PROGRAM 8

wounded by Sophie McIntosh

Copy and Paste by Matthew J. Kaplan

What Makes a Hero by Hope Weiner

BIOS

’01 — Aurèléa (she/her) is an Australian film & theatrical actor based in NYC. She is a graduate of the Acting program at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy and the Howard Fine Acting Studio. Her most recent work in theatre includes an extended run of Macbeth with the Stag & Lion Theatre Company & 40th St…A Story of a Life, a new play at the Chain Theatre. Aurèléa is delighted to be a part of wounded and would like to thank her family and friends back home for all of their love & support!

’92 — Elena Cramer is honored to be a part of a show that deals with issues so close to her heart. She received her BFA in Acting from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and moved to NYC this past fall. She will be playing Sonya in Staten Island Shakespearean Theatre Co.’s upcoming production of Uncle Vanya in March. “Thank you to all my friends and family who have always been so supportive!” elenacramer.com

’57 — Sofía Figueroa is Venezuelan NYU alum that has performed in Obie Award and Drama Desk Award winning theaters in New York. She was most recently the lead Monterey in That Drive Thru Monterey, the winning production in Lin-Manuel Miranda's 2020 competition at El Repertorio Español. In the summer, Sofía played the lead role, Fefu, in Fefu And Her Friends, featured in PlayBill and Al Día News. Additionally, her dance performance at the Little Island NYC FREE Festival was in The New York Times, Playbill, and Time Out. Moreover, she is also the Director and Creator of HOME Art Expo published in Cosmopolitan, Elle and People's Magazine. Her interests are far reaching and explorative, allowing her to approach projects with an open mind.

’74 — Nicole Marie Hunt is an Esper Studio trained actor and activist who has recently returned to New York after several years away working in activist politics and regional theatre. In 2008 she left New York to work with the Obama campaign/administration and Progressive organizations like the NAACP, SEIU, OFA, and Repower America. In 2015, Nicole left politics and Washington D.C. to be closer to her family in Detroit. While living in Michigan, she performed on over 15 regional stages in 20+ productions, in 5 independent feature films and several shorts. After experiencing a major loss due to Covid 19, Nicole was reminded of how important it is to make the most out of every. single. day. So, in order to better serve her soul and self, and to continue to grow as an artist, Nicole re-relocated to New York City in Spring of 2021 where she has performed on the stages of, and with, several New York theatres and theatre companies including New Perspectives, Triad, and Falconworks. A complete list of theatre/tv/film credits and more can be seen at www.nicolemhunt.com. Nicole is proud to be represented by Kimberly Merritt at Serendipity Entertainment.

Director — Cassidy Kepp is a global theatre collaborator who uses new work and reimagined classics to tell stories that question society's view of gender and sexuality. She is thrilled to be directing wounded again and in person for the first time. Cassidy can also be seen working on directing projects with companies such as: Exit 11 (The Bacchae & 2084), The Green House Ensemble (Angela Kay Harbanks) and Imaginiarium Theatre Company (Six Evacuations & wounded). To learn more about her work please visit her website, www.cassidykepp.com. 

Playwright — Sophie McIntosh is a Brooklyn-based playwright, dramaturg, and theatremaker whose work has been performed at the Boston Theater Marathon, Imaginarium Theatre Company, and the Region III American College Theatre Festival. She enjoys using her writing to give voice to women’s experiences, celebrate queer communities, and offer honest, empathetic perspectives on living with mental illness. Sophie is a proud recipient of a BA in drama from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.

’19 — Amanda Spencer (she/her) is so excited to be back on stage performing in Sophie McIntosh's original play wounded. Amanda is a recent graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, receiving her BFA in Musical Theater and minor in Dance. Some of her most recent theater credits include performing in the ensemble of Young Frankenstein at the Paul Bunyan Playhouse and as a Puppeteer in Petunia's Big Day at the New Ohio Theater, which centered around teaching self-care techniques to kids. When she's not on stage, Amanda loves to share her love of theater and movement expression with others, working as a dance instructor and theater educator. Amanda aspires to be a fiercely dedicated collaborator and is especially interested in using theater as a tool for social change. Website: https://www.amandaspenceractor.com 

