4th Annual One Act Play Festival
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About the Playwrights
About the Directors
About the Actors
About the Production Team
Photo Gallery
Schedule A Shows:
They’re All Coming Back! by Monica Deutsch Miller
Missing Persona by Jerold Fink
Speed Dating by Curt Strickland
Eden 2 by Morey Norkin
Coupling by Alan Brooks
Borderline by Randy Warren
Thanks, Nick by James C. Ferguson
The Hunger Boat by Ryan Armstrong
The Strange Dreams of Rabbi Wechsler by Peter Langman
I Am the House by Sharon Goldner
Neighborly by John Connon
DINO by Greg Vovos
Schedule B Shows:
What’s in the Basement, Honey? by Bethany Dickens Assaf
Haunted House by Travis Byram
Forwarding Instructions by Jeff Dunne
(Trans)parency by Eli Hamilton and Kai Strange
Friday is Trash Day is Friday by Eric Pfeffinger
How long before our hearts explode? by Nicholas Hulstine
Princess Poppy’s Perfect Husband by Rainah Gregory
It All Adds Up by J.R. Spaulding Jr.
Space Latinos by Alicia K. Garcia
I’m really glad you’re here. by Gianfranco Lentini
A Holiday Song by Hunter Miyan
Flyblown Meat by Nelle Tankus
ABOUT THE PLAYWRIGHTS
click or hover over a photo to see bio
ABOUT THE DIRECTORS
Brandi Andrade (Haunted House) - Brandi Andrade holds a Ph.D. in Theatre and American Women’s History from UT Dallas and teaches online courses at UT Arlington. Recent directing projects include Calendar Girls at Hendersonville Theatre, “Like Ivy” for TMT’s festival in 2021; a one-act for a festival and Stella and Lou for Southwest Theatre Productions, both in Austin. In addition to directing, she’s been in several shows in the Asheville area. Most recently, she was Elizabeth in Book of Will at HART and Amanda in Beautiful Cages at The Magnetic. She does her print and broadcast work through Talent Trek.
Missy Bell (How long before our hearts explode?) - Missy Bell has been directing for the stage for 23 years. She has worked in all types of theatres with all types of folks and while she is no stranger to the Magnetic stage as an actor, she is so pleased to make her Magnetic directorial debut with this festival. Currently focused on film directing, Missy has several short films available on YouTube. You can access links to all of her work via her webpage: www.missybell.net. She currently has eight new film projects in development.
Alesa Bryant (It All Adds Up) - Alesa was last seen on the Magnetic stage as Cynthia Scott in In the Middle of Nowhere. Her previous roles include Randa Covington in Savannah Sipping Society, Ma Momo in The Humans, Vernadette Simms in Dixie Swim Club, Chief Inspector Hubbard in Dial M for Murder, Ethel Thayer in On Golden Pond, Ouiser of Steel Magnolias, Amanda Wingfield of The Glass Menagerie, Ida May Combs in The Quiltmaker, and Mattie Rigsby of Walking Across Egypt. Alesa taught drama and English at Mountain Heritage High School, directing the drama department to as many as thirty regional and state titles awarded by the North Carolina Theatre Conference. Alesa is a native of Mitchell County where she lives with her family.
Sheila Collins (Speed Dating) - Sheila Collins has appeared in numerous stage plays, including these iconic roles: Ruth, in A Raisin in the Sun; Emilia, in Othello; (Duke) Duchess of Birmingham, in Henry VIII; Leonato(a) in Much Ado about Nothing; and Charlotte, in Charlotte's Web. She's also appeared in several TV shows: Grey's Anatomy, Pretty Little Liars, General Hospital, and S.W.A.T., among others, as well as short films, two webseries, and a feature film. She is pleased to be working with The Magnetic Theatre in her debut as a director.
