A Festival of New Plays—April 23 to 26
UAlbany Theatre
Department of Music & Theatre
College of Arts and Sciences presents
FRESH ACTS
A festival of new plays
Program A
THE MIDDLE MAN by Mia Pagano
Directed by Bryan Antinore
INEXORABLE by Tiara Robinson
Directed by Demarco Goodwin
A WHIMSICAL TALE OF DJS AND OSTRICHES by David Espinal
Directed by Bryan Antinore
Program B
FORTUNATE by Stephen Piazza
Directed by Jewel Winant
REBOOT by Sage Mahar-Rysedorph
Directed by Cleopatra Sanchez
GRAVEYARD SHIFT by Michaela Adam
Directed by Jewel Winant
Solo Showcase
A sampler of excerpts from solo pieces written by Bryan J. Antinore, Jacob Bell, Zoey Cahill, Anaya Castillo, Nathan “Nate” Cooper, Martin Doherty, David Espinal, Allison Krawczyk, Jermaine Moore, Aniyah Phifer, Jay Robinson, Demari Samuel, Drew Sherman, Benedeth Uduba, Gabrielle Villanueva, Jewel Winant
Stage Manager Allison Krawczyk
Assistant Stage Managers Jade Garriques and Zoey Cahill
Dream Designers Cat Brady (Scenic) and Vera Schulman (Lighting)
Style Consultants Cat Alesio and Ethan Kavalunas
Design Mentors Anne Croteau and Nora Marlow
Smith
Artistic Director Kate Walat
This production is made possible with generous support from The John Orser ’55 Theatrical Endowment and University Auxiliary Services
The Company
ENSEMBLE A
Alex Castracane
Angel Gomez
Jared Lewis-Holliday
SK Kouassi
Xavier Lake
Nafisa Mostofa
Aniyah Phifer
Miekayla Pierre
Jay Robinson
Amanda Springer
Tiffany Stennett
Hudson Villeneuve
Ryan Wilcox
ENSEMBLE B
Kaeli Ameri
Coleen Chamberlain
Jermaine Moore
David Pastuszka
Malachi Redd
Madison Rivera
Drew Sherman
Benedeth Uduba
Dalyce Uribe
Gabrielle Villanueva
SOLO PERFORMERS
Bryan J. Antinore
Jacob Bell
Zoey Cahill
Anaya Castillo
Nathan “Nate” Cooper
Martin Doherty
David Espinal
Allison Krawczyk
Jermaine Moore
Aniyah Phifer
Jay Robinson
Demari Samuel
Drew Sherman
Benedeth Uduba
Gabrielle Villanueva
Jewel Winant
A Note from the Artistic Director
Welcome to the seventh year of FRESH ACTS Festival of New Plays, featuring staged readings of one-act plays, written, directed, and performed by students. For our Friday afternoon performance, we will also present a Solo Showcase, with excerpts from 16 works-in-progress by students in the Crafting Solo Performance class. And for the second year, we will include a “dream design” process that begins to imagine what these plays might look like fully realized onstage.
FRESH ACTS is modeled on professional play development festivals across the country, such as the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center’s National Playwrights Conference and PlayLabs at the Playwrights’ Center in Minneapolis. Festivals like these offer playwrights the opportunity for invaluable conversations with creative collaborators to gain a better understanding of the theatrical potential of their plays before entering a production process.
The six one-act plays in this year’s FRESH ACTS were selected through a competitive submission process, judged by Brooklynbased playwright Amina Henry, whose work Little Rapes was presented in our Authors Theatre reading last spring. The playwrights have continued to shape and rewrite their plays throughout the process. We are happy to share with you these new plays, in this important step in their journey. Thank you for being part of theatre being made!
