Sophie McIntosh: Playwright
Sophie is a New York-based playwright with a deep passion for giving voice to women's experiences. Her work has been performed with the Chain Theatre, Pioneer Theatre Company, the 24 Hour Plays: Nationals, the Bechdel Group, the Boston Theater Marathon, and the University of Notre Dame. Sophie is a proud recipient of a BA in drama from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and will be heading to Columbia University to join their MFA playwriting cohort this fall.
Ella Jane New: Director
Ella is a film and theatre maker based in New York City. She recently completed post-production for, Falling In Love With Mr Dellamort, with Tony/Emmy winning cast: James Monroe Iglehart, Lena Halll and Jackie Hoffman. Ella was born in Barbados and raised in Uganda, Kenya, England and New York City. After completing her MFA at University of London, Ella worked for a year at Darren Aronofsky’s Protozoa Pictures, as a development coordinator, reading and covering scripts. Film credits include: Creative Minds Fellow at Sundance, for her short film Car Battery; and Women Make Movies Fellow, for her film The Global Village Project. Ella has written and directed short films, Sofie and Earth Beneath My Feet, winning Best Short at San Francesco Film Festival and Melbourne International Film Festival.
Theatre directing credits include: NYC Premiere of Six Corners by Emmy Nominated Keith Huff (House of Cards, Mad Men, American Crime.); Jack Feldstein's Three Months With Pook at SOHO Playhouse; Queen Z by Michael A. Jones (starring Kara Young/Lucille Lortel nominee); and Chasing The River by Jean Dobie Giebel at Chain Theatre. Ella is the director of the Chain Playwriting Lab founded in 2019, supported by the Department of Cultural Affairs NY. Very happy to be helping The Chain with this production. Special thanks to gravity for always keepin me grounded.
CAST
Caroline Orlando: Rachel
So happy to be joining this cast of macbitches! Previous credits: Chasing the River (Chain Theatre World Premiere); Three Characters Figure It Out (Chain Theatre One Act Festival). Originally from a small town in Massachusetts, Caroline recently graduated from Hofstra University with her BFA in Theatre Arts - performance concentration. Previous roles at Hofstra: Queen Elizabeth (Richard III), Tansy (The Nerd), and Clovis (Dream of a Common Language).
Laura Clare Browne: Piper
Laura is an actor, writer, and comedian hailing from Eastchester, New York. She is one half of the comedy duo, Thanks Mom Comedy—their work has been showcased at the Chain Theatre's Summer and Winter One Act Festivals. Past credits include: Squealer in Animal Farm, Titania/Hippolyta in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Mabel in The Queer Witch Conspiracy (The Seeing Place).
Lauren Dietzel: Swing
Lauren Dietzel hails from Pasadena, CA and is thrilled to be a part of this incredible team! Past credits include Clown 1 in The 39 Steps, Julia in The Two Gentlemen of Verona and has been featured in cabaret shows across Manhattan. She is also one half of the comedy duo Thanks, Mom! Comedy. Website: LaurenDietzel.com Instagram: @laurendeetz
Marie Dinolan: Hailey
Marie is an NYC based actor who left a long-standing career as a TV Host in the Philippines to pursue training at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in 2014 for their full-time two year conservatory program. She also holds a BA in Linguistics and Literature. Some credits include – Theatre: Nothing’s Plenty For Me (Theatre Row), Emma (Hudson Classical Theatre), Spike Heels (American Theatre of Actors), Black Panther Women (New York Theatre Workshop), Regrets Only (The Heights Players), It’s A Wonderful Life (Chain Theatre), The Usual Rejects (Chain Theatre); TV/Film: “Situationships (Tubi and Amazon Prime),” “Home Along The Rails (Official Selection: LA Asian Film Festival 2022),” “RCTV and MyTV networks (PH),” “Damsels (festival circuit)”; Upcoming: “Such Is Life (post-prod),” “Midsummer Mess (post-prod).” Much love to the Macbitches and Chain Theatre team, her friends and family for the constant support. More on @mariedinolan or mariedinolan.com
Morgan Lui: Cam
Morgan is excited to make her off-off-Broadway debut as a recent graduate of Sarah Lawrence College, where she studied film and theatre. While in school, she appeared in the play Everybody by Branden Jacobs Jenkins, musicals Head Over Heels and Everybody, as well as several original student works. One of Morgan’s first encounters with Shakespeare on the stage was when she portrayed Macbeth in The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged), so she would like to believe that this is fate. She wants to thank her mom and dad for helping her pursue her dream, as well as her friends for their unwavering support.
