PROGRAM 11

Dead Babies by Shelby Pickelny

Dead End Kids by Brian Leahy Doyle

Toxic Norse-culinity by Matthew McLachlan

What Ifs & What Is by Carlos Rivera Marrero *

*What Ifs & What Is will not perform 8/1 @ 2pm

CAST IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE

Joshua Sher ............................................................................................. Moe

Charlotte Blacklock ................................................................................. Miriam

Will Poost ........................................................................................... Mickey

Charly Wenzel ....................................................................................... Maude

Choreography by Charly Wenzel

Dead End Kids was first performed via Zoom in KNOW Theatre’s 2020 Playwrights Festival

and was directed by Jeff Tagliaferro. The cast included Erik Fernandez (Mickey), Vito Longo

(Moe), Anna Simek (Maude), and Chloe Solan (Miriam).

U Drop Inn artwork courtesy of Greg Chianis, AIA.

Special thanks to Jonathan Mernit.

Cast and Crew Bios:

Matthew McLachlan (Playwright) - Matthew McLachlan is a Dramatist Guild Member and current Artist in Residence with Abingdon Theatre Company. He was born in Scotland, raised in Florida, and currently survives in New York City. His published works A Collection of One-Acts & Other Things You May or May Not Enjoy and full-length play Orion are available now at The Drama Bookshop and on Amazon.

David Zayas, Jr. (Director) - David Zayas Jr. is a Director, Actor, Photographer. Originally from the Bronx, NY. Growing up around theater and film, he started becoming more involved, starting with photography. He later joined a theater company, and produced and directed 14 short films with them. Then directed “ The Head Hunter” by Mark Borkowski for a theater festival which got him a nomination for best director. He then joined the director program at the Actors Studio. Now he’s directing his own written short films among others that are in festivals right now such as “Santa Force” by Peter Collier. And “ Uptown Dave” by himself which won him best actor in a super short with the Chain Film Festival

Alex Staub (Sven) - Alexander Staub is a Comedian, Actor, TV Producer & Podcast Host. Originally from Boston, MA he grew up in the theater and then went on to Full Sail University to study film in Florida. Over the last 10 years he has been a tv producer for shows such as, Keeping up with the Kardashians, Housewives of New York, Live PD, America’s Got Talent and many more. When Alex isn’t working on TV he is the Co-Host on the “Men of Doozy Podcast” and performs Stand Up Comedy all around the country.

Andrew Goebel (Bretl) - is so excited to get to work on this hysterical piece. He is grateful to get to be in a physical space again working with such wonderful people. While the world was paused, Andrew kept himself busy by working with Planet Connections on their virtual pieces. He also has been working with Kimille Howard to start a company to bring the work of Black Actors and Playwrights to the forefront. Thank you to Erika for dealing with him and his family for always supporting him.

Kirk Koczanowski (Kevin) - Kirk Koczanowski is thrilled to be originating another role in one of Matthew McLachlan’s plays (Murder Play/Jack/The Artists Co-Op & Guardian/Derrick/TaDa! Theater). Kirk recently finished filming the lead role in the exciting new tv sitcom pilot “The Big Time”/Leaving Normal Productions, opposite Maitland Ward (Boy Meets World) and Brett Azar (Young Rock, Terminator). When not acting, Kirk enjoys producing his self-help/comedy podcast "Men of Doozy" with fellow co-star Alex Staub. He is so pleased to be back on-stage for the first time since playing the lovable Buddy The Elf in MTKC’s midwest premiere of “Elf: The Musical” pre-pandemic. Kirk is forever thankful to McLachlan for continuing to trust him to bring his work to life. Alumni: Maggie Flanigan Studio. Nebraska Wesleyan U. IG: @Kirk_Koz

SHELBY PICKELNY - PLAYWRIGHT Shelby could not be more excited (nor grateful!) for her piece, Dead Babies, to be gracing the Chain Theatre’s mainstage. Growing up in Central New Jersey, Shelby was surrounded by nature - both by trees and the sea - and feels deeply about environmental and social justice. Dedicated to making the industry more inclusive, Shelby will graduate with a BA in Theater Business from Pace University this Spring in order to continue the production of important and relevant art. Other work of hers includes: Cliffhanger (Tara) in The Players’ Theatre’s Short Play Festival, Robot Girlfriend (prod. PowerStation NYC), Untitled Document (prod. Pace University), and works as an associate producer on the PBS TV show Drive By History. Shelby would like to thank the cast for trusting this outrageous script, Reg for her (audio and nontechnical) support, Kirk & Christina of The Chain for their energy and encouragement, and, most importantly, Liz - for being her ride or die. Please consider further involvement with the WE ACT! organization (or another one of your choice!).

