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Horse Trade Presents

THE DRAFTS

March 19th
9PM
The Church of Diminishing Marginal Returns by Jay Huling
Adobe Oaks by Linda Haggerty
Remember Me to Gimmees by Alan Stolzer

The Drafts are a non-equity ensemble of actors who are relatively new to the New York theater scene. The mission of The Drafts is to develop new plays. Like their namesake, The Drafts are a group of versatile actors from largely varied backgrounds and experiences. They are the most talented New York actors you've never heard of.

This year The Drafts welcome the five new directors of the Director’s Project into the mix. The Director’s Project is a gymnasium for young directors to develop their skills working on classical material. This fall watch five directors take on Troilus and Cressida five entirely different ways.

James Allerdyce earned his B.F.A in Theatre-Acting at The New World School of the Arts in Miami.  He had the opportunity to travel to Greece performing as Tathybius in The Trojan Woman, has performed his One-Person-show MARS: Population 1 in the 2009 New York International Fringe Festival, and recently played the role Buck in Horse Trade's premier of Lines this summer.

Justin Mark DeWolf is new to New York and very glad to be a part of The Drafts. He is originally from the pacific northwest and recently graduated from Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA.

Maya Eshet is a young actress originally from Israel. Maya started her career as a child actor in Israel and continued as an adult both on stage, film and in recording studios doing voice work. Selected credits include Salves Of the Lord (Cannes, Melbourne IFF); Someone To Run With (Jerusalem’s International film festival), Trelawney of the wells (Stella Adler Studios), Rolie Polie Olie (Toomitoot Productions). She had received most of her training at the Stella Adler Studios as well as the Terry Schreiber and the HB Studios. She is now starting her NYC career and is excited to start working as an ensemble and to explore new interesting materials. Woohoo.
Reiss Gaspard is a South Florida transplant and a long time New Yorker who has a great respect for the craft of acting and thought provoking theatre. He is a long time company member of the critically acclaimed Ground Up and Rising theatre and is excited to be working with such dedicated actors and writers here at the Drafts. He received his B.A. at Florida State University and continues to study his craft at the historical HB Studios.

Paul Herbig has worked extensively in Off-Off Broadway theatre, working with Mainspring Collective, Emerging Artists Theatre, Heiress Productions, and the American Theatre of Actors among others.  At Horse Trade Paul has acted in the plays Donny and the Monsters and Lines, both directed Heidi G. Grumelot.  Paul has also worked in independent film, and just finished shooting The Adventures of Paul and Marian, his first lead in a feature.  He would like to thank Horse Trade for always being a wonderful group to work with.

Ben Kaufman grew up in Columbus, Ohio.  He Interned with Shadowbox Cabaret of Columbus, and then went on to graduate from Ohio University’s School of Theater with a BFA in Acting.  During school he spent a summer at Monomoy Theater on Cape Cod.  Following graduation he accepted an Internship with Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati where he served as an understudy for regional premieres of Michael Hollinger’s Opus, and Steven Dietz’ Fiction. He is happy to be apart of this iteration of The Drafts, and looks forward to what may come.

Christopher Lopez A Brooklyn born actor originally aspiring to be an accountant; Chris discovered his impetus to perform at Rutgers University, where he is a recent graduate with a BA in Acting. He is also currently training at the Robert X Modica Studio. His New York Theater credits include: Best Day Ever! (Center Stage NY); Living With History (Medicine Show Theater); Ghandi, Dalits & Me (Medicine Show Theater); and Sex, Relationships, and Sometimes Love (Michael Chekhov Theater). Chris is honored to be part of such a creative and inspiring ensemble. For more credits and info on Chris checkout www.christopherlopez.net
JB Roté fell in love with the theatre from her first role as a snowflake in first grade in Vermont. She apprenticed at Williamstown Theatre Festival, majored in Acting at Brandeis University and completed her BFA in London at the British American Drama Academy. She has also studied and performed at the Upright Citizens Brigade, Magnet and Peoples Improv Theaters. She is enjoying being an active member in The Drafts. Theatre credits include: Crawl For It, Change The Be and Donnie and the Monsters (Horse Trade), Balcony Scene 2010 (MoMA PS1). Come see her this August in LINES (Horse Trade). More info at jbrote.com. Love and thanks to Horse Trade Theater, my darling friends and family.

