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

Suzanne Dunn, May Festival 2010 Bio

Suzee Dunn grew up in Battle Creek, Michigan. She has been dancing for 16 years, singing for seven years, and acting for six years. She moved to New York almost two ago, she attended school for a year and now has decided to take her future into her own hands. She can be seen this June in 'The Planet Connections Theater Festivity' for an internship and will be in the intern show at the end of the feast. She hopes to see you all there to help support the great cause that is 'Planet Connections'.

Stuart Williams, May Festival 2010 Bio

Stuart is pleased as punch to be working with Left Hip Productions. He recently returned from London where he could be seen in Durang, Durang at the Jermyn Street Theatre. Favorite NY credits include Crazy Gary's Mobile Disco and the US premiere of Tim Firth's Safari Party. Next month you can catch him in Mind the Gap's BritBits 7 at Manhattan Theatre Source. Many many thanks to the hippest crew around.

Ana Galang, May Festival 2010 Bio

After attending several Left Hip shows as an enthusiastic audience member, Ana Galang is excited to finally be participating in this year's festival as an actor. 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 Central Park: The Musical, Hair, Romeo & Juliet, The Music Man, and a few gospel music videos. She currently trains at T. Schrieber Studios and is a member of one of NYC's newest theatre companies, Write Act Eastside.

Joshua Bohoskey, May Festival 2010 Bio

Joshua Bohoskey is an aspiring filmmaker, who is broadening his horizons and dabbling in the art of theater.

Cavan Hallman, May Festival 2010 Bio

Cavan Hallman- is a writer, performer, and director from the Weird State of Florida. As writer, plays performed at Strawdog Theatre, Shotgun Theatre Festival, Donny’s Skybox, The Artistic Home, RhinoFest, LID Productions, and Columbia College Chicago, where he received a degree in playwriting. As writer/director for the Windy City Players, his plays have been performed over 10,000 times in elementary schools across the country. He also writes fiction and for film. Actor-- NY: “Flanagan’s Wake” (Off-Broadway, u/s), “Bake Sale” (CRY HAVOC, reading), “HOUND” (Robert Moss Theatre), “The Great Space Mountain” (Where Eagles Dare); Chicago: “The Un-Authorized Musical Biography of George Takei” (Donny’s Skybox), “White Suit Science” (Magpies), “ALICE” (Kapoot/Neo-Futurists), “Sprits to Enforce” (Theater Oobleck), “Prufrock” (RhinoFest), “Solo Sampler” (Live Bait).

Rebecca Spiro, May Festival 2010 Bio

Rebecca Spiro - Recent theater credits include Elizabeth in Laundry and Bourbon at the Jalopy Theatre, Paper Tiger in Central Park and the Chocolate Chip Cookie Festival at The Cell, as well as Cathy in The Last 5 Years and Jackie in Hot L Baltimore. This spring, she recorded the role of Tessie in a radio adaptation of The Lottery and her recent television/video include the Deadlyz' music video, "Fall", and an upcoming top-secret television pilot. She received actor training at Colgate and Boston Universities, where she majored in Theatre and Vocal Performance.

Emily Tucker, May Festival 2010 Bio

Emily Tucker is a proud company member of Left Hip Productions. Emily
acted in the first Shotgun Theatre Festival and loved the experience.
Recently, she played Hattie in Left Hip's co-production of Laundry and
Bourbon at The Jalopy Theatre. She's thrilled to be apart of this
year's Hip Festival. Many thanks for supporting Left Hip!

Bob Teague, May Festival 2010 Bio

Bob Teague returned to New York Theater in September 2008 after two decades as a journalist, writer and performer in the hinterlands of the American Deep South and a bit of great fortune when he met a couple of hard-driving theater artists who wanted to control their own destinies. The tool they chose was to create Left Hip Productions. His second great fortune was to be invited to join them in their efforts. Since returning to New York, he's had three of his short plays -- "Two in the Chamber", "Nerve Damage" and "Going Over" -- performed. He has also had the opportunity to direct "Congoja", "The Amaranthine Thread" and "Nikita" by Rosebud Ben-Oni; "Odd Jobs" by Jennifer Marvel; "Four Dry Tongues" by Alex Dremann; "For Your Amusement" and "The Ubi" by Katharine Henner; "The Elephant. in the Room is Feeding the Ducks" by Kimberly Shelby-Szyszko; and "Count Down the Thunder" by John Bolan. He is beside himself over the opportunities Left Hip has given him at the 2010 Hip Festival to add three more directing credits and an acting gig to his bio. It is no surprise though. Left Hip exists to create opportunities. Contact him at bobteague@lefthipproductions.com.

