of another staged reading with Interact where she has been a member for nearly a decade. Her most recent works with ITC have been “Taking Sides” by Ron Harwood for the UCLA Law School, and “Disgraced” by Ayad Ahktar for this series in 2024. She's participated as a writer and actor for the LMU Center of Social Justice and Change ceremony honoring Hidden Heroes. Mary can be heard as the voice of the Louisville Zoo, Corbel’s “Make it Gold”, and Ninjago Countdown shorts.

Anne Gee Byrd

E.M. Ashford, D. Phil

Anne Gee Byrd is a fairly new member of Interact. She has performed locally at The Mark Taper Forum, Kirk Douglas, Geffen, Pasadena Playhouse, La Mirada, and the Ensemble in Santa Barbara as well as across the country, including ACT in San Francisco, The American Shakespeare Festival in Connecticut, The Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, The Great Lakes Theater Festival, Indiana Repertory, The La Jolla Playhouse, The McCarter Theatre, The Old Globe in San Diego, Seattle Repertory, and South Coast Repertory. She is a staunch member of the Antaeus Theatre Company. She has received five L.A. Drama Critics Circle Awards (including Best Ensemble for LIFE SUCKS at Interact), and numerous Ovation nominations. Her recent television credits include 911, CSI Los Angeles, How to Get Away with Murder, The Colony, Shameless, Murder in the First, and Rake. Indie film activity includes And Then There Was Eve, Senior Love Triangle, A Good Thing, and Zero Charisma.

Emily Yetter

Lab Tech/Student/Resident

You can currently see Emily play Cordelia in The Odyssey’s critically acclaimed LEAR REDUX at the Odyssey Theater now through July 13! Tour: Tinker Bell in Peter Pan (Theatre Threesixty) Regional: Regan in The Exorcist (Geffen Playhouse), Mittie in Little Black Shadows (South Coast Repertory), The Oregon Trail (Portland Center Stage), Bolero: Ravel’s Dance for Orchestra (Walt Disney Concert Hall), Title Character in The Night Fairy (SCR), Dee in OZ 2.5 (SCR), Ariel in TEMPEST REDUX (The Odyssey), workshops: John Proctor is the Villain (SCR), Oz 2.5 (SCR), The Night Fairy (SCR), Television: Grimm, Spooked. Film: Project X, Tearsucker, The Axe and The Iron. Emily has also developed and performed in many immersive productions throughout Los Angeles. She is a proud member of ITC having performed in various readings. She attended UCLA’s school of Theater, Film and Television as well as the British American Drama Academy summer conservatory at Oxford. She is also an aerialist, physical performer and runs a custom cookie business from her kitchen. Check out her cookie art @lilemscookies

Erròn Jay

Lab Tech/Student/Resident

Erron Jay is thrilled to be working and creating with InteractLA on this reading. He received his BFA in theater from Missouri State Univ. his MFA in acting from The Theater School at DePaul Univ. Interact productions include "Clybourne Park" and "Fences". Other Theatre credits include A Raisin in the Sun at South Coast Rep. The world premiere of Harriet Jacob's at Steppenwolf Theatre. Two Trains Running at Merle Reskin Theatre. Sueno at Merle Reskin Theatre, A New Brain at Athenaeum. The Bacchae of Euripides at Gilloiz Theatre. TV credits include Lucifer, No Good Nick, KC Undercover, & Famous Crime Scenes. Erron is a professor of acting at AMDA's LA campus. He is grateful for the opportunity and for the support of his friends and family. He can be found on social media @erronjay or online at erronjay.com Manager - Hillary Sigale at Infin8 Artist.

