Written by Liv Dunbar, Dalissa Duran, Amoy Gill, Jordan Mayo, Meraly Morales, Hailey Petrus, Elena Reyes, and Kyora Wallace
Directed By Ron Russell
Cast:
Petra Stockmann: Liv Dunbar
Mario: Dalissa Duran
Tasha Stockmann: Melissa Friedman
CJ: Chrisaury Guzman
Al Slack: Anthony Vaughn Merchant
Javi Huerta: Bernard Scudder
Penelope Stockmann: Djaka Souaré
Morten Kiil: James Wallert
Production Stage Manager: Molly Minor Eustis
Sets by Chika Shimizu
Lights by Cat J. Cusick
Costumes by Betsy Rugg-Hinds
Projections by Cinthia Chen and Scott Leff
Sound by Ron Russell
Assistant Director: Dalissa Duran
Script Supervisor: Liv Dunbar
Master Electrian: Henry Owens
Script Development Sponsored by NBC Universal
An Actor’s Equity/Theatre for Young Audiences Production
BIOS
Liv Dunbar (Petra Stockmann/Playwright/Script Supervisor) is an Epic alum, teaching artist and board member, who’s been working with Epic Theatre Ensemble since 2015. She graduated from Smith College in 2023 with a bachelors in theatre and archaeology. She’s been involved in multiple Smith productions, such as Stoop Pigeons, Our Dear Dead Drug Lord, and Poof!. After her ungrad career, she returned to Epic, where she’s helped craft shows like FixED and now Enemies as a writer and actor. Liv plans on furthering her craft in playwriting and directing and hopes to create a show surrounding ancestral veneration and Caribbean history.
Dalissa Duran (Mario/Playwright/Assistant Director)is an Epic Alumni, started as a student in 2013, and is currently an Alumni Producing Manager for Epic. They are a second generation Dominican-American. Proudly born and raised in the Bronx! Dalissa is a writer and director who is constantly centering marginalized voices in all the work they do. Dalissa was the lead editor in Epic’s first touring show 10467. They have a BA from Muhlenberg College, and is currently getting their Masters in School Counseling at Fordham University. Community building is at the forefront of Dalissa’s mind. Absurd times call for absurd amounts of love.
Melissa Friedman (Tasha Stockmann) is Co-Founder & Co-Artistic Director of Epic where she has been an actor, director, teaching artist, and mentor for the last 25 years! Select Epic acting credits include: ANTIGONE, THE WINNING SIDE, MACBETH, BORN WITH TEETH, HANNAH AND MARTIN, and EINSTEIN’S GIFT. Directing credits include over 20 Epic Shakespeare Remix Productions, including the upcoming City-Wide Remix production of TWELFTH NIGHT in April! On behalf of Epic, Melissa received the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award for the Remix program from First Lady Michelle Obama at the White House.
Chrisaury Guzman (CJ) is a first-generation Dominican-American actor and aspiring performer from Washington Heights. She earned her BA in Theater from SUNY Oswego and began her artistic journey with Epic in 2016 as a student at the Urban Assembly for the Performing Arts. Now an alumni, she continues to give back as a bilingual teaching artist with Epic, nurturing young voices in the arts. Chrisaury has acted in and co-written her latest show Next Up! and is dedicated to growing her craft and pursuing her passion for acting on stage and beyond.
Anthony Vaughn Merchant (Al Slack) is an Actor, Director, Teaching Artist, and Fight Choreographer. Anthony has been seen on many stages across New York, from centuries old classical works to brand new devised pieces and everything in between. On screen they can be found on Netflix, HBO and HULU in shows like “Crashing”, “Happy” and “Luke Cage”. Anthony’s vocal work has also extended to the voice over and podcast world where he was part of the Indie Series Award Nominated “Visionaries Audio Drama,” as well as “Goddess” and even a guest spot on the “Block Talk” podcast. As a teaching artist with Epic, Bam and the Public Theatre. Anthony loves bringing stories and using the craft of story telling to make learning more tangible and connected to the people in the room.
Bernard Scudder (Javi) is an NYC-based actor and teaching artist, with an immense passion for inclusive and radical storytelling. Bernard gives the biggest shoutout to their family, friends and team for all their support! Bernard’s recent credits include A Collage of New Works (New Federal Theatre), Toni Stone (Playhouse on Park), Love Among Dreamers (El Barrio Artspace), The Former Kings of Clutch City (Playwrights Horizon) & I Don’t Do That (Cherry Lane Theater)
Djaka Souaré (Penelope Stockmann) Of Guinean & French descent, Djaka Souaré is a classically trained actress who has performed on stage at La MaMa and with Classical Theatre of Harlem in NYC, as well as with various companies in France, Belgium, and Hong Kong. She’s appeared on television, independent films, and is the face of rebel soldier Halima Zambardi in the Call of Duty franchise. Djaka currently stars in the award-winning horror-comedy “Cut Me If You Can”, distributed by CANAL+ and ARTE. Her screen credits also include Hulu’s “Black Stories Present: Your Attention Please”, directed by Tribeca award-winner Phillip Youmans.