Elizabeth DeVault (Friday is Trash Day is Friday; The Hunger Boat) - Elizabeth DeVault is an actor, singer, director, and voice artist in the Asheville area. She holds degrees in Vocal Performance (MM, U of SC 2013) and Theatre (MA, Regent University 2019). Recent performing credits include Hamlet (Rosencrantz) and Wendy & Peter (Mrs. Darling/Panther Protea) at Montford Park Players, Robert Ward’s The Crucible (Sarah Good), and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Puck), As a stage director, recent credits include Little Women, OTMA, and The Tempest; she’ll be directing Young Frankenstein (Hendersonville Theatre) in October. Outside of the theatre world, Elizabeth works as a legal specialist and is a voice artist, primarily narrating audiobooks.
Kay Galvin (Forwarding Instructions) - Kay Galvin is generally seen on-stage, and is now delighted to be participating in the One Act Festival as a director. Many thanks to Artistic Directors Katie and Jess for inviting me to be a part of the festival in this capacity.
Skyler Goff (Flyblown Meat; What’s in the Basement, Honey?) - Skyler Goff is a local playwright, actor, director, and educator.
Zak Hamrick (Borderline; Space Latinos) - Zak Hamrick (he/him) began acting in 2019 and this will be his first directorial credit. Past acting credits include The Magnetic, Nemesis Theatre Company, Multiverse Theatre Collective, Parkway Playhouse, the Montford Park Players, and virtually with Different Strokes PAC. Much love to his partner Eliza, brother Luke, mother Josephine, and all of the friends, lovers, and enemies that have supported him along the way.
Katie Jones (Neighborly; (Trans)parency) - Katie is a theatre director, performer and educator. She grew up down South but spent her 20s living and working in Chicago. She founded Wishbone Theatre Collective in 2009 and continues to perform with them, throughout the country. Katie has a BA from Clemson University and an MFA from Naropa University. In addition to serving as The Magnetic Theatre's Co-Artistic Director, she has worked locally with Asheville Creative Arts and the Asheville Fringe Arts Festival, and teaches at Brevard College.
Stephanie Kleshinski (Missing Persona; The Strange Dreams of Rabbi Wechsler) - Stephanie is thrilled to get back into directing! She has previously been seen onstage in A Serial's Killer's Daughter (Shared Radiance), ShakesCollage Tour (Shared Radiance), A Midsummer Night's Dream (Montford Park Players), and Bloodbath (The Magnetic Theatre). She thanks her husband David, as well as her cats, Hamlet and Sebastian, for their love and support!
Veris Meyer-Wilde (Princess Poppy’s Perfect Husband) - Veris has been a performer and producer in the Asheville Area for 8 years - though you may not recognize them, they have appeared largely in Seduction Sideshow as sometimes-MC and vaudeville/clownlesque solo, or in the duet “Twincest”, or as their “Wilde” self as producer and host of the immersive costume parties from Two Queens (PROOF, The Unicorn Ball, The Mermaid Ball, Salome: Dance for Me). Veris has worked and played in children’s and youth theatre on-and-off for the last 25 years, most notably at Boston’s Wheelock Family Theatre, and has been a professional costumer for dance and theatre productions from the Bay Area to Copenhagen. They are passionate about playing chess, running by the French Broad, and their work in mental health. Veris is delighted to be debuting their new body and presentation (a pandemic transformation!) here at The Magnetic.
Sami Mills (Coupling) - Sami is very excited to not only be acting, but directing as well in the one acts this year! After working as intimacy director and actor on several productions with this theatre over the last year, they can’t wait to step up in this role as well!
Daniel Moore (They’re All Coming Back!) - Daniel Moore is a Mars Hill based Actor & Director who studied theatre at Greensboro College. Some of his most recent acting credits include; Joe Buck Allen in Southern Appalachian Christmas at SART & Lord Byron in Frankenstein Rubrics here at The Magnetic Theatre. He was an actor & director for the dramatic series How to be a Human, or at Least Try at NC Stage. Most recently seen directing the Neil Simon classic, Star Spangled Girl. This is his 4th time directing for the Annual One Act Play Festival and has been quoted saying it’s his “favorite time of year at Magnetic”. Catch him later this year performing onstage in Black Comedy at Parkway Playhouse.
