PROGRAM 6

7 Minutes on Earth by Carlos Joy

Three Characters Figure It Out by Matthew McLachlan

In Here and Out There by Ethan Edwards

Picture Day by Ashley Siflinger

Written by Carlos Joy 

Directed by David Zayas Jr 

Starring: 

Anaís Torres Colls (Jordan) 

Carlos Joy (Andi) 

Herb Benjamin (Will) 

Carlos Joy (they/them) is a storyteller from Ponce, Puerto Rico. Carlos started their drama studies at the age of fifteen at the Escuela Especializada de Bellas Artes in Ponce. They then went on to pursue a BA in Theatre from the University of West Georgia. After graduation Carlos moved to New York where they attended the 2 year conservatory at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting. Carlos is also a proud alumni of the LAByrinth Theater intensive ensemble program. Recent credits include: What Ifs & What Is (Chain Theatre, New York Theatre Festival), Lies We Tell Ourselves in the Dark (LAByrinth Theatre Barn Series), Y Tú, Y Tú, Y Tú (Artists in Residence), Henry & Lucy (Little & Fierce Theatre Company), Just A B’day Dinner (The Secret Theatre), The Christmas Carol: a Queer Fantasia (Tier5 Theatre Company). Follow Carlos on Instagram: @itscarlosjoy 

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. Instagram: @dzcs4u 

Anaís Torres Colls is a trained actress and dancer born and raised in Puerto Rico, January 28th, 1991. Her first encounter with the Artistic world was a Dancer, at the age of 7, in her hometown of Ponce, at Ballet Señorial Dance Company. There she worked as a Professional Dancer in the Company for 15+ years, as well as an Instructor, and Choreographer. She earned her BFA in Theater-Acting from the University of Puerto Rico in Río Piedras. After finishing college, she moved to NYC in 2016, to continue pursuing her Artistic Career, were she completed a Physical Theater Intensive, Summer 2016, and later that Fall, got accepted into the Three-Year Conservatory Program at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting in NYC, Class of 19'. As a passionate lover of the Artistic world, Movement, Body Awareness & Wellness, after she finished her Acting Training, she decided to embark on her Pilates journey. She is currently a Certified Pilates lnstructor at New York Pilates in Manhattan. Finding Mind, Body & Soul connections through the Arts and Movement is a fundamental part of her ongoing Artistic Journey, and she hopes to keep spreading her love, passion, and movement knowledge with the world. Follow her on IG @anaistorrescolls to keep an eye on her next ventures. 

Herb Benjamin (He/Him) is a storytelling enthusiast. As a Co-Founder/Artistic Director of Unworldly Ensemble, he’s been able to step behind the curtain directing and producing numerous shows like JESUS HOPPED THE A TRAIN. Recently, Herb’s directorial feature film debut, The Medea, was released. Herb is a proud native of New Orleans and a firm believer in community. Training: Stella Adler Studio Of Acting.

Cast & 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. He is a two-time ScreenCraft Stage Play Finalist and is the resident playwright for The Midnight Factory, a Pulse Ensemble Theatre member, and a Wynn Handman playwright in observance. His plays include: The Demand of Avarice, This God Damn House, Jack & Melissa, Orion, and The Place We Are Meant to Be, among others. His plays have been presented by Abingdon Theatre Company, Nylon Fusion, The Chain Theatre, The NOW Collective, The Farm Theater, The PIT, Thespis Theater Festival, The Midnight Factory, and performed regionally in Kentucky, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Wyoming, New Jersey, & Florida. Other credits include: Nominated for Best Writer of a Web-Series (ADULTish), The Roast of Michael Musto (Head-Writer), & 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. Matthewmclachlan.com

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.

Caroline Orlando - Stage Directions:

Caroline is beyond excited to be a part of this hilarious play and wonderful One Act Festival here at the Chain Theatre. Previous credits: Beth (Chasing the River World Premiere), Guilia (White Knuckle). Thank you to Matt, DJ, Sunita, Carlos, and Kirk for letting me join in on the fun of this show. As always, huge thanks to the Chain Theatre fam.

Sunita Deshpande - Character 1:

Sunita Deshpande is a writer, actor, and improvisor living in NYC (and LA when NYC gets too cold.) You can catch her this year in HBO Max’s Moonshot in late March that stars Cole Sprouse, Lana Condor, and Michelle Buteau & Sunita in supporting roles. If you’re a Marvel fan Sunita appeared in 8 episodes of Daredevil S3 as Seema Nadeem.

Carlos Joy - Character 2:

Carlos Joy (they/them) is a storyteller from Ponce, Puerto Rico. Carlos started their drama studies at the age of fifteen at the Escuela Especializada de Bellas Artes in Ponce. They went on to pursue a BA in Theatre from the University of West Georgia. After graduation Carlos moved to New York where they attended the 2 year conservatory at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting. Carlos is also a proud alumni of the LAByrinth Theater intensive ensemble program. Recent credits include: What Ifs & What Is (Chain Theatre, New York Theatre Festival), Lies We Tell Ourselves in the Dark (LAByrinth Theatre Barn Series), Y Tú, Y Tú, Y Tú (Artists in Residence), Henry & Lucy (Little & Fierce Theatre Company), Just A B’day Dinner (The Secret Theatre), The Christmas Carol: a Queer Fantasia (Tier5 Theatre Company).