James Wallert(Morten Kiil) is a Co-Founder and Co-Artistic Director of Epic Theatre Ensemble. As an actor with Epic, James has appeared in Richard III, Measure for Measure, Antigone, Othello, Dispatches from (A)mended America, Macbeth, Mahida’s Extra Key to Heaven, A Hard Heart, Widowers’ Houses, Einstein’s Gift, Hannah and Martin, Little Eyolf, Habitat, and Time and the Conways. TV and Film credits include The Snakes (HBO), Time of Your Life (FOX), Future States (ITV), Romeo & Juliet, The Traumatist, and Ambition’s Debt. In 2015, James received a Smithsonian Fellowship at the National Air and Space Museum to research and write his play The Winning Side. He has directed eight touring productions for Epic’s Youth Ensemble. MFA- Acting, Old Globe/University of San Diego; BA- Theatre, University of Kansas. He is the author of Citizen Artists: a Guide to Helping Young People Make Plays that Change the World (Routledge Press).
Ron Russell (Director/Sound) is a Co-Founder and Executive Director of Epic Theatre Ensemble. MFA-Directing, LSU; BA-Neuroscience, Oberlin College. Ron has directed extensively in NYC including 19 Off-Broadway productions (11 for Epic), and countless stagings of student work through Epic’s REMIX program; highlights include directing award-winning productions of J.B. Priestley’s Time and the Conways and Kate Fodor’s Hannah and Martin, Shaw’s Widower’s Houses in a new adaptation he co-wrote with Godfrey Simmons, Jr., an Epic NEXT touring show called OVERDRIVE, and James Wallert’s The Winning Side. Ron is also extremely proud of he and Epic’s collaboration with solo creator Nilaja Sun, whose No Child… and Pike St. have toured the world, with Ron doing sound design for both as well as directing Pike St. As an educator and arts education administrator, Ron has served over 50,000 NYC public school students at over 80 schools. Epic’s work with these youth has been recognized by the White House, the National Endowment for the Arts, an OBIE Award, the International Ibsen Award, the Municipal Arts Society, and several New York City mayors.
Molly Minor Eustis (Production Stage Manager) This is Molly’s 10th show with Epic Theatre Ensemble, including: The Winning Side, Antigone, Nilaja Sun’s Pike St., Measure For Measure, and over 20 productions with Epic’s Shakespeare Remix after-school program. Other New York productions include The Play That Goes Wrong (New World Stages); Between Riverside and Crazy, Bluebird, and Dusk Rings a Bell (Atlantic); Orlando (Classic Stage); The Language of Trees, Old Acquaintance (Roundabout); The Insurgents (LAByrinth); Telephone (Foundry); Colin Quinn: Unconstitutional (Cherry Lane & tour); Najla Said’s Palestine (NYTW/Twilight); Dan Hoyle’s The Real Americans and Tings Dey Happen; Hell House (Les Freres Corbusier). B.A., College of Charleston; M.F.A., Columbia University; New Orleans native.
Chika Shimizu (Sets) is a New York based scenic designer. REGIONAL: Pacific Overtures (Signature Theatre, DC), The Great Wave (Berkeley Rep), Sanctuary City (Pasadena Playhouse), RENT (Paper Mill Playhouse), Moriarty (Cleveland Playhouse), Somewhere (Geva Theatre), The Great Leap (Portland Center Stage), Vietgone, Tiger Style! (TheatreSquared), The Caucasian Chalk Circle (Yale Rep, CT Critics Circle Award Nom). OFF-BROADWAY: Bite Me (WP Theatre), Belfast Girls (Irish Rep), The Naturalists (The Pond Theatre Company), The Winning Side (Epic Theatre Ensemble), Awake (The Barrow Group), Salesman之死(Yangtze Repertory Theatre). INSTALLATION: Another Dream, Un(re)solved AR installation (Ado Ato Pictures, 2022 SXSW Innovation Award, Emmy Award, Currently On Tour). MFA from Yale School of Drama. chikashimizu.com
Cat J. Cusick (Lights) is a lighting designer who graduated with a BFA from Mason Gross School of the Arts, Rutgers University under the tutelage of Don Holder. She studied scenography under Micheal Pivelka at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London. She has had the privilege of designing, assisting and interning with such directors and designers as David Esbjornson, Ken Posner, David Schweitzer, Kip Fagan and Caitlin Sullivan. Having designed both theatre and dance, her credits include Faust, Ten Blocks on the Camino Real and the MGSA Dance and Colab Showcase. Additionally, she has assisted on Moi Meduse, Henry IV Part I & II, An Octoroon, Heel and (Hera)kles with Rutgers Theatre Company.
Betsy Rugg-Hinds (Costumes) is a New Jersey based costume designer and builder. Currently working as the Assistant Costume Shop Supervisor and Draper for Montclair State University. Recent credits: The Winning Side, Epic Theatre Ensemble. Step One Dance Company, Holland America Line. Froggy (world premiere) Andy’s Summer Playhouse. MFA from Brooklyn College.
