Jeff Athey (Playwright. AFTER EDEN) is a writer, actor, and producer based out of NYC who loves writing queer, dark, and comedic stories with supernatural elements. Some of his achievements include his 1950s Americana Gothic Horror-Comedy Weirdsville, which was a finalist in the 2020 Austin Film Festival; his DnD-inspired web series pilot Basements & Bugbears released in 2021 which raised thousands of dollars for suicide prevention; as well as his Dead Jeff series chronicling the true story of his legal death and resurrection which, to date, has received over 25 million views. To check out more of his work and see what he’s up to next, just go to his website JeffAthey.com.

Avery Banks (Director, BARRIER ISLANDS) is an NYC-based director and actress. She earned her BFA from NYU Tisch, where she trained at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting and Stonestreet Film & Television Studios. Most recently, she directed a production of ROMEO AND JULIET for the Blind Cupid Shakespeare Company. Select acting credits include KING LEAR (Royal Social Distancing Company), 1980 (OR WHY I VOTED FOR JOHN ANDERSON) (The Actor’s Company Theatre), and AS YOU LIKE IT (Stella Adler Studio). Television/Film credits include The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and The Trial of the Chicago 7. www.avery-banks.com

Herbert Benjamin (Markie, (GHOST) LIGHT) is honored to be working with his Adler extended fam, Toni and Erin. Some of his recent performances have been Capulet ( Romeo and Juliet) Boyet/ Dull ( Love’s Labour’s Lost) , and Marc Antony (Julius Caesar). Also, Herbert’s a member of NYC’s improv troupe Entirely From Memory. Training : Stella Adler Conservatory. Herbert dedicates this to the lights of his life: Marlon and Mama.

Erin Despanie (Lemar, (GHOST) LIGHT) is a Native of Lafayette, Louisiana. He's always been passionate about acting and mental health, which prompted him to attend the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. During his duration at the University of Louisiana, Erin performed in plays such as "The Cherry Orchard", "Vanya, Sonya, Masha, Spike", "A Midsummer Night's Dream", "Angels in America", and "Beyond Therapy". Upon completion of his stay at ULL, Erin earned a bachelor's degree in psychology of Science, and a Bachelor's Degree in Performing Arts. He then moved to New York, along with his beautiful pup Meeko, to pursue acting, where he performed in an original play titled "Death and Botany", New York 5x5 where he performed in the play "Brooklyn Way" and also did an original greek play "In Chorus" by Dimitirus Dimitriadis where he played Chorus Member #9. Erin continues to strive towards his goals of being a working actor. Erin recently acted in the 2021-2022 Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival, where he performed as Paris, in ROMEO AND JULIET and understudied as Capulet. He also performed as Troy Mcclure in MR. BURNS, and understudied as Gibson. Erin is excited to be returning to 5X5 to play Lamar in (GHOST) LIGHT.

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

Jeff Gorcyca* (Adam, AFTER EDEN) is an actor, singer, songwriter, and YouTuber based in New York City. He received his MFA in Acting from Pace University in 2016, and has acted with Walnut St. Theatre, Azuka Theatre Company, Cape May Stage, and People's Light. He can be seen in multiple commercials, and most recently he starred in the short film, "Let's Leave the Planet!", produced by GirlSoup Co. He's also a pretty good juggler. @jeff_gorcyca @girlsoupco

Tom Green* (Older Mike, STAR CHILD BLUES) Theatre East: EDIES SAVES THE BIRDS, HOLY GHOSTS, A NAME FOR A GHOST TO MUTTER. Austin, TX: Hyde Park Theatre: A DOLL’S HOUSE, PART 2, THE ANTIPODES, THE CHRISTIANS, PORT AUTHORITY, THE NIGHT ALIVE (Austin Critics Table Award), MIDDLETOWN, GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS, A STEADY RAIN, PARADISE KEY Rude Mechs: FIXING TIMON OF ATHENS, FIXING KING JOHN. ZACH Theatre: THE GRAPES OF WRATH, THE CLEAN HOUSE, TAKE ME OUT, THE EXONERATED. Austin Shakespeare: OTHELLO, THE TEMPEST, MART STUART, JULIUS CAESAR, ROMEO AND JULIET, HAMLET. Salt Lake City, UT: Salt Lake Acting Company: BACK TO BACK, WANTED: BILLY THE KID, OLD TIMES. TV: Friday Night Lights.

Andrea Huckaba (Director, AFTER EDEN) is thrilled to be working with Theatre East. Previous directing credits include THE GIRL IN THE RED CORNER; THE LAST SUMMER AT BLUEFISH COVE; B IS FOR BULLSHIT; ELEPHANT; THE HEIDI CHRONICLES, ACCEPTS WITH PLEASURE; TWO ROOMS; ISN’T IT ROMANTIC? (Stella Adler Studio of Acting) as well as asst. director on KNIVES IN HENS (59e59, NYT Critic’s Pick). NYU Tisch.

