a blue background with a director's chair. the text reads 4th Annual One Act Play Festival

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

Ryan Armstrong

Ryan Armstrong is an internationally produced and published playwright. Some of his published plays include Al Was Right, The Rain Problem, The Neighborhood Vs The Squirrels, and The Bees. His play Rabbit on to Print was produced by Borderless Theatre Company and can be heard as a radio play on their website in 2021. His play The United Federation Alliance of Merry Men was produced in London by Creo Theatre in March 2022 and by Manchester ADP at the Hope Mill Theatre in May. He is the author of a historical mystery and has other writings published in books and newspapers.

John Connon

John Connon is a writer/producer/director/actor based in Orlando, FL. His short plays are a staple for the annual Play de Luna at Art’s Sake Studio in Winter Park, FL. His show Massage a Trois, a collection of three of his short plays, was a Patron’s Pick at the Orlando International Fringe Festival. His screenplays have won awards at film festivals around the country. John is on the Show Direction team at Universal Orlando Resort as well as an ensemble member and teacher of improv at the SAK Comedy Lab. He was last seen on the big screen in It: Chapter Two, directed by Andy Muschietti. He and his husband Michael have two chihuahua daughters and hope to one day retire in Costa Rica as expats.

Jeff Dunne

Jeff Dunne completed his first full-length play in 2015, and it received such positive recognition in festivals in 2016 that he began writing more actively. He now has over one hundred and fifty scripts of various length, the majority of which are for stage but several for screen and radio as well. His works have won over a hundred awards and festivals, and had productions on three continents, and he has recently published his first novel, Nexus. You can learn more about Jeff’s works by visiting www.bearcreations.org.

Alicia K. Garcia

Alicia K. Garcia is a professor, playwright, actor, and writer originally from the Midwest. She holds an M.A. in Linguistics from Florida International University and an undergraduate degree from Grand Valley State University. She has been published in Unstamatic and East by Northeast magazines; some of her short plays and comedy sketches have been produced by several South Florida theater companies. Alicia lives in Miami, Florida with three adorable pets and her supportive partner, Ruben.

Elias Hamilton

Elias (Eli) Hamilton (He/They) is a transgender actor, student, and author in Asheville. He loves every aspect of performing arts. They have spent ten years working both on and off stage, with a special interest in Shakespeare. They have been writing fiction and poetry from a young age, but this was their first dabble into the world of script writing. Eli strives to provide representation for the queer community in all that he writes, and working with their good friend Kai Strange on this project was an amazing experience. He is thrilled to be able to tell stories that the world needs to hear.

Gianfranco Lentini

Gianfranco Lentini is a NYC-based queer playwright, teacher, journalist, and First Generation Italian American. Gianfranco’s work has been developed and produced by Torrent Theatre, UNDER St. Marks Theatre, A Night of Play, Theatrical Response Team, Burlington County Footlighters, and the inspiraTO Festival (Canada's largest short play festival). His work has been published by Molecule Literary Magazine and The Coachella Review. He is currently an Adjunct Professor for New York University’s New Studio on Broadway’s Summer Program and a Teaching Representative for Theatre Development Fund’s Wendy Wasserstein Project. You can learn more about Gianfranco's work at heygianfranco.com and on Instagram at @HeyGianfranco.

Eric Pfeffinger

Eric Pfeffinger is a member of the Dramatists Guild and the Writers Guild of America east.  His plays have been produced by the Humana Festival of New American Plays at Actors Theatre of Louisville, the Denver Theatre Center, the Geva Theatre Center, the Phoenix Theatre, the Purple Rose, the InterAct, and elsewhere.  He's developed new work with PlayPenn, Page 73, the Lark Playwrights Week, the Colorado New Play Summit, the Orlando Shakes PlayFest, HBMG Foundation's Winter Playwrights Retreat, Red Bull, the Purple Rose, Chicago Dramatists, the Rattlestick, the New Jersey Rep, Write Now, the Butterfly Effect Theatre of Colorado’s Generations New Play Development Program, and others. His plays have been published by Dramatic Publishing, Dramatics magazine, Smith & Kraus, Playscripts, Howlround, Indie Theatre Now, and Steele Spring. Eric grew up in Indiana and lives with his family in Toledo, Ohio; he enjoys a robust midwestern humility.

Nelle Tankus

Nelle Tankus (she/her) is a playwright & performer whose work explores queerness, the absurd, and metamorphosis. Her full-length work has been seen in Seattle at 12th Avenue Arts (The Untitled Play About Art School, dir. L. Nicol Cabe), The Umbrella Project (Slack Water, dir. QuiQui Dominguez), and Parley Productions (Yom Kippur, dir. Rebecca Tourino Collinsworth). Her shorter works have been seen most recently at 12 Minutes Max, Parley, and MirrorStage. She loves grindcore, black licorice, and diet Dr. Pepper. She is based in Seattle.

