Fresh-Ink-Series.jpg

ABOUT

Theatre East, a New York City-based Off-Broadway theatre company, in partnership with the Division of Theatre and the Meadows School at Southern Methodist University in Texas will virtually produce readings of new plays by student theatre artists. The plays will be live-streamed on November 9th and 10th with a mix of student and professional actors and stage managers, directed by NYC-based professionals and SMU faculty members. Junior and senior SMU playwrights are writing the short plays based on the prompt inspired by the late John Lewis: “Do not get lost in a sea of despair. Be hopeful, be optimistic. Our struggle is not the struggle of the day, a week, a month, or a year, it is the struggle of a lifetime. Never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble, necessary trouble.”

Grace1.jpg
DELI final.png
necessary-trouble.jpg
sisters-ii.jpg
TLGPoster2.jpg
Two Ponds Poster 11.7.jpg
DUE SOUTH Poster (1).png

Junior Playwrights
Mon, Nov 9 | 7:00 PM CST

Senior Playwrights
Tue, Nov 10 | 7:00 PM CST

WHO’S WHO

Monday, Nov 9th Selection

GRACE

 

Tuesday, Nov 10th Selection

A SISTER IS GOD’S WAY OF MAKING SURE WE NEVER WALK ALONE

McKenna_Dersam.jpg

McKenna Dersam (Stacey, GRACE) (BFA 2021) SMU credits include: THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK, ADVENTURES IN THE COUNTRY, NEW VISIONS NEW VOICES.


Crystal_Tigney-180x180.jpg

Crystal Tigney (Grace, GRACE) (BFA 2023) is a budding young artist from Detroit, Mi. Her accomplishments include performing nationally with the acclaimed Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit, and placing first runner up in the national NAACP Act-So olympics in Dramatics(2019). Credits include : THE WIZ, Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit; AIDA, Cass Tech; Josh Groban Bridges Tour

Yha-Mourhia_Wright.jpg

Yhá Mourhia Wright (Ms. Peace, GRACE) Professional theatre credits include: KARULA’S DREAM SHOW LIVE, Theatre East 5×5; OPPORTUNITY, Riant Theatre Strawberry Festival (New York); FESTIVAL (New York); A RAISIN IN THE SUN, the Pear Theatre (Mountain View, CA).

Crislyn_Fayson.jpg

Crislyn Frayson (Playwright, GRACE) (BFA 2022) is a junior studying Theatre Studies and Film at Southern Methodist University. She is so thankful to be a part of this production. The shows she been a part of at SMU are: MONTGOMERY, WE THE INVISIBLES, KROOK’D ROOTZ, FREAKSHOW, WE ARE PROUD TO PRESENT, and the Freshman Movement Project. Thanks and Enjoy!

Mikaela_Brooks.jpg

Mikaela Brooks (Director, GRACE) (BFA 2019) Grace: Professional credits include: within (short film). SMU credits include: SMART PEOPLE.

DELI

Felipe_Carrasco.jpg

Felipe Carrasco (Finley, DELI) (MFA 2020) Prior to making the move to Dallas to join SMU’s MFA Acting cohort, Felipe spent five years working in both Chicago and his home town, Iowa City, IA. Professional theatre credits include: SWEAT (Goodman Theatre), THE MADRES (Teatro Vista), HARBUR GATE (16th Street Theatre), BOMB-ITTY OF ERRORS, CYRANO, OTHELLO: THE MOOR OF VENICE (Riverside Theatre), WAITING FOR GODOT (Tympanic Theatre Company), ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD, REPRISE (Adventure Stage Chicago), THE LADY DEMANDS SATISFACTIONS (Babes with Blades Theatre Company), OTHELLO: THE MOOR OF VENICE (Invictus Theatre Company), PINOCCHIO: A FOLK MUSICAL (Filament Theatre), THE DINING ROOM, ALMOST, MAINE (Iowa Theatre Artists Company), and work with Erasing the Distance Theatre Company. Felipe is represented by Grossman and Jack Talent.

Angelica.jpg

Angelica McEwan (Veronica, DELI) (BFA 2021) Professional theatre credits include: MADELINE’S CHRISTMAS (Simone), Actor’s Playhouse. SMU credits include: LETTERS FROM CUBA (Enrique), MACHINAL (Young Woman, ensemble), PHOEBE IN WINTER (Bogget), NEW VISIONS NEW VOICES (2019).