Julien Swoap (A Holiday Song) - Julien is thrilled to be a part of The Magnetic team. He is a rising senior at Hamilton College where he studies neuroscience, creative writing, and theatre. He thanks Jess, Katie, and the whole magnetic company for their guidance and kindness as he pursues his passion for theatre and playwriting.
Quinn Terry (DINO; Thanks, Nick) - Quinn (he/they) is stoked to be directing for the first time. Much love to Jess and Katie for this opportunity. Thanks to Sarah, George, Tippin, Emily, Derian, Jason, and Mark for making it an easy process. Enjoy the festival!
Emily Tucker (I’m really glad you’re here.) - Emily has been an active member of the theatre community in Asheville for over 10 years now. Working in many different facets of shows, both on and backstage. She is a lifelong thespian and theatre nerd. You might have seen her as Titania in Midsummer Night's Dream (Montford Park Players), Jane Bingley in Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley (Multiverse Theatre Collective), Algorithm & Blues (The Magnetic Theatre), Dr. Gutierrez in Court of the Grandchildren (The Magnetic Theatre), Celia in As You Like It (Montford Park Players), Margaret in Much Ado About Nothing (Montford Park Players), Evelyn in Beautiful Cages (The Magnetic Theatre) and Ms. Treadaboards/Lucy in Caroling By Gaslight (The Magnetic Theatre). Some things you wouldn’t have seen her in but her name was attached to are Fish (The Magnetic Theatre) and Peter and Wendy (The Montford Park Players).
Melon Wedick (Eden 2; I am the House) - Melon Wedick is the Artistic Director for Nemesis Theatre Company. She mostly works with Shakespeare these days, and is excited to direct some inanimate objects, astronauts, and disembodied deities as a change of pace! At Magnetic, she previously appeared as The Sun in the 2021 one-acts, and directed 2022's Midsummer for Haters.
ABOUT THE ACTORS
Katie Alexander (Eve - Eden 2) - Katie is excited to be in her second production with Magnetic Theatre with the One Act Festival! She's jumping back into the theatre world for the first time since high school, and is grateful for the wonderful community at Magnetic for welcoming her in.
George Awad (Dad - Haunted House; The Football - I am the House; George - DINO) - George Awad is an improv comedian, actor, playwright, producer, graphic designer, eater, traveler, occasional lover and rarely a fighter. You may have seen him perform in various theatres, used clothing stores, breweries, outdoor sheds and basically any space that will have him. Some acting credits include Grandma in The Little Red Riding Hood and Omar in The Shorthand Job.
Mandy Bean (A New Person - Friday is Trash Day is Friday; Valerie - Borderline) - Mandy Bean is a native of Weaverville and has been in the Asheville theatre scene for about twenty years. Sparklefish loves Pistolfish, Wigglefish, and Gigglefish.
Marisa Blake (Mami - Space Latinos) - Marisa Blake is a Latina Actor, Voiceover Artist and Musician. She has recently worked on the set of Netflix’s Florida Man, DC’s Swamp Thing and Spectrum’s Original Long Slow Exhale. She has won multiple awards for her narrations, including AudioFile’s Best Audiobooks of The Year 2020 for We Are Not From Here by Jenny Torres Sanchez and an Earphones Award for Arianna Davis’ What Would Frida Do. Marisa was recently nominated for a 2023 Audie Award for her work in Across A Hundred Mountains by Reyna Grande. She takes pride in, and has immense gratitude for the opportunity to voice Latine Literature. You might also hear her voice locally every day on WLOS, or performing with local bands behind the microphone or the drum kit. Proud Mama of 3 of the coolest dudes on the planet.
Derian Blane (Young Boy - Thanks, Nick) - Derian is excited to be a part of the One Act Festival and to be on The Magnetic stage for the first time!
Raj Bowers-Racine (Young Stooge/Ghost of Holiday Stuff that Probably Will Happen - A Holiday Song) - Librarian by day; dancer by night; actor by lying on his resume. An Asheville native and a regular Fringe Festival performer with The Asheville Accidentals, Raj is thrilled to finally be on stage at the legendary Magnetic Theater.
