JOE BARROS (Choreographer)
Is a director, choreographer, and the Artistic Director of New York Theatre Barn. New York: 59E59 Theatres: I Married Wyatt Earp (with Heather Mac Rae and Carolyn Mignini); York Theatre Company: The Pigeon Boys (Reading Series); The Cell/NYTB: Speargrove Presents (concept/director); Fringe NYC: The Legend of Julie Taymor (with Jennifer Barnhart), PCTF: Alba, the award winning Child of Hungry Times; Gallery Players: Little Shop of Horrors, Reefer Madness, Side Show. Int'l: Fall in Love (Seoul, Korea). Regional: DC's Tony Award winning Signature Theatre: the world premiere Dempsey/Rowe musical Brother Russia (assistant director/choreographer; Eric Schaeffer, dir; Jodi Moccia, choreo.). Film: Mangus; Petunia (Ash Christian, writer/dir.). Upcoming: Hot Mess In Manhattan (Araca Project), Falsettos (FIPAP) BFA: The Hartt School. www.joebarros.com
MARISSA ANNE BERGMAN (Scenic Designer)
Is proud to have worked on Empress of Sex as part of the Planet Connections Theater Festivity 2012. Her recent credits include properties assistant for A Streetcar Named Desire (Broadhurst Theater), Nice Work If You Can Get It (Imperial Theater), Hurt Village (Signature Theatre), and Tribes (Barrow Street Theater). Assistant Director, The Love Letter You've Been Meaning To Write New York (3LD). Scenic and Properties Designer, Melancholy Play: A Contemporary Farce, (Wheaton College), As You Like It (Seven Day Shakespeare). Upcoming projects include properties designer for Seven Day Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. Marissa is a proud alumni of Wheaton College and The National Theater Institute at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre Center.
KATIE BRADEN (Thalia)
Is currently a member of the WorkShop Theater Company in Manhattan where she both acts and directs, and was a member of The Queens Players in LIC where she performed in numerous classics including: The Taming of the Shrew (Katherine), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Helena), Romeo & Juliet (Friar Lawrence) and The Tempest (Ariel). Other NYC credits include Olive in The Odd Couple (Female Version) and Mrs. Warren in Mrs. Warren’s Profession. Katie has also performed with Wreckio Ensemble, RepAlliance, Festival of Fools, Genesis Engine and the Gallery Players. www.katiebraden.com.
WALTER BRANDES (Portieris)
Has acted in NY, CT, DC, SC, KS, & MO. Some favorite roles include Lord Henry from The Picture of Dorian Grey (dir. by Glory Kadigan), Captain January from The Starship Astrov (playwright Duncan Pflaster), Frank from INSECURITY!:The Musical, Foustka from Temptation; Guildenstern from Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead; Cassio from Othello; Antonio from The Tempest; and Angelo from Measure For Measure. He is a proud member of Oberon Theatre Ensemble with whom he will be playing the lead in their Midtown International Theatre Festival show, Keep On Truckin' It's War! (opening July 16th). He will also appear in shows airing on The Biography Channel and The History Channel. Visit www.walterbrandes.com for info on the actor/playwright. Visit www.walterbrandes.voice123.com for info on the voiceover artist. Much love to my pixie!