Kate Walat Playwright-in-Residence Theatre Program Director
Program A: Wednesday at 8pm & Saturday at 2pm
The Middle Man by Mia Pagano
Directed by Bryan Antinore
Finneas XAVIER LAKE
Jennie TIFFANY STENNETT
Melissa SK KOUASSI
Everett HUDSON VILLENEUVE
Luther JAY ROBINSON
Librarian/Stage Directions AMANDA SPRINGER
Inexorable by Tiara Robinson
Directed by Demarco Goodwin
Paul JARED LEWIS-HOLLIDAY
Colby HUDSON VILLENEUVE
Jamie MIEKAYLA PIERRE
Sasha SK KOUASSI
Officer Torres NAFISA MOSTOFA
Prisoner 1 ALEX CASTRACANE
Prisoner 2 ANGEL GOMEZ
Mother AMANDA SPRINGER
Father JAY ROBINSON
Officer Daniels ANGEL GOMEZ
Grace/Stage Directions ANIYAH PHIFER
A Whimsical Tale of DJs and Ostriches
by David Espinal
Directed by Bryan Antinore
Shaggy RYAN WILCOX
Jim HUDSON VILLENEUVE
Earl JAY ROBINSON
Todd ANGEL GOMEZ
Katherine ANIYAH PHIFER
Elder Ostrich
NAFISA MOSTOFA
Elder Rat/Stage Directions ALEX CASTRACANE
Program B: Thursday at 8pm & Saturday at 8pm
Fortunate by Stephen Piazza
Directed by Jewel Winant
Vince BENEDETH UDUBA
Luke DAVID PASTUSZKA
The Chat/Chorus
Stage Directions
KAELI AMERI, COLEEN CHAMBERLAIN, MADISON RIVERA
JERMAINE MOORE
Reboot by Sage Mahar-Rysedorph
Directed by Cleopatra Sanchez
Maddy GABRIELLE VILLANUEVA
Sarah COLEEN CHAMBERLAIN
Maddy 2.0
DALYCE URIBE
Max MALACHI REDD
Robert/Stage Directions DREW SHERMAN
Graveyard Shift by Michaela Adam
Directed by Jewel Winant
Andi (Andrew)
DREW SHERMAN
Nat (Natalie) MADISON RIVERA
Ari (Ariel)
Ames (Amy)
Mike and Others
Stage Directions
KAELI AMERI
GABRIELLE VILLANUEVA
JERMAINE MOORE
MALACHI REDD
Solo Showcase: Friday at 3pm
Excerpts from solo works, performed by the writers.
Birdy's Flight by David Espinal
What does it mean to live a life with meaning?
Flipping Through Empty Pages by Allison Krawczyk
How can emotions really show through on a page?
Dear Auditioner… by Jermaine Moore
Have you ever dealt with rejection?
Scripts Over Scalpel by Gabrielle Villanueva
What does it mean to choose a dream that feels true to me, not the one that others expected of me?
Living On Purpose by Zoey Cahill
What is the difference between being alive and living?
Campus Contraband by Aniyah Phifer
An impulsive decision, many rules broken, and a dangerously low bank account later...we made it out of the dorm in one piece. I never claimed to be financially responsible.
The Divas of Theatre by Jacob Bell
They're loud, they're stinky, they poop where they please. Dog actors are coming to a theater near you!
On The Horizon by Bryan J. Antinore
A
play
about life and loss
Touching Grass by Martin Doherty I just want to know, can it love me again.
The Raging River by Drew Sherman
How do you fix the past?
The Phone Cord Has Been Cut by Benedeth Uduba "Hello?... Is anyone still there?... Anyone normal?"
To whom shall I trust by Jay Robinson How can you live a life trusting no one?
What Happens in Miami Stays in Miami by Anaya Castillo
What really happened that night?
The Wrong Step by Nathan “Nate” Cooper
Have you ever seriously hurt yourself in a way you never would have thought of?
Autistic Actor: An Unconventional Journey by Jewel Winant
What does it mean to find your purpose?
Sixty Minutes by Demari Samuel
What happens when everything you thought you knew about your identity is suddenly called into question?
Who’s Who
MICHAELA ADAM (Playwright) is a senior English and Human Development major, with a minor in Theatre. She has previously been seen both on and off stage in high school productions such as She Kills Monsters and Les Miserables and has done technical work for various productions at UAlbany, including stage management of The Rocky Horror Show. Her play Viva Voce was presented in FRESH ACTS 2024. She is so excited to see these ensembles come together and wishes the cast, crew, and creatives luck!
KAELI AMERI (Ensemble B) is an English major, who is ecstatic to be a part of FRESH ACTS this year! This will be their first production at UAlbany, although they have done work on both cast and crew in the past. They look forward to collaborating with the FRESH ACTS team and are very grateful for the opportunity.
BRYAN ANTINORE (Director) is a junior from Ballston Spa, New York, and is very excited to be directing in FRESH ACTS this year. Bryan is a Theater major, with a minor in Acting. Previously he was Assistant Director on production of Little Shop of Horrors. Bryan’s other credits include various roles in community theater, some short films he has made with his friends, as well as multiple plays at UAlbany, including The Rocky Horror Show and Mary Shelley Meets Frankenstein earlier this year. Bryan would like to thank the Theater Program for the wonderful opportunity as well as his family for their support.