Savier.JPG

Savier Losornio (Jasper, DELI) (BFA 2021) SMU credits include: MACHINAL (Richard Roe), SNAPSHOT (Man), THAT POOR GIRL AND HOW HE KILLED HER (Felix Maia), THE GINGERBREAD HOUSE (Collin) and NEW VISIONS NEW VOICES 2019-20.

Anthony_Gaetjen-180x180.jpg

Anthony Gaetjen (Playwright, DELI) (BFA 2022) SMU Credits: NEW VISIONS, NEW VOICES 2019, and THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK.

Judson Jones.jpg

Judson Jones* (Director, DELI) 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.

NECESSARY TROUBLE

Carson_Shofner.JPG

Carson Shofner (Son, NECESSARY TROUBLE) (MFA 2022) SMU Credits: HAMLET MACHINE

Debra-Wassum.png

Debra Wassum* (Mom, NECESSARY TROUBLE) was last seen on stage in the Theatre East Off-Broadway production of HOLY GHOSTS, as Mrs. Wall. Other stage highlights include the Obie winning production of MOLLY’S DREAM at Soho Rep., directed by Daniel Aukin; the international tour of MAN OF LA MANCHA as the Housekeeper, and originally cast as Penelope Pennywise in the first reading of URINETOWN. On screen, she appeared in the NBC show ED, with Tom Cavanaugh, and last season appeared on Bull, opposite Freddy Rodriguez, on CBS.

Dalton_Glenn-180x180.jpg

Dalton Glenn (Playwright, NECESSARY TROUBLE) (BFA 2022) Professional theatre credits include: FIDDLER ON THE ROOF (Jewish Community Center of Dallas), GHOSTS OF SLEEPY HOLLOW (Dallas Children’s Theater), TEEN BRAIN: THE MUSICAL (Dallas Children’s Theater), SMU credits include: STARMAN, UNDERTOW, A SPOONFUL OF HOPE, FRONT.

Lisa Devine.jpg

Lisa Devine (Director, NECESSARY TROUBLE) is an award-winning director who is a proud founding member of Theatre East, who directed the inaugural production of EYE OF GOD as well as the World Premiere of DEVIL AND THE DEEP. Lisa is a Social Play Director who enjoys directing stories that get audiences talking. Some Regional Theater credits include: OBAMA-LOGY (Regional Premiere, Jubilee Theatre) SMART, PRETTY, FUNNY (World Premiere, Amphibian Stage Productions) SUSAN AND GOD (Theatre 3), ART OF MURDER (Pocket Sandwich Theatre) to name a few. Currently, Lisa is on faculty at University of North Texas (Directing, Play Analysis, Theater & the Holocaust, Social Justice & Theater) University of Oklahoma: MFA in Directing New Works. Sam Houston State University: BFA. Union: SDC

 
Tyne_Dickson.jpg

Tyne Dickson (Ki, A SISTER IS GOD’S WAY OF MAKING SURE WE NEVER WALK ALONE) (BFA 2022) SMU Theatre credits include: WE THE INVISIBLES, and MONTGOMERY. Thank you to black women for birthing my art.

Monique_Letamendi.jpg


Monique Letamendi (Res, A SISTER IS GOD’S WAY OF MAKING SURE WE NEVER WALK ALONE) Professional Theatre Credit Includes: NYU, Hunter College, Black Women’s Blueprint @ The Roulette Theater, Are You Trippin’?, La Limpieza, PRATT, Brooklyn Museum, BRIC Museum, MOCADA Museum, PowerPlay @ theSHED, National Black Writers Conference, Monolith to Monarch.

Lisha-McKoy.jpg

Lisha McKoy* (Von, A SISTER IS GOD’S WAY OF MAKING SURE WE NEVER WALK ALONE) is a graduate of Webster University Conservatory of Theatre Arts’ Musical Theatre Program. Her recent NYC credits include MADELINE’S CHRISTMAS (KOTA), DEVIL AND THE DEEP, NORMALCY (Theatre East), A LITTLE PRINCESS (KOTA), SKYLINE (NY Fringe Festival) and LADY FREDERICK (Reading, Pearl Theatre Company). Favorite Regional and tour credits: DOUBT (Lantern Theater, Philadelphia), SWEET CHARITY (Stages, St. Louis), THE GINGHAM DOG, TWO ROOMS (Kitchen Theatre Company) and HAIR (European Tour). Lisha’s select film and television credits include an appearance in Law & Order: SVU, FBI: Most Wanted, Gotham, Blue Bloods, The Detour and the award-winning short film Sketch. Lisha is thrilled to be part of this project! www.LishaMckoy.com

