PROGRAM 1

A Place for Us by Anthony M. Laura

For My Very Own by Emma Lefkowitz

BIOS

Emerson A. Buchholz (Vincent Patanella Originally from the West Coast, Emerson moved to NYC in late 2019 to restart his acting career after a 20+ year hiatus from performing… just in time for the pandemic. He made use of “the lockdown” by practicing voice and acting with T. Schreiber Studio via Zoom, which connected him with creative people around the world and kept him from climbing apartment walls. 2021 theatrical credits include As You Like It (Adam/Martext), Arizona(George), Grey Spectrum (Thomas), and Mangos or Peaches: But More Importantly Should They Be Canned (Leslie). Recent film credits include Mister Sister (Clayton), Elite Match (Jonathon), Not Like the Other Girls (Jack Morgan), Here for Now (Syd Louben), Right to Exit (Troy), and RxCall (Group Counselor).  He loves animals, history, and Betty White memes. Emerson wishes to give high praise and thanks to David, Darlene, Ted, Rock, and John for their support and encouragement.  Instagram: @emersonabuchholzactor 

Madison Murrah (Hannah Patanella) is a theatre and film actress based in New York City, originally from Dallas, Texas. She developed her craft at Yale Drama and Atlantic Acting School, and holds a BA in Performance Studies from Texas A&M. Her career highlights thus far include “The Wolves” (#25), “Playboy of the Western World” (Pegeen Mike), and her New York debut “Andromache, Princess of Troy” (Hermione). Madison is honored to join the Face to Face ensemble, as she believes strongly in the importance of telling female driven and queer stories. When offstage, Madison works as a costumer and content creator.

Raina Silver (Natalie) Raina is thrilled to again be working with Face to Face Films! Off Broadway credits include Ectoplasm, A Christmas Carol, and Murder on the Links. Her pcoming show is Beauty and the Beast at The Players Theatre. Thank you to Anthony for being the best. She received her BFA at NYU. Website: RainaSilver.com

Donna L. White (Judith Patanella) is thrilled to be working with the director and cast of "A Place for Us". Favorite roles include The Therapist (The Big Dream directed by Jay Michaels), Lady Macbeth  (Macbeth - FORALL Theatre, Peekskill, NY), Cindy Hammond (Diminished Capacity - YCP Theatreworks), Becca (Rabbit Hole - YCP Theatreworks) and Sonia (Vanya, Sonia, Masha & Spike - Carriage House / Wilton Playhouse, CT). Donna was recognized for an outstanding performance at TANYS 2019. She was recently nominated for a Broadway World Best Performance in a Streaming Production for her role in Eat the Rich (Phoenix Theatre & Arts) EIEA

CREW

Anthony M. Laura (Writer/Director) is the Artistic Director at Face To Face Films.  He is a published playwright with “The Girl with the Red Hair,” which returns to the stage in 2022, featuring Raina Silver as Azura and Cortney.  During the pandemic, he established Theater, Interrupted, where each month he would direct a classic or original work for a virtual audience.  His films “Korinne,” “Sycamore,” “The Girl & Mrs. Blake,” “Penelope & Kennedy” and “Azure” all premiered at the Chain Film Festival.  His short film “Swingers” garnered him the awards for Best Director and Best Super Short in 2013.  For this production he wishes to thank Kirk and Christina for their support, Lily-Claire Harvey and Ally McQuade for their incredible assitance and the beautiful cast who put this play together in a remarkably short period of time and smiled the whole way through.  This play changed because of their energy and there aren’t enough thank yous in the world for that.  This play is dedicated to Julia Patantella. www.facetofacefilms.net

Ally McQuade (Stage Manager) Ally McQuade is a New York based actress who trained at the New York Film Academy. She made her Off- Broadway debut this year as Marthe Daubreuil in “Murder on the Links” at The Players Theatre. Ally has worked with The Evening Crane Theatre Company for two years, acting in various film and stage productions.

