Ana Galang, From The Hip 2010

Ana Galang is thrilled to work with Left Hip Productions for a second time around. She previously participated in From The Hip's May 2010 festival where had a role in "The Dylan of Del Rey," one of the festival's finalists. Originally from Military Brat-ville, by way of the San Fernando Valley, CA, Ana holds a BA in Theatre Arts from CSU Northridge. Her primary artistic focus is in musical theatre, but she has a love and appreciation for all aspects of the performing arts. Past credits include Twelfth Night, Central Park: The Musical, Hair, Romeo & Juliet, The Music Man, and a few gospel music videos and local NYC morning news commercials. She trained at T. Schrieber Studios and is a member of one of NYC's Write Act Eastside Theatre Company.

Betty Kaplan - From The Hip 2010

After an early life of Communism Betty moved on to Zionism and most recently has become an ardent supporter of Capitalism here in NYC. Besides a love for dancing, suspenseful sci-fi thrillers with a twist at the end, and languages Betty also beats on drums and is generally loud. Her recent works include an indie slasher Camper, sitcom Commons, comedy sketch show High Scores, original play Aristophanes' The Bohemians, performed in FRIGID New York, and various collaborations with SVA students. When Betty grows up she hopes to spend years as an actress while waiting for her chance to wait tables.

Andrea Kristinsdottir, From The Hip 2010

Andrea Kristinsdottir is a 15th century painter and occasional bullfighter who loves acting and music making. She is very happy to be working with Left Hip for the second time.

Andrew Starr - From The Hip

Andrew, a graduate of Fordham University, has been living in the city for 5 years now and has been seen in both on stage and in film. His most recent projects include the independent film Craft Chicks, and the one act play Brothers. He's very excited to be working on this project, and is very thankful of Left Hip Productions for this opportunity!

Manuela Feris - From The Hip 2010

Born in to a Roma family, Manuela grew up in a barefoot world of music and fairytale gypsy folklore. After finishing high school in Vienna, Austria, she joined an european dance floor band and toured the world for a few years. Many gold records and thousands of live shows later, Manuela was discovered by Elite model agency, which she successfully worked for a couple of years. She has also worked as a writer and host for a Viennese television channel. Having achieved everything she has dreamed of thus far, she decided to take on another artistic challenge and signed up for a 2 ½ year program at the New York Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute. Before Manuela finished her studies, she was cast in the famous “Sopranos” as a guest star. Life continues to be a journey which Manuela captures through writing, poetry and songs…

www.manuelaferis.com

Brian Gillespie - From The Hip 2010

Brian Gillespie - Brian’s directing credits include Wonder of the World with Pull Together Productions, Just Knots and A Cockeyed Little Christmas with Cockeyed Optimists; Nude, Nude, Totally Nude – A Life Laid Bare at the Magnet Theater; Play/Soldier, Weit, and This Moment at University of Washington. Acting credits include One Thing I Like to Say Is and Almost, Maine with the Cockeyed Optimists, Two Spoons with Other Side Productions and 365 Days/Plays at The Public Theater with The Classical Theatre of Harlem. Regionally he has worked with Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival, Theatreworks, Word for Word, Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, A Noise Within and 42nd Street Moon in San Francisco, where his work in Paint Your Wagon earned him a Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle Award. Brian is the founder and artistic director of Pull Together Productions in New York City and holds an MFA from the University of Washington. He was also a 2 day champion on the game show Jeopardy! www.briangillespie.com.

Morgan Folmar - From The Hip 2010

I'm Morgan Folmar, originally from Columbus, Georgia went to College for a year on a art and softball scholarship at Young Harris College. I had gone on an art trip with students to New York City and thats all it took to steal my heart. I decided to move to the Big Apple and recently graduated from The William Esper Studio. The Left Hip is my first stage appearance after graduating from The Esper. I enjoy roles like Jessica in This is Our Youth and Joanna in Home Free. In my spare time I enjoy playing softball in central park and painting.

Elizabeth Seldin - From The Hip 2010

Elizabeth Seldin is thrilled to be joining left hip productions for their 24 hour playwriting festival. Past Credits include: Duenna, Cyrano De Bergerac ( Secret theater), Mother/Master, Clean Sheets ( Full Stop Collective, Winnie, Annie Get Your Gun ( Union Theater, London), Storyteller, 100 Candles ( Come to the edge), Snoopy, You're a Good Man Charlie Brown ( Sandbag), Grace, Annie, Hangar Theater. Much love to my ever supportive friends.

John Charles Meyer - From the Hip 2010

John Charles Meyer spent his childhood on Ohio theater stages. His twenties found him in Washington DC, working for Democratic political campaigns and touring the US with a rock band. Since his 2006 return to acting, John has appeared on TV in CSI: NY, The Forgotten, iCarly, Zoey101 and the John Wells pilot Gimme Shelter. Film roles include The Taqwacores (2010 Sundance world premiere), The Millennium Bug, and more than 30 shorts. A member of SAG, AFTRA and the Los Angeles theatre company TheSpyAnts, John is represented theatrically by Buchwald & Associates. - http://www.JohnCharlesMeyer.com

Jamie Farrell - From The Hip 2010

Jamie Farrell earned a Bachelors of Arts from Marymount Manhattan College. Recently, she has appeared in a one-hour television special produced by Al Roker Productions for NBC, has worked on Guiding Light and As the World Turns, and can be seen in several feature and independent films.

