Equinox New Play Festival 2023
Equinox New Play Festival 2023
Produced by Matthew Bock, Teayra Bowden, Bella Capelli, Alex Dembner, Hayden Eric
Esther's Play About Esther's Play
Written by Amy Chen
Directed by Aidan Schultz
Thursday, February 9, 2023 at 7:30 PM
Sunday, February 12, 2023 at 11:00 AM
Family Undone
Written by E. Quinn
Directed by Sara Mascelli
Friday, February 10, 2023 at 7:30 PM
Sunday, February 12, 2023 at 12:30 PM
Delivery Boy
Written by Jaden Gines
Directed by Joe Britt-Simpson
Saturday, February 11, 2023 at 7:30 PM
Sunday, February 12, 2023 at 2:00 PM
PRODUCTION TEAM
Matthew Bock (Literary Producer)(he/him) is a Junior Directing, Playwriting, and Production major and a Film minor. Past credits at UArts include his play, Pump to Pump, being produced as part of the Equinox 2021 Festival and Stage Managing on musicals buried and This Beautiful City. He'd like to give a super special thanks to his sister, Madelyn.
Teayra Bowden (Artistic Producer)(she/her) is a Junior Directing, Playwriting, Production major. Her first introduction to Equinox was freshman year as Assistant Director for “Look Up, Canyon”. Ever since she has been committed to working in new play development and the dramaturgical process as the Brind School’s Season Dramaturg working with 16 different productions. Previous production credits include “Fat Muslim Girls” (PlayPenn), “Here We Go”, The Syrian Monologue Project, “I Want A Country”, “Ghost Town”, “Norton I”, "Terms Of Endearment".
Bella Capelli (Production Manager)(they/them) is both honored and over the moon excited to be a part of the producing team on Equinox 2023 this year. This has been a project they’ve been looking forward to since arriving at UArts and cannot believe it is finally here. They are a Junior DPP major, focusing in all things stage management/theater management. They want to thank everyone who trusted them to get this festival on its feet. Bella is currently the SM on “Good Grief” at the Hedgerow Theatre, which runs through February—check it out!
Alex Dembner (Technical Producer)
Hayden Eric (Producer)(he/him) is a junior Directing, Playwriting, & Producing major, who last worked on the Equinox New Play Festival in 2022 as the Assistant Scenic Designer. Previous producing experience includes producing the Home Series production of clusterpuck!, co-producing the Company Project at the National Theatre Institute Spring ’21, and working as the Assistant to the Artistic Director for Polyphone ’22. Hayden brings an all-rounded know how to the Equinox 2023 team, with experience on productions in NYC such as the Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit, DoorDash x Tribeca Festival, and here at home in Philly where he worked as the Onsite Technical Supervisor for Genie’s Secret Bazaar.
Anna Ryabova (Technical Director)(they/them) A carpenter/electrician at heart, and a Sophomore DT student, they are ready to build up this wonderful new world for all to see! They were a part of EQUINOX last year, and now this year are taking on the three show model with all the beautiful people making it possible :)
Manny Garcia-Castro (Production Electrician)
Ashton Marlar (Scenic Designer)(he/him) is a current freshman DT major originally from Texas. This is his first major work at the UArts campus.
Val Giesey (Assistant Scenic Designer)(he/they) is a first year Acting major hailing from Vermont. After blowing his shot at NFL fame, he aims to rise through the ranks of the PGA, hence art school. He is grateful to the equinox team for creating this opportunity to explore different aspects of theater.
Miles Ellis Novotny (Props Head)(he/him) is thrilled to be designing props for this year’s Equinox. He is a first year Design Tech major focused on props and set, and hails from Burlington, Vermont. Previously, he’s worked with Lyric Theater, Kingdom County Productions, and he was run crew for Everybody at UArts.
V Perlah-Hard (Costume Designer)(they/them) is a Sophomore Design Tech major at UArts, with a concentration in costumes and a minor in jewelry. While this is their first time designing a show at UArts, they have worked on Pippin, 2022 Polyphone Festival, Fall 2022 DPP Festival, Head Over Heels, and Alchemic Oddities.
