Theatre is connection.
The series brings together five bold new short plays, each exploring what it means to connect in today’s world. Performed back-to-back, making for an unforgettable evening at Court Square Theater.
The series was founded in 2016 to bring great new plays beyond the footlights and into nontraditional spaces like breweries, rooftops, and taverns to provide an immersive and unique audience experience. Beginning in 2021, the series moved into the theater, but the spirit of creating theatre that propels story with minimal production continues. Fulfilling one of the company's core beliefs to make theatre more accessible to all, tickets are available on a suggested donation basis.
TWO WEEKS ONLY!
SHOW INFORMATION
Date: October 16-25
Ticket Price: Suggested Donation
Court Square Theater
Running Time: 60 min
Intermission: No
5 PLAYS. 5 CASTS. 1 STAGE.
WHO’S WHO
Herbert Benjamin* (Titus, RESERVOIR) is happy to be working with Theatre East again. He’s a member of the improv group Entirely From Memory. This Summer, Herbert has stretched his creative spirit with Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill (co-director) and The Tea (writer/performer). Recent roles: RENT (Tom Collins ), OTHELLO (Cassio), and ROMEO AND JULIET (Capulet). Stella Adler. To my brightest lights: Marlon and Hilo.
Mark Briggs (Robert, STAR CHILD BLUES) is an actor. For seven years he has said he is not. He said it again and again until it became almost true. This is the first show in that time. He asks you to be as gentle with him as he is trying to be with himself. He thanks fate for its patience, his partner Kat for the push that hurt and healed, his dogs for reminding him daily that joy can be simple, and love wordless. You three, he says, are the best part of me. The truest part. The part that stays when the rest goes.
Petra Brusiloff (Caroline, THE POWER OF SOMETHING INVISIBLE) is a New York-based actress/playwright. She originated the role of Caroline and is thrilled to give her life again. Select acting credits: LUCKY GIRLS (Frederick Loewe Theater), ALWAYS BURNING (The Masquerade Theatre), ELEKTRA (Holden Experimental Theater), THE WOLVES (St. Jean’s Theater), WHAT’S WRONG WITH YOU (Harold Clurman Laboratory Theater). Playwriting credits: UNTITLED, UNKNOWN ARTIST(S) (workshopped at Vassar Powerhouse and Theatre East), BREAK UP WITH YOUR BOT FRIEND (commissioned by Stella Adler Studio), PROCESSING… (workshopped/produced by Theatre East). She’s beyond grateful to be working with the Theatre East TPOSI team; she cries happy tears and sends all her love.
Ollie Corchado (Marcus, RESERVOIR) is an actor/producer/writer based out of New York City. New York Credits: AZTEC PIRATES and THE INSIGNIFICANCE OF LIFE ON MARS (Lone Star Media); KING LEAR (New York Classical Theatre); A SPIDER’S WEB (Wet Paint New Play Festival); COUNTING PEDESTALS (Metropolitan Playhouse); NOT ABOUT NIGHTINGALES (Empirical Stage). Regional: SWEAT (Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati); ROMEO AND JULIET (Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival); INDIAN HEAD (Luna Stage); PETER AND THE STARCATCHER (Milwaukee Rep. & Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park). TV/Film: FBI (CBS); The Blacklist (NBC); Bull (CBS); Blue Bloods (CBS). Repped by UGA Talent and ROLU Entertainment. Follow him on IG @itspronouncedohlee
Meredith England (Ollie, MOTHERF*CKING EMPATHY) is thrilled to be returning to The Court Square Theatre for their second show with Theatre East! She was previously featured in their workshop reading of Untitled, Unknown Artist(s) as March. Meredith would like to thank the Theatre East team for welcoming her back, and to her partner Nick for his unwavering support. Instagram: @meredith_england