Chapman Hyatt (Jeffro, STAR CHILD BLUES) Chapman is thrilled to be a part of his first 5x5 Drama Series with Theatre East. Thank you to Jud and Christa Jones, Oliver Palmer, Mike McNulty, Jeffrey Whitted, Tom Green, and Matthew Napoli for such a warm welcome into this community and an amazing debut with the company. LEMONADE MOUTH (Disney Ltd.), UGLY LITTLE SISTER (dir. Daniel Talbott), THE WHOLE OF YOU (written by Amy Berryman), AIN’T IT THROUGH (Rising Phoenix Rep), MCC Freshplay (Robert W. Wilson MCC Theatre Space). NYU Tisch BFA '17, SAG Eligible.

Caroline Jewell (Katie, BARRIER ISLANDS), originally hailing from Texas, is a graduate of Stella Adler Studio of Acting. She’s so excited to be a part of this very special program. @caroline.jewelltone

Christa Kimlicko Jones* (Masha, BARRIER ISLANDS) was most recently seen in Theatre East's mainstage, EDIE SAVES THE BIRDS, and DECKHAND for Theatre East's 5X5 (2022). Other selected NYC credits: AWAKE AND SING!, THE SEAGULL, THE WHALE, THREE SISTERS, UNCLE VANYA, OUR TOWN (Harold Clurman Lab Theatre). A NAME FOR A GHOST TO MUTTER, THE SOLDIER DREAMS (Theatre East). UMBRELLA, HARVEST (Alchemy Theatre Company). Regionally: CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF (Austin Playhouse); HEDDA GABLER, DESIRE UNDER THE ELMS (B. Iden Payne Award), FOOL FOR LOVE (the dirigo group). Christa teaches at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting in NYC, where she is also the Director of the Teen Conservatory and Young Artists Programs. She is a member of V.A.S.T.A., League of Professional Theatre Women, and a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association. She received her MFA in Acting from the University of Texas at Austin. She has been working on an adaptation of Anna Karenina (annA) and looks forward to sharing it with audiences soon. ChristaKJones.com

Judson Jones* (Peter, CRAFT) 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.

Adam Kraar (Playwright, BARRIER ISLANDS) writes plays about cross-cultural clashes and connections, including works about American families in Asia, the Civil Rights Movement, and quixotic rebels who challenge societal boundaries. Recent productions include ALTERNATING CURRENTS (The Working Theater); NEW WORLD RHAPSODY (Commissioned by Manhattan Theatre Club; premiere at Bloomington Plays Project); WILD TERRAIN (EST Marathon of One-Act Plays); FREEDOM HIGH (Queens Theatre in the Park); GREEN-WOOD (Theatre East); THE KARPOVSKY VARIATIONS (Boomerang Theatre Co.); and DON’T LOOK BACK (Voyage Theatre Company at HERE Arts Center, NYC). Adam’s plays are published by Dramatic Publishing, Smith & Kraus (BEST 10-MINUTE PLAYS 2022), and Applause Books (including six BEST AMERICAN SHORT PLAYS anthologies). He grew up in India, Thailand, Singapore and the U.S. He earned an M.F.A. at Columbia University, and teaches playwriting at Primary Stages and The New Group Acting Studio at Long Island University. www.adamkraar.com

Toni Kwadzogah (Bridgette, (GHOST) LIGHT) is thrilled to once again be working with Theatre East. She is an actor and writer. Previous credits include Escalus in MEASURE FOR MEASURE, Dot in THE BROOKLYN WAY, and Vera Stark in BY THE WAY, MEET VERA STARK. 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.

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

Matthew Napoli* (Robert, STAR CHILD BLUES) is thrilled to be returning to Theatre East with 5X5 for the second time. Other work with Theatre East includes HOLY GHOSTS and working with the Writers Room. Other New York credits; The Metropolitan Opera and New York City Opera, The Brick Theater, The Westside theater and The Metropolitan Playhouse.

Caterina Nonis (Director, (GHOST) LIGHT) is a director and actor living and working in Italy and the US. Theatre: Page 73, The Habitat, The InHEIRitance Project, Biennale di Venezia, NYMadness, Shotz! Amios, Theatre East, Modern Shakespeare Project, Match: Lit among others. Film/new media: Mario (co-directed with Andrea Bagnasco; CinemAmbiente Festival 2021, winner of Moviemmece Napoli Festival 2022), Running Local (Amazon Prime), The Hyperglot (directed by Michael Urie). Affiliations: SDCF 2018 observership class, Venezia Biennale Theatre 2019 and 2018 (Thom Luz, Jakop Ahlbom), The InHEIRitance Project. BFA: NYU Tisch, Stella Adler Studio & RADA. www.caterinanonis.com

