PROGRAM 5

Maybelle... Unfiltered by Horace Turnbull

Stuck Book and Lyrics by Danielle Koenig; Music by Julio Vaquero

BIOS

Trena B. Real (Maybelle) is an emerging actress and comedienne originating from Port Arthur, Texas. Through troubling life experiences, Trena found herself and her life’s path. A SAG-AFTRA actress, Trena lives by her motto “Forever living out your dreams dedicated to dreamers who stopped dreaming.” Through her faith and charismatic attitude, Trena has reached high levels in the entertainment industry. The past host of her own radio show on WTJZ 1270, Trena is an artistic threat that continues to bloom. Part of her experience in the industry is working for Willis Broadcasting, the first African American gospel radio station in Norfolk, Virginia. Currently, Trena B. Real is playing Detective Grant in comedy Traffic Lane, and pastor Crawford in mini-series “Touched,” both written & produced by producer/director Jermaine Smith. Her innate talent is blossoming to what it is today and Trena aims to captivate people with it. Trena B. Real is set to cement herself in the entertainment industry for years to come.

Scout Ford (The Man) is a singer-songwriter  and actor from Brooklyn, N. Y. His musical style shows influence of various musical genres including Classic Soul, Funk, Hip-Hop, R&B, Doo Wop, Blues, and Rock. He formed his first group a quartet Called U-Turn that changed its name and became a trio called In-Vest.  It was a member of that group (and the help of group member Bryant Smith) that he learned the basic of harmony and music on the streets of NYC. During an event that Ground Stone was performing in, he was approached to audition for the Trans Siberian Orchestra.  This group that has a Progressive rock & Symphonic Rock sound thought that he had a voice that would be perfect for their show.  Exposed to the country on his largest stage yet he wowed the audiences with his passionate renditions of "Christmas Nights In Blue" and "Proud Mary” literally jumping across the stage!  As a result of this he toured with this production with them from 2007-2010. He took off from touring to help take care of his family as they needed him but he’s returned back and he's stepping up to share his love of performing with the world.

Aja Downing (The Woman) is extremely pleased and excited to be apart of this project and ready for all the projects to come.Aja graduated from The American  Musical Arts Academy in 2016. Some of Aja's previous roles were Annette in TjLovesSally4eva, Fairy Godmother in Cinderella, Jojo in Cher Chez Le Femme , Cassandra in Alex and Eugene , Christine Daè in The Phantom of the Opera, Aida in Aida and Ella Baker in Bayard: a new musical. Aja would like to thank her Mom and dad for all they’re support and love! And also thank the incredible cast and crew of this project !

Horace Turnbull (Creator/Lyrics/Composer) Theatrically he has assisted Tony Award Nominee Chris Chadman from the Broadway revival of Guys and Dolls serving as dance supervisor for the Broadway show Face Value, directed by Tony award winner Jerry Zaks. He also had the pleasure of teaching the young boys (including Savion Glover) in the Broadway show The Tap Dance Kid. He was also pre-production assistant to Tony Award winner Danny Daniels on the National Tour of The Tap Dance Kid. Other choreographic credits include the National Tour of Funny Girl, choreographer for Cork at the Actor's Collective, and choreographer for Manhattan Serenade at the AMAS Repertory Theatre. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Musical Theatre from New York University (NYU.

Cast/Creative Team List: 

Paul - Sara James 

Mad Max Paul - Madison Wechsler 

Unlucky Paul - Jamie Shapiro

Director - Irvin Mason 

Music Director/Composer - Julio Vaquero 

Librettist - Danielle Koenig 

Choreographer - Haleyann Hart 

Stage Manager - Agnes Scotti 

Producer - Mary Alex Daniels 

Scenic Designer - Miranda Holliday 

Props Designer - Abbie Goldberg 

Bios: 

Sara James (Paul) (they/she) is thrilled to have the opportunity to be a part of such a killer cast and crew and a wildly fun story. A 2019 graduate of UCLA, some favorite past credits include Fiona (Shrek the Musical), Elle Woods (Legally Blonde), Dawn (Waitress), and Maxi in the soon-to-be-released Spotify/Apple Music podcast Lone Stranger. Sara would like to give the biggest of thanks to Dani, Julio, Irvin, Agnes, and Haleyann for creating and holding this crazy ride together, and you for coming to see it! If you want to say hi online, you can find them on Instagram and TikTok (@sara_jamss/@sarajamss, respectively), although as an Unlucky Paul once said, "Technology is hard." 