Marchelle Thurman hails from Chicago and graduated from NYU Tisch School of the Arts  with a BFA in Theatre. Some of her favorite New York credits include Kori in Like Us, Mary in The Confession and Melissa in Clean Energy, Clean Conscience. She would like to thank her beautiful friends and family for their constant love and support.
Amanda Van Nostrand is thrilled to be a part of Drafts! Some of her favorite roles include: Natalya in The Marriage Proposal, Sissy in Come Back to the Five and Dime Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean, and the title role in Dulcy. She is also active in the improv comedy scene and has been seen at Upright Citizen's Brigade and performs regularly with The Red Tie Mafia for which she also coaches. For more info, check out her site www.amandavannostrand.com
Gary Warchola recently moved to New York after graduating with a BFA in Acting and a minor in Media Arts from the University of Montana He is very excited to perform with Horse Trade Theatre in the Drafts. Some companies he has worked with include Palissimo dance company, Looking Glass Theatre, and the Montana Repertory Theatre. This summer he will be performing at the Sterling Renaissance Festival as a Bless the Mark Player. Some of his favorite past productions include Charles Mee’s Big Love, William Shakespeare’s The Merry Wives of Windsor , and Undone an adaptation of Ibsen’s A Doll’s House.

Quinn Warren’s  recent credits include: Hamlet in Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead (Panicked Productions/Midtown International Theatre Festival), The Ballad of Lulu and Dad (Artistic New Directions), Misery, Apathy, and Despair (InGenius Festival/Manhattan Theatre Source), the Northeast premiere of Trapezium (Playhouse on Park), the world premiere of Bekah Brunstetter’s You May Go Now (Centenary Stage Company), the world premiere of Emily Mann’s Mrs. Packard (McCarter Theatre & Kennedy Center), and the award-winning world premiere of Stripping Eden by Wayne Paul Mattingly.  Quinn graduated magna cum laude from Stephens College with a BFA in Theatre Arts and is an Equity Membership Candidate.www.QuinnWarren.com

 