Diamando Stratakos - From The Hip 2010

Diamando Stratakos is pleased to be acting again in a From the Hip festival. She previously did so once and had the challenge of translating a made up foreign language. She has directed and written for From the Hip in the past as well. She is Executive Director, Co-Artistic Director, and Co-Founder of Left Hip Productions. Her recent acting credits include playing a zombie doll in a short film as well as an art editor in the yet to be released film- The Marcus Garland Project. You may have also seen her get asked, "Do You Have the Time?" in a recent Left Hip Productions short play. She is BFA graduate of Syracuse University. She is currently studying with Peter Jensen at T. Schreiber Studios.

Kelly Diegnan - From The Hip 2010

Kelly Diegnan - Kelly was born in Queens, NY and raised in Melbourne Beach, Florida. She studied acting at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts and received her BA from Marymount Manhattan College. Kelly has produced and acted in her own play, Dove For Sale at three NYC festivals. This past April she work-shopped her new play Catcher, Appraised. Kelly has appeared in several short films such as Love. Death. Cobain, Stargazer, What We Do. TV credits include Law and Order: SVU. Kelly had a supporting role in the Indie feature, Across Dot. Ave which has premiered in NY, Boston, and UK festivals. Most recently she has completed the Summer Contemporary Intensive at The Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London. Kelly would like to thank her friends and family for their ongoing support.

Erin Frances Ronder - From The Hip 2010

Erin Frances Ronder was most recently seen in the staged reading of Bud at NYU's New Play's for Young Audiences. Off-Off Broadway: Athena in The Eumenides (NYU), The Mother in The Giver (The Player's Theatre), Iphengia (staged reading at Vital Theatre). Erin graduated with her M.A. in Educational Theatre from NYU in 2009 and is currently a Teaching Artist for Disney Theatrical Productions, DreamYard Project, The Women's Project, BAX, and I.D.E.A.S.. She specializes in teaching theatre to students with disabilities. Much love to her husband, Adam, and their new puppy, Bruce.

Gillian Riley - From The Hip 2010

Gillian Riley is excited to be directing for Left Hip Productions for the first time. Gillian is the artistic director of Snorks and Piñs Production which just rounded off their first season with a successful run of As You Like It. Gillian's most recent directing credits include Abnormal Psychology for The West Villiage Musical Theater Festival (where she won the award for best director), A Surprise from Mother performed at the Producer's Club and Edvard Munch's Happy Paintings at the Algonquin Theater. Her upcoming shows include The Man in the Iron Mask which will go up at the Jerry Orbach Theater and Menotti's The Telephone to be produced later this Fall. She was previously an assistant director at T. Schreiber studio and worked on the productions of The Real Inspector Hound and The Actor’s Nightmare. She also worked as the assistant director for Folding Chair’s production of Cymbeline. Gillian’s recent New York acting credits include: Violante in Double Falsehood, Julia in The Duchess of Malfi, Maria in Love’s Labor’s Lost, and Ellen Bond in Hyphen-Nation.

Will Frierson - From The Hip 2010

Will Frierson is a native of South Carolina, where he performed lead roles in "Second Samuel," a play about a small Georgia town in the 1940's, and the stage adaption of one of America's classic comedies, "M*A*S*H." For Will, acting is just...FUN!

Samantha Lee Manas - From The Hip 2010

Samantha Lee Manas has directed several plays in New York City including:, Bromance, Strangers in the Night, Orion, Invasion of the Parasites: An Inadvertant Allegory, Rodwarts World, Scenes from Hamlet, Scenes from Sylvia, and many more. She is the winner of best director at the Underground Theater Festival and a two time nominee for best director at the Strawberry One Act Festival. She has also assistant directed with the Kaos Theater in England, where she worked on Richard III. She received her BFA in stage management from SUNY Purchase College’s Conservatory of Theater Arts and Film.

Ja-Ron Young - From The Hip 2010

Ja-Ron Young is excited be a part of “from the hip” play festival. He was born in Philadelphia, Pa and starting acting in 12th grade, because theatre students got out of school an hour early and was soon bitten by the acting bug. Ja-Ron has done various theatre, film, and commercial work and now studies his craft at T. Schreiber studio. Thanks to my mom for her love and support of me and my brother for being a constant inspiration.

Joshua Marmer - From The Hip 2010

Joshua Marmer has been acting for 13 years and has enjoyed every minute of it. He currently attends Hunter College and is majoring in Theater. In 2009 he graduated with honors from Professional Performing Arts School in New York City. Some favorite roles include the New Yorker/Auditor /Benito Mussolini in the Obie Award winning play A Very Merry Unauthorized Children’s Scientology Pageant, Young Nicholas in Prospect Theater Company’s The Alchemists, Jason in Vital Theater’s Chicken Man, Young Shlammer in Shlammer Vaudeville for Red Wing Theater Company, and Prospero in NYU’s Looking for Shakespeare The Tempest. His credits include television and independent films as well. This is his first 24 hour play experience and he is looking forward to it.

Ana Julia C Altaffer - From The Hip 2010

Ana Julia has been acting all her life. She recently graduated from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts - NY conservatory program. Prior to that, she attended the Yale Conservatory for the Actors. She has been involved in various productions of musicals, theater and film in NYC, other USA states and internationally. She is excited about working on this challenging 24 hour play experience! Let the sweat and hard work begin! For more information please visit www.ana-julia.com

ALFREDO CORREA - From The Hip 2010

Jessica Appel - From The Hip 2010

Jessica Appel is super excited to be performing in From The Hip. Jessica is a stage and film actress who received her BFA in Acting from Syracuse University. She has recently been studying at Black Nexxus Studio and with Karen Kohlhass from the Atlantic Theater Co. Thanks so much to Janis, Diamando and the rest of the Left Hip crew for inviting her to be a part of this awesome festival.