Alesa Bryant (Margaret - They’re All Coming Back!) - Alesa was last seen on the Magnetic stage as Cynthia Scott in In the Middle of Nowhere. Her previous roles include Randa Covington in Savannah Sipping Society, Ma Momo in The Humans, Vernadette Simms in Dixie Swim Club, Chief Inspector Hubbard in Dial M for Murder, Ethel Thayer in On Golden Pond, Ouiser of Steel Magnolias, Amanda Wingfield of The Glass Menagerie, Ida May Combs in The Quiltmaker, and Mattie Rigsby of Walking Across Egypt. Alesa taught drama and English at Mountain Heritage High School, directing the drama department to as many as thirty regional and state titles awarded by the North Carolina Theatre Conference. Alesa is a native of Mitchell County where she lives with her family.
Naimah Coleman (Carli - Coupling) - Naimah Coleman, commonly known as Nemo, is excited for their first experience with The Magnetic Theatre. Originally from Pittsburgh, PA, this is only their 3rd year as an AVL local, although Asheville has been considered home for many more. They are mostly known for their work with Asheville Community Theatre as a teacher and performer. Recent performances include Transitions, Elf: The Musical, Bright Star, and coming soon…Pippin, where they will play their first ever leading musical role! Special thanks to Sami Mills for being a wonderful director & friend, their scene partner Zak Hamrick, and Magnetic for the experience, and fellow audience members for their love and support!
Emily Dake (One Neighbor - Friday is Trash Day is Friday; Fire Investigator, Thanks, Nick) - Emily Dake is a vocalist, actor, and craftswoman based in Asheville, NC. She has performed as a soprano with the Choral Society of Durham, Asheville Choral Society, and Tempus, and as a country music background vocalist. Favorite theater roles have included Millie in Thoroughly Modern Millie, Meredith Parker in Bat Boy, Mina Harker in Dracula (Dietz), Marian Paroo in The Music Man, and Alice Hemmings in The Book of Will.
Lauren Davis (Mom - Haunted House; Allie - How long before our hearts explode?) - Lauren Davis is a local working actor and is happy to be making her first appearance within The Magnetic One Act Play Festival! She has trained as an actor from a young age and received her BFA in Acting from East Carolina University. You can find her in various local film projects, commercials, Echoes on Netflix and Black Widow Murders on Oxygen.
Kiarra Driscoll (Melanie - Haunted House; Sam, How long before our hearts explode?) - Kiarra is entering her senior year of college at UNC Asheville, and grew up performing - starting her theatrical journey in 4th grade with Charlotte's Web as a gosling. Through the years she has discovered a passion for the art of performing, be it as an actor on stage, or helping in the back with lights and costumes. She is thankful for the friends and family that have supported her and continue to do so throughout the years. It has been nearly 3 years since her last production, Grease, and is thrilled to step back on the stage and make her debut with The Magnetic.
Marty Flynn (George - They’re All Coming Back!) - Marty began acting at 30, as the young lead in plays and musicals. He has studied with Michael Shurtleff, Del Close, David Darlow, Jane Brody, and Danny Simon in Detroit and Chicago. Following a medical mission to Honduras in 1989, he was accepted to medical school (!) and has been a practicing anesthesiologist for over 20 years. Now after 32 years, Marty has started auditioning in WNC, and taken on roles in Let Me Down Easy, Rumors, and tonight's performance. In 2016, he wrote a short film - Madzilla! - for a Make-A-Wish child, that was made in Chicago with $1M in donated labor and equipment. As a big-city transplant to rural Mars Hill with his three German Shepherds, he is delighted to take part in The Magnetic Theater's annual Festival. SAG/AFTRA - Union Strong
Rachel Fralick (Lou - Hunger Boat; Sir Meg - Princess Poppy’s Perfect Husband; Ghost of Holiday Right Now/Jake Barley - A Holiday Song) - A new resident to the area, Rachel is absolutely thrilled to have been welcomed into the Asheville theatre scene after a long acting hiatus with last fall’s Hamlet at Montford Park Players, The Magnetic Theatre’s new play development program for Deborah Silverstein’s Riveted: A Folk Musical in January, and her dream role of Captain Hook/Mr. Darling in Wendy & Peter with MPP earlier this year. She is proud to take part in presenting these new bits of writing brilliance in the festival, and would like to thank Magnetic for their commitment to bringing new creative projects to the Asheville community and beyond.
