Van Dirk Fisher, Artistic Director & Producer
Sunday With Albert and Mandy
Written by Mara
Lesemann & Directed by Simcha Borenstein
Time: October 2004. Place: The Manhattan apartment of Albert and Mandy.
Characters
in order of appearance
Mandy Rachel Klausner
Albert Carlo
Fiorletta
Annie Mika
Gill
Charlie Jordan
Auslander
Jordan
Auslander (Charlie)
Has done lots of Off-Off Broadway, extra work, and improv. Not a triple threat (bartending, waiting, or
word processing) and getting too old for the parts he was once too short for,
Jordan sustains his addictions to theater, food, and indoor living as a
genealogical geek. Special thanks to Carlo,
Mara, and Simcha.
Carlo
Fiorletta (Albert) Stage:
The Heist Project; Out of the Box; Those the River Keeps; The Odd Couple;
All’s Well that Ends Well; Micky Angelo (Samuel French/Bravo); Christmas
Caro. Directed: I’m Zsa Zsa
(Samuel French/Love Creek); Promotion (Riant Strawberry); The Fertility
Factor (GEAR; also newscast voiceovers).
Film: Jim in the Box (Tribeca); Familiar Differences
(Lincoln Center); Forms and Motifs (Town Hall); Racetrack betting scene
with Peter Riegert and Eric Bogosian in King of the Corner. Exercise Choreographer: Walking. GIAA, SSDC, BA Queens College
Mika
Gill (Annie) Mika
moved to NYC from Israel on July 4, 2002.
Studied Meisner with Larry Silverberg and currently studies the Method
with Irma Sandrey and Mauricio Bustamante.
Co-wrote and co-produced a show in 2004 with LA-based Einav Markel. Mika's primary interest is film, and she
hopes to direct soon. Thanks to Mara
and Simcha for this opportunity.
Rachel
Klausner (Mandy) Rachel
most recently appeared in the GEAR production of The Fertility Factor in
NYC. She is a recent graduate of
Rutgers University, where she studied acting at the Mason Gross School of the
Arts. Theatre: The Vagina Monologues; Comic Relief;
Godspell; A Streetcar Named Desire. Film: Men In Black 2; Something's Gotta
Give. TV: Cutting IT (BBC). By
day she is a busy advertising exec, but continues to pursue her passion to
become a star whenever possible.
Mara
Lesemann (Playwright) The Fertility Factor was produced by GEAR Theatre Company in
July 2005. One act plays Confession and
Sunday With Albert and Mandy had staged readings with First Stage L.A.
in May of 2005, and Confession was produced on video by Brooklyn College
in December 2004. The Promotion was
part of the Strawberry Festival in February of 2003. Screenplay Limited Options is a finalist in the First
Glance Screenplay Competition. Attended
Brown University and studies screenwriting at the New School University. GIAA.
Simcha
Borenstein (Director) Credits
include: Lunch at Armageddon; Bed & Breakfast; The Oboe Player;
Delores; Lynette at 3 AM; Last Exit Before Toll; David Mamet's The Old
Neighborhood and Those The River Keeps (director); A Day at the
Office; Eagle's Path; Another Saturday Story; Nothing Interesting Ever Happens
Around Here; Tammy (writer/director); A Reappearing Act; Ecstacies and
the Bicoastal Disorder. Simcha is
also the president and artistic director of Heaven Film Corporation, a New
York-based company dedicated to excellence in the arts of theater, film, and
acting.
Three Women
Written &
Directed by Michael D. Jackson
Time & Place: Limbo.
Characters
in order of appearance
Dorothy ParkerMaggie
Burkle
Lorraine Hansberry Ebony
Coles
Maggie Burkle (Dorothy
Parker)
is a student at Hunter College studying Drama Therapy. She is an actor,
director, dancer, and choreographer.