John Hartzell - From The Hip 2010

John can currently be seen running and flying around the Daryl Roth theatre in the show Fuerza Bruta. Previous credits include Blue Man Group at Astor Place and De La Guarda in New York, Seoul and Tel Aviv. He is co-founder of the aerial company 2nd Species which has created innovative aerial performances around the world for companies as diverse as ESPN, Red Bull and Diesel. John is excited to get his hands dirty with the fast pace of this festival. Birdstar!

Riley Thomas - From The Hip, 2010

Riley Thomas (Playwright, Monday) was in 3rd grade when the local community theatre chose to perform his short The Shoes and the Spaceship as part of their repertoire. Yes, they even embarrassed him and performed it at his school. Since then, however, his embarrassment has morphed into fulfillment. A songwriter as well, his musical "Stuck" will soon be making its New York debut with Crazy Mojo Productions. Is that it? Certainly not, but that's all you need for now.

Riley Thomas (Actor, Tuesday) was bribed into show business with a bag of jelly beans. No, but seriously, he was eight and his mom wanted him to audition for a play. She thought it would culture him. Little did she know it would lead him to perform in 37 different states (including Alaska) in three different languages (YOU try faking Russian convincingly) and even places in Europe (where his chaperone wouldn't let him buy wine). He looks forward to whatever is next, as should you.

Butch D'Ambrosio - From The Hip 2010

Butch recently celebrated the 25th anniversary of his first submission to MAD magazine when he was 12 years old. It took ten years and an old school internship until the elusive first sale and a run that lasted a good 13 years. He has been working in various realms of audio theatre, just as long, particularly performing sound effects. He is a board member of The National Audio Theatre Festivals, where he runs the introductory experience for newbies. As should be expected, this is the part of the bio where he says that he has the requisite portfolio of one acts, screenplays, short stories, and thousands of haiku. He is an Aquarian, has a huge music collection, and likes dark chocolate. Please feel free to Ryt2Butch@gmail.com.

Claudia Rummel - From The Hip 2010

Claudia was born in Austria and came only 9 months ago to NYC to study acting at the “Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute”. From the Hip: August 2010 will be her acting and writing debut in America.

ERICH RAUSCH - From The Hip 2010

ERICH RAUSCH (www.erichrausch.com) has played leading roles in over 30 films over the last 3 years, including “Officer Down”, awarded 1st Prize by Spike Lee in the 1st Babelgum Film Competition, and put into the Cannes International Short Film Market, “Fremente”, awarded a National Board of Review Prize, and “The Manufacturer”, nominated for a National Board of Review Prize, He has worked on over 400 productions as a composer, arranger, music director, stage manager, director and actor. Erich is a recipient of the PaperMill Playhouse Rising Star Award, and has garnered excellent reviews in Newsday, The Village Voice, and The New York Times. He is on staff at City Music School and Singers Forum.

Louis B. Crocco - From The Hip 2010

Louis B. Crocco (Director) - Over 100 shows as a director/actor/musician including 15 National Touring productions. Favorite director credits include (NYC) Thou Shalt Not, The Stand In, Hamlet In Hiding. (Regional) Disney's Beauty and the Beast, Seussical the Musical, Annie, Funny.....Forum, Wizard of Oz, and Nunsense. Thanks to Hester for all her love and support!

Gabrielle Nevins - From The Hip 2010

Gabrielle Nevins is originally from San Diego but moved to NYC to attend the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts. After graduation she did a comedy show in Los Angeles and started a production company that just shot their first short film. She is very excited for a successful show and season. More information about Gabrielle can be found at www.gabriellenevins.com Thanks for coming to see the show!

Amanda Broomell - From The Hip 2010

Amanda Broomell is originally from South Jersey but thankfully escaped without the accent. Education – BFA, NYU's Tisch School of the Arts (Experimental Theater Wing); MFA, Columbia University. Favorite roles: Mary Warren - The Crucible, Cherie - Bus Stop, Queenie - The Wild Party, Juliet - Romeo & Juliet (Classic Stage Company). Upcoming: Showcase at 6:30pm on Mon. 9/13 at Center Stage 48 West 21st, 4th Floor. Website: www.amandabroomell.com.

Cathy Englade - From The Hip 2010

Cathy just returned from London, where she performed the role of Oliver in "As You Like It" for Shakespeare in the Park. Some of Cathy's favorite roles include; Juliet in "Romeo and Juliet", Kate in "Taming of the Shrew", Lil in "Kindertransport", The White Witch in "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe", Susaneh in "The Clearing", and Muriel in "Woman in Mind." Cathy holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting from Baylor University. She has also studied with The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts, The Berkshire Theatre Festival, The Masterworks Festival, HB Studios, and Ten Grand Theatre. Cathy is a Member At Large of Left Hip.

