Paula Vogel Mentors Project

Mid-Year Readings - 5 new plays, in process
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January 9th, 2016

Producer - David O'Connor
Coordinator - Donnell Powell
Festival Dramaturg - Emily Acker
Stage Manager - Kat Kelly

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2pm Program

A 10 minute break will follow each of the first two plays.

Audience Feedback

Existential Depression
by: Ellery Schiller
Mentor: James Ijames

What is the meaning of life? Without meaning are we even living? Are we all as pretentious as we seem? Travel the train of thought of five unlikely heroes for an abstracted, absurd examination of the human condition. 

Director: Elaina Di Monaco

Cast:
Ilana - Angela Bey
Lucy - Kathy La
Amit and Lysander - Hannah van Sciver
Vona - Camille Young

Stage Directions - Mitchell Bloom

Nearly Famous
by: Emma Q. Baxter
Mentor: Jacqueline Goldfinger

Anything’s possible in New York City- especially for inspiring actor, Grayson! Unfortunately, he’ll have to face failure and fold clothes before catching his big break. But, everything changes when he gets the audition and the girl of his dreams! However, Grayson soon will learn that some things are too good to be true.

Director: Jay Gilman

Cast:
Violet - April Rose Davis
Grayson - Chris Garofalo
Scott - Peter Loikits

Stage Directions - MJ Kaufman

Chief
by Dalissa Duran
Mentor P. Seth Bauer

What does New York City mean to Anna-Joaquina Garcia? Solace, exclusion, foreign territory. What does the Dominican Republic mean to Anna-Joaquina Garcia? Storybook, exclusion, foreign territory. Where does Anna-Joaquina Garcia belong? Caught between two worlds, Anna will struggle to find identity in a place where a sea and a dangerous secret separates her from home.

Director: Erlina Ortiz

Cast: 
Anna - Iraisa Ann Reilly
Matilda - Diana Rodriquez
Romona - Gabriela Sanchez
Emilio - Alex Torra

Stage Directions - Kathy La

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6pm Program

There will be a brief 10 minute intermission.

Audience Feedback

The Slithering Snake, the Abiding Angel, and the Innocent Soul
by Darius Purnell
Mentor Christina Anderson

Annabelle Wilson and Emily Johnson are best friends- not yet jaded by adulthood and the societal prejudices that are set to drive them apart. After all, what does race matter to two adolescent, Alabama girls? But soon, the teens are forced to make an adult decision that could mean the end of their friendship and lives.

Director: David O'Connor
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Cast:
Sam - Andrew Carroll
Emily - Mikayla Cleary
Mr. Wilson - Akeem Davis
Annabelle - Camille Young

Stage Directions - Angela Bey

Losing Back the Sleep You've Gained
by Helen Everbach
Mentor Lucy Thurber

As the support system for her eccentric LGBTQA+ friend group, and the lone juggler of her own platonic and romantic relationships, it’s safe to say that Melissa has a lot on her plate. This highly relatable and quick-witted play offers an inside look at the nuance, and chaos, of love and friendship. 

Director: David O'Connor

Cast:
Zoe - Melissa Amilani
Veronica - Angela Bey
Cameron and Jeff - Andrew Carroll
Melissa - Mikayla Cleary

Stage Directions - Kat Kelly