PROGRAM 7
Strangers in a City by Steph Prizhitomsky
The Adventures of Dragon's Den by Caitland Winsett
The Day We Make Contact by Joseph Sexton
Strangers in a City
Written and Directed by Steph Prizhitomsky
Starring Ann Marie Taglavore as Sedona, Carlos D. Rodriguez as Ollie, and Yelyzaveta Pryzhytomska as Blue.
Ann Marie has performed in Off-Broadway showcases, student directed theatre, has secured lead roles in short films, as well as voice acting work. Ann Marie has received training from The Barrow Group, Soho Shakes, and Beginnings Academy. Ann Marie graduated from Towson University (2020) majoring in Psychology-Sociology with a minor in Theatre Arts. In the midst of a global pandemic, Ann Marie wrote, directed, produced, and starred in her own comedy web series, “The Almost Cast”, a part-improv part scripted satire about the journey to becoming an actor.
Carlos is a Queens, NY native who loves learning about and experiencing stories of all walks of life, which is why he became an actor. He recently graduated from Queens College's Drama & Theater program. When he's not frantically searching Backstage or Central Casting for great opportunities like this one, he reads mystery books, picks through boxes of plantains for the largest and heaviest fruits to make his Dominican ancestors proud, and indulges in his guilty pleasure- oreos!
Yelyzaveta or Lisa for short is an 11 year old first time actor from Dnipro Ukraine. She came to the US in early June after spending several months in Poland as a refuge and will be making her NYC stage debut in Strangers in a City. This play is dedicated to her.
Steph Prizhitomsky is the head screenwriter of FIF Productions, director of the horror miniseries Distress Signals, co-producer of the White Rabbit Film Festival, recipient of the best young actor award at the NJ film awards, and playwright and director of Vincent’s at the Player’s Theatre, Under the Limelight at the Rogue Theater Festival, and Limbo’s Woodland at the Chain Theatre.
The Adventures of Dragon's Den
by Caitland Winsett
In a world of wizards and fairies, quests and adventures, monsters and magic, everyone still needs groceries. That's where the Superstore comes in. Layla has been working here for Merlin knows how long, and every day is the same to her. That is until a familiar-looking young man answers the help wanted ad.
Caitland (Caky) Winsett: Playwright/Director
Caky is a playwright from Memphis, TN with a BA from the University of Virginia. Works include Watch Me (Developed by Kervigo Ensemble Theatre), Butterfly (B8 Theatre), Door Knock (UVA Drama Dept.), and Mr. Pinky (Player’s Theatre)
Jac Ford: Layla
Jac (she/her) is a NY-based actor, playwright, poet. Selected Acting: Gone in a Flash (ABC), Romeo/Juliet (Off-Broadway @ Metro Baptist), Gaping Mouth of a Hungry Earth (Williamstown Theatre Festival), Selections from Songs for a New World (Carnegie Hall). Education: University of Virginia (Wahoowa!) Jac-Ford.com
Kai Thorne: Werewolf, Vampire, Fan, No-Face, and Brent
Kai (They/Them) is a gender-fluid actor and comedian based in NYC. Kai graduated from The University of Memphis with a bachelor's degree in Theatre in the prime of 2020 (which was a comedy in its own right). While navigating the new normal, Kai has made it their goal to bring a smile to others' faces during this time of hardship. Previous credits include It's Just a Comedy (Comedian/ Writer), ...Tell Me About It (Comedian/ Writer) and Memphis Murder Project (Devising Actor/ Writer).
Rachel Clark: William Baxter
Rachel is so excited to be a part of this production! They have been living in the city for about 7 months and are currently working as a full time director of social media at a Gen Z agency while pursuing acting. Rachel also paints, has a song in production, and loves to write poetry! They’re absolutely ecstatic to be playing a male-presenting character, as their fluidity is such a huge part of their identity and passion behind the performing arts. They hope you enjoy the adventure!”
The Day We Make Contact
by Joseph Sexton
Synopsis: Four space aliens sent to Earth to make contact and guide humanity to the next level, arrive and adopt the form of the locally predominant species. Unfortunately, due to a miscalculation, they find themselves as cattle in a rancher’s herd sporting a distinctive blue coloring. The rancher, believing this to be some sort of hoax, fails to see the significance of their arrival and sends them off with the other cattle, cutting their mission short.
Joseph Sexton (Playwright) - My plays have been produced in NYC by Love Creek productions, The Chain Theatre (winner, audience choice), The Players Theater, The Secret Theatre (finalist, audience choice) and online at From the Couch theatre company. My full length work, Storytime and Other Tales of Love and Deception was workshopped by Rising Sun Performance company as part of their summer Laboratorium series. My short play, CRB Therapy, has been selected to be published in an anthology. I have been acting, directing and writing in NYC since 2011. I studied fine art and economics at the University of Washington and then obtained a masters degree in fine arts from Long Island University. I currently reside in Brooklyn, NY. More of my plays are available at the New Play Exchange. jsphsexton@gmail.com
S.R. Halley (Director) - has directed and choreographed for television (PBS Great Performances) Broadway, off-Broadway, NY City Opera, numerous regional theaters as well as various musical productions in Germany, the National Theater of Canada and the dutch cruise line, Holland America. She is thrilled to be making her directing debut for the Chain Theater Festival with this charmingly funny play.
Emma DeCarlo (Captain (Cow 2) and Susan) - is a recent graduate of The New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts. Emma is grateful for her family and friends for all their love and support. She’s stoked to be a part of this production and would like to thank everyone involved in The Day We Make Contact!! Enjoy the show:) @emmadecarlo
Mari Blake (First Officer (Cow 1) and Jayce) - (she/her) is an actor, writer, and director, based in NJ and NYC. She began her acting career at age 5 and has continued to perform since then, earning her BFA in Acting and BA in Creative Writing from Elon University in May 2021. Her recent theatre credits include Caleb and Rita (S.P.O.T. NYC), Civil War II (Blue Pearl Theatrics NYC), The Circle (Columbia University), and A Very Great Mischief (Wolfsmouth Players NYC). Thanks so much to everyone involved with this great production!!! www.mariblake.com @bestie_blake
Steph Prizhitomsky (Science Officer (Cow 4) and Carolyn) - is the head screenwriter of FIF Productions, screenwriter and director of the horror miniseries Distress Signals, co-producer of the White Rabbit Film Festival, recipient of the best young actor award at the NJ film awards, and playwright and director of Limbo’s Woodland and Strangers in a City at the Chain Theatre.
Isaac Boorstin (Ensign (Cow 3) and George) - is a working actor and native New Yorker. After starting acting in elementary school, he developed a love for theatre. He studied Performing Arts at Sarah Lawrence College as well as Shakespeare and Company, and the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center. Isaac has performed in many productions by Love Creek and AlphaNYC Theater Company. These include Spring Awakening, She Stoops to Conquer, and Proof. He continues to act and also enjoys writing film reviews.
Craig Anderson (Mitch) - Craig is excited to be performing in this new play by Joe Sexton, a longtime friend and creative collaborator. His recent work includes multiple roles with Untitled Theater Company #61, where he most recently performed in Cabaret in Captivity at the Triad Theater and Doctors Jane and Alexander at HERE in Soho. He has also worked with Love Creek in Hedda Gabler and Moliere's The School for Husbands, and portrayed Stephano in Dysfunctional Theater's onsite production of The Tempest on Governors Island.