Skyler Goff (Adam - Eden 2; The Teddy Bear - I am the House; Sir Greg - Princess Poppy’s Perfect Husband) - Skyler Goff is a local playwright, actor, director, and educator.
Sarah Hajkowski (Self Doubt - (Trans)parency; Dino - DINO; Crutchit - A Holiday Song) - Sarah Hajkowski is a recent grad from nearby Brevard College, and is thrilled to debut with the Magnetic in this year's One Act Festival. When not onstage, Sarah can be caught in such roles as dramaturgy and writing plays of her own. Thanks to all for their energy and break legs!
Zac Hamrick (Dylan - Coupling; Austin - Missing Persona) - Zak Hamrick (he/him) began acting in 2019 and this will be his twentieth acting credit and first directorial credit (Borderline, Space Latinos). Past acting credits include work with Nemesis Theatre Company, Multiverse Theatre Collective, Parkway Playhouse, the Montford Park Players, and virtually with Different Strokes PAC. Much love to his partner Eliza, brother Luke, mother Josephine, and all of the friends, lovers, and enemies that have supported him along the way.
Daniel Henry (Collin - Haunted House; Riley - Forwarding Instructions) - With genuine excitement and deep gratitude to return to The Magnetic Theatre, Daniel Henry cherishes his journey as an award-winning actor known for captivating performances on both the big screen and the stage. The incredible honor of receiving the Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role award at the Asheville 48 Hour Film Festival for Bring A Towel and the nomination for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in After the Rain are cherished milestones that have filled him with joy. Daniel's passion for the craft sites through an array of roles in films like Salt, Lovestruck, and Gallery of Terrors, as well as theatre productions, including The Frankenstein Rubrics and Doll at The Magnetic Theatre. He has also graced the stage in other acclaimed productions such as The Education of Ted Harris and Blood at the Root with Different Strokes Performing Arts Collective. Armed with various acting techniques and an impressive skill set encompassing dialects and musical abilities, he wholeheartedly embraces every opportunity to share his love for the art of storytelling with audiences, connecting with them on a personal level through the power of performance.
Iliana Hernandez (Isabella - Space Latinos), also known by her stage name, Iliana Rayo, is a Chicana actress living in Asheville who runs her consulting and social media business, ATRÉVETE, LLC. She is passionate about storytelling, social justice, and practicing self-care as an act of resistance in honor of her ancestors. Though she has been doing more screen acting work lately, she is super excited to return to the stage and have her first performance at The Magnetic!
David Hopes (Gardener - Neighborly) - David is most often a playwright and has enjoyed the attention of The Magnetic Theater several times. In addition, his plays have been produced in New York, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, London, Australia, and Hungary. His most recent volume of poetry, The Ones with Difficult Names, as well as three novels and several collections of non-fiction, are available from Amazon and your local bookseller. A published play, Washington Place -- which premiered at The Magnetic-- is available from Sublime Publishers.
Matilyn Hull (Jules Collins - It All Adds Up; Case - The Hunger Boat) - Matilyn is happy to return to the Magnetic stage! Magnetic patrons saw her in last year’s One Act Play Festival and in Bloodbath: Victoria’s Secret (Megan). Other favorite local acting credits include Annelle in Steel Magnolias (HART), Hero in Much Ado About Nothing (MPP), Jean in August: Osage County, and Susan in Wait Until Dark (BLT). In September, she will be playing Grace in Radium Girls at Black Mountain Center for the Arts, and in October, you can see her choreography in Young Frankenstein at Hendersonville Theatre.
Maggie Imhoff (Grandma - (Trans)parency) - This is Maggie Imhoff's first production at The Magnetic Theater. Previous favorite roles include Lenny in Crimes of the Heart and Beatrice in The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds. Maggie enjoys dancing and art. Thanks to her son, Q, for always encouraging her to see with wider eyes.