Madison Wechsler (Mad Max Paul) (she/they) is supremely pumped to be a part of this project. She's currently finishing her BFA in Musical Theatre at Pace University and is extremely excited and simultaneously terrified to graduate! Madison's favorite roles and projects include Cherry Valance (The Outsiders), pre-pro of Evita at NYCC (Eva u/s), and Martha Dunnstock (Heathers). She wants to thank her family, the cast and team, and her therapist for their love and support! ( IG: @madisonwechsler) 

Jamie Shapiro (Unlucky Paul) (she/they) is a graduate of NYU Tisch School of Drama. She has originated roles in many new works, notably in The Undertow written by Claire Rothrock and Ryann Weir, directed by Andrew Neisler, as well as in Michael Mahler's new musical Painted Alice. She fancies herself an actress, writer, director and producer (as well as professional Couch PotatoTM). Most recently, she Associate Produced National Lampoon’s “Radio Hour Podcast” and founded the production group Executive Witches. Jamie is also mesmerized by manatees. 

Danielle Koenig (Librettist/Producer) is a writer, actor, and comedian based in NYC and Los Angeles. She is a soon-to-be-graduate of NYU Tisch’s Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program and an alumnus of UCLA’s School of Theater, Film, and Television. Her first original musical,Camp Song, debuted in Fall of 2019 on UCLA Theater’s Mainstage and was selected as a finalist for the New York Musical Festival. Her work has been featured at 54 Below in a series of shows dedicated to up & coming musical theater writers (and many other 54 Below one-offs) and, after winning Playdate Theatre Company’s Holiday Special, her song My Half Brother, The Saintwas professionally recorded by TikTok star JJ Niemann for Spotify release and performed at the famous Duplex Theatre. In January of 2020, she was hired at Saturday Night Live as a Writer’s intern. She has since completed Upright Citizen’s Brigade training in both sketch and improv. Her sketch comedy videos have been viewed over 1.5 million times on Youtube. For more information check out daniellekoenig.com. 

Haleyann Hart (Choreographer) is a performer, choreographer, and teacher focused on making accessible and inclusive artistic opportunities for all. In 2020 she graduated with her Bachelor of Arts in Theater from UCLA where she choreographed Little Shop of Horrorsand Camp Song (written by Danielle Koenig), both directed by Irvin Mason Jr. She's so thrilled to be working with them again as well as everyone else involved in Stuck and at The Chain! 

Julio Vaquero (Composer/Music Director) is an award-winning Spanish composer currently living in New York. Despite having a classical education, Julio has developed his career as a writer for the stage. His musicals have been performed in the major theaters of Madrid and three of his musicals, The Sleeping Beauty (2016), Peter Pan (2018) and Dumbo (2019) have been nominated for the Broadway World Spain Awards, with Dumbo (2019) winning for best family musical. Peter Pan and Dumbo were also nominated for the best score and musical for the Spanish National Musical Theatre Awards.He studied music composition in the Royal Music School of Madrid (Spain) and in the Chopin University in Warsaw (Poland), furthering his studies in Great Britain with Malcolm Singer and in Italy with Salvatore Sciarrino. He is presently working towards an MFA at NYU Tisch School of the Arts.

Mary Alex Daniels (Producer) recently graduated cum laude from UCLA’s School of Theatre, Film, and Television with a degree in theater and entrepreneurship. She has worked for many theaters across Los Angeles including Center Theatre Group, Antaeus Theatre Company, and A Noise Within. Since moving to New York City, she has interned with Jujamcyn Theaters in their Theater Ops Department, signed on to produce 2 new shows Off-Off Broadway, and is preparing to start a Press Internship with Boneau/Bryan-Brown this spring. Increasing accessibility to the arts is at the heart of all of Mary Alex’s work, and she aspires to become a leading creative producer in the theater industry. When she isn't at the theater, Mary Alex runs her own website design agency, MAD Web Design, where her mission is to help artists and creatives develop an authentic digital presence. She also loves reading at home with her cat Patsy (yes, after Patsy Cline). 

Irvin Mason Jr. (Director) is a director, actor, and spoken word artist born and raised in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands. Some of his recent/favorite directing credits include: Ain’t Misbehavin with Gallery Players Theatre, Once on this Island and Little Shop of Horrors with the Color Box Production Company, and Camp Song, a new musical developed for UCLA’s main stage season. He received his degree in theater with an emphasis in directing from UCLA’s School of Theater, Film, and Television.The best role Irvin has played is being a current middle school science teacher at Neighborhood Charter School in Harlem. 

Agnes Scotti (Stage Manager) graduated from Ithaca College in May of 2021 with two Bachelors of Arts in Theatre Studies and Politics. Past credits include, Stage Manager of Buried, a new work at the 2019 New York Musical Festival, and a production assistant on Between the Sea and Sky the 2018 pick for Best Musical at the New York Musical Festival. In 2021 she directed a production of Proof for the Ithaca College Theatre Arts Festival. She wants to thank Danielle and the rest of the Stuck production team, as well as her family and friends.