Shannon Beck, May Festival 2010 Bio

SHANNON BECK is excited to join Left Hip Productions. As a performer and choreographer, she graduated from the University of Maryland with a BA in Dance. While at UMD, Shannon studied and performed works under Pearson/Widrig, Alyssa Clark, Alexander Gish, among others. She has performed at the Kennedy Center of Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. and has had her own original choreography showcased around the D.C. area. Since moving to New York, Shannon has found a new passion for improv while studying at The Upright Citizens Brigade. She also can be seen in various student and independent films, including Rainbowarrior by Tina Romero. She particiapted in various play workshops around NYC, most notibly the FromTheHip series. Her most recent performance was in November dancing for HanleyDance at The Merce Cunningham Studios. Shannon is making her New York choreographic debut with her most recent work "la vie en ville" during this week's Hip Festival. Shannon looks forward to continuing collaboration with fellow artists, and exposing different communities to new and exciting art!

Jamie Rosler, May Festival 2010 Bio

Jamie Rosler fell in love with the stage at age 5, and now holds a BA and an MA in Theatre Arts and Performance Making, respectively. Since returning to New York, she has been very active in the small theatre world, both onstage and off. Perhaps most notably, she appeared off-Broadway in The Vagina Monologues at New World Stages. Having been involved with Left Hip Productions since before its actual inception, she is thrilled to be involved with the Hip Festival as an actor, producer, improv impresario, bartender, ticket taker and just generally smiling face!

David Tracy, May Festival 2010 Bio

DAVID TRACY's involvement with Left Hip extends back to their first play festival at the Gene Frankel theater about a hundred years ago! Since then, he has hosted and/or appeared in several FROM THE HIP festivals and is excited to be participating once again. His career can't get any worse, so be on the lookout for big things to come from this Libra/Virgo cusped Vampire. (Come see VAMPED, it'll make sense!)

Katherine Gordon, May Festival 2010 Bio

With a BA in Theatre arts from Cal-State University Northridge, Katherine Gordon is an aspiring actress from San Diego, CA and has spent the last year falling in love with NYC. As a performer inspired by all the creative aspects of theatre, she considers herself lucky to have been a part of Left Hip Productions since the first Shotgun Festival. Katherine has a passion for original theatre, believing that art should constantly be growing. Stay tuned for all the new and exciting projects produced by Left Hip.

Matthew McNear, May Festival 2010 Bio

Matthew is excited to be working with Diamando again exploring new works. He currently studies with Peter Jensen at T. Schreiber Studios and has worked on numerous projets for both stage and screen. Matthew loves being a part of the creative community and would like to thank everyone who supports him!

Jessica Caplan, May Festival 2010 Bio

JESSICA CAPLAN - An actress and singer from Montreal, Canada, Jessica has been performing on stage since she was five. She recently made the trans-continental leap to New York from Hong Kong, where she lived for several years performing in local and touring productions, running a theater company she co-founded and voicing cartoons and the occasional Jackie Chan dubbed film (no joke). She made her NYC stage debut last November in The Diary of Anne Frankenstein at the 13th Street Repertory Theater and will be appearing in the Gallery Players’ Black Box New Play Festival in the two-person play Al Bashir! in June. Always inspired by creating new works, Jessica is excited to be part of this festival.

LaMar Thompson Hightower, May Festival 2010 Bio

LaMar Thompson Hightower. An 22 year old Actor/Singer from Brooklyn NY. Studied in psychology and Comedic Theater at Long Island University. I love to have fun and create ART.

Joseph Rosado, May Festival 2010 Bio

Joseph Rosado was born and raised in Brooklyn. An international iron worker, when construction got slow a year and a half ago he started taking acting classes. Acting has always been a dream of his and he's finally taking steps to make that dream reality.