Brandon Ferraro - From The Hip 2010

B.A. Theatre James Madison University. Go Dukes. Written works: BOND, Shall We Go, and George Lies, expected in premiere production next spring. Acting credits: Cassio in Othello at Looking Glass, Duke in Measure For Measure, Marcus Andronicus in Titus Andronicus, Chris Keller in All My Sons, Hal Dobbs in Proof, Oedipus in Oedipus Rex, Mercutio, Friar et al in Shakespeare's R & J. Television Credits include "Real Naval Justice'' for Investigation Discovery and Tex Watson in the Charles Manson documentary "Will You Kill For Me?" on MSNBC. brandonferraro.com

Neal Kowalsky - From The Hip 2010

Neal Kowalsky –Other New York Directing Credits include Subtley, George Washington was Married to a Man, One in Every Crowd, and The Orestia Trilogy (The Dalton School Greek Festival). Regional credits include: Artistic Director for Papermill Theatre’s Children’s Theatre, Assistant Director Mac-Haydn Theatre Children’s Theatre. Thank you to my friends, family, and “music acting.” Proving every day that my “smile will get me jobs.” J-M-U DUUUKES. www.nealkowalsky.com

Pamela Carter - From The Hip 2010

Having worked in several Artist & Repertoire (Music), Television, and Stage Casting situations since college, and before signing on with the Casting Society of America [CSA] in 2009, as a Freelance Casting Assistant for hire, she gained some valuable experience. The Companies: Profiles Television (for Harpo! Entertainment on Oprah’s The Big Give’s original Cattle Calls in NYC, MTV for Sean “Puffy” Combs’ original Cattle Call for his current series, and EMI, Boston Post Road Stage Company’s for their seasonal shows, Sands’ Twist (NYC), and King’s County Shakespeare of Brooklyn, NY and King’s County, Pennsylvania. I’ve also made numerous recommendations in Independent and major Cinema, as well as providing Film Print Quality Control back in the late 1980s for LucasFilms’ THX TAP Alignment Project in the Northeastern Region (from New York and Connecticut to Rhode Island). EMI Artist & Repetoire (Temporary Music Executive Admnistrative position connected to their London office through NYC's office), Boston Post Road Stage Company, ‘Twist,’ in NYC, and King’s County Shakespeare. I’ve also made numerous recommendations in Independent and Studio Film/Cinema Projects, and provided Film Print Quality Control back in the late 1980s for LucasFilms’ original THX Theater Alignment Project (new installation quality control) in the Northeastern Region (NY, NJ, CT, and RI).

Of the fabulous Professional LORT, SPT, other Professional and Community Theaters she's worked in or with in various capacities since Pepperdine University, these stand out: The New 42nd Street Inc.’s Duke Theater at The Vineyard, The American Globe Theater, BPAC, Downtown Cabaret Theatre, Kean University, The Kraine Theater, The Vineyard Theatre at Union Square, Jewish Repertory Theatre, The Perry Street Theater, The Judith Anderson Theater, Manhattan’s City Center, The Boston Post Road Stage Company, The Westport Country Playhouse, The Manhattan Theater Source, The Los Angeles Theater Center, and others in Los Angeles County and the San Fernando Valley.

She trained with former Disney Technical Supervisor D. Taylor at Pepperdine University in Stage Management and Theatrical Production/Design. Had the pleasure of working with David Goetsch over an extended period of time in CT at BPRSC. And in addition to Production and Stage Management, studied Acting/Directing (with working RADA and Spoleto trained instructors in the Stanislavski Method and Meisner Technique, i.e: C. Marowitz, Dr. J. Henderson, and others), Theatrical Dance/Movement/Choreography (with Carolyn Dyer); and Classical Voice/ Piano (with First Soprano Lynn Cole among others); Her voice can be heard on the Radio, on Television, and on recordings by Annie Lennox ("Legend In My Living Room"), John Mellancamp ("Walk On"); Her drumming can be heard on the original D'Israeli Gears album, AC/DC's Back In Black, and a number of other albums, including yet another Grammy winner that included President B. Obama, and numerous British connected releases; There's also a recent DiCaprio movie soundtrack.

Two years of educational and professional experience as Assistant Stage Manager at Smothers Theatre; with additional technical experience in their Professional Dance and Concert Series as an ASM/Stage Hand/Lighting Technician and a Digital Photographer. Prior to her college years, she was a Drama Club member taking part in Castings at GFA in the Westport, CT area. As the youngest AFI Member pre-Drew Barrymore, she has Still Camera and Movie Camera (PanaFlex Dolly/Focus Pulling/A.D. )/Video experience.. And performed Kid Wrangling/ Director Assisting duties during her Childhood Acting Days in Hawai’i and Hollywood, in California playing Drums including acting in Movies (Rosemary's Baby, The Candidate, and a number of European releases), TV (Hawai'i Five-O) as well as on Stage (Baby MC for Hula Shows/Luaus). Her voiceover career also spans sveral decades and she can be heard on TV (Smallville, the ORIGINAL Star Trek, Babylon 5) and in the Movies (The Crow, Star Wars, Night at The Museum) Soon to be released: Pitch for Discovery Television Show Pilot: Support Group, about alien abductees...Pamela portrayed Jesephine of Branson, Missouri.

Evyn John - From The Hip 2010

Evyn John was born in Iowa, lives in New York City, and is in denial about the possibility of death.

Rosemary Thomas - From The Hip 2010

Rosemary’s first acting role was playing Rose in August Wilson’s Fences at the Abobe Theater in Albuquerque, NM. When several feature films were shot in New Mexico, she had the pleasure to work with Kim Basinger and John Corbett on Elvis Has Left the Building and with Adam Beach, Wes Studi and Paul Guilfoyle on Coyote Waits. She moved back to Albany, NY in 2006 and continued to pursue acting in various commercials, Industrials, PSA’s plays and got to work with Melissa Leo in Stephanie Daily. Rosemary did several shorts including Museum Scandals with teacher/director Sande Shurin the being the Ball & Chain Voice Over for the multi-award winner Distractions by Kevin Craig West and Candy by NYU talent Kiandra Parks. In Feb. 2009 she moved to Harlem to study at HB Studio and The New Federal Theater between auditions. Improv skills began with Acting on Impulse with Seth Michael May and later with Comedy Improv with Jed Mills. Rosemary has secured roles as a psychiatrist, a mom, a schizophrenic patient, a psychic, and the druggie mom of Coolio in Celebrity Close Calls. One of her more recent activity was a music video with the Grammy nominated group MGMT.