Natasja Naarendorp: Lexi
Natasja is so thrilled to be working with the Chain Theatre again! Previous credits include Accidental Intimacies (Fresh Fruit Festival 2022), Echoes in the Garden (American Bard), Pericles (Barnard Theatre), The Arsonists (Barnard Theatre). Upcoming work includes Dear Edward (Apple TV), Maestro (Netflix), Daughter of the Bride (MarVista Ent), Our Son (Tigresa). Natasja holds an BA (summa cum laude) in Drama & Theatre Arts from Columbia University. See all my professional updates on Instagram @iam_natasja.
PRODUCTION
Mystery Skelton (they/she/he), Assistant Director/Stage Manager:
Mystery is a recent graduate from Hofstra University, receiving a BFA in theatre production with a focus in directing. Their primary works thus far have been writing, directing, and producing A Quaint and Curious Volume of Forgotten Lore (Hofstra Student Rep Festival), and directing Ghost of the Tree (Hofstra Student Rep Festival). They would like to thank their mother for giving them a love of theatre and their father for coming to see their plays, even when they weren’t performing. Instagram: an_actual_mystery_artist website mysteryskelton.squarespace.com
Brandon Scott Hughes, Set Designer:
Brandon is a director/actor/producer of both stage and film. NYC Credits: Artistic Director/Director of MosesMogilee Shows include: Much Ado About Nothing (New World Stages) Ghosts of Provincetown (New World Stages) Dog Sees God (Shetler Theatre) Artistic Director/Director of Second Sight Shows include: See the Elephant by Trystin Bailey Pieces (Chain Film Fest.) The Righteous (Chain Film Fest.) Writer/Director of Adult-ish Web Series (Miami Film Fest. & LA Web Fest) He is also known for his humanistic television portrayal of Charles Whitman on A Crime to Remember Season 2. He is very excited to bring this strange piece to life and is thankful to be directing such talented and giving actors.
Michael Abrams, Lighting Designer:
Michael has designed numerous shows all over the country, including Off-Broadway, Off-Off Broadway, Regional, Tour and Cruise Ship venues. Select Design credits include: I Of The Storm, Music Man, The Merry Widow, The Salvage Shop, My Favorite Year, Twelfth Night, The Last Starfighter, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Occupation: Dragon Slayer, American Nocturne, She Loves Me, Amadeus, Quartet, The Last Five Years, Jekyll & Hyde, Scarlet Pimpernel, Parade, King And I, Children of Eden, 42nd Street, I Do I Do, Meet Me In St. Louis, Godspell, Annie Get Your Gun, Phantom, Annie, Forever Plaid, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Singin’ In The Rain, Oklahoma, Crazy For You, Damn Yankees, Anything Goes, The Nutcracker, and A Christmas Carol. In addition to designing shows, Michael is a professional photographer that has been published nationally and internationally.
Allison Goldhammer, Stage Manager/ Board Operator:
Allison is a stage manager/ lighting/sound designer/ comedic writer and all around theatre enthusiast. She is thrilled to have joined MacBitches alongside such a talented cast and production team! When she is not working in theatre, Allison is an aerial performance artist specializing in pole and lyra hoop. Her background includes experience in musical theatre, Shakespeare, and sitcom television. Her past credit includes stage management/light and sound design for the 2022 Chain Theatre Play Festival.