Dustin Sullivan, May Festival 2010 Bio

Dustin Sullivan is excited to have his first official staged reading of a play he wrote! Until this point, he has been 100% actor (not from concentrate), currently in the National tour of Little House on the Prairie: The Musical, starring Melissa Gilbert. He also is a bona fide member of The Reduced Shakespeare Company, having toured with them in Ireland and across the US. Enjoy the play? Facebook him and let him know! Wanna cast him sight unseen in an amazing play or movie? Call his awesome agents! (Hartig Hilepo. They rock.)

Nikaline Katsilometes, May Festival 2010 Bio

Nikaline Katsilometes received her MFA in Acting from the New School for Drama. Born and raised in Pocatello Idaho, she then traveled "west" and obtain her BA from The University of Oregon. Recent roles in New York include Cecilia in What She Found There, Michelle in Death and the Maiden and Deven in Rough Cut. Special Thanks to all my family in Idaho, Oregon, and Greece for their unconditional love and support. Also, thanks to my “New York” family and Left Hip Productions for providing me with strength, courage and grace whenever I need it.

Katharine Henner, May Festival 2010 Playwright

Katharine Henner (www.katharinehenner.com) is a multi-disciplinary writer based in Brooklyn, New York. She is co-founder of Boomslang Theatre Company, co-author of Brooklyn Home Companion, and the resident writer of the film collective, the Goddamn Cobras. Currently in production this spring is her television pilot, "Supperclub Shakedown," which highlights the rooftop farmers, beekeepers, underground chefs, and arbiters of the local foods movement in collaboration with transmedia artists. Katharine received her Masters degree in Writing for Stage and Broadcast Media at the Central School of Speech and Drama in London. Plays performed over the pond for various UK festivals and theatre companies include: Walk in the Would, Transito, M.A.R.Z.I.P.A.N., and also a staged reading of For Your Amusement directed by BAFTA award-winning director, Kfir Yefet. Plays performed in New York include: Amelia (A Monologue) for Coffee Black Productions, Speaking in Stomachs for the Bushwick Arts Festival, and two productions by Left Hip: The Ubi and also an earlier version of For Your Amusement. This performance tonight is dedicated to her visionary director, Bob Teague, and these inspiring actors/muses who have been an active part of the development process for many months. See you next at the full-length production!

Danika Wood, May Festival 2010 Bio

Danika Wood is lucky enough to be a founding member of Left Hip Productions. She came to this group after acting in the first Shotgun Theater Festival in both the winning play and the first runner-up, and thanks to Diamando, has since had a chance to flex some producing muscles! Acting credits include the Nurse in Romeo and Juliet with The Queens Players, five ten-minute plays with From the Hip, and creating the role of Katlyn in Monkey, a new play by Jim Tierney. Danika has also been seen at the Flea Theater, Syracuse Stage, Hangar Theatre and Cortland Repertory Theatre. She received a BFA in acting from Syracuse University.

Kevin Russo, May Festival 2010 Bio

Kevin Russo is psyched to be playing Echo again and working with this fantastic group of people. Previous Left Hip credits include Echo in the 10-minute debut of For Your Amusement as part of the "8x10 Glossy Shorts" Festival, and Brainy Smurf in last autumn's "From the Hip" Festival. Along with FYA, Kevin is currently working on Dinner & Destiny as part of the "Six Pack + One" Festival with FACT (Friends Always Creating Theater) and Swallow It with the Looking Glass Theater's "Spring Writers/Directors Forum". Thanks for coming and enjoy the show-ow-ow-ow!

Marie Giorda, May Festival 2010 Bio

Marie Giorda hails originally from Austin Texas where she received her BA from the University of Texas. She earned her MFA in playwriting here in New York at Columbia University under Eduardo Machado. Her plays include Uninvited, Waiting for River, The Bacchaettes, Roadkill - Trilogy Theater, NYC (dir. Ariel Nazarian), Strip - Horace Mann Theater (dir. Alex Lippard), and Dark Time of Day among others.

Elizabeth Harvey, May Festival 2010 Bio

Elizabeth Harvey is excited to be participating in the From The Hip 48 Hour Play festival with Left Hip Productions for the first time. She is a Carolina girl living in the big apple and loving life. Some of her favorite credits include Alice in Wonderland Jr. (Tall Alice), The Vagina Monologues ("The Vagina Workshop"), and Sister Mary Ignatius Explains it All For You (Philomena). Love to her family, Cocoa and God.