Tyler Rivenbark - From The Hip 2010

Tyler Rivenbark is a recent graduated of the Queens College MFA in Creative Writing with a focus on playwriting. He is the author of several full-length plays. As a director he had his Off Off Broadway debut with Snorks and Pins productions this past July. He is a past Louis Armstrong House and Archives resident and a member of the Dramatists Guild. He can also be found playing music around the city www.myspace.com/mygoodname.

Andrew Rothkin - From The Hip 2010

Andrew Rothkin is delighted to be back with Left Hip Productions, having penned the dark comedy B.F.F. for last year’s horror-inspired From the Hip. Other works produced include Danny, Voice, tryin’ t’ touch the sun and Paved with Gold, as well as LOVE & LUST, the first evening of theatre devoted exclusively to Andrew’s shorts. His play Bubby’s Shadow won “Outstanding Overall Production of a New Drama Play” at The Midtown International Theatre Festival, 2008, and Meredith’s Ring (which Andrew also staged) won “Outstanding Overall Production of a One-Act Play” at The Planet Connections Theatre Festivity, 2009. Andrew is also an actor, director, teacher/coach, and the Artistic director of White Rabbit Theatre. He is in pre-production as director and co-producer for Macbeth, going up March 2011, and is actively writing a new full-length comedy.

Kim Cichelli - From The Hip 2010

Kim earned her bachelor's degree in journalism at the University of Georgia before moving to NYC and studying acting with Jim Brill at The Neighborhood Playhouse. Since finishing the two-year program Kim has done some on-camera work and became a member of the Michael Chekhov Theatre Company. Some favorite theatre credits include: "Moor's Petard" (Act V One Act Festival); "Sex, Relationships, And Sometimes...Love" (The 45th Street Theatre); Moth in "Love's Labour's Lost" (Michael Chekhov Theatre Company); In A New York Minute Festival (Spare Change Theater). Kim is very excited for the opportunity to get back to her writing roots as a playwright with From the Hip 2010. She would like to thank her friends and family for their boundless, enduring support.

Tim J. MacMillan - From The Hip 2010

Tim J. MacMillan, playwright: Tim is ecstatic to be doing this festival again after his play “Pretty Woman” was voted to “The Shotgun Theatre 24 Hour Play festival” finals in January of 2009. Recent New York credits: “Dog in the Middle”; 2009 Network One Act Festival, “Breathe…” and “Photosynthesis” World Premieres in the 2009 New York International Fringe Festival. Tim is currently finishing up his latest full length play as well as a short film and multiple one act plays. He would like to thank “Left Hip productions” for this marvelous opportunity. ( timjmacmillan@wordpress.com)

Reginald L. Douglas - From The Hip 2010

Reginald L. Douglas (Director): NYC: The Body Washer (Rapscallions Theatre Collective), Sarah Opts Out, The Hedge Fun and Small World (NY Artists Unlimited); McCarter Theatre: Amari's Tomorrow; Washington DC: …And Jesus Moonwalks the Mississippi (Washington DC premiere), The House of Blue Leaves, Brill (World Premiere Staged Reading). Assistant Director for Emily Mann, Sam Buntrock, Ethan McSweeny, Michael Unger, Walter Dallas. Assistant to playwright Daniel Beaty on world premiere of Resurrection. Proud alum of Georgetown University. Currently: Assistant Director for Peter DuBois on Trust (Second Stage Theatre).

Lisa Dennett - From The Hip 2010

LISA DENNETT is most comfortable on stage and thus happy to be part of From the Hip. In addition to acting she is the founder/director of an educational drama organization that brings dramatic improvisation to disabled and disadvantaged youth www.IDEASDrama.org . Lisa is also a sign language interpreter. http://bit.ly/cM5JZB

Julia Blauvelt - From The Hip 2010

Julia Blauvelt holds a BA in Theatre from Regis College but has spent her life studying theatre in a variety of cities including London and Los Angeles. A few favorite stage roles include Nora in Brighton Beach Memoirs, Catherine in Proof, and Hermia in Midsummer Night's Dream. Though she currently resides in Los Angeles dabbling in films, a love of theatre frequently brings her back to the East Coast. She is delighted to have the change to work with Left Hip in this truly original and inspiring format.

Sue White, From The Hip 2010

Sue White recently graduated from The New School for Drama with an MFA in Acting where she was seen in Amazon's and Their Men, Richard III, A Play in Fireworks, Stage Door and Orestes 2.0. Her New York credits include, Patrick's Story (Payan Theater), The Illusion (The Cell), Cadavar Synod (Brecht Forum).

John William Rhea - From The Hip 2010

Shobhit Agarwal - From The Hip August 2010

I have recently moved here from Seattle where I was a five year theater veteran. My major credits include "The Maiden's Prayer", "Miracle on 34th St", "Box and Cox", "Suburbia", “Search an Destroy”, “ Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” and my one person show "The Best Protection". I am looking for to perform for this 48 hour theater festival. I thank Matthew, my partner and love for his understanding and courage to let me come to New York.