VINCENT COOPER (Petrus)
Hailing from the Jersey Shore, Vincent just finished his freshman year as a drama major at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. Recent credits include Simeon (Joseph...Dreamcoat - Algonquin), Ernst (Cabaret - Tishman), Rum Tum Tugger (Cats), Renfield (Dracula), and Bud Frump (How to Succeed). Vincent has trained extensively in heightened language and hopes to pursue a career in the world of Shakespeare. When not performing, he can be found selling hats and other accessories at the Village Scandal or playing tennis at Coles Sports Center. He would like to thank each and every person for coming to the show! He is ecstatic to be performing in the PCTF and thanks the cast and crew for a wonderful experience. More info at www.vincentcooper.com
LILY DREXLER (Myrinna)
Is thrilled to make her Planet Connections Festivity debut with the amazing cast and crew of The Empress of Sex! Lily recently finished a run as Sally Lincoln in Honestly Abe at the Actors Temple Theater. Regional credits include: A Midsummer Night's Dream (Snout/Titania), Two Gentlemen of Verona (Silvia), Sonnet Sonata (Dark Lady), Iphigenia at Aulis (Chorus). NYU credits include: Bernarda Alba (Angustias), Sweeney Todd (Ensemble). Following this production, she will be joining Commonwealth Shakespeare Company as an Apprentice for their 2012 summer season. Education: B.F.A. NYU/Tisch/CAP 21. Thanks to my friends and family for your continued support! www.lilydrexler.com
ISABELLE FIELDS (Costume Designer)
Bio coming soon
LONDON GRIFFITH (Euterpe)
bio coming soon
GLORY KADIGAN (Director)
Is the founder and Co-Artistic Director of Planet Connections Theatre Festivity - which has raised thousands of dollars for numerous local charitable organizations. She is an alum of the Lincoln Center Directors Lab and of The Labyrinth Theater Company’s Master Class. Ms. Kadigan is a member of the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers and has been the recipient of the Meritorious Achievement Award in Direction from the Kennedy Center A.C.T.F. Among her directing credits are: Always Family (The Kirk Theatre at Theatre Row), The Picture of Dorian Gray (The Robert Moss Theatre), Two Rooms (Active Theatre Company at The Workshop Theatre), North of Providence (Altered Stages), Serenading Louie (Stella Adler Black Box) Anomal (ATA-Off Broadway), Avalon (Looking Glass Theatre), The Tempest, Measure For Measure, The Snow Queen, Special Delivery, Foursome (HERE), Evening with Family (The Brick), Golem Stories (Chashama), Alba (Gene Frankel Theatre), Orange, Hat and Grace (The Green Theatre Collective). Regional Credits Include: Recovery, The Glass Menagerie, Pippin, Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Uncommon Women and Others, BrightonBeach Memoirs, The Lady of Larkspur Lotion, The Effects of Gamma Rays on Man in The Moon, Marigolds, and Ten Little Indians. She is always seeking directing projects. www.GloryKadigan.com She thanks all of the wonderfully talented, skilled artists who have worked on this production for their creativity, courage and dedication.
BRENDON KATON-DONEGAL (Andrew)
Is truly honored to be apart of this production and work with such a talented and professional cast and production staff. He graduated from Marymount Manhattan College with a B.A. in Theater Performance and has been blessed to perform in such productions as Questions of the Queen (Justin Zizmor), Home for the Holidays with Sammy Davis Jr. (Sammy Davis, Jr.), Wide World of Color (Host), Book of Songs (Flex), Pippin (Lewis), the C.M.A. 2008 Promotional Video (Narrator), Heaven’s Own (Philip Smalls), Theatre Rats Productions: Romeo & Juliet (Abram) and host the nationally broadcasted award winning talk show Get Connected in which he won a Telly Award for hosting. Brendon would like to thank his family and friends for their constant support. Tracy: my love, my best friend, my wife… I dedicate everything that I am to you.
NEAL KOWALSKY (Assistant Director)
Is an SDC Associate Member, New Jersey Native and graduate of James Madison University, GO DUKES. Credits include: Thieves (The Public), Next to Normal (SDCF Observer), Papermill Theatre (TYA Artistic Director), The Mac-Haydn Theatre (Assistant Director). Winner of “Outstanding Play” in Curan Rep’s One-Act Festival for his direction inSubtlety, as well as a “Producer’s Choice Nomination” in Left Hip Production’s 48-hour Theatre Festival for direction of kids. Participant in “From the Hip All-Stars” 48-hour Festival. Neal is also Assistant Director for Bubby's Shadow howing in the Planet Connections Festival this year. www.nealkowalsky.com
JENNA LAZAR (Stage Manager)
Is thrilled to be returning to PCTF this season after a double header last year of Duncan Pflaster's Sweeter Dreams and Jim Tierney's Carry On. Jenna was most recently found backstage at Sex Good; Money Bad with Broken Watch Theatre Company. Other recent favorites include Christopher Boal's critically-acclaimed plays Order (dir. Austin Pendleton), and Jonathan’s Blaze (dir. Alexander Dinelaris); A Hard Wall at High Speed (APAC); Mush; Duncan Pflaster's The Starship Astrov (MITF); American Rapture (dir. Alexander Dinelaris); Insecurity; Twelfth Night; The Banshee of Bainbridge; Woman Before a Glass (dir. Austin Pendleton); Much Ado About Nothing; and Richard III and Hamlet (both w/ Karen Lynn Gorney). Jenna is an associate member of the Oberon Theatre Ensemble.
