PROGRAM 21
PROGRAM #21 (4TH FLOOR)
An Exaltation of Larks by Donald Yonker
Fractured Mirror by Kaila Tacazon
Fucking Keto by Brynn Owen
Toofs by Aladen Gulmohamad
an exaltation of larks
Written and directed by Donald Yonker
Synopsis: Loosely based on a true story, An Exaltation Of Larks is the story of DOUGLAS WYCHERLY, a young violinist who returns to his Pennsylvania home when his mother dies. His religiously fanatical family exact a horrendous revenge on him for "getting above himself."
Donald Yonker (Playwright/Director) was a VARIETY staffer. He worked for Eddie Murphy’s TV Production Company as Sue Wolf’s Production Assistant. He has done public relations for Cushman Wakefield. His short story “Everything I Know I learned from Musical Comedy” won a prize from the Bruce/Brown Foundation. His short play A Medieval Romance, based on Mark Twain’s story of the same name, won an LCT Award. He currently writes the scripts for INSIDE BROADWAY”S annual fundraising concerts.
Donovan Counts (Actor/Douglas Wycherly) Off-Off-Broadway: The Boy Who Listened to Paintings (Matthew); GREEN ROOM 42: From the Street to the Stage. Training: Lisa Campbell Albert, Sanford Meisner with Matthew Corozine Studio, AMDA grad.
We would like to give shout outs to Shenequa Evans, our Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday Thursday and Friday girl; Natalie Counts for her splendid artwork; and Sue Wolf for her lantern and the loan of her chair.
fractured mirror
Written by Kaila Tacazon
Directed by Keegan Vernon-Clay
Synopsis: While sorting through scraps of memories, Kaila creates the facade of a human in order to be loved. But when their Reflection turns to haunt them, the true Kaila is revealed. Weaving together movement and music, Fractured Mirror is a solo choreopoem about the role authenticity plays in love.
Kaila Tacazon (Playwright/Actor) (he/they) is a multihyphenate theatre maker based in Brooklyn. His last project was a commissioned play by Celebration Theatre Company, called Native Healing, about the Hawaiian legend of the Kapaemahu. They are currently working on an original romantic comedy through Dyke Theatre Company’s Chick Incubator. They would like to give a special thanks to M Cantu for producing and Dori Schoner for choreographing combat. IG: @justsimplehonestjuice.
Keegan Vernon-Clay (Director) (they/he/she) is a Brooklyn-based actor, director, and general theater artist. They specialize in classical and experimental theater, with a particular passion for highlighting queer experiences and physical storytelling. They received their BA in Theater Arts from UC Santa Cruz in 2020, and attended the National Theater Institute at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center in 2019. Keegan and Kaila are also founding members of Theater of the Bacchant, you can follow their work at @theatrebacchant on Instagram. If you'd like to see more of Keegan’s personal artistic exploits, follow them on Instagram @keeganvernonclay.
fucking keto
Written by Brynn Owen
Directed by Karmen Paley
Synopsis: Kristine and her daughter Reagan come to a crossroads in their relationship in a doctor's office waiting room as they await an appointment with Kristine’s M.S. specialist. The pair confront their relationship with body and disordered eating as they try to navigate how to be there for each other.
Karmen Paley (Director) (they/them) is a theatre maker and matchmaker who likes to examine, challenge, and expand our understanding of what love looks like. By day, they help singles find partners. By night, they enjoy theatre, nature, dogs, and diy projects. They’re Board President of Theatre Advocacy Project, a company striving to create Safe and Equitable working conditions for all theatre artists. @theatreadvocacyproject @karmenpaley
Jennifer Gegan (Kristine) is an award-winning actress from the Midwest. She has played everything from quirky comedic characters to strong, complicated women with deep rooted vulnerabilities. Her favorite theater roles include Polina in The Seagull, Virginia in Roulette and Mickey, the Brooklyn wisecracking cop in Neil Simon’s The Odd Couple ( female version). Jennifer has been seen in many films over the years, and her latest film, award-winning Hero, is currently going through the film festival circuit. A huge thank you to the amazing Fucking Keto team, Brynn and Karmen. And to HER Heroes; Martha Hanson, Jason Stuart, Jeni Bentson, and her Aunt Margaret, thank you so much for your continual and unwavering support.
Represented by Dream Team Talent Agency ( NY) www.jennifergegan.com
Brynn Owen (Playwright, Reagan) is an actor, director, and playwright based in Brooklyn, NY. She graduated from Rider University with a BFA in Musical Theater. Fucking Keto is her first staged work as a playwright. She is excited to share this story with you all! @brynn_owen
Kaila Tacazon (The Nurse) (he/they) is a performer, writer, director, and producer based in Brooklyn, NY. He graduated summa cum laude from the University of Southern California School of Dramatic Arts and is currently the managing director/associate artistic director of Theatre of the Bacchant (IG: @theatrebacchant).
toofs
Written and directed by Aladen Gulmohamad
Synopsis: This is a simple show about friendship... And torture. When a maniac calling himself Satan captures Jeremy and AJ they both have one final conversation about the failings in their friendship.
Aladen Gulmohamad (Writer/Director): Aladen is a New York based playwright and a graduate of SUNY Purchase. His credits include: Act One One Act Festival (Toofs/ Writer and Director), Chain Theater’s One Act Festival (As the World Caves In/ Writer and Director), Act One One Act Festival (As the World Caves In/Writer and Director), Act One One Act Festival (Goodnight I Love You/Writer and Director), New York Theater Festival (Attack/Writer and Director), Make It Plays (The Walker Kings/Writer and Actor), and Westchester Collaborative Theater’s New Voices (Goodnight I Love You/Writer)
Lenore Mardas (Assistant Director): Lenore is a writer/artist who attended Suny Purchase. Her credits include Waverly Productions Candy at the Bus Stop (Script Supervisor), Astoria Film Festival (Man with a Hand for a Head music video/ Script Supervisor), Purchase College (Buklum Buklum, Key Production Assistant/Writer), New Plays Now (The 7 or 8 sisters of Leopold Binghime/Writer), and POV FEST ( Only goats say baa/writer).
Jake Adam Rodgers (Jeremy): Jake is thrilled to be reprising his role of Jeremy in this hilarious and heartfelt play! He is an actor in the immersive murder mystery Speakeasy Die Softly in Times Square, as well as a barista part time. He would like to thank his professors from Rockford University, his parents, and all of the friends and loved ones who have supported him along the way. He couldn’t have gotten here without you all! Instagram: @jakeadamsrogers Tik Tok: @jake.adams.rogers
Jaylon Jamal Mobley (Aj): THEATER. New York Shakespeare Festival: Hamlet (Guildenstern). Yale School of Drama Carlotta Festival: littleboy/littleman (Bassist). The Fire This Time Festival at Kraine Theater. Purchase Repertory Theater: Sweat (Chris). FILM. April 14, 1982 (Lead). Animosity (Lead). Jaylon obtained his BFA from SUNY Purchase in ‘22 and officially moved to NYC. Huge thanks to Aladen, his agent at Swain-Thomas, BICOASTAL MGMT, and his parents for the continued support. @thejaylonjamal
Jayden Key (Satan): Jayden is a New York City Based Actor, Catastrophic Theatre Emeritus Core Artist, and Maggie Flanigan Studio Graduate.