Stakiah_Washington-180x180.jpg

Stakiah Washington (Playwright, A SISTER IS GOD’S WAY OF MAKING SURE WE NEVER WALK ALONE) (BFA 2021) Theatre Credits include: BLACK ALBUM 2020 by Regina Taylor (SMU), WE THE INVISIBLES (SMU), SMART PEOPLE (SMU), ROSENCRANTZ AND GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD (SMU), GOOD KIDS (Cry Havoc Theatre), SHOTS FIRED (Cry Havoc Theatre), SEUSSICAL THE MUSICAL (Lamar High School), THE WOMEN OF LOCKERBIE (Lamar High School), TO BE YOUNG, GIFTED AND BLACK (Lamar High School, HAIRSPRAY (Lamar High School).

Shaun-Bennet-Fauntleroy.png

Shaun Bennet Fauntleroy* (Director, A SISTER IS GOD’S WAY OF MAKING SURE WE NEVER WALK ALONE) 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

THE LOST GOSPELS

Ben_Dawson-180x180.jpg

Ben Dawson (Ballinger, THE LOST GOSPELS) is thrilled to be working with SMU. Recent theatre includes JACKIE & JOHNNY & THE WHORACLE NAMED DAPHNE (NYC Fringe), CHEFS: THE SIZZLING KITCHEN SHOWDOWN (Mills Ent.), THE PROVINCETOWN MURDER MYSTERY (Lucky Devil). Recent film includes MIAO (Kiaro Pictures). Graduate of Stella Adler Studio and proud member of Theatre East. www.actorbendawson.com

Camilla_Frontain-180x180.jpg

Cam Frontain (Joan, THE LOST GOSPELS) (MFA 2022) Professional theatre credits include: THE RAPTURE HAPPENS AT MIDNIGHT (An Other Theatre Co.) and LES MISERABLES (Playmill Theatre). SMU credits include: MEN ON BOATS.

Lyon-Hame-5l.png

Lyon Hamill (Mickey, THE LOST GOSPELS) (BFA 2021) Professional theatre credits include: TOGETHER, Theatre East and JUNIE B. JONES, Theatre Aspen. SMU credits include: MACHINAL, REDWOOD, and SPRING AWAKENING.

shyama2-8x12.jpg


Shyama Nithiananda (Playwright, THE LOST GOSPELS ) (BFA 2021) This is Shyama’s first reading of one of her written works. SMU Acting credits include: MEN ON BOATS, WE THE INVISIBLES, SPRING AWAKENING, ROSENCRANTZ AND GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD.

Misti_Wills.jpg

Misti B. Wills (Director, THE LOST GOSPELS) is a director and educator based in Manhattan. She recently directed GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER in Greenville, SC, and MY REAL MOTHER (NYMF, Signature Theatre) on Off Broadway in NYC. Additional credits include; THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME and Ovation Recommended SISTER ACT (5 Star Theatricals, Best Director and Best Overall Production in Subscriber Awards) in L.A., NYC premiere of A POUND IN YOUR POCKET (by Charles Strouse/Lee Adams), FLOYD COLLINS, 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE, ORDINARY DAYS, SHAKE THE EARTH (Theater is Easy Best Bet), THE DRUNKEN CITY (NY Workshop Theatre), AFTERLIGHT (Cherry Lane, NYC Fringe Festival), TWELFTH NIGHT (Shakespeare’s Sister Co.), AUDITION CLASS WITH DIRECTOR DASH (Theatre East). Other regional; MY FAIR LADY (Forestburgh Playhouse), and NEW YORK WATER (Depot Theatre). Misti has taught at The New York Film Academy and The American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Member Stage Directors and Choreographers Society. www.mistiwills.com

TWO PONDS

SAMI.jpg

Sami Habib (Charlie, TWO PONDS) (BFA 2021) Professional theatre credits include: RENT (Muse Center for the Arts) and BABEL (Cry Havoc Theater Co). SMU credits include: MACHINAL, AS YOU LIKE IT, and SNAPSHOT.