Ebony Coles (Lorraine
Hansberry)
caught the acting bug when she graduated from high school. She attended and
graduated from Pace University and studied at HB studio for 3 years. She
believes the key to a successful acting career is knowing how to best market
yourself. Her credits include: 4 independent films, Be A Winner, This
Is It, Charming and Sada’s Soul. Ebony has a few theater
credits to date, which include: Urbane Qualities, The Morriset Canvas,
Angel On My Shoulder and The Vagina Monologues. She is extremely
excited about being apart of the play Three Women and the Riant
Theatre's Strawberry One-Act Festival.
Angela Liao (Maxine Hong
Kingston) is
thrilled to explore such a fascinating role, and to work with great people.
She has worked previously with George Street Playhouse, National Asian
American Theatre Company, and Kings County Shakespeare Company. Some
favorite roles have been Helen Jones in Machinal, and Anne Frank.
In addition to theater work, she also has commercial and print work
experience. Angela has trained primarily at AADA and Michael Howard
Studios. She also recently founded www.mad-about-shakespeare.com,
dedicated to making Shakespeare fun! Thanks to friends, family, and the
universe for all the support.
Michael D. Jackson (Playwright/Director) Plays produced: Just
Plain Mary, See You in Yosemite, My Magic Kingdom and Coffeehouse,
all in California and A Taste of Heaven in New York and San
Francisco. He contributed the short
play Astor and Irving to the Metropolitan Playhouse’s East Village Chronicles. Favorite directing
projects: The Student Prince (Gallery Players), Dearest Enemy (VLOG),
Ah, Wilderness!, The Captive, Private Lives, Jumbo and Jason Schafer’s The
Golden Ass. Published: Making
Progress: America’s Queer History in 12 Plays and New York Stages: A
Journal of New Millennium Theatre. Member
of SSDC and the Dramatist’s Guild.
Pandora’s Box
Written &
Directed by Michael Alvarez
Time: The
Present.
Scene
1: The Street. Scene 2:
The Club. Scene 3: The Backroom.
Scene
4: Back in the Club. Scene 5:
The Street.
Characters
in order of appearance
Molly Jessica Frey
Billy Joe Haupt
Miss
Kitty Christina Martinez
Philmore Matthew Cippaghila
Pandora Monifa Fola Brown
Lady
Dive Maria Hurdle
Jessica Frey (Molly)
is a second year theatre major at Borough of Manhattan Community
College. She is a native of Lexington, Kentucky. Her past theatre
credits include: Sharon in Fetish by
Michael Alvarez, Chava in Fiddler on the
Roof with the Lexington Shakespeare Festival, and Woman 1 in Michael
Alvarez's production of Songs for a New
World. She would like to thank Michael for all his kindness,
patience, and support
Joe Haupt (Billy) is a 2005 graduate of NYU, where he majored
in Theater and Dramatic Writing. Recent credits include: Drew in Eastern Standard, and Vesta in Trailer Park Broadcasting Scandals.
He's the featured actor on www.newyorkactor.com, and
would like to thank his family, Michael for this opportunity, his cast mates,
The Cartel, and the beautiful Megan Wheeler.
Christina Martinez (Miss Kitty)
Christina is absurdly excited to be involved in such a great show. A
graduate of Boston College, she recently finished the Professional Program at
Circle in the Square Theater School and has also studied at The School for Film
and Television. Past credits include: Wet
Socks (Renata), Who Will Carry the
Word? (Francoise), and Betrayal
(Emma). Many thanks to all her family and friends for all of their
continued love and support.
Matthew Cippaghila (Philmore) Matt is a native of NJ and graduate from
the University of Florida. He is a professional photographer and just opened a
700 sq.ft. studio on W. 38th St. This is his second time working with director
Michael Alvarez. He thanks his family for their support. www.cippaghila.com
Monifa Fola Brown (Pandora) is a native from the Bronx, and an Audelco
Award Nominee. Theater credits include: And
My Name Ain't Peaches, Romeo &
Juliet and Medea. Television & Film credits include: Sex & the City, & Shock Act (Winner
Best Narrative Short 2004 Tribeca Film Festival). I would like to thank God and
all of my guiding Angels, and my family and friends for their support and love.