Heather Arnson, May Festival 2010 Bio

Heather Arnson (director) - Upcoming: Winter Flowers (dir.) Gallery Players – June 17th opening. National Tour: America Amerique (dir. on tour/prod.& co.mgr) NYC credits: TVM(dir.) benefit for VAS, Her Big Break (dir.) Left Hip Productions, Very, Very… (dir.) 45th Street Theatre, The Permanent Night (dir.) Barrow Street Theatre, Buried Child (dir.) Payan Theatre, You Stole My Script (dir.) Nagelberg Theatre , The Art of Being Psychotic (dir.) Gene Frankel Underground; Girl Meets Boy (dir.) Cherchunin Theatre – best director nominee Strawberry Festival; Your Title Goes Here (dir.) Theatre Row; 52-PickUp (dir.) Gene Frankel Theatre; Tammy (dir.) Payan Theatre; directing team of A Stone Carver, Robert Kalfin (dir) Soho Playhouse; Anais Nin (PSM) Beckett Theatre; stage management teams of The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie and Abigail's Party (The New Group) Acorn Theatre, and In The Continuum (Primary Stages) Perry Street Theatre; Big Shot (AD) Trilogy Theatre. Los Angeles credits include: Dario Fo's, Elizabeth: Almost By Chance A Woman (dir) Ruby Theatre @ The Complex; Steve Martin's WASP (dir) Met Theatre; The Whole Shebang (dir) Met Theatre; Menopause the Musical (P/ASM) Coronet Theatre; Eddie Izzard (PSM) Coronet Theatre; and Gatsby in Hollywood (AD/PSM) Met Theatre. Thank you to the wonderful founders of Left Hip Productions and to Chris for his continuous love and support.

Scheffeé Wilson, May Festival 2010 Bio

Rachael Harrington, May Festival 2010 Bio

Rachael Harrington is an actress, storyteller, and illustrator who admires the genius of Lucille Ball, the imagination of Leonardo DaVinci, and the courage of Mother Teresa. Her favorite acting challenge to date is bringing to life the story of Shamsia in Skysaver Production's Women of Troy, presented at LaMaMa E.T.C. Currently, Rachael is collaborating with flutist Emily Schneck to develop a new show called Salt. She has studied at Atlantic Acting School, SITI Company, and Upright Citizen's Brigade.

Ryan P.A. Walsh, May Festival 2010 Bio

Ryan P.A. Walsh (The Ninja, "Paper Tiger") is ecstatic to be reprising his favorite role in a long time for the Hip Festival. A graduate of the Syracuse University Drama Department (BFA Drama '07), he most recently appeared in Left Hip's production of Lone Star, as well as various other productions with the company.

Jamie Doerr, May Festival 2010 Bio

Jamie Doerr is excited to be working with The Hip Festival for the first time. Originally from Portland, Oregon, where she studied at Southern Oregon University and Portland State University. Living and working in NYC for 5 years where she has continued her studies at The Atlantic Acting School. Recently Jamie has been working on Student Films for NYU and the The School of Visual Arts where she has been able to continue to explore her love of storytelling. Lots of Love to cast and crew, and to Mom and Jess, and my friends who are always there raising me up. <3

Jesse Geguzis, May Festival 2010 Bio

Jesse is excited to be returning from Shotgun 2 to join From the Hip! He graduated from Elon University with a BFA in Acting. He is a recognized Actor Combatant with the Society of American Fight Directors as well as an aspiring stunt man. He loves his cat.

Mariah MacCarthy, May Festival 2010 Bio

Mariah MacCarthy writes plays, some of which have sex, gender-bending, and dancing in them. Some of them are THE ALL-AMERICAN GENDERF*CK CABARET (sold-out run at UNDER St. Mark's), AMPERSAND: A ROMEO & JULIET STORY (winner of 11 awards including Best Production and Best Script at the Looking Glass Winter Forum Awards), A MAN OF HIS WORD (San Diego Old Globe with Playwrights Project), DISMEMBERMENT (Players Theatre), and AFTER THE TOWER (Parkside Lounge). She is also Associate Producer of FOUND at Ars Nova, a proud Skidmore graduate, and an occasional director/dramaturg. She thanks Larry Kunofsky.

Jonathan Marques, May Festival 2010 Bio

Jonathan is very excited to be making his New York stage debut with Left Hip Productions. He is currently studying at T. Schreiber Studios.