PROGRAM 8

Want a Ride? by Peter Del Re

CAST:

Joey D’Amore (Arturo): Joey D'Amore is thankful to come back to The Chain to tell a rich, new story grounded in the cultural boom of mid-60's Brooklyn. 

Joey has recently performed in The Fresh Fruit Festival, The Musical Theater Writers Collective, and in various commercials. A big thanks to his friends and family for their unwavering support. Keep up with his new projects on Instagram @Joey_damore :)

Luis Navaro (Raúl): Born & raised in Los Angeles, CA, Luis was initially a painter working towards his BFA at the California Institute of the Arts. But then, as fate would have it, at 22 years old he traded the brushes for the stage when he was thrown into a production of “Leveling Up” at the Hudson Theater in Hollywood, CA. Now living as an actor in New York City, he’s grateful to be a part of “Want A Ride?,” where he gets to bring “Raúl” to life. He became an actor pretty much by accident, and he hasn’t looked back.

Gloria Jung (Lucretia): Gloria Jung was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York and spent her summers "by the beach all day,” at Coney Island. Jung had her start in The Everyman Co, and continued her acting education at Hb Studio and The Neighborhood Playhouse. Her last performance in Theater was at The Bocca Arts Center playing Lydia Morolla in Capriccio Radio By Larry Rinkel.

Georgina Saldaña Wonchee (Camila): Georgina Saldaña Wonchee is a Mexican actor and co-founder of “Espejo Escénico,” a Theater company based in Oaxaca, Mexico. "Las Ocho Joyas de Igu” was one of the plays created in collaboration with the company "Idiotas Teatro" from Mexico City, and was part of the 41st National Theater Festival of the National Institute of Fine Arts and Literature. In 2022, she moved to NY where she is currently touring with a musical monologue "Cruzando Ensueños" honoring immigrants who have lost their lives in their journey to the United States. She has trained at the Atlantic Acting School in NYC.

CREATIVE:

Peter Del Re (Playwright & Producer): Born and raised in New York City, Peter is a new playwright, with Want a Ride? being his first ever play to be staged. He is a recent graduate of Marymount Manhattan College, where he received his bachelor’s degree in Theatre Arts Directing as well as Cinema, Television, and Emerging Media. It was at Marymount that he directed an excerpted production of Jennifer Haley’s Neighborhood 3: Requisition of Doom as well as a production of a new play titled 2015 Fantasy by Spencer Senzon. He also directed a production of Brianna Pennella’s Fresh Arrangements for the New York Theatre Festival in the Spring of 2023 and, in high school, directed a production of Qui Nguyen’s She Kills Monsters. Peter is passionate about showcasing the existence and persistence of queer people in every era through his work.

Elena Maldonado-Dunn (Director): Elena Maldonado-Dunn is a Brooklyn-based writer and director with a passion for queer storytelling. Past credits include Star Lake (The Chain); The Comedy of Errors and Richard II (Hip to Hip Theater Company); and Achilles and Patroclus (Marymount Manhattan College). They are grateful for the opportunity to bring you this beautiful story!

Celina Feng (Stage Manager): Celina Feng (she/they) is the stage manager for Want a Ride? She is currently under a fellowship provided by Roundabout Theatre Company studying to become a theater technician. They’ve also studied in City College of New York where she was an assistant stage manager for their production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare and a lighting designer for Constellations by Nick Payne. 

Julia Gaudioso (Intimacy Director: Julia Gaudioso (she/her) is a recent graduate of  Marymount Manhattan College, where she earned a double majoring in a BA Theatre Arts with a concentration in directing, and a BA in History. Julia has directed various shows regarding queerness across history. Most recently, she directed Connor Spaulding's "I'm Not Leaving" in the Chain's Summer One Act Play Festival and Annie Brown's "Myles To Go" in the Short play festival at The Players Theatre. Also at The Players Theatre, Julia worked on the directing team of "Like Father Like Salt" written by Mark McKnight. Julia is thrilled to work on "Want a Ride" with this incredible cast and crew!

Set Designer: Edwin Gutierrez