CATHERINE LEFRERE (Empress Salacia)
Television: Running Wilde (FOX, starring Will Arnett). New York Credits: Just In Time: The Judy Holliday Story (Lucille Lortel/Soho Playhouse); Can I Really Date A Guy Who Wears A Yarmulke? (Theatre Row, Midtown International Theatre Festival Award, Best Actress nomination); Once Upon A Time in New Jersey (Prospect Theatre); The All-American Genderfuck Cabaret (Paradise Factory); The Blue Room (Queens Theatre in The Park); The Green Knight(Recipient, Planet Connections Festival Award, Best Featured Actress); Regional Theatre: As You Like It and The Boys from Syracuse at The Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington, DC. Just In Time: The Judy Holliday Story (New Jersey Repertory), Anything Goes and Grease (Wagon Wheel Theatre). Other: Animated character in Grand Theft Auto IV: The Ballad of Gay Tony. Graduate of Northwestern University and The School at Steppenwolf. UP NEXT: Catherine will play Tina in the upcoming feature film, Don't Get Excited. www.catherinelefrere.com
JIMMY JOE MCGURL (Theodor)
A graduate from the Theatre program of Hunter College in New York, Jimmy Joe has been performing on stage in NYC since 2003, and is stoked to make his debut in the Planet Connections Theatre Fest! He's performed in the Midtown International Theatre Festival, and most recently, in the Fringe Festival as the front man of the band in the farcical 80's rock musical Love in a Tub, for which he also co-wrote much of the bands music. He has recently been making the foray into film and TV as well, playing the antagonist in the independent feature His Naked Mind, and having a cameo on MTV's My Life as Liz.
MATTHEW MENENDEZ (Coriolanus)
Is a graduate of the New York Conservatory of Dramatic Arts. Stage to the screen he does it all, films from NYU such as Mad Romance and Bleeding Love to stage productions of Dream Babies the musical and Brief Confessions to name a few. Matthew wishes the cast a great show, a shout out to his mom and dad, love you!! and hopes to work with Planet Connections for future shows to come. Break a leg!!
ANTONIO MINIÑO (Mousiki)
Aside from Empress, he appears (and directed) SCENE/UNSEEN playing through June 23 at Planet Connections. Favorite NYC acting credits include: All About Meat (Duo Theater), Parts of Parts & Stitches (14th St Theater), The Stranger to Kindness (Revival - The Kraine Theater), It’s A Wonderful Life (BOO-Arts Productions), The Stranger to Kindness (Planet Connections; Congeniality Award, Nominated Best Actor), The Empress of Sex (Audience Favorite National NewBorn Festival), Arpeggio (45th St Theatre), Intermission (HERE), Trojan Women (MHS), Elevation (Payan Theatre), OOPS! (Manhattan Theatre Source), 4 Variations of Mee (Manhattan Children’s Theatre), Ilka’s Dream (Payan Theatre). Owner Fab Marquee Productions; Founding member and Secretary of the MTWorks' Board of Directors. He will be reviving his role in All About Meat, Oct 4th through Dec at the Duo Theater, www.AntonioMinino.com
NATALIE NECKYFAROW (Guard/Musician/ Dance Captain)
Is thrilled to be part of this amazing ensemble and using so many of her special skills to boot! A triple threat who spends most of her time pursuing musical theatre, favorite roles include: The Pajama Game (Mae/Dream Gladys), Oklahoma! (Gertie/Postcard Girl), La Cage Aux Folles (Anne), Into the Woods (Lucinda). Other theatre credits: Much Ado About Everything (Piper-aka Hero), Love's Labours Lost (Jacquenetta), and readings at Abingdon Theatre, Puerto Rican Travelling Theatre & The Modern Stage. Film/TV: Sci-Fi High: The Movie Musical, Time Trumpet, Monsters Inside Me, The Duel. Choreography: Ninja Motorcycle Babes (Fresh Fruit 2011), Hitgirls: A Kick-Ass Musical Comedy in Heels (workshop), Agrippina (Theatre Rats) and many concert dance works. Thanks to Joe, Glory, Neal, Jenna, and our entire production team. Much love to my supportive husband Matt. Visit me on the web: www.natalieneckyfarow.com.