Bairton Brown

Lab Tech/Student/Resident

Bairton Brown (he/they) is a multiracial filmmaker and theater practitioner. While earning their B.F.A. from DePaul University in Chicago, Bair’s first short, FROM YOUR FORMER LOVER, premiered at the New York Independent Cinema Awards. As their thesis, Bair directed the web series NAOMI & LEVI TAKE ON THE WORLD (2021), which was selected for distribution on Open Television | OTV. While earning their Master’s in Arts & Public Policy from NYU, Bair directed the sold-out world premiere of HOW DARE YOU by Kendra Augustin at Affirmation Theatre, and FINAL GOODBYE by Shaneisha Dodson at Soundscape Theatre. In 2023, Bair completed a Next-Up Playwriting Fellowship at Congo Square Theatre. Brown’s second full-length play, MEMENTO VIVERE, received staged readings at Congo Square Theatre in Chicago, Denver Fringe, & Hollywood Fringe Festival. Bairton returns to Chicago annually as a writer and director for Congo Square’s web series, BLACKSIDE. In Los Angeles, Bair supports Interact as an AD/SM and Dramaturg for Interact’s Pulitzer Prize Winners’ Series. Bair’s Virtual Playwriting course, DEFINING MOMENTS, will launch in Autumn 2024 through their LLC, Stonehaven Studios. Bair’s fist book, BLACKTOPIA, will be published by Syllble Studios on June 3, 2024. An audio series will premiere alongside the books beginning June 7!

Rob Adler

Director

Rob Adler (he/him/his) is an actor, director, performance coach, and educator who serves as the Co-Head of the BFA Acting program at The Theatre School at DePaul University in Chicago. He is also the Artistic Director of AdlerImprov, a private acting studio in Los Angeles dedicated to integrating improvisation into scripted performance. As a private coach, Adler has worked with actors, directors, and production companies, including Lionsgate, Disney, FOX, NBC, and ABC. Notably, he served as the on-air acting coach for Disney’s High School Musical: Get in the Picture. Adler writes a regular column offering expert advice for Backstage and has directed numerous acclaimed projects, including the award-winning short films You Too? and iVote, the Chicago premiere of Goosebumps: The Musical for Chicago Playworks, and original plays such as Patriot Act starring Roger Guenveur Smith and Bad Hamlet with LA’s Coin & Ghost. For Interact Theatre Company, Adler directed Clybourne Park, I’m Not Rappaport, and Talley’s Folly for the celebrated Prize Winners Series, and starred in a well-received production of Other People’s Money at the Pico Playhouse. Beyond stage and screen, Adler applies improvisation techniques to diverse fields, coaching medical professionals, business leaders, and community organizations. His acting credits span commercials, television, and feature films. A 2024-25 Wicklander Fellow, Adler continues to explore the intersections of performance, pedagogy, and innovation. Visit www.adlerimprov.com to learn more or schedule a consultation.

Bairton Brown

Assitant to the Director/Stage Manager/Dramaturg

Bairton Brown (he/they) is a multiracial filmmaker and theater practitioner. While earning their B.F.A. from DePaul University in Chicago, Bair’s first short, FROM YOUR FORMER LOVER, premiered at the New York Independent Cinema Awards. As their thesis, Bair directed the web series NAOMI & LEVI TAKE ON THE WORLD (2021), which was selected for distribution on Open Television | OTV. While earning their Master’s in Arts & Public Policy from NYU, Bair directed the sold-out world premiere of HOW DARE YOU by Kendra Augustin at Affirmation Theatre, and FINAL GOODBYE by Shaneisha Dodson at Soundscape Theatre. In 2023, Bair completed a Next-Up Playwriting Fellowship at Congo Square Theatre. Brown’s second full-length play, MEMENTO VIVERE, received staged readings at Congo Square Theatre in Chicago, Denver Fringe, & Hollywood Fringe Festival. Bairton returns to Chicago annually as a writer and director for Congo Square’s web series, BLACKSIDE. In Los Angeles, Bair supports Interact as an AD/SM and Dramaturg for Interact’s Pulitzer Prize Winners’ Series. Bair’s Virtual Playwriting course, DEFINING MOMENTS, will launch in Autumn 2024 through their LLC, Stonehaven Studios. Bair’s fist book, BLACKTOPIA, will be published by Syllble Studios on June 3, 2024. An audio series will premiere alongside the books beginning June 7!