Alan Brooks

Alan Brooks is a playwright and screenwriter living in Woodstock, NY. Recent projects include “The Food We Are About To Eat” at NY’s off-Broadway Strawberry Shorts festival and a 2023 production of short plays at the Phoenicia Playhouse, in Phoenicia, NY. He has one children’s book, “Frogs Jump”, at Scholastic, and a number of science fiction novels available from Amazon.

Mona Deutsch Miller

Mona Deutsch Miller was born in Florida, moved to Manhattan (a total culture shock that turned into deep affection) and has lived in Los Angeles long enough to qualify as an Angeleno. She loves warm weather, swimming and classical music. She is an award-winning and published playwright and screenwriter; several of her short stories have been published. Ten of her plays, mostly short, have been produced in the Los Angeles area. She was on Jeopardy!

James C. Ferguson

James C. Ferguson is an award-winning writer whose plays have been produced throughout the United States as well as in the UK and New Zealand. He has written two novels, numerous screenplays and a number of projects for television and the web. James is also the co-writer and director of the well-reviewed feature length independent motion picture Happy Holidays, available through numerous digital platforms and on DVD through TLA Video. For additional information go to his web site: www.scalepluspoints.com. James is on a variety of social media platforms, including Instagram (@scalepluspoints) where he mostly posts pictures of his one-eyed cat. He’s adorable (the cat, not the playwright). James also has two children (the playwright, not the cat) but they’re not nearly as cute so you won’t see as many pictures of them.

Sharon Goldner

Sharon Goldner likes when audiences laugh at things that make them feel uncomfortable. She believes this leads to honest discussion. Sharon's plays have been seen in theatres Off-Off Broadway to CA and many states in-between, and Toronto. She is a Kennedy Center Playwright Intensive alum, a playwriting fellowship recipient from SheSaidYes! Theatre (Newfoundland), and a member of Nightwood Theatre's Creatryx Playwriting Unit (Toronto). Her short stories have been published in literary journals across the U.S. and England. Sharon wants everyone to know that no letters of the alphabet are ever harmed in the creation of her work.

Nicholas Hulstine

Nicholas Hulstine is a Louisville, Kentucky based theatre artist. On stage he’s appeared in Tuesday Night Poker (Theatre Row, NYC), Foreign Gothic (FringeNYC), The Dazzle (John Cullum Theater, NYC), The Flick (The Alley Theater) and Nobody Bunny and the Golden Age of Animation (Theatre 502). Film credits include My Friend Dahmer, Above Suspicion, Runner, The Art of Self Defense and Great Light. He’s directed productions of Abramovic (Richmond Shepard Theater, NYC), The Principles of Dramatic Writing (Slant Culture Theatre Festival) and A Permanent Image (The Bard Theatre). His plays include Happyouth (Gene Frankel Theatre, NYC), The Track N’ Hole (Prologue Theatre, Chicago), Blue Scatters Most, (ATL’s Humana Festival, The Secret Theatre, NYC) and The Geography of Nowhere (Chain Theatre, NYC). He’s the co-founder of the Louisville Fringe Festival. Education: The American Musical and Dramatic Academy, BA The New School, MFA in Playwriting Spalding University.

Hunter Miyan

Hunter is a 14, almost 15, year old who enjoys writing, reading, sketching, and theater. They really love comedic media and have always found it comforting. Hunter has been acting in theater since around 2016, and immediately fell in love with it when they first tried musical theater and drama class. This is the first play they’ve written, and it was selected from The Montford Moppets’ first-ever One Act Festival in June to be part of The Magnetic’s One Act Festival.

J.R. Spaulding Jr.

J.R. Spaulding Jr. received an M.A. in theatre history from Michigan State University where his mentor, Professor Frank Rutledge, once told him with great sincerity, “Dionysus weeps for you.”  He has worked professionally as an actor, director, technical director, and guest instructor at theatres in Alaska, Maine and various locations in between.  As a playwright his works have been performed and staged throughout the United States, as well as in England.  He is currently a teacher and theatre practitioner in metro Detroit where he uses his super powers to un-socialize and de-roboticize the youth of America in hopes to create a new world order of literati elitists.

Kai Strange

Kai Strange is a transgender actor, teacher, and artist in the Asheville area. Kai has always enjoyed writing, and is excited to have written his first official piece with the help of his good friend, and fellow trans boy, Elias Hamilton. Our world has gone through, and continues to go through so much struggle and overcome with our LGBTQ+ community. It's time our stories start reflecting that as well. Kai is delighted to have a role in helping to create a story with such an important and personal message with the rest of the world!

Greg Vovos

Greg Vovos is a playwright, screenwriter, theater director, and Senior Writer at American Greetings. He’s a two-time winner of the Ohio Arts Council Individual Excellence Award in Playwriting; a Cleveland Public Theatre Nord Playwriting Fellow; Dobama Theatre Playwrights Gym member; and Dramatists Guild member. Greg was resident playwright for the Willoughby Fine Arts Association’s Theatre for Healthy Living Program for whom he’s written 15 plays about issues facing youth today. His work has been seen around the world, translated into several languages, and published by several outlets. He’s taught playwriting at various theatres and universities, including University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Baldwin Wallace University, and Case Western Reserve University, where he teaches today. He earned his MFA in Playwriting from UNLV and a B.A. in English from The Ohio State University. He’s married to his best friend and together they have two amazing kids and a lot of pets.