PAUL NOTICE (Guard/Musician)
Is ecstatic to be part of his first Planet Connections Festivity production. Paul's most recent work includes his role as Craig in the web series In The Wood, and Biscuit in the online show The OC Club. His favorite theatre credits include: Insidious with The People's Theatre Lab, Brotherhood at Playwright's Horizons and the 2010 GLAAD Award-Winning play She Like Girls. He's also hosted an online show at Coupon.tv in partnership with Groupon.com. Paul holds an MFA from New York University's Dramatic Writing Program. www.thenoticeblog.com
ERIC PERCIVAL (Agis)
Has performed on stages in New York, London, and throughout Europe and the US. He was awarded Oustanding Supporting Actor in the 2010 Planet Connections Theatre Festivity for The Picture of Dorian Grey, and Outstanding Lead Actor in the 2008 MITF Awards for his performance in Bubby's Shadow (Midtown International Theatre Festival). Other recent NYC performances include leading roles in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead (T. Schreiber Studio), Another Horatio Alger Story (Metropolitan Playhouse), Parts of Parts and Stitches (MTWorks), The Changing Room (T. Schreiber Studio), Recovery (MN Fringe), Jean and Joe (Brooklyn Arts Exchange), and The Homecoming (T. Schreiber Studio). Training: London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts (London), T. Schreiber Studio (NY). Website: www.ericpercival.com
DUNCAN PFLASTER (Playwright)
His award-winning plays The Wastes of Time, Prince Trevor Amongst the Elephants, The Thyme of the Season, The Starship Astrov, Sweeter Dreams, Eternity: Time Without End, The Tragedy of Dandelion, Bill's Threesome, 9/10 of the Law, Mine or Yours, and Dark Night of the Russet Rascal have been seen all over New York. Other critically acclaimed plays include Suckers, Admit Impediments, Sleeping in Tomorrow, and Ore, or Or. Five of his plays are published online at Indie Theater Now. Many thanks to the companies that gavethis playstaged readings during its development: MTWorks' NewBorn Festival, The Hive, Oberon Theatre Ensemble, and Actors Theatre of Grand Rapids. Duncan has TWO plays currently running in the Planet Connections Theatre Festivity; you can also check out the gay comedy The Taint of Equality, or I Want Your Sex. Duncan is a member of the Dramatists Guild and EMG Workshop. www.duncanpflaster.com for updates.
