Samantha Brahms - From The Hip 2011

Samantha Brahms originally hails from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Sam is a 2010 graduate from the first ever M.A. in Applied Theatre program in the United States. She previously attended New York University’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study. Here she was able to take graduate directing courses at TISCH School of the Arts, as well as study at the Experimental Theater Wing. During her time in New York, Samantha has been able to work on productions as an actor, singer, production assistant, sound assistant and assistant to the producer at the Public Theater, the Summer Play Festival, Gadshill Productions, the Theater Under St. Marks, the Hudson Theater and now Write Act East Side. She has been a part of TISCH Graduate School film and voice-over projects. She is a voice student of Jack Lee’s and most recently played Laine in Two Rooms and Sue/Woman 1 in BASH. She can be reached at samantha.brahms@gmail.com

Alyson Goodman - From The Hip 2011

Alyson is a graduate of The University of the Arts (BFA, Acting) in Philadelphia and recent credits include: I Love NY (Gallery Players - NYC), Bailout (Off-Color Productions - NYC), Home Opener (U of A, PA), and The Best Man (U of A, PA). She can be contacted at agoodman950@gmail.com.

Michael Wheeler - From The Hip 2011

I'm a BA theatre arts major senior at Marymount Manhattan College with concentrations in performance and writing for the stage. I grew up in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates and am now living in New York. I am currently the sole movie critic of Marymount Manhattan College, writing for The Monitor, the school's newspaper. You can contact him at: michael_wheeler@hotmail.com

Joanna Gurin - From The Hip 2011

Playwright and teaching artist Joanna Gurin graduated from Bard College with a degree in Theater and Human Rights. She received the Robert Rockman Prize for Excellence in Theatre and Literature for her play Ballad of a Comeback Kid. Her follow-up play, I'll Be Your Mirror, was produced as part of Bard's Annual Playwright's Festival. Joanna has worked closely with "The 52nd Street Project" in New York City, an organization dedicated to helping students in Hell's Kitchen become playwrights and theater ingenues. She created art therapy workshops in Johannesburg, South Africa, and taught playwriting/improv at the Millbrook Playhouse's inaugural Spring program. Joanna currently works at the T. Schreiber Studio and Theatre, and is excited to be participating in this year's From the Hip Festival!

Yael Gidron - From The Hip, June 2011

Yael Gidron graduated last year from The Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute and since then has been involved in different projects. Some favorite roles include: Sam in Punching Glass, Lisa in Waiting and Dale in the upcoming web series Sherry's Kitchen. Yael is also an emerging playwright/ screenwriter and is currently working on her short film as well as developing her first feature. Her first one act play was recently part of The Strawberry One Act Festival in Manhattan and reached the Semi-Finals.

Emily Daly - From The Hip 2011

Emily Daly is a theater artist based in the Big Apple. She just moved here after studying writing, acting and music at the Johns Hopkins University and at the National Theater Institute of the Tony Award-winning Eugene O’Neill Theater Center. Over the course of her education and career, Emily has had the opportunity to work with professionals including Oscar-nominee John Astin, Peg Denithorne, Donna di Novelli, Jake Jepson, Steve Cosson and Madeleine George. She currently interns with Looking Glass and is developing several one act and full-lengths for the stage. Special thanks to Kevin for listening to her whine. daily.emily@gmail.com

Nicole Serra - From The Hip, June 2011

Originally from Las Vegas, Nicole has spent the past seven years in NYC learning and exploring all possible avenues within theatre as a playwright, performer, and director.

Most recently, she co-wrote, performed, and helped produce The Burkinis, a sketch comedy hybrid that ran Off-Off Broadway at The Abingdon Theatre. Other past projects include serving as Associate Director of the Drama program at Theatre Arts Center, a Teaching Artist through the CentreStage program in Queens, and a Stage Manager at the New York International Fringe Festival. In addition, Nicole has also worked with The Foundry Theatre, City Lights Youth Theatre, and The Drama Garden Theatre. She holds a B.A. in Theatre and English Literature from University of Miami, FL and has also trained at SITI Company, The Barrow Group, and Queen Mary, University of London.