Van Dirk Fisher, Artistic Director & Producer

Presents

The Strawberry One-Act Festival Winter 2006
Series J

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

Who’s Who

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

Maxine Hong Kingston                                Angela Liao

Who’s Who

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

Bum                                                            Still to be cast

Who’s Who

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

Who’s Who

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.

 

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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.