Jade Anderson has studied theatre at both Circle in the Square Theatre School and Stella Adler Studio of acting. NY Theatre credits: Mid-Town International Theatre Festival, Manhattan Repertore Theatre Festival, Avante Garde Arts Festival and an original production "His and Hers" at the American Theatre of Actors.
Sarah Babb Sarah is a native of Canada.
Selected film credits include: Wonder Love, Seven Hours, Calendar Girl and Spademeadow (MTV Spoof finalist.) Selected Stage credits include: Erica in The Water’s Edge, Woman in Purgatorio (New York Premiere) and Claudia in Honour. Sarah is very excited to be working with such a talented group of actors. She would also like to thank her family and friends for their support.
Ashley Baker
Brittany Bellizeare is a recent graduate of The New School for Drama and is now a “Master” of Acting!! At least she hopes to think she is. Some of her favorite roles include Amita in I’d Do Anything by Rebecca Stokes, Maggie in Den of Thieves, Rosa in CHAIN,Lona Hessel in The Pillars of Society, and Juniper in Juniper; Jubilee, a now published play and 2008 Samuel French Festival Winner, by Janine Nabers. Other theatre credits include All’s Well That Ends Well, Private Life of the Master Race, Lysistrata, 365 Days/365 Plays, (Princess) Escalas in Romeo & Juliet: Jerusalem, a different yet enlightening take on the Shakespearean classic, The Colored Museum: Symbiosis, and Woman + War with The Synchronicity Performance Group at 7Stages Theatre in Atlanta. She was blessed with the opportunity to be apart of the summer long Shakespeare Lab Intensive at The Public Theatre in 2008 where she performed in the a collection of scenes and sonnets in Nights, Fights, Schemes, Dreams arranged and directed by Barry Edelstein. She was also a member of The Bridge Program 2007 at One on One Productions. She is truly grateful to those who continue to mentor and enlighten her along the way. She sends love and thanks to God and her family and friends! She is ready to simply “live her magic.”
Laurabeth Breya is excited to be a member of The Drafts! She was born and raised in New York City. She attended Brown University where she received her B.A. in Theatre Arts. After graduating from Brown, she studied intensively at the Dell'Arte International School for Physical Theatre as part of their Professional Training Program, studying Clown, Mime, Melodrama, Acrobatics, Voice, and Commedia Dell'Arte. She is currently enrolled in CUNY's M.A. in Applied Theater Program. In addition to acting professionally, she hopes to use Applied Theatre to politicize and empower marginalized communities.
Erin Burns is excited to be a member of The Drafts! New to NYC, but no stranger to the stage, Erin's regional credits include Little Red Ridinghood in Into the Woods, Squeaky Fromme in Assassins, The Fantasticks, 5 Women Wearing the Same Dress, Jekyll & Hyde, The Miss Firecracker Contest, The Secret Garden, The Sound of Music, South Pacific, Peter Pan, and Don Giovanni with Nashville Opera, among others. While earning her BA in classical voice and theatre, Erin competed in the Miss GA Pageant and opened for country singer Tracy Lawrence! Thanks to God, her folks, and her lil' sis!
Stephen Losack
Nick Maccarone is a recent graduate of Columbia University's School of the Arts where he received an M.F.A. in theater. In his final year at Columbia he had the opportunity to work with Diane Paulus in an adaptation of James Baldwin's novel, Another Country. Nick recently completed a two-week workshop at La MaMa exploring an original piece by Fernando Rivas entitled Soul Ascending. A native of Oakland, Calif. he is relieved to have his soul back and thrilled to be exploring original works with the Drafts in the greatest city in the world.
Arooj Majid is currently training at The Studio New York Conservatory (thestudionewyork.com), and feels privileged to be part of such a dynamic ensemble. His New York Theater credits include: Between Static (29th Street Rep); In the Zone (Columbia University); Becket (Richmond Shepard Theatre), and regionally: Monstrosity; Almost, Maine (Williamstown). A native of Texas he received his bachelors degree from the University of Texas at Austin. Other training: The Actors Center.
Patti Murtha studied acting at Mason Gross School of the Arts, Rutgers University and at the Maggie Flanigan Studio. Past roles include Katherine in Taming of the Shrew, Agnes in Ludlow Fair, Geronte in Scapin, Pulcheria in Crime and Punishment, and local and international tours with The Shoestring Players. Directing credits include Much Ado About Nothing, Once on this Island, Godspell, and several tours for Shoestring. She is also a master ensemble theater teacher and conducts workshops with students aged preschool through adult at schools and organizations throughout New Jersey. She currently works with McCarter Theatre as a teaching artist and will be reprising her role as Telemachus in their tour of The Odyssey Experience in the spring.
Lindsey Hope Pearlman Lindsey loves Horse Trade and The Drafts! Favorite projects include The Geographical History of America (Performer and Adaptor, Human Group) and The Snow White Project presented by FIAF. Lindsey is a graduate of Hamilton College with a degree in Comparative Literature and Theater. Lindsey will be attending the London International School of the Performing Arts (LISPA) in the fall of 2010. Email Lindsey at lindsey.pearlman@gmail.com. Thanks Horse Trade!
