PROGRAM 23
PROGRAM #23 (3RD FLOOR)
Concupiscence by Dan Blick
Death Perception by Zachary Harris
Enough...? by David Taylor Little
Get With the Program by Vincent Marano
Helen's Funeral by Nicky Trivino
concupiscence
Written and directed by Dan Blick
Synopsis: Concupiscence is a one-act play by playwright Dan Blick, whose previous works include Telos and Lake George. Featuring Mitchell Pope as Adam and April Qi as Ava, a couple who have been together for the past five years, Concupiscence takes place late into the night before their move to a new apartment in the morning. Ava realizes that if she doesn’t leave Adam now, she may never find the strength to do so. Concupiscence explores elements of psychological and emotional abuse and manipulation within romantic relationships, and how this manifests itself into cyclical behaviors.
Dan Blick (Director / Writer) is a British actor and playwright who moved to New York to train under Suzanne Esper, graduating from the William Esper Studio Two Year Program. Dan has a BA from Cambridge University in Theology and Religious Studies, specializing in Islamic Studies, and is a published writer. Most recent theater and television credits include Matthew Gasda's Dimes Square and George: Rise of a Revolutionary. He co-founded Telos Ensemble in 2023 alongside Mitchell Pope, and his plays Telos and Lake George have been performed Off-Broadway.
April Qi (Actor) is a NYC-based actor, alumni of the William Esper studio, and a founding member of Onion Cellar Productions. Her recent stage credits include Stop Kiss and The Great Nebula in Orion and she recently starred in short films Buzzkiller and Personal Best.
Mitchell Pope (Actor) recently graduated from the William Esper Studio Two Year Meisner Training Program where he trained under Suzanne Esper. Before moving to NYC, he studied performing arts at Savannah College Of Art & Design under Craig Anton and Joan McMurtrey. Mitchell was also a member of the 2020 SCAD Performing Arts Showcase. He co-founded Telos Ensemble in 2023 alongside Dan Blick.
death perception
Written by Zachary Harris
Directed by Caitlin Mayernik
Synopsis: Two brothers, Howard and David, have to face an old promise they made to their father: to aid him in assisted suicide should he ever get severe dementia. The time has come to follow through with their promise, but David is having second thoughts and unresolved grief over a pet turtle.
Andrei Dolezal (Howard) (he/him) is an actor, producer, and casting director based out of NYC. He’s been seen on Max’s “The Sex Lives of College Girls,” CBS’ “NCIS: LA,” and Discovery Channel’s “Evil Lives Here.” He is very excited to have his debut performance at The Chain! @andreidolezal
Sam Labovitz (David) (he/him) was born and raised in New York City, graduating from LaGuardia High School in 2019, and the University of Michigan in 2023. Recent credits include a run with Vim Vigor Dance Company at the Gibney Dance Theater, appearing as a swing actor for Radiant Vermin at the American Theater for Actors, and a CookUnity commercial that floats around social media. Currently a resident actor with the American Immersion Theater, and the Murder Mystery Company. In 2023, Sam and his peers founded Running Arts, a company focused on producing live art events across Manhattan. He’s also an aspiring oil painter, and a bit of a yogi. His dedication to his craft and passion for the arts drives him to contribute to the vibrant community in New York City. @samm.lab
Caitlin Mayernik (Director) (she/her) is a New York-based and Detroit-raised theater and film director, writer, and arts producer. NYC theater directing credits seen at: The Green Room 42, The Tank NYC, The Brick's !?: New Works Festival, The Makers Ensemble, Paradise Factory, The Producer's Club, and The Secret Theatre's Queens Short Play Festival (awarded for Best Play). Film directing credits: Shrews Webseries (Director), Buyers Remorse: Couch with Personality (Director). Caitlin has managed arts production with the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, Sesame Street Workshop, PlayPenn Theatre, The LA Writers Center, First Kiss Theatre, and Directors Lab West at the Pasadena Playhouse. Her script Flower Power has been developed at The Tank NYC, Marymount Manhattan College, Davidson College, and The Pittsburgh Playhouse. Caitlin holds a BFA in Theatre from Point Park University. More at caitlinmayernik.com. @caitlinmayernik
Zachary Harris (Playwright) (he/him) was born and raised in New York City. He writes screenplays, original pilots, and plays. He trained at Magnet Theater, T. Schreiber Studio, The Barrow Group, The New School, and Gotham Writers Workshop. He received his BA in Writing from Emerson College. He’s currently a member of Cahill Writers Lab where he studies playwriting with Laura Cahill. @wxyzach
enough…?