Oliver Palmer (Playwright, STAR CHILD BLUES) loves Theatre East. Theater: AMERICAN BUFFALO (Dorset Theater Festival dir. John Gould Rubin), OVER THERE (Harold Clurman LAB Productions dir. Scott Illingworth and Bill Bowers), THE RESISTIBLE RISE OF ARTURO UI (Stella Adler Studio dir. John Gould Rubin), TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA, TITUS ANDRONICUS, HENRY V, ALL’S WELL THAT ENDS WELL, MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING (Shakespeare in the Square), CORIOLANUS (Combative Theater Co.), AS YOU LIKE IT (No Stone Productions), HAMLET (Playwrights Horizons Theater School), RICHARD III & THE TEMPEST (Smith Street Stage). Tv: Daredevil, Orange is the New Black. Film: Life After You, Faith Community. Oliver grew up on a farm in Daviess County, KY, and owes his work to its community. More at olivercpalmer.com.

Benedetta Spinetti (Lucy, AFTER EDEN) is a New York-based actor from Pistoia, Italy. She is very excited to be making her Theater East debut as Lucy in AFTER EDEN in the 5X5 Drama Series. She came to NYC three years ago to study at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting where she attended the 3-year Day Conservatory. She is currently in an adaptation of THE TEMPEST playing the roles of Caliban and Gonzalo and she also performed in THE SEA LADY (Metropolitan Playhouse) as an understudy. She was also the assistant director for both of these plays. During her time at Stella she performed in I HATE HAMLET, KING LEAR, and ELEPHANT. Thank you to my parents and my partner for always supporting me. And thank you to my grandma Anna, her kind and beautiful heart taught me everything that I know.

travis tate (Playwright, (GHOST) LIGHT) (they/them) is a queer playwright, poet, and performer from Austin, TX. Their poems have been published in Southern Humanities Review, Vassar Review, The Boiler, among other publications. Their first collection of poetry, Maiden, was published in June 2020 by Vegetarian Alcoholic Press. They were a fellow in the Liberation Theatre Company's Playwriting Residency and currently are in Theatre East's Writers Group. Their plays have been presented at Dorset Theatre Festival and Victory Gardens. 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

Rachel Towne* (Julia, CRAFT) (they/she) their third year at NYU Graduate Acting. Rachel is thrilled to return to Theatre East, having performed previously in the 5X5 Drama series in 2020 in BYE CHARLIE, BYE LANE (dir. by Shaun Bennet-Fauntleroy. Recent credits include VALOR (Guthrie); ROMEO AND JULIET (Smith Street); BRAVE SMILES…ANOTHER LESBIAN TRAGEDY (Pride Plays); MERCHANT OF VENICE (Shakespeare Theater NJ). Rachel has appeared in recent episodes of Law and Order and Law and Order SVU.

Emma Vierheilig (they/she) (El, AFTER EDEN) is thrilled to be making their Theater East debut as El in AFTER EDEN for the 5X5 Drama Series. Recent theater credits include Benedick in MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING (Stella Adler Company Tour), Kate/Driver in ABORTION ROAD TRIP, and Catherine in PROOF. Emma is a proud graduate of both the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre ‘18, and NYU Tisch (Stella Adler) ‘21. Emma is grateful to all the artists and educators, who she has had the privilege to be privy to and who inspire her daily to invest in the profound healing qualities and change-making power of art and theater. In their free time, you can find Emma playing violin, singing, roller skating, writing poetry and learning about/reading revolutionary theory. emmachart777.wixsite.com/welcome @heartwench__

Jeffrey Whitted (Director, STAR CHILD BLUES) is thrilled to be working with Theatre East for the first time. 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.

Tony M. Williams II (Director, CRAFT) is a southern turned New Yorker. Along with being the Artistic Director for APAC he works throughout N.Y.C as a Director/ Choreographer. He holds a B.F.A. from Jacksonville University with minors in Dance and Music. Since graduating he has worked for companies and Universities in both FL, GA, NY. Notable companies include Bronx Arts Ensemble, New York City Center, CAP21/Molloy College, and Clayton State University.

Julia Rae Maldonado (Director of Communications and Facilitator of the Writers Room) is a Bronx-based playwright and actor from San Antonio, Texas. Her work has been developed & produced by companies including the LAByrinth Theatre, Theatre East & Label Grey (Germany). She’s also the author of a collection of short plays for teens commissioned and produced by the Stella Adler Studio. Her play JUNTOS was a finalist in the 2021 Samuel French OOB Festival and her play BUSKERS! a Finalist for the Heideman Award National 10-Minute Play Contest (Actors Theatre Louisville). Her short play REAL LIFE is included in Gary Garrison’s A (More) Perfect 10 & A Younger 10. She is also the creator and head writer of the interactive Instagram series KARULA’S DREAM SHOW LIVE (originally developed in the 5x5 Drama Series). She is a founding member of the girlSOUP collective, a faculty member at the Actor’s Studio Drama School, and a member of the Dramatist Guild. BFA - NYU Tisch, MFA - Actor's Studio Drama School.www.juliaraemaldonado.com