Stephon Pettway is originally from Bridgeport Ct, but is a native of Durham N.C. He is a Sophomore BFA-Acting major in Pace Universities Theatre Arts department. New York credits include: Osage Avenuereading (Slick Willie, Birdie) at The Algonquin Theatre, Cold Water Flatreading (Eric Burns) & Comes A Pausereading (Narrator) at Under St. Marks. Five Seconds to Air (Charles Kingston) at Theatre Row, and Angels As We Fall (God) at The Manhattan Repertory Theatre. Pace Credits include: A Heartbeat to Baghdad (Dwayne), Tribute: A Black History Month Cabaret (Preacher, Walter Lee Younger, Ensemble), and Hard Times (Boundarby). Outside credits include: Two Trains Running (Sterling) & Tunnels (The Man) at North Carolina Central University, Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters (Villager 2 Male) which he performed in London, England, Perilous Times (Robert) at The Carolina Theatre and One Voice (Michael Lamar Jenkins) which he wrote and performed in Kenya East Africa. Film/Television credits include: Bushwick League, The Roe Effect, 100 Faces, Law & Order, Gameboyz (Mario) and One Man, One Sound which he directed, produced and edited. I would love to give all praises to the God for allowing me to work with a fantastic group of artist. I would also like to thank my friends & family for the continued sacrifices that they make on a daily bases and I would also like to dedicate this performance to my mother Patricia Pettway, who continues to love and support me.
Reynaldo Piniella is a New York native representing East New York, Brooklyn. He has performed recently with the Castillo Theatre, New Federal Theatre and Primary Stages. He has also appeared in film projects with the Discovery Channel, Pearson Education, New York Magazine and Chai Lifeline. Reynaldo is looking forward to his journey with The Drafts!
Penny Pollak is an NYC based performer and writer. “Dark and a little creepy,” her solo play No Traveler received glowing reviews in last year's Edinburgh Fringe Festival and will be premiering in Winnipeg in July. You can see Penny perform all over NYC from storytelling to physical theater. Since 2007 she’s hosted Penny’s Open Mic at UNDER St. Marks Theater. An ANYTHING Open Mic for all artists of any kind featured in The New York Times, New York Magazine and Backstage.com. www.pennypollak.com
Jessica Preddy Presently finishing her senior year at NYU, Jessica Preddy is very grateful to the Horse Trade theatre for this wonderful opportunity! Originally from London, she has enjoyed acclimating to the New York theatre scene. Previous favourite credits include: Tis Pity She's a Whore, Story Park, Yahoo!'s Back to School Special, Story Park, among others.
Michelle Pruett Michelle has worked at The Public Theater, The New York Shakespeare Festival, Theater for the New City, Gene Frankel Underground, New Georges Stages, The New York International Fringe Festival, and The Crown Point Festival on the lower east side. Favorite shows: Mother Courage and Her Children, starring Meryl Streep at The Delacorte Theater in Central Park, Pippin at The Deep Ellum Opera Theatre in Dallas, and The Tempest, directed by Joe Morton. Film work includes many short films, the pilot "Walk-Up," and most recently "Right Hand on Red," a dark comedy. Michelle studied at NYU and is a founding alloy theater company member.
Jennifer Soo Jennifer graduated in '07 from Tisch, where she trained at the Atlantic Acting School and Stonestreet Studios, and spent her last semester with the Grassroots program in New Orleans. NYC Credits include: the Kraine, CSV, Theater for the New City, and most recently The Wings Theatre in a production of MOONCHILDREN with The Attic Theater Company. She also toured regionally with the Georgestreet Playhouse, where she may have been the first Chinese girl to play Anne Frank.
Yesenia Tromp Yesenia is so excited to be a part of "The Horse Trade Theatre Group."She holds a B.F.A in acting from Long Island University, C.W. Post. She was most recently seen in a reading at The Lark Play Development Center. Previous NYC credits include "The Tenth Man" (Viking Theatre Company), "Bluff" (Rapscallion Theatre Collective), "Sweet Love, Sweet Lines, Sweet Life!" (Manhattan Repertory Theatre), "American Culture" (Quo Vadimus Arts) and "Third Child" (NYC Fringe Festival). Thanks to everyone for making this process so enjoyable!
Evan Taylor Walker is fresh to the “Big Apple,” and originally hails from the Sunshine State. He has recently graduated from Point Park University with a degree in musical theatre. Past credit include: Robbie(The Wedding Singer), Black(The Wild Party), Demetrius(A Midsummer Nights Dream), Beau(Asleep on the Wind), Leo Frank(Parade; in which he was named best actor of 2009 by the Washington Observer) and many others. He is overjoyed to be a part of the Drafts and can’t want to expose the world to new playwrights and their plays on a monthly basis. He would like to thank all those who support and contribute to the arts.
Michael Weatherbee Michael is from Byfield, Massachusetts. Selected credits include: Fly Away (Love Creek Productions, Producers Club), The Man Who Came to Dinner (Ridge Repertory), Father of the Bride (State of Maine Theater, Lakewood), I Never Saw Another Butterfly (Touching Humanity Inc.), The Cupcake Diet (Strawberry One Act Festival, Riant Theater), and What I Like (Where Eagles Dare Play Festival). Readings of Bookstories and The New Facts of Life (Ten Grand Productions, Algonquin Theater). Reading of The Group (Hudson Guild Theater, Fresh Fruit Festival). Spent a summer in college as the cabin boy in historical reenactments at Roanoke Island Festival Park, the Outer Banks.
Thanks Mom and Dad.
Nicholas Wilder Nicholas was born and raised in Philadelphia. He is thrilled to be returning to the draughts for a second year! New York Credits: Breaking In (Strong Kids Playwriting Festival), Romeo & Juliet (Bare Shakespeare/Manhattan Rep), Free Country (Strawberry One Act Festival) Regional: Trio Sonata (Women’s Theater Company) Pericles, Romeo & Juliet (Philadelphia Shakespeare Festival), The Shape of Things (SCO Productions), U.S Drag, Autobahn (Flashpoint Theatre Company), Much Ado About Nothing (Delaware Shakespeare Festival), and Baby with the Bathwater (Allens Lane Theater). Tours: Richard II, The Learned Ladies (Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey) One Night (Equalogy), and The Seeds of Freedom (Family Stages).
Matthew Wise is a graduate of NYU's Tisch School of the Arts and the Atlantic Acting School. He is originally from the San Francisco Bay Area but is a born again New Yorker. He is excited to be working with The Drafts and the very talented playwrights involved as well.

All photos courtesy of KL Thomas, reprinted with permission.