Cinthia Chen (Projections) is an interdisciplinary artist based in Brooklyn and Taiwan. She has created and developed original work through Theater Mitu, Mabou Mines, Fault Line Theater, Target Margin Theater, Corkscrew Theater Festival, and Asian American Arts Alliance. She is an adjunct artist at Theater Mitu and co-facilitates their Hybrid Arts Lab fellowship. Cinthia also works as a video and projections designer and was recognized at La MaMa’s Design Fest 2020 and USITT Prague Quadrennial 2023. Recent projects include: Salesman之死 (Connelly Theater), The Healing Shipment (La Mama), Where Are You? (Mabou Mines), Specially Processed American Me (Dixon Place), Matilda the Musical (Buskirk-Chumley Theater), and american (tele)visions (NYTW, asst. designer). www.cinthiachen.com
Scott Leff (Projections) is a New York–based projection and media designer. He began exploring the medium while studying dance at Connecticut College. He has worked on projects across the United States and internationally, with highlights including Yellowface (Roundabout Theatre Company), Mike Birbiglia’s The Old Man and the Pool (Lincoln Center), and Millions (Alliance Theatre), among many others. Scott is drawn to the interplay of space, color, and texture that lies at the heart of projection design. He has long been fascinated by technology and the ever-expanding possibilities that emerge from incorporating new tools into his artistic practice.
Dalíssa Duran (Mario/Playwright/Assistant Director) is a full time employee for Epic Theatre Ensemble, as an Alumni Producing Manager, teaching artist, and mentor. They were a part of the eight Epic Alums that wrote Enemies, and are now the assistant director. They also AD in productions such as Antigone, and 21 Chump Street in undergrad. Directed See Me and Novaturient plays written by Epic high-schoolers for the I am Epic Playwriting festival. Currently Dalíssa is leading multiple in school residences and an afterschool Remix in a middle school! They are first-generation, and tries to lead their life and teachings through social justice and art.
Amoy Gill (Playwright) is a filmmaker and photographer from Brooklyn, New York. They received their Bachelors Degree in Film Studies and Africana Studies from Muhlenberg College in 2020. Amoy works as a Film educator for middle and high school students in Pennsylvania and New York City. They thrive in spaces where they are helping students develop their own artistic styles and find their voices through social justice and art. They are a 2023 Artist2Artist fellow. Amoy also works as the alumni program manager for Epic Theatre Ensemble.
Kyora Wallace (Playwright) is a playwright and actress from the Bronx and has worked with Epic for almost 10 years. She works for Epic part-time and a teaching artist is currently the lead writer, co-director and a cast member of First Degree Burns.
Actors’ Equity Association (“Equity”), founded in 1913, is the U.S. labor union that represents more than 51,000 professional Actors and Stage Managers. Equity fosters the art of live theatre as an essential component of society and advances the careers of its members by negotiating wages, improving working conditions and providing a wide range of benefits, including health and pension plans. Actors’ Equity is a member of the AFL-CIO and is affiliated with FIA, an international organization of performing arts unions. #EquityWorks
Thanks to our INSTITUTIONAL FUNDERS:
Arthur Miller Foundation
Axe-Houghton Foundation
Bloomberg LLC
Carroll and Milton Petrie Foundation
Ichigo Foundation
Isak and Rose Weinman Foundation (in memoriam, Donna Hardiman)
JM Kaplan Fund
Lee Company
Leon Lowenstein Foundation
Meringoff Family Foundation
Michael Tuch Foundation
National Endowment for the Arts
New York Foundation on the Arts
New York Life/Aim High
New York State Council on the Arts
NYC City Council
NYC Department of Cultural Affairs
Pinkerton Foundation
The Heckscher Foundation for Children
Venturous Theatre Fund
Wayfarer Foundation
West Harlem Development Corporation
William T. Grant Foundation
And our OVATION SOCIETY, including our BOARD OF DIRECTORS (B):
Adrienne and Reed Auerbach
AJ and Jane Schwartz
Andrea Bonime-Blanc (B)
Carole and Richard Friedman
Dan Arnall (B)
David Miner
David Smith (B)
David Strathairn
Elena Reyes (B)
Emily Lansbury (Donna Hardiman Scholarship)
Ina and Larry Gurman
Janel Callon
Jeanne Sakata
Jennifer Strauss
Jordin Ruderman and Kevin Shand
Joyce and Len Berkman
Julie Rose and Alan Kanders
Kate Fodor
Katherine Bradford
Kathleen Chalfant
Katie Gerdes
Keith Josef Adkins
Liv Dunbar (B)
Margaret Holman (B)
Mark Kollar (B)
Michael Thomas (B)
P. Seth Bauer and Elysa Marden
Pablo Velez (B)
Paula Sauder
Peggy and Tom Russell
Rob Mitchell and Jose de la Cuesta
Sam Waterston
Sarah Winkler and Simon Leopold
Sophia McGee (B)
Stephanie Braxton
Sue Lehmann
SuEllen Woelk
Susan Kelechi Watson
Suzanne Schaaf (Donna Hardiman Scholarship)
William Martin