LIZ BEALKO - DIRECTOR Liz is very excited to make her New York directing debut with this hilarious and timely piece. She is a director, choreographer, and performer originally from Oklahoma, and her favorite acting credits include, The Drowsy Chaperone (Janet VanDerGraff), Xanadu (Melpomene), and The Last Five Years (Cathy). When she isn't performing, Liz is the associate producer at StrawHat Auditions. In 2017 Liz traveled to her small hometown and started a theatre program to create more opportunities for students in the performing arts. In 2018 that program received the R.I.S.E. America Grant through NBC and the Educational Theatre Foundation. She would like to thank her family for always being supportive, John Beier for being her rock and graphic artist in this production, her cast Kat, Ted, and Tyus for being up for anything, and knowing how important this funky show is, and finally her ride or die Shelby Pickelny. "I love being on this journey with you, and this is just the beginning!" Enjoy the show and Please Recycle!

TYUS KING - JAKE Hailing from Minneapolis, Minnesota, Tyus is elated to have Dead Babies be his first New York City production. Recently, Tyus graduated from a two year Film & Television acting program at the New York Conservatory for the Dramatic Arts. Prior to living in New York, Tyus has worked with various theatre companies in the Twin Cities area, such as: Sidekick Theatre, The Zephyr Theatre and The Gilbert and Sullivan Very Light Opera Company. His favorite activity in his downtime consists of drinking way too much coffee and re-reading his favorite book series “ The Hitchhiker's Guide The Galaxy”.

TED GIBSON - ELIJAH Ted Gibson (Elijah) is a University of Michigan BFA graduate who is excited to make his post-Covid debut in this hilarious, timely play. Thanks to Liz, Shelby, Tyus, and Kat for creating a supportive and exhilarating creative space and committing themselves to such a relevant, fun piece of theatre. Credits: Sense and Sensibility (Edward), This Is Our Youth (Dennis), Death of a Salesman (Bernard). Please check out the environmental justice group “WE ACT”!

KAT OLSON - TARA Katherine Olson is very excited to perform once again post pandemic for a live audience! Previous credits include EEEEEEEEE by Emily Abrams for the Rogue Theatre Festival. Regional: A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Triad Stage), Beautiful Star (Triad Stage), The Sky Game (Peppercorn Theatre). Film/TV: Oh Crappy Day! (Dagtype Films), Your Worst Nightmare (Investigation Discovery), A Dream in Static (music video feat. Earthside). She has a BFA in Acting from UNC Greensboro.

Carlos Joy (they/them) is a NYC based actor and writer from Ponce, Puerto Rico. They graduated from the Stella Adler Studio of Acting in 2019, and has since performed in numerous plays including: Lies We Tell Ourselves (Labyrinth Theater Company), The Christmas Carol: A Queer Fantasia (Tier5 Theatre Company), Henry & Lucy (Little & Fierce Theatre Co.), Just a B’day Dinner (The Secret Theatre), Juntos (Artists in Residence). Carlos Joy’s 7 Minutes on Earth marked their playwriting debut, and went on to earn the overall first place at Team Theatre’s Fun Fab Feb Fest. Carlos is overjoyed to finally be back in theatre with this new play, and to be working with the most amazing humans. Instagram: @itscarlosjoy

Ella Rivers (they/she) graduated from the Stella Adler Studio in 2019. Since then she has assisted directed Ful Nabit by JThalia Cunningham and A Delicate Balance by Edward Albee with The Artistic Director of the Private Theatre, John Gould Rubin. As well as assisting on Clean House by Sarah Ruhl with Brad Raimondo at the Stella Adler Studio. She also directed the staged reading and American debut of Corvidae by John Campbell.

Joseph Mann is a New York based actor and a graduate of the Stella Adler Studio of Acting. He has appeared in numerous off off Broadway productions such as 'The Dungeon' by Enzo Gattuccio, 'Montrose Station' by Doug Hacket and '7 Minutes On Earth' by Carlos Joy. He is also currently in pre-production of a show he has written and will star in called 'A Life In His Shadow: A One Man Show Definitely Not About Robin Due To Legal Reasons '. Joseph has a goal of being cast as the Human Torch whenever Marvel remakes the Fantastic Four movies. So if you could start spreading the word he would be very appreciative. He is very excited to be performing in 'What Ifs & What Is' and happy to be working with great friends.