PROGRAM 8
Program #8 (4th Floor)
I Hate the Dedham Mall by Andre Wells
Lyra's Journey (A Work in Progress) by Karina Verna
Nate and Nora by John Nizzari
Roominate by Emma Sarah Davis
South 13th and Chestnut by Gavin Petersen
i hate the dedham mall
Written by Andrew Wells
Directed by Emily M. White
Synopsis: Erin attempts to make casual conversation with a stranger, sparking a debate about kindness, human connection, and the culture of New England.
Kiera Mullany (Erin) is a writer, director, and actress based in Brooklyn. Her credits include A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Rumors, Sense and Sensibility, and Failure: A Love Story.
Jen Pytlewski (Denise) is thrilled to be making her debut at The Chain Theatre in this production of I Hate The Dedham Mall. She has also performed at the Producers Club in A Sketch of New York. When not on stage, you can find her traveling and playing with her cat Pierogi. Thank you to my family and friends for all the love and support!
Sean Kelliher (Mike the Security Guard) says Hi!
Emily M. White (DIrector) is a director, dramaturg, and arts administrator. Previous directing credits include Passover Parodies and The Box (Places in 10 Festival) with Script Club NYC, and several shows with Living Radio NYC. New York dramaturgy credits include Coal Country (The Public Theater), White Rose (Theatre Row), The Roaring Girl (Theatre Row), and more. She is currently the Editorial Manager at New York City Center and has a BA from Emerson College. She is a member of the Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of the Americas, and her work has been published on HowlRound Theatre Commons. You can catch more of her directing work in Program 9 of the festival, in Dear Diary.
Andre Wells (Playwright) is a writer and filmmaker from Boston, MA. He currently works in film production in New York City where he has worked on productions from directors like Martin Scorsese and Derek Cianfrance. He has directed and produced multiple short films. I Hate the Dedham Mall is his first play.
lyra’s journey (A work in Progress)
Written by Karina Verna
Directed by Gyandro Marselia
Synopsis: A Narrator tells the story of Lyra, an adventurer from the mythical land of Everes. But he comes across some blocks in the story when he's not sure how the story could go. With the help of his protagonist in progress, Lyra's Journey takes a look at the emotional highs and lows of writing a work in progress.
Gyandro Marselia (director)
Karina Verna (Lyra, playwright)
Eric Xavier Diaz (Narrator)
Veronica Hitchen (stage manager)
nate and nora
Written by John Nizzari
Directed by Ivette Dumeng
Synopsis: When Nora drags Nate away from his highly viewed online game to her apartment, his petulant attitude soon turns frantic as she reveals to him the stark and grim outcome of their teenage irresponsibility. Nora, believing she has no good options due to her status, beseeches Nate to aid her in the evidence disposal of what may or may not be cause for deportation.
Deanna Tarraza (Nora) is originally from Boston, Massachusetts, Deanna discovered her passion for acting at the age of 7. Now calling Brooklyn, New York home, she is excited to continue her acting journey in the big city. Her recent theater work includes Semicontinuous at Teatro Círculo. Her recent film work includes Growing Pains, Letters to Santa, and Absolution opposite Liam Neeson. @DeannaTarraza
David Pralgo (Nate) - David is a 24-year-old actor out of Queens, New York. He’s worked under acting coaches, Lauren B Martin, Pamela Scott, and Susan Batson. His TV and film credits include NBC’s Law & Order: SVU, the feature film You’re Not There, and short film By The Window. David is also a boxer and is fortunate to have learned many things from this to apply to his acting career. Being the hardest working and best actor he can has always been his goal, and is confident and ready to take on any challenges thrown his way.
Ivette Dumeng (director) is an award winning director. She was born and raised in Brooklyn. Recently directed Semicontinuous by Carlos Jerome. Produced and directed Sentenced to a Life Without Music in collaboration with Voices Inside which will return in 2025. Among her directing credits is The Listening Room by Michaela Jeffrey, Italian American Reconciliation by John Patrick Shanley. New play: I'm Going To Touch Your Neck, award winning Marina / Mata Hari plays by Don Nigro. Occasionally Nothing by Natalie Menna. Ivette is Producing Artistic Director and founding member of Nylon Fusion Theatre Company, a member of The Actors Studio Playwrights Directors Unit, League of Professional Theatre Women, SAG/ AFTRA and TRU. NyLonFusion.org
John Nizzari (playwright) is a native New Yorker who was born and raised in the Bronx. As an independent filmmaker, John wrote, produced and directed: the feature film, Grand Slammed, the documentary Jobsite and the short film Weight. John’s plays have been performed at the American Theatre of Actors, Dixon Place and the Actors Studio. John’s podcast Def Dialogue: Audio Plays about Everyday New Yorkers can currently be heard on Spotify and itunes. John is a member of the Actors Studio Playwright and Directors Unit.