Bryant Yamil Gipull Garcia (Lighting Designer)(he/him/el) is a bilingual, Puerto Rican-born, Orlando-raised, Philadelphia-based multi-disciplinary creative artist. His past collaborations include the Dr. Phillips Center, Orlando Repertory Theatre, Disney Live Entertainment, Lake Nona Theater, Theater @ St. Luke's UMC, The Painted Bride Arts Center, 2022 Special Olympics USA Games Ceremonies & The Walt Disney World Resort. @the.bygg | bryantgipullgarcia.com
Lily Castiglione (Assistant Light Designer)(they/she) is a Freshman DT major with a focus in set and light design. This is the second production they've done at UArts, the first being Everybody, and they are so excited to have the chance to work on this festival.
Ethan Paone (Sound Designer)(he/him) is currently a sophomore Design Tech major here at UArts. He has been working in tech theatre since 2018 at Firebird Theatre in Phoenixville, where he is now Head Electrics Leader. He's glad to be a part of this great Equinox festival this year.
Alice Poznyak (Festival ASM)
Esther's Play About Esther's Play
Written by Amy Chen
Directed by Aidan Schultz
PRODUCTION TEAM
Amy Chen (Playwright)(she/her) is a Senior Musical Theatre major who wrote a play! She is so thrilled, and a bit terrified, to share this piece with the Brind School community. Previous Brind School credits include: Dear Mr. C (The Writer), We're Gonna Die (Singer), Norton I (Ah How), etc. Huge thank you to Savannah Reich.
Aidan Schultz (Director) is a Junior Acting & DPP major with a minor in Songwriting. Past UArts credits include Bones-In-The-Woods in Bodies and Bones, Ensemble in I Want A Country, Co Stage Manager of All At Once, and Assistant Director of In The Green. Endless thanks to the cast and team for their support and devotion.
Peter Kirby (Assistant Director)(he/him) This is Peter’s first time on a production team at the Brind School! He is endlessly proud of his best friend Amy for her amazing play, and extends gratitude to Aidan and the whole team for Equinox producers for this opportunity.
Chloe' Knight (Dramaturg)(she/her) Chloe’ is an Acting major, Songwriting minor. This is her first time doing dramaturgy for a show, so she's glad to dive into the world of this play and work with the team!
Tori Lewis (Stage Manager)
CAST
Keara Fernandez (Esther)(she/they) is a Senior Musical Theatre major at the University of the Arts. This will be her fourth show at the University and second Equinox performance. She is so thrilled to be apart of this production and for it to be one of her last performances at UArts. “Thank you so much to the wonderful cast and crew and most importantly the playwright, Amy, for writing such a beautiful play.”
Megan Derbick (Character 1)(she/her) is currently a Junior Musical Theatre major and Music minor. She is so excited to be apart of her first Equinox Festival! Past UArts credits include Everybody (Everybody/Somebody), Pippin (Player), The Blazing World (Pyra) and Dear Mr. C (The Writer’s Sister). She also recently made her professional debut at Millbrook Playhouse as Alexi Darling and Ensemble in Rent. Thanks to the whole cast and crew for all the love and support!
Kayla Fitzgerald (Character 2)(she/her) is a senior Musical Theater major thrilled to be a part of Equinox for the first time! Other UArts roles include Courtney in Crimson Lit and the Ensemble of Head Over Heels. Much love to her family and friends, and the whole cast and crew of Esther's Play
Brenna Patzer (June)(she/her) is so excited to be in her first Equinox production surrounded by such a wonderful creative/production team and cast. Next up, Brenna will be appearing as Varya in The Untitled Cherry Orchard Musical within the Polyphone Festival this spring. Love to family and friends. Instagram: @brenna.patzer Tiktok: @beaniethequeenie
Stevie Smith-Iannettonni (Coco)(they/she) You may have seen Stevie in Find Myself Here, Buried, Sometimes The Rain…, Without Wings, Woyzeck and now Esthers Play! Enjoy!
Logan Brooks (Sonya)(she/her) is a Junior Acting major at UArts and is so excited to be in her first Equinox show! She sends thanks to Aidan, Amy, and the rest of the Equinox team!