Travis Byram

Based in the Piedmont Triad area, Travis Byram is an actor/writer working as a mailman. His plays have been read by such companies as Women's Theatre Festival and Obvious Child Productions. His collegiate performances were recognized with two Irene Ryan Scholarship nominations. He was last seen as Clifford in Fredericksburg Theatre Ensemble's production of Deathtrap, literally breaking down the doors.

Bethany Dickens Assaf

Bethany Dickens Assaf is a freelance playwright, dramaturg, and theatre artist, and the co-founder of Whiskey Theatre Factory. Almost 100 of her plays have been performed across the country including The Consciousness, which was performed at 10 fringe festivals and won Best Play at the Tampa Bay Theatre Festival.

Jerold Fink

Practicing attorney until 2012 (JD from Duke University, School of Law). Masters in Playwriting 2013, Royal Holloway, University of London. Playwright, poet and blogger – www.deepweaversfaith.com. To theatre is to celebrate the personal freedom of traveling the unfamiliar and to champion the cause of humane and intelligent compassion.

Rainah Gregory

Rainah Gregory (she/her) is an American director/writer/performer/dog mom born in Australia, raised in England, and currently based in Charlottesville, VA. She holds a BA in Drama with a minor in American Sign Language & Deaf Culture from the University of Virginia, a certificate from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy’s Integrated Program (AMDA) in New York (‘17), and a certificate from Yale’s A Practical Approach in Directing (‘21). She received the The 2022 William Demoville Pettway Prize for extraordinary service University of Virginia Department of Drama, and was named the 2021 SDC National Directing Fellow through the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival. She is a proud associate member of the Society of Directors and Choreographers (SDC), The Dramatists Guild, and the Playwright’s Center. Writing credits include: Ismene: piecing together a woman (Independent Study, UVA Department of Drama ‘22), Princess Poppy’s Perfect Husband (Virginia Players Play in a Day ‘22), Bake for Life (Blue Raven Theatre’s Fearless Female Voices ‘23, UVA New Works Festival ‘22,  KCACTF Ten Minute Play Festival ‘22), FUNeral (UVA New Works Festival ‘21), and So I Guess We’re Doing This (UVA Overcranked Short Film). Web: Rainahgregory.com | Insta: @rainahdarlene

Peter Langman

Peter Langman’s plays have received recognition in eleven national competitions in eight states (California, Georgia, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, and South Carolina), including the Lark Play Development Center, Curan Repertory Company One Act Festival, City Attic Theatre Playwriting Contest, Panowski Playwriting Competition, and the Ronald M. Ruble New Play Festival. His work has had readings and productions in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Ohio, and Indiana, including at Muhlenberg College, Gettysburg College, Bowling Green State University, 13th Street Repertory Theatre, the 92nd Street Y, and American Theatre of Actors. Three monologues from his play, Hunger, appear in anthologies published by Meriwether, and four monologues from three different plays (M.L.K., The Lament of the Magic Child, and The Destruction of Wilhelm Reich) have been published in anthologies by Smith and Kraus.

Morey Norkin

Morey Norkin is a retired technical writer now living in Japan. From the late 1970s to the mid-90s, Norkin was a regular fixture in Annapolis, Maryland community theater appearing often at Colonial Players, Annapolis Summer Garden Theatre, and Annapolis Theater Project, of which he was a co-founder. Norkin made his debut as a playwright in 2019, with Last Laugh, a one-act play presented at Colonial Players as part of an evening of three one-acts under the umbrella title, Generations. Norkin’s 10-minute play, On Queue, was a finalist in the 2021 Stage It! 10-Minute Play Festival in Bonita Springs, FL, and was one of 10 to be produced during the festival. On Queue was also featured by PlayZoomers during their June 2022 Summer Festival of Love and Laughter. Norkin’s full-length play, Gold Paint, was a finalist in The Chameleon Theatre Circle's 22nd Annual New Play Contest and a quarterfinalist in the 2021 ScreenCraft Stage Play Contest. For 2023, Norkin’s one-act play, Flight of Fancy had a reading from Tiny Theatre (May), and his 10-minute play, Can You Hear Me Now? was presented by PlayZoomers (June).

Curt Strickland

Curt Strickland is a Boston area playwright who recently received a masters degree in playwriting from Lesley University’s graduate program. Inspired by August Wilson, Curt is finishing up his 5th play in a ten play opus on American, each play set in a different decade.

Randy Warren

Former member of The Playwrights Center of San Francisco, Randy Warren now resides in Mexico. He is also a stage director and has performed stand-up comedy in three countries.

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
click to view full-size images

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