Maria Hurdle (Lady Dive) is a bartender at the infamous Coyote Ugly
Saloon here in NYC. Maria was last seen
in the all female production of A
Midsummer Night's Dream at The Producer's Club, as Oberon/Theseus and was
devastatingly sexy as a man. Other NYC credits include: Stripped, Defenses of Prague at LaMama, and Antony & Cleopatra. Coming up next is a lead role in Obie award
winning playwright Leslie Lee's new play, Bitch!.
Graduate of the Conservatory of Acting at SUNY-Purchase 2001. For my family.
Michael Alvarez (Director/Playwright)
recently won Best Director
for his new play Summer's Time, which
was also a finalist for Best Play in the Strawberry One Act Festival this past
summer. He recently directed The Great Twilight at TSI and Songs For A New World at the Tribeca
Performing Arts Theatre. Other directing credits include: Cabaret, The Blue Room
and Vampire Lesbians of Sodom.
Currently he is a Directing Fellow with Nerve Theatre. He wishes to express his
thanks to an awesome cast and crew, family and friends. (You guys know who you
are.)
On The Brink
Written
by David Risk & Directed by Hilary
Adams
Time: The Present. Place: A New
York City bank vault.
Characters
in order of appearance
Adam Logan Adam Harris
Jake Musilli David
Risk
Adam
Harris (Adam Logan) a native Texan,
has been acting in New York for five years and has enjoyed success on both the
stage and screen. His latest movie, unReal, received high praise and
multiple awards on the festival scene this past year. This is Adam’s 2nd time working with David Risk after
first starring opposite him in the previous Strawberry Festival presentation of
The Kissing Booth. He would like to thank David for this role,
which was written specifically for him.
David
Risk (Jake Musilli & Playwright) has appeared
regionally and in repertory in The Cherry
Orchard, The Sea Horse, The Birthday
Party, and Of Mice And Men among
others. His last appearance in the
Strawberry Festival was in The Kissing Booth, published last year in The
Best Plays From The Strawberry One-Act Festival: Volume Two. He
received a Silver Angel Award and an Emmy nomination for Rhythm & Blues. He is
a finalist in this year’s ScriptShark screenwriting competition for a new
romantic comedy.
Hilary Adams (Director) 2004-05 highlights
include a 2004 Drama Desk nomination for Outstanding Director of a Play (Works
Productions’ Moby Dick) also
nominated for Outstanding Play and Featured Actor, receiving a 2005 Drama
League Summer Directing Project Fellowship, and two MTC Directing Fellowships
assistant directing for Mark Brokaw (Reckless)
and Lynne Meadow (Moonlight and Magnolias). Recent regional includes Moonlight and Magnolias (Alliance
Theatre/MTC) Peter Pan (CT
Repertory). Member SSDC, First Look
Theatre Company (NYU), board member of The NY Coalition of Professional Women
In the Arts & Media. www.hilaryadams.com
THE CORE PROJECT is an ongoing intensive
workshop for writers, directors and actors (or any combination thereof) to
develop new plays. Artists will
collaborate on the creation and development of vibrant new works for the stage.
Projects developed within the workshop will be presented as readings and considered
for production in the Strawberry One-Act Festival and future Riant Theatre
productions. The Core Project will be led by associate director, Richard
Mover and artistic director and producer Van Dirk Fisher. Writers should submit a one-act play, a
scene from a full length or a sample of narrative work that they are interested
in developing for the stage, no synopsis please. Directors should submit a
resume and letter of interest or intent. Actors may contact us by email (therianttheatre@aol.com) or by
mailing us their picture and resume to set up an audition. Materials should be mailed to: The Riant Theatre, P.O. Box 1902, NY, NY
10013. Please include a S.A.S.E. for
the return of materials.