Carly Dagilis (Claire)(she/her) is a Sophomore Musical Theater major and excited to be in her first Equinox show! She was most recently seen at UArts in the Director’s Workshop Presentation as Amy in Dryland. You can also see her as Robin in Horse Girls at the Brind School later this spring!
Jo O'Sullivan (Claire's Boyfriend)(they/them) is so excited to be returning to the Equinox Play Festival for their final semester at UArts! Previous Equinox credits include “Nonmonogamy.” So much love and gratitude to Amy Chen for creating such a spectacular piece of art. Xoxo, Jo
Sophia Parsons (Swing (Coco, Claire’s BF, Sonya), Bouncer)(she/her) is a Freshmen and is so excited to be in her first production at UArts! Last semester she was in Act One: A First Year Exhibition! Hope you enjoy the show!
Sabrina Liberatore (Swing (Claire, Character 2, June), ASM)(she/her) is a Sophomore Musical Theatre major, and is thrilled to be a part of this production! Favorite roles include Val in A Chorus Line, Gertrude McFuzz in Seussical, and Robin in Godspell. She would like to thank her family and friends for their love and support!
Family Undone
Written by E. Quinn
Directed by Sara Mascelli
PRODUCTION TEAM
E. Quinn (Playwright)(they/she) is a junior DPP at the University of the Arts. Previous credits include Dramaturg of This Beautiful City (UArts), Assistant Director of Sometimes the Rain, Sometimes the Sea (UArts), Artistic Assistant of The Expanding Universe and Other Bullshit Theories (UArts), and ASM on Lilith and Her Demons (Polyphone).
Sara Mascelli (Director)(she/they) is a Sophomore Directing, Playwriting, and Production major. Past UArts credits include La Vida Luka, Nonmonogamy, and Head Over Heels. Regional: Sweet Charity, We Will Rock You, Sinderella. Endless love/gratitude to all of the artists who made EQ23 happen! Special thanks to the ever-inspiring cast/crew of Family Undone.
Finn Powers (Assistant Director)(they/them) is thrilled to be joining this year’s Equinox. Previous UArts credits include Woyzeck (Assistant Director), Ballyturk (Assistant Stage Manager), and Crimson Lit (Assistant Stage Manager, Polyphone Festival).
Ash Vaglica (Stage Manager)(they/them) is glad to be taking their first big step into the world of stage management with this year’s Equinox. Credits include stage managing last semester’s Home Series, clusterpuck! as well as assistant stage managing UArts’s production of Head Over Heels. Enjoy the show!
Jordan Neff (Dramaturg)
CAST
Lindsey Coffey (Deirdre)(she/her) Equinox debut!! Most recent roles include : Philoclea in Head Over Heels and Portia in Something Rotten. Thank you to the cast and the whole Equinox team!
Ella Kahan (Alanis)(she/her) is a Sophomore Acting major, Musical Theater minor. Past UArts credits include Everybody (Ensemble, u/s Death), A Little Death (Ensemble), and The Borrower and the Boy - Director’s Workshop (Arrietty). Many thanks to the entire Equinox team and her family and friends for the endless support and love! <3
Aja Staten (Mary)
Sophia Palese (Ensemble, Deirdre/Mary Swing)(she/her) is a Sophomore Musical Theatre major. She is thrilled to make her UArts debut with such a wonderful cast and team! Yay Equinox!
Fern Morehouse (Ensemble, Deirdre/Alanis Swing)(he/they) is a Sophomore Musical Theatre major. This is his first Equinox production, but a past UArts credit includes Ghost I in Ghost Town as part of the Polyphone Festival for New and Emerging Musicals. He’s so excited to work on this play with such a wonderful team! :)
Delivery Boy
Written by Jaden Gines
Directed by Joe Britt-Simpson
PRODUCTION TEAM
Jaden Gines (Playwright) is a young playwright and director from New Jersey, and a current DPP student at the University of the Arts. Past credits include: “Moving Out”, JJ Theatre Productions, “Violent Outbursts of the Restaurant Kind”, Theatermania.com, “Tick Tick”, Permafrost Theater Collective.
Joe Britt-Simpson (Director)(he/him) is a Junior DPP & Film double-major who hopes to create art that heals and truth that hurts which leaves clarity that comforts. Joe is thrilled to be working with the incredible individuals on EQ23 and wishes to thank his friends and family for their constant support.