Philip Lauto (Composer) Music has always been a part of Philip’s life but it wasn’t until he was eight years old when he started playing the flute that it became an extension of himself. Flute is still a major part of his life but he turned to composing during high school when he realized he wanted to write the messages behind the music instead of just playing it. He is a graduate from Adelphi University where he studied composition under Sidney Boquiren, Christopher Lyndon-Gee, and Paul Moravec. He then continued his education at New York University where he completed his composition masters degree with a concentration in film scoring and multimedia. Philip hopes that his music can create positive impacts in the lives of those who listen to it and is attracted to the idea of writing music for film and multimedia because it is a great venue to reach as many people as possible. Through Face to Face, Philip is able to add his music to the impactful stories that he has always wanted to help create.

BIOS:

Emma Lefkowitz is an emerging playwright based outside of Philadelphia whose writing explores what happens when we confront the seductive safety of ideology in our emotional lives. Emma has written: DOOR TO DOOR (unproduced), a comedy about a shrinking synagogue in suburbia; EACH OTHER (produced by The Open-Door Podcast, 2021), a 10-minute play about perfectionism; and FOR MY VERY OWN (self-produced at The Chain Theatre’s Winter One-Act Festival, 2022), an absurd comedy about white woman who wants to save the world. Emma is a graduate of Bryn Mawr College and Washington University in St. Louis.  She is so grateful to the cast and crew for taking on this project - and to her family and friends for their loving support.

Sarah De Baets is a French director/actor based in NYC. Her most recent work includes LOVE, LA FAMILIA, a full length-play, performed at the Vino Theater, that explores the themes of immigration, young love and family loyalty, and HOODWINKED, a workshop production at the AMDA. Sarah is very excited to take on more comedic projects such as FOR MY VERY OWN. Her hobbies include binge watching stand ups and hanging out with dogs. She would like to thank Emma for the opportunity and trust to direct FOR MY VERY OWN and her family and friends for their constant love and support. 

Tahyira Savanna is an actor, producer, screenwriter, and lyricist from Brooklyn, NY.  She creates and performs her music underneath the moniker ‘Tee Slaves’.  Tahyira has been working in tv and film for over ten years.  She started as a talent manager back in 2011 in New York City, after earning a MS/BA in Criminal Justice from LIU Post.  She produced her first feature length documentary entitled New Minds In New York in 2012.  In 2017 she moved to Hollywood garnering credits with CBS, ABC, E! News, and more.  While appearing on an episode of Let’s Make a Deal, producers told her “she had something special”.  In 2021, she portrayed Tanasia, a pansexual woman in love with a trans woman performing at the Episcopal Actors Guild.  She was casted as a performing storyteller in TMI Project’s Stories for Choice season 2.  As of 2022, she is preparing to pitch 3 pilots packages and 2 spec scripts which she wrote and produced.  Her passions include performing arts, activism, and having fun.  Her Instagram is @iletthegoodtimesroll and she owns that handle with pride.  

Maya Kate Frueh is a New York City based actor originally from Boulder County, Colorado. She is a recent graduate of the AMDA Studio program, a stage combat specialist and a Third Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo. She is very excited to be playing the role of Anne in For My Very Own! Her recent work includes All is Fair Part 2: War, a workshopped Shakespeare production with Quest Players in October 2021. 

Brian Mendoza is excited to be a part of For My Very Own. His recent works include productions of The Comedy of Errors and The Rover with Stag & Lion Theatre, as well as an original piece, 40th Street...A Story of a Life, at the Chain Theatre. Brian received his education at the University of Pennsylvania, where he played roles such as Brutus in Julius Caesar and Winston Smith in an adaptation of 1984. He would like to thank his loved ones for all their support.

Hadas Brown returned to New York in 2021, after a career as a broadcast news reporter that took her to Florida and Mississippi. She recently trained with Atlantic Theater Company, and currently is studying film acting technique with ARG Studios. She is thrilled to join the cast of For My Very Own!

Hannah Deale is very grateful to be a part of For My Very Own at The Chain Theatre Festival. Her recent TV and film credits include the indie film Becoming Green and HBO's Westworld. Hannah studied at The American Musical and Dramatic Academy where she received a certificate in Conservatory Studio Acting. 

 Play website (with Chain info): https://www.formyveryowntheplay.com/