Shaun Bennet Fauntleroy* (Playwright, CRAFT) is an actress, playwright, director, and producer. Recent directing work: BYE CHARLIE, BYE LANE (Theatre East), THE CATASTROPHE CLUB (Sea Dog Theater), ROMEO AND JULIET (Smith Street). Recent acting credits: HOLY GHOSTS (Theatre East), RICHARD III (NYIT Outstanding Actress in a Lead Role nomination, Smith Street Stage). Recent writing work: TOGETHER (Theatre East). She is a recipient of the Theatre Hall of Fame’s 2017 Emerging Theatre Artist Award, one of Gingold Theatrical Group’s 2018/2019 Speakers’ Corner playwrights, and a co-director of The Amoralists’ 2020/21 season of ‘Wright Club. She is also one of the Sheen Center’s 2020 Playwrighting Fellows and lives in Brooklyn with her dog Bentley, who is a tiny, majestic beast. AEA, DGA www.shaunbfauntleroy.com
Robert A. K. Gonyo (Sound Design) is a theatre director, actor, sound designer, voiceover artist, podcaster, musician, and tour-guide residing in Queens. He is the producer of Go See a Show!, New York City's independent theatre podcast (goseeashowpodcast.com). robertgonyo.com
Claire Gresham (Maria, THE POWER OF SOMETHING INVISIBLE) is an actor, producer and voice artist. Most recently she appeared in MEN ON BOATS as Major Powell with The NOLA Project in New Orleans. Other Regional Credits Include: LOVE’S LABOR’S LOST (Shakespeare Festival Tulane), CRIMES OF THE HEART (Le Petit du Vieux Carre), and TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD and CRIMES OF THE HEART (Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre). In New York, she has worked with The Public, EST, The Flea, Manhattan Shakespeare Project, Page73, and New Georges, as well as co-founding Ten Bones Theatre Company, where she regularly performs in the Entirely from Memory Comedy Series. www.clairegresham.com
Andrea Huckaba (Director, RESERVOIR) is thrilled to be returning to the 5x5 series after directing After Eden in 2022, which went on to do a short run at Soho Playhouse in 2023. Additional directing credits include Vanity Fair; The Sweet Science of Bruising; Butterfly Kiss; El Nogalar; Fen; Smart People; Decision Height; The Girl in the Red Corner; B is for Bullshit; Elephant; Accepts with Pleasure (Stella Adler Studio of Acting) as well as asst. director on Knives in Hens (59e59, NYT Critic’s Pick). NYU Tisch.
Pete McElligott (Playwright, THE POWER OF SOMETHING INVISIBLE) is an actor, director, writer, and producer. He is a founding member of The NOLA Project in New Orleans and the Ten Bones Theatre Company in New York. The work of both companies has been featured in American Theater, The New Yorker, TimeOut, Village Voice, and The New York Times. He has been on TV (his mother’s favorite accomplishment) and performed in several radio plays for BBC Radio 4 (his favorite accomplishment). In Theatre, Pete is best known for reviving the lead role in Paul Green’s JOHNNY JOHNSON, a performance honored by Backstage as one of the year's best.
Jeff Kerr McGivney (Jeffro, STAR CHILD BLUES) recently-ish moved to New York, after many years in Los Angeles and doing regional theatre. Favorite roles include Mercutio in ROMEO AND JULIET, Andy in SYMATHETIC MAGIC, Mairtin in SKULL OF CONNEMARA and Brick in CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF. Excited to work with Theatre East in what might just be his New York debut.
Toni Kwadzogah* (Director, MOTHERF*CKING EMPATHY) is a multidisciplinary artist based in New Jersey. Recent directing credits: BUZZER (Court Square Theater), HOLE-N-DA-WALL (Davell Underground). Recent assistant directing credits: AS YOU LIKE IT (Smith Street Stage). Select acting credits: Ely/Williams - HENRY V (Smith Street Stage), Holly - NEXT FALL (Morningside Players). She is a graduate of the Stella Adler Studio of Acting, and has an undergrad degree in English from Rutgers University, with focuses in Comparative Literature and Film Study. Her adaptation of Medea, titled The Medea, was released in November 2021.