roominate
Written by Emma Sarah Davis
Directed by Sam Lane
Synopsis: Roominate invites the audience into Person’s room on the strangest day of their life. After three days of staying in bed, Person is contemplating what it actually means to “be alive” when they suddenly realize their bed is stuck to them. Like literally. The bed sticks to them. Weird, right? In this semi-absurd physical theatre piece, we ask you to come live a couple inches above reality as we figure out how to get unstuck- together.
At its baseline this play is about mental health and isolation. We encourage everyone in our audience to take the time to check in on those in your circles and keep checking in. We all need little reminders that we are not alone in this world. If you are financially able, please consider donating to a mental health organization in your community or to the Anxiety & Depression Association .
Sam Lane (Director) - is a Brooklyn based artist who most recently directed Graveyard Shift at the Philadelphia Fringe Festival and The Chain Theater Festival. Sam also made their off Broadway debut acting in Rachel Bloom’s Death Let Me Do My Show and has assisted in the production of off-Broadway hits such as KATE, Alex Edelman: Just For Us, Jes Tom: Less Lonely, and Alison Leiby: Oh God A Show About Abortion. Kisses to Emma and Claire for letting me play with them.
Claire Layden (Bed) - is a graduate of Emerson College with a BFA in Acting and a newfound passion to cultivate her craft within the practices of Action Theatre and Devising. She thanks Emma for sharing their curiosity and indulgence of play both on and off stage. She is lucky enough to learn from and laugh with Em all of the time. She thanks Sam for Sam’s invaluable direction and leadership as we dance between the true gravity and spirited levity this piece thrives within.
Emma (Person & Playwright) is an actor and theatre maker with a BFA from Emerson College. Roominate premiered at The Philadelphia Fringe Festival in Fall 2024. Emma can be seen in an upcoming production of It Can Happen Here, set to run in March at CultureLab LIC. Emma is a published playwright with her play I’m Trash & So Are You. She is beyond grateful to sift through the muck of it all with Sam and Claire. A big thank you to her parents and brothers for their unwavering encouragement and love. Em also thanks her partner for reminding her: journey before destination.
south 13th and chestnut
Written by Gavin Petersen
Directed by Maggie Dunn
Synopsis: In South 13th and Chestnut, Ruby boards a late-night bus, soaked and searching for a way out. With only one other passenger—a mysterious woman—Ruby finds an unexpected sense of calm as they ride through the rain. What starts as a simple ride becomes a moment of unexpected connection and self-discovery.
Gavin Petersen (Playwright) is an NYC-based Theater Artist. They are excited to be making their Playwriting debut at the Chain. Recent Directoral works include Both REGICIDE by Jude Cramer and This is Government By Nina Kissinger! As a Stage Manager, Gavin has also worked with 24Hr Play National, 24Hr Broadway, most recently working on new productions of FOUR:A Play with Music, Moses Man and Sleep No More (PA). Gavin Would love to thank all of their loving friends and Family but a special thanks to Micheal for Helping record the audio for the bus! You rock king.
Maggie Dunn (Director) is an NYC-based director, writer, and producer originally from Boston, MA. Her work untangles complicated relationship dynamics, confronts societal taboos, and explores the root of underlying desire. Favorite credits include Girls Online (The Tank, Gerard Cannon Playwriting Award), EOL (Secret Theater Festival, Best Play & Best Director Awards), and Ancestra (The Vino Theater). BA Directing & International Performance Ensemble, Pace University - MaggieKDunn.com
Sami DeVries (Ruby) is a NY based artist who is thrilled to be a part of this show! She is from NJ and graduated from Northwestern in 2023 where she studied Theatre and TYA. You can see more of her at samidevries.com, or on Instagram @samigdevries!
Sasha Rechler (Women) is a New York based actor, improviser, and sketch comedian. Her recent acting credits include Portia in The Underground Theatre Alliance’s Julius Caesar, short films “Trouble in Law'' and “Shoe Love” and comedy web series “Out There.” Sasha regularly performs with her improv and sketch group Skip Skip, current shows include Brooklyn Comedy Collective’s home teams every other Tuesday, and “Skip Skip Visits Your Neighborhood” monthly at The PIT. Find her on Instagram: @sasharech @skipskipcomedy