Written by David Taylor Little
Directed by Anthony Hayes
Synopsis: Derrick and Nathan, a loving, married, gay couple in which one feels the need to be MORE gay in order to be accepted by their impending guests. It leads to a conversation about what our actions project. And how those actions affect and influence the people around us.
Kaleb Sells (NATHAN)
Devin Butera (DERRICK)
David Taylor Little (Playwright) has written many works for the stage and radio. His play Shades of Gay had a developmental reading at Ball State University in April of 2023. He has had short plays performed in The Short Play Festival with The Players Theatre, Blurring Boundaries with The New Ambassador’s Theatre, and The Winter Fest with The Chain Theatre all in New York City. His new books for the Victor Herbert operetta Naughty Marietta and Sigmund Romberg’s The Desert Song, both premiered with Winter Opera St. Louis. Indiana Public Radio commissioned and performed his plays All Out for Christmas, and Christmas Gifts. His play Podunk will be published by Smith and Krause in October as part of the “Best 10-Minute Plays of 2024” anthology. He is a member of the Dramatist’s Guild and on the directing faculty in The Department of Theatre and Dance at Ball State University.
Anthony Hayes (Director) is a nonbinary director, writer, and puppeteer. They graduated in ‘23 from Ball State University with a degree in directing and stage management. New to New York, they assistant directed/ stage managed Goddess of the Hunt at the Fresh Fruit Festival in April 2024, and directed Back Against the Sun at the NY Summerfest in May 2024. They are extremely grateful to work with David again, and to work with these talented performers.
get with the program
Written and directed by Vincent Marano
Synopsis: A cautionary tale about technology, identity and loneliness. Get With The Program asks the question,“What do you do when an AI program becomes self-aware and wants nothing more than to please their mother?” Just because you’re binary, doesn’t mean you can’t feel.
Vincent Marano (Playwright/Director) a Bronx-based playwright, director & dramaturg. He has won the BRIO Award for Playwriting twice, been nominated for multiple NYIT Awards, and is an active member of Estrogenius, The Workshop Theater, the Actor's Studio PDU and The Episcopal Actors Guild. An aspiring novelist and born-again poet, he has contributed to the Bronx Memoir Project and Sensations Magazine.
www.vincentmarano.com, Insta: vincentmarano2 bluesky @vinniemarano.bsky.social
Olivia Kinter (Dr. Rebecca Tallit) New Jersey born and raised, you can see Olivia in the HBO Max series, Search Party. Other roles include Violet Robinson in Man And Superman at the Symphony Space (Gingold Theatrical Group) and Harper in an upcoming production of Angels In America. Olivia is a proud member of SAG-AFTRA, & has also written & directed original works.
Stephen Anthony (ESAU/JACOB) is a New York-based actor who has worked throughout the Tri-state area. He has a deep passion for illustrating literature and touching people’s lives through his work on stage and screen. He is thankful for every opportunity to create something new.
helen’s funeral
Written and directed by Nicky Triviño
Synopsis: When Andy meets Jeff at the funeral of their mutual friend Helen, sparks fly. But not everything is as it seems...
Nicky Triviño (Playwright, Director, Actor) is a theater artist from the Philippines who now lives in New York City as a Permanent Resident (aka Green Card Holder). Already a seasoned veteran of the stage in her home country, she received further theater training in NYC from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and the Stella Adler Studio of Acting, and has performed in a wide variety of musicals and plays in Singapore, China, and all over the Philippines. She has directed numerous shows for the stage, and is the only Filipino member of the prestigious Lincoln Center Theater’s Directors Lab in NYC. Although she has collaborated on the development of numerous shows, “Helen’s Funeral” is her first script as a solo writer.
Alfredo Reyes (Actor) Notable productions: Waitress, In the Heights, The Bridges of Madison County, The Band’s Visit, Spamalot, Aladdin. Asian tours: Saturday Night Fever, Avenue Q. Alfredo most recently featured in a lead role for the runaway hit original Filipino musical, Ang Huling El Bimbo. He is currently in New York City.