Christa Kimlicko Jones* (Director, CRAFT/Vera, THE POWER OF SOMETHING INVISIBLE) (she/her) actress/teacher/producer based in NYC. Selected NYC credits: ANNA (co-pro, Theatre East/HC Lab). EDIE SAVES THE BIRDS, A NAME FOR A GHOST TO MUTTER, THE SOLDIER DREAMS (Theatre East). THE CHERRY ORCHARD, AWAKE AND SING!, THE SEAGULL, THE WHALE, THREE SISTERS, UNCLE VANYA, OUR TOWN (Harold Clurman Lab Theatre). UMBRELLA, HARVEST (Alchemy Theatre Company). Regionally: CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF, HEDDA GABLER, DESIRE UNDER THE ELMS, FOOL FOR LOVE. Teaches at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting, NYC. Director of Teen Conservatory and Young Artists Programs at Stella Adler. Associate Artistic Director/Theatre East. Member: V.A.S.T.A., League of Professional Theatre Women, Actors’ Equity Association. MFA in Acting/University of Texas at Austin. www.ChristaKJones.com
Judson Jones* (Peter, CRAFT/Director, THE POWER OF SOMETHING INVISIBLE) is an award-winning producer and director who has had the privilege of collaborating on the premieres of Tim Blake Nelson’s EYE OF GOD, Christopher Durang’s THE VIETNAMIZATON OF NEW JERSEY (NY Times Critic Pick), David Crawford’s HARVEST (Smith & Kraus Best New Plays of 2008; Back Stage Critic’s Pick), Bennett Windheim’s NORMALCY, Megan O’Brien’s THE JUNGLE BOOK, Daniel MacIvor’s THE SOLDIER DREAMS, and DEVIL AND THE DEEP with Air Supply‘s Graham Russell. Regional producing credits include: THE JINN (The American Theatre Critics Award) HEDDA, BASH, and DESIRE. His directing credits include: HOLY GHOSTS, NAME FOR A GHOST TO MUTTER, and THE SOLDIER DREAMS (Theatre East), HARVEST (Alchemy Theatre Company), BASH (the dirigo group), S-MAN (Scriptworks), THE ELF and GIFT (Salvage Vanguard Theatre). He serves on the Board of Directors for Texas Dramatists, is a member of Actors’ Equity and SAG/AFTRA, and an instructor at the Kanbar Institute of Film & Television, Tisch School of the Arts, NYU and the Stella Adler Studio of Acting.
Sherry Martinez (Costume Design) is a New York City Based costume designer. Her designs have been seen at T. Schreiber Studios, The Abingdon Theater and The Stella Adler Studio. Credits include THE LAST DAYS OF JUDAS ISCARIOT, AS YOU LIKE IT, OTHELLO, PERICLES, LADY HOUSE BLUE, ANNA IN THE TROPICS, ROSENCRANTZ AND GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD, MOTHER COURAGE, SKYSCRAPER, THE HOMECOMING.
She’d like to thank Leigh Bowery, Edith Head and Chado Ralph Rucci for serving as inspiration for all her designs.
Mike McNulty (Mike, STAR CHILD BLUES) is a multi-discipline performer specializing in ensemble-based collaboration and new works. Originally from Lenexa, Kansas, he earned dual degrees from Missouri State University in theatre performance studies and entertainment management. He’s trained extensively in the Suzuki Method of Actor Training and Viewpoints with SITI Company, with whom he performed at New York Live Arts under the direction of Anne Bogart. Other favorite credits include: Hamlet in Hamlet, performed in Helsingør, Denmark and Ross in Macbeth, performed in Birnam Woods, Scotland (Oxford Shakespeare Company); Dream Dances (The Ume Group); Eaten Voices, Thespis Theater Festival 2012 Best Play winner; and original concept musical Painted Woman, Venus Theater Festival 2013 Best Play finalist. He currently serves as managing director for Theatre East. Instagram @MrMikeyMc
Zach Murphy (Lighting Design): Let X=X (Laurie Anderson BAM Opera House), SHUTTER SISTERS (The Old Globe), Democratic National Convention 2024 (Democratic National Convention 2024 (Cable Manager/Technical Producer, United Center Detroit), TODO Productions (Technical Producer), Creative Director (Bang Interrobang), CITI/STREB, A THOUSAND THOUGHTS (Associate, Kronos Quartet), An Octoroon (Actor’s Express), REQUIEM FOR TESLA (Rude Mechs), Sacai NY Nike Fashion Show (Nike), BEYOND BABEL (Associate, Hideaway Circus), THE PITMAN PAINTERS (Associate, MTC), SHUTTER SISTERS (The Old Globe), Emerging from the Cave (Director of the film, Sundance Institute), podcast BardQuest Empire (producer), Creative Director, Bang Interrobang www.banginterrobang.com
Oliver Palmer* (Playwright, STAR CHILD BLUES) is the facilitator of Theatre East’s Writers Room. As a screenwriter, his feature screenplay Ain't it Though was nominated for best feature at Film Invasion LA, his short film Narrow Path which he wrote, directed and starred in won first place at the Berlin Indie Film Festival and was selected for the American Golden Picture awards, and his short screenplay German Ridge was a finalist at the Sedona International Film Festival, a quarter finalist at the Renoe-Tahoe Screenplay Contest, and was selected at the Oregon Short Film festival and the Deep in the Heart film festival. German Ridge was filmed in 2024 on 16 mm film with Andre Bato Productions and is nominated for Best Drama Short and Best Dramatic Performance at the Waco Independent Film Festival. Palmer is a graduate of NYU Tisch, the Stella Adler Studio, and the Experimental Theater Wing and a proud member of Theatre East, Smith Street Stage, and LABryinth's Intensive Ensemble.