Korrie Strodel - From The Hip, Aug 2010

Korrie Strodel (Actor) is originally from Syracuse, NY and is excited to hit the ground running in her NYC acting debut with Left Hip Productions. She holds a BA in Theatre Arts from Castleton State College in Vermont. Upon graduation in 2004, Korrie has performed in numerous performances throughout the Vermont and Central NY region for both children and adults. Some favorite past projects include: Tonya in the East Coast premiere of Scream Queens The Musical, Cassie Cooper in Rumors, Arlie Holsclaw in Getting Out, and Ensemble in The Rocky Horror Show. Thanks to my friends and family who have always been so supportive on this theatrical adventure!

Lauren Courtney Norman, May Festival 2010

Lauren Courtney Norman (as Kelsie, the yoga-loving cannibal who talks to squirrels) studied marine biology & acting at the University of Miami. During her time there, she worked as a laboratory assistant, exploring the field of Marine Geology for 3 years in accordance with her undergraduate studies in Marine Affairs and Ocean Policy and graduate studies in Aquaculture. However, the hundreds of hours she spent with the microscope did not completely satisfy her, so she decided she must add acting into her curriculum of nautical archaeology, and scientific research diving.

She started studying theatre and decided to pursue it as a career after finishing her degree. She spent time living in England during a study abroad program at the University of Essex and was cast in a production of 84 Charring Cross Road. On the day of her graduation, she gave a lecture to the Florida Archaeological Society. She was later offered a job on the spot as a park ranger, and although she was flattered, would not be caught dead wearing a ranger’s hat and polyester pants. She then turned her focused on acting. She was awarded a scholarship to study in New York City and never looked back.

She has portrayed characters ranging from serial killers to loving moms and worked in media ranging from print to stage to sound stage, and from screen to green screen.

Lauren is proud to say she is a full time actress and model. She has traveled to over 14 countries.

She currently lives in Manhattan with her hamster named Walker. Her converse are pink and she loves them. Check out her website at www.LaurenNorman.com

Daniel Maté, May Festival 2010

Daniel Maté (B.A., McGill, Psychology; M.F.A., Tisch/NYU, Musical Theatre Writing) writes music, lyrics, and book, in various permutations and combinations. He is the lyricist and co-bookwriter, with composer Will Aronson, of The Trouble With Doug, a modern comedic musical inspired by Kafka's The Metamorphosis (staged reading, Goodspeed Festival of New Artists '08; workshop production, CAP 21 Theatre Company, NYC, '09.) As a composer, his collaboration with lyricist Maggie-Kate Coleman has been featured as part of the York Theatre's NEO (New, Emerging, Outstanding) concert series. As a composer-lyricist, his song cycle The Longing and the Short of It was presented by Barrington Stage Company in August '09, curated and directed by Tony-winning composer/lyricist William Finn. Daniel's work has been performed at numerous NYC venues such as Joe's Pub and the Duplex, and his sold-out concert Marry Me, America at the Laurie Beechman in February 2009 was a Time Out New York "Critics' Pick." In addition he runs a custom songwriting service and teaches songwriting to young people. Daniel is the recipient of a 2006 Tisch Achievement Award and a 2010 Jonathan Larson Foundation Grant. He is also a two-time finalist for the New York City Hip Hop Karaoke Championship, a distinction of which he is most jiggy.

www.danielmate.com

Representation: Sarah Douglas, Abrams Artists, NYC

Eric March, May Festival 2010 Bio

Eric March is a composer/lyricist whose work has been performed at the New York International Fringe Festival (Granola! The Musical), Ars Nova (Songs About Real Life) and the Ensemble Studio Theatre, where he is a member of Youngblood, EST's group for emerging playwrights under 30. He is a member of the BMI workshop, a pianist and musical director for Chicago City Limits, Brodway's Next Hit Musical and ArtProv, and a former contributing writer for The Onion. His latest musical, "The Great American Deli Musical: Part I" will be read at the Schaerberle Studio Theatre at Pace University on June 21. Come!

Julia Meinwald, May Festival 2010 Bio

JULIA MEINWALD is an nyc-based composer. Her music for theatre has been heard at Lincoln Center (Disappeared at the Directors Lab), Ars Nova (Jack Perry is Alive and Dating), Joe's Pub (One Man Show), Prospect Theatre Company (Mapquest), the York Theatre (NEO5),and Barrington Stages (Bill Finn Presents Ridiculously Talented Composers and Lyricists That You’ve Probably Never Heard of But Should.) Julia is a Dramatists Guild fellow, a resident artist with American Lyric Theatre and a proud participant in the composer librettist studio at New Dramatists. You can hear her music on the internet sitcom Inconvenient Molly as well to in the score to short films featuring Josh Gad (The Losers) and Mary Louise Parker (Wing Woman). She received her BA in Music from Yale University in 2005, and her M.F.A from NYU Tisch's Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program in 2007. www.juliameinwald.com.

Elizabeth Boyke, May Festival 2010

Elizabeth is a sophomore musical theatre major at Syracuse University. In the fall of 2010, she will be performing in the SU Drama Department Faculty One-Acts. The 'Dress Shorts' portion of the 'From the Hip Festival' marks her NYC debut, with The British are Coming?... being her first playwriting credit. She'd like to thank Phil for ad-libbing with her for 8 hours to create their beautifully absurdist play. She would also like to thank Sonita for her wonderful direction, Ryan for being the greatest co-star a girl could ask for, everyone who has helped her with her first week in NYC, and her friends and family for being so loving and supportive.