GLENN QUINTEN (Pistos)
Was born and raised in Miami, FL and is a graduate of Rutgers Mason Gross School of the Arts class of 2011. Acting Credits: A Midsummer Nights Dream, Wake Up, Saxophone Music, Marat/Sade, Fires in the Mirror, Superhero, Sineater, Here We Are, Jaywalking and Stone Cold Dead Serious. Film Credits: Recovering Undercover Lover, Christ Complex and Gold Fish. He is a member of The Hive Theatre Company. He is excited to be working with such an amazing cast and crew. www.oneononenyc.com/GlennQuentin
IMRAN SHEIKH (Ernestus)
Recently starred in Four Different Lives (59E59) and Parts of Parts & Stitches by Emerging Writer of the Public Theater, Riti Sachdeva (14th Street Theatre/ MTWorks). He also recently starred in a BBC and NPR reviewed production of Eugene O'Neill's Pulitzer Prize winning Beyond the Horizon (Theater for the New City). Currently he may be seen as a series regular on MTV's ratings-record-breaking hit TV show Guy Code which will debut its 2nd season this July. Later this summer he will be starring in the world-premiere of The Girl with Her Hands in the Sand at the world famous NYC Fringe Festival and in Shakespeare’s Cardenio (Hudson Shakespeare Co.). He is also the co-founder of Parwaz Playhouse, the first major Pakistani-American theatre company in the U.S., and a regular performer at the New York Times reviewed Sticky Play Series. Imran thanks his mother, Baj, father, friends; Glory, Duncan, cast, crew; and darling Desi. Follow Imran on twitter: @imranwsheikh
MARY SHERIDAN (Clio)
Photo & bio coming soon
ROBERT SHRYOK (Pelagius)
Born in Manila, Philippines, Robert now calls Brooklyn home. He recently performed with Zany Umbrella Circus in Cake and will next be seen in Lena’s Way, part of a human rights themed play festival by Women of Color Productions. Robert is also working on the development of Black Orpheus, an adaptation of the 1960 Academy Award winner for Best Foreign Language Film, playing the role of Death and serving as Movement Director. In the fall Robert will be playing Banquo in Macbeth. Robert also works as a therapeutic clown for Lev Leytsan: The Compassionate Clown Alley, Inc. Robert has degrees in Biology and Theatre and an MFA in Physical Theatre from the Accademia dell’Arte in Arezzo, Italy. Some past favorite roles include Templeton in Charlotte's Web, Pulcinella in Brunch with Pulcinella, and Don Quixote in The Judgement of Don Quixote.
ERIN SOLER (Adriana)
Theatrical performances include Such Sweet Sorrow (Theatre for the New City), The Hollow Men (Fringe NYC), Babe in Crimes of the Heart, Man of La Mancha, The Music Man, The Diviners, Biloxi Blues, Night of January 16th, and numerous readings of new plays and musicals. Independent films: 12AM & The Sleepwalker. Erin also served as the Assistant Director on The Lightning Field (Fringe NYC Outstanding Play) and Baal (Columbia University). She is an "on call reader" for Hats Off Casting and studied acting & musical theatre in NYC.
TARA STEINBERG (Assistant Stage Manager)
Bio coming soon
JACOB SUBOTNICK (Sound Designer)
Selected NYC theatre: Any Given Monday (59E59); The Violet Hour, Body Language, Bridgeboy, Two Rooms, Romance/Romance, Magnetic North (TheActive Theater); Venus Observed, Endless Summer Nights, Uncle Vanya (Boomerang Theatre); A Raisin in the Sun, Macbeth, King Lear (The Gallery Players); Tulpa or Anne and Me (Winner – Outstanding Sound Design Planet Connections Theater Festivities 2011); The Picture of Dorian Gray (PCTF2010); Nesting (TokenCollective); The People Speak (The Culture Project). Regional: Hair, Damn Yankees, Hairspray (Mount Washington Valley Theatre Company); Recovery (Minnesota Fringe Festival2011). Jacob received his Bachelor of Music from NYU. www.jacobsubotnick.com
CHRIS WESTON (Lighting Designer)
Bio coming soon
KELLY ZEKAS (Neara)
Is tickled to be back at Planet Connections. Favorite roles include a lot of Shakespeare (Celia in As You Like It, Benvolio in Romeo & Juliet, Jailer's Daughter in Two Noble Kinsmen), Martirio in Alba, and Elizabeth Brooks in The Many Universes of Elizabeth Brooks. Kelly is a member of Snorks and Piñs and The Shakespeare Forum, where she is thrilled to work with artists who value "playing". Graduate of NYU Tisch and The Stella Adler Studio. Thank you so much to Glory, Duncan, and Joe for the opportunity to work with you each again. Neal, Jenna, Tara and Martine - thankyouthankyouthankyou. It has been a pleasure to work with this incredible cast and crew.
ACTORS' EQUITY ASSOCIATION
Actors' Equity Association (AEA), founded in 1913, represents more than 45,000 actors and stage managers in the United States. Equity seeks to advance, promote and foster the art of live theatre as an essential component of our society. Equity negotiates wages and working conditions, providing a wide range of benefits, including health and pension plans. AEA is a member of the AFL-CIO, and is affiliated with FIA, an international organization of performing arts unions. The Equity emblem is our mark of excellence. www.actorsequity.org