Mark Kroczynski (Rabbi Hile Wechsler - The Strange Dreams of Rabbi Wechsler; Carder - Thanks, Nick; Peg - Princess Poppy’s Perfect Husband) - Mark moved to the AVL area a year ago, & is very excited to now be working with The Magnetic Theatre. Previous experience includes Calendar Girls and Elephant's Graveyard at HART, and about 40 roles in short plays and full productions in FL, LA, and VA. Highlights include Superior Donuts, Becky's New Car, Diego and Drew Say I Do, The Drawer Boy, The Chastitute, Arsenic and Old Lace, The Boys Next Door and numerous indy films, commercials, infomercials and SoulSnack productions.
Mark Lieberman (Morgan - Forwarding Instructions) - Mark is excited to be performing for the second time in Magnetic’s One Act Play Festival. Mark has performed on various stages in Western North Carolina including Asheville Community Theater, HART Theater, and the Montford Theater. Before moving to Asheville, Mark performed with community theatre for many years in Philadelphia including numerous musical productions. Mark also sings with the Asheville Symphony Chorus and the Flat Rock Players Chorus. In his spare time, he teaches classes in law and democracy at the College for Seniors at UNC Asheville and also hosts The World According to Mark - a regular podcast on law, politics, and social issues.
Denise Lockett (Sara - Speed Dating; Alex - The Hunger Boat) - Denise is grateful for this opportunity to work again with The Magnetic Theatre. You may have seen her in roles at Asheville Community Theatre and with the Montford Park Players, as well. She is grateful to her family and friends, especially her parents, Ed and Sue Lockett, and her husband David, for their love and support.
Ruth McLoughlin (Ghost of Holiday Stuff That Has Happened - A Holiday Song) - Ruth is so happy to do this One Act Festival. You might have seen her in Beautiful Cages here at Magnetic, as well as Wendy and Peter (Montford Park Players) and The Odyssey (Montford Moppets). She loves to do plays so she is really excited to do this. (And vote for her one act!!)
Veris Meyer-Wilde (Older Alex - (Trans)parency) - Veris has been a performer and producer in the Asheville Area for 8 years - though you may not recognize them, they have appeared largely in Seduction Sideshow as sometimes-MC and vaudeville/clownlesque solo, or in the duet “Twincest”, or as their “Wilde” self as producer and host of the immersive costume parties from Two Queens (PROOF, The Unicorn Ball, The Mermaid Ball, Salome: Dance for Me). Veris has worked and played in children’s and youth theatre on-and-off for the last 25 years, most notably at Boston’s Wheelock Family Theatre, and has been a professional costumer for dance and theatre productions from the Bay Area to Copenhagen. They are passionate about playing chess, running by the French Broad, and their work in mental health. Veris is delighted to be debuting their new body and presentation (a pandemic transformation!) here at The Magnetic.
Sami Mills (Kyla - I’m really glad you’re here; Doris - What’s in the Basement, Honey?) - Sami is very excited to not only be acting, but directing as well in the one acts this year! After working as intimacy director and actor on several productions with this theatre over the last year, they can’t wait to step up in this role as well!
Paula O’Brien (The House - I am the House) - Paula O’Brien loves performing at The Magnetic and is delighted to be involved in the One Acts. She’ll be in The Tempest at Montford Park Players in September and back at The Magnetic for her one woman show, Who Does She Think She Is? in early November. Thanks, as always, to her ever patient husband, Andrew. Thank you for coming out and enjoy the shows!
Naroé Palacios Cruz (The Other Neighbor - Friday is Trash Day is Friday; Isabella - Space Latinos) - Naroé Palacios Cruz is excited to make her acting debut with The Magnetic Theatre. Originally from Peru, she minored in Filmmaking at Cornell University and is excited to participate in storytelling from a performer's perspective. When she isn't acting, you can find her at dance class, walking her beloved dog Kurt, or belting out a song at karaoke.