Phil Blechman, May Festival 2010 Bio

Phil Blechman is currently a junior acting major at Syracuse University. His acting credits include Aesop in "Fables of Aesop", "Rocky Horror", and Evan in "Death of Superboy". He will be appearing as the palooka in "Palooka" by Tennessee Williams this fall in Syracuse. This is his NYC playwright debut. His play "The Unwritten Code" recently performed in Syracuse at the New Playwrights Festival and at the John Drew Theatre in East Hampton this past summer. He thanks everyone who thought of the idea "hey let's write a play in a day and then perform it". Big ups to you. Thanks to his wonderful partner in crime - Lizzy Boyke - Mom, Dad, Henry, Ed, and Bada. Hey Mr. Bear, we miss ya.

Laura Baron, May Festival 2010 Bio

"Laura Baron is a fearless actor," says NY Indie director Ian Fischer. Laura recently completed an acting project at the United States Military Academy in which she improvised with cadets completing their training with the USMA Negotiations Project. This summer she is slated to play a lead in the feature film "Love Stalker", to be shot in St. Louis. Also a classically trained vocalist, she's sung with such celebrated musicians as Bobby McFerrin and Sir David Willcocks. In her spare time she races motorcycles and practices yoga. www.laurabaron.net

Leah Henoch, May Festival 2010 Bio

Vinicius Vieira de Vieira, May Festival 2010 Bio

Vinicius Vieira de Vieira: Hello everybody, so nice to be part of the team, thanks for believing in me Jason ;) My friends better be reading this, and if you are, text me! Now!

Rivka Borek, May Festival 2010 Bio

Rivka Borek is thrilled to be making her Left Hip debut! She has performed at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center, Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Hong Kong Arts Festival and Berkshire Festival of Women in the Arts. Training includes the National Theater Institute and Moscow Art Theater. This summer, Rivka will be traveling down to the Carolinian Shakespeare Festival to play Rosalind in As You Like It. B.A., Bard College at Simon's Rock Theater Performance and Playwriting.

Frank Cruz, May Festival 2010 Bio

Frank Cruz was born in NYC. He began playing drums at an early age. It was his love of music that lead him to acting.Being a singer songwriter he wanted to use his music to score film, and TV .So he figured he would give acting a try . He read a few books on acting and started auditioning.When he started to land some roles, he decided to get serious and enrolled at HB Studios.It was there where he discovered his love for acting and the theater.His latest album can be found at www.CraigCruz.com

Mim Granahan, May Festival 2010 Bio

Mim Granahan began writing plays at a very early age, and performing them for her mother with a cast of puppets. More recently, she has had ten of her one-act plays (Theatre Ghost, The Death Card, Out of Left Field, After the Curtain, Episode, Meet Me at Sunset, A Strange Serenade, Effigy, Parental Guidance Suggested, and Dash Diamond: Supernatural Detective ) produced in New York City, and is currently in rehearsals for her next one-act The Big Move. Mim has been selected as a finalist three times in WildSound’s One Page Screenplay competition. She has also written a full-length screenplay Anna Begins, and two short screenplays Painted Devil and Preview. As an actor, she has appeared in numerous classical and contemporary plays and several indie films, including The C.O.R.P.S., in which she co-starred with Jesse L. Martin. You can visit Mim’s website at freewebs.com/mimgranahan.

Lena Cigleris, May Festival 2010 Bio

Lena Cigleris just finished up a run with Endtime's Productions' Vignettes of the Apocalypse as Nomi. Other credits include: the national tour of James and the Giant Peach with Two Beans Productions, the regional tour of No Greater Love with the Xavier Players, and On the Town with the Staten Island Philharmonic. She would like to thank her friends and family for their continued support.

Mimi Jefferson, May Festival 2010 Bio

Mimi Jefferson (Lola) is thrilled to be working with Left Hip Productions. Favorite roles include Rabbi Jules Feinman in The Boychick Affair, Alice in Caryl Churchill’s Heart’s Desire, 9-count–em-9 roles in DeCADence with her theater company, Rising Sun and Yenta in Fiddler On The Roof. Oy! Film: Rogue In Londinium, My Brother’s War, Nothing For Christmas, ParAmour, Closure, The Reward. TV: Teachers, winner of the 2008 NYTV Festival Audience Choice Award. Thank you to Bob Teague and Rosebud Ben-Oni for the opportunity to work on this beautiful play.

David J. Platt, May Festival 2010 Bio

David J. Platt most recently directed two plays in 8x10:Glossy Shorts produced by Left Hip Productions. In the last year he has directed pieces in The From The Hip: Horror Festival and three in The Shotgun Theater Festival. In NYC he also directed Sam Shepard's "Eyes For Consuela" at The 45Th St. Theater. David is a proud member of Theater of Note in Los Angeles where he was on their Artistic Board. Note is known for producing original plays, some of the plays David directed include "The Question", "Saturday", and "Spelling Bee".

He also was the director's assistant on the television shows "Scrubs","Miss Guided", General Hospital" and "How I Met Your Mother".