Margaret Edson

Playwright

Margaret Edson lives in Atlanta, Georgia, where she is an elementary school teacher. Between earning degrees in history and literature, she worked in the cancer and AIDS unit of a research hospital. WIT is her first play.

Patrick Belton

Sound Design

Patrick graduated with a BFA from Depaul Theatre School in Chicago, and currently resides in LA. He is an actor, DJ and music supervisor. Featured in People Magazine, US Magazine, Vogue, Wall Street Journal and listed as one of LA’s top DJs, Patrick performs at high profile events throughout Southern California and around the globe. His DJ clients include Reese Witherspoon, Jim Carrey, Judy Greer, Tribeca Film Festival, Matthew McConaughey, Netflix, Mad Men, Dr. Phil, Jenna Fischer, Sony, Jenny McCarthy, Lisa Marie Presley, William Morris, Joe Mantegna, Showtime, Brooke Shields, Christina Aguilera, Linda Perry, Tom Morello, Dave Grohl, Eva Longoria, Walt Disney, Universal Studios, 20th Century Fox, and Madonna. Patrick performed side by side with Mark Ronson, Galantis and Leon Bridges at Snapchat’s 2017 New Year’s Eve party. He also recently opened for Steve Aoki at a private event in LA. And he performed at Cameron Diaz’ wedding with Lionel Richie and Ryan Adams. Patrick has DJ’d across the world for several destination events, including the Turks & Caicos Islands, Jamaica (w/ Toots & The Maytals), Aspen, Oaxaca, Playa Del Carmen, and Sayulita, as well as performed alongside Bruno Mars for Universal Studio’s “Best Year Ever” party in Cabo. Outside of spinning music, Patrick also works as a Music Supervisor. He is a founding partner with Off The Record Music and worked with Gary Calamar / Go Music (KCRW) where he selects and licenses music for television shows such as True Blood, House, and Dexter, along with several feature films including The Giant Mechanical Man (Jenna Fischer), The Librarian (Marcia Gay Harden), Animals (David Dastmalchian), and All Creatures Here Below (Dastmalchian / Karen Gillian).

Barry Heins

Producer/ ITC Artistic Director

Most recently, Heins produced and directed the critically acclaimed Los Angeles premiere of Aaron Posner's "Life Sucks" at the Broadwater Main Stage. The production earned a coveted spot on L.A. Times theater critic Charles McNulty’s Top 9 List of 2023 and received seven nominations from the L.A. Drama Critics Circle, including wins for Best Ensemble and Best Writing–Adaptation. A graduate of The Juilliard School and an alumnus of The Acting Company, Heins has performed on Broadway and Off-Broadway, at leading regional theaters across the U.S., and in both film and television. His notable Los Angeles stage credits include "Much Ado About Nothing" at the Ford Theatre (Drama-Logue Award for Outstanding Performance), ITC's celebrated production of "Counsellor-At-Law" with John Rubinstein (Ovation Award for Best Ensemble), the 2018 ITC revival of Jerry Sterner's "Other People's Money," and the West Coast premiere of Mark Rylance and Louis Jenkins' "Nice Fish." Heins is also an accomplished voice-over artist, lending his talents to everything from film trailers to political ads, and has served as a dialect consultant on Broadway productions and for PBS. He has taught at several professional actor training conservatories, including NYU Tisch School of the Arts/Playwrights Horizons Theater School and SUNY Purchase College. During the summers, Heins serves as executive producer of the company’s summer theater camp for underserved youth, INTERPLAY, which was integrated into the L.A. Department of Cultural Affairs’ five-week Summer Performing Arts Camp (SPAC) in 2023. Heins curates the ITC Play Lab for established local playwrights and has spearheaded four annual staged readings series in partnership with the Los Angeles Public Library’s LA Made cultural enrichment program, where he directed "You Can’t Take It With You," "The Great White Hope," and "Driving Miss Daisy," and performed in "Art." He also produced and directed two impactful short films written by Catherine Butterfield for ITC: "Faultless" and "Just Another Birthday in Bedlam." Both films garnered international recognition, winning multiple awards at prestigious film festivals, including a 2021 Bronze and 2022 Gold Telly Award. These films are available on ITC's official YouTube channel, @InteractTheatreCompanyLosAngeles.