Kate.jpg

Kathryn Taylor Rose (Katie, TWO PONDS) (MFA 2022) Professional Credits: A CHRISTMAS CAROL at Dallas Theater Center. Other credits: ADDING MACHINE: A MUSICAL (Mrs. One)/Theatre Three, CREEP (Lady 2)/WaterTower Theatre, STUART LITTLE, National Tour (Mrs. Little)/Dallas Children’s Theater, THE MUSIC MAN (Ethel Toffelmier)/Lyric Stage, CRAZY FOR YOU (Patricia)/Theatre Three, and her own one-woman show, LOVE ME, TINDER at the West End Lounge in NYC. SMU Credits: MEN ON BOATS (Old Shady) www.kathryntaylorrose.com.

Josh_LeBlanc-180x180.jpg

Josh LeBlanc (Playwright, TWO PONDS) (BFA 2021) SMU credits include: WE THE INVISIBLES, SPRING AWAKENING, and ROSENCRANTZ AND GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD.

Nick Piacente* (Director, TWO PONDS) is a graduate of NYU Stella Adler Studio’s Acting program and has been teaching and directing at the studio for the past 7 years. He is an actor, director, and voiceover artist based in NYC. Nat.Tour: CURIOUS GEORGE (George). NY: C.O.A.L. (Boy), FOX ON THE FAIRWAY (Justin). Regional: DOUBLEWIDE (Chuck), TAMING OF THE SHREW (Grumio), ROMEO AND JULIET (Romeo), A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM (Puck), THE TEMPEST (Ferdinand). He has performed with 59E59 Theatres, Florida Studio Theatre, TheatreWorks USA, Oldcastle Theatre Co., and Premiere Stages to name a few. VO and commercial work (selected) includes Baskin Robbins, Hotels.com, Comcast, and Thrillist. Directing: SENSE AND SENSIBILITY, THE CRIPPLE OF INISHMAAN, OUR LADY OF 121ST, MACBETH. Nick is a company member of the Vermont Shakespeare Festival and director of their Summer Training Division: a program in which he teaches Movement, Technique, Verse, Scene Study, and Business of Acting. Member of AEA.

DUE SOUTH

Corey_Finzel.jpg

Corey Finzel (The Captain, DUE SOUTH) Graduate of the wonderful SUNY Purchase Acting Conservatory 2018. Proud Texan but currently lives in New York. Credits include: BENEATH THE GAVEL (59th East 59th), BLUE (Samuel French Off-Off Broadway play festival, Theatre East 5×5 play festival and The Deuce (HBO).

Olivia-de-Guzman.png

Olivia de Guzman (Rhiannon, DUE SOUTH) (MFA 2022) Professional theatre credits include: NYMF, FringeNYC, Wishing Star Productions (North American Tour), Undermain Theatre, Amphibian Stage Productions, Circle Theatre, Casa Mañana, Theatre Three, Dallas Children’s Theatre. SMU credits include: MEN ON BOATS. MFA 2022

Rocio_Mendez.jpg

Rocío Mendez* (Eileen, DUE SOUTH) Professional credits include: APOLOGIES TO LORRAINE HANSBERRY (YOU TOO AUGUST WILSON)(Orlando Shakes), MACBETH (American Globe), COMEDY OF ERRORS, MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, JULIUS CAESAR (Shakespeare Theater of NJ). Rocio is a proud Afro-Latinx from New York City. Rocio is also a filmmaker, podcaster, and fight and intimacy director.

Shyama-Nithiananda-5.png

Brady White (The Man, DUE SOUTH) (BFA 2022) SMU credits include: THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK, NEW VISIONS, NEW VOICES 2019, and his self-written and acted one-man show, THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS.

Isabela_Muino-180x180.jpg

Isabela Muiño (Playwright, DUE SOUTH) (BFA 2021) Professional theatre credits include: IN THE HEIGHTS (Assistant Director), Dallas Theater Center. SMU credits include: FOR WHOM THE SOUTHERN BELLE TOLLS (Director), MEN ON BOATS (Assistant Director), MACHINAL (Young Woman, various), HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE (Teenage Greek Chorus).

Kara-Lynn Vaeni (Director, DUE SOUTH) is a theatre and opera director who focuses on highly theatrical, impossible to stage works by women and BIPOC writers. In 2020, her second play SHAPE won an NEA Grant, was named to the Kilroy List and is scheduled for production in NY in 2021. She was also named “Best Theatre Director in Dallas 2020” by the Dallas Observer, for which she received a heavy lucite/crystal award with her name on it. She carries it everywhere. She teaches acting and directing at SMU and Yale Summer Sessions. She is the Resident Director of Opera Slavica, a founding member of Director Collective, former Literary Manager of New Georges, a WP Lab Alum, YSD grad and proud SDC member! She’s been “finishing her website” since 2006.