Elliott Mayer, May Festival 2010

Elliott was recently seen as Gloucester in King Lear at the Gallery Players, and Shylock in the Inwood Theatre production of Merchant of Venice. NY credits include “The Odd Couple” (Murray), and “The Dreamer Examines his Pillow” (Daddy). Regional credits include: “Brighton Beach Memoirs” (Jack), “Kiss me Kate” (2nd Gangster), “A Doll’s House” (Krogstad), and the outdoor drama “Tecumseh” (Tenskwatawa). TV: “Guiding Light”, “All My Children, “As the World Turns”, “Law & Order”, and a Barry Sonnenfeld pilot, “Play or be Played”. Alumni: AADA and the Atlantic Theatre. Elliott is a proud member of Actor’s Equity

Brianna Oppenheimer, May Festival 2010 Bio

Brianna Oppenheimer was born in Pasedena, CA. She attended New Orleans Center for Creative Arts, Coronado School of the Arts, and studies with Richard Scanlon. Some of her past favorite roles include the Queen, from Alice in Wonderland, Madame de la Grande Bouche, from Beauty and the Beast, and the Woman from Mexico, in Tres Salvajes. In addition to acting she also enjoys astrology, singing, dancing, and her little kitten smudgey. She would like to thank her Dad, her sister, Jenna, her always-supportive roommate, Peter, her best friend Dorothy, Sue, and her biggest fan, her sister, Elyse, who is smiling down from heaven.

Justin Hoch, May Festival 2010 Bio

Justin Hoch: happy to be here and working with Left Hip. Growing a beard was the best thing that ever happened to his career. You can see the back of his head as Tom Youk opposite Al Pacino in the now-airing You Don't Know Jack on HBO and his entire body covered in white in a recent commercial for Google Chrome. Available for weddings and bar mitzvahs, he never acts like William in real life. Thanks for coming! http://www.justinhoch.com

Greg Moss, May Festival 2010 Bio

Greg has been a member of Left Hip Productions since 2009. As a playwright, his two plays, Buried and Paper Tiger were featured in previous From The Hip festivals, the latter winning the festival in Central Park. He also served as stage manager for Left Hip's productions of Laundry & Bourbon and Lone Star. In addition, Greg has performed as an improviser all over the city and appeared in the film Rising Up: The Story of The Zombie Rights Movement. He is a graduate of Sarah Lawrence College and a lifelong New Yorker.

Olivia Schlueter-Corey, May Festival 2010 Bio

Olivia Schlueter-Corey is a California native transplanted to New York's theatre world nearly 3 years ago. Recently credits include Public Space Public Voice's production Her Train of Thought and A Midwinter's Tale with Point of You. Previous Left Hip productions include Nikita and The Amaranthine Thread. Thank you to Left Hip for helping women playwrights' voices be heard!

Jason Lord-Surratt, May Festival 2010 Bio

Jason Lord-Surratt- Director, Playwright, Co-Founder of Left Hip
If you have not met Jason Lord-Surratt than you have not met a passionate member of the artistic community. Jason Has been involved in theater for over twenty five years. Involvement that has led him to many off-off broadway shows as well as off broadway. Jason is a director, a playwright, an improviser and everyonce and a while an actor. Jason Lord-Surratt is a founder of LeftHip Productions and is proud to include his free approach to creation in this wonderful company's misson. Jason is a flawed human being that attempts to share his flaws with the world in order to make it a more enlightened. He is also a perfect specimen of a man that should have volumes written about him. All tongue and cheek aside. Enjoy yourself and be confident that you are supporting your friends, family and future artists. Enjoy.

Appolonia Vargas, May Festival 2010 Bio

My name is Appolonia vargas, friends call me apple for short. I'm a 21 year old actress and playwright. I've worked with MCC youth company for 3 years, and performed in "On the fly" 2007-09(myself), "uncensored" 2007-09 (myself), and "fresh Play festival" 2007 (Tiggy, Roxanne). I also wrote "POOF" for the 2008 "Fresh play festival". I've been writing for basically all of my life, and shall continue writing until my fingers fall off and my mind explodes or until zombies take over the planet..(Nah ill still be writing if I was a zombie or fighting against them) Any who, I'd like to thank my brother and sister for supporting me, and my homies jenn, josh, steve, jimmy, christina, pedro, and my mentor playwright Lucy Thurber and everyone else who's backed me up. Oh and my boyfriend joshy. Ok I'm done now. Peace!

Deborah Unger, May Festival 2010 Bio

DEBORAH UNGER (MFA in Acting at Asolo Theatre through Florida State Univeristy) works in theatre, film, cabaret and is currently in pre-production for a short film. Most recently: FOUR STARS at NYU’s Goldberg Theatre, as well as MADALYN: AN ACCELERATED HISTORY…. and ROSA’S SCARS; QUEENS SCENES at Queens Theatre in the Park; STILL THE ONE and WHERE THINGS ARE, Manhattan Theatre Source; WHITE WIDOW, Intar Theatre; JERRY’S GIRLS; HAVEN’T WE MET?, Writers Theatre; THE RISE OF DAVID LEVINSKY, American Jewish Theatre; HENRY VIII AT THE GRAND OL’ OPRY, Palsson’s; SEESAW, Equity Library Theatre; CYRANO DE BERGERAC, THE MUSIC MAN, JANIS JOPLIN: BURIED ALIVE IN THE BLUES, and more at the Asolo Theatre; FUNNY GIRL with Mimi Hines. Cabaret shows at Palsson’s, Eighty-Eights, Don’t Tell Mama, The Duplex. AEA, AFTRA, SAG.

Marjorie Swartz, May Festival 2010 Bio

Marjorie Swartz - A native of Toronto, Canada, Marjorie is thrilled to be on the New York scene. She most recently performed in a production of the vagina monologues at the Jerry Orbach Theatre. A graduate of Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts, Marjorie has performed in a number of shows in Toronto and surrounding area. She would like to thank her amazing family for supporting her throughout her career, as well as her numerous bartending jobs for paying her bills while she pursues this impossible dream.

Andrea Kristinsdottir, May Festival 2010 Bio