Kristen Egermeier

Producer/ ITC Managing Director

Kristen is thrilled to continue her work with ITC as the new Managing Director. While she is a trained Actor first, Kristen has served as operational support for theatres across the county for the past 15 years. She has also produced, written, and managed multiple productions on stage and film. As a graduate of Cal State University, Northridge with a BA in Theatre Arts and a minor in Chemistry, her well-rounded education has combined her love of theatre with her organizational business skills. After working and studying with multiple theatre companies back east, she returned to Los Angeles to dive further into her roles as an actor and operational consultant, with an emphasis on nonprofit organizations. Kristen has aided in administratively supporting and developing multiple theatre and community programs. Her 20 years of experience in management and hands-on roles in accounting, data analytics, editorial writing, and operations management have created her specialty in working with small businesses and nonprofit organizations to develop business practices and streamline financials. A background in industries outside of the theatre world includes environmental research and services, federal and state government services, manufacturing, and GIS data services.

Donors

INTERACT SALUTES OUR GENEROUS DONORS

Benefactors
LOS ANGELES DEPARTMENT OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS
LOS ANGELES COUNTY ARTS COMMISSION
DANIEL AND SHARON LOWENSTEIN
LOS ANGELES PUBLIC LIBRARY

Partners
ANONYMOUS
KRISTEN EGERMEIER
DIANA FINK AND DAVID SMITH
BARRY AND TRACY HEINS
MICHAEL JAY SKLOFF
FRIENDS OF THE STUDIO CITY LIBRARY

Sponsors
THE CAPLIN FOUNDATION
PETER GOLDEN
THE LANDERS FAMILY
JEFF KAUFMAN AND MARCIA ROSS
TERRY LILIENFIELD, IN LOVING MEMORY OF TODD LILIENFIELD
W. COLIN MCKAY
JONATHAN MERSEL AND MARION PETERS
ANDREW HILL NEWMAN AND LESLIE HICKS
STACY RAY
ANDY WOLK

Supporters
Anonymous (7)
Tony Abatemarco
Deborah Ash
Mary Lou Belli
Alison Blanchard
John Ross Bowie
Rob Brownstein
Anne Gee Byrd
Christina Carlisi
Steven Culp
Magomed-Gusein Gasanov
Amanda Carlin and Fred Sanders
Jeffery Chernin and Peter Nardi
Larry Corsa
Tyne Daly
Beajoir Days
Tate Ellington
Stephanie Erb and Arthur Hanket
Zia Garcia
Wendy Graf
Elin Hampton
Steve Heisler
Andrew and Leslie Heins
Mark and Jackie Heins
Joan Henehan and Jenny Williams
Elizabeth and Christopher Herron
Steve Heisler
John Hugo
Susan and Steven Hull
Colin Thomas Jennings
Gregory Jennings
Marta Kauffman
Anita Khanzadian
Karyn Kobayashi
Glen Kovacs
Mildred Langford
Leonard Lapinski
Simon Levy
Yuri Lowenthal
Paul Mackley
Diana Daves McLaughlin
Jeff Meshel
Carolyn Mignini and Steve Vinovich
Eric Mokover
Clara Neves-Mireles and Miguel Mireles
Oliver Muirhead
Mary O'Malley
Amy Pietz
Tracy Powell
Cynthia Paskos
Michael Peretzian
Triva Ponder
Francesca P. Roberts
Stephanie Satie and Rick Friesen
Alison Ginebra Shanks
Harris Shore
Marc Valera
Tommy Wallach
Allan Wasserman
Willow Cabin Productions
Barbara Kay-Wilksz
Sonja Williams
Alexandra Wright

Our Ongoing Programs

INTERPLAY at YPAL
Young Performing Artist Lab
Where kids discover and explore their natural creativity!