CAT BRADY (Dream Designer) is a sophomore at UAlbany and is a Theater major. She works as a Technical Assistant in the scene shop and has worked behind the scenes on multiple Theatre
Program shows including Machinal, Mary Shelley Meets Frankenstein, and last year’s FRESH ACTS. This is one of her first times working as a designer, and she is beyond thrilled to see everyone's work come together. Break legs, everyone!
ZOEY CAHILL (Assistant Stage Manager) is a junior Theatre major and Musical Theatre minor at UAlbany, and she is incredibly excited to be involved with FRESH ACTS 2025! While this is her fifth production with the UAlbany Theatre Department, this is her first time stage managing. She has been involved as an actor/technical contributor to over 50 productions, including several shows with Berkshire Theatre Group, Berkshire Children’s Theater, and BCC Players. She wants to thank everybody involved and express her excitement for this wonderful festival.
ALEX CASTRACANE (Ensemble A; he/they) is a junior majoring in Music. This is his first production with the UAlbany Theatre Program. They have been in MTA’s The Wedding Singer, as well as two of MTA’s cabarets. Alex is very excited to be working with this cast and crew, and they hope you all enjoy the show!
COLEEN CHAMBERLAIN (Ensemble B; she/her) is a Theatre major at UAlbany and is thrilled to be participating in her first FRESH ACTS festival. After taking a brief hiatus from acting to focus on theatrical design, she has decided to return to the stage. You may have seen some of her recent work on as Assistant Director on the Theatre Program’s production of The Rocky Horror Show and as Director on MTA’s production of Chicago. She would like to express her gratitude to the cast, playwrights, and other collaborators for their dedication to creating new works and pushing the boundaries of the craft, particularly in a time when the arts are under attack.
DAVID ESPINAL (Playwright) is a junior with a major in Theatre and a minor in Acting. Previous UAlbany Theatre Program work includes playing Lord Byron in Mary Shelley Meets Frankenstein and being a member of stage crew for The Rocky Horror Show. David enjoys writing comedy and creating fun stories for people to laugh and enjoy. He would like to thank his family and friends for their continued support. He is extremely excited to share his writing with an audience and hopes you enjoy his play!
JADE GARRIQUES (Assistant Stage Manager) is a Cybersecurity major with a minor in Theatre, who is stage managing for first time. Other credits include the sound board operator for the Theatre Program’s production of The Wolves in Fall 2022. Jade is a trans-woman. Excited to put on a show.
DEMARCO GOODWIN (Director; he/him) is a senior majoring in Business administration, with a concentration in Marketing and Management; and minoring in Theatre. He is a lefty and is half Italian and Nigerian. He loves traveling and goes to Europe every summer to visit family. Previous credits include Assistant Director on a short film entitled Serial Killer in Harlem.
ANGEL GOMEZ (Ensemble A) is making his UAlbany Theater debut in FRESH ACTS. Favorite roles include Duke Orsino in Twelfth Night and Ram’s Dad in Heathers: The Musical. Angel’s only other time on the PAC stage was drumming for the music department. Shoutout to Richard Albagli.
JARED LEWIS-HOLLIDAY (Ensemble A) is a sophomore studying Theatre at UAlbany. He recently was featured in one of the fall productions this season Mary Shelley Meets Frankenstein (as Percy Shelley) and was also featured in the FRESH ACTS festival
in the spring of 2024. As a young actor Jared thanks God and is excited to be part of this creative process with his peers. He is very grateful to Kate Walat for welcoming him back for another year!
SK KOUASSI (Ensemble A) is a junior and majoring in Psychology while minoring in Theater, who previously appeared in the Theatre Program’s production of Machinal (as Mother, Bailiff, and a Gay Man at the Bar). SK is blessed enough to be able to witness our playwrights create and work on their pieces and is very grateful and excited to be acting in them.
ALLISON KRAWCZYK (Stage Manager) is a junior at UAlbany majoring in Theater and minoring in Musical Theater. She has been a part of previous UA productions such as Colombia in The Rocky Horror Show, Assistant Stage Manager for the debut production of Mary Shelly Meets Frankenstein, Vincentio in Taming of the Shrew, and named ensemble in RENT. She is very excited to be taking on a new role as Stage Manager for this festival and is very optimistic about this process! The collaboration of ideas and perspectives from everyone involved is incredible and can't wait for it to be brought to life!