Kirk Kocsanowski - Character 3:

Kirk Koczanowski is so pleased to be back performing on the Chain Theatre mainstage after appearing in Matthew McLachlan's "Toxic Norse-Culinity," A crowd favorite from the Chain Theatre One Act Festival this past summer. Some of Kirk's recent career highlights have been 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); "No Witnesses" a fast paced dark comedy from Vanguard Studios and "Nice Guy" a harsh exploration of hook-up/consent culture in our current social climate from writer/director Lily Yasuda. Next Up: You can see Kirk as a movement artist in "Songs For People Who Have Trouble Breathing," An 8-Part Concert Film Series from the band @PairOfSloths, as well as co-hosting the 8 episode companion podcast "The Pair of Sloths Podcast," and the self-help comedy podcast @MenofDoozy. He would like to thank Kirk Gostkowski and Christine Elise Perry for continuing to garner such a positive space for theatre professionals to play and perform during this crazy time we live in. Lastly, thank you to McLachlan for his continued trust in him to bring characters from his work to life year after year. imdb.me/kirkkoczanowski

Bios: 

Ethan Edwards is a playwright and filmmaker living in New York City. He was a semi-finalist in the 2021  SOOP Theatre Short-Play Festival and has been published in the Corvus Review. He would like to thank  the Chain Theatre on behalf of our entire team! 

Zach Blair is an NYC based actor and illustrator. He has studied at UALR and Rose Bruford College  (London). He’s recently toured with Chamber Theatre Productions and other companies.  

Jessie Jennison is an NYC-based actor, producer and filmmaker. Recent credits include Gloria at Virginia  Repertory Theatre/Cadence and numerous national commercials. Jessie is currently in pre-production  for a film titled Three Ways Out that she is producing and starring in. She is a proud Northwestern  graduate.  

Lorena Monagas (Carmen, She/Her/Hers) is a multi-disciplinary artist from Puerto Rico currently based in New York. Some of her on stage work includes classical and contemporary plays. She's also worked in numerous film, multimedia, and voice-over projects. Lorena has an MFA from The Academy for Classical Acting at the Shakespeare Theatre and George Washington University. Lorena has also trained at Shakespeare & Company in Lenox Massachusetts, The William Esper Studio in New York City, The Barrow Group in New York City, and Casa Cruz de la Luna in San Germán, Puerto Rico. www.lorenamonagas.com

Valeria Nacer (Maria, she/her) is very excited to be a part of Picture Day at The Chain Theater. She played Tessa in an adaptation of “Five Women Wearing The Same Dress” in Mexico City. Valeria is a theater alumni of Interlochen Arts Academy. She practices yoga, pole dance and acro-yoga. She’s the podcast host of Vida y Limones where she interviews people about their relationship with their bodies and the context they live in. Special thanks to all the Picture Day production and The Chain Theater! 

Unique Jenkins (Franklin she/they) is excited to be joining the cast and crew of Picture day. She was last seen on stage playing Tee in Shared Sentences on Theater row. Along with playing Jasmine in the AFI short film "Work", you can catch "Work" at Sundance.org and Innocent boy on Amazon prime where she played the role of Penny. When Unique is not acting or modeling their skateboarding, riding their bike or geeking out over motorcycles, kittens and chocolate cake. Unique is an alumni at LACC theater academy. This is Unique's 3rd year of living in New York City and they're proud to call it their home

Renee Gagner (Jess) is an actor originally from Toronto. She has worked on stage in plays, musicals, cabarets, and concerts in New York and regionally around the US, as well as in various independent films. Renee is a founding member of The Dead End Kids, a theater company that mounts simple and intimate stagings of classics, contemporary pieces, and new works that aim to nourish the human soul. She is a graduate of CAP21 Conservatory where she trained in Musical Theater, and holds a degree in Liberal Arts from The New School, which she earned jointly at the University of Toronto. Renee-Gagner.com

Ashley Siflinger (Playwright, She/Her) is a playwright and performer living in NYC. Her full-length plays include Date Play (Semi-Finalist SheNYC Summer Theater Festival '22, Semi-Finalist Chain Theater Playwriting Lab '22), Shiva, and The Guys. She received her BFA in Drama from Tisch School of the Arts and has spent most of her adult life hanging around theaters. She's really happy you're here. Big thanks to Sam, Chris and Jen!

Jennifer Beck (Assistant Producer, She/Her) is a playwright and producer living in NYC. She has produced events and shows at StandUP NY, The Pit, UCB, and The Tank. Her one act, Bear with Me, was featured during The Tank’s LadyFest. Jennifer is an alum of the National Theater Institute. Thanks to Chris, Ashley, and Sam. Thanks to all who came / are virtually watching.

Christopher Diercksen (Director, He/They) is the Artistic Director of Team Awesome Robot, a New York City based theater company focusing on the dramaturgical development of new plays and advocacy of the people who make them. Directing credits include: Rush by Callie Kimball, That True Phoenix by Daniel John Kelley, Let's Do That Hockey by Madhuri Shekar, and Break by Sam Walsh. Christopher is an alum of the National Theater Institute and Albright College; thanks to Sam and Ashley.

Georgina Woo (Sound Designer) is a sophomore at Hunter College, studying Theatre and Computer Science. She received her diploma in Arts and Theatre Management, specializing in Technical Theatre, in Singapore (2019). She has worked professionally as a stage manager, lighting designer, and production technician, and her past projects include designing visual elements such as lighting, set pieces, puppets, and props for sensory theatre shows for children. She currently tutors aspiring programmers, which mostly involves turning things off and on again. Georgina is a trained pianist and harpist and dances Argentine tango in her free time. www.behance.net/georginawooxy