Spencer Boyce (Assistant Director)(he/him) is a Freshman DPP major and is so excited to be working on new theater! He recently performed as a nominee at the 2022 Jimmy Awards. Spencer is also an award winning Elvis Tribute Artist, and he uses those skills almost never in the rehearsal room.
Fletcher Rabin (Stage Manager)(they/he) is a Freshman Theatre Design and Tech major. They were previously part of the crew for Everybody. Fletcher was the ASM for the Vermont touring production of Listen Up, which led them to pursue stage management as a profession. They are so happy to be part of Equinox!
Alice Poznyak (Assistant Stage Manager)(she/her) is a Freshman Theater Design & Technology major who is very excited to be working on Equinox as her first full production at UArts. She would like to thank her friends and previous theater teachers back in Chicago for supporting her and pushing her to pursue her passions.
M. Rayne Smith (Dramaturg) is a junior DPP that is exponentially excited to be starting the new year with Equinox. Last semester Rayne spent at the National Theatre Institute for their semester "abroad" and they’re delighted to see the Brind School finally recover from covid. Thank you everyone for welcoming me back so warmly!
CAST
Gwendolyn Felton (Delivery Boy)(they/she) is a third year Acting major, and they are absolutely filled with gratitude to be able to work on such a beautiful piece and collaborate with so many new and familiar faces. A huge thanks to the Equinox team for all their dedication to bringing this festival to life.
Emma Price (Mrs. Wilson)(she/they) is thrilled to be a part of Equinox this semester. Their other UArts credits include This Beautiful City (Fall 22) and Will: A Coverup (Spring 2021). She would like to thank the entire team of Delivery Boy and the Equinox Festival.
Ev Dowling (John)(he/him) is so excited to make his equinox debut! Past UArts credits include Head Over Heels. Special thanks to the wonderful cast and crew, Ev’s family, KC, and of course, mom.
Riley Mehrtens (Mom/Staff)(she/they) is a Junior Acting major and is thrilled to be part of another production at UArts! She’d like to thank her Mom and Dad as well as her sister for supporting her from afar!
Solomon Troupe (Dad/Staff)(he/him) is a Film Major interested in reconnecting with his theatrical roots. He would like to thank the Delivery Boy team for this amazing experience. Shoutout to Mike Attie.
Leah Herman (Voice #1/Staff)(she/they) is a Senior MT and is thrilled to be taking part in Equinox for the first time! She was most recently seen in the fall production of “Everybody”. Upcoming: this summer they will be headed to Germany to perform the role of Papagena in Die Zauberflöte. Much thanks to the cast and crew of Delivery Boy and the rest of the Equinox team for making this all possible!
Avi Fidler (Voice #2/Staff/Swing)(they/them) is a Senior Acting Major at The University of the Arts. Previous UArts credits: Somebody in Everybody, Hall in Men on Boats, and Ensemble in I Want A Country and Revolt. She Said. Revolt Again. Upcoming: Laertes in UArts' Hamlet. Thanks to the cast and crew!
University of the Arts
David Yager, President and CEO
Kikau Alvaro, Interim Dean, Ira Brind School of Theater Arts
Aanika Allen, Assistant Dean, Ira Brind School of Theater Arts
Madison Claus, Senior Administrative Assistant
Krista Apple, Interim Program Director, Acting
Amy Dugas Brown, Program Director, Directing, Playwriting and Production
Jacob Brent, Interim Program Director, Musical Theater
Quinn Bauriedel, Program Director, Pig Iron School MFA in Devised Performance
Nick Embree, Associate Professor
Sarah Sanford, Assistant Professor
Fadi Skeiker, Associate Professor
Rob Tucker, Visiting Assistant Professor
Leah Walton, Visiting Assistant Professor
Lindsay Cram, Associate Producer
Joe Fasciano, Technical Director
Troy Martin-O’Shia, Production Electrician
Julie Padovan, Costume Shop Supervisor
Larry Fowler, Sound Practicum Instructor
Chris Haig, Technical Practicum Instructor
Rebecca Kanach, Costume Practicum Instructor
Thomas Weaver, Lighting Practicum Instructor