XAVIER LAKE (Ensemble A) is a freshman at UAlbany studying Finance. This is his first time acting in a production, and he’s honored to be playing the role of Finneas.
JERMAINE MOORE (Ensemble B) is a senior Theatre minor making his UAlbany Theatre debut in FRESH ACTS, as multiple characters in this dramedy. Jermaine has loved the arts for years and can’t wait to hit the stage in FRESH ACTS, with all of these amazing cast members!
NAFISA MOSTOFA (Ensemble A) is a freshman at UAlbany, majoring in Theatre and Psychology, with a minor in Film Studies. She is thrilled to be making her acting debut here in FRESH ACTS. Past credits include Chicago: Teen Edition and In the Heights at North Rockland High school and was a member of the wardrobe crew on The Rocky Horror Show at UAlbany. She is a Dean’s List student, and brings dedication, multilingual talent, and strong ensemble energy to every role. Nafisa is honored to share the stage with such a talented ensemble.
MIA PAGANO (Playwright) is a freshman majoring in English and Business. She has written two YA novels, but this is her first experience producing a play. She wants to thank everyone involved in making FRESH ACTS happen, and particularly is grateful of her fellow playwrights for sharing their stories and giving her a community of other writers at Albany.
ANIYAH PHIFER (Ensemble A) is a senior at UAlbany with a minor in Theater. This is her first performance at the university, and she is excited to be a part of this year’s FRESH ACTS!
STEPHEN PIAZZA (Playwright) is a sophomore English student from Mount Kisco, NY. He has previously performed as Hortensio in UAlbany Theatre Program’s Taming of the Shrew (2024). His writing has previously been published in the University’s ARCH magazine, where he currently works as managing editor, and will be published in the forthcoming Fall Issue of Gandy Dancer. He would like to thank everyone involved in this festival, particularly the director and actors who are bringing his story to life. He would also like to thank his family and friends for all of their support, especially his best friend, for whom his play, Fortunate, is dedicated.
MIEKAYLA PIERRE (Ensemble A) is excited to be a part of Fresh Acts and thrilled to return to the stage for another production at UAlbany! Recently, she played the roles of the Usherette and a Phantom in The Rocky Horror Show. Miekayla looks forward to the opportunity of helping showcase the playwright’s new work while collaborating with the director and her talented cast.
MALACHI REDD (Ensemble B) is a sophomore Theatre major at UAlbany. He has two years of acting experience from a secondary arts high school, where he worked on a play and also competed in a monologue competition. He loves to play video games, watch anime ride his skateboard, and has a special love for Harry Potter.
MADISON RIVERA (Ensemble B) is excited to be a part of this year’s FRESH ACTS ensemble! She is a Theatre major with a Musical Theatre minor, graduating this May. Previous credits include The Rocky Horror Show (Janet), The Taming of the Shrew (Biondello), and RENT (Alexi Darling/Ensemble). When she isn’t on stage Madison can be seen stage managing including Melodies of Christmas with WRGB CBS6, Mary Shelley Meets Frankenstein with UAlbany Theatre Program, and Next Act: New Play Summit with Capital Repertory Theatre. She wants to thank her friends and family for supporting her dreams and she hopes everyone enjoys the show!
JAY ROBINSON (Ensemble A) is a Theatre major and Acting minor, currently a junior in his second semester. His previous credits with the UAlbany Theatre Program include working on this year’s productions of The Rocky Horror Show and Machinal as a sound board operator.
TIARA ROBINSON (Playwright) is a senior majoring in Sociology with a double minor in Creative Writing and Theatre. Tiara ran the Black Theatre Productions student organization as a sophomore, after joining the group as a freshman. Tiara loves all genres of writing, and appreciates that theatre is such an inclusive and diverse space, allowing art to imitate life.
SAGE
MAHAR-RYSEDORPH (Playwright) is a junior at UAlbany with a major in Theatre and a minor in Theatrical Design and Technology. This is her first time working on FRESH ACTS and her first time playwriting. Before transferring to UAlbany, she worked on props crew for Romeo and Juliet at SUNY Oswego. She worked as the sound board operator for the Theatre Program’s production of The Glass Menagerie last year, and this fall worked on the run crew for Machinal. She was also the assistant scenic designer in the Theatre Program’s production of The Rocky Horror Show. She is very grateful for this opportunity to put on her first play in FRESH ACTS, and would like to thank her family for always supporting her love for theatre.