Now in its 28th year, INTERPLAY brings young people together with trained theatre educators for a five-week day camp sponsored by the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs Performing Arts Division.
LANKERSHIM ARTS CENTER
JUNE 16 – JULY 19, 2025
interactla.org/programs/interplay

 

ITC PLAY LAB
Established playwrights and screenwriters present new works for public readings performed by the ITC Ensemble and guest artists. Lab Director Anita Khanzadian moderates audience discussion following the readings. Free and open to the public at the Lankershim Arts Center, no RSVP required.
View the Play Lab schedule at:
interactla.org/programs/playlab


ITC welcomes the submission of new plays written by established writers for consideration. Please submit a .PDF of the work along with playwright's bio and a detailed description of the play (including a breakdown of the characters) to:
submission@interactla.org


ITC MASTER CLASSES

Join Interact Theatre Company for an inspiring weekly evening acting class designed for professional actors, led by ITC Ensemble Member James Eckhouse. A celebrated actor, director, and educator, James brings his expertise in the Meisner Technique to help you deepen your craft, sharpen your instincts, and elevate your performance skills in a supportive and engaging environment. 
For more information, please visit:
interactla.org/itc-master-classes

 

ITC Free Play Readings
At Lankershim Arts Center



Interact began in late 1989 as a weekly play reading group created by Barry Heins consisting of 40 actors from New York City, leading regional theaters, and professional actor training conservatories, who wanted to keep their craft well-honed while seeking work in Los Angeles. 

Select Wednesday evenings at 7:30 PM.
Free and open to the public.
5108 Lankershim Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91601

Titles of plays are announced in our email blasts.
To subscribe and receive an invitation to our play readings,
please email info@interactla.org and provide us
with your full name and email address.

ABOUT INTERACT

"Invigorating...The ensemble is first-rate...."
“Exhilarating...”
"A delectibly versatile ensemble..."
- Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times ("Life Sucks.")

"Together they form, in my view, the very best acting ensemble to be seen currently in Los Angeles."
- Cynthia Citron, Santa Monica Press

"A company of hard-hitting professionals, with a rare combination of heart and expertise."
-NoHo News

"Since its inception, INTERACT THEATRE COMPANY has become known as one of the most exciting theatrical hamlets in the urban forest." 
- F. Kathleen Foley, Los Angeles Times

HISTORY

In January of 1989, actor and director Barry Heins invited fifteen friends – all experienced stage actors homesick for the New York theatrical community – to a weekly play reading group held in a vacant apartment in Sherman Oaks. Before long, a pool of forty actors was involved in readings that consisted of everything from classic plays to new plays and screenplays. The quality of the work attracted other theatre professionals eager to collaborate. Directors came to hear plays, as well as playwrights and screenwriters who arranged to hear these talented actors breathe life into their new scripts. Ten months later, the group became the exclusive tenants of Theatre Exchange in North Hollywood, and Interact was born. On May 1, 1992, the company formally incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit theater.

Interact’s loyal and supportive audience has followed the company to various stages and venues in the San Fernando Valley, the Westside, and Downtown LA, enjoying more than forty full-scale productions of plays and musicals since its founding. Interact also presents high-quality free or low-cost community programming, such as its lauded summer arts education program for underserved youth, hundreds of workshops, fundraisers and special events, and, to date, over a thousand public play readings.

AWARDS

ITC has received 95 performance and production awards (175 nominations), including Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle, Ovation, Stage Raw, Garland, LA Weekly, Telly, and NAACP Awards.

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