Thammie Laine Quách* (Celeste, MOTHERF*CKING EMPATHY) is excited to work with Theatre East again (woo!). A Vietnamese-American actor, singer, and teaching artist. Born and raised in Queens. Theatre credits include WINNING IS WINNING (Hoi Polloi), A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM (The Drilling Company), ANTIGONE (New Relic Theatre), BIOADAPTED (Transforma Theatre), MUSES (Theatre East), and PROMENADE (NYU Tisch). She holds a BFA in Drama from NYU Tisch School of the Arts. thammiequach.com @thammielaine
travis l. tate (Playwright, RESERVOIR (they/them) is a queer playwright, poet, and performer living in Brooklyn. Their first collection of poetry, Maiden, was published in June 2020 by VA Press. Their first collection of short stories, UNTENABLE MYSTIC CHARM, was published by Stanchion Book Press. Their plays have been produced by Dorset Theatre Festival, Victory Gardens, Theatre East, New Ohio Theatre, Salvage Vanguard Theatre, Museum of Human Achievement and Breaking The Binary Theatre. They earned their MFA in playwriting and poetry from Michener Center for Writers at the University of Texas at Austin. Find out more information at travisltate.com
Kelsey Sheppard (Julia, CRAFT) is thrilled to return to the 5x5 Drama Series! New York: AND THEN THERE WERE NONE (Secret Theatre), HOLY GHOSTS (Urban Stages), NORMALCY (Peter Jay Sharp Theater). Regional: THE BUNNER SISTERS (The Mount), THE WEDDING SINGER (Riverside Center for the Performing Arts). Proud member of SAG-AFTRA. Much love to Luki and Eddie! KelseySheppard.com
Peter Welch* (Older Mike, STAR CHILD BLUES) is a New York City based multidisciplinary artist with professional credits as a fine art photographer, filmmaker, playwright and actor. To date he's had five full length plays produced in New York City- TWO ALONE/TOO TOGETHER, AUTUMN STAGE, DON’T TELL MOTHER, THELONIOUS, and LARRY & LUCY, as well as over a dozen short plays throughout the country. In addition, Peter has acted in dozens of plays, films and television shows including leading roles on A&E's critically acclaimed Fugitive Chronicles and the Cannes Film Festival award winning short A Bike Ride. Currently Peter is developing The House Arrest Rooneys - a new sitcom for network television or network television.
Jeffrey Whitted (Director, STAR CHILD BLUES) is thrilled to be returning to the 5X5 Drama Series with Theatre East once again. He previously served as the Executive Producer of the Impossible Bottle Theatre Company, and the Resident Director for the Subjective Theatre Company for 5 years (where he helped to found their collaborative theatre ensemble). Additionally, he has worked regionally (Alley Theatre, Galveston Island Musicals, Penguin Rep) as well as in New York City (NY Fringe, Vampire Cowboys, TinyRhino, NYU Senior Thesis Reading). He has his MFA in directing from the University of Houston.
Elena Zucker (Playwright, Motherf*cking Empathy) is a playwright, screenwriter, TV writer and theater director. Her work has been produced in NYC, regionally and internationally. Motherf*cking Empathy is one of several short plays written for teen actors for the New Works program at the Stella Adler Studio. Elena teaches playwriting, acting and physical theater courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels. She is currently on faculty for undergraduate drama at Barnard College/Columbia University. Elena runs an independent, online workshop called Writing from the Body. writingftbody@gmail.com
* denotes membership of Actors Equity Association
DIRECTIONS
Theatre East's new permanent space is located at 44-02 23rd Street in Long Island City! 15 minutes from Times Square!
Right under the 7 train - closest subway is the 7/E/G/M at Court Square or the N/W at Queensboro Plaza
Look for the loading dock beyond the giant gate!