Horse Trade 10.2

HORSE TRADE PRESENTS A
BLACK DOOR THEATRE COMPANY
PRODUCTION OF

ECSTASY

By Mike Leigh
Directed by Sara Laudonia

"a quietly devastating portrait"

PREVIEWS JANUARY 5-8
OPENING NIGHT JANUARY 9
January 9-25
Thursday through Saturday at 8pm and
Sundays at 3pm

@ the Red Room
(85 E. 4th Street, 3rd Floor)

Tickets $18
$15 students/seniors

"the individuals involved in this current production, directed by Sara Laudonia at the Red Room, deserve much of the credit for revisiting this work so successfully. "
Doug Strassler

ECSTASY covers the lives of four blue-collar friends living in 1979 London and the drunken frustration in their lives, namely that of Jean, who struggles to escape the confines of her life and the people in it. While ECSTASY speaks to a very specific time and place, the socio-economic despairs and frustrations facing each character make the story universal and timeless; especially on the eve of our own financial crisis.

"...an engaging play, here staged with energetic, sharp performances, directed crisply by Sara Laudonia."
Gwen Orel

"It’s so well-acted and directed that the smallest details... form an endearing tragedy."
Amanda Halkioits

New York IT Awards

Mike Leigh (Playwright) is an English film and theatre director, screenwriter, and playwright. Some of his well-known films include Life is Sweet (1990), the Gilbert and Sullivan biography Topsy Turvy (1999), and the bleak working-class drama All or Nothing (2002). His most notable works are arguably Naked (1993), Secrets & Lies (1996), Vera Drake (2004) Happy-Go-Lucky, and Abigail's Party.

Black Door Theatre Company was created as a vessel for the artistic exploration of the human experience; including classic themes as well as current issues. Whether creating original material, collaborating with emerging artists, or re-thinking existing works, we intend to question, give voice, seek truth, and push the boundaries of form and expression.

The Cast and Crew

Lore Davis (Val) is a drama therapist, actor, and co-founder of The Puffin & Raven Theatre. After stage managing Blackdoor Theatres superb Sunrise At The Quarry she is exceedingly pleased and giddy to be involved in another Blackdoor production. She would like to extend many thanks to the entire Blackdoor company for giving her the green light to join in the fun. Favourite roles: Mama in Night Mother, Betty in Sure Thing, and wife to Brandon (yes, that is her most favourite role).
Stephen Heskett (Len)NY roles include: Stanley in /The Birthday Party/, Laertes in /Hamlet/, Clifford in /Side Man/, and Geoffrey in /Lion in Winter/. Stephen has appeared on stage at the New York Theatre Workshop, the Lark Theatre, and the Ontological-Hysteric Theatre. He also toured nationally as d'Artagnan in /The Three Musketeers/. Stephen played Greg in the award-winning independent movie /Film School Confidential/. He is a graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy's classical acting program and studies with Terry Schreiber. www.stephenheskett.com. Love to the P.G.O.A.T.
Gina Lemoine (Dawn) is a founding member of Black Door Theatre Company most recently seen in their original production of Sunrise at the Quarry where she originated the role of Lauren. Gina has studied under Terry Schreiber and at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Credits include Terry Schreibers production of Sweet Bird of Youth, Fin and Euba, Bone China, Guest Room, An Open Frame (film), and A Good Death (film).
Josh Marcantel (Roy)Recent stage credits include Noah in Black Door Theatre Companys original production, Sunrise at the Quarry; Einstein in Picasso at the Lapin Agile, Jerry in Betrayal and the Actor in The Woman in Black. Film credits include Red 71, Good Boy and the indie-award winning Mercy directed by Patrick Roddy. Josh is a co-founder of Black Door Theatre Company.
Brandon McCluskey (Mick) was born and raised in California and studied Theatre and Psychology at the University of Colorado at Boulder. He first found a stage home with Mill Mountain Theatre in Virginia, where he toured regionally and studied with actor and then-Creative Director, Doug Zschiegner. Moving to New York City in early 2003 and completing further training at Atlantic Acting School, Brandon quickly found work in the local independent film circuit, working with directors such as Evan Seplow and Michel Gondry. He has recently returned to the stage with NYC's Black Door Theatre and continues to seek out screen and stage roles that not only challenge his versatility, but afford him the opportunity to work with collaborative artists, like the amazing cast and crew of Ecstasy.
Mary Monahan (Jean) has appeared in many theatre and film productions. Some of her favorite roles in theatre include; Miss Y THE STRONGER, Procne THE LOVE OF THE NIGHTENGALE, and Dirty Daisy CHICKS WITH DICKS. She is a company member of the Terry Schreiber Studio, where she studied with Terry Schreiber and Sally Dunn. Her film work includes; Jennifer WINDOWS(Tribeca FF, SANFIC 2006), Mary HEAD TRAUMA (Los Angeles FF2006, SANFIC 2007), and Q SLICE which won the SIGNIS Award in SANFIC 2008.
Sara Laudonia (Director) is a veteran of the windy city where she landed after getting her BFA in acting from Otterbein College. During her time in Chicago, she was a founding member of The Treehouse Theatre Company where she had the unique opportunity to hone not only her acting skills, but also to cut her teeth as a director. Some favorite directing projects include: Gilbert Mandrakes Flying Saucers on the Plains, by Corey Hinkle, Fulfilling Kochs Postulate, by Joan Schenkar, Hell to Get Along With, adapted by Ms. Laudonia from a Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. short story, and Camille: The Forgotten Artist, by Victoria Libertore. In New York she has been Assistant Director to Terry Schreiber on Night of the Iguana and the Director of Sunrise at the Quarry written by Nick Sanzo. She is looking forward to directing the upcoming production of Ecstasy by Mike Leigh.
Damon Pelletier (Set designer) out of Brooklyn, and recent recipient of MFA degree from the Tisch School of the Arts (NYU). Originally from sunny Fort Lauderdale, FL (where the water is always warm). Previously Damon has worked as a freelance designer and painter at various theatres in Baltimore. Loves rock opera. To pay the bills: assisting New York designers. Recent assistant credits include Cirque Du Soleil – Dubai, and Spiderman: Turn off the Dark (George Tsypin - designer). www.damonpelletier.com
Eliza Jane (Stage Manager)

Chris Rummel (Sound Design) Recent designs include Wood (NYMF08), Raised By Lesbians (FringeNYC), Ten Percent of Molly Snyder (Penguin Rep), The Night of the Iguana (T. Schreiber Studios), The Jack of Tarts (La Mama ETC), Fool For Love (Columbia University), The Listener of Junk City (New Dramatists), Pied A Terre (Stageplays Theater Co.), The Girl Detective (Ateh Theater Group), Two Rooms (Harold Clurman Festival), How I Learned To Drive (TSS, NYIT nominee), Angels In America (Stella Adler), tempOdyssey (SPF), Air Guitar (FringeNYC), Mark Twains Blues (Altered Stages), Don Juan In Chicago (Personal Space Theatrics), The Girl In The Flammable Skirt (Ateh), and the short films The Waiting Room, and Pirates Vs. Ninjas (piratesversusninjas.com). Chris is a Teaching Artist at Roundabout Theatre Company, the resident sound designer for Personal Space Theatrics, and a member of thedrillingcompaNY. He holds a BFA in Theater from Syracuse University.