Written by Matthew J. Kaplan

Directed by Mary Lauren

Constance Cooper as “Annabelle”

David Michael Kirby as “Skip”

Matthew J. Kaplan (Writer)

Matthew J. Kaplan is a writer, filmmaker, musician and actor. His dark comedic, award-winning short film IT'S TIME FOR TEA has screened throughout the world and is now available for online viewing. He is a co-creator of the web series DISTURBANCES. Matthew was a house team member at The People’s Improv Theater and a writer/actor with Gotham City Improv. His songwriting and bass playing can be found on the 2021 release “Broken Bat Singles” by indie-rock band THE BRIGHT SPOTS. He is a mentor with the YOUNG FILMMAKERS PROGRAM/KID'S CORNER, in collaboration with Queensworld Film Festival and PS 69 in Jackson Heights, Queens. Matthew is thrilled to debut his play COPY AND PASTE at The Chain Theatre Winter One-Act Festival. He lives in Brooklyn with two mischievous cats and a well-behaved girlfriend.

Mary Lauren (Director)

Mary Lauren is a Multihyphenate artist who loves to tell stories. She is the artistic director of Heart String Theatrical, whose cabarets have raised money for artists and organizations including the NAACP and ACLU. She is the Youth Artistic Director at AMT Theatre. Her work has been seen Off-Broadway and regionally as a Director, Writer, Performer, Producer and Choreographer. She is a proud member of AEA, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. Written works include; My Shadow and Me (Cape May Stage) and Start With I Do (Act One One Act Festival). She choreographed and was the lead dancer in the film, Dream of Spring which has been featured in festivals all over the world. Recent acting credits include: Louise, Gypsy (The Secret) Donna, Believers (The Workshop Theatre) Sarah, Sarah Was Mine (Cherry Lane) and Gertrude, Hamlet (Compass Rose). Directing/choreography credits include; Start With I Do (Chain Theatre) Fabulous The Musical (Times Square Arts Center), Hair (The Secret Theatre), Seussical (The Secret Theatre) Thoroughly Modern Millie (The Music Room), and My Shadow and Me (Cape May Stage). Find Mary on IG @ MaryLaurenw and MaryLaurenonline.com.

Constance Cooper (Actor, Role of “Annabelle”)

I am happy to return to The Chain, where I played in “Georgie D.” last summer. Right after that, I was a glum bartender who knows all in my first feature film, “Playland”. Just pre-pandemic, I had the title role in the 3-episode “Senior Correspondent” for VICE Media. Next month brings me to a new musical, “Father Divine”, in which I play two historical roles: Eleanor Roosevelt and. . . J. Edgar Hoover, yes, truly. In September I go to Ljubjana for a music-improvisation residency and a few concerts. constance-cooper.com

David Michael Kirby (Actor, Role of “Skip”)

David Michael Kirby is a graduate of the Atlantic Theater Company conservatory program. He is a versatile actor, singer, director, and writer. His most recent play "Ephemory Lane" premiered at New Ambassadors' Blurring Boundaries Festival in 2021. Numerous NYC appearances include A Little Princess (US premiere-Signature); The Spoon River Project (NYC premiere-Greenwood Cemetery); Carnival Round the Central Figure (NYC premiere-IRT). Select film: Zero Issue; WARFIELD; The Lion’s Den. Web series: Mythos (ITVFest award-winner). David is a founding member of New Ambassadors Theatre Company, and was recently re-elected to its Board.

BIOS

Hope Weiner- playwright for What Makes a Hero- writer (and runner) based in New York City- Hope is thrilled to be a part of the revival of live theatre! Many thanks to everyone who is making this happen. 

Victoria Freedman- playing Jenny in What Makes a Hero is a trained New York City actress who loves working with new plays, playwrights and bringing words to life on stage and film.

Jenifer Margaret Kelly-director for What Makes a Hero is an MFA playwright and director from just about everywhere! Film school-UCLA MFA -University of Georgia (Go Dawgs!) is thrilled to be back again in the magic of live theatre! Thank you to Hope and Victoria and for the magic and the Chain Theatre for creating the space for art and live theatre!