* * * * *
THE CORE PROJECT is an ongoing intensive workshop for writers, directors and actors (or any combination thereof) to develop new plays. Artists will collaborate on the creation and development of vibrant new works for the stage. Projects developed within the workshop will be presented as readings and considered for production in the Strawberry One-Act Festival and future Riant Theatre productions. The Core Project will be led by associate director, Richard Mover and artistic director and producer Van Dirk Fisher. Writers should submit a one-act play, a scene from a full length or a sample of narrative work that they are interested in developing for the stage, no synopsis please. Directors should submit a resume and letter of interest or intent. Actors may contact us by email (therianttheatre@aol.com) or by mailing us their picture and resume to set up an audition. Materials should be mailed to: The Riant Theatre, P.O. Box 1902, NY, NY 10013. Please include a S.A.S.E. for the return of materials.
Upcoming Events
. . .
The Finals
at The Producers Club II
Friday, February 17th
& Saturday, February 18th at 7pm and Sunday, February 19th
at 3pm
Tickets: $25 (includes reception after
the show.)
The Toe Jam Festival Saturday,
February 18th at 1pm, 3pm & 5pm;
Sunday, February 19th at 1pm. Tickets: $15
A fun filled show featuring some of the hottest talent in NYC.
Join us and cast your vote for A Rising Star!
At The
Leonard Nimoy Thalia Theatre at Symphony Space
2537 Broadway at 95th
Street
The
Riant Awards Ceremony & Performance
Four of the Best Plays will be presented.
Monday, February 27th at 7pm; Tickets: $35
Reservations: (646) 623-3488
or Online at www.therianttheatre.com
On Sale At
The Online Store
Riant
T-Shirts: $15.00
Mugs: $10.00 (Colors:
Red, Blue or Black)
The Strawberry One-Act Festival T-Shirts: $15.00
The Best
Plays From The Strawberry One Act Festival:
Volume One: $14.95
The Best
Plays From The Strawberry One Act Festival:
Volume Two: $16.95
Photos of
the play: Photo:
$5. With Silver Frame: $10. Wooden Frame: $7.
Please sign our mailing list form so we can inform you of other
Riant events.
The Strawberry One-Act
Festival is celebrating its 11th season this
summer. The Strawberry Festival, the brainchild of Artistic Director, Van Dirk
Fisher, is a play competition in which the audience and the theatre's judges
cast their votes to select the best play of the season. Twice a year, hundreds of plays from across
the country are submitted for the competition, of which 40 are chosen to
compete. Plays move from the 1st round
to the semi-finals and then the finals. The playwright of the winning play
receives a grant and the opportunity to have a full-length play developed by
the Riant. This summer for the first
time, awards will also be presented for Best Director, Best Actor and Best
Actress. The Award Ceremony and
Performance will be held at the Leonard Nimoy Thalia Theatre at Symphony Space
on February 27th at 7:00pm.
This February the Strawberry One-Act Festival
will go worldwide as we broadcast the festival via the internet on the second
day of each series in the competition.
Go to www.therianttheatre.com.
The Strawberry Festival is a
wonderful opportunity for the audience and the industry alike to see some of
the best talent in the nation. Every
performance features four dynamic one-act plays. Audiences always comment that this is one of the best theatrical
events around. There's always a lot of
buzz surrounding each performance as artists converge and network on future
projects. Several of the playwrights
whose plays are featured in the festival have written for the literary world as
well as television and film. "We
are very fortunate to be able to fulfill our mission, which is to discover
talent and showcase new plays," says Mr. Fisher. "We are very proud of this accomplishment, but the work
doesn't stop there. Competition aside,
everyone's a winner in the festival, because several actors, directors and
playwrights are chosen to work on future projects at the Riant."
Van
Dirk Fisher (Festival Producer/Artistic Director) has produced The Strawberry
One-Act Festival, My Soul Sings Too, Sister; A Play Festival Celebrating The
Spirit of Women, The International Lesbian & Gay Theatre Festival,
directed and written several musicals including Somebody’s Calling
My Name; Sweet Blessings; Tracks; Loving That Man Of Mine and Revelations.
Plays include: A Sin Between Friends; The Banjo Lesson; Mixed Blessings; Hotel
Paradise and The Atlanta Affair. As an actor he has done several voice overs
and commercials and has appeared on the soap opera Loving as Assistant D.A.
Lyndon Haines. He thanks God, his
family and friends for their love and support.