Gerald Pitts (Galahad - The Hunger Boat) - Gerald Pitts is thrilled to work with The Magnetic for the first time!
Other roles have included Richard in The Water’s Edge, Steve in August Osage County, Happy in Clown Bar, Constantine in Big Love, and Geraldo Gwynn in the film, Lion Suit Dreamscape. He is grateful to be here and dedicates his performance to Toni, Luke, and Marley. xxoo
Aina Rapoza (Hamper - They’re All Coming Back!; The Neighbor - Neighborly; George - Borderline) - Aina came to consciousness on Eagle Street in downtown Asheville. After wandering the streets for a while he grew accustomed to the buskers and tourists and locals and thought he would wander a little longer. His ventures brought him to The Magnetic Theatre where people were saying words on stage and he smiled.
Jenni Robinson (The Girlie Magazine - I am the House) - Jenni is happy to be back on the Magnetic Stage performing original works. She was last here as Ms. Stillborn in Caroling by Gaslight and is pleased to be playing the -slightly- less offensive character of Girlie Magazine this time around. Breaking a Magnetic stage tradition she, unfortunately, does not use curse words in this show…
Jen Russ (Mrs. Collins - It All Adds Up; Clara Wechsler - The Strange Dreams of Rabbi Wechsler) - Jen Russ is excited to be back on the Magnetic stage! She was last seen as Annie in Calendar Girls at the Hendersonville Theater and in Obstructure, with Anam Cara, at The Magnetic Theatre. Jen is most excited about working with all new cast mates in these two One Acts - many whom she has admired from afar. She sends out thanks to Jason, Abby, and Mom for always supporting her.
Daniel Sandoval (Rabbi Hirsch - The Strange Dreams of Rabbi Wechsler; Jesse - Speed Dating) - Daniel Sandoval returns to The Magnetic Theatre for his third One Act Festival. You may have also seen him here as Lemml, the Stage Manager in Paula Vogel's Indecent, and Cleo Nicholson in Tom Godleski's Sparrow and Whippoorwill, as well a variety of productions around town since 2018. An experienced singer, he has performed with a variety of local arts organizations and directs the Jubilee! Singers, and has never met a karaoke mic he didn’t like. By day, he works as an Automation and Robotics Engineer, and loves to build gadgets and props and bake in his spare time. Daniel is grateful to be a part of Asheville's community of actors, artists, and discerning patrons.
Sacred Stone (Joy - Flyblown Meat) - This is Sacred’s first performance with The Magnetic. She has mostly done shows for Montford Park Players/Moppets and for her high school. Her most memorable roles include Ophelia in Hamlet, Hermia in A Midsummer Nights Dream, and Ladahlord in James and the Giant Peach. She is happy to be a part of this show and hopes everyone enjoys it!
Kai Strange (Jay Collins - It All Adds Up; Mac - Flyblown Meat) - Kai Strange is excited to be working with The Magnetic for his second year! Last year you might have seen him in Caroling by Gaslight, by Skyler Goff, or No More Waiting, a devised piece directed by Dakota Mann, as well as the Magnetic One Acts last year. Kai hopes you enjoy the show as much as he does!
Quinn Terry (Joe - I’m really glad you’re here; Alex - (Trans)parency; Monster - Honey, What’s in the Basement?) - Quinn (he/they) is a local cryptid, theatre nerd, death and material culture historian, chicken parent, and cross stitch enthusiast. He is also the Box Office/Marketing Manager here at The Magnetic. Oh, and they’re a raging queer. Catch them in September as Ferdinand in The Tempest (Montford Park Players), and in December in New Queer’s Eve (The Magnetic Theatre). Endless love to their spouse, Luke.
Tippin (Gene - Honey, What’s in the Basement?; Cass - Flyblown Meat) - Since diving into theatre in 2013, Tippin has worked as an actor, stage manager, technical director, assistant director, producer, props master, office manager, collaborative writer, dramaturg, and sound designer for dozens of productions for stage, film, restaurant, hallway, and oversized camera obscura. Tippin has a particular interest in socially progressive, original, experimental, fringe, and immersive theatre, as well as in poetry performance.