CLEOPATRA SANCHEZ (Director) is thrilled to be directing Reboot by Sage Mahar-Rysedorph. She is a sophomore at UAlbany and has worked on past Theatre Program shows such as Machinal and Mary Shelley Meets Frankenstein as props crew. She was also the assistant props designer on The Rocky Horror Show. Cleopatra has won competitions with the International Thespian Society as a director and has previously directed Mater Academy Bay’s Production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. She would like to thank her family for always supporting her from home. She would also like to thank every theater and music teacher she has ever had, as without them she wouldn’t be the director that she is today.
VERA SCHULMAN (Dream Designer; she/they) is excited to be one of the two dream designers working on FRESH ACTS this year! Her previous credits include co-lighting designer for Machinal, and you can find her doing some lighting design downtown at Lark Hall.
DREW SHERMAN (Ensemble B) is a senior at UAlbany Majoring in Theater and Minoring in Acting. In the Theatre Program he has been seen as Jason in Clydes and this is his second time performing in FRESH ACTS. He is excited to be working again with the many wonderful people he has gotten to know here over the last few years.
AMANDA SPRINGER (Ensemble A) is a senior double majoring in Theater and Africana Studies. Her previous roles in Theatre Program productions include Grumio in The Taming of the Shrew, multiple characters in FRESH ACTS 2024, and most recently, Mary in Mary Shelly Meets Frankenstein. Amanda is excited to collaborate with everyone and to bring the play Inexorable to life.
TIFFANY STENNETT (Ensemble A) is a junior at Ualbany, where she is an English major and Communications minor. This year’s FRESH ACTS festival is her acting debut! She also owns her own cooking business and has future aspirations of being an immigration lawyer.
DALYCE URIBE (Ensemble B) is beyond excited to be in FRESH ACTS for the first time ever, performing in Reboot as Maddie 2.0. This is her fourth production in the Theatre Program, where previous roles include Helen in Machinal, Clyde in Clyde’s, and soccer player 00 in The Wolves. She is very excited to bring this production to life, working with her director and everyone else.
BENEDETH UDUBA (Ensemble B) is a sophomore Theatre major at UAlbany who has previously been in our production of The Rocky Horror Show. She is excited to perform in her first FRESH ACTS and will also be presenting a short solo performance piece, “The Phone Cord Has Been Cut.” She would like to thank her support system and the wonderful directors and actors who she gets the opportunity to work with!
RYAN WILCOX (Ensemble A) is majoring in Theatre and minor is Film Studies. Previous productions from outside UAlbany include A Bronx Tale and SpongBob SquarePants: The Musical as an ensemble member. He is extremely excited to be in this production!
JEWEL WINANT (Director) is a senior majoring in Theatre and minoring in Acting and Psychology. While her focus has been on acting, she is excited to function in the different capacity of Director for FRESH ACTS. Past directing credits include two different seasons of the one act festival at her last college. She would like to thank playwrights Stephen and Michaela for entrusting her with their scripts.
GABRIELLE VILLANUEVA (Ensemble B) is a junior majoring in Theatre with a minor in Acting. She is very happy to join this ensemble in this season’s FRESH ACTS and looks forward to telling these incredible stories. Her recent credits in the Theatre Program include the Adding Clerk in Machinal and the Hostess/Widow in The Taming of the Shrew.
HUDSON VILLENEUVE (Ensemble A) is a sophomore at Ualbany. As a Theater major and previous FRESH ACTS actor, he is thrilled to be a part of the festival again, and can’t wait to showcase brilliant student writing from this year!
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Program Administrative Staff
Theatre Program Director/Producer…………............KATE
Department Administrative Assistant…..….BERNADETTE
Visiting Assistant Professors………………………….…ANNE
Instructional
Adjunct
Music Program (518) 442-4187
www.albany.edu/musicandtheatre
PerformingArts Center (518) 442-3995
www.albany.edu/pac
Theatre Program (518) 442-4200
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HOUSE POLICIES
Latecomers will be seated at the discretion of the management and its staff.
The use of photographic or recording devices of any kind during this performance is strictly prohibited.
There is no food or drink allowed in the theatres, nor is smoking allowed in UAlbany buildings.
. To avoid disrupting the performance, kindly disable any noise making electronic devices you may have with you.
Please take time to note the location of the fire exits nearest to you. In the event of an emergency, an announcement will be made from the stage. Please proceed to the nearest exit in an orderly fashion.
The UAlbany Performing Arts Center’s six theatres, three lounges and other spaces are available for rental.
The UAlbany Performing Arts Center’s six theatres, three lounges and other spaces are available for rental.