Sydni Rivero, Costume Designer:
Sydni is currently pursuing a BFA in the Performing Dramatic Arts at Hofstra University. She has worked on various costume projects at her university including the productions: Bear and Mouse an original children's story and The Threepenny Opera. She would like to thank Christina Perry from the Chain Theatre for extending this opportunity, and her friends and family for their constant support in her creative pursuits.
Leana Gardella, Fight Director:
Leana is a New York City based Fight Director, Intimacy Director, and Performer. Her most recent project was Fight and Intimacy Direction for Belfast Girls at Irish Repertory Theatre. Other recent projects include Fight and Intimacy Direction for a Columbia University mainstage MFA thesis production of Blanche & Stella, Barefoot Shakespeare’s outdoor production of Lear, The Great Hunger at The Tank, and As You Like It and Two Gentlemen of Verona at the Department of Drama's New Studio on Broadway. She recently Intimacy Coordinated a Gracie Giffune Film entitled Bubbling Up and Stunt Coordinated Sunstrike Pictures’ latest Short Film Be Not Afraid! www.leanagardella.com
G.D. Kimble, Dramaturg:
G.D. is an actor, playwright and director. He is a native of Louisiana, where he was a founding member of both GreenDoor Productions and The Pass-The-Hat-Theatre, having served as artistic director of the latter. He is the author of numerous plays, debuting with Megiddo at Manhattan Repertory Theatre in September 2009. His play Two Irishmen Are Digging A Ditch opened the Neil Labute New Theater Festival and made its Off-Broadway debut in January 2016. In the summer of 2017, he opened The Gentrification Cycle in Los Angeles a double bill consisting of the west coast premiere of Jen Tries Vacation and the world premiere of Locomotive Repair In Three Easy Steps, which was nominated for the Inkwell’s Playwrights Promise Award for Best Play.
Original Music by BAD MARY
FAST, LOUD, and FUN.
Bad Mary is powerhouse lead vocalist Amanda Mac, her husband Mike on bass, her dad Bill on drums, and her professor David on guitar. The band weaves rhythmic power and brain worm riffs as if it were 1979 all over again. Drawing on influences from the likes of Blondie and The Ramones, Green Day and The Dollyrots, this tight-knit family unit uses humor and the power of music to push back on all the crap going on in the world. Bad Mary holds up a warped mirror to the current culture and reminds us that having fun is the best way to give yourself an escape from the craziness.
Bad Mary released their first album, Better Days in 2013 and followed it up with three fast, loud, EPs – Killing Dinosaurs (2016), We Could Have Saved the World (2016), and Glitter Bomb (2017). In 2019 Bad Mary released their latest album, The Return of Space Girl – a 33 minute punk rock space opera, followed by an award-winning animated movie of the album. The band makes their home in New York and have played classic venues such as: The Highline Ballroom, The Knitting Factory, Arlene’s Grocery, and the Bowery Electric. Out on the road, Bad Mary have played The Vans Warped Tour, The Dewey Beach Music Conference, Launch Music Conference, and Musikfest. In 2019, Bad Mary toured Japan and played to packed-out venues with a motley gang of local punk bands.
Bad Mary can be heard regularly on Little Steven’s Underground Garage on Sirius XM and you can catch their weekly live stream on Facebook, YouTube, Patreon, and Twitch.
David Zayas Jr., Graphic Design
Christina Elise Perry, Producer:
Christina is an actor, writer and producer. Perry has produced over 15 award winning productions in her ten years of theatrical experience at the Chain Theatre. From leading and curating the international Chain NYC Film Festival to hosting talk backs and securing Academy Award winning screenwriters as special guests, she has an eclectic background of knowledge and work in both the theatre and indie film community. Producing and Acting highlights include: In the Boom Boom Room where Perry worked directly with Tony Award Winning playwright David Rabe and the NYC Premiere of Six Corners where she had the opportunity to work with Emmy Nominated Keith Huff. Perry is thrilled to be working with Mr. Huff once again. Perry thanks her ever supportive family.