Luke Thompson (Dee - Flyblown Meat; Carlisle Stooge - A Holiday Song) - Luke (he/him) is excited to take the stage for the first time ever! If you want to see more of him, head over to Asheville Craft Tattoo for a fresh tatty. As for this show, mostly he's just trying to keep his lines away from Jamie Taco. Big thanks to his spouse, Quinn, for their undying support. Enjoy the show!
Mary Weisgerber (Rebecca Wechsler, The Strange Dreams of Rabbi Wechsler; Julia - Missing Persona) - Mary Weisgerber is an actor and writer who lives in Hendersonville, NC with her husband, Will, and their spherical cat, Sassafras. This is her first production with The Magnetic Theatre (she's so happy to be here)!
Amöry Alberta Williams (Prince Craig - Princess Poppy’s Perfect Husband) - amory is a girl without direction, committed only to silliness and love. she is a lover to many, a nanny to a few, an agent of chaos, and a friend to all. her pen drips with nonsense, her banjo clings closely to her back, and her world brims with wonders and boons for which she holds immense gratitude. please be her friend.
Jason Williams (Gary - The Hunger Boat; Crowley - Thanks, Nick; Roy - Borderline) - Jason Williams is an actor, director and designer who works for many local theatre companies. He is pleased to work with The Magnetic Theatre again for their One Act Festival. He would like to thank you for taking a chance on these new theatre pieces. He sees theatre as a valuable life experience and an important part of the cultural fabric. If you enjoyed tonight's show he encourages you to seek out other performances in our vibrant local theatre scene, and please consider an additional donation or sponsorship to keep the scene thriving.
Mike Yow (Mr. Collins - It All Adds Up) - Mike Yow is a professional actor and director making his eighth appearance on the Magnetic stage since moving from Atlanta to the beautiful mountains of northeastern Asheville eight years ago. Across Metro Atlanta, he performed in numerous stage productions, and since his move to Western NC has played many a role at such venues as SART, HART, ACT, Attic Salt, Parkway Playhouse, Black Mountain Center For The Arts, and more. Over the last few years, he has felt the call to direct (and produce) theatre as well, in addition to working as an acting coach and fight choreographer, and performs in film and television from time to time. In addition to thespian work, Mike is a published author and game designer and is a 4.25-rated pickleball player. Much love to his talented spouse, Karen, and their two crazy-awesome cats, and to all the amazing castmates he has enjoyed throughout the roll of years.
PRODUCTION TEAM
Show Runner………………..………………Gina Purri
Board Operators………………………..……………Kathleen Ayres and Walker Linkous
Lighting Designer………………………….Abby Auman
ABOUT THE PRODUCTION TEAM
ABBY AUMAN (Lighting Designer) - Abby is the Technical Director of The Magnetic Theatre. She also works as a lighting designer in theaters all over WNC.
KATHLEEN AYRES (Board Operator) - Kathleen (she/her) is excited to be working with the Magnetic for the first time. Enjoy the show!
WALKER LINKOUS (Board Operator) - Walker has been working in local theatre for about twelve years. He is proud of his work with the Montford Park Players, The Magnetic Theatre, Multiverse Theatre Collective, and his work as a grip in several local short films.
GINA PURRI (Show Runner) - Gina Purri is a singer/actor/musician/aerialist/playwright and all-around theater person. This is her second time working with The Magnetic.
GALLERY
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PHOTOS by JenBen Media
THE MAGNETIC THEATRE STAFF
CO-ARTISTIC DIRECTOR…….……JESSICA JOHNSON
CO-ARTISTIC DIRECTOR…………..KATIE JONES
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR………….…ABBY AUMAN
BOX OFFICE MANAGER……………QUINN TERRY
MARKETING MANAGER……………JENNIFER BENNETT
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
GEORGE AWAD
ELIZA HEATH
JASON PHILLIPS
JOSH SULLIVAN
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
Ellen Pappas, Deborah Silverstein, Jenny Hudkins Lutrell