Kirk Gostkowski, Artistic Director Chain Theatre:
Select acting credits: Nick Moroni (NYC Premiere Keith Huff’s Six Corners), The Pillowman as Katurian (2016 Queens Kudos Winner Best Actor), Talk Radio as Barry Champlain (2015 NYIT Award Nominee for Outstanding Revival), One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest as R. P. McMurphy, Hurlyburly as Eddie, After the Fall as Quentin, Fool for Love as Eddie, In The Boom Boom Room as Al, True West as Austin, Wait Until Dark as Roat (Nominated as Best Director 2016 NYIT). He is the founder and Festival Director of the Chain NYC Film Festival. Kirk made his film directorial debut with the film Leave Me Behind, which was featured in ten film festivals across the world, won awards, and is distributed through Screen Media Ventures. Appearing next in the feature film: My Sister’s Wedding. Kirk is a graduate of Hofstra University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree focused in performance.
Katie Rosin, Publicist: KAMPFIRE PR
A full service Marketing and Public Relations agency founded by Katie Rosin, offering exceptional and custom campaigns for each client’s unique needs and projects. Rosin was instrumental in the launch of the Broadway musical Brooklyn and the National Tour of Mother Load. She worked on the publicity team for the comedian, Jerry Seinfeld, and his movie Comedian.
Kampfire’s Off-Broadway highlights include: MUST, Theatre at St. Clements; Delirium’s Daughter, Clurman Theatre; The Humingbird’s Tour, Theatre at St. Clements; unFRAMED, John Jay College Performing Arts Center; My Sinatra, Midtown Theater & Sophia’s’; Modotti, Acorn Theater; GLAAD Award Nominee, She Like Girls, Ohio Theater; …Another Man’s Poison, Jay Sharp Theater; Swimming With The Polar Bears, 45 Bleecker Street; Glimpses of the Moon, Algonquin Hotel; IT Awards recipient, Elizabeth Rex, Center Stage; Mother Load, Sage Theater; Wasps in Bed, Beckett Theater; Anaïs Nin: One Of Her Lives, Beckett Theater; Triple Threat: 2007 Drama Desk Nominee (mis)UNDERSTANDING MAMMY: The Hattie McDaniel Story, Theatre 5. Back-to-back Best of Fest Winners at NYMF. Some of Kampfire past and present clients include: The Actor’s Temple, ArtsRock, Astoria Performing Arts Center, The Bossy Frog Band, the cell theatre, Tony Award Winning Double Play Connections, Ensemble Studio Theatre, The League of Professional Theater Women, New York Innovative Theatre Awards, New York Neo-Futurists, Nicu’s Spoon, The Performing Arts Center, Purchase College, Queens Theatre, R.Evolución Latina, Singers Forum, TADA! Youth Theater and terraNOVA Collective.
CHAIN THEATRE is always seeking to reflect and react to the world around us. Culturally. Politically. Socially. Audiences can find investment in the work at the Chain, because the work is about them, no matter what it might be. It’s a place where artists and audiences can expand their perspective.
Chain produced the NYC Premiere of Six Corners by Emmy-nominated Keith Huff (A Steady Rain, Mad Men, House of Cards) and has also collaborated with Tony Award winner David Rabe (Sticks and Bones and The Basic Training of Pavlo Hummel. ) Past award-winning productions include: Hurlyburly by David Rabe, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Dale Wasserman, and Talk Radio by Eric Bogosian. Chain Theatre is located at 312 W. 36th Street, 3rd and 4th Floor, New York, NY 10018 For more about the Chain Theatre visit www.chaintheatre.org @chaintheatrenyc